Policy and Rights

Royal BC Museum modernization update final

“I always try to act in the best interests of British Columbians,” said Premier John Horgan. “That involves listening. That also means taking responsibility when you make the wrong call. Over the past few weeks, we listened to British Columbians who have made it clear they want the Royal BC Museum to remain open while we rethink our long-term plans to protect its priceless artifacts. That is exactly what we are going to do.” Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said: “...

Interim Green Party leader Amita Kuttner announces new deputy leaders – June 21, 2022-2 Final

At a news conference on Parliament Hill, interim Green Party leader Amita Kuttner announces the appointment of Angela Davidson, an Indigenous land defender, and Luc Joli-Coeur, a businessman and activist, as the party’s new deputy leaders. They are joined by Green parliamentary leader Elizabeth May and MP Mike Morrice. In response to questions from reporters, Kuttner and the other speakers comment on a private member's bill (C-230) that calls for a national strategy to address environmental ...

World Refugee Day, Ukraine, Syria, & other topics

WORLD REFUGEE DAY Today is World Refugee Day, and this year’s theme is “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety.” In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that today, the global refugee population is at a record high, and that the war in Ukraine has triggered the largest and fastest displacement in Europe since World War II. The Secretary-General points out that together with the women, children, and men fleeing conflict elsewhere in the world, the to...

Supporting climate preparedness and adaptation in BC

People in British Columbia will be better protected from the impacts of wildfires, flooding and extreme heat through the actions included in the new Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. The strategy includes actions across ministries supported by $513 million of investment to ensure British Columbia is prepared for climate impacts in the near term, while setting the foundation for future action. “Last year’s extreme weather left no doubt that British Columbia is directly experienci...

Policy and Rights If we want to protect our future, we need to save our oceans

The Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, said, “If we want to protect our future, we need to save our oceans.” Briefing reporters today (16 Jun) on the upcoming UN Ocean Conference, which will take place from 27 June to 1 July in Lisbon, Portugal, Liu Zhenmin said that governments will adopt a political declaration entitled ‘Our ocean, our future, our responsibility.’ He added, “Among others, this declaration welcomes the outcome of the recent United Nations...

British Columbia Flood Update-2

Update on the potential flooding in British Columbia Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights MPs scrum on Russian embassy event, COVID-19 mandates, passport delays

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Bloc MP René Villemure, Conservative deputy leader Luc Berthold, NDP House leader Peter Julian, NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice, and Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong speak with reporters about a government official’s attendance at a Russia Day celebration that was held at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa on June 10. Berthold, Julian, Boulerice, and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra are asked about lifting mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Famil...

Michelle Bachelet, Security Council, Myanmar & other topics

MICHELLE BACHELET  In a statement released today, the Secretary-General said that he was deeply grateful to Michelle Bachelet for her relentless service to the United Nations as High Commissioner for Human Rights. From her earliest days in Chile with enormous personal sacrifice, she has been on the frontlines of the human rights struggle all her life.  In all she has done, Michelle Bachelet lives and breathes human rights. She has moved the needle in an extremely challenging political conte...

United Nations Global Crisis Response Group Food Security

Press briefing by the Secretary-General, António Guterres and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan. They will introduce the second report of the Global Crisis Response Group – on the impact of the war in Ukraine on the food, fuel and finance sectors. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

British Columbia Snow survey, water supply & flood risk update

Flood Warning for British Columbia Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Ukraine Maintenance of peace and security Security Council meeting United Nations

The open Security Council briefing will focus on the war’s effects on women, including the increased risks of conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking. The anticipated briefers are Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten and a civil society representative. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Security Council mandate is to uphold, to maintain, peace & security' -Council's President for June

Albania’s Ambassador Ferit Hoxha today (1 Jun) said “we don't see any similarity” between Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008, and “the unprovoked military aggression of Russia in Ukraine” or the “prefabricated” Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. Talking to reporters in New York, Hoxha said, “we don't see any similarity between Kosovo, an independent state, and the unprovoked military aggression of Russia in Ukraine and the prefabricated - that's how I like...

BC wildfire outlook and preparedness update

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, and Matt MacDonald, lead forecaster from the BC Wildfire Service, for the June wildfire seasonal outlook and an update on seasonal wildfire preparedness. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

the toxic drug crisis in BC

British Columbia is taking a critical step toward reducing the shame and fear associated with substance use as the federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health announced the granting of a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to remove criminal penalties for people who possess a small amount of certain illicit substances for personal use. This exemption will be in effect from Jan. 31, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2026, throughout ...

WHO-AUDIO_Health_emergencies_Press_Conference

The WHO is working hard to keep track of the spread of the new monkeypox virus and is getting urging countries to continue testing and tracking code 19. According to Dr. Tedros and his team pandemic is not over and we still need to keep precautions. Medical aid is still needed for displaced residents and citizens of Ukraine. The WHO is still struggling to meet the needs of these victims of war. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/su...

Conservative reaction to government's new gun control bill

Conserative public safety critic Raquel Dancho speaks with reporters on Parliament Hill about the government's recently tabled gun control legislation. Among the measures proposed in Bill C-21 is implementing a national freeze on handguns, taking away the firearms licenses of those involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment, and fighting gun smuggling and trafficking by increasing criminal penalties. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/polic...

Pakistan facing a real threat of food water & energy insecurity

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, said that his country is facing “a real threat of food insecurity, water insecurity and energy insecurity that has obviously been exacerbated by recent geopolitical development.” Following a Security Council meeting in New York, Zardari told journalists in New York on Thursday (19 May) that “as a result of the COVID pandemic and the climate crisis and economic situations across the world, these issues are far more endemic ...

PM Trudeau announces national freeze on handguns as he outlines new gun-control bill

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters in Ottawa following his government’s tabling of new legislation on gun control. He is joined by federal ministers Marco Mendicino (public safety), David Lametti (justice), Marci Ien (women and gender equality and youth), and Bill Blair (emergency preparedness), as well as several victims of gun violence. Among the measures proposed in Bill C-21 is implementing a national freeze on handguns, taking away the firearms licenses of those involved...

Policy and rights Former Alberta Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith announces UCP leadership bid

Danielle Smith, former leader of the Alberta Wildrose party, holds a virtual news conference to announce her bid to run for UCP leadership. Premier Jason Kenney stepped down as leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta on Wednesday night after receiving only a slim majority of support in his leadership review. In British Columbia The Province is introducing a new oil and gas royalty system that puts the interests of British Columbians first and eliminates outdated and inefficient fo...

Policy and Rights UN Media Briefing on Global Hunger and Climate Crisis

the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will brief foreign ministers in a meeting on global food security, convened by the United States. He is expected to warn the gathered ministers that global hunger levels are at a new high, and that the war in Ukraine is amplifying and accelerating driving factors such as climate change, COVID-19, and inequality. The Secretary-General is also expected to highlight urgent steps needed to solve the short-term crisis and prevent a long-term catastrophe....

Policy and Rights PM Trudeau on child care royal visit possible NATO expansion

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey make brief remarks in St. John's on the province’s child-care agreement with the federal government. In response to questions from reporters, Prime Minister Trudeau comments on investments in green energy, the visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Canada, and on Finland and Sweden's applications to join NATO. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights...

Policy and Rights Federal ministers provide update on support for Indigenous communities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Regina Mayor Sandra Masters comment briefly ahead of their meeting on Parliament Hill. In Ottawa, federal ministers Marc Miller (Crown–Indigenous relations), Patty Hajdu (Indigenous services) and David Lametti (justice) reiterate their government's efforts to support Indigenous communities regarding the ongoing impacts of residential schools. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights MPs scrum on Jagmeet Singh's Ontario campaign incident, CPC leadership debate

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday’s visit to Peterborough, Ont., marred by aggressive protesters, was one of the “most intense, threatening, insulting” experiences in his political career. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and rightsWHO media Update May 10

On Sunday, I left Ukraine, where alongside my Executive Director Dr. Mike Ryan and WHO colleagues we saw first-hand hospitals that have been bombed, we spoke with health workers and we met patients that were physically injured and mentally exhausted. We met with the Prime Minister, Minister of Health and other officials and saw their commitment to health despite the difficult circumstances. We told them that WHO would continue to do whatever is needed to support the people of Ukraine. W...

olicy and Rigiths Killing of an Journalist in Palestine UN Press Update

Shireen, for every Palestinian journalist and for every Arab journalist, is a model we lost today,” Al Jazeera journalist Tamer Mishal said. “The tragic pictures that we saw on social media, shot in the head, show that it came from an Israeli sniper who fired a bullet directly at her.” “Till the very last second, Shireen Abu Akleh was professional and persevering,” he added. The last message Abu Akleh sent to Al Jazeera was an email at 6:13am in which she wrote: “Occupation forces storm Jenin...

Policy and Rights Conserative Leadership Debate

Policy and Rights Conserative Leadership Debate Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights Question periond in House on Commons Ottawa

Policy and Rights Question periond in House on Commons Ottawa Speaking briefly with reporters ahead of the weekly federal Liberal caucus meeting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is asked about his government's upcoming announcements on firearms and access to abortion services. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and MPs speak with reporters on Parliament Hill as they convene for the daily question period in the House of Commons. The prime minister and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson rea...

Policy and Rights PM Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold joint news conference in Kyiv

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a joint news conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the prime minister's unannounced visit to Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Trudeau announces additional support for Ukraine, including more military aid, $25 million to the U.N.'s World Food Programme to address food security, and the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian imports for the next year. The prime minister is also asked about the re-opening of the Canadian embass...

Policy and Rights United States urges Russia "do the right thing” -Press Conference Security Council's agenda

Press Conference by the United States Representative and President of the Security Council for the month of May, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the programme of work of the Security Council in May. The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged Russia on Tuesday (3 May) to continue "to do the right thing” and guarantee safe passage for any civilians who wish to leave conflict areas in Ukraine. Thomas-Greenfield was speaking to journal...

Policyand Rights WHO Media briefing on COVID-19 and other global health issues final

The disruption of health services across Ukraine has been catastrophic, compounded by displacement, and the fact that millions of people remain trapped in conflict areas, unable to move. This puts health workers, care workers, services and infrastructure, and the health of millions of people, at severe risk. We salute the nurses caring for newborns in hospital basements; Ambulance drivers and paramedics rescuing people from bombed buildings; Medical teams conducting surgery and delivering...

Policy and Rights 2022 Global Report on Food Crises How isthe War in Ukraine effecting global food supply

Briefing by Arif Husain, World Food Programme’s Chief Economist, and Rein Paulsen, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Director of Emergencies, on the Launch of the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises. Nearly 193 million people in the world are in acute food insecurity, an increase of 40 million people in one year, according to a new UN report. The Global Report on Food Crisis released today jointly by the Global Network against Food Crisis (FAO, WFP and the EU) and the Food Security Info...

Policy and Rights White House Press Secretarty Justin Trudeau United Nations Speaking on Human Rights and Women

Ukraine, Nigeria, Yemen & other topics - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to the leaked United States Supreme Court draft opinion that may overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights. Speaking with reporters ahead of the Liberals' weekly caucus meeting, the prime minister is also asked about the legal framework around reproductive rights and services in Canada. White House Press Secretary Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rig...

Policy and Rights World Press Freedom Day 2022

In observance of World Press Freedom Day 2022, join UNESCO and the UN Department of Global Communications for the NY Observance virtual event “Journalism Under Digital Siege.” The event includes a high-level segment, moderated by UN Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming, featuring remarks from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, other high-level UN officials, the President of the General Assembly, Member States, and the UN Correspondents Association. Following this segment is an interac...

President Biden Delivers Remarks on Economic Growth, Jobs, and Deficit Reduction

President Joe Biden on Wednesday highlighted new figures showing the government's red ink will grow less than expected this year and the national debt will shrink this quarter as he tried to counter criticism of his economic leadership amid growing dismay over inflation going into midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. Biden, embracing deficit reduction as a way to fight inflation, stressed that the dip in the national debt would be the first in six years, an achievement tha...

policy and rights Roe Wade Democratic Senators speak after US Supreme Court draft leak

A leaked draft opinion suggests the US Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ... after receiving “complaints and public reports of potential violations of the contraceptive coverage requirement.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights PM Trudeau and Ontario Premier Ford announce electric vehicle investment

For decades, Canada’s auto sector has been creating good, middle-class jobs and driving economic growth. Today, as we continue to recover from the pandemic and accelerate our work to build a clean future, the auto sector plays a key role in supporting workers and helping us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. By making smart investments, the Government of Canada is delivering clean air, good jobs, and a strong economy for generations of Canadians. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was join...

Policy and rights WHO Press Confernee Covid19, Hepatitis and Ebola

So far, at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis have been reported from 11 countries in Europe, and in the United States, in children aged from 1 month to 16 years. Seventeen children – about 10 percent of the reported cases – have required liver transplants, and one death has been reported. The symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, severe acute hepatitis, and increased levels of liver enzymes. The viruses that commonly cause acute viral hepatitis have not been dete...

Policy and Rights Ukraine is an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain UN Chief trip to Ukraine United Nations

António Guterres was speaking to journalists on Thursday (28 April) at the Presidential Palace. Guterres said he had witnessed the pain "very vividly", including "the senseless loss of life, the massive destruction, the unacceptable violations of human rights and the laws of war." According to the UN chief, "it is vital that the International Criminal Court and other UN mechanisms conduct their work so that there can be real accountability." Guterres said "the Security Council failed to do...

Policy and Rights Albania on Ukraine - Security Council Media Stakeout

Informal remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, H.E Ms Olta Xhaçka, ahead of the Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on Ensuring Accountabilities for crimes committed in Ukraine, organized by Albania and France. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht presser

The German government on Tuesday confirmed reports that it would approve a delivery of anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht holds a press conference following talks on Ukraine. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Policy and Rights United Nations on Ukraine and other issues

The First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations of the Russian Federation told journalists today (25 Apr) that the Russian ministry of defense “keeps collecting information that the Kyiv regime, backed by the US, is preparing staged provocations in order to accuse the Russian Armed Forces of using chemical, biological, and tactical nuclear weapons.” Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council, Dmitry Polyanskiy said that there are three possible scenarios for this: “Th...

Policy and Rights PM Announce 65 milion for housing in Winnipeg reconciliation project

“The Manitoba government is proud to support this act of historic reconciliation, by partnering with SCO and Canada on this landmark, Indigenous-led housing and social opportunity for Indigenous Peoples. This unique partnership will see the iconic Hudson’s Bay building transform into a new, vibrant space that will provide Indigenous Peoples with a range of services, including affordable housing for families, Elders, and post-secondary students. This project will also have a positive impact on...

Policy and Rights PAHO A campaign to get more people Immunized

(PAHO/WHO)- With the goal of accelerating vaccination against COVID-19 and closing coverage gaps against other vaccine-preventable diseases, countries and territories in the Americas plan to immunize some 140 million people as part of Vaccination Week in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) initiative that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The theme of the Week, which runs from April 23-30, is "Are you protected? Get all your vaccines," and calls on the entire ...

Policy and Rights Russia issues Warning to the US over Arming Ukraine

Policy and Rights Chrystia Freeland on clean energy initiatives

Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and minister of finance, speaks with reporters in Calgary after highlighting clean energy initiatives announced in the recent 2022 federal budget, including a new tax credit for carbon capture and storage. She is joined by George Chahal (the MP for Calgary Skyview); John Van Ham (executive director of sector alignment and business relations at InnoTech Alberta); Apoorv Sinha (CEO of Carbon Upcycling); and Susannah Pierce (president and country chai...

Policy and Rights Canada to Help Ukraine Defeat Russia

At Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario, Defence Minister Anita Anand makes an announcement regarding Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She announces the deployment of up to 150 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to Poland to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians. According to the United Nations, more than 2.6 Ukrainians have fled to Poland since Russia began its invasion in February. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-...

Policy and Rights Secretary General of the United Nations on the Impact of the War in Ukraine Global Food Energy Finanace

The people of Ukraine cannot bear the violence being inflicted on them. And the most vulnerable people around the globe cannot become collateral damage in yet another disaster for which they bear no responsibility. We need to silence the guns and accelerate negotiations towards peace, now. For the people of Ukraine. For the people of the region. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Joe Biden on US Bio Fuel E-15 Program

President Joe Biden will allow E15 ethanol-blended gas to be sold throughout the US this summer, the White House said Tuesday, as part of measures to tackle soaring fuel prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. E15 gasoline, which is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, is banned in most of the US during the summer because of air pollution concerns. But the White House said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to issue a national emergency waiver which would al...

Policy and Rights United Nation Update on the Children of Ukraine

How is the UN Dealing with the issue of the children who have been mentally and physically injured during the Russian invasion Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

White house and President Biden On India Ghost Guns and Other Issues

President Biden Announces New Action by his Administration to Fight Gun Crime Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.