Sitting at a table in Chives Canadian Bistro on Barrington Street, Stephanie Ogilvie exudes confidence—a pair of bold, black-framed glasses rest on her face in a way that projects an “I know my shit, don’t test me” vibe. But they may serve the opposite purpose: keeping a bit of distance between her and the world. […]
Fadila Chater
Posted inNews + Opinion
The royal flush
If you’ve recently been on Halifax Kijiji you may have seen this odd listing: “Gold imported toilets 4 left!!!” The popular ad, which was recently removed from the website, displayed a white-and-gold, floral-patterned throne—a far cry from the stark white pots us lowly peasants are wont to piss in. Each toilet, according to the seller, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Bryony House has found a temporary home
A fter almost 90 days since shuttering its women and children’s shelter, Bryony House finally has a place to call home—for now. Executive director Maria MacIntosh says after a three-month search, women and children escaping domestic violence in Halifax will soon have a place to stay. “We are likely going to be operational within weeks” […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
“We have failed you,” police chief Dan Kinsella tells Black community
It was an important day for Halifax’s Black community as it heard, for the very first time, the official apology from one of the institutions that has caused it harm and grief for generations. Halifax Regional Police chief Dan Kinsella addressed an audience of about 100 people Friday morning at the Halifax Central Library. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
It’s time for housing options to get better for people with developmental disabilities advocates say
A utism Nova Scotia has unveiled Building to Better, a white paper document with 29 calls-to-action for government, community and society to create and improve housing options for people with developmental disabilities. “Fewer people are receiving fewer services,” says Paula Hutchinson, senior associate with Horizons Community Development Associates and Building to Better co-author. “Because we […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Charity Doucette rises and shines
Shimmering opals, oceanic blues, cream white pearls; that’s Charity. Fresh sweetgrass, shapely moose antler, textured birchbark; that’s Mi’kma’ki. Charity Doucette, of Potlotek First Nation, combines the dazzle of trendy jewellery with the meaningful beauty of Indigenous beadwork to create show-stopping pieces that represent a restored pride in her heritage. “Know your worth—because that was the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Three sidewalk vigilantes who can’t wait for the city to figure out what to do about sidewalk safety
I t’s as easy as look left, look right, they say. In Halifax, not so much, and fed-up citizens are taking matters of safety on sidewalks into their own hands. Matt Spurway, Doug Carleton and Martyn Williams say Halifax’s flawed traffic design, policies and infrastructure are partly to blame for unconscionable and avoidable traumatic injuries […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Service dogs mean freedom for a Halifax woman with unique abilities
Dawne Fraser has dyskinetic cerebral palsy. The physical disability causes involuntary, repetitive muscle contractions. But that doesn’t mean Fraser is disabled. Instead, she calls herself an able-body person with unique abilities. Those abilities have helped her through a 20-year teaching career and two businesses. An advocate for “uniquely abled” people, Fraser says she has remained […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
MMIWG report says government is responsible for race-and-gender-based crisis
After two-and-a-half years the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report June 3, laying out the role that all levels of Canadian government play in the race-and-gender-based crisis that is facing and has faced Indigenous and Inuit women. It calls for immediate transformative legal and social changes to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Council says no to spending surplus money on parking lot expenses
After much debate, Halifax Regional Council voted against using the $20 million surplus reserve to keep residential and commercial tax rates down. The rate will go to a final vote at council at 2.3 percent, meaning a $43.83 increase on the average home tax bill of $1,979. Mayor Mike Savage recommended taking $900,000 from last […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Former employee files human rights complaint against Smith-McCrossin
Lisette Sumbu, phone to her ear, quickly finds a quiet room at her sister’s house while her brother-in-law babysits her toddler son. She’s holding it together, even belting out a hearty laugh, as she describes a tumultuous year as constituency assistant for Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin. Then her voice cracks. “It broke my heart. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Family man
Kelly Carrington’s black dreadlocks curtain over big, broad shoulders. They make the 38-year-old look younger than his age, but his beard gives him away. Curly white hairs sprout like weeds along his jawline. He’s built like a Ford—tough. He’s loud. He’s sarcastic. If he didn’t quit football after high school, Carrington says he would have […]