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Solidarity Halifax — Racist graffiti on candidate signs must be denounced as symptoms of deeply rooted racism

June 2, 2017

The following is a statement by Solidarity Halifax, issued after election signs in North Preston were defaced by one or more racists. It was widely reported, but the journalists moved on, and until now no non-Black organization has condemned these despicable actions. Glad we have Solidarity Halifax to remind us that “we need to be mindful of what is happening right here in our backyards. We need to denounce outright expressions of hatred.”

How on earth is this happening? Tim Blades on the sorry state of welfare in Nova Scotia

June 2, 2017

Last night’s screening of Jackie Torrens’ terrific My Week on Welfare was a great success. Lots of people, and more importantly, lots of new faces. It is wonderful to witness people on welfare realize that yes, things are terrible, but there are others like them who aren’t going to take it anymore. We have lots of pictures, and the talk by regular contributor Tim Blades on being on welfare in general, and the extra struggles faced by single mothers who receive child support.

Dartmouth North has something to celebrate — Kendall Worth on the defeat of Joanne Bernard

June 1, 2017 1 Comment

Kendall Worth, chair of the Benefits Reform Action Group, is happy the former minister of Community Services Joanne Bernard is gone. Here is why.

Community Services dragging its feet in Emerald Hall human rights case, says community living advocate

June 1, 2017 1 Comment

Some residents of Emerald Hall,a locked psychiatric ward in the Nova Scotia Hospital, have no reason to be there, except for it being a convenient solution for the province. Their human rights case is crawling along because Community Services is using stalling tactics, a community living advocate charges.

Joanne Bernard is gone. Now what?

May 31, 2017 6 Comments

I am still getting used to the idea that Joanne Bernard is now the former Minister of Community Services, soundly beaten in Dartmouth North by NDP candidate Susan Leblanc. Her awful record on welfare issues played a large part in her defeat. So for poor people, what’s next in the fight for a life in dignity?

Letter: A Response to the 2017 Nova Scotia provincial election

May 30, 2017

This came in the mail this afternoon, a letter on the limitations of elections and the importance of ongoing organizing. And an opportunity for me to post a picture of the Paris Commune. It’s an old discussion, after all.

Education and early childhood development — The social determinants of health, part 3

May 30, 2017

Just in time for the provincial election Alex Kronstein continues his investigation of the social determinants of health with a look at education and early childhood development. This is very important stuff.

A small step, but a very important step — Judge gives go ahead to Harrietsfield private prosecution

May 29, 2017 2 Comments

Harrietsfield resident Marlene Brown decided to start a private prosecution of the polluters of her and her neighbors’ wells. A judge decided she has a case. This will be the first private prosecution to enforce environmental laws in Nova Scotia. Brown feels she had no choice, since the Department of Environment wasn’t enforcing its own ministerial orders.

Op-ed: Who to vote for, patiently explained

May 29, 2017 2 Comments

Not all politicians are the same, and voting, although no big deal, is something you should definitely do. And then the real work begins…

Walk in our shoes for a month! People on welfare rally in Joanne Bernard’s constituency

May 28, 2017 3 Comments

On Saturday people on income assistance and their friends marched through North Dartmouth, the constituency of Community Services minister Joanne Bernard, and rallied near her campaign headquarters at the Dartmouth Shopping Centre. “I would tell Bernard, please have pity on us, treat us like human beings, that is all we want,” said one of the protesters.