This week I—an able-bodied, healthy, working-from-home individual—have: Attended an in-person pottery class, an in-person violin lesson and an in-person yoga class. I went out for drinks after yoga with a friend, and met another friend for drinks the next night. (It’s been a long week.) I went into the office and worked in a frenzy […]
NSPoli
Posted inNews + Opinion
Premier faces renewed calls for Northwood inquiry
Yesterday morning, The Coast published Stephanie Nolen’s months-long investigation into last year’s deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Northwood long-term care home. Four hours later, the story was at the centre of an exchange at the provincial legislature between official opposition leader Tim Houson, NDP leader Gary Burrill and premier Iain Rankin about the government’s response to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
What happened at Northwood?
A year ago this Saturday, April 17, three residents of Northwood, the long-term care centre in the heart of Halifax, died of COVID-19. Fifty more would die in the course of the next six, frantic weeks. While COVID raged inside the facility, the north end complex was sealed off from the surrounding community. The virus […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Anti-poverty group sees little sign of change in so-called welfare transformation
The province’s welfare transformation is little more than a rebranding according to an anti-poverty advocacy group. “I see little sign of transformation where the rubber meets the road,” says Benefits Reform Action Group member Aron Spidle. The department of community services is restructuring the benefits people receive for shelter and basic necessities by grouping them […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Review committee finds flaws with Nova Scotia’s minimum wage formula
Minimum wage workers in Nova Scotia could see a big bump in pay next year, if the province follows through with new recommendations from its minimum wage review committee. The panel is proposing Nova Scotia increase its minimum wage annually by 55 cents over the next three years, raising it to $12.65 an hour by […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Waitlist, schmaitlist
Adam Barrett, 34, was brushing his teeth and scrolling through Facebook last week when he saw a post about Family Practice Associate’s clinic in the north end accepting new patients. After 40 minutes on hold and a couple of questions, he had a family doctor. Just like that. “It was just really dumb luck,” says […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
25 for 25: episode 2013
Former finance minister Graham Steele is with us as we dissect the NDP government’s collapse back in the 2013 provincial election. Then, award-winning journalist Selena Ross chronicles the story of Rehtaeh Parsons and her time working with a dream team of reporters and editors at the Herald. All this plus Halifax baristas unionize, Joachim Stroink celebrates […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
When will Nova Scotia see its populist political movement come to life?
A populist political uprising will emerge in Nova Scotia’s political arena. It’s inescapable, like fate. Already there have been sparks of life from young Progressive Conservative members, federal Tory hopefuls and Halifax councillors who—knowingly or not—trudge out common plays from the populist, far-right and libertarian online playbook. Right now, though, the closest thing Nova Scotia […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Diversity, inclusion and the Progressive Conservative Party
Gender bias is real. Health research highlights the risks associated with gender bias and the benefits of incorporating diversity to gain a broader, more informed approach to making decisions about public health. Health research has also revealed the limitations of using men to reflect the needs of the public, which supports a larger conversation about […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Letters to the editor, October 25, 2018
Tory mudslingers The late-stage mudslinging in the Nova Scotia PC Party leadership race makes one thing clear: While Julie Chaisson respectfully focuses on her campaign, three of her fellow candidates believe Tim Houston is way out in front. Cecil Clarke, John Lohr and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin left the final debate in Truro seemingly in agreement that […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Nova Scotia approves tire burning just in time for the end of the world
Urgent changes at an unprecedented level never before seen in human history are needed to save the planet from environmental collapse. Nova Scotia has responded to this clarion call from the world’s leading scientists by paying a company to burn old tires. The Department of Environment announced today it’s awarded industrial approval for Lafarge Canada […]
