Ben Christopher
Ben Christopher was born in Oakland and spent the entirety of his childhood in California -- first in Santa Barbara, then in San Francisco. At 18, he was lured northward to Montreal by the hip music scene, the reasonable legal drinking age, and the novelty of meteorologically distinct seasons.
At McGill University, Ben studied economics, history, and the exotic folkways of Canadians. Graduating inopportunely in the post-Lehman winter of 2008, he dabbled in involuntary unemployment before making his way to Asia, where he taught English to Korean children, bummed around with a backpack, and made absolutely no use of his degree. Ben is now based in Vancouver, trying to pass once more as a Canadian -- though this time as a journalist.
Reporting Beat: Labour, employment, economic issues, and municipal and provincial politics.
Twitter: @BenCAbbr
Stories by Ben Christopher
Jean Swanson's Advocacy for Vancouver's Impoverished
Decades of activism in the Downtown Eastside earned her the People's Order of BC from Tyee readers. Last in a series.
How Vancouver's War on Drugs Began
The city's long and conflicted struggle with addiction, since the days of Mackenzie King. First in a series.
What If More Bankers Had a Social Conscience?
Naomi Klein, VanCity's Tamara Vrooman and others tackle 'Values-based Banking' this Thursday. A preview.
Will Chinese Labour Dig BC Coal?
Premier Clark touts mining as her jobs machine. But a lot of those hires may be foreign say eager firms and concerned unions.
A Math Wiz's Idea to Revive Local Journalism
Mark Latham's Voter Media set UBC's media community abuzz. So what next?
Foreign Takeovers: Pressure Mounts for Job Protection, Clearer Regs
Labour, and some corporate voices, say it's time to put some muscle on the Investment Canada Act.
Idea #2: Shmeat, Meat of the Future
Put down that ecological-travesty of a hamburger! In vitro meat is what's cooking.
Where Have All the Voters Gone?
Millions of Canadians stay home on election day. Samara think tank asked them why.
Tories' Quick Trigger on Labour Disputes Dangerous, Say Experts
Air Canada intervention worries bargaining pros on both sides of table.
Running Against Developers in Condolandia
Nicole Benson of Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver is campaigning for hyper-local democracy.
Why They Joined Occupy Vancouver
Peaceful and boisterous, Vancouver's occupiers joined a global outcry that it's time to redistribute out-of-whack wealth.
New Stadium, Old Argument
Love or hate the new look, but don't count on the revamped BC Place for an economic boost.
With Jobs Plan, Clark Promises to Sell BC
She's our 'number one salesperson,' but critics say her plan lacks substance, misses opportunities and won't create jobs.
Six More Myths about Jobs
Rounding out our even dozen, reality checks on youth employment, corporate tax cuts, and more. Second of two.
A Dozen Myths about Jobs
What are the best ways to save or create good jobs in a place like BC? A lot of what we hear is bunk. First of two.
'Kicked in the Teeth' at BC Hydro
Workers in the trenches say mass job cuts would create more havoc than savings.
A Friendly Invasion from Spacing
Part porn for planner geeks, part guide to urban bliss, Spacing magazine moves into Vancouver.
Graffiti Artist Hits Wall, Goes Legit
Pontus Agren left his mark on myriad public spaces. Now he makes an impression on young taggers.
