I am absolutely furious that the CBRM council has once again decided a new library is not important enough, despite the present structure being aged and decrepit and inadequate to the community’s needs. The Public Library system is a vital, democratizing tool, providing access to services and information to allRead More

I hope many of you tuned into Wendy Bergfeldt’s afternoon show (CBC Mainstreet Cape Breton) last Thursday and were just as surprised as I was to hear that the CBRM is seriously considering a sports complex add-on to Centre 200 rather than a new central library. I admit that itRead More

Author’s Note: In this series of columns (see the first one here and the second here) I am using various works of science fiction and fantasy to consider some of the ethical issues generated by our current situation.   As I write this, the weather is warming and the pandemicRead More

Canada is the only G7 country still emitting GHG emissions way above 1990 levels — 21% above. Compare that to the US, which is on par with its 1990 levels, the 27 EU countries that are 25% below their 1990 levels or the UK, whose emissions are 42% below 1990Read More

Editor’s Note: We’ve been reaching into Michelle Smith’s archive to present always timely gardening advice. This week’s column first appeared on 31 May 2017. Editor’s Second Note: We are delighted to have Michelle Smith back with us this week, elsewhere in this edition!   What to do this week ManagingRead More

Bait and Switch? How, exactly, did we go from discussing a new Central Library to discussing a sports facility attached to Centre 200? I ask on behalf of the general CBRM public because obviously there are a few people who know exactly how this happened — they’ve been maneuvering toRead More

Editor’s Note: I’m doing a deep dive into the CBRM’s 2021-22 budget and dragging you with me. Last week, I covered water, roads and facilities. This week, I pick up where I left off, starting with that generator for the police HQ.    As the afternoon session of the AprilRead More

It’s been a while since I wrote anything about the pandemic with which we have all been living since March of 2020, but more ink and more airtime has been spent on COVID-19 than on any other topic I can recall over the past few years. Daily reports on caseRead More

What is going on at the Port of Sydney? All hell apparently broke loose after council (on the recommendation of its nominating committee) declined to reappoint board chair Jerry Gillis and vice-chair Al Pendergast, although both had re-offered. Gillis has already served two, 2-year terms on the board (the articlesRead More

Editor’s Note: We’ve been reaching back into Michelle Smith’s archives for always timely gardening tips. This column was originally published on 22 May 2019.   What to do this week I finally got my tractor going after having it sit all winter and as soon as the soil dries aRead More