There are no specific and formal qualifications to become a wildlife observer keeping an eye out for whales, turtles and other sensitive species while a seismic survey is being conducted.
Judy Haiven on the apparent lack of a visible union presence at the climate rallies across the country. “There’s a disconnect between workers and environmentalists – and no one is trying to bridge the gap. Warning: It is widening,” she writes.
In 2017, Lionel Desmond, a young African Nova Scotian,shot and killed his mother, his wife, and their 10-year-old daughter. During his service in the Canadian Armed Forces Desmond, who after two stints in Afghanistan suffered from PTSD, faced consistent anti-Black racism. This racism has been a contributing factor to his PTSD, writes Raymond Sheppard.
Board members of the Public Good Society of Dartmouth raise the alarm about the growing affordable housing crisis in the city.
“It feels to us like the severity of the crisis in housing is bigger than many realize, and it is growing. While all three levels of government are moving in the right direction, we urge them to do more, and faster.”
Alexander Bridge on the climate emergency and elections: “Today we’re witnessing the collective, angry voices of young people and children worldwide. All demanding immediate environmental policy reform and change. Whether the discussion is global warming, climate change, pollution, fossil fuels, single-use plastics, these young people have recognized that in this global society our generation has failed them. ”
Already, we see racism and immigration emerging as key topics in this election and that includes discussions at the local level. At the September 12th “All Candidates Debate on Women’s Rights and Gender Equity” in Halifax, migrant justice was a key topic of discussion. Migrant justice organizer Stacey Gomez reports on where the four Halifax candidates stand.
The seemingly frivolous blackface Trudeau engaged in 18 years ago and the hard core racist bullying that Nhlanhla Dlamini was subjected to at work in Pictou County are in essence not all that different, writes Judy Haiven.
“I want to be a normal kid, watching Netflix and going out with my friends. But instead I’m spending all my possible time trying to find any way to make politicians listen.”
Policy analyst extraordinaire Richard Starr takes a close look at Liberal claims that the party is fully committed to affordable housing and is making a difference. “Not only is the National Housing Strategy many days late, its more than a few dollars short, perhaps even less effective in creating affordable housing than the Harper-era programs it’s replacing. ”
Today I went to Pictou to hear the Shawn Wade Hynes verdict. Hynes is the guy who shot a high velocity nail gun at young co-worker Nhlanhla Dlamini. I don’t think most white people understood how important a case it was for many in the African Nova Scotian community, nor the surprise and tremendous relief that was felt when Hynes was found guilty of criminal negligence and assault with a weapon.