Conciliator-led talks between the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) and the university’s Board of Governors have failed, which means that in roughly two weeks time faculty members could be walking the picket line. We talk with DFA president David Westwood to understand the issues.
PSA: Acting on information received this morning that Irving forestry crews from New Brunswick are in transit to crown land in New France, Digby County, Extinction Rebellion forest protectors are currently blocking access to the cut area.
A group of researchers from Acadia University are studying work and health during COVID-19 through the experiences of grocery and retail workers, long-term care workers, and teachers in Nova Scotia. Although the study is ongoing, the preliminary findings offer insight into the daily struggles of Nova Scotia’s retail and grocery workers, teachers, and long term care workers, as well as the pandemic’s impact on their mental health and stress levels.
After Premier McNeil’s surprise apology for systemic racism in the justice system and the harm it has done, he announced the formation of a design team “to reimagine a system of justice in Nova Scotia”. We talk with Robert Wright, spokesperson for the DPAD coalition, to find out more about its proposals for an African Nova Scotian Justice Institute and a Policing Strategy, and to better understand its criticism of the provincial justice initiative.
Robin Tress with an excellent article on the self-regulated Mi’kmaq fisheries and the RCMP: “Looking closely at the history of policing of Indigenous movements, and now the policing of the settler fishers enacting violence, intimidation, and vandalism, one thing becomes clear: When Indigenous people protest, they are considered enemies of the state. When settlers protest, they are treated as sensitive stakeholders critical to the resolution of the conflict.”
Join the residents and survivors of Africville for a protest and car caravan on Saturday, October 24th, beginning at noon at Africville (beginning at the Museum site.)
“As a researcher with expertise in fisheries science, fisheries economics and marine policy, I see no evidence the fishery will harm lobster stocks. Conservation is not at the heart of the ongoing dispute,” writes Megan Bailey,
Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, Integrated Ocean and Coastal Governance, Dalhousie University.
The Nova Scotia NDP is calling for a first right of refusal policy for residential housing units being sold in the province. The NDP proposal is driven by the urgent need to increase the non-market housing stock and protect tenants of these buildings, Lisa Roberts, the NDP’s housing critic, tells the Nova Scotia Advocate.
Mercedes Peters: “We as Mi’kmaq have rights that predate the existence of Canada. And as settlers began to move into our territory centuries ago, we made treaties with them—not to create rights, but to remind settlers that we had them, to protect our rights. We are taught as Mi’kmaq, not only to be memory-holders for ourselves, but to remind Canadians who live in Mi’kma’ki of the agreements that govern our territory, and the responsibilities they have.”
Conciliation between the Dalhousie Faculty Association and the Board of Governors has failed. “While today was the first of two days scheduled for conciliation, we reached an impasse this morning,” says DFA President David Westwood. “The Board presented their best offer, and they have not moved on a few critical issues related to our pension that are unacceptable to our members. At a time when the university needs everyone working together, the Board is choosing to push our members to the brink.”