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The Effect of Emotions on the Acceptance of Reclaimed Wastewater for Irrigation: A Key to Manage the Hydric Balance in an Arid Region of Spain?
Get PDF2024The Marina Baja water system in Alicante has been exemplified as achieving hydric balance through reclaimed wastewater exchange agreements between urban and agricultural uses, limiting external water resource contributions. This study examines the impact of emotions on farmers’ acceptance of reclaimed wastewater amidst water scarcity, increased water demand due to urban population growth, and emerging concerns of about water quality and arrangements among stakeholder groups. Applying Q methodology and Appraisal Theory, the research reveals how both positive and negative valence emotions influence farmers’ decision-making and stakeholder interactions, provoking both acceptance and rejection of reclaimed wastewater. The study challenges the prevailing academic and institutional narrative of balance achieved through reclaimed wastewater by analyzing the perceptions of farmers and water managers, in addition to highlighting the risk related to the acceptance of reclaimed wastewater of low quality. The findings emphasise the importance of understanding emotional dynamics in water management and the necessity for trust to ensure sustainable water resource practices
Acts of Resistance – Cultural Humility in Action: How First Nations Health Authority Employees Have Become Catalysts for Systems Change and Equity
Get PDF2024Eleven diverse First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) employees with deep practices of cultural humility participated in this action-oriented research to answer the question: How might the lived experience of FNHA employees, who have a sustained commitment to cultural humility and who enact acts of resistance against colonialism and white supremacy, inform how cultural humility is developed and actioned? Participants shared personal journeys of cultural humility development over their lives in three methods: interviews, a circle discussion, and a kitchen table discussion. Participants contributed to themes, conclusions, and recommendations for a relational and reciprocal culture of safety, a culture of humility, and a culture of learning that elevates the wisdom held by FNHA employees. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the development of the FNHA’s Culture and People Development Program to support organizational learning. This research was conducted in accordance with Royal Roads University and FNHA research ethics approval
Grazing and Range Management - Alberta
Get PDF2024Livestock grazing and range management have had major impacts on grassland vegetation in Alberta. Grazing animals have had impacts on plant communities in Alberta since before fur traders occupied the land. Over the years both livestock and wildlife have been studied and managed to try and ensure range health, or optimal conditions for native vegetation and species diversity. Several differences in range health and vegetation species have been observed between cattle grazed and non-grazed land. For this case study, these two types of land management will be compared, and observations will be made to provide direction to best management practices for species diversity and range health on native grasslands. The study will focus on plant species/vegetation identification and diversification on the two separate types of land. The study will also focus on these two separate types of land being on reclaimed wellsites. This data will then be compared against each other to evaluate which style of management will best achieve the desired goals. This study will also focus strictly on the different impacts of cattle grazing. A mixed methods approach will be used to analyse these comparisons, with quantitative data being the primary focus and qualitative data being supplementary. Observations will also be completed to help determine the optimal land management for cattle grazing and range health in southern Alberta
Ground versus fixed-wing network modelling for emergency medical services transport: A case study for Alberta Health Services - Emergency Medical Services, Alberta, Canada
Get PDFEmergency medical response is a complex and evolving environment. The need to make time-based decisions in an expedited fashion that can impact the health and well-being of residents is a substantial responsibility. The capability to effectively deploy and utilize various EMS response assets that take advantage of their strengths could prove beneficial in both health and fiscal cost outcomes. This study contributes to the use of network analysis by creating a multimodal transportation network to model both fixed-wing air and ground EMS resources, to determine the best use cases given their unique travel paths and speeds
Analysis of crime patterns: Exploring the spatial and temporal distribution of crime in Surrey, BC, using GIS techniques
Get PDFThe study uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, including hotspot analysis, generalised linear regression (GLR), regression trees, Theil-Sen slope estimation, and ARIMA time series modelling, to identify spatial concentrations of crime and detect temporal trends. The ARIMA model forecasts future crime counts using historical data, whereas the Theil-Sen slope analysis assesses annual change in crime rates. The study also investigates the impact of various high-risk establishments, such as cannabis shops, liquor stores, nightclubs, malls, and transit hubs, on spatial distribution of crime. The regression tree analysis demonstrates how proximity to these locations influences crime rates in various parts of the city.
In addition to spatial and temporal crime analysis, this study investigates the impact of socioeconomic factors such as unemployment rates, population density, income levels, and education on crime patterns. Furthermore, the study assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on crime trends in Surrey by comparing pre and post-covid crime rates with paired sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to detect statistically significant differences.
This research revealed significant relationships between crime concentrations and underlying urban factors by combining crime data with spatial and socio-economic data. The purpose of the findings is to support crime prevention strategies based on research, inform decisions related to urban planning, and ultimately improve community safety. The study's emphasis on a rapidly evolving urban region such as Surrey has wider implications for the analysis and prevention of crime in other metropolitan areas as well
The Democratization of Coaching in Canadian Public Healthcare Systems
Get PDF2024The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing challenges within the Canadian public healthcare system, including high attrition rates, burnout, and insufficient support due to funding constraints. This research explores the critical need to democratize coaching in public healthcare, making it accessible to all healthcare workers. Using an interpretive qualitative approach, the study gathers rich narratives from healthcare professionals across Canada to uncover the barriers and support factors to make coaching accessible. The findings highlight the necessity of updating outdated mental models, securing executive support and funding, and adopting a comprehensive, systems-thinking approach to embed coaching into healthcare organizations; followed by several recommendations that Canadian public healthcare systems can implement. This research provides a foundation for future studies and practical efforts to create a resilient and supportive environment for all healthcare professionals, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of their critical roles
Is "good social work" anti-oppressive practice?: The mainstreaming of critical discourse
No full textThis article was published as: Schmid, J. & Morgenshtern, M. (2024) Is "good social work" anti-oppressive practice?: The mainstreaming of critical discourse. Critical Social Work, 25(2) and is available online at: https://ojs.uwindsor.ca/index.php/csw/article/view/8567/.Anti-oppressive social work practice (AOP) has been advanced as a key progressive methodology for some decades. Standing in critical social work, it is founded on clear assumptions and includes several key strategies for implementation. At the same time, however, two factors, namely the alignment of the discourse of good (dominant) social work with social justice, and AOP theorists themselves not consistently distinguishing differences, has led to a blurring of what constitutes good social work versus AOP. In this article we rely on a critical perspective to remind of these essential distinctions. We also establish that this failure to clearly distinguish the essence of AOP has allowed for the disciplining of AOP, thus rendering it largely without any force. We encourage social work educators, students, and practitioners to reclaim the progressive, critical edge of AOP to become effective agents of social change
Walk with me - Maya'xala: Cultivating community respect in the midst of the toxic drug, trauma, and housing crises; moving forward in a good way - Campbell River policy report
No full textAs with many communities in BC, Campbell River is being hit with a series of compounding crises including (but not limited to): a toxic drug supply that causes fatalities at unprecedented rates, a housing affordability/income disparity crisis that leaves many underhoused and living in poverty, and a trauma crisis, brought about by the ravages of colonization and Residential School. In the midst of these crises, substance use-related harms are increasing. This report investigates the state of these crises in Campbell River through community engaged research sessions held with Peers, family members and front-line workers, and it asks what wellness looks like for those at the heart of these crises. It calls on stakeholders (Service Providers, Peers, Local Government, Community Members) to come together to build on strengths, create new understandings of and potentials for community wellness, address service gaps, and create a strong support network for those facing these crises first-hand
Enhancing a Nonprofit Organization’s Capacity to Provide Service and Advocacy to Women: A Participatory Action Research with Zonta Club of Victoria
Get PDF2023This action-oriented research inquiry explores how Zonta Club of Victoria (Zonta), a nonprofit organization in Victoria, British Columbia, might enhance its capacity to provide service and advocacy to women. Through applying the participatory action research (PAR) methodology and abiding by the ethical standards of Canada’s Tri-Council policy for research, the inquiry engages members of Zonta in a series of interviews followed by a brainstorming session. This inquiry also incorporates beneficiaries’ voices through interviews with representatives of partner organizations. Participants shared their perspectives on the organization’s present state and co-created strategies to transform Zonta and reinforce its mission. The literature review of the inquiry covers studies on gender inequalities, challenges that nonprofits face, nonprofit capacity dimensions, and leadership approaches. Research findings and conclusions insinuate opportunities for developing Zonta’s capacity across various dimensions with a focus on recruiting, diversifying, and engaging volunteers, branding, incorporating the intersectionality lens in planning, and adopting trauma-informed leadership to address burnout across members
Supporting the Circular Economy in Canadian Residential Construction Design For Deconstruction.
Get PDF2024The conventional linear method of building houses, in which resources are extracted, materials fabricated, houses built, then demolished and disposed of, is not sustainable. A circular economy aims to optimize the flow of materials, water usage, and energy usage in a closed-loop of a circular system. Shifting from the current linear economic model to a circular one could decrease residential construction’s negative effects on the environment. Buildings need to be designed with the ease of deconstruction in mind to make the circular loop more practical and therefore adopted by the industry. This research aims to identify opportunities and challenges of design to deconstruct processes to support the circular economy within the residential construction industry in Canada