Spring renovating
Editor’s Note
Welcome to the “Canada on the world stage” issue of This Magazine. It’s a hot topic right now, of course, with our involvement in the war in Afghanistan dividing public opinion in the country almost down the middle. It was the number one story of 2006, according to a poll conducted by The Canadian Press and Broadcast News. And with good reason. For the first time since the Korean War, Canada has taken on sustained, major combat overseas—prompting loud calls from the left to bring the troops home.
In this issue, Jared Ferrie addresses the polarization of public opinion on the mission, arguing that the “troops out” position is an over-simple one that inadequately considers the question of what next for Afghanistan.
Despite our national self-image as beneficent keepers of the peace, not every effect of Canada’s role in the world is as well publicized as our involvement in the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Canadian mining companies, for example, are notorious for questionable environmental and human rights practices around the world. Maria Amuchastegui tells the story of one such proposed mining venture in El Estor, Guatemala, by Vancouver-based Skye Resources—and the opposition from the indigenous people there.
Closer to home, Sean Condon brings us to the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, where a development boom—in part related to the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics—threatens to displace thousands of the city’s lowest-income residents.
There are a lot of new things to introduce in this issue, too. It’s the fifth since I took over as editor, and marks my first anniversary in the job. It’s been an action-packed year—especially with our 40th birthday at the end of 2006—and time has flown. Now that I’ve gotten comfy in the editor chair, and have found the time to catch my breath, we’ve decided it’s time for some springtime renovating.
We’ve aimed to enhance what you already know and love about the magazine, without sacrificing any of the attitude and intelligence you expect, and I’m excited to share the result with you. Those who read us regularly will notice that we’ve introduced several new regular features to the front section—look out for “Argument,” “WTF?” and “Whatever happened too…?,” among others.
Also new in the front are two new columns: politics and contrarian. Politics will cover a broad range of issues from across the country, while the contrarian column presents nuanced arguments to challenge traditionally lefty points of view. Both have rotating columnists to bring fresh perspectives from diverse sources every time.
Toward the back of the issue, you will find a revamped arts section. We have the same great arts coverage as ever, but have introduced three new columns. Our very own arts editor Ron Nurwisah covers books; Terence Dick trades in his media column for one on the web; and my old friend and pop-culture columnist extraordinaire Chris Eng takes on film.
We will keep bringing you the same in-depth and thought-provoking features as always.
Let us know what you think! We love hearing from readers, and would appreciate your feedback on the new stuff, and the old stuff, too.
Jessica Johnston editor[at]thismagazine[dot]ca
