karen ward
@kwardvancouver.bsky.social
once called « Canada's only public intellectual »
drug policy researcher & advisor ⁕ historian ⁕ artist ⁕ schemer ⁕ disorganizer
institute for the history of possible futures
https://free-futures-society.org/
drug policy researcher & advisor ⁕ historian ⁕ artist ⁕ schemer ⁕ disorganizer
institute for the history of possible futures
https://free-futures-society.org/
Reposted by karen ward
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Billionaire Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, pardoned by Donald Trump, has been accused of facilitating millions of dollars’ worth of payments to Hamas in the wake of its attack on Israel on October 7 2023. Zhao also financed the Trump family's entrance into the cryptocurrency market.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao accused of facilitating payments to Hamas
Crypto tycoon pardoned by Donald Trump faces US court complaint from families of victims of October 7 attack
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Cannot overstate how, from my perch as a national-security reporter, this would have been an earth-shattering scandal in a prior era.
Reposted by karen ward
We should start calling Alberta Eastern Canada.
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
We should start calling Alberta Eastern Canada.
government urged to be a government
November 25, 2025 at 9:41 AM
government urged to be a government
Reposted by karen ward
Before he was Manitoba Premier, Wab Kinew investigated the school-to-prison pipeline and rapped about police brutality.
So why is he now pushing for more cops in schools?
@desmondcole.bsky.social breaks down why Kinew’s stance on police stops short of action. youtu.be/oa2nUT3czxw
So why is he now pushing for more cops in schools?
@desmondcole.bsky.social breaks down why Kinew’s stance on police stops short of action. youtu.be/oa2nUT3czxw
Wab Kinew wants more cops in schools—despite his own work exposing their harm
YouTube video by The Breach
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Before he was Manitoba Premier, Wab Kinew investigated the school-to-prison pipeline and rapped about police brutality.
So why is he now pushing for more cops in schools?
@desmondcole.bsky.social breaks down why Kinew’s stance on police stops short of action. youtu.be/oa2nUT3czxw
So why is he now pushing for more cops in schools?
@desmondcole.bsky.social breaks down why Kinew’s stance on police stops short of action. youtu.be/oa2nUT3czxw
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by karen ward
This Wednesday on Early Edition: @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social will sit down with Vancouver mayor Ken Sim once again. A few days later than promised, but always good to hear from the mayor. Budget is expected to pass TUES.
@jmcelroy.bsky.social with background:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@jmcelroy.bsky.social with background:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Fact-checking Ken Sim's interview about the 2026 budget and the Vancouver Police Department | CBC News
The City of Vancouver's budget is scheduled to be voted on next week, and Mayor Ken Sim has been doing a number of interviews championing its $50 million bump to the Vancouver Police Department’s budg...
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This Wednesday on Early Edition: @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social will sit down with Vancouver mayor Ken Sim once again. A few days later than promised, but always good to hear from the mayor. Budget is expected to pass TUES.
@jmcelroy.bsky.social with background:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@jmcelroy.bsky.social with background:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Prime Minister Smartypants Fancyman got played by Danielle Smith
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Ottawa, Alberta agree to broad outlines of energy deal, including path to pipeline | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have agreed to the broad outlines of a memorandum of understanding that would give Alberta special exemptions from federal environmental l...
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Prime Minister Smartypants Fancyman got played by Danielle Smith
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by karen ward
I'm excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Mamdani Transition Team to work on community safety issues. A New Era for NYC.
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Mamdani Transition Team to work on community safety issues. A New Era for NYC.
Reposted by karen ward
A few weeks ago, we put out an episode with @jmcelroy.bsky.social where we talked a lot about how the Rest of Canada tends to ignore or misunderstand BC. And the last few weeks of federal politics seem like a perfect encapsulation of that. hatchetmedia.substack.com/p/visions-of...
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 AM
A few weeks ago, we put out an episode with @jmcelroy.bsky.social where we talked a lot about how the Rest of Canada tends to ignore or misunderstand BC. And the last few weeks of federal politics seem like a perfect encapsulation of that. hatchetmedia.substack.com/p/visions-of...
Reposted by karen ward
I’m pretty angry about Canada moving toward more fossil fuel development. Furious, actually. Carney has severely misjudged the moment. We see him putting corporate interests ahead of a liveable planet and he needs to understand 👏we will mobilize against that👏.
No more pipelines.
No more pipelines.
November 25, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I’m pretty angry about Canada moving toward more fossil fuel development. Furious, actually. Carney has severely misjudged the moment. We see him putting corporate interests ahead of a liveable planet and he needs to understand 👏we will mobilize against that👏.
No more pipelines.
No more pipelines.
“Are patients harmed by involuntary care, Premier?”
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
“Are patients harmed by involuntary care, Premier?”
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Reposted by karen ward
Any political “leader” still selling the obviously false choice between #ClimateAction and “the economy” is just reminding us that they clearly don’t understand either the climate crisis OR the economy.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Any political “leader” still selling the obviously false choice between #ClimateAction and “the economy” is just reminding us that they clearly don’t understand either the climate crisis OR the economy.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
Or they’re cynically hope that WE don’t understand the difference.
Or both.
Reposted by karen ward
"Eby says the amendments will update outdated language to protect health care professionals from being sued for providing involuntary care " oh but this is so sinister D:
Previously, the government has said it wouldn't be appropriate to make changes to the act while the legal challenge is in progress
But Eby changed his tune following the Lapu Lapu day tragedy in Vancouver earlier this year, ordering a review of the act and promising to modernize it
So here we are
But Eby changed his tune following the Lapu Lapu day tragedy in Vancouver earlier this year, ordering a review of the act and promising to modernize it
So here we are
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 AM
"Eby says the amendments will update outdated language to protect health care professionals from being sued for providing involuntary care " oh but this is so sinister D:
Reposted by karen ward
Those legal protections have been there to protect patients — people like you and me — and now they're removing those protections so that government officials can implement polices that will harm people, instead of helping people. Treatment is voluntary, this isn't about treatment.
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Those legal protections have been there to protect patients — people like you and me — and now they're removing those protections so that government officials can implement polices that will harm people, instead of helping people. Treatment is voluntary, this isn't about treatment.
This is more total bullshit from the government and the opposition, the media, and all of us need to demand better than that
He’s exploiting our collective memory of how people were violently murdered at a community celebration to avoid serious questions about this legislation.
He’s exploiting our collective memory of how people were violently murdered at a community celebration to avoid serious questions about this legislation.
Previously, the government has said it wouldn't be appropriate to make changes to the act while the legal challenge is in progress
But Eby changed his tune following the Lapu Lapu day tragedy in Vancouver earlier this year, ordering a review of the act and promising to modernize it
So here we are
But Eby changed his tune following the Lapu Lapu day tragedy in Vancouver earlier this year, ordering a review of the act and promising to modernize it
So here we are
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 AM
This is more total bullshit from the government and the opposition, the media, and all of us need to demand better than that
He’s exploiting our collective memory of how people were violently murdered at a community celebration to avoid serious questions about this legislation.
He’s exploiting our collective memory of how people were violently murdered at a community celebration to avoid serious questions about this legislation.
Reposted by karen ward
Wild to me to see the government threaten people's rights and the response isn't to question that incessantly
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Wild to me to see the government threaten people's rights and the response isn't to question that incessantly
the workers can refuse to violate the constitutional rights of patients
just saying
just saying
Premier David Eby says changes to involuntary care protect workers from being sued
Premier David Eby says changes to involuntary care protect workers from being sued
The provincial government has tabled changes to the Health Mental Act, which it says will reduce the legal exposure of health care workers, who deliver involuntary care to patients held under the law.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 AM
the workers can refuse to violate the constitutional rights of patients
just saying
just saying
Reposted by karen ward
You know you are on the right side of medical ethics when you need to get a law amended just to shield you from lawsuits for your activities.
#bcpoli
#bcpoli
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
You know you are on the right side of medical ethics when you need to get a law amended just to shield you from lawsuits for your activities.
#bcpoli
#bcpoli
Reposted by karen ward
Health workers in mental health DO NOT need more protection from liability... and I am one.
Mental Health Acts in Canada were created because psychiatric hospitals were literally torturing patients.
I have seen widespread ignorance of mental health, consent, and privacy laws in my work.
Mental Health Acts in Canada were created because psychiatric hospitals were literally torturing patients.
I have seen widespread ignorance of mental health, consent, and privacy laws in my work.
B.C. to tweak Mental Health Act to protect health workers delivering involuntary care: Premier Eby vancouversun.com/news/bc-to-t...
November 25, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Health workers in mental health DO NOT need more protection from liability... and I am one.
Mental Health Acts in Canada were created because psychiatric hospitals were literally torturing patients.
I have seen widespread ignorance of mental health, consent, and privacy laws in my work.
Mental Health Acts in Canada were created because psychiatric hospitals were literally torturing patients.
I have seen widespread ignorance of mental health, consent, and privacy laws in my work.
Reposted by karen ward
The government is responding to the Human Rights Commissioner’s position statement by doubling down on their murderous refusal to address the unregulated drug poisoning emergency honestly.
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The government is responding to the Human Rights Commissioner’s position statement by doubling down on their murderous refusal to address the unregulated drug poisoning emergency honestly.
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
Reposted by karen ward
Instead of confronting the fundamental problem, voluntary care is being overshadowed. Many people requiring involuntary treatment were once less sick, but were unable to access voluntary care when they needed it.
#bcpoli
#bcpoli
Today the BC NDP introduced Bill 31, the Mental Health Amendment Act, in response to an ongoing court case.
The BC Greens say the move is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involuntary treatment.
#bcpoli
Our statement ⬇️
The BC Greens say the move is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involuntary treatment.
#bcpoli
Our statement ⬇️
BC Greens question when the BC NDP will implement a full review of the Mental Health Act instead of tinkering around the edges - BC Green Caucus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 24, 2025 VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens say the BC NDP’s move to amend Section 31 of the Mental Health Act is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involunta...
bcgreencaucus.ca
November 25, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Instead of confronting the fundamental problem, voluntary care is being overshadowed. Many people requiring involuntary treatment were once less sick, but were unable to access voluntary care when they needed it.
#bcpoli
#bcpoli
Reposted by karen ward
People in BC who are hospitalized against their will won't be able to sue clinicians "providing involuntary mental-health care." news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Province taking action to strengthen involuntary care, better support patients
The Province is introducing proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act to strengthen and protect mental-health care in B.C. and improve supports for people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM
People in BC who are hospitalized against their will won't be able to sue clinicians "providing involuntary mental-health care." news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Reposted by karen ward
BC is one of the few jurisdictions (the only jurisdiction?) in Canada where if you're hospitalized against your will they can automatically treat you against your will. That's being challenged in court.
November 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
BC is one of the few jurisdictions (the only jurisdiction?) in Canada where if you're hospitalized against your will they can automatically treat you against your will. That's being challenged in court.
the government is amending the act to protect healthcare workers who provide involuntary treatment from liability BECAUSE ITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Today the BC NDP introduced Bill 31, the Mental Health Amendment Act, in response to an ongoing court case.
The BC Greens say the move is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involuntary treatment.
#bcpoli
Our statement ⬇️
The BC Greens say the move is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involuntary treatment.
#bcpoli
Our statement ⬇️
BC Greens question when the BC NDP will implement a full review of the Mental Health Act instead of tinkering around the edges - BC Green Caucus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 24, 2025 VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens say the BC NDP’s move to amend Section 31 of the Mental Health Act is an opportunistic effort to protect its defence of involunta...
bcgreencaucus.ca
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
the government is amending the act to protect healthcare workers who provide involuntary treatment from liability BECAUSE ITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
“TWEAK“
B.C. to tweak Mental Health Act to protect health workers delivering involuntary care: Premier Eby vancouversun.com/news/bc-to-t...
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
“TWEAK“