Simon Nattrass

Silent support needs to raise its voice

Silent support needs to raise its voice

For over a decade, calls for a stable, fixed-site needle exchange have fallen on deaf ears.

Silent support needs to raise its voice
It’s time to exorcise our street demons

Poverty advocates fear amalgamation

Despite the still-healing wounds from last year’s brawl with the Municipality of Esquimalt, recent weeks have seen...

It’s time to exorcise our street demons
It’s time to exorcise our street demons

It’s time to exorcise our street demons

For most of us, walking the streets of The Capital is far from a politically significant experience.

It’s time to exorcise our street demons
It’s time to exorcise our street demons

Northern Gateway: Just the beginning

Much has been made of all that the Enbridge Joint Review Panel is not doing here in The Capital and throughout its provincial tour.

It’s time to exorcise our street demons
It’s time to exorcise our street demons

Victoria losing sight of bridge promises

What seems like eons ago, the City of Victoria asked you to “Vote Yes” and allow the municipality to borrow $49.2 million for a new bridge.

It’s time to exorcise our street demons
Simon Nattrass

Anthropologist digs into native treaties

In the past, I have invoked the ghosts of Victoria’s birth to illustrate the ongoing injustice borne by indigenous nations

Simon Nattrass
Simon Nattrass

Ignorance allows hatred, violence to breed

Every year, members of our community gather on Red Umbrella Day to support sex workers in The Capital

Simon Nattrass
Budget proves huge challenge for council

Budget proves huge challenge for council

For many of The Capital’s residents, December marks the season of extravagance — of feast and family, celebration and giving.

Budget proves huge challenge for council
Budget proves huge challenge for council

Activists ruin tea, chat with Kinder Morgan

Last Wednesday, my fears about Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion were to be soothed.

Budget proves huge challenge for council
Budget proves huge challenge for council

Promises to youth just ease our own guilt

Last week, we were enlightened about the plight of youth in our region.

Budget proves huge challenge for council
Budget proves huge challenge for council

Powerless declaration sends message

Last week, Saanich officially condemned growing genetically modified organisms within its borders.

Budget proves huge challenge for council
Open government more theory than practice

Open government more theory than practice

A few weeks ago, the City of Victoria sought to limit the number of Freedom of Information requests journalists could make...

Open government more theory than practice
City has little to show for $5-million payout

City has little to show for $5-million payout

Last Thursday afternoon, Nov. 1, bidding closed for the contract to break ground on the new Johnson Street Bridge.

City has little to show for $5-million payout
Thousands rally, but masked artists face heat

Thousands rally, but masked artists face heat

Last week thousands of people gathered on the lawn of the legislature for what was billed by organizers as...

Thousands rally, but masked artists face heat
City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests

City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests

The City of Victoria has withdrawn its Section 43 application against Focus magazine.

City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests
City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests

Transit woes will hurt every Victorian

There is no joy in the board rooms of BC Transit this week. As I write this column, employees are still threatening to strike.

City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests
City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests

Suspicion of city policy is not anything new

Many of you are aware of the City of Victoria’s Section 43 action against the muckrakers at Focus magazine.

City backsteps on request to limit FOI requests
Victoria gets a taste of real politics

Victoria gets a taste of real politics

I spent the night in a den of wolves while a hundred good people shouted at the walls from out in the cold.

Victoria gets a taste of real politics
Victoria gets a taste of real politics

Hollaback battles street harassment

Cat-calling is an institution in our society. For most, the idea brings to mind the iconic construction worker hooting at a model...

Victoria gets a taste of real politics
Fate of regional policing rests on humility

Innocence stolen every day on our streets

After a long stint of living in shelters, Marie was finally doing well. She had all the right supports: housing, counselling, volunteering

Fate of regional policing rests on humility