Florence Girard, a woman with Down syndrome, starved to death in the care of a British Columbia government-funded home share provider. A coroner’s inquest that began Monday is examining her death and looking for ways to avoid future tragedies. Andrew MacLeod, Tyee legislative bureau chief, reports. Published Jan. 14, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/01/14/Florence-Girard-Inquest/

Canada’s highest court is meeting today to decide whether or not someone who calls 911 to report a drug overdose can be arrested for having drugs on them. Michelle Gamage reports. Michelle reports on health for The Tyee. Published Jan. 14, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/01/14/If-You-Call-911-Overdose-Can-You-Face-Arrest/

So much for the “Team Canada” approach. Premier Danielle Smith’s trip to Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump was a solo trip: no other Canadian politician joined her as she pushes for “carve outs” for Alberta’s oil and gas from Trump’s tariff threat. Graham Thomson writes. Graham is an award-winning Edmonton-based columnist who has covered Alberta politics for more than 30 years, first with the Edmonton Journal and now as a freelancer with various news outlets. Published Jan. 14, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/01/14/Danielle-Smith-Middle-Finger-Team-Canada/

“Her race to the tacky Florida resort to be photographed with the U.S. president-elect, who may or may not have known who he was talking to, shows Smith’s tendency to drop everything at the opportunity to appear at the side of any far-right celebrity.” David J. Climenhaga writes. David is an award-winning journalist, author, post-secondary teacher, poet and trade union communicator. Published Jan. 14, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/01/13/Danielle-Smith-Donald-Trump-Visit/

At first it was dismissed as Trump being Trump, making a “joke” that Canada will become a 51st state and the prime minister will be known as the “governor.” But experts say Canadian politicians need to firmly say Canada’s sovereignty is not up for grabs. Jen St. Denis reports. Jen reports on civic issues for The Tyee. Published Jan. 13, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/01/13/Making-Sense-Trump-Canada-Obsession/

The B.C. Supreme Court has found adults with disabilities can’t count on needed provincial support. Community Living BC’s funding and structure means the agency could fail to deliver care. Andrew MacLeod, Tyee legislative bureau chief, reports. Published Jan. 13, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/01/13/Court-Disabled-Adults-Provincial-Support/

After hearing 44 days of testimony, a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is preparing to release its decision in an inquiry into the RCMP’s handling of historical abuse complaints in northern B.C. Amanda Follett Hosgood updates. Amanda is The Tyee's northern B.C. reporter. Published Jan. 13, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/01/13/Human-Rights-Tribunal-Delays-Decision-RCMP-Methods/

The Protein Problem: This Vancouver company found one in the rootlike structure of mushrooms. The Tyee’s latest in #WhatWorks. Reporters: Inder Nirwan is founder of Kahani Pictures, an impact storytelling company based in Vancouver, B.C. Former What Works editor Pippa Norman reports on innovation for the Globe and Mail. Published Jan. 13, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/WhatWorks/2025/01/13/Revolutionary-Approach-World-Protein-Problem/

“Art makes everything better.” After a life-changing HIV-AIDS diagnosis, Joe Average dedicated himself to making a life as an artist. The visual artist and prominent advocate, who died in December in 2024, writes. Published Jan. 10, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2025/01/10/Joe-Average-Against-Death/

“The experience of seeing a powerful documentary in a theatre and talking about it afterwards is still one of the most galvanizing things one can do in this moment of ongoing fracture. Which brings me to ‘Bribe, Inc.’” Dorothy Woodend, Tyee culture editor, writes. Published Jan. 10, 2025. https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2025/01/10/Bribe-Inc-Takes-Down-Corporate-Corruption/