Rwanda will forever be associated with the horrific massacre and genocide of nearly one million people in 1994. And that is a double tragedy. It should also be associated with what has happened since, We have as much to learn … Read More
Blog posts by Al
Not Again … Never Again
Not again! The news from St Jude Quebec is distressing. Two middle aged brothers found dead in their family home. The older brother, Jean-Guy died first. He took care of his younger brother Richard after their mother died a few … Read More
Stick out Your Tongue and Change the world – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (24)
Social entrepreneurs and dear friends Richard and Shelli Steckel are doing it again. Their Milestones Project is changing the world one tongue at a time. The Milestones project has the rather majestic goal of banishing hatred. They want to tackle … Read More
Stephen Dawson – Living with Dignity (2)
In my previous post I referred to my direct role in the well publicized Stephen Dawson 'right to treatment' case in the mid-1980's. My ethical position on euthanasia stems from this and over 30 years of close association with people … Read More
Quebec’s Dying With Dignity hearings attracting unprecedented particpation (1)
There is ferment brewing in Quebec that concerns the future of all Canadians. But it's not about separation or sovereignty association. It is about euthanasia. Based on involvement so far, more Quebecois will participate in the hearings of the Quebec … Read More
Sockeye slip through a ‘crack’ in the universe
As summer ends, British Columbia's shores are awash with sockeye salmon. The most bountiful run in over a hundred years. Last year's run was so dismal a federal judicial inquiry was created. The collapse of the wild salmon fishery was … Read More
Ducks and Icebergs(Part Two) – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (23)
In my last post, Part One of Ducks and Icebergs, I summarized some of the challenges public servants and of course, the rest of us are facing in the next 15 years. Here are five trends public servants are exploring … Read More
Ducks, Icebergs and Public Servants (Part One) – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (22)
Ducks and icebergs have a lot in common. To get a complete picture you have to look beneath the surface. Ducks, calmly gliding through the surface of the water, while busily paddling underneath. Icebergs, massive enough as they float, revealing … Read More
The Fur Trade and Social Finance
The fur trade in Canada provides a distant mirror for Social Finance advocates and practitioners on the complex effects of any new technology. It makes us mindful that every intervention has side effects, both positive and negative. Harold Innis was … Read More
Follow The Money – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (21)
I was asked by a young parent recently, what is the most common mistake made by advocates. My reply was immediate. Not following the money trail in Government. Or, as was the case in this circumstance (he was advocating for … Read More