RCI | English : Interviews

With China now being appointed to the Human Rights Council and the 'consultative group’ there is concern by several countries that human rights abuses will not be investigated or properly condemned. China has itself has regularly been accused of abuse and this could now further increase concerns that the Council has become as politicized and ineffective as its predecessor. Colin Robertson is a former Canadian diplomat to China and to the U.N. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200504-WIE10 Critics of China’s human rights record accuse the country of efforts to derail human rights resolutions whether directed at them or at others. Colin Robertson, now with the Global Affairs Institute, is a former Canadian diplomat to China and to the U.N. (supplied) In July last year, 22 western nations signed a letter to the U.N about China’s arrests and incarceration of  Uyghurs, and dissenters. This was followed by a letter from 37 nations, including N. Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia and others, many of whom have human rights abuses of their own people with accusations of the ‘politicization’ of human rights issues and supporting China’s actions. Robertson says this latest appointment is part of a systematic programme of the Chinese government to seek influential positions and influence wherever it can. This is to push their global strategy of expanding Chinese interests globally beyond current aspirations in the South and East China sea, limit international criticism, and extend their power. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been aggressively promoting Chinese influence at the U.N. where it can shape policies  (Thomas Peter-Reuters) In an email to RCI he also wrote “The UN is the global parliament and it reflects national interests. We had hoped after the fall of the Soviet Union that the liberal international order would become the norm for all but it has not and it was naive to think it would.  Russia and China see global affairs in traditional terms: as a concert of great powers each with their own spheres of influence with tributary and vassel nations within that sphere”. He says it is unfortunate that the U.S has backed away as it leaves a vacuum and weakens the international concept of multilateralism and western ideals of ‘rule of law’. With China now at the head of four of 15 specialized U.N. committees, there are concerns that China will not move towards a more westernized mindset, but that the world will be influenced more towards a Chinese mindset, which some critics have long said runs counter to western ideals. Germany’s foreign minister once said for example in  February 2018 at the Munich security conference, ““China is developing a comprehensive system alternative to the Western one, which, unlike, our model, is not based on freedom, democracy and individual human rights”. Additional information The Conversatio: Matthews/ McCuaig-Johnston: China must now shape the future of human rights at the U.N. The Diplomat: E.Albert: Apr.8/20: China appointed to influential human rights council panel- concern about agenda The Conversation: A. Faiz: Jul.18/19: China is building a global coalition of human rights violators to defend its record in Xinjiang – what is its endgame? The Economist: D.Bell: Jun 12/18: China’s political meritocracy vs Western democracy CBC; G.Reaume: Nov 27/219: China is on a mission to re-make the world

Stock markets are tumbling, people are losing huge value on their investments as panic selling sets in. The drop in value is such that automatic systems have halted trading on at least a couple of stock markets. But what should people do in this most unusual situation? Jessica Moorhouse (AFCC) is Millennial Money Expert, Financial Counsellor & Podcast Host AUDIO HEREListenEN_Interview_1-20200316-WIE10 Several situations have converged in the last many months. Jessica Moorhouse, financial consultant (supplied) Jessica Moorhouse, financial consultant (supplied) We have ongoing conflicts in some areas, trade disputes, notably the U.S and China, as well as China and Canada, there’s the Brexit uncertainty, recently the oil war between the Saudis and Russia which has drastically cut the price of oil, but the latest big uncertainty affecting domestic and global economies is the corona virus pandemic from COVID-19. Stock markets took another hit this morning as panic continues. The rapid decline in market value triggered and automatic halt to the TSX this morning, other markets also fell in Monday trading. (TSX-twitter) Moorhouse says, it is not wise to panic sell, but probably also not the time to take your savings and invest in hopes of making a better return as the stocks eventually rise. She says if you have regular contributions to your investment set up, that is something that you should keep doing. As to when the economy and stock values might “eventually” recover, she says that could take months or even a year or more as recovery could be slow once the virus risk fades and that itself is an unknown and might not be for weeks or months. Thus a full recovery might be a couple of years away. She also suggests that If you don’t have a high interest savings account, that is something you should set up as an emergency fund to cover such things as job loss, or a cut back in hours. additional information NY Times: Mar 16.20: Wall Street Plummets Despite the Fed’s Support: Live Updates

With the declaration of a Covid-19 pandemic, and the first recorded death from the virus in Canada, the federal government pledged a billion dollars to both fight the virus and mitigate the effects on society. Ian Culbert, is the executive-director of the Canadian Public Health Association. He explains how the money will be used, and the unique aspects of this ‘new’ virus. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200312-WIE10 The government plan includes money sent to the provinces to purchase medical supplies and cope with increased needs in hospitals and other institutions. Ian Culbert, executive-director of the Canadian Public Health Association Some $275 million has been earmarked for research into such things as anti-virals to combat COVID-19. Culbert points out that although there are many types of corona virus, such as the ones causing the common cold, they are nonetheless distinct. As such an anti-viral that may work to fight one virus, may very likely not work to combat another. He notes that this virus which originated in an animal source and has jumped to humans is an entirely new virus of the corona family.

For a biology professor in Winnipeg, an interest in history has become almost equivalent to a full-time passion. Gordon Goldsborough (PhD) is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Manitoba, and president of the Manitoba Historical Society. Away from the university he’s usually on the road to obscure places in the western province to record vestiges or 'ghosts' of the past. Either that or he's in the archives somewhere trying to discover more about a once important or popular place, a place now abandoned and often in ruins or with mere vestiges left of what once was there. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200311-WIE10 Manitoba like most Canadian provinces is huge, in this case bigger than all of France. As settlers moved in and development began, buildings and institutions sprang up across the province. But times and needs and culture change and places are left to the elements. Gordon Goldsborough (PhD), University of Manitoba biology, and amateur historian (supplied) Goldsborough’s goal is to record such places with photos and GPS both as a permanent record of what was, and as a way for like minded historians and history buffs to locate them for themselves. The giant dredge of Port Nelson on Hudson Bay. Built in 1913 it arrived on site the next year in an ambitious project to create a northern shipping port.  After WWI, the government decided Churchill was a better location for a port. In 1924 a vicious storm pushed the dredge up onto the artificial island it had created from dredging, where it has remained since a remnant of a grand and expensive idea (Gord Goldsborough) His work has been recorded in two books already with a third on the way. He doesn’t merely record images of the place and the remnants but in his books delves into the history of the place, what it was, why it was where it is, and its fate. Gordon Goldsborough's first book. The second book More Abandoned Manitoba is out with a third in the works (McNally-Robertson Publishing) He says many communities sprang up along rail lines, once the main, if not the only means of travel for any distance in the huge province. As road building took over it became easier to move about and many of the feeder rail lines become unprofitabale and were shut down and  communities slowly died out. Ghost of another era. "Crabby Steve's Dance Hall". With great distances to travel, rural residence had few places to go for entertainment so dance halls (barn dances) sprang up to serve the need. Crabby Steve's was built only in 1947, but was a very popular locale for a few decades until times changed and it was abandoned in the 1980's. (Gord Goldsborough) Some places only existed until the resource ran out, or the major construction project completed or abandoned, while in other cases, there might be a sadder story of a failed enterprise or farm. Lake of the Woods grain elevator, believed to be the oldest in the province dating from approximately 1897. (Gordon Goldsborough) But with so many places to choose from, he said the places chosen for his books are the ones with more interesting stories about them. With an insulated floor and standing on piles above shifting permafrost is the abandoned remains of a Cold War surveillance post near Churchill (Gordon Goldsborough) His hobby has led to him becoming a popular public speaker with dozens of presentations every year and a weekly appearance on the public broadcaster CBC weekend morning show. Additional information Winnipeg Free Press: D. Speirs: Mar 6/20: Mapmaker for memories CBC: Oct 23/16: New book uncovers places left behind in Manitoba's past McNally-Robinson Publishing: (books)Abandoned Manitoba; More Abandoned Manitoba RCI: Jan 19/14: Disappearing praire grain elevators Western Producer: J. Bachusky: Feb 7, 19: Bold vator mission comes to a close

For too long, women’s voices and perspectives have been silent in much of world. The Canadian group Journalists for Human Rights is changing that. The group is launching an ambitious multi-year programme in several African countries to train female journalists and to get their voices heard in editorial decision making. Rachel Pulfer in Toronto is the Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200310-WIE10 The programme is called ' Canada World: Voice for Women and Girls'. The current effort is to empower women in journalism in Syria, Jordan, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rachel Pulfer, Executive-Director in Toronto for the NGO Journalists for Human Rights (supplied) Helped by over $11 Million in federal government funding, the programme is currently in a set-up phase to establish infrastructure and settle other needs, with the first of the Canadian media experts to be sent in June. Editor at the Juba Monitor in South Sudan, Anna Nimiriano in the newsroom (JHR) The programme is expected to run from this year for the next four years. Pulfer says it’s important for 50 per cent of these populations to hear voices similar to theirs and report on topics of importance to them and to society that are often not covered, or to cover them from a new and different perspective. Journalist Sarafina Paul interviewing a female divorce lawyer in South Sudan (JHR) Additional information Journalists for human rights Global News: May 3/19: Ottawa announces $11.7M in funding for Journalists for Human Rights Globe and Mail: R. Pulfer: May 3/19: How Syrian journalists took on sexist violence – and won change, through a fatwa

A U.S.-based conservation group has chosen a site off the Nova Scotia coast to build a retirement home for entertainers who have brought joy to hundreds of thousands at the expense of their own mental and physical health. Ladies and gentlemen, those entertainers--beluga or orca whales--will now have a place to live out their days in relative peace--in a place where they belong, not in an aquarium. It will be the first whale sanctuary in North America and  a million light years from the lives the whales led before. Tourists at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., lined up at a viewing area to see a small pod of beluga whales. (Scott Dunlop/TheCanadian Press) The Whale Sanctuary Project wants to provide a home for about eight whales in a 40-hectare inlet southeast of Sherbrooke, N.S. at Port Hilford on the province's rugged north shore, about 200 kilometres northeast of Halifax. According to Charles Vinick, director of the non-profit, the project involves--among other things--installing nets to enclose an inlet. That will create an area where a retired whale is free to swim and dive deeply, while still being cared for by humans. The project still requires provincial and federal permits, but if all goes according to plan, Vinick says the $12 to $15 million project will be up and running by the end of next year. In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, a southern resident female orca leaps from the water while breaching in Puget Sound, west of Seattle, Washington. The Whale Sanctuary Project wants whales who have spent their lives in captivity to get a taste of similar freedom off Canada's East Coast by the end of next year. (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo/File) For some perspective, consider that more than 300 beluga whales and 60 orcas remain captive in aquariums around the world. And it's hard to imagine anyone who has fought harder to get them sprung from those aquariums and to try to make sure no future whales will be subjected to the indiginities they face that Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice, an Ottawa based animal rights group. Labchuk and Animal Justice were instrumental in finally building up enough public pressure to force Canada's House of Commons last June to ban keeping whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity. I spoke by phone with Labchuk at her Ottawa office about the project. ListenEN_Interview_4-20200305-WIE40 With files from CBC, CP, The Guardian, The Weather Network

Turkey has said it can no longer support the mass influx of migrants from Syria and elsewhere. It says it will no longer keep them from attempting to cross into Greece and Bulgaria as they seek to head into European Union countries. Paul Heinbecker is the Deputy Chair of the The World Refugee Council, and a former Canadian Ambassador to the UN, and Germany. ListenEN_Interview_3-20200305-WIE30 As the mass at border crossings with Greece, or attempt to cross the Aegean to Greek islands, the Greek forces are attempting to keep them out. The Deputy Chair of the The World Refugee Council, and a former Canadian Ambassador to the UN, and Germany (CBC) Tear gas and piano wire use is prevalent, with heavily armed police and military standing at border points, while patrol vessels forcibly turn back rafts and boats attempting to cross the sea. Greek patrols were forcing rafts and boats back from attempts to cross the Aegean from Turkey. In some cases warning shots were fired into the water in front of the rafts. (CBC) Heinbecker says Turkey seems to have a legitimate position as he says the EU has not lived up to agreements with Turkey for funding and resettlement to help that country deal with the almost 4 million migrants now there. Turkey has been housing almost 4 million migrants, many of whom want to head to the EU countries, and have begun camping out at the borders with Greece and Bulgaria, hoping for a chance to cross (CBC) Turkey had also wanted to set up a safe zone in Syria where people fleeing the civil war there could go, but Heinbecker says, NATO and the EU seemed not particularly interested. Greece has moved police and fully armed military into position along its borders to prevent migrants from crossing. (CBC) Turkey is now reported to have sent 1,000 armed police to the border to stop Greece from forcing the migrants back into Turkey. Athens says it has prevented as many as 35,000 from crossing in the past five days and is said to be preparing to deport hundreds of other who have managed to slip across. The two countries have a long history of belligerence and so tensions are rising. Additional information Al Jazeera: Mar 5/20: Turkish police bolster Greek border to stop migrants' return BBC: Mar 3/20: EU chief says Greece is Europe's shield in migrant crisis Thomson-Reuters (via CBC) Mar 4/20: Greek and Turkish police fire tear gas as migrants try to cross into Greece Associated Press (via CBC) Mar 3.20: Greece PM rips Turkey as thousands of migrants seek entry into Europe

The agency which tracks all types of fraud in Canada estimates the cost of mass marketing fraud, (phone, internet, mass mailing, e-mail, personal contact) to be almost $130 million per year. This is what is reported, but apparently only a small percentage is actually reported. Still The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says that’s about a 30 per cent increase since 2017. They also say some 27,000 Canadians are victims of identity theft annually, another number that’s likely under-reported. A recent consumer survey by Equifax Canada found a fairly high degree of complacency among Canadians about checking credit activity to spot identity theft. Equifax Canada is one of the two major credit-rating bureaus in Canada. Julie Kuzmic is their director of consumer advocacy. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200304-WIE10 The Equifax survey found that only 29 per cent of survey respondents checked their credit report as a means to help protect their personal data over the last 12 months and again, only a relatively small number ( 38%) said they would report it to a credit bureau. Julie Kuzmic, Equifax Canada director of consumer advocacy. The numbers of people saying they felt vulnerable to identity theft has also diminished since surveys were taken in 2017 and 2019. This is in spite of other statistics showing fraud and identity theft is increasing. Equifax Canada Jeff Thomson, a senior RCMP intelligence analyst with the CAFC, notes that “More and more fraudsters are not only seeking access to victims’ hard earned money but also their personal information. While data breaches and phishing emails still remain the top reported attack methods, Canadians also need to remain diligent to not provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.” Equifax Canada Some 60 per cent of millennials and 47 per cent of other respondents agreed with the statement, “If someone committed fraud in my name or with my identity, I would not know what to do to fix it.” Kuzmic suggests checking your credit reports at least once a year. These checks are free in Canada from either Equifax or TransUnion Additional information Equifax: identity theft education TransUnion: online disclosure CBC MarketPlace: Feb 22/19: Credit freezes are one easy way to protect against identity fraud — but they're not available in Canada Ontario Govt: How to avoid or recover from identity theft Canadian Bankers Assoc. Fraud Prevention Learn the signs of identify theft and how to protect yourself

In Canada where the often bitterly heated debate about firearms has been raging on and off for decades, a federal politician decided he needed to be informed by fact, not opinion. Tako Van Popta is the Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Langley-Aldergrove in British Columbia ListenEN_Interview_1-20200303-WIE10 Van Popta says he had never held a firearm before taking the required course (and other processes) to obtain a “possession and acquisition licence” (PAL) for firearms. This also includes paying fees of course, along with written spousal approval and other references, police background check, and daily scrutiny. Interestingly, legal gun owners are the only segment of society subject to daily police checks. MP for Langley-Aldergrove in British Columbia, Tako Van Popta was challenged by constituents to learn the facts of gun ownership in Canada. Here he takes the instruction course required as a part of the long and somewhat expensive process to obtain a gun licence (supplied) As a politician who would be involved in debates on the subject, he admitted he knew almost nothing about firearms. He was challenged by constituents to learn first hand and realised that to better understand the situation he would take the mandatory ownership and owners course. He says he doubts many of the politicians who debated and voted on gun laws like C-71 actually know about the extent and restrictions of current gun laws in Canada. Hunters and target shooters say they are "easy targets" for increased restrictions and mandatory gun buybacks as they are the ones who obey laws. One expert says the government plan for  (mandatory) buyback of semi-auto rifles will cost billions, not the half million the government claims. Van Popta says that money should be spent on the "real problems" of underfunded social programmes and fighting criminal gangs and gun smugglers instead. (CCFR) Van Popta also expressed dismay at the Liberal government proposal to create a mandatory buyback of semi-auto rifles through a possible ‘order in council’ which would avoid a debate in Parliament. He also believes the vast sums spent on such a programme will not make Canada safer, and that the money should instead be spent on policies he says would target the real problem of gangs and illegal gun smuggling. After taking the course, he is very doubtful he would become a hunter or even buy a firearm, but may accept invitations for target shooting. Van Popta also says it would be a good idea if other politicians informed themselves first hand of Canada’s firearms laws and requirements before taking a position and creating laws which could negatively affect over 2 million legal owners, and the tens of thousands of employees at small businesses throughout the country serving hunters and sport shooters. Additional information-sources Fraser Institute: G Mauser;  Jan21.20: Trudeau government’s ‘buy back’ gun program likely a multi-billion boondoggle Ottawa Citizen: Mar 2/20: S. Yogarnetnam:Proactive policing, not gun buybacks or CCTV cameras: Ottawa Police Service iPolitics: T. Naumetz: Feb 4/20: Liberal Red Flag plan panned by gun safety advocate and firearm lobby leader Open Parliament: debates on C-71 Poly Remembers: gun control lobby website Canadian Firearms Safety Course (mandatory)

It has been revealed that facial recognition technology is being ‘tested’ by many police agencies in both Canada and the U.S. There are concerns that its use may contravene Canadian privacy laws, and who may be using it beyond police forces. Some have even hinted at a approach towards an Orwellian future. Teresa Scassa PhD  is the Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy and Full Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law section at the University of Ottawa. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200302-WIE10 Professor Scassa says that there should be real discussions about when and how these technologies are used, and clear guidelines about their use, and even if they should be used at all. Teresa Scassa,(PhD) the Canada Research Chair in Information Law, at the University of Ottawa says 'we leave ourselves open to essentially a form of total surveillance' if we don't set limits on what police can access. (CBC ) Big Brother? She notes that the company claims that only registered police agencies can use Clearview technology are already being stretched to include campus police, which are not a public agency, the beginning perhaps of a slippery slope towards wider use, and increasing risk of misuse. Professor Scassa adds that there is always a potential for abusive use of the technology, and that if there is a commercial market for this technology, the interest for companies like Clearview to serve that market can be quite strong. She points out that a couple of provincial privacy commissioners, and the federal commissioner are already investigating use of the technology additional information-sources CBC: P. Lee-Shanok: may 30/19: Privacy advocates sound warning on Toronto police use of facial recognition technology CBC: R. Pringle: Sep18/18: Facial recognition is everywhere — here's why that's concerning CBC: R.Levy-McLaughlin: Jul 20.19: Smile, you're probably on facial recognition software

Canadian research and development of a new drug has shown great potential to help patients in their recovery from stroke by reducing brain cell damage. Dr. Michael D Hill (MD  MSc, FRCPC) is a professor of Neurology at the University of Calgary and lead author of the study. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200227-WIE10 A double-blind randomized trial led by the Cumming School of Medicine’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Health Services involved additional research and an international trial of 1,105 patients between March 2017 and August 2019 at centres in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Dr Michael D. Hill, stroke neurologist Foothills Medical Centre and professor Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary ( U Calgary) The results were published in the influential medical journal The Lancet this week under the title, “Efficacy and safety of nerinetide for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (ESCAPE-NA1): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial” (abstract here) A major blocked artery can have serious effects, even fatal if not treated quickly. The new drug appears to protect weakened brain cells from dying, and enable their recovery when blood flow is returned. (U Cgy) Typically when a blocked artery causes a stroke, the patient is given the drug ‘alteplase’ which can break up small clots, but if that doesn’t work, then a specialised tool is inserted into the artery to pull out the clot. However, once the brain damage has started, and even after blood flow is restored, some brain cells will continue to die. The trial with this newly developed Canadian drug, ‘nerinetide’ was shown to provide a degree of protection for the weakened brain cells preventing cell death to a measurable degree and allowing them to recover with the restored blood flow. Dr Michael D. Hill, stroke neurologist Foothills Medical Centre and professor Cumming School of Medicine with Dr. Mayank Goyal, a neuroradiologist, Foothills Medical Centre and clinical professor in the Department of Radiology at the Cumming School of Medicine ( U Calgary) Dr Hill noted a very substantial recovery improvement in patients who received the nerinetide, not only in recovery, but in reduction of mortality.  He says he himself was surprised at the extent of the drug’s beneficial effect. The trial did show however that when used with alteplase, the effect was nullified. How common are these strokes? Actually fairly common according to Dr. Hill, although most stroke is minor, it is these major artery blockages that cause the most impact to health and it is the large artery blockages that these results apply to. Speed is of the essence in improving recovery. The new drug gives an important new option to medical staff in stroke treatment depending on the situation. ( U Calgary) As to the new drug, Dr. Hill says it is indeed possible that nerentide could be usefull in other situations such as injuries from head trauma and alzheimers, as the cell-death mechanism acted upon by the drug is not unique to stroke. However, much research work would be needed to determine other possible uses. Right now the research team is working on organised a second “verification” trial required to prove the drug’s efficacy and thus for regulatory approval.

Do you trust government to do the right thing for their citizens? Do you trust the media to tell the story truthfully and fully? Do you trust business on environmental issues, or NGO’s on their claims and efforts. The latest annual Edelman ‘trust barometer’ survey shows Canadian trust in such institutions has declined. The American-based Edelman firm is an influential public relations and marketing consultancy firm with offices in many countries around the world. Lisa Kimmel is Chair and CEO of Edelman Canada. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200225-WIE10 The trust barometer is now in its 20th year. The firm tracks the rise and fall of trust, originally so the firm could advise its clients on their reputation, but the survey has now expanded greatly in scope. It looks at 28 countries responses and their responses to questions of citizens faith in the institutions of government, media, business, and NGO's/ Lisa Kimmel is chair and CEO of Edelman Canada (supplied) Ms Kimmel explains China’s surprisingly high rating in that the survey may be due to the fact it is conducted over the internet, which is controlled in China, and that the Chinese have no real experiences other than with that of a centrally controlled Communism. Ms Kimmel says trust in institutions is based on two things, competence- to get the job done, and even more important by far is ethics, the desire and ability to ‘do the right thing’. The 2020 survey shows a surprisingly high number of Canadians who say capitalism is doing more harm than good, and they feel a strong sense of injustice (Edelman) Having polled some 1,500 Canadians, the trust barometer found firstly, that more that three quarters of Canadians (76%) feared for the jobs. A majority also felt that technology was out of control, that it was too fast (62%),  that government doesn’t understand them enough for proper regulation (65%), and that technology is making it impossible to know what is real (66%). The survey shows Canadians generally do not trust leaders to properly deal with current problems, including politicians (Edelman) The survey showed the highest trust in scientists (83%) but below 50 per cent or distrust in CEO’s, government leaders,, religious leaders, and the super rich. More than half (15 of 28) countries respondents felt they and their families will not be better off in five years. Canada was among that group with a dim view of their future prospects, just as it was last year, although this time down another 2 percent from the previous survey. This the 20th annual Edelman international survey of trust in institutions like government, NGO's, media, and business.

Some of the mysteries of the red planet are going to be uncovered as part of a NASA mission to Mars. A large rover will be sent into space this year with the goal to collect rock and soil samples. As part of the team to decide what samples to collect, Canadian geologist Chris Herd  (PhD) has been selected as the only Canadian on this elite team. He is a planetary geologist professor in the Department of Earth and atmospheric sciences at the University of Alberta. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200224-WIE10 Professor Herd is also the curator of the University of Alberta meteorite collection some of which are housed in the only meteorite cold room in the entire world. University of Alberta professor Chris Herd (PhD) has been selected by NASA as a geological expert for the Mars 2020 mission ( University of Alberta) He will be one of only two “returned sample” scientists on the team, and one of ten science experts for the mission and as such is responsible for making critical decisions on where to send the rover to collect samples and which samples to take. Professor Herd is also curator of the world's only meteorite cold room. The purpose is to keep frozen meteorites from thawing on Earth and likely being contaminated with earthly bacteria ( U Alberta) The samples will be left in sealed tubes to be collected by a later mission and eventually returned to Earth perhaps in a decade from now. RCI: Oct 2018 : New theory about Martian moons (Interview C Herd) The purpose of the mission is to learn if there was life on Mars and about its geology and climate, and with a view in part towards preparation for future human exploration. Showing relative size of the rover, similar to a medium-sized vehicle on Oct. 8, 2019, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, captures the first time the Mars 2020 rover carries its full weight on its legs and wheels.The rover was photographed in JPL's Simulator Building, where it underwent weeks of testing. (JPL-NASA- Caltech) The rover will operate in Jezero Crate, just north of the planet’s equator and which was once the site of a river delta. Professor Herd’s participation in this exciting innovative mission is being funded by the Canadian Space Agency.

Where does food come from? Do kids really know? It’s an interesting question and the fact is that as society becomes more urbanised, more children don’t realize that food, their hamburgers, bread, eggs, milk, breakfast cereal etc, originates on a farm. For more than 20 years, Conny Kappler who farms vegetables in Newell County, Alberta, and at her parents farm in Cypress County has been travelling to schools in the region to talk about agriculture to young children. That experience has led to a website "I love dirt" and important book on the topic “Dirt to Dinner” ListenEN_Interview_1-20200220-WIE10 The book is important for several reasons says Kappler. She says it's not only to let children know that food originates on farms and not at a fast food outlet or supermarket, but also the connection between food and the environment, and how they work together to create our food. Children's book "Dirt to Dinner" gives children a glimpse into how they get their food. (photo Ralaina Virostek) In addition it's also to provide a first sense that without a realisation of those two points, children may eventually hold jobs where they decide on the future of land use. If farm land is reduced, or farming otherwise threatened she says we will lose the ability in this country to feed ourselves, and others, and will have to look abroad with the consequences of depending on foreign influence for these vital products. The book also deals with some of the science of the farm such as photosynthesis, pollination, soil, and weather along with references to the other connected businesses throughout society related to farming from machinery sales to banking. It also has the potential for far greater reach through purchases and distribution than she can achieve through her classroom talks limited to her region. Ralaina Virostek-photographer (L) and Conny Kappler-author (R) with copies of Dirt to Dinner ( Pat Dirk) The book is intended for readers from grade 2 to grade 6 level, and although the material may sound quite complicated, Kappler draws on her years of classroom skills with children to keep it simple. The book is divided with the simpler text and message on the pages on the right, with more detail for the more advanced readers on the left page. The book is laid out in such a way that younger readers can read and understand pages on the right hand side, while older children can get more detail on the left side pages. Although only a month old, Dirt to Dinner is already getting great comments from educators who say there is a real need for such a book in order to give children, especially in urban situations,  at least a first understanding of the role farming and agriculture plays in our daily lives,

Open-office and unassigned work desks, i.e., not dedicated to a particular person but open to anyone who needs a spot, are relatively recent office trends. A new survey finds that a majority of workers find such ideas unappealing and that it lowers their productivity. Kane Wilmott, CEO and founder of iQ Offices co-working space explains. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200218-WIE10 The survey of over 1,500 Canadians by Maru/Blue for iQ found that 57 per cent of employees felt that distractions at work meant up to two hours of lost productivity. Kane Wilmott, CEO and founder of iQ Offices (supplied) Loud and chatty colleagues, open-concept offices, unassigned workspaces (sometimes called hot desks, or nomad seating) and time wasting meetings are ranked first to fourth as the main distractions to productivity. An even greater percentage (73%) felt they could save up to two hours a day in a more productive environment. “Canadians overwhelmingly highlight design, physical environment productivity challenges like nomad seating arrangements, noise and distracting open concept design, ahead of other workload-related challenges, such as excessive email (17 percent) or unexpected extra work (19 percent),” Kane Willmott, iQ Offices Almost 2/3 (64%) said they’d accept a lower salary if the workplace was more conveniently located and better designed for productivity and employee satisfaction. The noise and lack of privacy of the open office concept are distractions. Willmott also says “we’re creatures of habit” and the issue of nomad seating is another productivity challenge and contributes to a sense of lack of belonging, resulting in a lessening of loyalty to a company. Other things that can add to productivity are windows with natural light, and plants. Additional information CBC: Jun 28/18: Open-plan offices leave women subject to sexism at work, research suggests Coldwell Banker: Mar 16/17: Is the Open Office Concept a Goner? Global News: M. Collie: Feb 10/20: Most Canadians lose 2 hours of work per day because they can’t focus: survey Vice: M. Hay: Aug 2/18: Does Working in an Open-Plan Office Affect Your Health? PBS News Hour: Akpan/Griffin: Jul 30/18: Here’s proof that open office layouts don’t work, and how to fix them

Toronto resident Desmond Cole, is an activist and journalist. He wrote an article in 2015 about the many times he had been stopped by police and interrogated on the street. The article in Toronto Life was a spark that brought both himself and his concerns into national prominence. But he says, that hasn’t stopped either police or the public’s general attitudes against black people. His book is an expansion on that article and chronicles a year of police violence against blacks and other minorities, and the roots of general Canadian attitude of smugness regarding racism. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200217-WIE10 Toronto-based activist, journalist and author Desmond Cole(Waubgeshig Rice -CBC)

In 2011 UNESCO declared February 13th to be World Radio Day, which was adopted by the U.N General Assembly as an ‘international day’ the following year. This year the theme is diversity. Radio Canada International joined with four other broadcasters in Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Romania to talk about diversity in their countries, and how they were reflecting or promoting that both within their respective stations, and in their countries. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200213-WIE10 UNESCO notes that in spite of technological advances and new media, radio remains one of the most important, accessible, and low cost ways to reach people and as a platform for democratic discourse. On this World Radio Day, let us recognize the enduring power of radio to promote diversity and help build a more peaceful and inclusive world.    UN Secretary-General António Guterres On this 9th anniversary of WRD, UNESCO is calling on radio stations to serve their increasingly diverse audiences by broadcasting a wide variety of viewpoints while also reflecting increasing diversity in the on-air staff and editorial  staff. This should be in gender, origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, social and socio-economic backgrounds.  Multi-cultural staff and programming options provide new perspectives and opinions on issues and the UNESCO says, helps counter discrimination while increasing creativity and relevance to the audience. Happy World Radio Day! Additional information UNESCO Courier: Radio: Stronger and more vibrant than ever UNESCO: World Radio Day CBC Diversity and inclusion plan 2018-2021 Plan

Its seems that as climate changes, particularly warming in the northern hemisphere, new diseases are also appearing to infect humans. But climate change is not the only reason Dr Courtney Howard (MD, CCFP-EM) is president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and an emergency room doctor in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories ListenEN_Interview_1-20200212-WIE10 The current ongoing concerns of the deadly CoViD-19 (coronavirus) has again raised concerns about the spread of new diseases. Dr. Howard says there may be a number of factors to consider regarding the appearance and spread of new pathogens. Dr. Courtney Howard (MD, CCFP-EM) is president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and an emergency room doctor in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She notes that climate change is bringing new animals and insects into the north where they've never been seen before, along with their new pathogens, some of which have the possibility of transfer to humans ( Pat Kane) . Here in Canada for example, climate change, ie warmer shorter winters, is allowing ticks carrying Lyme disease to increase their range a few kilometres northward every year from the U.S. Already these ticks, and the disease are widespread across most of the southern parts of Ontario, Quebec and through the maritimes. Warming is also bringing animals and insects (with their particular diseases and parasites) into completely new areas, exposing other animals, and humans, to these new pathogens. Warmth and moisture also help propagate viruses and bacteria. Another issue is encroachment and expansion of humans into new areas where they expose themselves to closer contact with animals and insects they would not previously have encountered. In addition is the eating of “bush meat”, not traditional animals as food such as chimanzees or gorillas, which are similar to humans and where their pathogens are easily transferrable to humans. It is thought for example that the Covid-19 was transferred to humans from eating infected bats (although there is no confirmation of this), or with some other connection to a large animal and seafood market in Wuhan. Dr Howard says that in the far north of Canada the Inuit have been seeing great changes in both the environment and movement of animals, with many new species arriving into areas never previously seen. She says if warming continues we will continue to encounter new pathogens that will have to be fought by science and adaptation. Additional information Wall StreetJournal: J. Page: Jan 26/20: Virus Sparks Soul-Searching Over China’s Wild Animal Trade The Lancet: Feb 6/20: 2019-nCoV in context: lessons learned? Science Daily: Feb 10/20: Coronavirus outbreak raises question: Why are bat viruses so deadly? Reuters: Bat meat still popular in parts of Indonesia, despite coronavirus fears https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-indonesia-bats/bat-meat-still-popular-in-parts-of-indonesia-despite-coronavirus-fears-idUSKBN20511R

Does it seem like our politicians are more than ever dressing for a theatrical effect, or have you seen them using props, or employing theatrical gestures and language? In Toronto, Laura Levin (PhD), associate professor in the Theatre Department of York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design thinks so. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200206-WIE10 Professor Levin notes that theatrics to some extent has always been a part of politics, but its changing. Laura Levin (PhD), professor in York University's York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (supplied) With the advent of internet, increased TV news coverage, and  a variety of social media, politicians are being viewed, and perhaps is some cases view themselves, as celebrities as much as politicians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the campaign trail in Sept, 2019. Though a millionaire, sleeves are rolled and tie loosened to better imitate "the middle class working person". His past employment includes time as a drama teacher. . (CBC) She also notes the concepts behind reality television seem to be having an influence on politicians, their habits, actions, and dress. She also says that while this is especially considered to affect American politics, Canada is part of the same landscape and not immune. Indeed, she points out there are clear cases of politicians in other countries engaging in theatrics to garner attention to themselves by the broadcast media, and any and all other media, and social platforms. Leaders debates have changed from staid affairs, to now become important theatrical events especially since the 1988 debate with Liberal leader John Turner and then Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in which accusations flew back and forth. Debates are also seen as matches to be "won or lost" (Radio-Canada) Is it likely to go away? Not really, she says, noting even the overly repeated claims by some politicians that they will not and do not engage in such theatrics can itself be construed as a form of theatrics. Marshall McLuhan the late Canadian philosopher who predicted the world wide web decades before its invention, and who coined the term “global village” also said, “the medium is the message”; another prediction that seems easily applicable to where politics may be headed.

Apparently a fungus is attacking coffee trees and reducing the harvest.  This is mostly in central and south America where some of the best beans come from. Stuart McCook (MS, PhD), a professor of history, and assistant vice-president international at the University of Guelph, and author of Coffee is Not Forever: A Global History of the Coffee Leaf Rust. ListenEN_Interview_1-20200205-WIE10 The coffee rust fungus apparently has always been around but is being made worse by changing climate conditions. McCook says this is a similar situation to that which is happening to banana crops also now being threatened with fungus. A worker picking coffee 'cherries' on a plantation on the slope of Agua volcano, Guatemala 2015 (Nadia Sussman-Bloomberg) Compare the healthy tree above with this tree which has been attacked by the coffee leaf rust in 2013 in Gualemala (Moises Castillo-AP) While progress is being made in developing plants resistant to the rust, the other factor is the weather. As climate changes it’s likely there will be less suitable land available to grow the trees. Added to that is a growing world demand. Professor and author Stuart McCook at a coffee farm,  Finca Sol Naciente in Dota, Costa Rica. (supplied) McCook says its likely there will coffee available in the foreseeable future, but that may be only if the farmers themselves earn more to pay for resistant plants and as an incentive to keep growing coffee instead of other crops. That means, and likely no surprise here, that in coming years your cup of coffee may increase substantially in price. Stuart McCook- Coffee is not forever" A global history of the Coffee. Leaf Rust. Note the photo of the coffee leaf attacked by rust