The closest I’ve been to Justin Trudeau was in January, 2017, when I stood beside former Somali child refugee Abdoul Abdi’s sister Fatouma as she asked the Prime Minister if he would deport his own children. Fatouma was seven months pregnant, and was supposed to be on bed rest. When she heard Trudeau would be at […]
Students say new Dalhousie Interim President Peter MacKinnon should resign
Morning File, Tuesday, January 22, 2019
This is a somewhat abbreviated Morning File as I’m tied up with another project; I hope to finish that project soon, maybe even today. News 1. Peter MacKinnon Yesterday, there was a welcoming reception for new interim Dalhousie President Peter MacKinnon at the Dal Arts Centre. A group of students dressed in black and carrying signs […]
BREAKING: Judge sets aside decision to deport Abdoul Abdi
A federal court judge has set aside a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) decision to deport Abdoul Abdi. Federal Court Justice Ann Marie McDonald issued her ruling late in the day on Friday. It is the second time CBSA has been frustrated in its efforts to deport Abdi, but CBSA could conceivably try yet a third […]
Immigration lawyers used a Sesame Street reference to argue that Abdoul Abdi should be deported to Somalia
Abdoul Abdi’s sister Fatuma once told me that the reason she and Abdoul do not speak Somali is because when they would speak to each other in their language, the workers would put them on time out and isolate them in their rooms, accusing them of plotting together to escape. It was like being in […]
Examineradio 153: lawyer Ben Perryman wants Abdoul Abdi to stay in Canada
Lawyer Ben Perryman walks us through the fight to stop Abdoul Abdi’s deportation. Plus, we discuss why the judge who said “clearly a drunk can consent” was cleared of bias and misconduct, and the fine you could face if you buy pot from the kid next door. (Direct download) (RSS feed) (Subscribe via iTunes)
The convention centre is costing us at least $294 million; what else could that have bought? Morning File, Wednesday, March 7, 2018
News 1. South Park Street bike lane “Halifax is going to build its longest protected bike lane sometime in the next year on South Park Street,” reports Erica Butler: The 1.2 kilometre lane will run from Sackville Street all the way to Inglis Street in the south end, near Saint Mary’s University. With council’s approval […]
There’s a secret plan to put the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on the waterfront: Morning File, Friday, January 26, 2018
News 1. Michelle Coffin on Jamie Baillie’s resignation The CBC spoke with Michelle Coffin about Jamie Baillie’s resignation. Coffin, you’ll recall, was the former Liberal staffer who was assaulted by Stephen McNeil’s spokesperson, Kyley Harris. Last year, Coffin spoke of her experience — and how the party turned its collective back on her — in a Coast […]
Examineradio, episode #143: ‘Tears and standup comedy’ for Willow Tree Tower
Maybe you’re for the latest version of the Willow Tree development; maybe you’re not. Well, a lot has happened regarding this proposal for the corner of Robie Street and Quinpool Road, so we brought in reporters Jayde Tynes and Jacob Boon to walk us through it. Check out Erica Butler’s piece from earlier this week for more […]
We Will Win
A week of collective activism for Abdoul Abdi shows how the community is brought together through struggle, joy, and love.
Prologue: December 4 & 5 Desmond Cole says to me, “these people underestimate us.” We are organizing to help Abdoul Abdi, who was brought to Canada from Somalia as a young boy, was taken into the care of the province and bounced between 31 different home placements, including three years of abuse. Through it all, […]
Examineradio, episode #142: The Auditor General
In November, Auditor General Michael Pickup was accused of overstepping his authority. His report chastised the province for doing a “poor” job of communicating its strategies on doctor recruitment and primary health care. In turn, the premier chastised the auditor general, saying Pickup should run for elected office if he wanted to criticize policy matters. It […]