Seniors aged 80 and older, nursing home residents, and seniors in other group settings will soon be eligible for a fourth dose of vaccine to help reduce the impact of COVID-19. Nova Scotia Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson said more details will be available in the coming days, adding “we will be be quick […]
A cautionary tale for Nova Scotia’s Liberal leadership hopefuls
Now that it's out of power, the Liberal party is imploding. As usual. Those hoping to lead the party today might take a moment to remember how the Liberals fared the last time they lost an election. Anyone remember Francis MacKenzie?
The existential problem for any political party whose primary raison d’êtres are to gain power and then cling to it forever, no matter what happens… is what happens when the voters finally abandon them? As they inevitably do. May I present Exhibit 1: the Nova Scotia Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, circa 2022. The party’s...
Wilson-Raybould, Churchill? Evidence our legislative committee systems don’t work
The committees don't work, of course, because of the people in charge. But the system itself makes that failure possible, even inevitable.
Quick now, what does Judy Wilson-Raybould v Justin Trudeau, Gerald Butts, Michael Wernick et al have in common with Zach Churchill v Tim Houston, Ramona Jennex, Denise Peterson-Rafuse et al? Well yes, of course, both feature all-powerful political bosses — Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of SNC-Lavalin infame and Liberal Premier Stephen McNeil of the Yarmouth ferry...
How many pink shirts will it take to fix this?
Morning File, Thursday, April 4, 2019
News 1. How many pink shirts will it take to fix this? A few days ago, the news broke that two former NDP cabinet members had complained about Zach Churchill’s behaviour while they were in office. One was Ramona Jennex, but the other wasn’t named. Now we know who it is: Denise Peterson-Rafuse (formerly my […]
We’re buying Nova Scotia Power a new $1.6 million roof for its seven-year-old building
Morning File, Wednesday, April 3, 2019
News 1. Zach Churchill “Former Education Minister Ramona Jennex remembers the exact date of the “altercation” — April 13, 2012,” reports Jean Laroche for the CBC: In an email to Speaker Kevin Murphy, which she shared with CBC after a reporter requested it, the former New Democratic Party MLA for Kings South claims Zach Churchill, the Liberal MLA for […]
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, […]
Bobbleheaded Zach joins the Public Accounts follies
Education Minister Zach Churchill was just filling in on the Public Accounts Committee last week, filling in Liberal-interest spin in the usual please-the-premier way. And so it went. Funny, but...
I’m almost certain Nova Scotia Education Minister Zach Churchill is not really a Bobblehead. He was just playing one in the legislature’s Public Accounts Committee last week. Last week, Churchill joined the Fangless Five and the Insensate Seven as he moved his head up and down in time with his premier on the issue of...
Tidal energy investors and fish: the Minas Basin is full of sharks
Morning File, Wednesday, September 5, 2018
News 1. Nursing home legislation An NDP proposal would legislate minimum nursing home staffing levels and make public inspection reports, reports Jennifer Henderson. 2. Damage control at Cape Sharp Tidal Yesterday, Cape Sharp Tidal and Stacy Pineau of Emera issued the following statement: Cape Sharp Tidal continues to take positive steps in the process to establish ongoing […]
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria! Morning File, Wednesday, December 27, 2017
News 1. Yarmouth ferry “The [U.S.] federal border protection agency has offered a reprieve that may allow the Portland-Nova Scotia ferry to return to Maine next year, if the city can find up to $2 million for upgrades to its ferry terminal,” reports Jake Bleiberg for the Bangor Daily News: The Cat ferry’s 2018 season appeared […]