issue 3// vol 47 Air quality once a risk now improving >» Wildfire smoke covers Metro Vancouver Joe Ayres Social Media Coordinator FF over a week, Metro Vancouver was covered in thick smoke that came from wildfires raging over the west coast of the US. Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory on September 8, for both the Metro Vancouver area and the Fraser Valley. This advisory has been cancelled as of September 19 since the air quality has improved due to “cleaner marine air flowing into the region.” “Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections such as COVID-19 should postpone or reduce outdoor physical activity until the advisory is lifted, especially if breathing feels uncomfortable,’ said Metro Vancouver in a media release put out on the same day as the air quality advisory. The release also notes that it’s still the summer months in the region and it’s important for people to stay cool, noting that HEPA air cleaner filtration and air conditioning are a good way to do so. Those experiencing symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing are told to seek medical attention. According to IQAir, Vancouver had an air quality index (AQI) of 227 on September 13, comparing that to Portland at a whopping AQI of 444 on the same day. Throughout that week Vancouver fell in and out of the second-place spot for worst air quality in the world according to IQAir. Sean Rodgers works at a garden supplies store in Vancouver, his job requires him to often work outside while doing physically demanding labour. Sean also suffers from respiratory issues due to his arthritis. “My eyes feel like I’ve been wearing contacts all day because they’re so irritated and dry, I’ve been smelling and breathing campfire air all week and it’s giving me headaches every day,’ said Rodgers. Due to the poor air quality, Canada Post halted deliveries in specific areas across Southern BC and Vancouver Island. Deliveries were halted starting on September 14 with Metro Vancouver, most of Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan. The delivery cancellations were changed on a day-to-day basis judged by the air quality in those areas. Canada Post Helps said in a tweet, “The safety of our employees is our number one priority.” On September 16, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in the US announced 80o large fires were burning in the US, predominantly in Oregon with 12, Washington with 8, and California with 22. Across the country about four million acres of land have been hit by the fire. The BC government announced on September 17 that more than 200 firefighters from BC are being sent to the states to assist in firefighting efforts after more than 800 people volunteered to cross the border and help. eet news // no. 5 Illustration by Udeshi Senaviratne WE charity closes operations in Canada » Kielburger brothers blame COVID-19 and backlash from Liberal government scandal Jessica Berget Assistant Editor fter the public scandal regarding WE charity and the student grant contract, Marc and Craig Kielburger announced on September g that they are officially stepping down from their co-founder positions, selling off assets, eliminating around 450 staff, and closing their operations in Canada. The move comes as a surprise to many as the charity has been in operation since Craig Kielburger founded it at age 12 in 1995 as a way for youths to help less fortunate children around the world. Reasons cited for the close are the consequences of the scandal and the current pandemic. “COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of our work. The fallout from the Canada Student Service Grant has placed us as a charity in the middle of political battles and misinformation that we are ill-equipped to fight,” the brothers wrote in a letter. “Without decisive action, WE charity’s ongoing costs to operate in Canada would exceed revenue and consume savings that are essential to establish the endowment fund. We calculate that this action preserves as many humanitarian and educational programs as possible, for as long as possible. Putting children first means prioritizing them above the charity. This is a heartbreaking decision,’ the Kielburgers wrote in the letter. WE charity The scandal triggered a federal ethics watchdog investigation. News of the student grant deal prompted suspicions regarding Trudeau's ties to WE as well as operations will not be affected in Britain or the US and neither will their for-profit organization, ME to WE. former BC finance minister Bill Morneau. Both men now face ethics investigations to decide if they violated the conflict of Illustration by Athena Little interest act, and both have apologized for not disqualifying themselves from the deal. On September 23, the House of Commons will open again (after Trudeau prorogued it last month) to find out how and why the contract was given to WE given the ties it has with the Trudeau family. According to Global News, Liberals insist the charity was recommended a non-partisan public service. However, thousands of documents recently released by the government suggests bureaucrats were pushed in that direction by their higher ups. The student grant contract was worth $goo-million dollars and was intended to connect thousands of students to volunteer and giving the grants based on their volunteer work. In the midst of the controversy, the student grant program has been abandoned by the federal government. Last week, NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus said the decision shows “Just how much WE needed a bailout from their Liberal friends.” He also claims the charity has been in an economic free fall for months. “Why didn’t the government see this before giving them a contract worth millions,” he said—also adding the move will not make the scandal go away.