Ralph Goodale

Deputy Leader, Liberal Party of Canada

From the beginning of his leadership campaign, that has been Justin Trudeau's strength -- giving Canadians good reasons to vote FOR him, not just AGAINST the other guy. In that constructive spirit, he has also developed an aggressive agenda for Parliamentary, electoral and political reform to strengthen Canadian democracy and improve financial transparency.

Colin Kenny

Senator

My advice to Stephen Harper is this: the RCMP needs a union, to improve the lot of the rank and file, to be sure, but also to help managers improve the institution. In fact, I would say forming a union is critical to rehabilitating our national police service, where efforts at reform keep spinning their wheels. .

Samantha Kemp-Jackson

Parenting writer, blogger and media personality

The trend towards kids having rigorous schedules is a relatively new phenomenon. Perhaps a result of the pervasive guilt that so many of us share because of our need to work longer hours, we've put our kids in as many lessons as possible, some for practical reasons (after-school lessons and sports practice keeps our kids busy until we can leave work and pick them up) and some...well...not so much.

Melissa Carr

TheThirtiesGrind.com

Last week, I finished my cross-Canada tour in Alberta. This week, I'm looking at a few pricey celebrity abodes and what the same amount of dosh will fetch you in The Couve.

David Dodge

Producer/Host, Green Energy Futures.ca

The transmission grid remains the inflexible behemoth it was 50 years ago. The central idea of distributed generation -- where nimble, low-cost generators generate electricity where you need it -- is the equivalent of going from mainframe computer that takes up half a building to an iPad.

Tim Knight

Writer, Comunications Coach, Broadcast Journalism Trainer, Filmmaker

Yes, I've smoked marijuana. And yes, I've inhaled it. Marijuana lessens pain (I have a bad back). It's an anti-depressant (the freelance writing, filmmaking and communications training business are in terminal decline). And it increases both sexual enjoyment and staying power (no need to explain).

Daniel Tencer

Business Editor, Huffington Post Canada

House prices in Canada have soared compared to rental costs, to the point that paying a mortgage is 60 to 70 per cent more expensive than renting the same property. So why are the banks still saying it's a good time to buy?

Sangita Iyer

Broadcast journalist, Non-Traditional Environmental Educator & Film Producer (B.Sc., M.A.)

Overfishing, wildlife poaching, climate change etc., are not only causing species extinction, but also bringing human civilization closer to the brink of collapse. Fortunately, there is reason for hope that in the future evolution of man, human love and enlightenment will prevail over the forces of violence and destruction.

Dana Larsen

Director of the Sensible BC campaign for a marijuana referendum. Director of Vancouver's Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary.

Although we can all agree that marijuana prohibition has failed, there is not full agreement on how exactly to legalize and regulate it. We still have to answer some important questions. Should people be allowed to grow their own marijuana? If so, how much? Should marijuana be sold in stores? What kinds of taxes should there be? Should there be taxes on medical marijuana products? What about extracts and foods? What is the best age limit? Before we can put a legalized system in place, we need to have the answers to these kinds of questions.

Nikki Thomas

Executive Director of Sex Professionals of Canada, 2010-2013

Self-described abolitionists have no idea how insulting and condescending it is for us to be told we're incapable of making our own choices. One of the principle tenets of feminism is that women should have the right to make our own choices with our own bodies.

Jane Blaufus

Author and Professional Speaker

From my daughter: "I spent the first 12 ½ years of my life with a dad that made me the woman I am today. Even though he's gone and I miss him every day, I know he's with me because I wouldn't be me without him. I have now spent the last 11 years (and counting) with my step-dad and I couldn't have asked for anyone better."

Angelina Chapin

Blogs Editor, Huffington Post Canada

Girl goes on date with guy. Guy is creepy. Touches-her-bum-when-she-doesn't-want-him-to creepy. Guy is also a famous Canadian radio personality. Roughly a year later, girl writes a blog about it. That blog goes viral. Should we believe her story? Welcome to the new new new journalism.

VICE

VICE Canada

After going to a party a 15-year-old girl from Nova Scotia was "dragged outside" by several boys and performed oral sex on one of them, while another filmed it all happening. Since April, the federal and provincial government have been taking steps to make amendments to the law so these situations don't happen again. But are they being enacted quickly enough?

Richard Doyle

Executive Director, Dairy Farmers of Canada

Farmers love to say they are the first environmentalists. We have good base of strong practices on the farm in regards to environmental protection. Over the past several decades, dairy farmers have focused on increasing the production per cow, instead of multiplying the number of cows.