News 1. Elmsdale Lumber Elmsdale Lumber used to sell most of its bark and chips to Northern Pulp, but now that the mill has closed, Elmsdale is finding new markets, reports Jennifer Henderson. “We will survive” says owner Robin Wilber, but he sees the new markets as only a short-term fix until, he says, the […]
The authoritarian state starts with oppression of minorities today
Morning File, Thursday, May 16, 2019
News 1. Racism costs City Hall $600,000 The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission issued this press release yesterday: The chair of an independent human rights board of inquiry into the matter of Y.Z. v. Halifax Regional Municipality issued her decision on remedy today, May 15. Lynn Connors found discrimination had occurred and issued her decision […]
The Sydney container terminal and crazed right-wingers: the Polish nationalist connection
Morning File, Thursday, May 9, 2019
Clarification: On May 9, 2019, the Halifax Examiner published a column entitled “The Sydney container terminal and crazed right-wingers: the Polish nationalist connection” that referred to Mr. Barry Sheehy’s role as a consultant to the Sydney Harbour Investment Partners. The column was critical of the proposed container terminal planned for Sydney Harbour as the author […]
Fracking is back on the agenda in Nova Scotia
After years during which nobody seemed to be asking the F-question in the province, suddenly it is being asked again all over the place: To frack or not to frack? Who’s asking and why?
To frack, or not to frack Nova Scotia? That seems to be the question. Again. There’s been a de facto moratorium on fracking — more specifically on “high-volume hydraulic fracturing in shale” — in the province since 2014, and oil and gas companies haven’t exactly been beating down our doors to get it lifted, demanding...
Hopelessness and drug abuse go hand-in-hand in rural North America
Morning File, Monday, January 21, 2019
This is Tim again; I’m back in the Morning File saddle. I’d very much like to thank Joan Baxter, Philip Moscovitch, and Erica Butler for filling in for me last week. I enjoy the fresh voices and perspectives, and they bring attention to issues that I lack the skill to properly address or that have […]
Former cop Chris Mosher is asking for a publication ban
Morning File, Thursday, December 20, 2018
News 1. Chris Mosher In October, I reported that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) had asked the Nova Scotia Supreme Court for a judicial review of the city’s agreement with former cop Chris Mosher. The background: After he was charged with sexual assault and then for repeatedly violating the conditions of his release, […]
I missed out on Inspiration Village, so all I have is this wintery mix of despair and art jokes
Morning File, Thursday, November 29, 2018
November subscription drive Only one more day of these annoying reminders! And only one more day to take advantage of the free T-shirt offer with each annual subscription. Click here to subscribe. 1. Oil spill “Nearly two weeks after the largest-ever oil spill in Newfoundland history, the parties involved remain tight-lipped about the incident and […]
Four items about journalism
Morning File, Thursday, November 22, 2018
1. Paying for journalism “The federal government is giving a tax break to digital news subscribers, a refundable tax credit to news outlets and will allow non-profit media organizations to give charitable receipts to donors, all to help journalism in Canada,” reports the Toronto Star: The measures were outlined in Wednesday’s economic update and will […]
A terribly depressing read from start to finish
Morning File, Thursday, June 14, 2018
News 1. Fool’s Gold, Part 4 We’ve published the fourth and final instalment of Joan Baxter’s “Fool’s Gold” series. Part 4 looks at how the mining lobby is working to undermine environmental protection in Nova Scotia. In particular, the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) wants to open up protected wilderness areas to mining. Writes […]
Fool’s Gold
Nova Scotia's Myopic Pursuit of Metals & Minerals
A Halifax Examiner / Cape Breton Spectator investigation. Part 1: Welcome to the Gold Rush There’s a 21st century gold rush starting in Nova Scotia, just as industrial gold mining is increasingly coming into disrepute around the world. It has been described as an “environmental disaster” which often leads to contamination of water sources on […]