Nova Scotia is on its way to becoming the the third province in Canada to implement accessibility legislation, after Ontario and Manitoba. But for many living with disabilities, the act is overdue. April will mark 12 years since 40-year-old Paul Blaauw was last employed. He previously worked at a computer shop, where he enjoyed his […]
Nova Scotia
Posted inNews + Opinion
Selfie stations planned for next provincial election
Reversing low voter turnout in Nova Scotia could be as simple as a case of FOMO. According to Elections Nova Scotia, selfie stations will likely be set up at polling locations in the next general election to try and encourage more young people to participate in the democratic process. The structures were tested out as […]
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Conservative leadership debate coming to Halifax
[Image-1] Thirteen of the candidates vying to lead the federal Conservative Party will debate each other next weekend in Halifax. According to a press release from the PC party, Chris Alexander, Maxime Bernier, Steven Blaney, Michael Chong, Kellie Leitch, Pierre Lemieux, Kevin O’Leary, Erin O’Toole, Rick Peterson, Lisa Raitt, Andrew Saxton, Andrew Scheer and Brad […]
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Provincial government and NSTU reach tentative agreement
The province has avoided a Nova Scotia-wide teacher’s strike—for now, at least. The government and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) have reached a tentative agreement as of Friday afternoon. Teachers voted largely in favour of a strike in October. Conflict between the province and the union led to student protests and walk-outs. After teachers […]
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We make beer better by making it here
[Image-1] Most of the beer consumed in Nova Scotia (by a large margin, of over 90 percent) is made by companies owned outside of Canada. We send money from our economy to theirs for something we can make better here. One measurement I invite anyone to make is to calculate the jobs/litre that craft beer […]
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Desmond family deaths draw attention to PTSD and domestic violence
[Image-1] Four family members were laid to rest this week. Brenda Desmond: a woman who was “known for her smile, laughter, humour, and strong love.” Shanna Desmond: a registered nurse at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, remembered by her sister as “the rock of the family.” Aaliyah Desmond: a 10-year-old animal-lover with dreams of becoming a […]
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Get the lead out
[Image-1] There’s no question lead service lines in Halifax constitute a public health problem, says Graham Gagnon, a professor at Dalhousie University’s Centre for Water Resource Studies. But figuring out a solution to that problem isn’t so cut-and-dried. Halifax Water has been working since 2013 on a plan to replace HRM’s lead service lines (LSLs)—the […]
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Consider the saga of James Robinson Johnston
[Image-1] The recent spate of north-end homicides last month evokes reflections on the haunting Leonard Cohen tune “There For You.” “Death is old, but it’s always new,” the late musician sang. “…And I was there for you.” Along with the mayhem at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, the jailing of Viola Desmond, […]
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HRM in 2016
[Image-1] JANUARY King Street station’s closure stayed. Chronicle Herald strikes. 130-year-old Keith’s bottle found, sampled. Ralph’s Place launches courtesy shuttle. Squirrel knocks out electricity to 5,400 homes. Dark Side Café contests $47,000 in fines. Data security breaches at CFB Halifax. FEBRUARY Cindy Day vs. Frankie MacDonald. Matt Whitman apologizes for tweets. Viola Desmond wins ferry […]
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Province and teachers’ union to resume negotiations
The Nova Scotia Teachers Union has accepted the provincial government’s offer to go back to the bargaining table. Liette Doucet, NSTU president, feels optimistic about the upcoming talks. “I’m hopeful that the government is willing to listen to our bargaining team,” Doucet said Wednesday. According to a statement from the department of Education and Early […]
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Halifax living beyond its means, probably needs to increase taxes
[Image-1] Regional Council has a sobering decision in front of it: find a way to cut services or live with raising taxes. The warning was part of broad fiscal discussions held during Wednesday’s committee of the whole meeting, where manager of financial policy and planning Bruce Fisher told councillors that HRM’s expenses (and inflation costs) […]
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Five things we can do right now to help Nova Scotians who use opioids
[Image-1] The opioid crisis we hear about in the news has not escaped Nova Scotia. The chief public health officer recently reported that 49 Nova Scotians—between one and two per week—died from opioid overdoses in the first eight months of 2016. Around 11 people each day are taken to provincial emergency departments for opioid overdose. Effective […]