Megan Neaves says the best part of her day is being in front of her students. But she says trying to attend to all of the different needs and put out all these fires, there's always something you could have done better. She was a witness this week at the Legislative Standing Committee on Human Resources. And there she and others spoke to teacher workloads and the impact on student achievement. She also discussed what can make a difference to teacher recruitment and retention and the reasons ther...
Dec 01, 2022•17 min
You don't need to join a gym or run 10k in order to see the health benefits of being active. And in our busy lives, it's easy to fall into the trap of being sedentary. And it doesn't matter if you are working from home, or in an office, a few minutes of activity can pay huge benefits. The Healthy Tomorrow Foundation is encouraging people to participate in their free program called Make Your Move at Work. Kerry Copeland, Executive Director of the Foundation says no matter the size, industry or bu...
Nov 30, 2022•11 min
When Linda Wilson started helping precariously housed people, there were 17 identified by the Point-in Time Count. That number is now closer to 700. The Executive Director of Shelter Nova Scotia says the need has never been greater. And she says even though they receive government support, they still need to fundraise. They're doing that through several campaigns including their Holiday Wish List. It gives specific ideas about articles that are needed by people experiencing homelessness in Halif...
Nov 29, 2022•14 min
Tim Houston's government says it is making progress in key areas of health care, but still have work to do. And ask any Nova Scotian about the state of our primary health care system, and you'll hear about wait times, or access to a family doctor. Brendan Maguire is the MLA for Halifax-Atlantic. He's the Liberal's Health and Wellness shadow minister, or critic. And today the opposition member says the average wait time at the IWK is six hours and there are many patients who are leaving without b...
Nov 28, 2022•14 min
Francene Cosman has held many positions over her life. Cabinet Minister, Mayor of Bedford and business woman. But her first career began after graduating from nursing school in New Brunswick. And that chapter of her life right out out of high school is the focus of 'Nurse! a memoir' (OC Publishing). She discusses the way nurses were taught and the types of things they had to do in the 1960's, long before technology took hold. As well, she offers a few thoughts on how the lessons from the past ma...
Nov 25, 2022•18 min
In July, 24-year old Andrew Beaver of Halifax was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. A few weeks later, he found out about a clinical trial in Toronto involving a drug usually used to treat psoriasis and Cron's disease. Researchers say two of the four people that have completed the 18-month trial have eliminated the need for insulin. Andrew is now a few weeks into his trial and he doesn't know if he's on the drug or a placebo. He explains his experiences so far, and his hope for a diabetes free dia...
Nov 24, 2022•11 min
It's a first for two Nova Scotia Universities as they move to help First Nations students on campus. Emily Pictou-Roberts has been named Resident Nsukwi’ (Auntie in Residence) at University of King's College and Mount Saint Vincent University.She is from the Mi’kmaw community of Millbrook First Nation.The role goves her the opportunity to provide cultural, emotional, and spiritual support for Indigenous and other students on campus. And it's another step towards recognizing our shared history an...
Nov 23, 2022•13 min
On Monday, the federal government announced a program that will help provide funding to switch over from oil heat to a heat pump. Today, they announced a carbon tax that will see the price of gasoline, diesel and heating fuel rise next summer. For a perspective on these two issues, we speak with Chris Benjamin. He is the Energy Efficency Coordinator with the Ecology Action Center.
Nov 22, 2022•11 min
According to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB), an average of 11 fish harvesters per year don’t make it home as a result of unsafe working conditions, and practices on board and around fishing vessels. And they say the vast majority of fishing fatalities are avoidable. The TSB has released Watchlist 2022 which identifies the key safety issues that need to be addressed. Over the last 30 years, the TSB has issued 49 recommendations, and 8 of the are still active. Regulators, vessel owners and ...
Nov 21, 2022•13 min
More than 200 Black men are expected to come together this weekend in an event that promotes health and wellness among men of African descent. It's the first time since the pandemic that they'll be able to gather without any public health restrictions, something Duane Winter is excited by. He is the Community Liaison Coordinator with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative. The event is a safe space for Black men to be able to discuss the challenges and successes in their lives and to hear from k...
Nov 18, 2022•12 min
It is a big move for Vicky Levack. The spokesperson and human rights advocate is no longer living in a nursing home. She is in a new apartment because of the Shared Services Project. That's where persons with physical disabilities can live independently in the community with 24-hour support. It's through Independent Living Nova Scotia (ILNS) and is a project four years in the making. Eventually, the group is hoping to find homes for 200 Nova Scotians with disabilities. Carrie Ernst is the Execut...
Nov 17, 2022•11 min
Food inflation in Canada dropped in October, the first drop since October of 2021. But at 10.1%, it's still going to cost you more to fill the cupboard and fridge. And during waste reduction week, Halifax Regional Municipality is trying to educate us on food waste. According to Statistics Canada, 63% of the food Canadians throw away could have been eaten. That's about 140 kilograms of food worth around $1,300. And processing and dealing with 53,000 tonnes of green bin materials, costs tax payers...
Nov 16, 2022•11 min
For some people, it's all about finding a way to laugh and have fun. But for others, there can be some topics that just aren't funny. Stand-up comedy has been a way for comics to poke fun at the rich and powerful. Or to bring a different perspective to a situation to show how absurd or ridiculous they might be. Carolyn Davis is a stand-up comedian in Halifax. And she was gracious enough to talk about the environment she and many of her contemporaries are facing when it comes to finding the funny...
Nov 15, 2022•16 min
It started as a way for a shy 22-year old to show her appreciation to a stranger. And now, eight years later "We Are Young" (WAY) is a social enterprise connecting people to seniors in their community. Katie Mahoney is the co-founder of the charitable group in Halifax. They had been granting wishes to seniors for a few years prior to the pandemic lockdowns before they had to change up their action plan. And this holiday, they are giving people an opportunity to send a greeting to someone who may...
Nov 14, 2022•15 min
MLA's are heading back to their constituencies after the fall sitting of the Legislature wrapped up late Wednesday night. And while Premier Tim Houston heralded the work of modernizing government and protecting Nova Scotians from large power rate increases, the opposition has a different take. Claudia Chender is the Dartmouth South representative and leader of the NDP. She says government has left families waiting for direct help during difficult times. And she says that includes the high cost o...
Nov 10, 2022•20 min
It was hard to escape the noise and fury that is American Politics in 2022. And with our largest trading partner facing a divided population, the midterm elections were called both a referendum on the US President and on democracy itself. What do the results mean to Canada-US-relations? For a look into that issue Dr. Don Abelson joins the conversation. He is the Director, Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, Steven K. Hudson Chair in Canada-US Relations, and Professor, Political Science, St. ...
Nov 09, 2022•15 min
It all started as a way to open the floor to questions about race and racism because people were listening to dubious sources. Ajay Parasram is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University. He and Mount Saint Vincent University Professor Alex Khansnabish came up with an idea to offer what they called Safe Space for White Questions. That ended up becoming a YouTube Channel and led them to their new book published by Fernwood. "Frequently Asked White Questions" is the ten most common questions t...
Nov 08, 2022•17 min
Do you know who William Barker was? Are you aware of Brianna Ricketts and her accomplishments? Did you know Captain Jennifer Casey was the driving force behind Operation Inspiration? You will get a chance to learn about these and other Canadians who are a part of Pathway to the Stars. That is a special podcast production celebrating Canadian aviation in partnership with the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation. It's created by Erin and Dave Trafford of the Story Studio Network. This father and da...
Nov 07, 2022•11 min
The rest of that quote is "I don’t know where people find the time to hate.” It's attributed to Imam Hamzah Mangera and it's something he said during the funeral service for seven children, victims of a devastating Spryfield house fire in 2017. The Barho family and their loss is a focal point of a new book called "Eye of the Ocean - Stories of Love, Hope and Empathy" (Pottersfield Press). Janice Landry is a storyteller and author who is also the daughter of a firefighter. And she shares her pers...
Nov 04, 2022•20 min
A social media post from a concerned mother raised the issues of a packed Emergency Department at the IWK. She was directed to take her child in after calling the medical 811 telephone line. And she says prepare for a long wait to get treatment. Doctor Emma Burns Interim Chief of the Emergency Department at the IWK. She says there are likley several reasons for the uptick in cases. And she adds they've changed up their primary triage to make sure the sickest kids are being seen. She says the num...
Nov 03, 2022•12 min
The President of the union representing Halifax Police Officers says he was surprised by the level of engagement, but not the outcome. And the members voted almost unanimously to say they've lost confidence in Chief Dan Kinsella. Sergeant Dean Stienburg is with the Halifax Regional Police Association. And he says this isn't about popularity, it's about their operations and how the members feel there isn't a focus on solving crimes or crime prevention . In this conversation, Stienburg discusses h...
Nov 02, 2022•17 min
It was a small gesture of kindness for the people in the wing of the nursing home where she was volunteering. And from that first year, Nicole Martelle has been able to grow it from a handful of donated blankets, to more than 600. The Bedford woman has been accepting homemade and store bought blankets to hand out to people in long term care facilities in Halifax since 2017. And the campaign that was just kicked off runs from November 1st until December 10th, 2022.
Nov 01, 2022•12 min
We all know the price of everything has been going up over the last year. But post-secondary students say we have more to learn about how big their struggle is. Students from across the maritimes are launching something they're calling "More than Tuition". Lydia Houck is the Executive Director of Students Nova Scotia. She says when the maximum amount you can get to cover rent is $500 a month, that means something somewhere else will have to be cut. She says the student assistance program needs t...
Oct 31, 2022•13 min
Despite the dominance of digital options, there are still people who prefer to curl up with an old fashioned book printed on paper. It never needs charging and it still works when the power is out. And the power of the printed word is the focus of 'Atlantic Books Today'. For the last 30 years, the magazine has been featuring regional books that shine a spotlight on burning issues. And for their 30th edition, they are focusing on environmental literature. Chris Benjamin may be moving on from his ...
Oct 21, 2022•15 min
The good news is that the rate of inflation is slowing. The bad news is that food prices are still increasing at levels not seen since 1981. And with the price of everything on the rise, there are more people looking to find ways of saving money on their grocery bill. "Saving with Gail" is a private Facebook group that has close to 30,000 members. The community posts about deals, discounts and links to coupons and ways to keep more of your money in your pocket. Gail Quigley, who started the grou...
Oct 20, 2022•15 min
For more than 30 years, Stepping Stone has been offering out reach and support to sex workers in Halifax and Dartmouth. And they've moved locations several times over the years. They're now hoping their new location will be a more permanent home. The Board of Directors and staff have announced the purchase of an office building in North End Dartmouth. The two-story on Primrose Street will be their permanent home soon and will allow them to expand their current programs and launch new initiatives...
Oct 19, 2022•15 min
It's their main fundraiser for the social programs operated by the Halifax-Dartmouth chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). And the theme this year is "Together Again" since it's the first event since they had to adjust and move online because of the pandemic. The event features art work on display online and at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing. Marg Murray is the Branch Co-Manager and the Building Bridges Coordinator for CMHA Halifax-Dartmouth. The group works to help pe...
Oct 18, 2022•17 min
A week ago, an RCMP officer was photographed wearing the controversial "Thin Blue Line patch". Saint Mary's University Criminology Professor Stephen Schneider wrote a piece about the history of the patch in a piece for Saltwire. Recently, the non-profit Angus Reid Institute released a survey showing fewer than half of Canadians say they have faith in the RCMP. And today, people in a residential Halifax neighbourhood are being critical of how Halifax Police dealt with a person in a truck that had...
Oct 17, 2022•18 min
In a recent survey on affordability, Halifax ranked dead last on the list of 27 cities examined in the study. And folks at Phoenix Youth Programs say things will likely get worse before they get better. But Rob Morris is still optimistic. The group's Director of Residential Programs says there's an opportunity for governments at all levels to work with non-government-organizations to move housing from being commodities to becoming a basic human right. And housing is only part of the solution to ...
Oct 14, 2022•14 min
Mayor Mike Savage says the World Junior Hockey Championship will go ahead as planned for Halifax and Moncton. That announcement came a day after the CEO and Board of Directors resigned from Hockey Canada, the group overseeing the sport in this country. The resignations are in response to a host of sponsors pulling their financial support after scandals broke involving sexual assaults, financial settlements and non-disclosure agreements. Moshe Lander is an Economics Professor who teaches at Conco...
Oct 13, 2022•13 min
