The Need For Affordable Housing Continues To Be Neglected
There is a serious shortage of affordable housing in Nova Scotia, largely concentrated in Halifax. It is due in part to the municipality’s enviable growth rate and to chronic inattention from the province.
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Posted November 20, 2020
Planning For Our Electricity Future Should Be Led By An Independent Body
Maintaining a viable electricity network requires good long term planning. The existing stock of generating assets can become obsolete through aging, changes in fuel prices, or environmental considerations. Future changes in demand must be anticipated. Read More »
Posted September 11, 2020
Beware of Governments Announcing Bold Expensive Projects
Have you had a good look at your electricity bill lately? Some of the power you are paying, for now, will not be received for 35 years.
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Posted August 28, 2020
First Nations Fishing Rights Are Best Realized Through Cooperation, Not Conflict
The Bear River First Nation together with the Annapolis Valley and Acadia bands occupy the Kespu’kwitk district. They assume and exercise resource stewardship responsibilities over their part of southwest Nova Scotia. They are paying a price for being reasonable and responsible.
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Posted November 6, 2020
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American Democratic Institutions Are Fraying
There was much to celebrate in the results of Nova Scotia’s municipal elections. The upcoming American elections are more problematic.
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Posted October 30, 2020
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There are Valuable Uses for our Underemployed Covid-19 Testing Capability
In late May, northern New Brunswick experienced an outbreak of new infections, caused by a doctor irresponsibly failing to self-isolate after returning from Quebec. The biggest concentration of new cases was in a nursing home; two of its clients became New Brunswick’s first Covid-related deaths.
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Posted July 3, 2020
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We Must Sustain Strong Population Growth
Growing our population has been a success story in recent years and is crucial to Nova Scotia’s future. COVID has put a dent in arrivals. What will be the longer-term consequences?
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Posted October 9, 2020
Can The Government And The Teachers Union Get Along?
In 2015, the Liberal government issued an ambitious plan for improving our schools. Of particular importance were the recommendations for changes to be negotiated with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU). There have been many bends in the road since then.
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Posted October 4, 2019
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The Teachers’ Plan Deficit Needs to be Addressed
The government and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union are doing a disservice to taxpayers and today’s teachers, who are paying for the inadequacy of past contributions by and for the teachers that retired long ago.
In contrast, the public-sector pension plans for civil service and health care workers are well-funded and can be expected to keep their promises to pensioners over the long term.
Posted May 18, 2018
There Is No Business Case For The Football Stadium
A year ago this month, an article in this space questioned the proposal for a football stadium in Halifax. The recently released update from Schooners Sports and Entertainment (SSE) confirms some of the year-ago concerns and adds new ones. Some of today’s text is repeated from a year ago.
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Posted November 8, 2019
Transit Choices
A study of the possibilities for commuter rail is underway. It looks expensive. That is not the only option that should be considered. Read More »
Posted March 13, 2015