On April 22, Australian actor and comedian Barry Humphries passed away at the age of 89. Few Canadians would recognize this prolific actor, but perhaps a few more of them would recognize his most famous character, Dame Edna Everage. From 1956 until 2019, Humphries performed this character on stage and on the small screen to critical and fan acclaim, appearing alongside Billy Crystal, Mel Gibson, and many other celebrities.

Recently I had the opportunity to watch Women Talking, a film that was recently nominated for two Academy Awards and took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film’s title is especially poignant considering it tells the story of women who lack a voice in their world.

On March 12, 2023, people all over the world watched as the film Women Talking won the Academy Award for best screenplay. Based on a book written by Steinbach’s own Miriam Toews, Women Talking retells the true story of a Mennonite colony in Bolivia where a series of assaults occurred against women. The women have a choice: forgive the offenders and remain in their community, or depart their homes and lose everything.

It may be an article shared on Facebook, a meme you see on Twitter, or the comment section under a news story. Somewhere, at some point in time, all of us who spend time online have seen something that filled us with shock, disgust, and anger.

No one likes to be sick. Colds, flus, injuries, and other seasonal illnesses are a physical and mental drag. When we’re under the weather, getting through the day is a psychological challenge. All we want to do is rest and recover. We eat chicken soup, watch The Price Is Right, and go to sleep hoping we’ll feel better in the morning.

Religion is an important part of the lives of many Canadians. Historically, a majority of Canadians have identified as Christian of one variety or another. Religions hold a complex, multifaceted role in people’s lives—as social support, as source of inspiration and guidance, and as a centre for worship, prayer, and other spiritual activities. For some people, their religious identity is their primary identity, more important to them than their race or country, and their foundation of meaning and strength.