News & events

Canada should ban all advertising, marketing, promotion and sponsorship involving vaping companies to avoid hooking a new generation of smokers

The tobacco industry continues to produce and market its deadly products around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries

Too often there is a major conflict between public health and large segments of the private sector because they have two very different motivations

Columnist Trevor Hancock looks back at how health care has evolved since he came into the profession

Scrooge’s awakening to humanitarian instincts and conversion to a spirit of generosity needs to be replicated at scale

Single-family homes in suburban areas result in much higher home energy, transportation and infrastructure costs

Large SUVs and light trucks are vastly over-designed for the suburban market and very energy inefficient

Decades of lax assessment coupled with the assumption that chemicals are innocent until proven guilty have left us and the ecosystem with a burden of toxins

The way the ecological footprint is calculated means the estimate that Saanich’s is equivalent to four planets is an underestimate

Obvious ways to reduce our ecological footprint include switching to a low meat or “flexitarian” diet, reducing food waste and creating compact, walkable “15-minute” neighbourhoods

Transportation, the next largest component after food, accounts for 17 per cent of Saanich’s ecological footprint, and fossil fuel accounts for almost all of that

We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Rod Dobell. Our thoughts and love go out to Rod’s family and to all of you who share in this loss.

Over two-thirds of our food footprint is attributable to animal-based foods, which are much more energy and land-intensive

Some nations use nowhere near their fair share of the Earth’s biocapacity and resources, while others — such as Canada, with its nearly five-planet footprint — have far more

Canada’s ecological footprint, at around five planets, is one of the highest in the world.

How do we evolve to a culture that is fit for purpose in the 21st century, faced with the realities of ecological limits and social inequity?

We need to learn how to live well together in this place that we share, not just with humans but with many other species, and how to do so within the ecological and biophysical constraints of this region

New ethical frameworks for society are needed that reflect values of human solidarity, quality of life and ecological sensibility

Scientists who examined nine key Earth systems concluded “six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity.”

A 2018 study found global energy demand by 2050 could be 40 per cent lower than now if all known energy efficiencies were implemented

A more plant-based, low-meat diet has many health and ecological benefits, including requiring less land per person, so it can be farmed more sustainably.

We are far from gender equality globally, and still have some way to go in Canada.

Humans must move from a society focused on “me” to one focused on “we”

Capitalism is itself a giant income redistribution scheme, transferring money from the poor to the rich.

The agenda for such a transformation has been known for at least half a century, but in spite of the evidence, we have not done so

Researchers have re-worked planetary boundaries by adding justice component

We need economic activity that actually regenerates rather than depletes natural systems, while distributing the economic benefits more fairly

Was the loss of the Titan really a disaster, or a foreseeable incident brought about by exaggerated pride and self-confidence?

Two billion people, one-quarter of the world’s population, will be living outside the safe human climate niche within seven years

The billions of dollars these taxes would raise could be put to good use, funding a guaranteed basic income for everyone, as more people are displaced not only from industrial work but many service industry jobs

Bad aspects of the AI revolution, including the ability to develop better disinformation, pale into insignificance compared to the ugly potential that AIs could become an existential threat to humanity.

Several countries are starting to develop “wellbeing economies” and “wellbeing budgets” that incorporate all four capitals: natural, human, social and produced (or economic).

There is only so much biocapacity on our finite planet, and we already exceed the limits.

The economy is — or should be — a tool used to achieve the things that really matter. It should not be the central focus of government, of public policy and public discussion.

The federal government is currently consulting Canadians about creating a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry. The registry, which may soon be established, could require each of us to declare our relations to “foreign principals,” a category that includes foreign governments, businesses, organizations, groups and individuals.

We need to slow growth in our overall consumption, especially in the high-income countries and populations where it is highest and most damaging.

Earth4All says population size is not the prime driver of exceeding planetary boundaries — it’s the extremely high material footprint levels among the world’s richest 10 per cent.

B.C. government continues to support new fossil fuel infrastructure, while vainly proclaimimg it can meet its emissions targets.

By March 13, we had already used our fair share of biocapacity for the year.

At present rates of global consumption, it takes the equivalent of 1.8 Earths to meet our collective needs. If the rest of the world lived as Canadians do, we would need another 4.1 planets

Children need to not only learn about how their bodies work, but how to look after their health and deal competently with minor health problems.

If we really want to reduce the burden on the illness-care system, we need to prioritize self-care, so people do not inappropriately access the system.

To create a wellbeing society and develop healthy public policies, governments must put people and the planet at the heart of decision-making.

Many of the conditions we live in and the behaviours we adopt are not freely chosen, no matter how much we may wish to think so

If you had to remake the health system from scratch, what would you do? Turn the system on its head, making the hospital the place of last resort and beginning with what keeps people healthy

In Canada, health services only have to be publicly administered, not provided by public authorities. A large part of the publicly funded system is privately owned and operated, starting with your doctor.

Fossil-fuel advocate Gwyn Morgan’s columns are an example of ‘discourses of delay,’ which argue that we need oil and gas to fuel our society and change is impossible — thus delaying action on climate change.

The rich have increasingly been taking — stealing, if you like — from the poor.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is proposing the creation a Special Envoy for Future Generations “to give weight to the interests of those who will be born over the coming century.”

Victoria art historian and urban critic Martin Segger presented a personal Brief at the first of the Royal British Columbia Museum’s community dialogue sessions today. The Brief outlines a strategy for core changes in how the museum sees itself and relations with its stakeholders.

UN secretary general is the most important political leader on the planet today, heading up the most important organization on the planet.

Based on remarks at the Gorge Tillicum Community’s ‘Lights on the Gorge’ event, where children are an important part of the audience.

In the rush to protect nature, the human rights of Indigenous people should not be violated — as has happened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Nepal.

The degradation of nature and loss of biodiversity is a degradation of and loss to humanity, an existential threat to society, and indeed to humanity as a whole.

The upcoming COP 15 Conference in Montreal cannot be a missed opportunity for the Canadian government to keep its promise and establish the Canada Water Agency.

Many of the problems faced by low-income countries are rooted in systems, institutions and corporations set up largely to benefit high-income countries.

In the more than 4,000 words of the Sharm el-Sheikh document, the words “fossil fuels” appear just once

People will only accept the burden of changes that are needed to achieve a sustainable world if they feel the burden is fairly shared, which means those who benefit most right now must make the largest changes

Canada’s federal and provincial governments need to immediately stop all supports for fossil-fuel exploration and extraction, and find ways to pressure Canadian banks to do the same

The consequences of a mere 1.1°C of warming are already becoming very apparent; the impacts of a rise above 1.5 or even 2°C will be severe

Humans have extracted resources for millennia, but the scale of extraction today is massive and often unsustainable

The Liberal government’s 'Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership' reinforces a muscular approach, dwelling on heightened military co-operation to 'closely align our approaches to China.'

The ultimate determinant of the health of everyone in the world is the state of the natural ecosystems of which we are a part

We have become so screen-oriented that we — and especially our children — have lost touch with nature, which is bad for the kids and bad for nature

At the very least, this should mean shared local decision-making with First Nations when it comes to land use

Will they promote walking, biking/rolling and public transportation? Or will they promote further urban sprawl, single-family dwellings and a car-focused transportation system?

The science of community safety and crime and violence prevention shows investing in preventing violence before it happens is more effective and cost effective than police and prisons

Opinion: Two-thirds of British Columbians are now concerned about the potential for a major water crisis in their community.

Calling for the defunding of the police is an approach that is just as mistaken as calls for more policing.

From a public-health perspective, unintentional injuries are by far a larger problem.

Homelessness, mental health and addictions issues, park camping and crime and violence are not problems that were created by the City of Victoria, and it’s unfair to expect the city to fix them.

While we don’t like to contemplate catastrophe, if we don’t, we can’t hope to avoid it.

Humans probably aren't at immediate risk of going extinct, but societies and communities, and our present form of “civilisation,” are, writes Trevor Hancock.

In North America, we spend on average 90 per cent of our time indoors.

The health benefits of active transportation include increased physical activity (in turn linked to reduced obesity and improved heart health), improved air quality (linked to improved heart and lung health), and reductions in injuries, noise and greenhouse gas emissions.

A healthy city must be a sustainable city.

The problem is not the environmentalists, it’s the fact that our warnings — dating back 50 years or more — were ignored, dismissed, ridiculed and downplayed.

B.C. “seems to have always been an unaffordable province” when it comes to housing. So what to do?

Social housing is not just an issue for low-income people but a concern for all of us

It might come as a surprise that public health would play a role in urban planning, but it ought not to.

People end up on the streets or in the parks for a variety of reasons, but rarely is it because they have decided they want to live there.

Let us be clear: Climate change — actually, human-induced climate heating resulting in climate instability and chaos — is a danger to health.

In an advance version of his upcoming remarks on the 2022 SDG report, Guterres wrote: “It is clear — we are moving in the wrong direction … We are moving backwards in relation to the majority of the Sustainable Development Goals”.

It seems the Rio Declaration’s rights were heard — but the responsibility, conveniently, was not.

The Stockholm Declaration began by highlighting “the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment.” But 50 years later, finding a common outlook, principles and agenda for our common future remains elusive.

The Stockholm Declaration began by highlighting “the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment.” But 50 years later, finding a common outlook, principles and agenda for our common future remains elusive.

This is the worst possible time to be approving more carbon bombs

​​​​​​​A commentary by a former museum director who has served on the board of UNESCO’s International Council for Museums and as president of the Commonwealth Museums Association.

​​​​​​​A commentary by a former museum director who has served on the board of UNESCO’s International Council for Museums and as president of the Commonwealth Museums Association.

An opinion piece published in The Globe and Mail referenced the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance's public opinion poll.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for May 22, 2022, on 'When Canada permits loss of marshes, forests, it's a carbon bomber'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 24, 2022 on 'B.C. government's LNG infatuation makes it dangerously radical'.

POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes co-authored an article in The Hill Times on 'Federal budget a failure when it comes to addressing the water crisis'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 17th, 2022 on 'Are our governments dangerous radicals or merely mad?'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 10th, 2022 on 'Speeding development of non-profit housing is good for health'.

POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes was cited in an online article on 'Water security will be growing focus of ESG issues in mining industry' in the Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 3rd, 2022 on 'WHO's focus on planetary health is timely'.

Project Leader Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly's comment on 'Why it makes sense to give to local First Nations' was published in the Times Colonist.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 27th, 2022 on 'A progressive tax on all forms of wealth would reduce inequality'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 20th, 2022 on 'Freedom from regulation helps sharks at the expense of minnows'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 13th, 2022 on 'Freedom — the real deal versus infantile foot stomping'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 6th, 2022 on 'Here's how you can help Ukraine — and the world'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for February 27th, 2022 on 'Increased inequality was a political choice we must reverse'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for February 20th, 2022 on 'High levels of inequality incompatible with a well-being society'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for February 13th, 2022 on 'When it comes to health, inequality is inevitable, but inequity isn't'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for January 30th, 2022 on 'Well-being society needs a well-being economy'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for February 6th, 2022 on 'GDP needs to be replaced with more meaningful indicators'.

POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes was cited in an online article on 'B.C. watershed security strategy could put province on the 'cutting edge'.

POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes was cited in a Times Colonist online article on 'B.C. unveils strategy to secure watersheds'.

The yahoo! news published an online article on 'British Columbia developing plan to protect drinking water, ecosystems' in which POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes was cited.

The CBC news cited POLIS Co-Director in an online article on 'B.C. developing plan to protect water sources from effects of climate change, development'.

Canada's National Observer wrote an article about Research Lead and Project Manager on Water Sustainability Project from POLIS Rosie Simms.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for January 23, 2022 on 'What is a 'well-being society'? For starters, one that values planet Earth'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for January 9th, 2022 on 'Let's not make the next 50 years a repeat of the last'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for January 16th, 2022 on 'Health requires a well-being society'.

Richard dal Monte cited Nicole Bates-Eamer in an online article on "Forced out'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for December 12, 2021 on 'Black Friday is bad for the planet and our well-being'.

Choice published a podcast in which the origins of Anthropocene Geopolitics and how it intertwined with the Borders in Globalization project are discussed.

EUCAnet.ca project manager and communication officer Beate Schmidtke wrote an online article on 'UVic researchers examine memory politics'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for November 21st, 2021 on 'Practising health care as if the planet matters'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for November 14th, 2021 on 'Doctors and nurses declare a climate Code Red for B.C.'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for November 6th, 2021 on 'Becoming a One Planet region starts with food'.

The Hill Times cited POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes in an online article on 'The Canada Water Agency must be created now'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for October 27th, 2021 on 'Working toward a One Planet Saanich'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for October 24th, 2021 on 'Sadly, B.C. is still treating nature as resource to be exploited'.

CFGS Associate Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for October 17th, 2021 on 'B.C. fails to take adequate action on climate crisis'.

The Tyee cited POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes in an online article on 'BC’s Groundwater Licensing System Is Still in Crisis'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for October 10th, 2021 on '‘System-wide transformation’ needed to rebalance ourselves with nature.'

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for October 3rd, 2021 on 'How do we make peace with nature?'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for September 26th, 2021 on 'Measures to tackle climate change bring health benefits, too'.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke was interviewed by Matt Galloway for CBC Radio's The Current about Angela Merkel’s legacy after 16 years as Germany’s chancellor.

CFGS Associate Fellow Tamara Plush was interviewed by MYD Global about engaging children and youth in disaster risk reduction.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for September 19th, 2021 on 'No matter who wins, we could all lose'.

The Narwahl cited POLIS Co-director Oliver Brandes in an online article on 'No longer a rainforest: B.C.’s Sunshine Coast improvises to survive long-term drought'.

The Ricochet cited CFGS Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow Amy Janzwood in an online article on 'None of the major parties will cancel TMX, despite heated opposition in B.C.'.

The German weekly newspaper 'Der Spiegel' cited CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke in an online article on what Germany can learn from Canada about immigration policy.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for September 12th, 2021 on 'The right to a healthy environment is a vital election issue'.

The Narwhal cited POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes in an online article on 'It’s pretty dire: Vancouver Island salmon under threat from climate change-induced droughts'.

The Runner cited POLIS Co-Director Oliver Brandes in an online article on 'Heat-caused droughts continue to affect much of B.C.'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for September 5th, 2021 on 'The planet-sized elephant in the election room'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for August 29th, 2021 on 'Neither left nor right, but ahead — why the Greens are different'.

The Ricochet cited CFGS Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow Amy Janzwood in an online article on 'Conservative climate rewards program, carbon tariffs don’t stand up to scrutiny'.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for August 22nd, 2021 on B.C.'s 'natural gas' is both unnatural and unhealthy.

POLIS Affiliate Katia Bannister's online article about how to include kids in discussions about healthy water systems, and creating opportunities for them to connect to their watersheds builds water security.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for August 15th, 2021 on 'If we lose the carbon sinks, we are sunk'.

The Vancouver Sun mentioned Nicole Bates-Eamer's work on her PhD in climate displacement in an online article about Climate displacement a growing concern in B.C. as extreme weather forces residents out of their homes.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for August 8th, 2021 on denying net zero is simply not on.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for August 1st, 2022 on building child-friendly communities means protecting future generations.

Online article about the global network on border studies: Borders in Globalization.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed on the need to build gentle infills for affordable, healthy neighbourhoods.

The Vancouver Sun, the Summerland Review and Water Canada cited the Working for Watersheds Report.

The Centre for Global Studies and the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria hosted the virtual listening circle on healing from residential schools led by Penelakut Elders.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Op-Ed on the difference between social, supportive and affordable housing.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Op-Ed on why we need to stop subsidising industries that harm our planet.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on Canada Day and the Canadian Indigenous flag.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly Op-Ed for June 27th, 2021, "Stop subsidies to 'corporate welfare bums' that harm our health"

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for May 30th, 2021, "B.C. flunks international biodiversity targets"

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for June 20th, 2021, "Who has the right to cut old growth?"

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for June 13th, 2021, "What happened in Kamloops was part of a national crime"

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for June 6th, 2021, "On climate, it's short-term pain for long-term gain, backed by courts".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for May 23rd, 2021, "B.C. is now a biodiversity-loss hotspot".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for May 16th, 2021, "We need a vaccine against Olympic and fossil fuel insanity".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for May 9th, 2021, "Active transportation is good for mental health".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock´s weekly op-ed for May 2nd, 2021, "Creating well-being, from the personal to the planetary".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 25th, 2021, "Throne speech and budget fail future generations".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 18th, 2021, "Memo to John Horgan: Don't blow it for the next generation".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 11th, 2021, "Circling the new local economy with the six R's".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for April 4th, 2021, "No, Victoria council is not the devil incarnate".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 28th, 2021, "Creating communities fit for the 21st century".

By Oliver M. Brandes and Deborah Curran The traditional gift to celebrate a five-year anniversary is wood. But what is appropriate commemoration of five years of new water legislation?

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 14th, 2021, "Doughnut economy means not spending $100M on interchange".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for March 21th, 2021, "Practising democracy as if the future mattered".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's weekly op-ed for February 14th, 2021, "Our Economic System Needs to Recognize the Price - and Value - of Nature".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed that “Flattening the curve” needs to be a key focus for society today.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed that we need to become a more just society, where people earn a fair wage and the rich pay their fair share — which means higher taxes and, especially, a wealth tax.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed if it is surely a bad idea to address the consequence of one pandemic by worsening the impact of other pandemics? These are key questions we should ask in our post-COVID-19 world.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on what Will Steffen, a leading Earth system scientist and member of the Stockholm Resilience Centre said in an interview in December 2019: "We must reach a social turning point before we reach a planetary one".

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed that US President Donald Trump, by cutting funding to the World Health Organisation in the middle of a pandemic, is attacking millions of impoverished people in dozens of countries whose health, and even their lives, depend directly or indirectly on the expertise and support of the WHO.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed that we need to transition to a system that repairs the social and ecological harm the current system creates.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on whether we are choosing the right path for the future.

CFGS Cedar Trees Institute Fellow Pablo Ouziel talked with CBC's Gregor Craigie about Spain's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interview, Pablo described the “dystopian” experience of travelling back to Spain during the crisis and the challenges the country is facing trying to stop the spread of the virus.

CFGS Cedar Trees Institute Fellow Pablo Ouziel talked with UVic's Gorilla Radio about how his home country of Spain is responding to the current Pandemic.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed about eight important lessons we might learn from COVID-19-pandemic if we pay attention to what is happening.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed that the COVID 19 pandemic will eventually come to an end, but it could leave an important legacy: An opportunity for us to choose a new way of life and a new economy that is healthy, fair, social and sustainable.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed that it might be with the combination of reduced consumption and reduced environmental harm, coupled with societal commitment to ensuring the meeting of basic needs for all, we will find ourselves unintentionally creating the well-being economy we need in the 21st century.

CFGS Visiting Research Fellow Robert Huish was interviewed on 95.7 News's Sheldon MacLeod Show. During the interview, Robert talked about the dangers of using racialized language in discussions surrounding COVID-19 (like calling it the “Chinese Virus”).

CFGS Visiting Research Fellow Robert Huish discussed the impactfulness of government narrative and the importance of using language emphasizing that measures being implemented require a collective effort. Robert also addressed how quarantine measures may disproportionately affect Canada's already vulnerable populations.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed while we need to act locally, we really do need to think globally. Global problems affect local municipalities, from higher temperatures to rising sea levels and severe weather, from depletion of resources needed for food to international trade agreements, and from unemployment and poverty to the emerging challenges of artificial intelligence and robotics.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed in which he discusses the importance of working to secure our children’s future, and standing up to those in the corporate and government worlds that threaten it.

CFGS Faculty Fellow Elizabeth Vibert spoke with CBC's All Points West host Kathryn Marlow to explain, and to give practical tips on how to try and work towards food sovereignty.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed explaining why the federal government needs to be working to secure our children’s future by hastening the transition to a net-zero-carbon economy.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed addressing our responsibilities to future generations rooted in our relationship with our natural environment, other species and future generations.

CFGS Associate Fellow Harry Swain joined CBC's "Power and Politics" to discuss the lessons learned from the 1990 Oka Crisis and how they might be applied to current land rights issues and protests.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the importance of reducing energy requirements through conservation and increased efficiency.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on recent developments in earth-friendly transportation methods.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the groups and organizations that are working to create a One Planet Region.

CFGS Visiting Research Fellow Robert Huish discussed the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in an interview with CTV News Atlantic. During the interview, he reflected on the resilience and solidarity of the affected communities amid increasing public concern. Robert also discussed the outbreak's impact on local tourism and the global economy.

At 11 p.m. in London, Britain officially left the European Union. CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke discussed the implications of this historic moment in an interview with Adam Sterling on CFAX 1070 radio. Listen to the full interview here.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the Seeds of a Good Anthropocene project.

Victoria News featured a story on an international initiative, led by Former EUS Program Co-Director Charlotte Schaillié, that turns the stories of Holocaust survivors into graphic novels.

CFGS Post-Doctoral Fellow Michael Carpenter was interviewed by CHECK NEWS on the impact of the recent Coastal Gaslink Pipeline protests at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the value of local action and community-wide conversation.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the biggest health problems we face over the next decade.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CTV's Todd van der Heyden about the top news stories from 2019 including the Hong Kong protests, the mosque attack in Christchurch, the UK general election, and the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on how how we are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke discussed the recent U.K. election in an interview with CTV News. During the interview, Oliver addressed how the new Conservative majority will impact future Brexit negotiations and reflected on the Labour Party's disappointing result.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the extinction emergency.

New book co-authored by POLIS' David Brooks

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the limited impacts of economic growth.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on why countries need to develop economies that restore damaged ecosystems and distribute resources more fairly.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke and Uvic Associate Professor of History Jordan Stranger- Ross co-wrote an OpEd for CBC News reflecting on the People's Party of Canada election results and their future implications for Canada.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined the CTV News Network to reflect on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the negative impacts of economic growth.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on environmental issues.

CFGS Faculty Fellow Jutta Gutberlet, comments in the media on the Capital Regional District (CRD) aim to reduce solid waste going to Hartland Landfill by a third by 2030.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke discussed the recent success of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany in regional elections in an interview with CTV News. To watch the TV interview, please click on the following link.

Oliver Brandes, Co-Director of the Polis Project co-wrote an op-ed for the Times Colonist titled "It's Time to Invest in B.C.'s Water Security" which explains why investing in water security is vital in fighting the climate crisis.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the tobacco industry

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the framing of the political mainstream, especially in environmental issues.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke discussed the implications of the British Parliament's decision to delay the approval of Brexit deal on CTV News. To watch the TV interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on health issues.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on poverty and health issues.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke was interviewed on the upcoming Canadian federal election by the German online radio station detekor.fm. To listen to the radio interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the threat of climate change for humanity.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined Adam Stirling on CFAX 1070 to discuss what happened with Brexit and the UK Supreme Court. The supreme court ruled on September 24th that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advice to the Queen that parliament should be prorogued for five weeks at the height of the Brexit crisis was unlawful. To listen to the radio interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on health as an election issue.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the neglect of children

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CTV's Angie Seth this week about the rejected bid to stop the suspension of the British parliament. To watch the TV interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CBC's Carole MacNeil this week about British Prime Minister Boris Johnson´s intent to no longer accept any Brexit delays after the British parliament rejected his call for pre-Brexit snap elections. To watch the TV interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on child support

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with Adam Stirling at CFAX 1070 on Thursday regarding Brexit's uncertain future. To listen to the radio interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CTV's Todd van der Heyden on Wednesday as U.K. MPs voted to block a no-deal Brexit, a move that forced Boris Johnson to seek an extension until January 31st unless a deal is approved by Parliament. To watch the TV interview, please click on the following link.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CBC's Carole MacNeil on Wednesday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a crushing defeat as the opposition voted 328-301 to control the parliamentary agenda. To watch the TV interview, click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on criminality in Canada

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke spoke with CTV News about French President Emmanuel Macron's statements warning against pushing Russia away from Europe, as well as Russia's current relationship and status within the G7. To watch the interview, click on the following link.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the effects of distorting scientific facts

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined Carole MacNiel on the CBC New Network on August 20th to discuss the current political situation in Italy, the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte, and Matteo Salvini's political strategies. To watch the interview, click on the following link.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke conducted an interview with the La Razón on European Immigration Policy

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on fossil fuels

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on local environmental initiatives.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on local environmental issues.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on environmental issues

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on health issues involving primary care.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on strategies to improve primary care.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on alternative health futures.

CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten has conducted a radio interview with CFAX 1070 about geopolitical events involving USA, Russia and North Korea.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on urban growth issues

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on Indigenous perspectives on health

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on climate change

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the approach to quality of life in New Zealand.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the Green New Deal

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the dangers of boxing for the health of box fighters

Scott Watson wrote an Op-Ed in the Times colonist about the ongoing refugee crisis and what can be done to prevent the deaths of refugees attempting to flee their home countries

Oliver Schmidtke joined the CTV News Network this weekend to comment on the ongoing elections in Europe.

Oliver Schmidtke joins CTV's national weekend coverage to comment on the real possibility of a second referendum on Brexit

Oliver Schmidtke joins CBC TV national news to comment on the world's second largest democratic election taking place in Europe as people head to the polls to choose a new parliament.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the provincial governments involvement in public health

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on environmental issues

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the planetary warming.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the recent fire that devastated the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and how the fire coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron's ongoing political troubles.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to discuss Theresa May's decision to request an extension on the Brexit deadline.

The deadline for Brexit has been moved after a deal could not be reached. CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke provideed comment to CTV's national news program on the decision to push the deadline and the impact of a compromise on the Brexit deadline.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on anticipatory democracies

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on alternative health futures.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to discuss former UKIP leader Nigel Farage's decision to come out of retirement and how this latest move might impact Brexit.

CFGS Associate Fellow Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on future thinking.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to discuss the British Prime Minister's decision to bring a fourth Brexit vote to Parliament.

Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the Senate, health, and environment.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the UK parliament's recent rejection of Theresa May's new Brexit Deal and how that further complicates the quagmire that is Brexit.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke commented on the Brexit vote and Theresa May's most recent attempt to get her deal approved.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to discuss the protests that have been taking place over Brexit and whether another referendum is needed on this topic.

Ron Crelinsten joins CFAX Radio to comment on the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand and the impact of social media, the internet and the dark web on white supremacists and right-wing extremists.

Times Colonist Op-ed March 10, 2019 on understanding the bell-curve for the work of public health.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined the Mornings with Al Ferraby show to help explain the ongoing Brexit situation in the EU.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to discuss the UK parliament's rejection of the new Brexit deal and the implications on Prime Minister Theresa May's government.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined the South Korean radio station Morning Wave in Busan for a special interview to discuss the British ministers' move to reject the 'May should quit' report.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined Evan Solomon's show on CFAX radio to further comment on the upcoming vote for the new Brexit deal.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to comment on the upcoming vote for Brexit and Theresa May's options if the deal is voted down again.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to speak about the British Parliament's upcoming Brexit deadline.

Oliver Schmidtke and Colin Bennett's Times Colonist Op-ed on the ongoing refugee crisis.

Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the parallels of the current environment and Rachel Carson's warnings in her 1962 book, "Silent Spring".

Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news program to speak about the British Parliament's upcoming Brexit deadline.

Trevor Hancock Times Colonist Op-ed on the need to love the planet Earth.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke and Colin Bennett write in the Times Colonist about the global refugee crisis and Canada's approach to resettling refugees. The two scholars point out there is more that can be done to help the many people waiting for sponsorship.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the precarious Brexit negotiations that are in limbo at this time.

CFGS Visiting Scholar Bernard Duhaime joined Al Jazeera to comment on Jamal Kashoggi and the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions in Turkey.

Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on the one-planet region.

On Sunday, January 20th, the Times Colonist published an op-ed by Bob Sandford (EPCOR Chair in Water and Climate Security, United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health) and Laura Brandes (Communications Director, POLIS Water Sustainability Project). Picking up on themes from Bob Sandford's successful public talk at UVic last week, this op-ed describes the "tipping point" that was crossed in 2018 towards a new and turbulent climate regime in the Northern Hemisphere. The authors discuss what this “new normal” will look like and offer opportunities for action, including through British Columbia’s Water Sustainability Act.

Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-Ed on the need for "self-care" investments within the province.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on next steps for the UK after two votes last week on the Brexit deal and no-confidence.

Trevor Hancock Times Colonist Op-ed on Island Health

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CBC News on national TV to comment on the results of the recent no-confidence vote in the UK.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined the "Noon Show with Joe Perkins" to shed further light into the recent Brexit-deal vote in the UK parliament.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV's national news channel yesterday as the results of the vote in the UK came in, providing comment on what might happen for Brexit, the EU and European politics.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke provided comment for CTV News national weekend coverage on Theresa May, Brexit and the upcoming vote.

Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly's co-edited book European Union Governance and Policy Making: A Canadian Perspective has been named one of Hill Times’ best 100.

Dr. Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on "intangible gifts".

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the Brexit debate in the EU and the upcoming vote this week.

Dr. Trevor Hancock's Times Colonist Op-ed on a new "Green Deal"

Trevor Hancock's recent Times Colonist Op-ed reflects on our place in the universe.

POLIS' Rosie Simms and Oliver Brandes wrote an article in the Times Colonist about the province's water strategy, “Living Water Smart,” which is now 10 years old. The article reviewed the promises related to protecting fresh water and how the BC government is upholding theirs.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to speak about likelihood of Theresa May surviving a leadership challenge from her own party.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CFAX Radio to speak about the ongoing protests in France and the public support being received by the “Gilets Jaunes,” the group behind the political movement.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the survival of Theresa May in the confidence vote of Tory MPs and what this might mean for Brexit.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined CBC News to comment on the recent confidence vote in the British Parliament.

Times Colonist: My concern is at a wider level: Is it really such a good idea that civil society shoulder the responsibility of meeting people’s basic needs? In doing so, are we not enabling an abdication of responsibility by both our federal and provincial governments and by the business sector — especially large corporations — which avoid paying their fair share of the taxes that should support the meeting of basic needs for all?

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV National News to speak about Brexit, its impacts and ongoing political repercussions in Britain and the European Union.

Times Colonist: While the opioid-overdose epidemic is a major focus of concern, it is worth recalling that it is not the most important cause of addiction-related deaths in Canada or even in B.C., the epicentre of the opioid epidemic. There were almost 4,000 opioid-related deaths in Canada in 2017, but tobacco, which is also addictive, kills 11 times as many Canadians every year as opioids — yes, 11 times as many.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to speak about the European Union approving the Brexit deal and what comes next for British Prime Minister Theresa May.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to discuss the latest agreement between the UK and EU on post-Brexit plans.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to speak about the current Brexit deal and the possibilities of a second referendum on the issue.

POLIS Project Lead Oliver Brandes commented on Canadian online magazine Tyee the importance of water management and governance and what the POLIS Water Sustainability Project is doing to ensure strong protection for sustainable fresh water.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CFAX Radio to comment on the announcement that the German Chancellor will not seek re-election once the current term ends.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News on a national afternoon broadcast to discuss the announcement Monday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not seek re-election in 2021, as well as what this might mean for geopolitics and the future of the European Union.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News as an expert guest to discuss the difficulties of the ongoing Brexit negotiation in the EU, and how the process had been further stalled by complex political underpinnings.

On World Rivers Day 2018 the Times Colonist published an op-ed authored by the WSP’s Oliver M. Brandes and Rosie Simms. It describes how the changing climate is wreaking havoc with hydrology in B.C., and outlines opportunities for British Columbians to take action to address current and looming water challenges.

Commenting on a second Brexit referendum, Theresa may confirmed that the UK is committed to upholding the decision made in the first referendum to exit the EU. CFGS Director, Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News National as an expert guest to comment on the political impact of her position and the probability of a second referendum.

In his most recent Times Colonist piece, CFGS Associate Fellow and Diplomat in Residence, Kenneth Macartney uses his expertise as former Canadian Ambassador to Sweden to discuss the parallels between Sweden's 2015 rift with Saudi Arabia and the current diplomatic rift between Canada and Saudi Arabia.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to discuss the effect that migration issues and asylum policies will have on EU Summit discussions.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined Ryan Price on CFAX Radio 1070 to discuss the meeting of US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also spoke about the reaction of Americans to Trump's endorsement of Russia when he said that the state did not interfere with the 2016 election.

CFGS Associate Fellow, Ron Crelinstein joined Terry Moore on CFAX 1070 Radio to discuss the ongoing negotiations between North Korea and the United States, as well as the meeting between US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

CGFS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV news to provide an expert perspective on the political crisis in Germany, immigration backlash in Europe and possible repercussions for German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition government in the context of this week's EU summit.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CTV News to comment on the US's commitment to NATO with reference to Trump's 'America First' stance and the country's relationship with other nations.

The WSP’s Jon O’Riordan and Oliver M. Brandes co-authored this op-ed with Kim Hyatt, Bruce MacLock, and Mike Miles. It outlines opportunities for Canada to share benefits with the U.S. if restoring ecosystem services plays a central role in a modernized Columbia River Treaty going forward. The existing treaty is too narrowly focused, since it only addresses power production and flood control.

CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined CBC News Network’s Carole MacNeil to speak about the Aquarius migrant boat headed to Spain and how this will affect the EU in developing solutions for the migration crisis.

Pablo Ouziel released a media tip regarding the no-confidence vote that ousted Marinao Rajoy of the Popular Party as the President of Spain, thus signaling the beginning of the end for the country's corruption plagued regime. While the no-confidence vote requires the cooperation of many parties and may be tied up in courts for years to come, it is the first step towards a broadening of possibilities for the future of Spanish politics.

On June 1, 2018, CFGS Visiting Scholar Thomas Homer Dixon published a piece titled "The Great Canadian Climate Delusion" in The Global and Mail.

Oliver Schmidtke released a media tip regarding the developing crisis between the EU and Italy's populist government. In spite of Italy's President trying to prevent the populist coalition, the country is close to be governed by the right-wing Lega and the Five Star Movement.

May 29th, CFGS Director Oliver Schmidtke joined the hosts of Morning Wave in Busan, a South Korean-based morning radio show, to discuss the rise of the right-wing Alternative for Germany.

Oliver Schmidtke released a media tip regarding the increase tension between Italy's coalition government and the European Union. Italy's coalition government, comprised of the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the far right League (Lega), introduced a new government program that represents a blend of neoliberal policies and nationalistic, protectionist measures which reflect the anti-establishment agenda of both parties.

Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly was quoted in an article by USA Today on walls that separate nations around the globe, their history and what the different countries intended when those walls were erected.

The WSP’s Oliver M. Brandes was interviewed on CFAX Radio’s "The Drive with Mark Brennae" on World Water Day 2018. He discussed how climate change and increasing drought could affect British Columbia and the imminent need to adopt practical approaches to efficiency and water conservation to protect B.C.’s freshwater resources.

CFGS director Oliver Schmidtke spoke to CTV News on Sunday about the anti-immigrant rhetoric that dominated election campaigns in Italy. "People feel an anxiety and some of the more right-leaning parties in Italy have used this context to promote their right-wing populism that we see driving the election campaign."

Hanny Hilmy, CFGS Associate Fellow and Coordinator of the Middle East Discussion Group Egypt, wrote in an article for the Times Colonist, Dec. 26, 2017 that "hopes for a democratic resurgence in Egypt have been dashed as the military and security agencies wield increasing control over the country." ...Egypt now "fac[es] an uphill battle in its struggle for progress and stability, and the whole volatile region will be affected by the outcome." Read the full article here

CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten was interviewed on Tuesday, May 23rd by Adam Sterling on CFAX Radio. He discussed the recent suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK.

April 3, 2017, Ron Crelinsten CFGS Associate Fellow was interviewed by Terry Moore about the terrorist attack on the metro in St. Petersburg. The interview was at 2 p.m. on the show, On Air with Pamela McCall, on CFAX 1070. There is no podcast available.

Ron Crelinsten was interviewed by Terry Moore on CFAX 1070 about the US missile strike against a Syrian airbase and its implications, as well as Friday's truck attack in central Stockholm.

Oliver Schmidtke on the Dutch election and the advance of populism across Europe

Students from Aix-Marseille Université (France), Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary), the University of Osnabrück (Germany), and the University of Victoria will study and travel for three weeks in Hungary, Germany, France and Canada engaging in intercultural discussions and musical performances at sites of traumatic memory. At each location, students will reflect on how narratives of the past shape present-day EU decision-making processes regarding immigration, refugee and asylum policies.

Oliver Schmidtke spoke to Bloomberg TV, giving his take on whether Europe’s migrant crisis is spiraling out of control.

Harry Swain was quoted in the New York Times article entitled "Canada's $7 Billion Dam Tests the Limits of State Power".

Ron Crelinsten on Trump and his impact on Canada

CFGS is proud to announce its support of a new discussion group, the Global South Colloquium

February 10, 2015 POLIS Project on Ecological Governance Co-director Oliver Brandes was quoted in a Vancouver Sun article entitled "Province raising prices but not ‘selling’ water with new rate schedule: Critics argue water rates still far from capturing resource’s value". Oliver gave his opinion on the current debate of raising water prices in BC. Click here to read the article in the Vancouver Sun. Oliver is quoted on page 2.

March 1, 2015 CFGS Acting Director Martin Bunton was quoted in the Times Colonist talking about IdeaFest2015 and the CFGS event panel discussion "Canada's war on ISIS". To read the article, click here.

January 9, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten was interviewed last Friday regarding the breaking news on the Paris terror attack and supermarket siege to 1320AM CHMB Radio, a Chinese language programming format based out of Vancouver. To listen to the interview, click here.

January 9, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten was on CHEK news Jan 12 and interviewed by Terry Moore on CFAX Jan 9, commenting on the difference between the Parliament Hill, the BC Legislature and the Paris terror attacks and the threat of homegrown terrorism here in Canada. He also published an opinion piece in the Ottawa Citizen January 15 on "The reality and rhetoric of 'war' on terrorism." To listen to the CFAX interview, click here. Part I begins at 42:00; Part II begins at 51:38. To watch the CHEK news appearance, click here. To read the Op-Ed in the Ottawa Citizen, click here.

May 6, 2015 Ron Crelinsten (CFGS Associate fellow) was interviewed on Wednesday from 3:30 to 4 p.m. by CFAX 1070 host Terry Moore about Parliament passing Bill C-51 and on the Omar Khadr case. Soundcloud (Part I at 37:00 and Part II at 53:18)

April 14, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Derek Fraser was interviewed on CTV on Prime Minister Harper's unveiling of Canada's mission in Ukraine. To view the clip, click here.

March 31, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten published an Op-Ed in the Ottawa Citizen March 31st, commenting on the Canadian federal government's move to expand its military mission into Syria. Ron was also interviewed by Geoff Currier on CJOB 680 (Winnipeg) about the expansion of Canadian airstrikes into Syria. To read the article in the Ottawa Citizen, click here. To listen to the CJOB 680 clip, visit their website here.

March 27, 2015. CFGS Graduate Student Fellow Hanny Hilmy published an opinion piece in the Times Colonist entitled "Canadian Muslims uneasy about Bill C-51" discussing the intentions behind and perceptions of Bill C-51. To read the article in the Times Colonist, click here.

March 16, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten wrote an opinion piece for the National Post on Mar 16, commenting again on Bill C-51. Ron was also was interviewed by Mercedes Stephenson on Power Play, CTV News Channel, at 5:15 p.m. EDT (2:15 p.m. PDT) on Friday, March 13th, about Bill C-51 and by Terry Moore about Bill C-51 and his National Post opinion piece. To read the article in the National Post, click here. To listen to the CFAX Podcast, click here. Part I begins at 5:53 and Part II begins at 19:50.

March 9, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten wrote an Op-Ed for Ottawa Citizen last week, sharing his thoughts on Bill C-51. He was also interviewed by Terry Moore for CFAX1070 about Bill C-51, Zehaf-Bibeau Video, radicalization & social media, Islamic State Group & Boston Marathon trials. Ron was interviewed by Dan Matheson on CTV News at 7pm ET on Mar 6 about the Zehaf-Bibeau Video and the implications for Bill C-51 and again on Mar 9th by CTV's Don Martin about Bill C-51 and CSIS's new powers. To read the Ottawa Citizen article, click here. To listen to the CFAX interview, click here (Part I begins at 37:30 and Part II begins at 50:30).

March 6, 2015. POLIS Project's Oliver M. Brandes tells Sarah Berman from VICE that Canada's "water-rich" narrative needs to be debunked. With the vast majority of Canadians living along the southern border, some areas of BC, Alberta, and southern Ontario are approaching water-supply limits. "We're water-tight where people live," he says. To read the full article, click here. Oliver M. Brandes was also quoted in an article in The Province about the province's plan to price groundwater. To read the article, click here. Oliver is quoted on page 2.

February 20, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Derek Fraser published an Op-Ed in the National Post on February 20, 2015. His article discusses Putin's "Unfinished Business" in the Ukraine. To read the article, click here.

February 11, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Derek Fraser was interviewed on CTV News February 11 about the Peace Talks in Minsk and the push for a ceasefire. To watch the news clip, click here.

February 11, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten was interviewed by Terry Moore for CFAX 1070 on Wednesday, Feb 11 about US President Obama's request for Congress to authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State group, as well as the possibility of a peace deal in the Ukraine. To listen to the podcast, click here. Ron's interview starts after the 30 minute mark.

February 10, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Derek Fraser was interviewed by Terry Moore for CFAX1070 on Tuesday, Feb 10, discussing the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine and the discussion of a ceasefire. Derek also delivered a talk to the Unitarian Church in Vancouver in Feb 8 discussing the same issue. To listen to the interview, click here. To read his discussion, click here.

January 31, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten was quoted in The Gazette about the new anti-terrorism bill tabled last Friday by the federal government. Ron was also interviewed by Radio-Canada Colombie-Britannique on Monday about the terror threat in Canada and how to deal with it effectively. To read the Gazette article, click here. To listen to the radio interview, click here.

January 25, 2015. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten published his latest Op-Edon January 25th in the Ottawa Citizen, discussing police strategies in preparing for terror attacks, specifically in light of threats from ISIL and Al-Qaida and the recent killings in Paris. To read the article, click here.

January 8, 2015. A new Declaration on protection of First Nations burial grounds in B.C. that was developed by POLIS Project co-director Kelly Bannister and colleagues from Simon Fraser University is getting positive attention in the press and a flood of endorsements from academics and activists alike. In this Georgia Straight article, Bannister describes nearby Grace Islet as one of the inspirations for the concerted response by international experts who are calling for meaningful involvement of First Nations leaders and traditional knowledge holders as experts in managing their own cultural heritage.

The Centre for Global Studies Director Dr. Schmidtke will be on study leave from Jan. 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. While Dr. Schmidtke is away, Dr. Martin Bunton will be the acting director at CFGS. Martin is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at UVic, publishing an array of books and articles exploring topics such as Modern Middle Eastern History, World History and Colonial Land Policies. His current research explores the development of land policies in Egypt during the period of British rule, 1882-1920, with a focus on land taxation, cadastral surveys, state lands, and agricultural credit. We welcome Dr. Bunton to the CFGS and look forward to working with him and learning from him in the following months. To read Dr. Bunton's full bio, visit his website.

December 29, 2014. CFGS Associate Fellow Ron Crelinsten wrote an editorial published in the end-of-year issue of the Ottawa Citizen in which he explains that fighting terrorism is going to be one of 2015's greatest challenges. To read the article, click here.