Here is my latest article published in TheSource newspaper. Paying with Vancouver Currency By Frédéric Van Caenegem The Dunbar Dollar. The Kitsilano Rouble. The Riverview Lira. The Cambie Pound. No, you’re not hallucinating. Vancouver may one day include a number of different currencies in circulation within the city. Citizens from the Village Vancouver Transition Town Continue reading →

Recently I was greatly surprise to hear Rex Murphy criticizing Jack Layton’s position that the NDP will respect Québec decisions regarding a possible referendum on sovereignty.  While one can disagree with the independence of Québec, one can surely respect an opponent’s decision’s, I don’t see what is “weak” about that! Rex is quick to tell Continue reading →

Last March, I predicted BC’s current political situation in my column for L’Express du Pacifique.  I wrote that two of BC’s three main parties would have new leaders by the next election.   The original article, in French, can be found here: http://www.lexpress.org/opinion/le-temps-est-il-venu-pour-de-nouveaux-chefs/ I do not understand why many seem to be surprised by the current Continue reading →

Here and there, we hear and read lists of “green acts”.  52 things to green up your house, 14 ways to save the planet, and my favourite: “one million acts of green”.  While we sure can agree that all good deeds towards the planet helps, we just cannot assume that buying occasional energy-efficient lights bulbs Continue reading →

This is a short comment that was published recently in The Peak.  I was responding to this article, regarding the debate on the Islamic veil in France. ________________________________________ Jenny Shutek’s comment on the banning of the full-face veil issue in France seem to miss a few key elements. First, France has used the Euro as Continue reading →

I have received numerous requests to translate this article, originally published in French in L’Express du Pacifique in December 2009.  So, here it is… Respect of personality types: the next challenge of human rights? There are as many personality types as there are people in this world. This richness is a remarkable asset for humanity. Continue reading →

As a French-Canadian living in Vancouver, I almost feel it is my duty to share my opinion about this non-issue: French at the Olympics. While I think that there are more pressing issues, such as the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, and the horrendous response from VANOC and the International Luge Federation, basically blaming Continue reading →

I have decided to throw my hat in the ring and have applied to the Board of Directors of Vancouver’s Co-operative Auto Network.  The Board of Directors is elected by members of the Co-op on the General Annual Meeting which this year will be on January 27th, 2010.  Five of the eight members are to Continue reading →

There is a funny “Family Guy” episode (http://familyguy.wikia.com/wiki/Peter,_Peter,_Caviar_Eater) where Peter inherits a small fortune. Obviously, this new money goes to his head and he becomes pretentious and shallow. One day, there is an auction for charity. The bets for a vase were in the few thousands dollars. Suddenly, Peter, not by generosity but because he Continue reading →

I have been fairly quiet recently, writing very little on my blog.  There are two simple reasons for that. First, I was stunned by the results of the electoral change (STV) referendum last May.  Although, I respect the will of the people, I still think British Columbians were wrong.  I sometime feel that people are Continue reading →