There’s now a Facebook group—of course—for anyone who wants to vent their anger at the decision by Canada’s national broadcasting consortium/cabal to bow to the fears of the Tories, NDP and Bloc, and exclude Green Party Leader Elizabeth May from the federal political leaders’ debate. The group is for “Canadians of any and all political […]
News
NDP squabble
The search for Alexa McDonough’s successor is off to a rocky start. And the party has yet to nominate its candidate. But it isn’t clear what—if any—effect a messy misunderstanding between the Nova Scotia federal NDP campaign office and wannabe-standard bearer Irvine Carvery over membership fees might have on the upcoming campaign and/or —and perhaps […]
Good question… Just don’t expect an answer
“Uh…Uh….Mmmm-mmm… (Silence)… Uh… Um…” Rob Batherson’s monosyllabic musing had gone on for at least 15 seconds before I thought to look at my watch, and lasted another 33 before he finally didn’t answer my question. It wasn’t a complicated question, and it was one for which Batherson obviously knew the correct answer. I just wanted […]
NDP squabble: Update 1
Irvine Carvery concedes his difficulties with the NDP’s provincial campaign office were likely the result of a simple “miscommunication,” but he says that misunderstanding “puts the screws to me.” Carvery is one of three hopefuls vying to be the party’s candidate in the riding of Halifax in the October 14 federal election. Carvery says his […]
Leslie wins NDP nod
Megan Leslie will carry the NDP colours in the upcoming federal election campaign in Halifax. The 30something Dalhousie legal aid community legal worker won the nod on the second ballot at a nominating meeting attended by more than 600 people tonight (Sept. 8) at the Dalhousie Student Union Building in south end Halifax. Leslie defeated […]
Turning Green
I don’t plan to vote Green—or at least I didn’t until Stephen Harper and Jack Layton became kissing cousins in an unseemly and unworthy attempt to keep Green Party leader Elizabeth May from taking part in the national leaders’ debate next month. The Green Party is a legitimate national political party. In the last federal […]
Familiar faces
There’s something comfortably old shoe about attending an NDP gathering in Halifax. You’re almost certain to run into someone you know. The neighbour down the street you saw mowing his lawn in the rain last week, the young couple with the toddler who just bought the fixer-upper on the next block, the sales clerk from […]
War show
If the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have demonstrated anything, it’s that all the hi-tech weaponry in the world doesn’t accomplish much in terms of advancing geopolitical aims. Our troops, and their weapons, have been in Afghanistan for over six years, and yet the Taliban remains a powerful force and peace is as elusive as ever. […]
Concert damage to the Common
Once again a concert trashes the Common, and once again city staffer Peter Bigelow says the crews are out working their turf magic and everything will be honky dory… by spring. “That’s why we have concerts in the fall, when the Commons isn’t typically in use,” he says. (Hey, I just report these things.) Bigelow […]
A good development proposal
As I discussed a couple of days ago, a newly constructed apartment building immediately across from the Hydrostone Market gets my nomination for Halifax’s ugliest building. I’m happy to say, however, that a proposal just up the street, at Kaye and and Isleville Streets, looks much more promising. I haven’t had time to read through […]
A tale of two cities
“Hello!” I shout, as I descend a short embankment from the road into a makeshift campsite on the backside of Seaview Park. I’d been drawn here by the “Africville Protest” sign nailed to a telephone pole, but only now get a full view on the camp, which includes a camper trailer, about five tents, a […]
Halifax’s ugliest building
Well, it’s a stiff competition, but I have a nomination. First, though, let’s look at the neighgbourhood. The Hydrostone Market, built soon after the Explosion, gets urban planning right: small shops directly on wide sidewalks and relying on mostly pedestrian traffic. Those who drive will find no off-street parking, but they can hunt for a […]

