Columnists

Toronto Blue Jays announcer Ben Wagner sits in the broadcast booth in Toronto, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Sportsnet, the Blue Jays’ radio rightsholder, will not resume on-site radio broadcasts for the 2023 regular season and will instead use remote coverage from its downtown Toronto studio for road games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

THE MOJ: Leaving the broadcasters at home a sad and baffling decision

Radio crew not joining the team on the road leads to an inferior product without much of a saving

B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian speaks to reporters after an end of season meeting at the CFL football team’s practice facility, in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday November 13, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Saluting the wisdom — and the resolve — of Solomon Elimimian

Hall of Fame induction is the crowning achievement of an examplary B.C. Lions career

Have some thoughts about my thoughts? Email editor@northislandgazette.com

Tyson’s Thoughts: The North Island has always had a weird aversion to skateparks

You can tell the KSM Skatepark is looked at like the black sheep of the family by the district

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser tosses a stick into the crowd after being named the first star of the game after Vancouver defeated the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Have some thoughts about my thoughts? Email editor@northislandgazette.com

Wrestling season is over, I’m sad I don’t get to step on the mats again till October

I know I’ll be ready to step back on the mats in October for the start of the next wrestling season

Have some thoughts about my thoughts? Email editor@northislandgazette.com
Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: Good reasons to be stuck on Cactus League baseball

Arizona spring baseball offers a chance to soak up the sport in its purest form

Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

THE MOJ: For Canucks to dig themselves out of this mess, sacrifices have to be made

Big, long-term contracts need to be offloaded, even if you have to pay to do it

Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)

OPINION: Court case could kill progress on plastic pollution in Canada

‘The world is beginning to act to reduce the plastic crisis’

  • Mar 6, 2023
FILE – The Ocean Cleanup project’s latest iteration of plastic-collecting technology, the System 002, will leave Victoria and heads to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. (Photo courtesy of the Ocean Cleanup/ Twitter)
Dr. Alex Nataros is a resident of Port Hardy, he graduated with a medical degree from McGill University in 2012. (Submitted photo)

NATAROS: It starts up the bum, colorectal cancer awareness

Is it because of the bum? March is colorectal cancer awareness month…

  • Mar 6, 2023
Dr. Alex Nataros is a resident of Port Hardy, he graduated with a medical degree from McGill University in 2012. (Submitted photo)
Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, back right, listens as general manager Patrik Allvin responds to a question during an end of NHL hockey season news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Trade deadline once again dashes the hopes of Canuck fans

Jim Rutherford and his team did what they said they’d do: retool, not rebuild

Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, back right, listens as general manager Patrik Allvin responds to a question during an end of NHL hockey season news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Pixabay photo

10 more unique and romantic movies that I watched for Valentine’s Day

Watching movies on Feb. 14 is always a fun way to pass the time

Pixabay photo
The jerseys and logos worn by the Vancouver Canucks — and, consequently, their fans — have seen several drastic changes in the four decades since the team entered the NHL, and pretty much all of those iterations can be spotted in the throngs of people out celebrating the playoffs in recent weeks. In this April 29, 2007 file photo, Vancouver Canucks' Markus Naslund celebrates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of an NHL playoff hockey game in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Lam

THE MOJ: Revisiting a snap deadline trade done in minutes that changed Canucks history

Franchise legend Markus Naslund was picked up with no advance warning after a last-minute phone call

The jerseys and logos worn by the Vancouver Canucks — and, consequently, their fans — have seen several drastic changes in the four decades since the team entered the NHL, and pretty much all of those iterations can be spotted in the throngs of people out celebrating the playoffs in recent weeks. In this April 29, 2007 file photo, Vancouver Canucks' Markus Naslund celebrates after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of an NHL playoff hockey game in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Lam
As the cost of food continues to rise, grocery chains in Canada are reportedly making record profits. It’s time for the CEOs of these companies to explain themselves, says the federal New Democratic Party. (Unsplash photo)

OFF TOPIC: Bread or cake, the rising cost of food is giving me indigestion

How do grocery chain CEOs square skyrocketing prices with massive profits?

As the cost of food continues to rise, grocery chains in Canada are reportedly making record profits. It’s time for the CEOs of these companies to explain themselves, says the federal New Democratic Party. (Unsplash photo)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans (9) makes a pass during second quarter CFL Eastern semi-final football action against the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, November 6, 2022 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: Dane Evans move shows the Lions commited to winning in 2023

Former Hamilton starter to back up Vernon Adams Jr. giving the Leos an intriguing option

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans (9) makes a pass during second quarter CFL Eastern semi-final football action against the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, November 6, 2022 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Have some thoughts about my thoughts? Email editor@northislandgazette.com

Tyson’s Thoughts: Dr. Alex Nataros and the community of Port Hardy

Here’s how Dr. Alex Nataros became a columnist for the North Island Gazette

Have some thoughts about my thoughts? Email editor@northislandgazette.com
Dr. Alex Nataros and his therapy dog Pearl. (Photo supplied)

NATAROS: A new vision for the North Island, the Community Health Centre

The new Quatse Community Health Centre is aiming to open its doors June 1 in Port Hardy

  • Feb 22, 2023
Dr. Alex Nataros and his therapy dog Pearl. (Photo supplied)
The Port Hardy Hospital has been constantly in the news over the last two years, primarily thanks to staffing issues causing nonstop rotating ER closures. (Island Health photo)

MLA Babchuk writes about heartbreaking consequences of ER closures in the North Island

‘I am grateful for each and every person who has reached out to my office on this issue’

  • Feb 22, 2023
The Port Hardy Hospital has been constantly in the news over the last two years, primarily thanks to staffing issues causing nonstop rotating ER closures. (Island Health photo)
Out with the old (left) and in with the new. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Gotta love new notebook day

The little things in life, like a crisp new notebook, make it all better

Out with the old (left) and in with the new. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

THE MOJ: Case of Eric Bieniemy drawing eyes to the NFL’s lack of black head coaches

In a league where more than 60% of players are black less than 10% of teams have black head coaches

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

OPINION: The staggering socioeconomic costs of COVID anti-vaxxer behaviour

COVID-is-a-hoax crowd caused thousands more deaths, hundreds of millions in hospital costs: report

Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)