At Home: Canada increases trade with China amidst criticism from human rights activists David Emerson, Canada’s International Trade Minister, has ended his two-day visit to China this week and feels that despite some mutual political unrest Canada stands to increase its trade with the Communist country. Many Canadians, as well as international citizens and governments,… Read more »
Mandy’s love of music is contagious, whether She’s reviewing the latest punk CD or recounting an afternoon in the mosh pit. In this column from October 19, 2007 (issue 1539), she considers the staying power of the vinyl record in this digital age. Five years ago I bought a copy of NOFX’s The Decline on… Read more »
At Home This year Canadians have been focused on one major theme: the rise and fall of the loonie against the U.S. dollar. For the first time in decades, our dollar not only reached parity with the American dollar but actually exceeded it a couple of times. The rise of dollar values played havoc with… Read more »
Release date: November 6, 2007 Label: Independent release Tracks: 7 Rating: 5 This is the debut, self-titled album from four-piece Ontario band In Its Wake, a group whose front man describes their music as ?alternative soul rock.? I agree wholeheartedly with this self-labelling. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that alternative, soul, and rock music can be… Read more »
At Home: Albertans poised to spend more than any other province this Christmas A survey conducted by Statistics Canada shows that holiday shopping last year followed the established trend, with Albertans spending considerably more than residents of other provinces and territories across the country. The survey results estimate that in 2006 the average Albertan spent… Read more »
Release date: October 2007 Label: Interscope Tracks: 14 Rating: 8 The Black and White Album is the latest release from The Hives, a group that is notorious for high-energy, catchy songs that make full use of the modern rock mentality while still getting you to dance. At least That’s how I feel about it?The Hives… Read more »
At Home: Taser death prompts better translation services at border control Further investigation into the Tasering death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski has revealed that not only should the risks of Taser use be looked into, but that airport protocol needs an overhaul. Alain Jolicoeur, president of Canada’s Border Services Agency (CBSA), has questioned why… Read more »
At Home: Investigation continues into the Frank Paul case After nine years of lobbying by Aboriginals and concerned Vancouver action groups, the inquiry into Frank Paul’s death has finally been opened. The homeless aboriginal man was found dead in an alley in Vancouver after being taken from the drunk tank and deposited in the alley… Read more »
Release date: October 2007 Label: Wind-up Records Tracks: 12 Rating: 9 I must admit that when Seether first came onto my radar, I was not inclined to buy the album or even to pay much attention when my friends put it in the stereo. The first impression that this band made on me was that… Read more »
At Home: Ontario town seeks federal inquiry into radiation pollution A small town in Ontario has become so despondent over the failure of the federal government to organize an inquiry into the alleged uranium pollution being dumped into the area for decades that it has arranged and paid for its own study. Port Hope conducted… Read more »