Paying...and paying...and paying for school stuff

The kids are back to school in less than two weeks. And as many parents know, that’s when the wallet gets a workout: money for sports uniforms; money for yearbooks; money for field trips – money for so many things that add up to a substantial total. Today in The Conversation Canada, Sue Winton of York University looks at the many problems with optional fees in public school systems.

Mylène Ratelle of the University of Waterloo has teamed up with Jeffrey Fabian of the K'atl'odeeche First Nation in the Northwest Territories to tell us how Indigenous peoples are helping Canada meet its aim to conserve 17 per cent of our land and fresh water by the end of 2020. And we finish with another important environmental story: Tyrone Hall of York University makes the case that it’s time for Canada to step up and be a global leader on climate action – and how three specific actions would be a good way to start.

Regards,

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Articles

Many parents feel compelled to pay school fees, even when they feel they shouldn’t have to. (Shutterstock)

School fees undermine public education’s commitment to equity

Sue Winton, York University, Canada

Some parents in Québec are being reimbursed after a ruling that they were overcharged school fees. If taxes cover public schools, should parents have to pay at all?

A storm blows over the Tsá Tué Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO/Destination Délįnę

Indigenous hunters are protecting animals, land and waterways

Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo

A holistic approach to conservation finds people have a place in the natural world and a responsibility to maintain it.

Emissions are seen from an oil refinery in Alberta. (Shutterstock)

Why Canada should lead global climate action

Tyrone Hall, York University, Canada

As a wealthy nation with global diplomatic and multilateral influence, Canada is among a small subset of nations uniquely positioned to act individually and collaboratively on climate change.

La Conversation Canada

Une fusée éclairante illumine le ciel depuis la raffinerie de l'Impériale à Edmonton, le 28 décembre 2018. La Presse Canadienne/Jason Franson

Pourquoi Élections Canada empêche-t-il les organismes de bienfaisance de parler de la crise climatique ?

Dianne Saxe, York University, Canada

La décision d'Élections Canada d'empêcher les organismes de parler des changements climatiques pendant la campagne électorale est scandaleuse, selon l'ex-commissaire à l'environnement de l'Ontario.

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