After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

democracy

First past the post, Proportional representation, Canadian politics

Lessons from the UK: why Canada needs proportional representation

Britain, the so-called birthplace of democracy, has just come through another wasteful, unbalanced, damaging first-past-the-post (FPTP) national election. And although two-thirds of Britons would...
Alberta election, Bill C-51, Canadian politics, Conservative Party of Canada

Prentice's loss signals a tough time for Conservatives in Alberta

From the top down, Alberta's provincial election was tough for Conservatives. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Calgary southwest federal riding is now represented provincially by three NDP MLAs, and...

Our world in 2014

10 currents that contoured global society in 2014.

Christmas is a secular holiday

Christmas belongs to everyone.

UBC Students Prepare for Saturday's Climate Rally

UBC Forestry student Cohen Hocking takes hope from how quickly his parents changed their mind on climate and pipelines. "I'm hopeful that broad change can happen fast," he said.

Your CIRA vote will help shape the future of Canada’s Internet

Did you know that Canada’s Internet is democratically governed? The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), is a non-profit organization that manages the dot-ca registry and addresses many...

Istanbul protests:“Ordinary people, marching everywhere”

“We are making history,” says a protester marching through Istanbul.

Chinese censors crack down on treasonous porridge: The SinoFile

Beijing is onto the tricks of some of China's most cunning wordsmiths.

Robocall scandal protested as citizens demand inquiry at second rally: video

On March 11, 2012, protestors gathered at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to rally for an independent inquiry into the robocalls allegedly used during last year's elections to confuse voters.

Robo-call scandal and Conservative bills: Parliament Hill live blog

Conservatives are under fire for a growing election scandal, sweeping legislation and an increasingly hard-line tone. VO staff reporter David P. Ball reports live from Parliament Hill in Ottawa today.