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Social enterprise in Canada is booming, finally

What it means for Canadian businesses, and why consumers need to pay attention

Samantha Scalise

In a capitalist free-market system, profit over everything seems to be the battle cry of big business and corporate strategy. However, those looking to make a positive difference and give back to the community have created a market for themselves through an innovative model of social entrepreneurship. Going into business now has a friendlier face, […] More »
January-February 2018

Shyra Barberstock’s online venture brings together Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities

A look inside the Indigenous-led Okwaho Network

Sohini Bhattacharya

Shyra Barberstock was 21 years old when she met her Anishinaabe birth mother and finally gained Kebaowek status. Until then, she was unaware of her Kebaowek First Nation roots, having grown up with her nonIndigenous adoptive family. “As you can see I’m very fair skinned,” says Barberstock. “Had I not met her, I may never […] More »
January-February 2018

Will a Canadian city house Amazon’s second headquarters?

A definitive ranking of the most likely cities north of the border

Katherine DeClerq

It’s a great time to be Amazon. The digital commerce company has 238 cities vying for its attention, offering all sorts of goodies in hopes of being chosen for its second home. The new headquarters is expected to contribute at least $5 billion in construction and 50,000 high-paying, competitive jobs, which makes it a highly […] More »
September-October 2016

Let’s say goodbye to global corporatization

Our editor emeritus on why monster corporations must make room for smaller institutions of community

Mel Watkins

For our special 50th anniversary issue, Canada’s brightest, boldest, and most rebellious thinkers, doers, and creators share their best big ideas. Through ideas macro and micro, radical and everyday, we present 50 essays, think pieces, and calls to action. Picture: plans for sustainable food systems, radical legislation, revolutionary health care, a greener planet, Indigenous self-government, […] More »
September-October 2016

It’s time to stop running government like a business

Start running them like they're, well, governments

Craig Saunders@CraigSaunders

For our special 50th anniversary issue, Canada’s brightest, boldest, and most rebellious thinkers, doers, and creators share their best big ideas. Through ideas macro and micro, radical and everyday, we present 50 essays, think pieces, and calls to action. Picture: plans for sustainable food systems, radical legislation, revolutionary health care, a greener planet, Indigenous self-government, […] More »
September-October 2016

Businesses can put “dead money” to use fighting climate change

Canadian businesses held almost $500 billion in dead money at the start of 2016.

Ellen Russell

For our special 50th anniversary issue, Canada’s brightest, boldest, and most rebellious thinkers, doers, and creators share their best big ideas. Through ideas macro and micro, radical and everyday, we present 50 essays, think pieces, and calls to action. Picture: plans for sustainable food systems, radical legislation, revolutionary health care, a greener planet, Indigenous self-government, […] More »
May-June 2010

Are bamboo textiles really better for the environment?

Dayanti KarunaratneWebsite

The Claim Bamboo fabric is the perfect solution for the eco-chic shopper. The plant grows fast, with little water, few pesticides or fertilizers, and produces 30 percent more oxygen than trees. But does all that really mean guilt-free fashion—or is bamboo just a savvy marketing trick? The Investigation Last year, the Competition Bureau of Canada […] More »

Stop Everything #16: Industry seldom changes itself. It's up to us.

darcy higgins

We’re not getting the job done with the Harper government, so where do we go next? Rebecca’s option of industry leadership in last week’s column may have raised some eyebrows for those of us working on policy like pricing carbon or regulation to get industries to do the right thing. And also for those who […] More »

Stop Everything #15: If government won't cut carbon, will industry?

rebecca mcneil

Welcome to the new age of the environmental movement. We don’t chain ourselves to trees and sing protest songs—we use blackberries to notify the press about the latest report findings. With the exception of a few spirited protestors who scaled the parliament building or occupied a minister’s office, most of the effort from organizations in […] More »
May-June 2009

Meet Ralph Nader’s secret (Canadian) weapon: Toby Heaps

Jessica Leigh Johnston

How Canada’s Rollerblading, CEO-hugging, cartel-busting activist-entrepreneur became Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign manager (and why he did it when there was zero chance of winning) Junue Millan is getting agitated. It’s a hot day in May 2008, and Millan, an organizer on Ralph Nader’s quixotic presidential campaign, paces a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk. I’m sitting in […] More »