State of the Arts: How Arts Funding Affects Our Communities

When Stephen Harper famously declared that “ordinary people” don’t care about arts funding during the 2008 election campaign, artists and arts groups were quickly forced to prove their worth. At that time, $45 million had just been cut from the federal arts budget, and not long after, the government of BC made serious cuts of [...]

Getting Fracked: BC allows extensive fracking, but at what cost?

Jessica Ernst can light her tap water on fire. At least, Jessica Ernst could light her tap water on fire until she recently had the water disconnected from her home because it posed such a safety risk. Natural gas corporation Encana began drilling near Ernst’s property on the outskirts of Rosebud in southern Alberta in [...]

The lizard of Oz: a memoir

David Hudson opened the door to his traditional Queenslander home back in 1988 and welcomed us inside. Glad to be in out of the heat, we made our way to the cool centre of the house. He told us to make ourselves comfortable in the small sitting room while he went to the kitchen; he [...]

Choosing cheer: making bad holidays good again

As any student knows, it can be tough navigating the upcoming holiday season of marketing, family time, and festivities. Despite tired brain cells and weakened bank balances, the odds are good that students will bounce back from exams and be able jump into the holiday spirit. Still, while the holidays are great for some, this [...]

Self-chosen death: a heart-wrenching dilemma

About a decade ago, Camosun university transfer student Joanna Webber’s uncle decided he wanted to be euthanized. Half of Webber’s family lives in Holland, where assisted suicide is legal. When her uncle, who was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, started considering this end-of-life decision, her entire family was involved and backed him up. “The whole family [...]

Modern Masculinity: Breaking Through the Isolation of Being a Man

In Canada in 2008, 2,777 Canadian men committed suicide; 928 women committed suicide. Males under the age of 18 were physically assaulted 1.5 more times than women. 39,099 people were in Canadian prisons in 2009. Only 5.9 percent were women. * Boys will be boys What are we teaching our boys? And why do men [...]

Heading south: a student’s opinion on Canada’s direction

In the last 15 years Canada has seen a widening gap between incomes of the rich and poor, a situation that will most likely become more extreme under the current government. Income inequality is a global epidemic, and is a key reason behind the Occupy protests. At a time when most of the world is [...]

From four corners: Victoria and Saanich mayoral candidates talk to Nexus about issues that matter to students

The end of a three-year reign is upon us. A municipal election on November 19 brings the opportunity for new blood, or at least the opportunity for more awareness around the backyards that we all play in. Talking with students about municipal politics proved to be challenging despite only a mild learning curve. Nexus spent [...]

The great depression

About 10 years ago, the counselling staff at Camosun College began to notice a disturbing trend. A larger portion of students at the college began suffering from fatigue, an inability to concentrate, thoughts of worthlessness, and insomnia. All of these things are symptoms of depression, according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical [...]

Under One Flag: How the CBC and cultural identity intersect

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is approaching its 75th birthday. The CBC was born out of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission on November 2, 1936. A whole campaign with a refreshing colour palette has been launched to celebrate and highlight some of the content that has reinforced and connected us as a nation. Even the Royal [...]

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