[Image-1] A former backbencher and an ex-Halifax council member, retired politician Howard Epstein has now published a political memoir, Rise Again: Nova Scotia’s NDP on the Rocks. Among other things, Epstein’s book is the former MLA’s account of the New Democrats’ sole term in office before being knocked back to third-party status in the 2013 […]
Nova Scotia
Posted inNews + Opinion
Embrace big ideas or Nova Scotia will never turn the corner of prosperity
[Image-1] The March 21 Globe & Mail article, “The Incredible Shrinking Region,” is honest and depressing. While it provided important context and outlined our current economic and demographic challenges, it didn’t reveal any real surprises. The insightful political history was the only “new” content for me but then again, I was raised in central Canada […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
An unending cycle of violence inside the Burnside jail
[Image-1] One of the core responsibilities of government is to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The citizens in our correctional facilities, staff and residents, are no exception. Over the past 18 months, a string of serious incidents and injuries at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility, known as “Burnside,” have led to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Ivany Report Report: Chapter four
[Image-1] The future prosperity of Nova Scotia should not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics. —Ray Ivany It seems the few times our elected officials take a break from partisan politics are during international hockey tournaments and following the death of well-respected, famous Canadians. Not even military action or war prompts the kind […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
It took seven years to get a decision from the Human Rights Commission
[Image-1] Update: You can read the full decision by board of inquiry chair Lynn Connors online. It finds Pearl Kelly was discriminated against because of her sex and disability. Connors also owns up to being behind the eight ball in her decision. I am late in filing this decision. There are a number of reasons. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Ivany Report Report: Chapter three
[Image-1] We have to work at this together. We have to find ways not to be at cross-purposes with other municipalities in the province. —Mike Savage, mayor There’s some debate out there about whether the Halifax region is the tried-and-true economic engine driving our sputtering provincial economy. It’s a big engine, but not the only […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Ivany Report Report: Chapter two
[Image-1] From what I know, all my friends will try to settle here rather than going home. —Deric Johnson, graduate student Nova Scotia is home to young folks from foreign lands who came for their post-secondary education and stayed after graduation. But not nearly enough are willing or able to remain here. This province could […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Increasing book taxes is bad for readers
[Image-1] In 2014, the McNeil government commissioned Laurel Broten, a former Ontario MPP, to review Nova Scotia’s taxes. Her review, entitled Charting a Path for Growth and completed late in 2014, made many recommendations including the removal of the POS rebate of the provincial portion of the HST on books. When the HST was introduced […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The Ivany Report Report: Chapter one
[Image-1] If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. —Maya Angelou Economic renewal reports in Nova Scotia come and go, but the Ivany commission’s findings have generated lasting buzz. The commissioners’ report, which has vocal supporters and critics, spawned an all-party committee of politicians, businesspeople and others. Called […]
Posted inLifestyle
Alien forces and inner demons: One man’s struggle with mental illness
[Image-1] Aliens have been known to communicate with John Roswell. In the throes of severe psychosis, Roswell often thinks of himself as an alien here on earth. He chuckles when he says he was born on New World Island, off the Newfoundland coast in 1952. He even changed his name from Rowsell to Roswell several […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Viola Desmond: The original Ivany Report champion
[Image-1] They really couldn’t have planned it any better. A year ago, the Ivany Commission issued its report, calling for three “critical areas of change” to help turn around the Nova Scotia economy: more community and business leaders; more people staying in the province; and more innovative, value-added businesses. Then, as if by some feat […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Racial profiling still a problem in Nova Scotia
[Image-1] Next week, as part of African Heritage Month, consultant Ann Divine will be speaking about the findings of 2013 research into racial profiling amongst Nova Scotia’s consumers. The former Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission employee took some time to speak with The Coast about the subtleties of racial bias. How would you define racial […]
