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Articles by Shauna MacKinnon
How a BC Couple Saved Their Farm on ‘Drought Hill’
WHY WATER CATCHMENT FARMING WORKS Who works: Andrea and Steve Gunner own and operate Rosebank Farms, a poultry farm in Armstrong, B.C. What works: The Gunners developed a water catchment and treatment system that collects and stores rain, snowmelt and condensation in underground tanks. The stored water is used for the poultry operation and household needs.
How a BC Couple Saved Their Farm on ‘Drought Hill’
Now Ethan Thornton dropped out of MIT at 19 to build weapons. The first one, a hydrogen-powered system he prototyped with parts from Home Depot and Amazon, didn’t work out — “hydrogen was just a bad bet in general,” he told me this past week at TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event in Los Angeles. Three years …
How one Cree grandmother is reshaping the future of law in Canada
Grandmothers often play the role of guide and nurturer in their families. Val Napoleon is a grandmother to four children, but her role as a guide goes far beyond her own family. Napoleon is a professor at the University of Victoria Faculty of Law and the Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice and Governance, whose vision of Canadian and Indigenous laws operating alongside one another is reshaping the legal landscape.
How restorative justice can heal communities
In 2012, Adam Campbell was out at an Ottawa nightclub when a very intoxicated Justin Williams approached his younger sister (names and some details have been changed to protect their identities). Campbell was taking a break from the dance floor and let Williams know his sister was not interested in talking to him. “We’re cool,” Campbell recalled Williams saying when he recounted the night to Amber Montgomery, a restorative justice facilitator in Ottawa.
Budget 2026 falls short on housing
The Manitoba Government released Budget 2026 on March 24. While the NDP government made important progress on housing and homelessness in its first two budgets, this year required bolder action to meet the scale of the crisis. Instead, Budget 2026 slows that progress, leaving Manitoba further behind. Because the government has repeatedly underfunded housing for many years, future budgets will now need to be even larger to catch up to the level of housing low-income Manitobans need.
Achieving the right to housing: Lessons for Manitoba from Finland
Housing researchers have shown that for more than 40 years, housing policy in Canada has increasingly relied on the private for-profit sector to provide rental housing (Bernas et al., 2023; Suttor, 2016; Whitzman 2024). The growing shortage of rental housing affordable to low-income households during this period confirms that this strategy has failed low-income renter households.
Why private investment doesn’t solve housing issues
ON Nov. 22, National Housing Day, the Winnipeg Free Press featured a story — ‘She’s that kind of unicorn’ — about the Business Council of Manitoba’s Collaborative Housing Alliance. It reveals how far off course we are from solving the housing crisis. It also reveals how politicians continue to ignore evidence showing where we have gone wrong, and what we must do to solve a problem that has been escalating for decades.
Opinion: Why private investment doesn’t solve housing issues
On Nov. 22, National Housing Day, the Free Press featured a story — ‘She’s that kind of unicorn’ — about the Business Council of Manitoba’s Collaborative Housing Alliance. It reveals how far off course we are from solving the housing crisis. It also reveals how politicians continue to ignore evidence showing where we have gone wrong, and what we must do to solve a problem that has been escalating for decades.
Successfully housing the homeless: A Finnish perspective
* Previously published in the Winnipeg Free Press on October 10, 2025 A recent Probe Research poll shows that half of Winnipeggers don’t believe governments are doing a good job tackling homelessness. Community organizations working on the front lines continue to draw attention to the core issue—there simply isn’t housing available for thousands of people seeking permanent shelter.
Opinion: Successfully housing the homeless: a Finnish perspective
A recent Probe Research poll shows that half of Winnipeggers don’t believe governments are doing a good job tackling homelessness. Community organizations working on the front lines continue to draw attention to the core issue — there simply isn’t housing available for thousands of people seeking permanent shelter. Housing researchers have shown that for more than 40 years, housing policy in Canada has relied on the private sector to supply all our housing needs.
Housing isn’t just shelter
This June, social housing developers, researchers, policymakers and advocates participated in the 4th International Social Housing Festival in Dublin, Ireland. A handful of Canadians joined more than 2,200 people from 35 countries covering six continents to learn about innovative approaches in social housing. The inaugural, now bi-annual festival was held in Amsterdam in 2017 with 1300 hundred in attendance.
Social housing can help Trump-proof Canadian’s well-being
Written by: Shauna MacKinnon, Catherine Lussier and Mark Hancock In the face of political and economic threats from the United States, most Canadians agree on two things: Canada’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and Canada’s housing crisis will worsen with Trump’s tariffs in effect. Rents have skyrocketed, vacancy rates are at an all-time low, and homelessness is higher than ever.
Social housing can help Trump-proof Canadian’s well-being
In the face of political and economic threats from the United States, most Canadians agree on two things: Canada’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and Canada’s housing crisis will worsen with Trump’s tariffs in effect. Rents have skyrocketed, vacancy rates are at an all-time low, and homelessness is higher than ever. Job losses, wage stagnation, and increased costs for household goods associated with tariffs could throw an increasing number of people into housing insecurity and homelessness.
Opinion: A housing opportunity for Manitoba
Despite the recent prorogation of Parliament, the work of government continues. Newly appointed federal ministers know they have limited time to leave their mark. There will be an urgency to get budgeted funding out the door before a new Liberal leader is chosen and an election is called.
Opinion: A housing opportunity for Manitoba
By: Shauna MacKinnon Posted: 2:00 AM CST Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 Despite the recent prorogation of Parliament, the work of government continues. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Already have an account?
My Surprising Discovery: Taylor Swift Is A Revolutionary
Shauna MacKinnon · Follow 5 min read · -- A journey through music to find blueprints for how to change the world Photo by PeopleImages on iStock Photos A burst of emotion — warm, like love. Not seeing, not hearing, not touching, not tasting, not smelling, but another kind of sense. A soft perception of the ties connecting you to all the other things in the universe. Six years-old, sneaking an old radio under my covers in the middle of the night. Tuning into whatever comes over the radio waves.
Insider Secrets: The Devastating Emotions Of Climate Change Professionals
4 new terms for the emotions that come with climate change Shauna MacKinnon · Follow 6 min read · -- Image by Wildpixel on iStock I wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of my son crying. Groggy with sleep, I dash into his room. Between choked coughs he’s gasping, struggling to breathe. He’d gone to bed with a congested chest. For him, illness always settles in the lungs. It always involves great volumes of phlegm. That whole day had felt oppressive.
Opinion: Are we making progress for low-income renter households?
By: Shauna MacKinnon Posted: 2:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 IN 2017, Canada launched its 10-year National Housing Strategy (NHS): A Place to Call Home. The strategy set out a long-term vision for housing with a focus on “improving housing outcomes for those in greatest need”.
Opinion: It’s time to move on from the Houston Model
Manitoba politicians are fixated on the “Houston model” as the solution to homelessness. The obsession began prior to the recent provincial election when Wab Kinew, then leader of the Opposition, pointed to the Houston model as the approach his government would take if elected. Since then, Houston has seen a trail of Manitoba delegations. In September 2023, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and his housing adviser visited Houston.
Ottawa must now step up on social housing
Politicians of all stripes say that housing affordability is a top priority. But few are saying much about social housing - the kind that's needed for low-income households in greatest need of affordable rental housing. Social housing is non-market housing, either publicly owned or non-profit, and substantially subsidized to ensure low-income renter households pay no more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
The private sector housing experiment has failed
Politicians of all stripes say that housing affordability is a top priority. But few are saying much about social housing — the kind that’s needed for low-income households in greatest need of affordable rental housing. Social housing is non-market housing, either publicly owned or non-profit, and substantially subsidized to ensure low-income renter households pay no more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
The private sector housing experiment has failed: Ottawa must now step up on social housing
Politicians of all stripes say that housing affordability is a top priority. But few are saying much about social housing — the kind that’s needed for low-income households in greatest need of affordable rental housing. Social housing is non-market housing, either publicly owned or non-profit, and substantially subsidized to ensure low-income renter households pay no more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
The private sector housing experiment has failed: Ottawa must now step up on social housing
Politicians of all stripes say that housing affordability is a top priority. But few are saying much about social housing — the kind that’s needed for low-income households in greatest need of affordable rental housing. Social housing is non-market housing, either publicly owned or non-profit, and substantially subsidized to ensure low-income renter households pay no more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
Opinion: Budget will show NDP’s commitment to housing
By: Shauna MacKinnon Posted: 2:00 AM CST Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 The NDP government recently announced its plans to scale back the previous government’s promise to expand social housing by adding 700 units this fiscal year. Instead, it will focus on providing up to 250 rental units with supports, for people who are currently unhoused. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Already have an account?
Opinion: Tax cut policies stall affordable housing action
This month, the Right to Housing Coalition released a Social Housing Action Plan for Manitoba, based on years of research and lived experience. The comprehensive plan, built on five pillars, if implemented, would address the dire shortage of housing for low-income renters across Manitoba.
Opinion: Government dragging feet on homelessness
By: Kirsten Bernas and Shauna MacKinnon Tweet Print Email Save to Read Later THE Manitoba government released its Homelessness Strategy on Feb. 28. The primary questions being asked by social housing advocates are: what took you so long, and what’s the long-term plan? Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Already have an account?
FIRST PERSON | I never thought I'd be the parent who sends my kid to private school | CBC News
This First Person column is the experience of Shauna MacKinnon who lives in Vancouver. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. Driving from our home in East Vancouver to the west side of the city, I notice how the yards are larger and more manicured. As we approach my daughter's private school, our car — which is still coated in dust from a summer spent camping and bumping down gravel roads — follows a train of shining Teslas and Mercedes.
Province must focus homelessness plan
The Oct. 7 Winnipeg Free Press editorial (“Make prudent use of sudden financial windfall”) described a far more optimistic financial situation than the Manitoba government previously projected. This, they say, provides the province with greater “fiscal flexibility” to attend to urgent issues. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Already have an account?
Province must focus its homelessness strategy
By: Kirsten Bernas and Shauna MacKinnon Tweet Print Email Save to Read Later The Oct. 7 Free Press editorial (“Make prudent use of sudden financial windfall”) described a far more optimistic financial situation than the Manitoba government previously projected. This, they say, provides the province with greater “fiscal flexibility” to attend to urgent issues. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.
Affordable seniors’ housing must be priority
By: Gerald Brown and Shauna MacKinnon Tweet Print Email Save to Read Later On July 26, the residents of Lions Place at 610 Portage Ave. received a letter from the management of Lions Housing Centres indicating the facility would be put up for sale on the private housing market. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Already have an account?
Want to decolonize education? Where classes are held matters
The grand opening of the redeveloped Merchants Corner in Winnipeg’s North End in April 2018. (University of Winnipeg/Flickr), CC BY-NC-ND Murray Sinclair, who was chair of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has made clear the importance of “forging and maintaining of respectful relationships” in the process of truth and reconciliation.
Federal budget 2021: More is needed to break the poverty cycle
Nobody chooses to be poor. Poverty is far better explained by what scholars describe as a “life-course” perspective that links adult outcomes to the accumulation of lived experiences from their earliest childhood experiences. After birth, adverse childhood experiences — including poverty — can lead to a wide range of challenges later in life. We are part of the Manitoba Research Alliance, which has been doing research in Winnipeg’s inner city for close to 20 years.
No New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB
No new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Wood Buffalo over the past 24-hours. The province announced today 77 new cases in Alberta. This puts the provincial total at 8,596 with 592 currently active. Fort McMurray saw three recoveries, lowering the active total to four. The rural areas saw five recoveries on Wednesday; they currently still have 13 active cases. They are among the 7,844 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents just over 91 per cent of the reported cases.
No New Cases of Covid-19 in the RMWB
There are no new cases of COVID-19 in the RMWB. The province announced on Monday 32 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,736. Fort McMurray and the rural areas remain with an active total of 11 each. The majority of these cases are linked to a social gathering. Across the RMWB, 25 individuals – 22 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas – have recovered from the virus. They are among the 7,041 who’ve recovered across the province.
No new cases of COVID-19 in RMWB
No new cases of COVID-19 are popping up in Fort McMurray. According to Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta, Dr. Deena Henshaw, there are 34 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,044. Four cases are active in Fort McMurray, while none are active in the rural areas. Twenty-four individuals across the region, 21 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus. They are among the 6,501 who’ve recovered across the province.
Two New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB, No Deaths in Province
Two new cases of COVID-19 are popping up in Fort McMurray. According to the province’s Sunday update, there are 18 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,010. Four cases are active in Fort McMurray, while none are active in the rural areas. Twenty-four individuals across the region, 21 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus. They are among the 6,283 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents over 89 per cent of the reported cases.
No New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB, No Deaths in Province
No new cases of COVID-19 are popping up in Fort McMurray. According to the province’s Sunday update, there are 18 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,010. Two cases remain active in Fort McMurray, while none are active in the rural areas. Twenty-four individuals across the region, 21 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus. They are among the 6,283 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents over 89 per cent of the reported cases.
Two New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB, No Deaths in Province
Two new cases of COVID-19 are popping up in Fort McMurray. According to the province's Sunday update, there are 18 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,010. Four cases are active in Fort McMurray, while none are active in the rural areas. Twenty-four individuals across the region, 21 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus. They are among the 6,283 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents over 89 per cent of the reported cases.
No New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB, No Deaths in Province
No new cases of COVID-19 are popping up in Fort McMurray. According to the province's Sunday update, there are 18 new cases across the province – raising the total to 7,010. Two cases remain active in Fort McMurray, while none are active in the rural areas. Twenty-four individuals across the region, 21 in Fort McMurray and three in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus. They are among the 6,283 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents over 89 per cent of the reported cases.
No New COVID-19 Cases in the RMWB, No Deaths in the Province
Fort McMurray isn’t seeing any new COVID-19 cases for a 23rd day in a row. The province announced on Sunday 42 new cases across the province – none of which are in the RMWB. This puts Alberta’s total at 6,860. There are no changes to the two cases that are active in the region – one in Fort McMurray and one in the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. Twenty-three individuals across the RMWB, 21 in Fort McMurray and two in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus.
No New COVID-19 Cases in the RMWB, No Deaths in the Province
Fort McMurray isn’t seeing any new COVID-19 cases for a 23rd day in a row. The province announced on Sunday 42 new cases across the province – none of which are in the RMWB. This puts Alberta’s total at 6,860. There are no changes to the two cases that are active in the region – one in Fort McMurray and one in the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. Twenty-three individuals across the RMWB, 21 in Fort McMurray and two in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus.
Snowbird Plane Crashes in Kamloops, B.C.
A Snowbird plane has crashed in British Columbia. In a statement on social media, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds says one of its aircraft crashed on Sunday in the vicinity of Kamloops. They note the priority at this time is determining the status of personnel and supporting emergency personnel. When appropriate, more information will be made available.
No New COVID-19 Cases in RMWB, Another Death in the Province
There are no new cases of COVID-19 across the RMWB. According to Sunday’s update, there are 57 new cases across the province – putting the total at 6,644. One of the new cases reported is in Alberta’s North Zone, which includes the RMWB. Two cases remain active in the region – one in Fort McMurray and one in the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. Twenty-three individuals across the RMWB, 21 in Fort McMurray and two in the rural areas, have recovered from the virus.
Snowbird Plane Crashes in Kamloops, B.C.
A Snowbird plane has crashed in British Columbia. In a statement on social media, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds says one of its aircraft crashed on Sunday in the vicinity of Kamloops. They note the priority at this time is determining the status of personnel and supporting emergency personnel. When appropriate, more information will be made available.
No New COVID-19 Cases in the RMWB, Additional Death in the Province
The number of active cases in Fort McMurray is still at three, with 19 recovered so far. The government announce on Sunday 96 new cases across the province – none of which are in the RMWB. This puts the provincial total at 6,253. There is one new case in the North Zone, which includes the RMWB. Meanwhile, another individual has passed away from COVID-19 – putting the death toll at 117. None of the deaths have been in the RMWB.
No New COVID-19 Cases in the RMWB, Additional Death in the Province
The number of active cases in Fort McMurray is still at three, with 19 recovered so far. The government announce on Sunday 96 new cases across the province – none of which are in the RMWB. This puts the provincial total at 6,253. There is one new case in the North Zone, which includes the RMWB. Meanwhile, another individual has passed away from COVID-19 – putting the death toll at 117. None of the deaths have been in the RMWB.
Three New COVID-19 Cases in Fort McMurray, One More Individual Recovers
There are three more cases of COVID-19 in Fort McMurray. The province announced on Sunday 247 new cases across Alberta – raising the total to 4,480. There’s currently 13 active cases in Fort McMurray and none in the rural area. There’s no additional information on these individuals. One more person in the community has also recovered from the virus. This puts the total at five in Fort McMurray and two in the rural area.
United front needed against Pallister's cuts
The Free Press has made this story available free of charge so everyone can access trusted information on the coronavirus. We thank our subscribers for their support, which allows us to provide this service. DURING the pandemic in Manitoba, are we really "all in this together?" Everyone is saying it, but what does it actually mean? And what could it mean at a time when all that we know as "normal" has been turned upside down?
Four Active Cases of COVID-19 in Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray is experiencing one more case of COVID-19. Across the province, there are 241 new cases of the virus. The North Zone, which includes the RMWB, has 137 cases – no changes from Saturday. Fort McMurray had lost a case on Friday, however, the province’s case location map says we’ve gained two more over the weekend. This new case means there are four active in the community, while four others have recovered. The two reported cases in the rural area have both recovered.
No New Cases of COVID-19 in RMWB, Four Deaths in Calgary and Edmonton Zones
The province is reporting 82 new cases of COVID-19 in today’s update. The total number of cases is at 1,651. Four Albertans have died since yesterday’s report bringing the total to 44. Two of the latest deaths were residents of the McKenzie Towne continuing care facility in the Calgary zone, bringing the total number of deaths at the facility to 20. Two were residents at Manoir du Lac in the North zone, bringing the total number of deaths at this facility to four.
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