As the summer road-trip season is upon us, gas prices are, as usual, on the rise. The public narrative in Ontario puts the blame squarely on carbon pricing. To be sure, gas prices in Ontario rose 4.3¢ (of a total of $1.35/litre) overnight when the province’s cap and trade program came into effect in January 2017. And despite the many other factors at play, confusion about carbon pricing makes it an easy target when prices at the pump go up.
In the midst of protests, politicking, and global proclamations, the Government of Canada bought the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project on May 29, 2018 for $4.5 billion.
While the federal government’s action polarized Canadians, it also emphasized the need for serious reflection on how we can move forward most constructively.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Religion and Canadian Party Politics
By David Rayside, Jerald Sabin and Paul E.J. Thomas
UBC Press, 2017
Reviewed by Joe Gunn
Is faith still a factor in Canadians’ voting patterns, and the activity of Canadian political parties? The three academics who wrote this book were particularly focussed on the power of “moral traditionalists.” Unfortunately, what progressive movements of faithful Christians contributed to Canadian public policy remains of less interest.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Engagement Organizing: The Old Art and New Science of Winning Campaigns
By Matt Price
On Point Press, 2017
Reviewed by Natalie Appleyard
The let’s-do-this-together organizer in me had many a great a-ha moment while reading this book. I had to stop taking notes because it was essentially turning into copyright infringement. This is an excellent book for anyone who loves bringing people together for a common cause, not only because of its smart and strategic insights, but because of the integrity of its practices.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Turning Parliament Inside Out: Practical Ideas for Reforming Canada’s Democracy
Edited by Michael Chong, Scott Simms, and Kennedy Stewart
Douglas & McIntyre, 2017
Reviewed by John Milloy
Turning Parliament Inside Out is an attempt by a multi-party group of backbench Members of Parliament to identify ways to reform Parliament. In a series of well-written and accessible essays, these concerned MPs outline practical solutions for increasing the quality of debate, making Parliament more representative and curbing the power of party leaders and their staff.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Upstream Medicine: Doctors for a Healthy Society
Edited by Andrew Bresnahan, Mahli Brindamour, Christopher Charles, and Ryan Meili
Purich Publishing, 2017
Reviewed by Janelle Vandergrift
It is hard not to be inspired by the depth of first-hand knowledge and the dedication of the impressive roster of physicians interviewed in Upstream Medicine. The book is a collaborative project between Upstream, a non-profit in Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. In this book, various medical students have interviewed established doctors about the social determinants of health, also-known-as upstream health issues, of the patients they see.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands
By Chris Turner
Simon & Schuster, 2017
Reviewed by Karri Munn-Venn
Who knew that a 319-page book on bitumen could be so captivating? The Patch is undoubtedly the best book I have read in a long time.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City
By Tanya Talaga
House of Anansi Press, 2017
Reviewed by Sarah DelVillano
Seven Fallen Feathers, winner of the Indigenous Literature Award this year, is a powerful account of the deaths of seven Indigenous youths in Thunder Bay. It shines a light on each individual story behind the seven fallen feathers of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Grass, Soil, Hope: A Journey Through Carbon Country
By Courtney White
Chelsea Green Publishing, 2014
Reviewed by Wayne Groot
Courtney White in his book Grass, Soil, Hope does a wonderful job explaining what carbon is, and how it is a necessary building block in anything on this planet that is alive. He explains how power from the sun through photosynthesis can bring huge amounts of carbon back into the soil and thus lower CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
From the Catalyst, Summer 2018
Maximum Canada: Why 35 Million Canadians Are Not Enough Hardcover
By Doug Saunders
Knopf Canada, 2017
Reviewed by Gloria Nafziger
I was fascinated by Doug Sunders’ recent book Maximum Canada. Like many Canadians, I support immigration to Canada, believe that multiculturalism is a good thing, and think we need new immigrants to help sustain our economy, particularly as our current birth rate will not support the needs of an aging population.
