Honoured to be a part of this group of writers. Congratulations all!

Katharine Lake Berz: Should Mark Carney be doubling Canada’s defense spending in response to today’s security threats? Wesley Wark, senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, argues that years of erosion in Canada’s military capacity make higher spending necessary. While former foreign affair...

Should Canada double its military spending? Thanks Lloyd Axworthy and @warknsi.bsky.social for your insights.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: As Cuba faces mounting crises, should Canada increase its foreign aid and should Ottawa support U.S. efforts to force a regime change? Michael Lima, a Cuban-Canadian human rights researcher and director of the NGO Democratic Spaces, says Canada has spent decades giving diplomatic cover to a regime that imprisons dissidents silences o...

Trump's threats to take over Cuba leave Canada with difficult decisions @translatingcuba.bsky.social @apgopa.bsky.social @unitedchurchcda.bsky.social #Cuba #HumanRights www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: A tyrant is dead and a region is in flames. One Iranian Canadian says celebration is in order — another says not so fast Shermineh Esmati-Novak, CEO and founder of NOVASHER Ventures, helped organize a Toronto rally celebrating the strikes. She says the attack represents an overdue reckoning. Samira Mohyeddin, journalist...

Canadian-Iranians sharply dis­agree on whether the U.S./Israeli strikes were jus­ti­fied, whether they will help ordin­ary Ira­ni­ans and what Canada’s response should be. #IranWar‌ www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @thestar.com @smohyeddin.bsky.social

Katharine Lake Berz: Is opening Canada’s market to Chinese EVs a strategic necessity or a costly mistake? Brian Kingston of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association argues opening the Canadian market to Chinese EVs risks Canada’s most important trade relationship. Heather Exner-Pirot, senior fellow...

"I would not personally buy a Chinese EV." Thanks
exnerpirot.bsky.social and Brian Kingston for the frank conversation. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Tribute to Ukraine's heroes — on the frontline and on the homefront — for four years of courage.

Russia’s invasion, four years on: How the war in Ukraine is pulling families apart “Come home,” Svitlana told her adult children. “Or flee the city. Get somewhere safe.”

After four years of war, the long, grinding toll of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, is felt not only in shattered homes and lives lost, but in families torn apart. @thestar.com #warinukraine
www.thestar.com/news/insight...

If only you still had a foreign desk to, well, know these things...

Katharine Lake Berz: Canada’s working-age population is shrinking. Should we keep immigration near zero or rethink the plan? In this Bridging the Divide, Robert Kavcic, senior economist and director of economics at BMO Capital Markets, argues that the immigration rate slow down is a responsible course correction while

Thanks to Lisa Lalande and Rob Kavcic for their debate on whether Canada's lower immigration targets will improve Canada's prosperity. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Heartwarming, masterful piece by @brucearthur.bsky.social

Katharine Lake Berz: Is DEI helping Canada or holding it back? In this Bridging the Divide conversation, Michael Bach, a diversity consultant and founder of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada, and Matthew Lau, a

What is next for DEI in Canada? Experts agree that discrimination exists and merit should matter. Beyond that, they are sharply divided. @thestar.com
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: Should Canada condemn Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela, or stay quiet to protect trade talks? Louise Blais, a former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, and Ben Rowswell, a former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela debate whether defending international law and sovereignty abroad strength...

Former senior diplomats Ben Rowswell and Louise Blais agree that the U.S. invasion of Venezuela violated international law. But they sharply disagree on what Canada should do next. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

SPEAK. | Films | CBC Gem SPEAK. follows five bold, young voices on a high-stakes quest to win the Super Bowl of public speaking. Against a backdrop of turmoil, these teens rise with fire, wit, and unshakable humanity.

SPEAK, a powerful new documentary directed by my friends Guy Mossman and Jen Tiexiera gives me so much hope for the future. Premieres tonight on @cbcgem.bsky.social @lisahepner.bsky.social @guymossman.bsky.social gem.cbc.ca/speak

Katharine Lake Berz: Should Canadians feel hopeful about 2026? Two comedians weigh In To ring in 2026 with a bit of levity, we asked Canadian comedians Juno-nominated standup Charles Demers and award-winning Gen Z comedian Rachel Ruecker to sound off on whether or

It would nice to be hopeful for 2026. Thanks Charlie Demers and Rachel Ruecker! www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

She was pregnant when taken prisoner by Russia. This Ukrainian medic told captors her secret — and it may have saved her life Mariana Mamonova was among the last defenders of Mariupol. She was determined to survive captivity, for the sake of her unborn child.

A reminder of what Putin has not been able to destroy in Ukraine: courage, compassion and hope @thestar.com #UkraineConflict @hrw.org @icrc.org www.thestar.com/news/world/h...

Katharine Lake Berz: Bridging the Divide: Is Alberta getting a raw deal? Could independence be the answer? Alberta’s independence fight has moved from the margins to the centre of provincial politics with a potential vote on separation in 2026. Cameron Davies, the Alberta Republican Party leader, says

Alberta's independence conversation is getting real. @lukaszukab.bsky.social @thestar.com www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: Should MAID be extended to include those with mental illness? Does compassion mean giving people control over how they die — or fighting harder to help them live?

This was a tough conversation. But an important one. Should MAID be extended to include those with mental illness? @thestar.com @dyingwithdignity.ca @dignityindying.org.uk
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

A quiet army protecting immigrant families. Inside Los Angeles’ anti-ICE patrols A huge American city has been a hub of grassroots resistance to Donald Trump's mass-deportation plans. Some of it involves late-night driving patrols looking for ICE.

Los Angeles is fighting Donald Trump’s mass-deportation efforts. My trip with an early morning patrol. @thestar.com @uniondelbarrio.bsky.social
www.thestar.com/news/insight...

India Accused This Canadian of a Terror Attack in Ottawa. Did the Incident Even Happen? | The Walrus Amarjot Singh says he joined a peaceful Sikh protest but found himself a marked man

This innocent Canadian is being hunted by India. Canadian Sikhs, like him, worry economic interests and geopolitical pragmatism will override their safety.
thewalrus.ca/india-accuse...

Katharine Lake Berz: Everyone wants safer streets. Is speed camera surveillance the best solution or overreach? Pamela Fuselli, president and CEO of Parachute, a national injury prevention charity, argues automated speed enforcement prevents death and injury on the roads where it happens most. Howard Sapers, ex...

Ontario is tearing down its speed cameras, and the fight over safety and surveillance is only getting louder. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

He faced Russia’s brutality for years. But like Ukraine, Serhii persevered — at a price He left his family behind at dawn. 'When your city is being bombed, and someone is suffering,' Serhii told me much later, 'there is no time to think of anything

“I didn't see any chance of surviving in the hell around me.”
How one man survived three Russian massacres — innocent, suffering, yet unwilling to surrender. With photography by the amazing Paul Conroy @reflextv. @hrw @UNOCHA @UKRcancongress www.thestar.com/news/insight...

Canadian health care is failing to deliver the standard of care many Canadians expect. Should Canada open the door to a parallel, private tier of health care or dedicate itself to fixing Medicare?

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Military burials every day in western Ukraine. Today two young volunteer soldiers from Lviv.

Record Russian drone, missile attack kills at least 4, injures 44 across Ukraine, hits government building for first time Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 810 Shahed-type drones and 13 cruise and ballistic missiles during the attack.

Record Russian drone attack on civilian targets @kyivindependent.com kyivindependent.com/explosions-h...

Katharine Lake Berz: Ontarians want to protect the environment and also need more homes. Can we afford to keep the Greenbelt off limits for development? The provincial government is poised to begin a mandatory 10-year review of the Greenbelt. David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto, federal cabinet minister and urban reform advocate who led the

Ontario still needs to talk about the Greenbelt. We want to protect the environment and also need more homes. Thanks David Crombie and Matthew Cory for starting this conversation. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: Alberta has instituted a forced treatment policy for drug addiction. Should Ontario follow suit? Michelle Green youngest daughter is struggling with addiction. Green is campaigning for Ontario to adopt legislation to allow adults and youths to be forced into addiction treatment. Dr. Leslie Buckle...

Eight thousand Canadians are dying from toxic drugs every year. We need more addiction services. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Home ownership is out of reach for most Canadians. What should we do to solve this?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Katharine Lake Berz: Should Canada apply to become the 28th member state of the European Union? By joining the EU, Canada would send a strong message that we are challenging Putin and Trump and that we want to be united with countries that believe in liberal

A growing number of Canadians are contemplating what once seemed unthinkable — abandoning North American free-trade agreements and joining the European Union. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Stuck in a Syrian refugee camp, this mother could send her children to Canada. But she may never see them again. | Broadview Magazine Samia's Canadian children are in danger of dying or becoming victims of violence, but she faces an impossible choice

“Impossible Choice” by Katharine Lake Berz (@lakeberz.bsky.social‬) has won First Place for the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award at this year’s Canadian Christian Communicators Association Awards.

Revisit the story:

Stuck in a Syrian refugee camp, this mother could send her children to Canada. But she may never see them again. | Broadview Magazine Samia's Canadian children are in danger of dying or becoming victims of violence, but she faces an impossible choice

Grateful my article @broadviewmedia.bsky.social was recognized for a CCCA award. But Samia is still stranded in a Syrian prison with her Canadian children and losing hope. @irccnews.bsky.social broadview.org/stuck-in-a-s...