Shipping News I have to start with the long-awaited arrival of a container ship at the Port of Sydney. It arrived under tow, carried only 4,200 containers and couldn’t have unloaded here if it had wanted to, but there was a container ship at the Port of Sydney. Port generalRead More

During last week’s CBRM council meeting for March, a “non-profit” called the Urban Neighborhood Development Association presented preliminary plans for an amazing, mixed-income housing development on the site of the former Tartan Downs harness racing track in Sydney. Don’t worry, I haven’t lost all critical perspective here, but I haveRead More

The mixed-income housing development proposed for the former Tartan Downs racetrack in Sydney will contain 55% “affordable housing” units — meaning 240 of the 430 units will be rented at 80% of market rent. Kent MacIntyre of the Urban Neighborhood Development Association (UNDA), the organization overseeing the project, is usingRead More

On March 3, Canada announced new emergency measures to support Ukrainian refugees. We have opened a special pathway for Ukrainians which waives all fees and normal visa requirements, we have established a special family reunification and sponsorship pathway for extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, we areRead More

You claim that the Cape Breton Spectator has ambitious goals. Yet, you publish articles like this week’s “Where’s Cecil?,” which strikes me as the kind of gossipy story that one might find in a supermarket rag. Despite his status as a former mayor, Cecil Clarke is now a private citizenRead More

Over the last two years, Nova Scotians of all ages have been impacted by unprecedented grief and loss. The COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions have prevented people from coming together, supporting one another, or participating in many traditional rituals of mourning and celebration. Individuals have suffered physical, emotional, orRead More

Editor’s Note: This column first appeared on 15 March 2017. (But, like pretty much everything in Michelle Smith’s archive, it’s still relevant.)   What to do this week This week we are going to start our cold weather greens, things that you can start in the house and get intoRead More

Only Rats and Horses I started writing about CBU’s proposed housing development for the former Tartan Downs harness racing track in Ashby but realized I have too much to say for a Fast & Curious item, so I’ll write about it at greater length next week. For now, I’d justRead More

Big thanks to the spectator who alerted me to the latest incarnation of former CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, who is now with the provincial department of Health and Wellness as  a “project executive” with “Health Capital Projects.” Clarke, whose updated LinkedIn profile states he is an “accomplished public sector leader;Read More

It may not look like much on a cold February day (see below) but the Hawks Field in Dominion is undergoing a serious make-over – from field to Dream Field. Having noticed the construction and wondered about the project, I contacted Councilor Darren Bruckschwaiger, whose District 10 includes Dominion. HeRead More