[Image-1] Politicians aren’t necessarily known for their fashionable prowess. (Google “Stephen Harper leather vest” for all the evidence needed.) That doesn’t mean politics and fashion are mutually exclusive though. This election, no matter which party’s victory/losing party you’re attending, you can do so in style. NDP[Image-2] The election comes at a particularly fortuitous time for […]
Election
Posted inNews + Opinion
The damage of the Harper years
[Image-1] In hushed tones, speaking on conditions of anonymity, one hears a remarkably similar refrain from front-end federal government monitoring staff who were once—and theoretically still are—tasked with environmental regulatory enforcement: There’s no time anymore. So keep your head down and just go through the motions. The back-end staff, office-bound folks who might, say, prepare […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The not-so-amazing race, Canada
[Image-1] The anticipated dog days of August in Canada’s Ocean Playground caught few people by surprise. Three provinces away, neither did the dissolution of Parliament. Aside from customary sunny periods and high temperatures, Nova Scotians and others across the land were exposed to the elements of an early federal election call when prime minister Stephen […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Stronger environmental leadership needed in Ottawa
[Image-1] “Would you ever consider running?” Most people would answer this question with an emphatic “No.” Politicians are almost universally reviled, and few people are attracted to the idea of putting one’s life on hold and placing everything on the line, just to become a professional receptacle for everyone’s pet complaint. As a result, politics […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Refusing to vote is not an effective way to criticize Canada
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We are constantly being told that the dismal representation of “young people” at polls in recent elections displays a political apathy that threatens the nation. What utter bullshit. From where I sit, the level of political awareness and engagement of youth in Canada and the First Nations of Turtle Island is unprecedented. Low voter […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Everything you can wear to a citizenship ceremony
[Image-1] Despite continued Conservative efforts to ban the niqab during citizenship ceremonies, there remain precious few government regulations stopping prospective new Canadians from wearing tacky political branding and hideous corporate swag. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, there are no dress requirements for new Canadians attending their citizenship ceremony beyond “business casual.” Applicants may also […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Jennifer Watts won’t be running in next year’s election
[Image-1] After two terms representing the people of Halifax Peninsula North, Jennifer Watts says she won’t be running in next fall’s municipal election. 
The news comes from an announcement in her District 8 newsletter, though Watts says it was a decision she made before even being elected in 2008. “The next municipal election will be […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
I was a conscious non-voter, here’s what changed my mind
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When I was young, I was a conscious non-voter. During election season my parents always spoke about the importance of voting and how “This is our chance! This is our voice!” I looked forward to the day when my voice would be heard but when that day came I felt that my voice was […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Don’t call it a debate: Halifax and Dartmouth candidates throw shade at downtown forum
[Image-1] Election day is still a few weeks away but the gloves are starting to come off downtown. Last night, around 300 people packed the seats at Neptune Theatre to hear what the next members of parliament for the ridings of Halifax and Dartmouth-Cole Harbour had to say about public transit, affordable housing, economic development […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Up for debate: some candidates not invited to election events
[Image-1] When Canada’s political leaders meet later tonight in Calgary to discuss the economy, Elizabeth May won’t be in attendance. Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair will all be taking part this evening in the Globe and Mail’s leaders debate, but no invitation was offered to the Green party. Just because May is leader […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Here are Irvine Carvery’s answers to last week’s debate questions
[Image-1] Last week Halifax hosted its first all-candidate debate of this federal election, but not all candidates were in attendance. 
The YWCA (and a host of other community groups) organized a debate at Spatz Theatre last Thursday evening to discuss the issues affecting Canadian women going into this fall’s election. Incumbent Megan Leslie (NDP), as […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How to make sure you can vote
Last time this country voted for a new government, barely 39 percent of voters between 18 and 24 cast a ballot. This election, the newly enacted Fair Elections Act makes it more complicated than ever to vote. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to make your voice heard. The first thing to do is […]
