This past week, I listened to a podcast from the Conference Board of Canada’s “Bright Future” series featuring my old friend (meaning, someone I quote frequently), Hugh Segal, who has for years (since he “had hair”) been a fierce proponent of guaranteed annual income (GAI). Asked by host Michael BassettRead More

In a circumstance where the whole world economy is based on debt, has the COVID pandemic given us any cause to consider the eventual economic one? Anybody who has been paying attention should know that from the smallest consumer to the largest sovereign economies (US/China) and every government in between,Read More

Police (de)funding Wednesday’s night’s “Take a knee to make a stand” demonstration in front of CBRM’s Central Police Station on Grand Lake Road attracted an estimated 1,500 people, despite the drizzle and cold. I didn’t attend (the people in my household bubble are both over 80 and I am –perhapsRead...

Editor’s Note: Since I decided to do daily COVID-19 updates, I’ve been greatly assisted by my columnists who have provided excellent weekly content to make up for my focus on the pandemic. This week, I’ve hit a bit of a dry spell, and can offer only an abbreviated weekly edition,Read...

I had started to write this column before I’d heard news of the horrendous shooting incident in our province. Nothing I could write would have any effect on those whose lives have been lost, those who were injured or those who are left to mourn. Least of all, would anyRead More

I am writing this column on Sunday, April 19, which, coincidentally, is also Easter Sunday for Orthodox Christians. Last week, another Easter Sunday, did not feel festive, and nor does this one. My street, as I look out my window, is completely deserted. There are cars in the driveways, butRead More

Last fall, Canadians were treated to the unedifying spectacle of a federal election (or, as Frank magazine amusingly put it, “a running of the reptiles.”) I think it’s safe to say that, whatever our particular political beliefs, and our relief or disappointment with the election results, all of our politicalRead...

The key word heard most since the COVID-19 virus took over our lives is “together” and, in the final analysis, if we don’t overcome this “together” by strictly following all the rules that have been set out for us by competent people who struggle to make us aware of justRead More

Nova Scotia announced 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and 26 on Sunday for a total of 55 new cases and 262 cases overall.  Nova Scotia says that six people are now in hospital and 53 have recovered from COVID-19. (Remember, this is a look backward, we’re seeing peopleRead More

I began my mining career in 1977 and have been an eye witness to the Donkin saga since the day Pierre Elliot Trudeau announced his National Energy Program (NEP) in the 1980s. The NEP earmarked $2 billion dollars for expansion of the Cape Breton coal industry and Donkin Mine wasRead More