News 1. When it comes to regulating police use of force, are council’s hands really tied? We’re leading this morning not with a straight news story, but an important commentary from Harry Critchley of the East Coast Prison Justice Society, and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. Critchley recaps some key background on police […]
Saltwire finds one scientist who thinks Northern Pulp’s effluent isn’t toxic
Morning File, Monday, December 9, 2019
News 1. Stadium David Fleming is an economist who has worked with the Greater Halifax Partnership and the North End Business Association, and is now working on PEI. He reviewed the case for public financing of a stadium, and found it wanting. Click here to read “There’s not a good financial case for a publicly […]
Point, Click, Evict
Morning File, Thursday, October 24, 2019
News 1. Crowns strike The province’s crown attorneys have gone on strike. The government says the action is illegal and is seeking an injunction to get them back to work. Writing in The Star Halifax, Taryn Grant explains: About 80 per cent of members of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys’ Association (NSCAA) voted in favour […]
Ignorance is bliss, and other news of the day
Morning File, Thursday, July 4, 2019
News 1. Ignorance is bliss: city councillors still not briefed on potential malfeasance by Halifax police “We’re witnessing an astonishing display of cowardice from our elected officials,” writes Tim this morning, after looking for answers on why a city lawyer intervened to prevent the release of court documents that could shed light on what went […]
Lands, forests, oceans, and more
Morning File, Wednesday, August 22, 2018
I’m Philip Moscovitch filling in for Tim, who was sitting by a campfire last night. On Twitter I’m @PhilMoscovitch. News 1. Forestry Review Bill Lahey released his much-anticipated review of forestry practices in the province late yesterday morning. Jennifer Henderson reports for the Halifax Examiner: Bill Lahey’s prescription was sweeping: “We need a new paradigm […]
“No Reason to Treat Us Like Garbage”: Life and Death in Canadian prisons
1. The Weekenders Recently, news stories circulated about incarcerated women in Arizona being denied access to menstrual products. When we hear stories about prison conditions in the United States, people in Canada often believe that these injustices do not happen in our prisons and jails. This is a mistake. I have been hearing for a […]
Holy body parts and their accompanying underwear: Morning File, Thursday, January 4, 2018
News 1. Matthew Hines “Police have laid criminal charges against two New Brunswick correctional officers in the death of prisoner Matthew Hines at Dorchester Penitentiary more than two years ago,” reports Karissa Donkin for the CBC: Alvida Ross, 48, and Mathieu Bourgoin, 31, have both been charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death, RCMP announced Wednesday. […] Last […]
Taxi drivers gone bad: Morning File, Wednesday, May 3, 2017
News 1. Matthew Hines “Matthew Hines didn’t have to die,” report Karissa Donkin and Joan Weeks, who have been doing excellent work and follow-through on this story for the CBC: That’s the conclusion of a scathing report by Canada’s prison watchdog, who found that staff at New Brunswick’s Dorchester Penitentiary ignored repeated cries for help from the […]
Government officials are using private email to keep information from you: Morning File, Wednesday, September 28, 2016
News Views Noticed Government On campus In the harbour Footnotes News 1. Right to Know Week This is Right to Know Week, and today is Right to Know Day: Each year on September 28, approximately 40 countries and 60 non-governmental organizations celebrate Right to Know Day. The purpose of Right to Know is to raise […]
Bad attitude: Morning File, Friday, September 23, 2016
News Views Noticed Government On campus In the harbour Footnotes News 1. Matthew Hines “Correctional Service Canada has fired one staff member and disciplined three others after an inmate was beaten and repeatedly pepper-sprayed at a New Brunswick prison before his death,” report Karissa Donkin and Joan Weeks for the CBC: The top correctional official in […]