World AIDS Day marks the close of a frustrating year for HIV/AIDS legal group

I have a story up on iPolitics.ca today for World AIDS Day, which looks at the year that the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network had, which was marked by a number of setbacks, with the Supreme Court decision that went against their position, as well as the defeat of the CAMR bill in the House of Commons. After a couple of months of doing daily posting over at Macleans.ca, it was nice to get to write a full-fledged story as a change of pace.

Knockin’ on doors with Peter Lougheed

My first story for Macleans.ca is an interview with Progressive Conservative Senator Elaine McCoy, who remembers her old friend and mentor Peter Lougheed. McCoy replaced Lougheed as the MLA for Calgary West after his retirement from politics, and she remains a Progressive Conservative to this day largely because of his legacy. There was some great material here, and I only wish I had more space to recount a couple more of her recollections of Lougheed.

Out in the public service

I have a new story on iPolitics.ca, which ties in with Capital Pride week, where I look at the Public Service Pride Network, which is a social organisation for GLBT public servants and how that kind of a network can be of value at a time of public service cutbacks. I've been covering PSP for many years, and it was nice to see how they've grown and become recognised by PCO and Treasury Board as sources of input when discussing Public Service renewal, and so on.

Six years on, $139M HIV fund mostly sitting in the bank

I have a new story up on iPolitics.ca today, which looks at just what has been happening the past to years with the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative. I've been covering the CHVI pretty much since its inception, and wanted to see just what has been taking place, seeing as it's been pretty quiet for the past eighteen months or so. The answer - well, not much. But my conversation with Dr. Gerson was something of a surprise, and did give the story a bit of a twist that I hadn't been expecting.

Rideau Hall beefs up Governor General book collection

I have a new story up on OpenFile Ottawa this week about the Governor General's Literary Awards Collection, now on display at Rideau Hall, which also features a sidebar on the new additions to Rideau Hall now on display including the new portrait of the Queen and the Diamond Jubilee Handrails. As always, I really enjoy Rideau Hall stories, and it gave me the opportunity to be present for the unveiling of both the portrait and the handrails, which was a great opportunity.

Health issues swept under with toothless ‘motherhood’ bills: opposition

I have a new story up on iPolitics.ca today, which looks at the work of the Commons health committee the past few months, and the frustration that opposition MPs are feeling as the work they're trying to do is being subverted by a government they feel is committed to the status quo, and which blocks any attempts to challenge it. More than that, they feel trapped into supporting the toothless measures because they don't want to be seen as voting against measures for suicide prevention, breast cancer awareness, or the like. It was a great story to write, and nice to be able to sink my teeth into it with all of the research that went into it.

Doors Open: Rideau Hall offers nature tour, wildlife presentation

I have a new story up on the Ottawa page of OpenFile today, which looks at the Doors Open activities at Rideau Hall, which have a bit of a twist - on top of the regular indoor tours, they'll also be doing a number of outdoor activities on the grounds. It was a fun story, and while I've been to Rideau Hall half-a-dozen times, it was nice to get a bit more of a private tour, including one of the rooms that wasn't previously open to the public before.