News 1. FOIPOP security failure This morning both the privacy commissioner and the auditor general released their reports on the FOIPOP website security failure. I don’t have time right now to give a thorough review of each document, but my quick scan reveals a couple of things of note. First, privacy commissioner Catherine Tully tells us […]
Nova Scotia billionaire John Risley says a fast-talking man posing as a Saudi oil tycoon swindled him out of 10 million Euros
Morning File, Friday, November 23, 2018
November subscription drive Come on, surely the bit about Risley is worth a few of your dollars? Click here to subscribe. And don’t forget the party on Sunday. News 1. John Risley says he was swindled out of 10 million Euros Nova Scotia billionaire John Risley says a fast-talking man posing as a Saudi oil tycoon swindled […]
Erica Butler’s deep dive into the transportation beat
Morning File, Thursday, November 8, 2018
News 1. Erica Butler As the Examiner’s transportation columnist, Erica Butler gets into the nitty gritty of, yep, transportation: she attends the planning meetings, pesters the bureaucrats for more information, and interviews the experts and advocates. The resulting columns are incredibly detailed and thorough. For some readers, this holds little interest. But for others, Butler’s […]
The fuel leak at Tufts Cove is reminiscent of Halifax Transit’s fuel leak
Morning File, Thursday, August 16, 2018
News 1. Fuel leaks at Tufts Cove and Halifax Transit “Pressed about the fact it took [Nova Scotia Power (NSP)] 12 days to talk about the almost 20,000 litres spilled on its property, [Environment Minister Margaret] Miller said she wasn’t overly concerned,” reports Jean Laroche for the CBC: “It would have been better if they […]
Outlines of the stadium proposal emerge
Morning File, Wednesday, July 11, 2018
News 1. Stadium details Yesterday, Bedford councillor Tim Outhit posted details of the stadium proposal on his Facebook page: Next Tuesday Regional Council will be asked to give direction to the CAO to officially enter into investigations and preliminary negotiations with the private group looking to bring a regional CFL team to Halifax. They will […]
Quackery and dog whistles: all in a day’s work for the Halifax Examiner
Morning File, Wednesday June 6, 2018
News 1. Cogswell Halifax council yesterday gave its OK to the process for the Cogswell interchange redevelopment project, but insisted that there be more public input as it proceeds. 2. Quack “medicines” “If you’re looking for a “natural” remedy for your cough or earache, you can cross Stone’s Drug Store in Baddeck off your list,” […]
Ben Cowan-Dewar has got the government financing mojo
Morning File, Tuesday, May 15, 2018
News 1. Cabot Links Cabot Links has received a $2 million loan to “expand resort operations” from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). There are no further details, and neither ACOA nor Cabot Links are talking, reports Nancy King for the Cape Breton Post. I’d like to see an honest economic impact study of Cabot Links, […]
aioTV has ceased operations, and Innovacorp’s $1.7 million investment has evaporated
The tech company aioTV has ceased operations, and Innovacorp has lost its entire $1.7 million investment in the company. The company was founded in Halifax in 2010 by Michael Earle, whom Innovacorp described as “a veteran executive from the cable television sector and a seasoned entrepreneur.” Before he started aioTV, Earle ran a company called TV...
Is privatization of Nova Scotia Power responsible for an increase in power outages or does Nova Scotia Power just suck? Morning File, Friday, January 5, 2018
News 1. Weather and power outages Everything is opening late, or should be. It’s a mess out there. As of 7:30am, across the province there were 1,918 power outages affecting 113,849 customers. Here’s the power outage map for the Halifax area: Those big brown splotches are larger, area-wide outages. My power in Central Dartmouth was out […]
The Clown Show: Morning File, Friday, September 22, 2017
News 1. The Clown Show I’ve been to the opening of the legislature a few times, but skipped yesterday’s performance because I had too much catching-up to do. A friend, however, went in my stead. I wasn’t expecting them to write anything, but I got the missive below last night… friend doesn’t want their name […]