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Backcasting and Forecasting Boreal Wetland Water Balances Using Weather Data in Reclaimed Landscapes
No full text2024The oil sands mining industry in Alberta must return mined areas to a land capability equivalent to pre-mining conditions. The landscapes contain wetlands sustained by water balances reflecting prevailing weather conditions. Precipitation and evapotranspiration data that have been collected from six weather stations in three reclaimed landscapes were used to backcast and forecast meteorological trends. An autoregressive integrated moving average forecasting model was used to calculate trends in historical data and predict meteorological conditions until 2030 and their effects on wetland water volumes. Rates of annual evapotranspiration exceeded precipitation on an areal basis across the study area. Evapotranspiration gradually declined as landscapes aged. Water volumes in selected wetlands were quantified and analyzed in conjunction with the time series forecasts to support predictions on future water balance. Forecasts will contribute to the assessment of wetland persistence useful for future mine closure planning and provide complementary data for other water balance studies in the region
Residents ask us 'Why is the living room so cold?' A systems approach to mapping retrofit decision-making among non-profit housing stakeholders in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Canada
No full text2025Retrofit and repair of social and affordable housing can improve living conditions and reduce residential Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Increasingly in Canada, policies and programs aim to improve the condition and energy-efficiency of these aging buildings which have substantial deferred maintenance. This can mitigate the effects of climate change while preserving affordable housing for the growing number of Canadians in housing need – both critical for transforming unsustainable housing systems. However, policy and program effectiveness are constrained by complex and fragmented urban social housing systems, including overlapping jurisdictions and diversity of actors, policies, regional climates and energy sources. Within this context, non-profit housing providers make daily asset management and maintenance decisions to best provide safe, affordable, and accessible housing now and in the future – decisions which may lead to major energy efficiency retrofits. However, retrofit decision-making is a process of negotiation between actors and materials evolving over several stages. To design more integrated and transformative policies, we must understand system elements currently shaping retrofit decision-making processes among these key system actors. Using a survey of non-profit housing stakeholders in contrasting Canadian community housing systems in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, followed by focus groups among Saskatchewan stakeholders, 16 influencing factors are identified and mapped to four early stages of retrofit decision-making, creating a process systems map. Factors vary in influence across stages; however, three – building issues, funding availability, and impact on residents – appear to drive the process. Through document analysis and interviews, influence of local system characteristics in each jurisdiction are then explored, informing policy and program recommendations
Empowering Leadership: A Participatory Inquiry into Enhancing Leader Self-Efficacy at M.O.S.A.I.C
No full text2024This thesis focuses on the perspectives of coordinators and managers within an immigrant and refugee settlement organization named M.O.S.A.I.C. (Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities), aiming to understand their suggestions for enhancing leader self-efficacy (LSE). Working with the methodology of action research, this study employed PhotoVoice interviews, focus groups, and an anonymous survey to inform the development of recommendations. The study adhered to established ethical principles, including those outlined by Royal Roads University, guiding the entire research process. This study investigates strategies to enhance leader self-efficacy (LSE) among coordinators and managers within M.O.S.A.I.C. Participants in the focus groups, PhotoVoice sessions, and surveys articulated twenty-five recommendations that coalesce around four overarching themes to enhance LSE at M.O.S.A.I.C. Theme 1 focuses on the need for tailored leadership training, including personalized growth plans and specialized programs addressing self-efficacy needs. Theme 2 emphasizes the importance of internal support and resources, advocating for increased financial allocations, streamlined processes, and community-building initiatives. Communication and collaboration, explored in Theme 3, highlight the significance of open dialogue, transparent communication channels, and technological enhancements. Finally, Theme 4 examines organizational culture and values, urging the promotion of inclusion, environmental responsibility, and a positive leadership culture. These findings provide a roadmap for fostering LSE, encouraging collaboration, and nurturing a supportive organizational environment within M.O.S.A.I.C. Keywords: Leadership effectiveness, leader self-efficacy, action research, M.O.S.A.I.C., organizational development, not-for-profit
Metals Distribution in Roadside Soils and Himalayan Blackberries in Victoria, BC, Canada
No full text2025AbstractThis study investigated metal contamination in roadside soils and Himalayan Blackberry plants across Greater Victoria, BC. Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations in soil samples in some areas exceeded BC Contaminated Sites Regulation soil standards, indicating contamination hotspots linked to high traffic. Arsenic and lead concentrations in the berries from high-traffic areas were higher compared to lower traffic zones. The findings highlight the impact of vehicle emissions on metal contamination and raise concerns about the risks of consuming berries from such environments. These contaminants threaten ecosystems and human health, necessitating remediation efforts. Recommended actions include targeted soil remediation, vegetative barriers, and improved urban planning to reduce future contamination. Monitoring metal contamination in urban environments, especially in high-traffic areas, is critical. Further research is needed to assess metal bioavailability and develop sustainable land management strategies prioritizing ecological health and urban resilience
Strengthening the indomitable spirit of nurses through targeted resilience education
No full textThis article was published as: Blaney, L., Abbey, D., Pollard, E., Agyekum, E., Slonowsky, D., & Macdonald, A. (2024). Strengthening the indomitable spirit of nurses through targeted resilience education. Adversity and Resilience Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-024-00136-1Nurses face complex stressors in their work including routine exposure to human suffering and potentially traumatic events. Consequently, nurses are at risk of moral distress, workplace burnout, and compassion fatigue. The aim of this study was to design, develop, and test a health-promoting resilience education program for nurses. The research questions were as follows: (1) Are resilience scores of nurses affected by resilience education? (2) How do nurses understand resilience in the context of their workplace? (3) What role does resilience play in nurses’ mental health? (4) Is single-session targeted resilience education effective in maintaining resilience scores over time? Nurses in this study are moderately resilient as noted by their pre-education scores on the Resilience Scale (RS) and the Resilience at Work (RS@W) Scale. Resilience scores significantly increased immediately after resilience education and were sustained over time. Nurses have an array of health strategies for maintaining their resilience; these were further enhanced through experiential education. Increased resilience scores resulted in changes in nurses’ behavior and thinking, and new strategies were integrated into the nurses’ “toolbox” of cognitive and behavioral skills. Building and sustaining a strong foundation of resilience and well-being is key for nurses to maintain mental health, cope with work-related stressors, and provide safe competent patient care. Study outcomes offer opportunities to change the narrative from nursing as perilous and risky to one of strength, flourish, and growth. Beyond individual resilience, system-level change is required to support the well-being of healthcare personnel.This research was supported with funds from Engage, and Inquiry, grants for the Centre for Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity—Vancouver Island University. Funding Number: VIURAC 4111//25025-1-26
The Significance of ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa
Get PDF2023AbstractThis research aimed to answer the overall research question: How might the Ktunaxa Nation Council incorporate the significance of ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa Homelands) into the organization. An Indigenous Research Methodology was utilized, which included a focus group and a kitchen table conversation as methods. Ktunaxa Elders and Knowledge Holders participated in the research as subject experts on Ktunaxa ways of knowing and being. The findings and conclusions of this study supported the five recommendations to the Ktunaxa Nation Council:
1. Complete a land stewardship plan that is developed with each Ktunaxa First Nation to protect ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
2. Develop and implement a strategy to address intrusion, Ktunaxa loss of land, and Ktunaxa loss of rights and title, essentially encroachment of ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
3. Update and re-affirm the Ktunaxa Land Declaration.
4. Develop a Ktunaxa land-based mentorship program that is guided by Ktunaxa culture, language, and practices in a safe learning environment.
5. Ensure Ktunaxa values are at the forefront of all the work that happens within the organization by completing an audit of all projects, services, and work plans
Tools in the Toolbox: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Police Officers, mHealth Mobile Application Engagement and Associated Systems of Coping Mechanisms
No full text2024A significant issue confronting Canadian police executives today pertains to the escalating prevalence of mental health and addiction cases among their officers. In response, the Halton Regional Police Service initiated a mental wellness campaign in 2020, incorporating a mobile application aimed at destigmatizing mental health and addiction issues while providing support resources for employees. This study sought to examine the impact of officers’ lived experiences on their engagement with the application, employing theories of labelling, self-stigmatization, structural stigma, and Foucauldian frameworks. Drawing from organizational behaviour, police culture, mental health, addiction, and mobile applications research, the study consisted of 23 phenomenological-focused interviews with police officers, supplemented by the researcher's self-examination. The findings revealed that officers grappled with various stressors, partially mitigated by informal personal and work support networks. However, usage of the application remained minimal, primarily confined to viewing personal narrative videos and accessing resource contact information. Recommendations included enhancements to the application, augmented training, and improved return-to-work integration. This study contributes to the scant body of research on the mental wellness of Canadian police officers and their use of mental health mobile applications
Therapeutic drug monitoring of clozapine in human serum by high-throughput paper spray mass spectrometry
Get PDFThis article was originally published as: Saatchi, A., Zarkovi, T.M., Borden, S.A., Palaty, J., & Gill, C.G. (2024). Therapeutic drug monitoring of clozapine in human serum by high-throughput paper spray mass spectrometry. Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Advances in the Clinical Lab, 32, 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsacl.2024.02.003This study aimed to assess the viability of a PS-MS method for the rapid measurement of clozapine and norclozapine in human serum samples as an alternative to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
Longitudinal experiences of Canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin‑assisted psychotherapy
No full textThis article was originally published as: de la Salle, S., Kettner, H., Lévesque, J.T., Garel, N., Dames, S., Patchett-Marble, R., Rej, S., Gloeckler, S., Erritzoe, D., Carhart-Harris, R., & Greenway, K.T. (2024). Longitudinal experiences of Canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin‑assisted psychotherapy. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 16524. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66817-0Recent clinical trials have found that the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin effectively alleviates anxiodepressive symptoms in patients with life-threatening illnesses when given in a supportive environment. These outcomes prompted Canada to establish legal pathways for therapeutic access to psilocybin, coupled with psychological support. Despite over one-hundred Canadians receiving compassionate access since 2020, there has been little examination of these ‘real-world’ patients.
We conducted a prospective longitudinal survey which focused on Canadians who were granted Section 56 exemptions for legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Surveys assessing various symptom dimensions were conducted at baseline, two weeks following the session (endpoint), and optionally one day post-session. Participant characteristics were examined using descriptive statistics, and paired sample t-tests were used to quantify changes from baseline to the two-week post-treatment endpoint. Eight participants with Section 56 exemptions (four females, Mage = 52.3 years), all with cancer diagnoses, fully completed baseline and endpoint surveys. Significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, pain, fear of COVID-19, quality of life, and spiritual well-being were observed. Attitudes towards death, medical assistance in dying, and desire for hastened death remained unchanged. While most participants found the psilocybin sessions highly meaningful, if challenging, one reported a substantial decrease in well-being due to the experience. These preliminary data are amongst the first to suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can produce psychiatric benefits in real-world patients akin to those observed in clinical trials. Limited enrollment and individual reports of negative experiences indicate the need for formal real-world evaluation programs to surveil the ongoing expansion of legal access to psychedelics.S.dlS. is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research fellowship. S.R. holds a clinician-scientist salary award from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec en Santé
Perfectionism and its impacts: don’t waste your brain
No full textThis paper takes an autoethnographic approach to reflect on the experiences, expectations, and growth of growing up a perfectionist. The stories shared highlight my experiences and share my reflections about how I have come to terms with my personal expectations and the reality of what I experienced and continue to experience in my educational journey and my life beyond education. This research has found the connecting thread of my struggles and truths, and the circumstances in which my life has been impacted by my perfectionism. No one person lives in a vacuum, and as such the scenarios shared in this paper are written from my personal point-of-view, focusing on my internal understanding and experience. Analyzing my experiences with perfectionism and the impacts it has had on my life broadens the understanding of, and research capabilities in the future, the impacts of perfectionism. With this thesis I hope to bring awareness to the comorbidities of perfectionism and encourage others to understand the impact their words have on children