Matthew Eisman via Getty Images

The Conservatives' anti-Ignatieff "Just Visiting" campaign was arguably the most effective political ad campaign in modern Canadian history. It is astonishing - it is beyond belief - that the once-great Conservative Party of Canada is now embracing Kevin O'Leary, another Boston resident. Another interloper. Another guy "just visiting."

Matej Divizna via Getty Images

It's at times like the present when Vaclav Havel, former independence activist, playwright, and president of Czechoslovakia, might have something to offer us, despite the fact that he died some six years ago. It wasn't by accident that the New York Times called him the "global ambassador for conscience."

Images by Fabio via Getty Images

Video killed the radio in 1979, now in 2017 our generation is killing traditional television viewing with a steady decline in cable subscription as more Canadians use their online devices (and televisions) to stream digital content from services such as Netflix, Crave and Amazon Prime Video.

ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images

In 2017, no Canadian would accept discrimination based on such genetically determined factors as sex or skin colour. As a matter of principle and common sense, MPs from all parties should unite to pass Bill S-201, which will make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of one's genes.

kupicoo via Getty Images

Around this time last year, my world tilted upside down. My husband, the love of my life and anchor of my soul, was dying before my eyes. It started with gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, fatigue. Doctors figured he had an ulcer. It was clear something was really serious on Father's Day 2016.

AlekZotoff via Getty Images

They say that into every life a little rain must fall... Sometimes, however, it pours. If you've had a less-than-fabulous time of it lately, here are 10 proven ways to improve your mood.

PC

It's a good news story in many ways. Abolishing these user fees puts an end to an unfair and inefficient system where money or private health insurance allowed one to jump the queue and get in front of the line, regardless of whether they had more urgent medical needs.

asiseeit via Getty Images

Recently, with rising Islamophobia, a Muslim child was threatened on school grounds by someone wearing a mask. Though schools may see themselves as "neutral," the sense of safety and well-being of many children continues to be hijacked with the ongoing rhetoric of political leaders and increasing hate incidents and crimes.

Jupiterimages via Getty Images

Despite the success of vaccines, mumps wasn't eradicated. Small pockets of infection continued to appear. These small outbreaks were difficult to control but eventually burned out such that they disappeared. For the most part, these isolated events were considered part of the ongoing reality of an ever-present virus.

skynesher via Getty Images

As a mother and as a teacher, I am saddened that the vast majority of members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario voted to ratify the 2017-2019 extension agreement instead of fighting for truly smaller class sizes.

Oxfam Canada

A brave woman was taken from us a year ago. Berta Caceres was shot and killed in the middle of the night by assassins for opposing an illegitimate hydroelectric project which threatened her people's way of life and violated international human rights law.

Brett Tarver

The impact of a fistula can be nothing short of devastating. Women are unable to control their flow of urine or feces, sometimes, both. A woman is aware of the resulting odour, and she feels ashamed -- often to the point of denying herself food and water to stem the flow. Malnutrition and dehydration can result.

kali9 via Getty Images

Later on this week or month, you will perhaps receive and then open an envelope containing your child's tri-annual report card, an account informing you of their academic progress in school so far this year. But you might find that not everything your child has learned will be part of that running commentary.

Urilux via Getty Images

What happened in Halifax is but an example of what's wrong with our criminal justice system -- it turns "sexual assault" into "sex" and debates consent the entire trial while not once stopping to ask, "Does it make sense to anyone that this woman, in this state, would consent to having sex with anyone, let alone a total stranger?"

fotostorm via Getty Images

Another pregnancy. A miracle. This was right. This was how things were supposed to be. I was on track. I thought. And then cancer. Cancer and a baby. At the same time. Those things aren't supposed to happen at the same time.

PeopleImages via Getty Images

Sadly, women still march in the streets for the same fundamental rights men take for granted. In developing communities especially, huge gaps remain in areas like women's education, health and economic opportunity. Overlooking men can actually worsen inequality, according to a 2013 World Bank study that examined two decades of research on gender equity programs.

Eva-Katalin via Getty Images

Whenever I've gotten a break in life, it's because I put myself out there and seized an opportunity, without weighing the cons first. Taking risks, looking for hidden opportunities and being a doer - these are things that put you in a better position to get lucky.

Chris Wattie / Reuters

Our government has set aside $200-million this year to end discrimination against First Nations children in our child welfare system -- and Budget 2016 committed to increasing that amount for the next five years. Next year we are investing almost $250-million to end discrimination. But putting more money into the existing system simply isn't enough.

Jen Arron

I'm a professional family photographer and I have one beautiful son. But I've been pregnant three times. Last year I endured two miscarriages in the span of 10 months. My weariness was palpable. It lay on me like a thick heavy blanket. So many questions arose. So much soul-searching. It felt like a crisis of my spirit.

The Washington Post via Getty Images

While to some extent, I believe homeowners should have some say in what happens in their rental properties, this needs to be balanced with the rights of individuals to grow their cannabis for medical purposes and have access to affordable medicine.

South_agency via Getty Images

Contingency fees have made it easier for trial lawyers to overcharge unsuspecting clients. This will continue to happen unless there is a cap on contingency fees. How many more Ontarians have to be overcharged thousands of dollars before the law society takes this issue seriously and makes a change?