A Nova Scotia Human Rights board of inquiry has heard conflicting testimony about the events leading up to a 2017 interaction described by one witness as “disturbing” and characterized by the man at the centre of the inquiry as racial discrimination. Gyasi Symonds, a Black man, is arguing police discriminated against him based on his […]
For some people, wearing a mask is “a unique kind of claustrophobia”
Is it discrimination to refuse entry to people who won't wear a mask for medical reasons?
The Halifax Examiner is providing all COVID-19 coverage for free. When Vel Oakes goes out, she doesn’t wear a mask. She said she’s gotten “some odd looks” if she’s standing in line waiting to get into a store — and she worries that as mask-wearing becomes more normalized, that’s going to get worse. Oakes described […]
Representation matters. Architectural renderings of the Dalhousie Arts Centre that depict only white people send a message to people of colour: you don’t belong
Morning File, Monday, December 23, 2019
News 1. Northern Pulp Friday, three Examiner reporters covered the breaking Northern Pulp story. I was at One Government Place for Premier Stephen McNeil’s announcement, then darted over to a nearby hotel for Northern Pulp’s press conference. Joan Baxter spoke with members of Pictou Landing First Nation and PLFN legal council to get their reaction.* […]
A non-existent service is Nova Scotia’s top attraction
Morning File, Wednesday, December 4, 2019
News 1. Cassidy Bernard’s ex-boyfriend arrested for her murder Yesterday, RCMP announced second-degree murder charges against 20-year-old Austin Isadore. He is accused of killing Bernard last year. Isadore was her ex-boyfriend and is the father of Bernard’s twin daughters. An unbylined CBC story says: Janey Michael, who is president of the We’koqma’q Native Women’s Association, said she’s […]
The stadium proposal hijacks the real need for recreation and sports facilities
Morning File, Monday, September 30, 2019
News 1. Stadium Writes Stephen Kimber: [L]et me ask a simple question. Where would you rather your governments spend $5–6-million (almost certainly more) of your tax dollars every year for the next 30 years (and likely the next forever after that)? Would you prefer they spend that $180 million (interest included, over-runs not included) on […]
“Do right by me”: by not addressing the systematic racism of street checks, the white power structure is doubling down on Nova Scotia’s well-earned reputation for ignorance, stigma, and stench
“Until you do right by me, everything you think about is gonna crumble.” Voiced by Whoopi Goldberg in her role as Celie in the film adaptation of The Color Purple, the line has recently wafted, repeatedly, through my mind. To be sure, the thought has been prompted by the magnificent production of The Color Purple […]
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 […]
Street checks are racist and dumb; they should be outlawed
Morning File, Thursday, March 28, 2019
News 1. Street checks I’ve asked El Jones to write an article about Scot Wortley’s street checks report that was released by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission yesterday. Jones has been quite busy and hasn’t been able to sit down and write; she tells me she’ll write an article this afternoon; in the meanwhile, […]
The Dog Days of Summer
Morning File, Wednesday, July 4, 2018
News 1. Vision Nothing Much “There are on average 1,400 personal injuries and 14 fatalities per year due to vehicle collisions in HRM, according to the new Strategic Road Safety Plan (SRSP), recently approved by city council’s transportation committee and now on its way to full council for debate and approval,” reports Erica Butler: If […]
Everything is an emergency: Morning File, Monday, December 12, 2016
News 1. El Jones On Saturday, The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission awarded Examiner contributor El Jones the Dr. Allan Burnley “Rocky” Jones Individual Award for her prisoner advocacy work. The full list of recipients is: Youth Award • Samuel Gregan, Halifax, Grade 9 student at Gorsebrook Junior High, honuored for his work as an LGBTQ advocate Dr. Allan […]