Society | The Walrus

Illustration of a woman running across a suspension bridge, carrying a child on her back. The bridge is made of puzzle-like pieces that are falling away behind her.

January/February 2021 / Society

The Case for Affordable Child Care

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 - by Anne Casselman

For decades, we’ve known that universal child care would advance the nation. What’s taking Canada so long?

Illustration of many people holding up white paper-like rectangles that have grey symbols on them. In the center is a woman with dark hair and a yellow shirt looking confused.

Health / January/February 2021

Return of the Anti-Vaxers

November 24, 2020November 24, 2020 - by Paul Gallant

To those who think vaccines are harmful, COVID-19 is just another conspiracy

Photograph of a red fox alone in a metal cage.

Society

Why We Need to See Images of Animal Cruelty

November 23, 2020November 24, 2020 - by Jason McBride

New laws threaten to restrict access for animal rights activists, but witnessing is the first step to change

Illustration of a small, person-shaped orange figure sitting in the corner of the screen. The rest of the screen is filled with moody and dark blue, purple and black streaks.

Health

The Mental Health Toll of a Pandemic Winter

November 20, 2020November 21, 2020 - by Gabrielle Drolet

There’s no blanket solution for the challenges of the cold dark season. But there are ways to make it more bearable

A photograph of two doctors in masks and scrubs staring down at a lit screen in a dim room.

COVID-19 / Health

When Is It Ethical to Test New Treatments for COVID-19?

November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 - by Christina Frangou

The challenges of treating a virus that has forced doctors to learn on the job

Artwork of stylized red lobsters filling every inch of the frame. The art has a woven texture.

January/February 2021 / Justice

The New Lobster Wars

November 10, 2020November 25, 2020 - by Zoe Heaps Tennant

Inside the decades-long East Coast battle between fishers and the federal government over Mi’kmaw treaty rights

Illustration of a student sitting alone on a bench, typing on a laptop. They are sitting in a circle of yellow. Around them, in orange, is an empty campus full of buildings.

Education

A Lonely Year on Campus

November 9, 2020November 10, 2020 - by Jadine Ngan

Tuning in to lectures from bedrooms and basements, students face an isolating postsecondary experience. But many still see hope

Illustration of two figures in a car, driving toward a cartoon sunset and a sign that reads, "Welcome to / Stay away"

Society

Go Ahead, Take That Vacation—but It May Be Unethical

November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 - by Rhiannon Russell

At this point, we could all use a break. But endangering vulnerable communities is a high risk of pandemic travel

Illustration of a woman lying in bed in a dark room, reaching out to touch the ghost of a man standing beside it and smiling down at her. His image is two translucent poses overlaid for a ghostly effect.

January/February 2021 / Society

Why Do We See Dead People?

October 27, 2020November 25, 2020 - by Patricia Pearson

Humans have always sensed the ghosts of loved ones. It’s only in the last century that we convinced ourselves this was a problem

Illustration of three children on a swingset. The child on the far right looks sad and isn't swinging.

Health / November/December 2020

The Many Ways We’re Failing Our Children’s Mental Health

October 26, 2020October 27, 2020 - by Lauren McGill

Social media pressures, loneliness, and the climate crisis are weighing on today’s youth. The stress is taking its toll