Columnists

Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island Health board chair reflects on challenges and accomplishments of the past year

Leah Hollins Special to Black Press 2022 challenged publicly-funded health-care systems locally…

  • Dec 28, 2022
Leah Hollins and Kathy MacNeil prepare for public forum in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

THE MOJ: Ovechkin versus Gretzky sparks many a spirited debate

Best way to compare elite athletes is their dominance against their peers

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: For many Canuck fans, the hope candle has stopped burning

After nine years of disappointment, fingers are pointing at ownership for franchise troubles

A Pavel Bure mascot wearing a face mask walks through the crowd as fans wait to enter Rogers Arena for the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Vancouver, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.

COLUMN: The magic of Christmas isn’t so unbelievable, is it?

A deep adoration of Santa Claus and everything he represents has led to a life of loving Christmas

Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canuck free agents, pricey pitchers and the value of irrelevance

‘What is Kuzmenko going to cost?’ in a Friday sports potpourri

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko, left, of Russia, and Bo Horvat talk before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: If it wasn’t for bad luck, we wouldn’t have any Canuck luck at all

Horvat and Miller contract timing typical of what we’ve come to expect from this franchise

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat waits to take a faceoff against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Pixabay photo/blende12

More eggnog: 10 terrible Christmas movies to torture your family with this holiday season

Be forewarned, these cinematic lumps of coal could potentially ruin the holiday season

Pixabay photo/blende12
Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Reassuring to see the allure of the Montreal Canadiens continues

Rich legacy of the franchise ensures their visits to B.C. are never really road games

Vancouver Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev, back, of Russia, Brock Boeser, back right, and Elias Pettersson celebrate Mikheyev’s goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)

OPINION: Conserving forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems in B.C. has global impact

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in…

  • Dec 8, 2022
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)
Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Why the floundering Canucks really need to consider breakfast

It’s time for franchise to step off cycle of mediocrity by truly committing to the draft

Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat, left, and J.T. Miller celebrate Horvat’s goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Colts among the team’s eyeing Lions Rourke south of the border

CFL’s outstanding Canadian will be working out in Indianapolis this month

Most outstanding Canadian player, quarterback Nathan Rourke of the BC Lions, holds up his trophy during the CFL Awards in Regina, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

THE MOJ: Continued surprises are what makes the NFL must-watch sports

Experts from around the league share their takes on the season’s most unexpected developments

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

THE MOJ: Rocketing into orbit with a B.C. hockey success story

Bruce Hamilton’s Kelowna Rockets have been doing junior hockey the right way for years

(Photo - Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: This Vancouver Canuck tire fire is going to be difficult to extinguish

This team is going to be paying the price of previous bad decisions for a long time

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Catching up on the CFL as the Grey Cup nears kickoff

Given status of Bomber QB Collaros, I’d probably take the Argonauts and the 5 points

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Jamal Peters breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Dejon Brissett during a practice in Regina, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The Toronto Argonauts will be playing against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

THE MOJ: Pretty safe bet the B.C. Lions will be expecting more than 5 1/2 wins next year

Checking their egos at the door made for a surprising and satisfying year in B.C. Place

BC Lions’ quarterback Vernon Adams (8), Bryan Burnham (16) and Alexander Hollins (13) comfort eachother after losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL western final in Winnipeg, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Firefighters hose down the PQB News offices on Wednesday, Nov. 9. (Michael Briones photo)

WOLF: Massive Parksville blaze sees ‘The News’ become the news

COLUMN: Despite best efforts of firefighters, 6 businesses razed

Firefighters hose down the PQB News offices on Wednesday, Nov. 9. (Michael Briones photo)
Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: B.C. still has a special place in the heart of Brendan Morrison

Former Canuck centre has stayed busy since his NHL career came to a close in 2012

Former Vancouver Canucks linemates Todd Bertuzzi, from left, Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, of Sweden, are honoured during a ceremony before the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres play an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 7, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck