Friday, 1 May 2026
News brief: Feds continue efforts to deport Abdoul Abdi despite constitutional challenge

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The federal government continues its efforts to deport Abdoul Abdi, the young man who came to Nova Scotia at the age of six, with his sister and two aunts, as jointly-sponsored refugees who fled Somalia. Abdi had asked Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, to suspend the deportation hearing while the Federal Court hears a constitutional challenge of the Minister’s decision to deport. The Minister refused this request and instead asked the Immigration and Refugee Board to proceed with a deportation hearing, hislawyer writes. 

News brief: Voices from the Halifax vigil for Colten Boushie

A large crowd gathered for last night’s vigil for Colten Boushie, the Saskatchewan Cree shot point blank by a farmer who was acquitted earlier that day by an all white jury. Rather than do a story we offer up some of the things that were said there.

Welfare woes: Power bill increase puts family of three in dire straits

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We featured Brent and Donna, the Sheet Harbour couple on income assistance, in an earlier story about the terrible state of disrepair of their public housing unit. Community Services used to pay their entire power bill, but last week they contacted me because all of a sudden they are saddled with a $60 monthly share. They don’t know why, and they don’t know how they are going to deal with it.

Open letter to Premier Stephen McNeil requesting a response to the Community Agenda for Social Assistance Adequacy and Reform

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Last December a coalition of more than 25 anti-poverty organizations and advocates released A Call to Action: Community Agenda for Social Assistance Adequacy and Reform. Not satisfied with the response by a civil servant, the coalition once again makes its case, asking for a a substantial increase in Income Assistance rates, meaningful consultation, and a meeting with the premier. Meanwhile, there are way more signatories now.

A new series in the Shades of Green podcast – Thinking about environmental justice in Nova Scotia

We talk with Sadie Beaton of the Ecology Action Centre, who put together a brand new five part podcast series on environmental justice and environmental racism everywhere, but with a focus on Nova Scotia. She talked with some fascinating folks, and the series promises to be truly excellent. A new podcast will be issued each Thursday, starting tomorrow. Sadie will write a brief intro, and offer some further reading suggestions for each one, and we are very happy she allowed us to share these write-ups on the Nova Scotia Advocate website. Stay tuned.    

The Reversal of Peter Dawson – New play builds community

A wonderful comedy that premieres later this week is the result of a unique collaboration between professional theatre people and clients of Stepping Stone, the organization that supports women, men, and transgendered persons that are now or were formerly involved in the sex trade. We talk with Wanda Lauren Taylor, the playwright and executive director of Stepping Stone.