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The analysis is correct, but the solution is all wrong: Currently, tax assessments are capped at the rate of inflation for all residential properties, except for large multi-unit dwellings. “Every other type is covered under this assessment cap . . . homes and co-op housing and mobile homes and condominiums,” Liberal MLA Diana Whalen, who […]

Of course we regular people need all the information we can get as the economy tanks, so it’s a worthy undertaking when the only provincial newspaper puts its resources, and five reporters, to the task of covering the precarious financial situation But, er, does it have to be so boring? Does anyone come away from […]

Besides the fact that not many people want to play vigilante, the problem with the Guardian Angels is that it doesn’t address root causes of crime. You can spend two hours a week marching around, wannabe cop fashion, or you can spend two hours volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, or coaching a ball team […]

The first meeting of the newly elected Halifax council progressed with some hilarity Tuesday, as Mayor Peter Kelly unsuccessfully attempted to navigate through City Hall’s perpetually broken computer system. Shiny new and no doubt expensive computers graced councillors’ desks, but the software failed to record some votes, dropped speakers from the list and failed to […]

Graham Steele, MLA for Halifax-Fairview, writes to correct a mistake in an article I wrote last week on Nova Scotia Power’s rate increases. Hi Tim. I read your recent piece about NS Power with interest. You had me right until the end, where I found this: Last year, groups representing low-income residents, ratepayers, businesses and […]

Kudos to the Chronicle-Herald, which put the resources and reporters into tracking down the details of HRM’s questionable lie detector tests given to prospective city employees.The lie test comes at the end of the process, after the applicant has already spent hundreds of dollars on other tests, and the questions are seemingly arbitrary, if not […]

Construction is about to begin on the Waterfront, at the foot of Salter Street. A portion of the parking lot has been fenced off, and a backhoe is parked, awaiting the delivery of supplies. The project will add the last remaining 1,000 feet of the boardwalk— presently, the path is crushed gravel. I spoke with […]

A press release from the Centre for Policy Alternatives: Nova Scotians are working harder and smarter but the majority have been denied the fruits of the economic growth they’ve helped create, says a new report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Nova Scotia (CCPA-NS).Hard Working Province: Is It Enough? by Mathieu Dufour […]

No politician wants war—just ask them. Yet, we structure our society such that pretty much our only response to conflict is war: we build gigantic military machines, we have war colleges, entire institutions to teaching war and, when it comes down to it, we don’t even know how to begin to address conflict without war. […]

On Remembrance Day I’m typically at my home in Dartmouth, so walk down to the ceremony at the duck pond. A lot of people go—so many that if you’re not very early you’ll have a hard time hearing the proceedings due to the size of the crowd. Anyway, I’ve been very disappointed that each year […]