With very limited exceptions (national security, for instance), we do not have secret court evidence in Canada. We have the exact opposite: an Open Court Principle. I wrote about the Open Court Principle after the Halifax Examiner, the CBC, and the Canadian Press prevailed in our effort to get court documents unsealed in the Glen Assoun wrongful conviction case: The Open … [Read More...]
Want $65,000? Just write a letter!
News 1. You can have the right to strike; just don't try to use it. Yesterday, the provincial government showed its continued labour relations finesse — this … [Read More...]
Joan Kuyek: Our job is to take our governments back from the mining interests
Joan Kuyek, one of this country’s most distinguished community organizers and analysts of the mining industry, will be in Nova Scotia this weekend to promote her new … [Read More...]
Recent articles
Mice will play when crane removal delayed
News 1. NSP asks for rate increase Yesterday, Nova Scotia Power (NSP) was at the Utility and Review Board asking for a rate increase, which means customers will pay 1.5 per cent more each year for the next three years. NSP says it's asking for … [Read More...]
Nova Scotia Power wants 1.5% rate increases for each of the next three years
Nova Scotia Power (NSP) was before the Utility and Review Board yesterday asking for a rate increase that will see residential customers pay 1.5% more on their power bill in each of the next three years. Businesses and large industrial users could … [Read More...]
Tomorrow, a ship carrying wood chips from Sheet Harbour will arrive in Rizhao, China. That’s terrible news for Nova Scotia’s forests
According to Marine Tracker — and apparently unbeknownst to the provincial government — Nova Scotia is now exporting wood chips to China, something that’s new for 2019. The “wood chips carrier,” the FP Wakaba, loaded up with chips and left the … [Read More...]
Don’t fence me in: adventures in city de- and re-construction
News 1. Gold fever and our water supply Joan Baxter reports that mineral exploration companies have staked claims next … [Read More...]
Gold fever is coming to Halifax
Cover photo: Touquoy open pit gold mine at Moose River. Photo courtesy Raymond Plourde On October 17 and 18, mining … [Read More...]
The curtain falls on this year’s ferry follies… but there’s always next year
So it’s finally, Thanksgiving-ly, over. For now. We hope. But don’t hold your breath. And do hold on to your wallet. … [Read More...]
Police misconduct is the inevitable result of the lack of accountability
News 1. Green growth won't save us We've published the second of Linda Pannozzo's four-part series on the climate … [Read More...]
The Climate Emergency
This is the second of a four-part series. Read Part 1 here. The day before the recent global school strike for the climate … [Read More...]
Remembering the dead
News 1. The young woman behind the meme I must be doing something right in my social media, because nobody in my … [Read More...]
The Macdonald Bridge “Blanket Girl” speaks: I’m 17 years old, and people are threatening to kill me
My name is Kyra Gilbert. In the last couple of days I’ve been introducing myself to people as “blanket girl.” It’s not really … [Read More...]
“You will not wake up”
News 1. Tourism industry balks at proposal to fund stadium through room and car rental levies Jennifer Henderson … [Read More...]
Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia condemns funding plan for proposed stadium
The group that represents hundreds of tourism operators in the province is urging the McNeil government to reject a proposal … [Read More...]
Stories of the dead at Camp Hill Cemetery
News 1. Seven councillors voting against Austin's motion Councillor Sam Austin will put a motion before council today … [Read More...]
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage recognizes “Wrongful Conviction Day” but takes no action on the wrongful conviction his city is responsible for
1. Boat Harbour "The day-by-day countdown to the closing of Boat Harbour happens on a large painting erected in front of … [Read More...]
Pictou Landing First Nation to Stephen McNeil: Honour the Boat Harbour Act and No Pipe in the Strait
The day-by-day countdown to the closing of Boat Harbour happens on a large painting erected in front of the Pictou Landing … [Read More...]
We need to stop incarcerating pregnant people
How many infant deaths, stillbirths and untreated miscarriages will incarcerated people have to experience before we … [Read More...]
The perils of being progressive
I get it. I even sympathize. You have only one vote and you don’t want to waste it. But how to choose? That is the question … [Read More...]
Government moves slowly, except when it moves lightning fast
News 1. Twenty years after the Marshall decision, DFO still has no agreement with First Nations communities over fishing … [Read More...]
Cold storage was going to save N.S. in 1926
News 1. Northern Pulp's sci-fi future This item is written by Joan Baxter. It’s all supposed to be decided in just … [Read More...]
The Cory Taylor case: Nova Scotia’s racist context and cops investigating cops
News 1. Cory Taylor decision Yesterday, Justice Gerald Moir issued a decision in Cory Taylor's appeal of the Police … [Read More...]
The Halifax stadium proposal: private profit for Anthony Leblanc, socialized risk for the public
News 1. More stadium updates MLA Susan Leblanc, whose Dartmouth North district includes the Shannon Park site of the … [Read More...]
The stadium proposal hijacks the real need for recreation and sports facilities
News 1. Stadium Writes Stephen Kimber: [L]et me ask a simple question. Where would you rather your governments spend … [Read More...]
Neither the Town Clock nor the Citadel Hill fortress have working sprinkler systems or fire hydrants
The Citadel and the Old Town Clock in Halifax actually merit that over-used adjective, “iconic.” Both are stand-out examples … [Read More...]