[Image-1] Just like public health care and public schools, I believe that free transit is a public good because we would live in a better world if everyone was healthy, educated and able to get around. We collectively fund public health care because we see it as an important public good, but we fail to […]
Opinion
Posted inNews + Opinion
Finding the strength to seek help after my sexual assault
[Image-1] Two-and-a-half years ago I was sexually assaulted, and it is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. In many aspects of my life, I am changed. There were times when I didn’t think I could ever be happy again. There were times when I doubted myself so much that I […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, May 19, 2016
Re-considering Cornwallis We are writing to express our disappointment in city council’s decision to quash further discussions about the commemoration of Edward Cornwallis in various city landmarks and on roads and buildings bearing his name (“Halifax votes to keep honouring Edward Cornwallis,” Reality Bites post at thecoast.ca by Jacob Boon, May 11). As professional historians […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax as Narnia: The existential fantasy of our seaside city
[Image-1] Several years ago a reenactment was held in Halifax to celebrate the 200th anniversary of a War of 1812 naval battle. Just as one did on the same date in 1813, a sailor—an actor playing a sailor—burst through the doors of St. Paul’s Church to inform the congregation that a British frigate had defeated its American […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax’s campaign finance regulations are limited in scope
[Image-1] The municipality will soon have the power to set rules on how politicians collect and spend money in municipal elections. We need these rules to restore public confidence and make fairer and more competitive elections. While improved regulatory powers are welcome, Bill 154 has one big flaw: it doesn’t explicitly allow HRM to offer […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
I want to be raised in a healthy environment, not a world of hatred
[Image-1] In these past few weeks, all the recent killings have put a hole in my heart. Seeing how many families and mothers had to bury their children, fathers, brothers, often makes me wonder why this world can be so cold. I am writing this for all the young people in our communities who want […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Nova Scotia and Fort McMurray are closer than ever today
[Image-1] The world is unpredictable. It shouldn’t be a surprise anymore that the news cycle goes around the clock. Events, good and bad, are continuously breaking across the world. During the last few days, news has broken out across the nation of the wildfires near the oil-boom city of Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta. In terms […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Me, myself and anxiety
[Image-1] In the past few years, awareness and support of mental health issues have improved dramatically. This has helped many who suffer from a mood disorder feel more comfortable seeking help—be it from friends, family, a therapist or a doctor. However, despite how far we’ve come in recent years, there is still a stigma associated […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Thoughts on becoming a new dad
[Image-1] I recently became a father. I had always envisioned myself becoming one eventually, that one day I would have children, but now it has finally happened. I never saw myself having baby, though. I could never picture myself holding such a little and fragile thing, but now I hate putting him down. And having a […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Why dads-to-be should take birth preparation classes
[Image-1] When I found out my wife signed us up for birth preparation classes, I was less than enthused. I was enjoying my blissful ignorance around all things birth and I couldn’t see why she needed me to be there. I wasn’t the one birthing the baby, right? I could learn on the fly. When she […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Tragedy is not something to be dismissed and flippantly ignored
[Image-1] When I spoke to CBC on Wednesday, the last concern on my mind was having what I said be misrepresented. I certainly didn’t expect to have a five minute conversation distilled down to one line and to be presented to the public without any context. On Tuesday night, a shooting on Gottingen Street claimed the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
A tragic loss of life is never “business as usual”
[Image-1] I have been silent during these last couple of days because my heart and community are truly hurting from the tragic events that have taken place. I haven’t had the time to reflect because of my busy schedule. I have spent some time talking to the young boys and men in my community, making sure […]