December 2009 National Updates

December 3, 2009

Court rules against Anglican conservatives
A LONG-AWAITED provincial court decision has disappointed traditional Anglicans.
Study shows Canada's divorce rates have declined
THE VANIER Institute of the Family has released a study that shows divorce rates in Canada have declined markedly since the 1990s.
OttawaWatch: The Hill was alive ...
I had looked forward to hearing MP5 sing, and was not disappointed.
Quick news
• Wales sighted in Alberta
• Icons sited in Toronto
• Christian women freed in Iran
• more

December 9, 2009

Most Canadians oppose public funding of abortion
AS POLITICIANS debate health care reform in the United States, a key issue is the use public funds for abortion.
Making a home in Canada's poorest neighborhood
In this season of Christ's incarnation, CC.com profiles individuals who have become neighbours of people in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
OttawaWatch: Honour killing, at home and abroad
Today, I would like to explore allegations of honour killing in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - and how that relates to Canada.
Quick news
• Street preacher vindicated
• Human Rights decision overturned
• They don't Kair
• more

December 17, 2009

Comment: Is Canada the climate change fossil of the decade?
IS Canada in favour of climate change?
While most of us would adamantly deny it, we remain near the top in per-capita CO2 emissions...
'Guerilla publishers' are happy in their chosen niche
AS some cultural observers bemoan the decline of print media, certain enterprising souls are finding creative ways to market books.
OttawaWatch: KAIROS, CIDA and Dambisa Moyo
LAST WEEK, in exploring the honour killing issue, I postponed comment on the dustup over the federal government's decision to decline slightly over $7 million in funding to KAIROS.
Quick news
• Kenya or Kentya
• They have a lot at steak
• Staying home on the Prairie
• more

December 22, 2009

Church was balanced in 2009
It is not a word always associated with the church. But it may apply to the Canadian church in 2009.
In CC.com's annual analysis of the year's news, we looked to see what the outstanding trends were -- and what stood out was that nothing stood out. The church, in a general sense, showed remarkable balance in 2009.
Christian groups put spotlight on Senate poverty report
A BEHEMOTH, 300-page report with 78 recommendations -- the result of two years study and testimony from more than 175 witnesses -- has anti-poverty activists hoping Canadians may start thinking and talking about poverty, and how to solve it.
OttawaWatch: A little Day light, please
WHETHER or not the Afghanistan detainee issue goes into hibernation during the next few weeks, there is one particular aspect that I hope ultimately receives some attention.
Quick news
• He doesn't want to go home for Christmas
• Put Christians in prison
• That's where they are in in China
• more