What follows is a proposal for reforming our system of local government to create a modern, streamlined system of municipal services. It is not intended to critique or comment on the performance of our municipal officials, who I understand have been hard at work trying to secure the best outcome […]

Causing unnecessary divisions in the local community as a result I have followed with interest the ongoing saga of the proposed ‘rapid housing’ initiative in the north-end of Sydney. I do not have an opinion of whether the proposed location is the correct location, but I understand the arguments put […]

I was perplexed reading Richard Collis’ letter to the editor (‘Time to listen to non-voters’, Cape Breton Post, 22 December 2022), in which Mr Collis said it was time for politicians to listen to people who do not vote. His characterisation of the Democracy 250 celebrations a few years ago commemorating Nova Scotia […]

It was frustrating to read Derrick Kimball’s opinion piece about the public holiday marking the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Firstly, Canada and the other Commonwealth realms have had well laid plans for national mourning of the sovereign for decades. The plans were not public and whilst it may […]

I was frustrated to read that Cape Breton Regional Municipality deputy mayor Earlene MacMullin was ‘offended’ because the term ‘Canada Day’ was not used prominently for this year’s July 1st celebrations. I respectfully suggest she consider how ‘offensive’ the mass dispossession and obliteration of indigenous people and culture was and continues […]

Canadians are not Americans, but you could be forgiven for thinking we are (friendly) Americans if you asked the average Canadian how our system of government functions. Phrases such as ‘we have a prime minister instead of a president’ or calling party leaders ‘traitors’ for forming a confidence and supply […]

I commend Councillor Cyril MacDonald for questioning the student jobs lottery. Having grown up in the CBRM, I was never one of the ‘lucky’ students chosen at random for a municipal summer job, notwithstanding the fact that my area of study would have made me an excellent candidate. Many of […]

A recent column in the Cape Breton Post by regular columnist David Delaney condemning the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act recently enacted by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly is indicative of why such a law is required. It is evident that Mr Delaney does not understand the challenges faced by members of […]

I have been following the ongoing struggle of the Baddeck Village Commission to bring its governance and fiscal management under control, for lack of a better term. Whilst it is pleasing that the minister for municipal affairs has set out orders requiring the village commission to get its affairs in […]

As we watch a democratic European country be attacked and invaded by an authoritarian neighbour, one could be forgiven for thinking that it is 1939, not 2022. Putin’s game is straight out of Hitler’s playbook. Hitler began by occupying the Rhineland in 1936, before invading the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) […]