Margaret Evans

Elizabeth’s steady hand at monarchy’s helm

With this weekend’s Diamond Jubilee the popularity of the Queen is at an all-time high.

Possible snakehead sighting spine-chilling

Snakehead sighting offers reminder of the dangers of releasing invasive specie into the wild.

What will the future hold for plant growth?

Plant responses to climate change can have huge consequences for water supply, pollination, crop production and ecosystem health

Sleepless nights for the B.C. Liberal party

Premier Christy Clark must be holding her breath wondering what next bad day/worse day event is going to crush her work week.

The good and the bad in this year’s federal budget

Funding for applied science is good but it shouldn’t come at the expense of investment in basic science...

Don’t sacrifice protection in the name of efficiency

According to leaked documents, the feds want to drop the ‘habitat’ reference to ‘modernize’ environmental legislation

Canadian scientists should be free to speak their minds

Canadians have a right to an opportunity to know more about our scientists’ work and how their research affects our lives.

Canada’s search for retirement sustainability

Active seniors are opting to continue to gainfully work in some capacity but the projected numbers still forecast an unsustainable scenario

Chilliwack winter storm a lesson on the value of preparation

Last week’s snowstorm, fast, furious and thankfully finished, came on the heels of what most of us were enjoying as a warm and balmy winter.

Much at stake in northern pipeline debate

It’s perhaps too early to make a judgment call on Enron’s Northern Gateway Pipelines proposal.

Weather that seems to defy predictions

Up until Christmas day in Chilliwack, it was the driest December since 1914.

Change and upheaval marked this year

So what were the most newsworthy stories in 2011? One word seems it sum it up: Upheaval.

Putting a price tag on a warming world

Canada can expect some severe criticism since the Harper government is refusing to sign on to a second commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.

Thinking big in an effort to change the world

While Occupy protesters in Vancouver think about how much the corporate world sucks, maybe they should take a cue from some real thinkers

Raise the white flag on the ‘War on drugs’

The Harper government should pay attention to poll showing that 79 per cent of British Columbians do not support keeping the current marijuana laws

British Columbia’s ship finally comes in

It was great news last week when the federal government announced that Seaspan Marine Corp. had been awarded the $8 billion non-combat shipbuilding contract.

Wall Street protests lack coherent message

The protest against big business and big banks this weekend seemed more like a pick-a-grunt-day than anything focused and organized. There were more questions on what it was about than on a central issue with reachable solutions.

Insite ruling a victory for better care

It was great news Friday when the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Vancouver’s Insite drug injection clinic. In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that not allowing the clinic to operate under the umbrella of a federal exemption is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

La Nina to make an unwelcome return

With the weather phenomenon La Nina expected to gather strength this winter, we could be facing the same frustrating long, cold, wet spring in 2012 that occurred this year.

Research cuts show government’s lack of vision

Environment Canada’s decision to cancel vital research programs and axe some 700 jobs is wrong thinking.

The reasoning may be budget austerity measures – Treasury Board Chair Tony Clement wants to slash $4 billion from government programs - but beware being penny wise and pound foolish.