After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Diane Walsh

Diane Walsh, MA is an independent journalist and writer. Originally from Montreal, she lives and works in the Pacific Northwest region.  Her work is published internationally and covers cultural and political affairs. She enjoys her family, her pets and travel.

Say "no" to female genital mutilation on International Zero Tolerance Day

On February 6 2011, the entire world community is being asked to chant together a resounding “No!” in unison with all activists against female genital mutilation. As this is the date marking the 8th...

A vision for VGH's Eye Care Centre

On November 22nd 2010 a small ceremony occurred in the Eye Care Centre, part of the Vancouver General Hospital complex, which supports the restoration of vision for many in British Columbia. Dr....

A survivor speaks about the attack on the 2010 flotilla to Gaza

During the tragic 2010 Flotilla attempt to bring humanitarian supplies and political goodwill to the people of Gaza, Ken O’Keefe was taken prisoner and wrongfully beaten by the Israeli army This has...

UN hones in on female genital mutilation

Gender justice was a focus at the UN Summit on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) last week in New York. A promise was made to address the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM...

On the frontlines of the fight against female genital mutilation

Although political mood is beginning to change, it is not that often we hear about the subject of female genital mutilation (FGM) in any great depth.  Most people in the West believe that female...

Harper disfigures Canada’s political face with abortion position

Contraception not a part of G8 maternal health program—say—the Conservatives. An astonishingly backward notion, indeed, but this is Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s starting-off point going in to the G

Adrian Dix and the battle worth fighting for

It’s been said that Adrian Dix—NDP Member of Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Kingsway is up and coming.  That may be. But Dix wants to be clear about his intention, to maintain party support...