New legislation introduced on Friday will expand the powers of Events East to operate the Halifax Convention Centre with far less oversight from the city and province. The Crown Corporation, which manages the Argyle Street enterprise, will see its spending limit without prior written government approval increase from $250,000 to $500,000. The proposed changes to the […]
NSPoli
Posted inNews + Opinion
Stephen McNeil’s contempt for transparency
It’s been a depressing week for Nova Scotia’s freedom of information. First, premier Stephen McNeil said his 2013 campaign promise to “expand the powers and mandate” of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner was a “mistake.” Days later it came to light that the premier’s office had blocked privacy commissioner Catherine Tully in her […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Nova Scotia has responded to prison protest with nothing but contempt
I have a family member in the Burnside prison. I’ve watched the peaceful protest out of Burnside unfold with a touch of hope and optimism. But the statement given by Justice minister Mark Furey makes me angry, frustrated and tired. Our provincial government has shown that it does not want to be held accountable: not […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Justice minister finally responds to Burnside prison protest
After weeks without comment, Nova Scotia’s justice minister has issued a response to the ongoing prisoner protest at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. In an op-ed sent out Thursday afternoon, Mark Furey says that correctional facilities “can be challenging places to live and work,” but that the province is respecting and protecting the rights […]
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Nova Scotia opposition parties tackle conversion therapy
Opposition parties in Nova Scotia plan to put an end to conversion therapy. Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party is putting forward a bill as early as this week to end the payment of medical professionals who bill the province for the discredited and harmful practice. The bill, which will also cover gender identity protections, essentially […]
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Former employee files human rights complaint against Smith-McCrossin
Lisette Sumbu, phone to her ear, quickly finds a quiet room at her sister’s house while her brother-in-law babysits her toddler son. She’s holding it together, even belting out a hearty laugh, as she describes a tumultuous year as constituency assistant for Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin. Then her voice cracks. “It broke my heart. […]
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How Halifax welcomed the Maroons
In late July 1796, on a “glorious day of warmth and sunshine,” three large transports brought 549 Trelawney Town Maroons to the harbour of Halifax. Some Maroons left valuable land and well-furnished home in Jamaica while others carrier their property—slaves—with them. The Maroons came with two white superintendents and 25,000 pounds of Jamaican currency as […]
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Jamaican Cultural Association wants official apology from Smith-McCrossin
The Jamaican Cultural Association of Nova Scotia wants an official apology on the floor of the Legislature from Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin. A press release from the not-for-profit says JCANS representatives recently met with the Cumberland North MLA about her comments that legalizing cannabis could make Nova Scotia unproductive like Jamaica. During a debate on Nova Scotia’s […]
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Three more NSLC stores to sell cannabis
The market’s not even open for business yet and the province is already expanding its territory. There will be three more NSLC stores selling cannabis this fall, bringing the total number of legal weed retail outlets in Nova Scotia to 12. “Since we announced the first nine stores that would sell cannabis, NSLC has been […]
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Rolling out the red carpet
Argyle Street will be painted red this weekend. From Thursday through Saturday, thousands of Liberal members will come from away to Halifax—gathering at the financially embattled Nova Centre for the governing party’s national convention. Faithful foot-soldiers travelling from across the country will get to rub shoulders with some of the most powerful politicians nationwide, and […]
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Tories kick off leadership race during “confusing and difficult time”
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives are attempting to shift from crisis control to re-unifying at the Party’s annual general meeting in Halifax this weekend. When the ballrooms and hotel blocks were booked, Jamie Baillie was slated to deliver the keynote address—a role traditionally performed by the Party leader. Instead, Baillie was the subject of the weekend’s […]
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Jamie Baillie resigns after sexual harassment investigation
Former Progressive Conservative Party leader Jamie Baillie has resigned Wednesday following an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour.” According to PC president Tara Miller, the Party conducted an independent, third-party investigation after being made aware of allegations against Baillie late in December. The investigation concluded Baillie had breached the Nova Scotia House of Assembly’s policy on harassment […]
