Danielle Smith is always the smartest person in any room she’s in, so back in August 2022 when she was running to lead the United Conservative Party, she didn’t need to hesitate even for a moment when she was asked about what to do if hospitals filled up again with COVID-19 patients. David Climenhaga writes. David J. Climenhaga is an award-winning journalist, author, post-secondary teacher, poet and trade union communicator. Published March 21, 2024. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/03/21/Alberta-Motelgate-Huge-News-Donald-Trump-Danielle-smith/

Vancouver as a global city has spawned housing prices farther out of reach of city wage earners. Tied to that is a question of who holds more sway at city hall: everyday citizens or the real estate industry? Authors: Patrick Condon is the James Taylor chair in Landscape and Livable Environments at UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Colleen Hardwick, a former Vancouver city councillor, is CEO of Placespeak. Published March 20, 2024. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/03/20/Needed-Housing-Local-Democracy/

Can FortisBC actually get its promised ‘green’ gas? A close look at its suppliers reveals permitless projects, experimental tech and stiff competition. Second in a three-part series from Zoë Yunker. Zoë is a Victoria-based journalist writing about environmental politics. Published March 20, 2024. https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/03/20/Fortis-BC-Promised-Green-Gas/

“On a Path of Discovering My Own Racism”: Returning to her home province, a settler physician seeks to improve healing approaches for her Indigenous patients. An excerpt. Dr. Jarol Boan writes. Jarol is a physician of settler background and is associate professor of medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Published March 20, 2024. https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/03/20/Path-Discovering-Own-Racism/

Fewer B.C. seniors are qualifying for grants to help pay rent as government has failed to adjust the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program to rising incomes and housing costs, says Seniors’ Advocate Isobel Mackenzie. Andrew MacLeod, Tyee legislative bureau chief, reports. Published March 20, 2024. https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/03/20/More-Seniors-Being-Denied-BC-Rental-Supports/

Opium’s hidden histories are also those of the British Empire and the U.S. as the oldest, most successful drug cartels the world has ever seen. Crawford Kilian reviews Amitav Ghosh’s new “Smoke and Ashes: Opium’s Hidden Histories.” Crawford is a Tyee contributing editor. Published March 19, 2024.

https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/03/19/What-Opium-History-Tells-Us-Today-Drug-War/

What do those flocking to religious theme parks seek? An excerpt from Steve Burgess’s forthcoming book on the woes of modern travel. Steve writes about politics and culture for The Tyee. Published March 19, 2024.

https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/03/19/Tourists-On-Road-To-Salvation/

“With so many other entertainment options available, why does this form of engagement still matter?” Dorothy Woodend on why live performance is worth fighting for. Dorothy is our culture editor. Published March 19, 2024.

https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2024/03/19/Imagine-Living-Where-Art-Is-Dead/

The thriving business of rewilding: How wizards of wetlands restoration are bringing biodiversity back to West Coast landscapes. Isaac Phan Nay reports the latest in our #WhatWorks section. Isaac, a freelance journalist based in Vancouver, B.C., is host of The Road podcast and has reported for, among others, the Toronto Star, Canada’s National Observer and IndigiNews. Published Monday, March 18, 2024.

https://thetyee.ca/WhatWorks/2024/03/18/Thriving-Business-Rewilding/

"Documents obtained by The Tyee paint a horrific picture of life in a government-owned single-room occupancy hotel that was sheltering vulnerable youth and people with severe mental illness. Jen St. Denis reports. Jen reports on civic issues for The Tyee. Published Monday, March 18, 2024.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/03/18/Tenants-Lived-Filthy-Violent-Government-SRO/