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Voting Disparity
| BILL BLACK: Losers in sports and politics often want to change the rules of the game. – Chronicle Herald December 14, 2024 The reality is that winners in politics often want to keep the rules that got them elected. “Losers” only want a level playing field, which our present electoral system first past the denies them. Case in point – the Nova Scotia Conservative party got 78% of the seats with 53% of the vote. The Liberals got 4% of the seats with 22% of the vote. Another way of looking at it is the Conservatives only needed 4, 360 votes to win a seat. The Liberals needed 40, 570 votes to win a seat. Is this how democracy is supposed to work? Why would voters go to the polls knowing that 10s of 1000s of their votes are wasted. With proportional representation, over 90% of votes go towards electing someone. Compared to proportional representation, under first past the post, about 50% of votes are wasted. No wonder less than 50% of eligible voters turned out. Mr. Black has all kinds of reasons to not adopt a fair electoral system. A few have a smidgen of truth to them. The rest are just rationalizations, misinformation, perhaps disinformation which parties in power use to maintain their grip on power, all the while talking about governing for the people. Daryl Sturdy |
Christmas Tradition
| Dear Haligonians: It’s that time of year again when the search for the most perfect Christmas tree for Boston begins. Many Nova Scotians canvas their properties to photograph the trees they want to submit for consideration. This little tree; this token of appreciation, has grown into an international festival of friendship. In three weeks the best tree will be chosen and Lands and Forest will do their magic and prepare the freshly cut tree for transport. Many gather to watch this sacred tradition, and some board buses to be present at the tree lighting ceremony in Boston. As entertaining as all this is, we can’t forget the reason behind this tradition….The Halifax Explosion. Back in 2017, the East Hants Writers’ Group challenged each other to write a story about the Halifax Explosion to commemorate it’s 100th anniversary. We compiled them in an anthology, The Coldest December. The following year, I printed my story as a novelette for family and friends. Seven years later, I came across the few I had left and took them to market. In May 2024, I was selling my children’s books at an event, and off to the side, rather unassumingly were a few copies of my little book, initially called FOREVER GREEN. A friend, and fellow writer read it and suggested I promote the tree for Boston on my covers seeing as it was a pivotal part of my story. I struggled with the idea at first because the tree was my surprise ending. But after considering the changes I made the edits and am very pleased with the results. I have recently relaunched, or perhaps officially published my book, A Tree For Boston, Forever Green, and am proud to announce my little love story to Halifax and Boston will be available on Amazon by November 6, 2024. Every year I look forward to learning who will be the chosen contributor. Best of luck to all who enter and know Nova Scotians everywhere will watch with pride as our tree, our gift will be lit on the Boston Commons. Barb Moxsom |
No Journalistic Integrity
| To Chronicle Herald Editor: I know you won’t print this. I just want to let you know how disgusted I am with you and to let you know what I’m saying on social media, along with many others. I realize PostMedia, which recently purchased the Chronicle Herald, has a right-facing editorial perspective. There’s nothing wrong with that. A healthy mix of opinions is necessary in a democracy, even when we don’t agree with them. Yet to print a political hit piece for the government of Alberta filled with lies and misrepresentations as if it were a front page news story with the paper’s banner has no journalistic integrity. There is an alternative for local news, the Halifax Examiner. National and International news can be found in other papers across Canada such as The Globe and Mail. I see no reason to buy your paper as it is no longer journalism. David Wimsett |
Another explanation?
| The story of the Orange shirt. The Orange shirt represents how children were treated at residential schools. Phyllis Webstad related how she was traumatized, as a six year old, on her first day at residential school. The staff cut her hair, took her clothes away and bathed her. They took her new Orange shirt that her grandmother had bought for her. The Orange shirt represents how no-one cared, how feelings were hurt and the feelings of worthlessness. I respect Phyllis Webstad’s trauma as no one told this young child why this was being done to her and the other children. All residential schools did this for health reasons. The children were being deloused for Head Lice. Lisa Fuller |
More thought needed
| Your front page yesterday described the Longshoremen’s disruption in Halifax. The “Information Picket” as it was called by the President of the ILA was in my opinion foolish and not thought out. The action was to protest use of “foreign workers” because cruise ships tendering passengers into Halifax use their own crew to tie up at the shoreline. Piper was concerned this ultimately could lead to loss of jobs. I have been on over 30 cruises and everywhere I have traveled, the ship’s crew is on the shore to tie up tenders and to assist passengers, but longshoremen are used when a ship ties up at a pier. Tendering is a full day activity and not simply a one and done situation. It would mean paying folks to be in attendance for hours and hours. The cost would become significant. Piper noted that the cruise buses were having problems, but said, “that’s not our concern.” I have rarely heard a more naïve or foolish statement. I was guiding for one of the cruise lines not involved in the ILA situation. It took me over 1 ½ hours to get to work, when it normally takes 20-25 mins. Further, I had led over 100 people to Peggy’s Cove. Each 1 hour trip took 1 ½ to 1 ¾ hours. We had to cancel a portion of a trip and issue refunds. My visitors were furious, noting children on the picket line, and at least ten said they would never come to Halifax again. How many jobs would it cost the local longshoremen if ships stopped coming here? The action yesterday was short-sighted with no thought given to long range implications. Will Princess Lines continue to come here if they have to deal with this situation? Will other cruise lines continue to sell tours in Halifax if their passengers complain and they must give refunds? How will cancelled tours affect the Halifax economy? I am not anti-union, but this was an action a union should have thought about before it began. The ILA went a long way toward creating ill-will for itself. George Mencher |
Protecting our forests
| Re: Perspectives July 25th…Do what you Love to protect old forests. Nina Newington presents valid and credible arguments for the protection of the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area, Annapolis County. She reminds us that the government has committed to protecting 15% of the province by March 2026 in their Protected Areas Strategy. It is obvious to the reader that this gem of old forests, pristine lakes and documented Species At Risk is a prime candidate for conservation. The Citizen Scientists of South West Nova Scotia have done their job now it is time for the Houston government to step up and get Goldsmith Lake protected. Geraldine Kenny Parkers Cove, NS |
Accountability needed
| Dear Editor, The Nova Scotia Liberal Association executive members needs to be held to account. How, on any level, does the Association justify it’s complete obstruction of the Auditor General’s efforts to look into the misuse of public money by it’s former, long-time director? How can the Association and it’s top brass justify using Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect an individual who misused, according to the AG’s report, at least $ 131,795 from the Association, and by extension the taxpayers of Nova Scotia. This is public money. The use of NDA’s in instances like this should be banned right across the board by all political parties, as it is clearly a mechanism that allows misconduct to be hidden from the very people that these associations are supposed to be accountable to-the public, and the Auditor General. What is all the more shocking, is that after the misconduct was discovered, the employee moved on to another publicly funded organization, and the Liberal Party Association gave her a reference without ever mentioning her misappropriation of funds. We can call it many things-misconduct, misappropriation, improper use of funds-but the Liberal Association of Nova Scotia and it’s top members must surely have recognized it as the potential crime of fraud. Taking money that is not yours is theft. Using deception to take money that is not yours is Fraud. I am not a lawyer, but there were certainly members of the Liberal Party Association during the time that this was known to be happening who are lawyers, who ought to have seen this potential criminal offence. Politicians and lawyers often bemoan that they don’t deserve the sometimes-maligned sentiments of being self-serving or dishonest, that there respective professions can be subject to. Instances like this current scandal, and the actions of those involved certainly swing the pendulum of that view in a predictable direction. Jeremy N Pike Williamswood |
Halifax history lesson
| Gail Lethbridge….enjoy your columns. Well presented…. however, you made a mistake recently We did have a female Mayor… she was Moira Ducharme 1991-1994. Joan Malay |
Time for a change
| How long is too long before Canada and the Liberals distance themselves from John Chretien era cohorts whose efforts are to weaken the Indigenous rights and declarations before it does them in? The observation of cracks are beginning to emerge by some backbenchers who are disgruntled by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inadequate leadership. John Manley, who was the Liberal foreign minister, says that Canada is no longer “useful in world affairs: and has lost its bearings.” Finally, some tangible insight from a party insider who has the courage to speak out and expose the veiled truth. What prohibited him holding back this information for so long? Even the loyal sheep can only tolerate so much before devotion fades. Liberals are beginning to realize they have been backing the wrong horse and it’s time for a change. The backroom individuals are busy organizing a leadership shakeup soon and you can take that to the bank. JT believed world leaders would adore him for his leadership qualities, but his international tour to score a seat in the UN never happened and he didn’t win any accolades for friends nor did Canada. Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government are irrelevant on the world stage. Other countries are aware of that fact and Canada has not been invited to their gatherings because we are not worthy of their trust. A change in government is required so don’t sit on your laurels – do something about it. There is a viable option to make a change and Pierre Poilievre is that option. The PC leader certainly couldn’t be any worse. Ronald J Yaschuk Quispamsis |
Missing the point
| In James Deaville’s essay “Charlie Brown, Frosty and other ‘anti-heroes’ of TV specials”, the professor misses the point of the stories he criticizes. Charlie Brown rejects the commercialism of Christmas and is ridiculed for picking a tiny tree. Yet, the other children recognize their own shallowness and embrace the little tree and Charlie to express a theme—those who are rejected can have the most to contribute and community is more important than commerce. Frosty the Snowman doesn’t melt. He’s taken to the North Pole where he survives to return next Christmas. Here, themes of friendship and hope are expressed, along with patience. George Bailey thinks he has to make money at the beginning of It’s a Wonderful Life. When he fails, sabotaged by the evil banker Mr. Potter, he wishes he was never born. After an angel shows him what the world would be like if he were not in it, he comes to realize true riches are in family and friends. The anti-hero is one who twists and perverts society for personal gain, sometimes for selfish reasons and other times for what they justify as necessary. Examples are Harry Flashman in the Flashman series and Walter White in Breaking Bad. Charlie, Frosty and George don’t fit this category. Mr. Deaville also seems to miss the meaning of renewal, giving and caring for others celebrated this time of year by people in many traditions, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Native Americans and others. The days reach their darkest, then renew themselves. Professor Deaville expresses a cynical perspective of defeat and despair. Cynicism breeds defeat and amplifies the negative to obliterate the positive. Vision opens our minds and inner humanity to possibilities. I invite James Deaville to step back, take a deep breath and reexamine what he calls anti-heroes. David A. Wimsett (**Editor’s Note**) David A. Wimsett’s award-winning novels seek solutions for adversities. |
Where’s the Justice?
| Rapist graduating. ******* ******(Young offender name withheld), was convicted of sexually assaulting a student ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. Hants North Rural High has done nothing to protect students or help the victims, but he was officially convicted in the YCJ court, and he gets to graduate and one victim doesn’t get to. Kay H |
Saving Face
| Justin Trudeau has been fatally wounded by his watered-down carbon tax as his neurotic caucus scurries around struggling to save face but alas, Canadians have served notice that it is too late and band aids won’t cut it. Grumbling by specific individuals are beginning to surface from Liberal MPs on whether Justin Trudeau should contemplate that it’s time to go as tell-tale signs indicate the love-in is over. Newfoundland Liberal Premier Andrew Furey has spoken out in response to the carbon tax proposed by JT’s federal party and disagrees with it absolutely. Liberal Minister Gudie Hutchings suggests the west should elect more Liberals to influence Carbon Tax policies like Atlantic Canada. Ms. Hutchings is not on the same page as the PM who has recanted his decision and reduced the carbon tax. It’s all about politics and vote pandering which isn’t faring well with informed Canadian citizens and the PM is feeling the wrath of of his unpopular decision. Surely, we all can’t be wrong. Ronald J Yaschuk |
USA Mortgage System More Helpful?
| I am a dual citizen of Canada and the US, love living in Nova Scotia, and I hate comparing our country to the US…except for this. In the US homeowners can get mortgages fixed for 25 to 30 years. For a lot of obvious reasons, that’s a very helpful thing. In Canada that structure is unheard of. One is lucky to lock in for five years. That may not have been an issue when rates were low, but it is causing unnecessary hardship for homeowners as the Bank of Canada raises rates to tame inflation. I get the need for that, but there should be a moratorium on raising mortgage rates at the same time because mortgage interest is not the problem. Sharon Kozicki, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada pointed out in a speech she gave at the University of Regina on September 19th, that mortgage interest costs have very little impact on inflation, in fact, by a mere one quarter of a percentage point. So, if mortgage interest isn’t the problem, why raise those rates along with other rates? Homeowners will be or already are facing a crisis as their mortgage triples or doubles. I’ve heard of people considering selling their homes or taking on boarders, or draining their RRSP to pay down the mortgage. There is something fundamentally wrong with this scenario. Bill Garvey |
Liberal Government Hypocrisy?
| Minister Fraser plays Jekyll and Hyde. Former Immigration Minister and newly minted Housing Minister Sean Fraser has been scathing in his critiques of the mismanagement of the International Student Program mulling over the need to cap the number of students permitted to enter Canada to study. His concern arises from complaints that after students are being allowed in the Country they have no place to live. “Unacceptable” says Minister Fraser…how could this have happened? What defies logic is Mr. Fraser’s short term memory. The Liberal Government and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration are responsible. The decision to bring in more students rested solely with the Minister himself. Official data shows Active Visas in Canada reached over 800,000 in 2022, triple the number in 2012 of 275,000. Mr. Fraser seems to forget he was the Minister of Immigration who allowed this increase. As a citizen of his Constituency, living in Antigonish, NS, home to St. F. X. University, I have seen the struggle faced by students and other residents seeking affordable housing in our Town. Mr. Fraser contributed to this failed, ill thought out Liberal Policy. Someone needs to track down the Honourable Minister who ran the program and point out the obvious inconsistency and hypocrisy in his words and deeds. Mr. Fraser’s parting words at the end of the Liberal First Minister’s Meeting in PEI was “A plan of some sort could be coming shortly.” If these words were spoken to bolster confidence in the Liberal Government then Mr. Fraser has missed the mark again. Pay attention to his words, “A Plan of some sort” and “could” indicates they do not have a plan. Alena Wilgenhof President, Central Nova CPC |
Elder Abuse
| On Elder Abuse. Maybe it’s just me, and I truly hope it is, but recently I have noticed a change in the way people treat me. I’m not talking about all the people opening doors and offering chairs, it’s the attitude that some people assume that they are dealing with weaker beings subject to their demands. I just turned eighty years old and am looking a little worse for the wear, but when I first look in the mirror in the morning I still expect to see the vital young man I once was. I have lived my life abiding to a credo, something John Wayne said in an old movie called “The Shootist” “I am polite and show respect to everyone I meet and I require the same from them”. This has always worked well for me in he past but my current stature does not project that there would be any meaningful consequences for anyone who decides to be rude, disrespectful or bully me. So there is my dilemma. I, like many others like me are, surprisingly, still capable of both verbally and physically defending ourselves from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune but the bullies of the world don’t seem to understand this. Feeling they have cut a weak one out of the herd they press issues best left alone. The problem is that the threats, often physical, from the bullies are most often delivered in environments where there is no opportunity for recourse for the victims. A store, a law office or god forbid a nursing home is not a place, like out behind the gymnasium, to rectify these situations. So I guess my new credo will have to be “Take it and suck it up. It won’t be lasting much longer.” Garry Leeson |
Fitting justice
| Let’s not forget… On the night of July 26, 2022, somebody snuck into the Public Gardens (a Victorian arboretum that calms the rapid pulse of Halifax, our capital city) and girdled 33 trees, some of which were 200 years old. Amongst us – in this community of 431,000 (and counting) – someone knows the identity of the axe-wielder! Wouldn’t it be grand to put a name to this tree killer and publish his whereabouts? (I’m assuming that only a guy would do such a thing). Then, we could all sit back and let Nature take its course. Heh heh! Imagine! The loss of his job, his discomfort walking down Spring Garden Road (the lovely street that runs along the even lovelier Gardens) as citizens alternately hound and shun him, persona non grata at all the local restaurants and watering holes, and – my favourite – a ton of fresh horse pucky from the nearby Bengal Lancers’ stables dumped upon his front lawn, every anniversary thereafter. Or better yet, piled waist-deep just outside the door of his apartment. It would take – I’m guessing – 200 wheelbarrows to accomplish this task; done at the midnight hour, of course, but all of us being super quiet (having oiled the wheel of our wheelbarrow beforehand) and grinning all the while. Then, when he opened his door the next morning to plunge into his day, cell phone to his ear, a determined frown on his face, he would be stopped short by our collective displeasure. An idle fantasy? Well, must run – I’m off to find that can of 3-in-1 oil I’ve misplaced once again. John Ure |
Something missing
| There is one important thing missing from Bruce MacKinnon’s cartoon in Saturday’s paper, which showed a car crashing into a wall labelled Carbon Tax . If Premier Houston was shown at the wheel, that would have been a more accurate depiction of how Nova Scotia ended up in this situation. Andrea Arbic |
Canada burning while government fiddles?
| I’m a senior retired Airforce veteran. I’m bewildered as to Canada having so many forest fires in the last 10 years that we still hire other countries to supply water bombers that WE BUILD in Canada. I think it would be a wise and cost- effective investment for Canada to have two squadrons of 6 aircraft each stationed in eastern and western Canada. It’s imperative that a forest fire is extinguished quickly before it spreads. The water bomber of choice is the Canadair CL415. These aircraft could have a multi role capability such as fire- fighting – coastal patrol – coast guard and search & rescue. I send this message as a seed for getting something done that Canada desperately needs. I would like your thoughts on this idea. I’m sending you this message in hope that you would produce an article that would interest your readers and that they in turn would talk to their MP’s. This in turn could help all Canadians by helping us get us some cost effective forest fighting ability for all provinces by the federal government. For your consideration. Maurice Palahicky |
Use your head
| Re: Nova Scotia Wildfires It’s important that the people who caused this fire are caught and severely punished. Not only homeowners and their pets, but the needless suffering to wildlife and the forest never needed to happen if humans had obeyed the no-burn rules, which-by the way-are there for a purpose, and just used their heads in this climate and these circumstances. Even on Sunday, firefighters found someone else with a campfire, and in the same general area. Janet Hudgins |
RCMP grieves with you
| As a retired public servant who worked 9 years with the RCMP and also had a brother who served as a member of the RCMP for 32 years, I think it is safe to say I take criticism of the RCMP rather personally. In the unspeakable tragedy which unfolded in Nova Scotia in April 2020, there were many questions raised regarding the handling of the events and the efforts to stop the shooter. I’m not writing to go over all of this. Much has been said already. There are no words which can describe the loss of 22 lives and the anguish and pain the victims’ families have endured. What I’d like to remind everyone is that one of the RCMP’s own also lost her life. Her family, co-workers and friends are also dealing with anguish and pain. I want to draw your attention to those members who were at the scenes, witnessing first hand the aftermath of those despicable, senseless acts. I want to mention that all of their lives have been touched also by the tragedy and moving forward, they have to live with those images forever. There is no getting away from this. I most especially remind you that two members of the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team ended the rampage by taking down the shooter and absolutely prevented what most certainly would have been more killings. These brave members could very likely have been killed themselves but for their quick actions. These two men are heroes and I believe we the public owe them our gratitude. And because they have to live with the actions they were forced to carry out against a dangerous monster, a memory for them never to be erased, our compassion. Kerry Miller |
Asking the Universe
| Another small business is closing in Bedford, Nova Scotia. The beautiful spa, Mudwraps to Manicures is forced to close after being in business for 25 years, shocking and saddening all her clients, staff, friends and family. The owner, Lisa Belanger stated that her rent is being raised again, and so she is just running the business to cover expenses and nothing else. Everyone who knows Lisa knows that she is always there when you need help. So now she needs our help to stay open. I have thought about how to help – first I thought a ‘Go Fund Me Page‘, but that is just a short term help. My only idea I have come up with is for a wealthy benefactor to buy the property she is in and gift it to her. If someone has a better idea please feel free to put it out there. This is just my idea that I am putting out there to the universe. Name Withheld by Request |
Outlier wants out
| Does Nova Scotia prefer intra-provincial regional inclusivity, or neo-colonialism? Kings North MLA John Lohrs, the Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs justifies provincial municipal fiscal assistance based on proximity to HRM and calls Cape Breton Regional Municipality an ‘outlier’. Does John Lohrs, his constituents and Nova Scotia believe in ‘Inclusivity’ for all its regions and people? Well, it’s Easter Monday and it seems the government of Nova Scotia has been busy crucifying CBRM! Given Lohrs biased logic and misfeasance, further argument can be made for Cape Breton Island to partition from Nova Scotia, because Halifax and the rest of mainland Nova Scotia are economic and political “outliers” from Cape Breton Island. Let’s end the neo-colonial governance of Cape Breton Island. Christopher Macneill |
Province of Cape Breton Island?
| Cape Breton Island: “Nova Scotia’s Colony” If Canadian Harperian Conservative logic holds that Quebec is a distinct socio-economic and cultural nation within a nation, then ideologically it holds that Cape Breton Island (CBI) is a distinct Province within a Province. As an island with a distinct social, cultural, and political history, CBI is a land and people who were unceremoniously annexed not once, but twice by the Colony of Nova Scotia in Canada’s brief pre-confederation colonial history. Thence CBI’s colonial royal charter bestowed by King George III was never rescinded and remains dormant within Nova Scotia’s archives and annals of history. Speaking of reconciliation and the process of remedy for the systemic oppression and colonization of Canada’s indigenous people (including CBI’s Mi’kmaq), the historical and prevalent socio-economic fiscal oppression of CBI at the hands of Nova Scotia and Canada’s administrations is similarly systemic, and overtly colonialist. Self-governance is recognized internationally as a key to self-determination of oppressed people and regions. Autonomy is a synonymous term which speaks to governance freedom to direct their own affairs. It’s also akin to sovereignty, which is of Eurocentric origin fixed on boundaries and political control. However, there are many other definitions of ‘sovereignty’ that focus more on social, cultural and ability to self-determine, versus the Eurocentric Westphalian concept. On the topic of autonomy, sovereignty and implementation there’s a continuum. Across Canada we see pockets of nested federalism, decentralization and devolved governance structures. Examples include the Inuit of Nunavut partitioning from the Northwest Territories, Nunavik a non-ethnic regional government in Northern Quebec, regional supra-municipal governments in British Columbia, and in Newfoundland, a Labradorian Secretariat. Mark Macneill |
Golf Course in Natural Habitats?
| I was recently at a presentation to the Inverness County Council by the West Mabou Beach Committee regarding the interest expressed in using West Mabou Beach Provincial Park for a golf business. At the end of the presentation Father Bernie MacDonald spoke briefly to say that such a change to the park would be a precedent that would open all parks in the province to business development. Parks like Crystal Crescent Beach, Blomidon and many others would attract attention from business interests which would lead to protracted conflicts within affected communities. This is not a good situation to be in. Government should deal with this to avoid more conflict in the future. Duncan Mustard |
Wake up World
| Why is the world turning a blind eye to the atrocities being committed in Haiti? People are being lit up and burned alive with tires fill with gas placed around their necks. Violent gangs are running the country. Women and children are being raped and then burned alive. Where is the UN? Why is our ” dear leader ” not being more proactive? I cannot imagine what it’s like to see my own sisters, cousins, parents tortured and killed in my presence. Wake up world. There is a genocide happening right now. Robert Johnson |
Customer Care or Careless?
| Bell Alliant – Customer Service……A perfect example of an Oxymoron Back in August, while able to receive incoming calls, we discovered we were unable to make outgoing calls. We live in a rural area where we don’t have cellphone coverage. As senior citizens, we found this very stressful as we worried what we were supposed to do in the event of a fire or illness requiring emergency service, I made 2 trips to Port Hawkesbury to the Bell Alliant store so I could contact the company in an attempt to have the problem rectified. On both occasions, I spoke to the rudest people possible. One person I spoke with did tell me he would do a “ticket” to have a serviceman come to rectify the issue. The serviceman came and was unable to correct the problem but stated that he would have a “ticket” issued so that someone who could fix the problem. But sadly, no one came. I contacted Bell Alliant on several occasions via email. I received a call from a girl named Melanie telling me telling me that a serviceman would come the following day……and that did not happen. I continue sending emails. I receive three 3 automated calls from Bell Alliant telling me the serviceman would be there the following day and again, no one came. Each time we were told someone had to be home between 0830hrs and 1730 hrs. That is 36 hrs in total we wasted and will never get bad. Finally, on Labor Day, a serviceman came and fixed the problem. My question is: If Bell Alliant had anything resembling Customer Care, why did this happen? Dawn Wride |
Cool Under Pressure
| My fishing buddy and I were coming past Truro, headed for NB, where it’s all overpass, divided highway. Anyway, inside lane was closed off with pylons, but the entry ramp was open in between. We were behind a fully loaded logging truck. 2 old ladies barrelled up the ramp RIGHT IN FRONT of the logging truck. Buddy hit the brakes smoking but obviously knew he was going to kill them. He hit a hard right, through the pylons and I thought he was going over the overpass guard rail. Then he hit a hard left and straightened out into the closed lane. Why he didn’t tip over I have no idea. Meantime I figure we were going to get rear ended so I followed the truck to the closed lane. When all clear we carried on, gave the truck driver a big thumbs up. Wish I got the company name off the truck so I could call and recommend the guy for a medal, but missed it. Most phenomenal piece of driving I have ever seen. Guy deserves a medal. Several people could have been killed. All I can say, is when God made him, he took a 30 minute break and said “That was a good one” Steve Appleby Florenceville-Britol, NB |
Driving In a Fog in Halifax
| I’m visiting relatives in downtown Halifax and wondered why there are so few street signs. That is until last evening… Obviously the city is just training people to be able to drive in the fog…. when one cannot see any signs at all Shane Nestruck |
Community Cemetery
| I am wondering if there is any funding to help repair community cemeteries? I am part of a committee for the Feltzen South Cemetery, in Lunenburg County that has been searching for help to repair our community cemetery. We have made dozens of phone calls to all levels of government, local agencies and anyone else we could think of to help us. Most responses were, we don’t know who is responsible for helping with repairs. If we don’t get some assistance very soon, we are going to have coffins floating away and I am sure these families will be horrified at this thought. We were told that we missed out on funding after Dorion went through by about a week. Don’t they ever make exceptions? If there is any help available that you are aware of, please contact us . Debbie Smith 2smiths1983@gmail.com |
Seniors and Computers
| The Nova Scotia Health Department requires (those) who are most to die of Covid-19 to upload their information to the Health Department. Most vulnerable people are in their seventies or eighties and can not use computer to do this. Big Help ? Peter McCurdy Halifax |
Heads up at the toll booth
| Last weekend, in the wee hours of the morning, I was heading back to Ontario, and passed through the Cobequid Pass Toll booth to pay my $4 toll. I handed the attendant a $20 bill. The attendant then paused and looked at the next driver as if this transaction was complete, I nearly fell for the legerdemain, and was about to leave, but then paused waiting from my change, which was now awkward. The artful dodger then handed me the $16 change with receipt. That would be a nice pay bump for a momentary sleight of hand. Heads up to drivers to make the extra effort to check their change when heading through the Cobequid toll booth. Pieter Leenhouts |
Doctors are essential
| Our health system does need repair, as many others have indicated. Fixing it will be a long, painful process. My suggestion as a step along the way is this: pay for our Nova Scotia medical students. These folks come out of the gate burdened with enormous debt. If this education costs $500,000 (hopefully this is too high an estimate), and we have twenty , that would be $10,000,000…. money well spent. Surely Premier Houston can take it from the $ 80,000,000 price tag for a new arts center ( don’t get me wrong, I love the arts!) but sometime in the not-too- distant future, I would like a family doctor. Certainly, this is not a panacea for the shortage but it’s a start. Hopefully, Mr. Houston is listening. Dave Fraser |
| University of Prince Edward Island Political Science Professor Henry Srebrnik’s guest editorial “NATO, RUSSIA in proxy war in Ukraine,” published Friday July 22, 2022, strains his credibility as a tenured academic. While everyone has a right to express their opinion in a public space, one would expect more of someone who trained to separate emotion from fact, to weigh competing analyses, to acknowledge their own bias, and to avoid hyperbole. Professor Srebrnik’s analysis reflects a deep distrust of Western institutions and in adherence to the Great Power paradigm approach in retaining historical spheres of influence, and the Soviet-era “Near Abroad” protective belt of allied countries. He displays a complete lack of empathy for the Ukrainian people and their right to self-determination. Professor Srebrnik avoids the fact that most Ukrainians wish to be free to chart their future without Russian interference, and especially not reintegration within Greater Russia. Most Ukrainians see their future in closer ties to the West. This is evident in most media products, but sadly, not in Professor Srebrnik’s analysis. Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Dr. Ian MacVicar, CD, DSS Research Fellow, Security Affairs Committee Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia |
| Recently, the N.S. Health minister stated that only 75 family doctors were recruited by the Houston Government in the past year. This number has to be tempered by the fact that there were 68 physician departures from the province during that same time frame The “Need a Family Practice” registry, updated each month, shows that 95,000 Nova Scotians, were unattached to a primary care provider as of June 1, 2022. We have an immediate urgency at the Hubbards Family Practice, which has been operating with 3 family physicians. Dr. Browen Jones, who has a temporary contract to fill in for retired Dr. Jarvis and has a patient load of 700 patients, will be leaving on June 30, 2022. Dr. Akinsiku, who has a patient load of 1,000 patients, will be leaving the province at the end of this summer 2022. That leaves only Dr. Reza Mehrpooya; with his patient load of 2,200 patients; this remaining doctor is unable to take on the 1,700 patients from the two departing physicians. Additionally, with the departure of these two physicians, the office rent and all overhead costs are falling on just one physician; the practise will then be unaffordable to operate. If help is not forthcoming, an extra 1,700 patients and a possible additional 2,200, will have to join the more than 95,000 Nova Scotians without a family doctor. Since the Houston government bragged about its ability to “fix” healthcare in Nova Scotia, I am interested as to what action Premier Houston will take to resolve this medical emergency facing us. Gerard Gagnon East Chester N.S. |
Facts please
| STATISTICAL AND HISTORICAL ERRATA I believe that Scott Taylor’s article “U.S., Western Europe add fuel to Ukrainian fire,” published Saturday June 4, 2022 could benefit from both statistical revision and historical insight. Mr. Taylor states “According to U.S. military doctrine, combat units losing 10 per cent of their strength are no longer considered effective, so that if the intelligence reports are accurate, the Russians invaders were essentially defeated.” If only Mr. Taylor’s doctrinal definitions were correct, the war in Ukraine, (or the wars in any other corner of the world) would grind to a halt much sooner. The U.S. doctrinal definition of “combat ineffective” is not 10 percent, which Mr. Taylor and many Internet experts assert. Formations and units can suffer much higher losses prior to being deemed combat ineffective. Military history, and in particular Canadian military history, is replete with units “soldiering on” with loses much higher than 10 per cent. According to U.S. Army doctrinal publication FM 101-5-1, Military Decision-Making Process, Appendix C, a unit is considered “combat effective,” i.e. capable of attaining an objective at 85 percent strength, “combat capable with limitations” between 70 and 84 percent, and “combat ineffective” between 50 to 69 percent effective (depending on unit role) – at which point it must be reconstituted before receiving further tasks. Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Dr. Ian MacVicar, CD, DSS |
Monarchy is not working
| The Queen, The Constitution and a Simple Solution. As the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee my hope is that she is the Last Monarch to serve as Canada’s Head of State. It is high time we address the Sins of our past and Colonialism. A positive first step was taken when PM Justin Trudeau named Mary Simon Governor General. Experts say we will have a Constitutional Crisis if we remove the Head of State. My simple Solution would be to enshrine the Indigenous Peoples of Canada as permanent keeper of our Head of State and its selection. This is not just a slight towards Prince Charles with Camila in tow although I could give you many reasons why he would be an horrendous choice. Let us continue on the road to reparation’s. The name “Canada” likely comes from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village” or “settlement.” LET’S GO CANADA!! Sandy Chisholm |
Look after Canadians first
| “Charity du Jour” While I support any group that donate to charities, the “charity du jour” seems to be the “Ukrainian cause”. There are many Canadian causes that should take preference to the support of foreign charities. Its more appropriate for the European countries to donate to charities supporting a neighbouring country; so should the United States, which is involved up to its neck in the Ukrainian war. Canadians are already paying through their taxes for our government’s donations of funds and military equipment to Ukraine. There are numerous Canadian veterans, through no fault of their own, who are homeless; seniors and families unable to pay for lodging, food and medicine, even though some get a paltry government allowance; children going hungry; ALL OF THEM CANADIANS. If Ukrainian Canadians want to support their cause, that is up to them; but I don’t agree with the recruitment of Canadians to donate to foreign causes. We have more than enough need here in Canada. Gerard Gagnon East Chester N.S. |
More distracted driving
| On Friday, May 20, a friend and I were enjoying a leisurely photographic visit to the many small wharves around Margaretsville, NS. Google Maps tells me this is 150 kilometres away from Dawn Drive, where the fire was burning at Dartmouth Metals. We both had cell phones with us. Four times between 11:30 am and 2 pm we were shocked to the core by the emergency warning going off. My friend was driving and managed to keep control of the car. Had I been driving on Highway 101 in traffic, it could easily have been the cause of an accident. I will hazard a guess that the emergency warning was more of a hazard than the fire. I’m assuming that our different mobile phone numbers was responsible for the warning reaching our phones at different times. Each alarm on her phone was about 30 minutes later than an alarm on mine. While I do not intend to second guess the use of such an alarm system, I am very willing to question the specific choice of alarm. Even an air-raid warning starts off with a low pitched sound and then grows in intensity, alerting you to danger; it doesn’t start off at a shockingly high noise level and risking a heart attack. There must be a better way to warn us without putting us in danger. Sue Hutchins |
Taxing non-residents
| The recent legislation taxing non-resident home-owners or purchasers will not solve the problem of compounding inflation in the housing market. Look at British Columbia where price increases have accelerated following comparable legislation. Sadly the impact of the much smaller Nova Scotia economy could prove negative. My wife and I, resident in B.C. for family reasons, bought an heritage house at Annapolis Royal for the beauty of the place and quality of the community. In return we spent nearly $250,000 conserving the Runciman House, apart from consistent support of local businesses. We are now embarked on constructing a net zero, sustainable dwelling at Port Medway. The site is to be prepared by local firms and the structure to be prefabricated at nearby Brooklyn. Again our intention would be to support local food and like suppliers. But the new taxes are causing us to re-consider, not least because no distinction is made for Canadian citizens wishing to enjoy the beauty of another province in the Canadian Confederation (who continue to have family responsibilities in a different province). Rhodri & Suzanne Windsor-Liscombe |
Promises need to be kept
| The Tufts Cove power station. The stacks are an iconic part of the Halifax and the station itself powers much of the HRM. Together with the Burnside combustion turbine they have a generating capacity of 632MW and power much of the HRM according to NS Power. Despite promises to reduce the environmental impact of the HRM through the electrification of its bus fleet, energy efficient buildings, and other means, there has been remarkably little in the way of plans to replace either of these sites. It is imperative that the provincial and municipal governments act soon to transition the city away from these high carbon energy systems or their continued use will render other efforts to transition to electric and energy efficient infrastructure less effective than they could be. While they are still active the burning of fossil fuels is just being moved to a different, less visible, point in the process. It is important that action be taken as soon as possible. Halifax is a rapidly growing city and the demand for energy is only going to increase, making it more important to invest now to move away from current systems. Small, rapidly growing cities like Halifax have the potential to set and example for the cities of the world by incorporating green technology as they grow. It is important that this opportunity not be wasted. Nova Scotia is still a heavily fossil fuel dependent province and by doing away with fossil fuels in our largest city we can take a big first step in implementing real change in the province. Nicholas Graham |
Sorry he got caught
| I read with interest the article “Senator sorry for remarks about Ottawans, wife” in Wednesday’s paper. I have always voted Conservative except for the last federal election. I thought Prime Minister Trudeau did a great job keeping the people of our great country informed about the Covid pandemic. Senator Michael MacDonald is only sorry about his remarks because he was caught!! I saw the video about his rant and honestly I think he should resign!! I wonder what his children and grandchildren will think when they hear his cursing words about people who live in Ottawa. He also called his wife a “Karen” because she wanted protestors to leave Ottawa. My name is Karen and I am not entitled nor do I make the money in a year that Senator MacDonald makes. My hope is people from Nova Scotia watch the video and decide is this the person who should be our Senator from Nova Scotia. Karen Richard Lower Sackville NS |
Out of touch PM
| What is happening in Canada? The government is now using the Emergencies Act to stifle peaceful protests. The act has been enhanced to further control crowd funding. They are now obligating our financial institute to monitor crowd funding organizations. This Act was put in place to address real terrorists, not protestors. The financial institutes already are currently obligated to report any large and suspicious transfers of money. With changes that the PM and his government have just implemented, they now allow these institutes to place your bank account on hold based on you funding the Freedom Convoy. Basically you are considered a terrorist without any evidence confirmed by an unbiased governing body such as a court. Does that sound like Canada? Not at all, but it certainly sounds like Russia, China, Cuba just to list a few countries. Is that what we want? Our rights are being significantly effected by an out of touch PM. He cannot lead but only dictate his will on all Canadian citizens. Who else in government has supported this action? The federal NDP party. This should make you feel very uncomfortable with those in charge of our government. The Conservatives and the Peoples Party have been the only parties that has put up some resistance. Politicians must take this action serious and take strong decisive actions against this tyrant. The story is that the Freedom Convoy truckers were heavily armed. Yes, there were weapons confiscated by our police. The big Canadian media machine have suggested they were taken from truckers in the Freedom Convoy. Is that true? There is a different narrative if you listen to journalists that have spoken. Al Kersch |
Don’t turn a blind eye
| Prince Andrew has certainly been under the spotlight for the last two years. But the rich and famous don’t corner the market on the grooming and trafficking of young women, girls really, to ogling businessmen. Here in good old Halifax, my friend Bernie relayed a story to me about his experience as a sales rep for Rona. After brokering a deal with Mr. Developer, Bernie was invited to a party as a thank you for the business. “I’ll bring my girlfriend,” Bernie said. “No, don’t bring your girlfriend,” Mr. Developer replied, “there will be other girls there.” Bernie thanked Mr. Developer for the invite, though he knew he wouldn’t be attending the party. Bernie never told his boss about the exchange. Where do these other girls come from? Why can’t Bernie bring his girlfriend? Canadian companies and firms, consider creating company policies and business contracts which discourage backroom parties and practices involving “other girls.” Your sales reps and employees might have more courage to hold those they do business with to account. Don’t just turn a blind eye, men. Your sisters, daughters, wives, girlfriends, cousins, aunts, mothers, female friends and other people’s daughters deserve better. It’s time to stop exploitation of women wherever it happens because they’re not just “other girls.” They are human beings that deserve respect. Heather Jansma Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
Social Media
| Looking around, and listening to people, there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground anymore. On any given topic, people are divided, either hundred percent believing in one side of an argument, or completely believing the opposite. If you go on any social media platform, like YouTube, or Facebook, their business model is to keep you on their website as long as possible. The longer you stay, the more advertisements they can throw at you, and that way make money. So, if you click a story defending vaccinations are safe, their AI controlled content will come up with hundreds similar articles, strengthening your belief that vaccinations are actually safe and that everyone should get the jab. If, on the other hand you click on a picture of a pretty doctor explaining why nobody should ever get vaccinated, there’s also hundreds of stories supporting that side, that will pop up then instead. Most people like to be supported and agreed with, so, after clicking through a hundred ads, whatever their believe was, now seems “factual” based on statistics and handily crafted stories by people who sell advertisements. There’s people extremely adamant about topics of which they actually only have read one side of the argument. If one would like to divide the populace, one would be hard pressed to find a more effective tool than the artificial intelligence that’s running our social media. An objective observer could read both sides, and conclude something that he/she thinks is the best way forward for the observer without trying to push his/her belief on anybody else. Nicolaas Dekoning Nova Scotia |