A lumped conceptual rainfall-runoff model based on the MIKE 11/NAM modeling code has been applied to the 372 km2 Tsitika River Watershed. The model was constructed on the basis of readily accessible data of precipitation, temperature, land cover and topography, and was calibrated against the river discharge at the watershed outlet. Several validation tests were carried out and model performance evaluated in terms of the water balance error and the agreement of general hydrograph shape. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the variability of simulation response produced by uncertainty associated with parameter values. In general, the model captured the dynamics of river discharge moderately well with most problems arising during the simulations of the snowmelt season. The differences between observations and model output were attributed to the insufficient spatial coverage of meteorological input data, errors in model structure resulting from a simplified model set-up, and errors caused by inevitable simplifications of temporal and spatial characteristics of the hydrologic behaviour of a very complex natural system.

This thesis explores the legal and political contexts in which offshore oil and gas (OOG) decisions in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Basin (Basin) are being made and situates these decisions within Canada's integrated coastal and oceans management (ICOM) strategy. The geography, ecology and current ocean uses of the Basin are reviewed and environmental impacts of OOG considered. The federal-provincial jurisdictional and ownership complexities and issues of aboriginal rights and title are then reviewed. Canada's efforts to implement ICOM through the Oceans Act and subsequent policies are assessed. as compared to the U.S. model and in light of international principles. Core ICOM principles of sustainability, integration. precaution and transparency are specifically reviewed. While Canada's oceans strategy is consistent with internationally-accepted principles, it falls short of a true ICOM regime and is not sufficiently developed to resolve the OOG debate. Nonetheless, OOG decisions can and should be guided by its principles.

Interactive stationary bikes provide positive affective experiences and physiological benefits; however research has been limited to adults within laboratory settings. Using a randomized, controlled trial design (RCT), this study sought to examine usage of GameBikes (GB) compared to traditional stationary bikes (TSB) among families in the home-setting including the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to understand motivation for use. Parents completed questionnaires after having a ten minute trial with the bike (T1) and then again after six weeks (T2). Usage was tracked by all family members and belief elicitation was performed with GB families following the trial. Repeated measures (RM) ANOVA for frequency of use yielded a large time effect (F5,34 = 3.15, p < .05; η2 = .32); post-hoc analysis illustrated decrease by TSB (t18 = 3.77, p < .01; d = .89) and GB (t20 = 1.02, p = .32; d = .32). Parents in the GB group increased the proportion of those meeting Health Canada’s Physical Activity guidelines by 33.3% compared to 8.34% for TSB (h = .51). RM ANOVA for affective attitude (AA) of parents yielded large time and intervention effects (F1,22 = 32.73, p < .01, η2 = .60; F1,22 = 8.54, p = .01, η2 = .60 respectively). GB (t11 = 6.08, p < .01, d = 1.67) and TSB (t11 = 3.27, p < .01, d = .88) lowered across time; GB experienced higher levels of AA at T1 (t25 = 2.69, p < .01, d = 1.55) and T2 (t22 = 2.58, p < .05, d = 1.39). Elicited beliefs were primarily affective- and control-based and concerned the equipment and sizing for children. From this study, it is noted that usage decreases less rapidly with the GB than with TSB. Also, differences in AA between groups highlight the importance of AA in PA interventions. This study provides support for the use of interactive video games to augment current PA initiatives with larger scale trials.

In my thesis, I argue that art is one way Indigenous peoples keep our laws alive in the world. The purpose of my thesis is to show the underlying connections between the role of the artist and the practice of art and the laws by which we seek to live. I draw on contemporary Indigenous art to illustrate some of those roles and responsibilities. As we share our art, our knowledge between Indigenous peoples, we are strengthening our peoples to resist the powerful effects of colonialism. At the same time we are communicating powerful law by building opportunities for future generations to live together in peace, friendship and respect.

Theories of anti-oppressive social work address social inequity through social justice perspectives. Recent literature in disability studies and social justice has not been extensively included in social work debate. I locate my research in between these two literatures. I examine how women with disabilities are portrayed in texts used in training undergraduate anti-oppressive social workers. I use an experience-based understanding of knowledge as a feminist social worker and a woman with a disability. The analysis of three texts shows that these particular depictions are wide-ranging though dated, and can unfortunately be mistaken as singularly definitive of all women with disabilities.

This thesis argues that globalization is creating increased need and opportunities for Indigenous rights advocacy/participation within emerging institutions of global governance and analyzes the possibilities and limitations of Indigenous advocacy at the WTO, drawing on the experiences of First Nations from the Interior of British Columbia. It begins by examining how governance is shifting in the context of globalization, pointing to the emergence of an integrated global economy, the rise of supranational regulatory regimes such as the WTO, and the increased power and significance of non-state actors.within the global political-legal arena. It then analyzes how globalization is affecting Indigenous peoples and moreover, how Indigenous peoples have been responding to this through transnational advocacy efforts. The author argues that given the shifting nature of governance, and the growing significance of intergovernmental organizations (i.e. the WTO), it is prudent for Indigenous rights advocates to expand the parameters of their advocacy - to seek out non-traditional spaces at both local and global levels to assert Indigenous voices where they have traditionally been rendered absent. Adopting Boaventura de Sousa Santos' subaltern cosmopolitan legality perspective, the author then turns to examine how First Nations from the Interior of BC have used a multiplicity of legal techniques and strategies across a "plural legal landscape" to simultaneously assert their Indigenous rights over their forest resources and to challenge the dominant neoliberaI conception of economy. The author examines the political and legal mobilization of BC Interior First Nations from local acts of resistance against BC government forest policies to global acts of resistance vis a vis the submission of amicus curiae briefs to the WTO in the Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Dispute. In analyzing this struggle the author illustrates how globalization has created the need and opportunity for BC First Nations to locate new directions of advocacy, and how they have reinvented law to fit their objectives and enable their access to traditionally "closed" political-legal arenas. Upon conducting an examination of the BC Interior First Nations' experiences, the author then critically evaluates the possibilities and limitations of Indigenous advocacy at the WTO. The author finds that while amicus curiae submissions provide some possibility to strengthen Indigenous rights by raising awareness about the linkages between international trade and Indigenous rights within the international trade arena, there are significant limitations that must be considered in pursuing such advocacy. The author concludes with recommendations concerning how Indigenous rights advocacy may be approached in the context of shifting governance relations.

This thesis explores the inclusion of race as a factor for consideration in the best interest of the child test for custody and access determinations through the lens of Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism. This thesis contributes to the ongoing feminist discussions and debates on the benefits and risks of including race in the best interest of the child test since the death of Bill C-22 An Act to Amend the Divorce Act. Through a review of family law reform and Van de Perre v. Edwards, the leading case to articulate that race is a relevant factor, I will highlight how race has come to be interpreted. Interviews were conducted with women advocates and lawyers who primarily advocated for racialized women and children in custody and access determinations. Their lived experiences of the challenges and struggles that racialized women experience in family law, particularly, the best interest of the child test, assist in providing a counter-story to White mainstream family law discourse.

This is a geographical study of the experience of place for older adults in the rapidly growing area known as `Oceanside' on Vancouver Island. Oceanside's population is one of Canada's oldest: more than 40% are aged 55 and over. The goal of the research is to explore notions of home and community, place and space, and to consider the implications for planning future environments for an aging population. Qualitative analysis of 27 in-depth interviews suggests that the physical, social, cultural and structural environments are multi-layered. When considering a move to the area, it was physical environment that was most important. Once participants moved to the area, social and cultural environments became central in their lives. Finally, the structural environment, particularly the shortage of health services, may cause people to leave the area. Personal identity and past place experience influence participants' experience of the present and their hopes for the future.

This thesis centers the voices of eight queer participants and explores their lived experiences of partner abuse, for the purpose of theorizing about queer partner abuse in ways that challenge and confirm mainstream heteronormative ways of understanding relationship abuse. The research was carried out using a critical qualitative thematic approach, which allowed for rich descriptions to be provided by participants through conversational interviews. The eight participants involved in this research were from the BC lower mainland and varied in age, socio-economic status, ability, mental/emotional health, race, and gender identity. Three themes emerged during the literature review and were central to the analysis: (a) gender; (b) power; and (c) service delivery. The findings indicate that participants not only internalized gender identities, but also constructed their experiences of relationship violence through the available discourse, which is mainstreamed and gendered. The most significant finding in this research has been the extent to which homophobia and heterosexism affected each of the participants within their personal relationships and in relation to their social environment.

A combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis was utilized in the evaluation of a six module training program designed for new caseworker staff within the Alberta Ministry of Children's Services and Delegated First Nation's Agencies. A total of 102 participants completed the five modules of training over 32 sessions scheduled during the training program pilot. Evaluation data included the use of participant workshop feedback, participant pre-test and post-test knowledge improvement for each completed module of training, facilitator feedback and supervisor surveys. Evaluation outcomes demonstrated that the Alberta Children's Services Delegation Training Program provided new casework staff with the skills, knowledge and competency development required to provide intervention services to children, youth and families as mandated under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.