Today we are wrapping up Spring 2026 Vancouver Convocations at @UBC! 28 amazing ceremonies in our beautiful Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and incredibly over 10,500 students receiving a UBC degree on their way to a successful and self-determined life.
CONGRATULATIONS to all our amazing graduating students and to the families and friends who joined us! It was an honour to share in your celebrations!
Many thanks as always to our wonderful Chancellor Judy Rogers, Provost Gage Averill, the UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble, our remarkable team of Deans, Associate Deans, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Volunteers, and finally to our Director of Ceremonies Liz King Osadczuk and her team who again this year steered us through masterfully! #UBCGrad
I was pretty happy to catch this Broad-tailed Hummingbird making eye contact and showing off his beautiful gorget in good light. I'm still smiling.😊 #birds#nature#wildlife
@paulegillispie in the @irishtimes has a pointed analysis of where reforms to the Irish system might usefully start
Three ways to reconnect Ireland’s political system to its people https://t.co/gx0FG8iujD
@paulegillispie in the @irishtimes has a pointed analysis of where reforms to the Irish system might usefully start
Three ways to reconnect Ireland’s political system to its people https://t.co/gx0FG8iujD
As usual @theirishtimes Ella McSweeney has something important to say, and does it well
Can we drink from our rivers without vomiting or swim without getting diarrhoea? https://t.co/YPkSlgdhVP
This piece, and O’Toole’s conversation with @hlinehan on the @IrishTimesPolitics podcast, is a thoughtful analysis of @fiannafailparty’s place in Irish history.
As Europe’s most successful party in the 20th c it needs to be understood.
On this day in 1867, the British North America Act received Royal Assent in British Parliament, laying the legal foundation for the Dominion of Canada, which would come into force on July 1.
The BNA Act established Canada’s federal structure, dividing powers between Parliament and the provinces, while also providing protections for minority rights—most notably in education. These were a defining feature of the new Constitution, intended to accommodate religious and linguistic differences and ease rivalries inherited from the old world.
The preamble, invoking a constitution “similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom,” has long been understood as a guiding statement of Canada’s constitutional tradition.
Beyond Canada, the BNA Act influenced federal systems across the British Empire, including Australia’s federation in 1901.
Though amended over time, it remains at the core of Canada’s Constitution, having been renamed the Constitution Act, 1867 in 1982.
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En ce jour, en 1867, l’AANB reçoit la sanction royale au Parlement britannique, établissant les bases juridiques du Dominion du Canada, dont l’entrée en vigueur est fixée au 1er juillet.
L’AANB crée la structure fédérale du pays en répartissant les compétences entre le Parlement et les provinces, tout en protégeant certains droits des minorités, notamment en matière d’éducation. Ces dispositions visaient à tenir compte des réalités religieuses et linguistiques et à atténuer des rivalités héritées de l’Ancien Monde.
Son préambule — évoquant une constitution « semblable dans son principe à celle du Royaume-Uni » — est souvent considéré comme une déclaration fondatrice de la tradition constitutionnelle canadienne.
Au-delà du Canada, l’AANB a influencé d’autres fédérations de l’Empire britannique, notamment la fédération australienne de 1901.
Renommée Loi constitutionnelle de 1867 en 1982, elle demeure au cœur de la Constitution canadienne.
🍊 Leichnitz & Topp: Is the party over for Canada's NDP?
Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites. A hard turn to the Left on this episode of the pod, because I want to examine the past, present and future of the New Democratic Party, and ask if the party is over for Canada’s NDP?
To do that, a wide-ranging discussion. We’ll cover the federal leadership race. An assessment of the candidates and each of their challenges. What the new leader needs to be thinking about on Day 1. The current state of the NDP federally and provincially – and the differences between those wings. What are the pros and cons of a federated party? And lots more.
And with me to do that, two of the most insightful political practitioners on that side of the aisle. You know the names:
@JordanLeichnitz … contributor, co-star, and “Chief Camping Officer” at the Curse of Politics. Over 2 decades as a progressive political strategist and campaigner at every level. 10 years on Parliament Hill in senior strategy positions for the NDP, including Deputy Chief of Staff. Currently, she’s the Canada Director for the Freidrich Ebert Stiftung foundation.
And @Briantoppnew … contributing member of the most popular panel we run on The Herle Burly, the 3-headed beast known as The Chiefs. One of Canada’s foremost political strategists. Former Chief of Staff to Rachel Notley in Alberta. And Deputy Chief to Roy Romanow in Saskatchewan. A co-architect of Jack Layton’s Orange Wave as the NDP’s national campaign director. Today, he’s one of the founding partners of GT&co.
Subscribe and join us:
YouTube https://t.co/fN5X6wWozm
Apple https://t.co/jYl0T13j0T
Spotify https://t.co/PHFj2Dy3Mq
Usually x makes me feel 🤢 and this is a *tad* vulnerable.
But maybe it saves a life or what I’ve been through
#ColorectalCancerAwareness Month
Hang with me while I wait in my surgeon’s office and learn a bit.
Content icky but 🤷🏻♀️
#ColorectalCancer#BCPoli
Anti-semitism is alive and well at @UVic. Sadly, @cinecenta was bombarded by folk complaining about it's planned showing of Holding Liat, a multi-award winning documentary. The irony of the viewing being cancelled by so-called 'pro-Palestinian' supporters is mind numbing. They were obviously too lazy to even take the time to see what it was about! Google it and you'll see why.
The theatre responded by cancelling the showing. Instead of a place of learning, reflective conversation and respectful engagement, this university has become a home for intolerance, collective group think, and uncritical thinking. And of course, academic 'leadership' cowers behind their desks while this sort of behaviour is allowed to continue. Universities are places to advance knowledge, learning, critical thinking, and debate. They should encourage the indoctrination of youth by self-appointed thought police.
Some may have seen it at the Salt Spring Film Festival on March 1. #bcpoli @SelinaMRobinson