They are being called the worst followup rates in almost two decades. Nova Scotia’s Auditor General says if recommendations aren’t completed, the same issues will persist and expose government to continued risk, including public safety risk. That is a blunt assessment from Kim Adair on the 35 percent implementation rate from the recommendations made in 2020. But what power does the office hold when it comes to holding government to account over public spending and programs? Michael McPhee is the...
Apr 20, 2023•17 min
A short but raucous legislative session has wrapped up and there’s some unfinished business according to Claudia Chender. The leader of Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party says she still isn’t clear on why the government hasn’t passed a law banning the abusive use of Non-Disclosure Agreements. That was one of the recommendations made to the Mass Casualty Commission. She also weighs in on the changes to the Family Practice Registry, the Public Health messaging on COVID 19 and the importance of the...
Apr 19, 2023•13 min
Across the province, people are remembering the lives lost and the lives affected by the events that started in Portapique three years ago today. And while the Premier is asking for a moment of silent reflection, the Prime Minister is reminding us that “the pain, trauma, and heartbreaking loss will never truly go away, but today and every day, we stand with you.” Tom Taggart was a municipal councillor representing the area when the rampage happened April 18 and 19th, 2020. He is now the MLA for ...
Apr 18, 2023•12 min
American style sloganeering appears to have gained a foothold in the discussion about gun control in Canada. And it’s holding back our ability to have a reasoned and responsible conversation about the topic. That according to former soldier turned author AJ Somerset. The man who wrote Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun says people are shouting their preferred slogans at each other, instead of engaging in an actual conversation about the problems that could be addressed. He also offers his th...
Apr 17, 2023•17 min
Many red flags were missed when it came to the perpetrator of the Mass Casualty killings in Nova Scotia. He was well known as a manipulator, abuser and sexual predator in marginalized communities. That was information that was gathered by a coalition of groups that helped present evidence of gender-based violence to the Commissioners. And one of their key recommendations was to have laws put in place to end abusive non-disclosure agreements. Kristina Fifield is a trauma therapist with the Avalon...
Apr 14, 2023•20 min
Nova Scotia’s government says the Spring Legislative session results in more solutions for healthcare. The opposition Liberals obviously disagree. Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives are talking about increased spending and legislation as highlights, the Liberal leader says it falls short in several areas. Zach Churchill discusses that as well as the pending school support worker strike, the cost of living and the Nova Scotia to Yarmouth ferry service.
Apr 13, 2023•19 min
We haven’t experienced food price hikes like this in more than forty years. And it’s no surprise that people are pointing fingers of blame at grocery companies, their CEO’s and politicians. But that’s not helping according to John Jamieson. He’s the president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. That’s a newly formed organization made up of all of the players involved in growing, producing, shipping and selling food in Canada. And he offers his thoughts in a recent editorial at Sal...
Apr 12, 2023•15 min
No one can really say what to expect if the 5,400 school support workers across Nova Scotia walk off the job in two weeks time. But it’s clear the unionized school support workers are unified in their plea for a living wage. They recently voted 97.5 percent in favour of job action if they don’t see significant movement by the employer. Chris Melanson calls himself an anomaly as someone who has worked for close to three decades as an Education Program Assistant. He’s also involved in the executiv...
Apr 11, 2023•18 min
It is described as the largest multi-sport and cultural event in Atlantic Canada’s history, since contact. And from July 15th - 23rd, Kjipuktuk (Halifax) will welcome over 5,000 Indigenous participants across 16 different sports from all across Turtle Island (North America). Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons is the Chair of the 2023 NAIG Host Society. And she discusses the importance of this history making event as well as what you can expect as an observer or a volunteer.
Apr 10, 2023•17 min
Five days in May isn’t just the title of a great Blue Rodeo song. It’s also a way to describe the upcoming East Coast Music Awards. It’s their 35th Anniversary event, back in Halifax where it all began. And after two years of virtual events, this one is happening in person, in venues all across HRM. For a look back and a look ahead, we spoke with CEO of the East Coast Music Association, Andy McLean. He’s a former member of the 1980’s band The Tenants, a music industry insider, a co-founder of NX...
Apr 06, 2023•16 min
The Mass Casualty Report calls out the use of Non-disclosure Agreements (NDAs) that are often used to silence victims of gender-based violence. And it’s a topic that has boiled over into the Nova Scotia Legislature. While the NDP have introduced a bill that would end the abusive use of confidentiality agreements, the Progressive Conservative government has deferred the issue saying they’re looking to see what other jurisdictions are doing. And when allegations made it to the floor of the House, ...
Apr 05, 2023•18 min
It’s been more than two years of community consultation with ANS communities, building on the diverse history and lived experiences of African Nova Scotians. The program launched in 2021 has just been given provincial funding of $150,000 in support of the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Plan. Dolly Williams and Irvine Carvery are the Co-chairs of the Economic Prosperity Advisory Council. They discuss the priorities and the goals of the work they and community have been working t...
Apr 04, 2023•16 min
Even municipalities are feeling the financial squeeze these days. That’s one of the reasons HRM voted to start charging for on-street parking on Saturdays in downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. And it’s not going over well with an agency representing businesses. Paul MacKinnon is the CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. He and others are hoping it doesn’t keep out of town visitors from visiting the business core that’s still feeling the effects from COVID-19....
Apr 03, 2023•12 min
There was a point during the Inquiry where there was a crisis of confidence in the process. Family members had walked out on the Commission in protest over the way it was being conducted. On Thursday, some family members were pleasantly surprised with the commission’s harsh assessment of the RCMP response and the 130 recommendations. Dr. Wayne MacKay is Professor Emeritus of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. He too was critical of the process but says the Mass Casualty Commissi...
Mar 31, 2023•16 min
The Mass Casualty Commission has released its report almost three years after the rampage that left 22 Nova Scotians dead, including an expectant mother. In this conversation, we hear from Commissioner Leanne Fitch. And also from Erin Breen KC, Counsel for Avalon, LEAF, and Wellness Within, groups that gave testimony at the inquiry about gender-based violence.
Mar 30, 2023•20 min
This Friday, a candle-light vigil is being held in Lunenburg. It is to show support for the Second Story Women’s Centre , a not-for-profit group that’s been operating on the south shore for the last 40 years. Or at least it was until recently. Sue Bookchin is with the Be the Peace Institute. It is a feminist group working to address the roots and consequences of gender-based violence and advance systemic change for gender equity and social justice. She has been a supporter of Second Story and sh...
Mar 29, 2023•36 min
There have been lots of changes to help move buses around Halifax Regional Municipality more efficiently in the past few years. But in spite of the dedicated lanes and turning signals, Halifax Transit has been reducing services because of labour issues. They are about 100 operators short of meeting their optimal numbers and the union has some thoughts. Shane O’Leary is the President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508. He says members have gone two years without a contract and keeping workers...
Mar 28, 2023•20 min
A week ago, Nova Scotia Health announced a problem with some of the take home naloxone kits they’d received. They didn’t actually contain any of the drug that can reverse an opioid poisoning. And on Friday, they said there were new kits being made available to replace the incomplete overdose reversal ones. Ashlie Cormier is the Provincial Manager of Prevention and Health Promotion. She explains why this is a problem, how they found out about it and why it’s important for people to know about the...
Mar 27, 2023•15 min
Lucky fans in Truro are about to be treated to back-to-back shows from Country Music performer Brett Kissel. The Alberta-born singer-songwriter is performing the concerts at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in tribute to the essential and frontline workers. And the tickets for both shows were handed out for free earlier this year. Kissel describes his start in the music business getting to hear himself on the radio at the age of eleven singing a Hank Snow song. A few decades and his ten album ...
Mar 24, 2023•20 min
While they are rarely as serious as the stabbing at Charles P. Allen High in Bedford, violent acts are on the rise in Nova Scotia schools. And some people predicted this after changes to scheduling enacted by the previous Liberal government. How does unscheduled instructional time and a shortage of teachers fit into the current situation? It’s something the Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union (NSTU) is hoping the current government considerers. Ryan Lutes is the President of NSTU and he shares his thoug...
Mar 23, 2023•16 min
While the year-over-year inflation rate slowed to just over 5 percent in February, food inflation is double that. And that’s cutting into everyone’s budget these days. Last month, the CEO’s of Canada’s major food retailers were called to testify in front of a Parliamentary committee. It was an event labelled by some as little more than political theatre. Sunil Sarwal is a bit of an insider in the food world in Canada. He’s a brand strategist with a Canadian marketing and design company. He share...
Mar 22, 2023•16 min
An incident at a Halifax area high school sent two staff members to hospital and a 15-year old student in custody. Along with serious criminal charges, he was also injured in the incident that is highlighting the concerns over violence in schools in Nova Scotia. It’s one of the areas of concern for members of the group known as Nova Scotia Parents for Public Education. Stacey Rudderham is one of the founders of the group who says communication between parents and the school community is failing ...
Mar 21, 2023•17 min
Premier Tim Houston announced a $10,000 retention incentive for nurses on the eve of the spring sitting of the Legislature. And with the upcoming provincial budget, this session will be all about funding, healthcare and priorities. And both opposition parties are ready. Zach Churchill is the leader of Nova Scotia’s Liberal Party. And Claudia Chender is the head of the New Democratic Party in Nova Scotia. Here’s a conversation about their jobs as they sit across from a majority government elected...
Mar 20, 2023•19 min
The head of the association representing thousands of Nova Scotia firefighters had no idea what the announcement was for. But Chief Greg Jones says the $10-thousand one-time grant for all volunteer, First Nations and Ground Search and Rescue operations is certainly welcome. This is the second consecutive year the Progressive Conservative Government has handed out the money for First Responder agencies. And once again, it comes without any conditions or strings attached. This conversation starts ...
Mar 17, 2023•15 min
It’s part of a plan to address both a shortage of essential workers and the lack of housing, especially in rural Nova Scotia. The government has announced a total of $20 Million dollars to buy modular housing and move it on to provincially owned land. This will provide temporary housing for health care and other skilled workers that are in high demand right now. Stephan Richard is Executive Director, Housing Solutions and Development with the Department of Housing. He explains the partnership an...
Mar 16, 2023•14 min
It’s not about influencing politicians. It’s about showing Nova Scotians there are different ways to look at how tax dollars are spent based on what our goals are as a society. Dr. Christine Saulnier is the director of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. And she’s also a co-author of a document called the Nova Scotia Alternative Budget 2023: Leave No One Behind. In this conversation, she discusses the birth of this movement and how this document is a way to de...
Mar 15, 2023•16 min
At the end of March, a request for proposals for development of Blockhouse Hill in Lunenburg will close. And Mayor Matt Risser says there has always been the intention of sharing those plans with residents before any approvals are given. Some residents say there hasn’t been enough consultation or transparency throughout the process. They’re also asking for a plebiscite or a public meeting over the plans. Risser says there’s always an opportunity to improve communications. And the ultimate plebes...
Mar 14, 2023•19 min
A piece of legislation passed in 2002 called The Lunenburg Commons Act was helped clarify the public use of a 22-acre parcel called Blockhouse Hill. That was property set aside after the settlement of the town in 1753. In 2017, the Liberal MLA for Lunenburg introduced amendments to that act, allowing the elected representatives to make the property available for development. And not surprisingly, many people who are finding out about this now are not pleased. Paula Rennie is one of those residen...
Mar 13, 2023•14 min
Part A of a project that has been years in the making was given the go-ahead by Halifax Regional Municipality this week. It’s an initiative to address the fact that HRM has a household food insecurity index that is higher than the provincial and national average at 18.6 percent. This Action Plan for Food is about helping producers and consumers come together in a time where there are supply chain and geographical access issues. More Vail is the Community Food coordinator with the Ecology Action ...
Mar 10, 2023•10 min
On the surface, it looks like a great news headline about the reduction of child poverty in Nova Scotia. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in Nova Scotia revealed the data in its annual report card. But co-author Dr. Lesley Frank says it’s the result of bold and direct financial assistance that came from the federal COVID measures. And those were temporary, just like the reduction in child poverty. The Acadia University professor also says there needs to be a plan moving forward using ...
Mar 09, 2023•14 min
