Green Party of Nova Scotia - Halifax Greens Blog

Taking leave of our Census

2010-07-16T09:11:32-07:00

Good decisions require good information. Eliminating useful data is the first step in eliminating useful programs.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of statistics would know that a voluntary long form will only receive responses from a biased sample. People who may not know how to read, for example, will not take the time to have it completed with some help if it is voluntary. There is a loss of information in a community that could potentially be used to ensure that those people's children get the support they need in the schools based on the trends in the data. That is just one small example of how this data can be used.

One example mentioned is about how many bedrooms are in a house. Urban planners use this information, they don't pin point your house. It's all merged together to help plan new communities in your city based on number of bedrooms/house and what the needs of the city will be. If the city's population is getting older and there is a huge inventory of 4 or 5 bedroom homes, perhaps they can look at building smaller (fewer bedroom)homes in new communities as these older homes come up for sale by their older/deceased owners. It helps balance the inventory available and helps planners make decisions that have to be made often 5-10 years before a penny is even laid down on the purchase of a new home.

We need a complete and accurate picture of our country. Without some sort of official demographic image, the government will come up with its own picture to suit its own needs and those of its supporters. And the rest of us will have no recourse to refute that "data".

An authorized, informed census will show what our country needs and provides. The Conservatives want to scrap as many social programs as possible, and what better way than to take away the mechanism to identify where these programs should go.

The data they are denying for ideological reasons is unacceptable. Answer the form if you want to be a part of our society. There is lots of bush up north to hide in if you don't want to participate in our society.

Much like the "tax relief" frame used by G.W. Bush to slash social programs the Republicans didn't like (how can we provide programs when we don't have any money?), removing one of the cornerstones of public and business policy development is a key to the Conservative platform of smaller government giving you less for your money (we can't fund programs if we can't prove there is a need for them).

It's the same frame, different words. If you are against "tax relief", "less government intrusion in your life", etc, you are a "tax and spend liberal", a "socialist", "the demon holding back progress"...insert preferred damning epithet here.

It works the same in any country. There will be protest and many will rise to the occasion in the media, at their urging, but in the end, at election time most will vote against their own self-interest again, buying the dream created for the public by back room politicos, being disappointed once more and blaming those we elected for all our problems.

Democracy works for us, even when we ignore it

2010-06-24T09:36:42-07:00

Winston Churchill once said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. The thing about democracy is that it is messy, because it requires citizen participation to work properly. Without an engaged citizenry, democracy can indeed become the worst form of government, where a minority can surreptitiously stall committee work, where the real work of governance is done, and thus justify to the public the necessity of ruling by decree (see Government of Canada 2006-present).

Low voter turnouts only strengthen the core power bases of the traditional, entrenched parties, allowing governments to form with less than 25% support, and cuts off support for new parties, who draw much of their "soft" support from those who, for one reason or another, feel disenfranchised but choose to remain so.

Thus, every person who does not vote is casting a vote for the status quo.

In February of 2010, Frank Graves of EKOS Research stated that if the 18-34 demographic voted en masse, there would be a majority Green government in Canada, but that will never happen, he said, because they don't vote. For whatever reason, and there are many, they feel disengaged from the political process as applied by the traditional, entrenched parties. This is a demographic group that is interested in political life but take a very different approach to engagement. We need to adapt to their way of involvement. Only then will "soft" support cement itself into the new structures needed to rebuild our way of life.

Rather than directing our energy to convince committed voters to change their way of thinking, Greens should be encouraging their already strong "soft" support to go the distance and put their vote where their mouth is.

It is ironic that in countries where Western governments are attempting to "bring democracy to the oppressed people of ...(insert country here ie: Iraq, Afghanistan, etc)" voter turnout is higher than in Western countries, despite having to endure threats, intimidation, violence and murder. Here we just have to go down the street but, on average, 42% of eligible voters choose to not bother.

Maybe we should be taking a lesson from those we aspire to teach.

Premier Dexter announces $3 million to expand an indoor soccer facility in Halifax.

2010-06-14T10:19:47-07:00

This must really stick in the craw of voters in Yarmouth, who were told by Economic Development Minister Percy Paris that there is no money for the continuance of the Yarmouth ferry. After paying out $2.4 million to Bay Ferries in contract cancellation penalties, and $3 million for indoor soccer in the socialist NDP stronghold of Halifax, I can easily see why there is not $6 million to keep the ferry afloat.

No matter that, according to the government's own Tourism Department report, Yarmouth was responsible for $65 million in tourist related economic activity, generating $6.5 million in HST revenues. That money has obviously been earmarked for kicking a ball around and paying a company to do nothing.

Our tax dollars at work, folks.

South West Shore Development Agency closes down in Yarmouth.

2010-06-12T15:32:12-07:00

South West Shore Development Agency closes down in Yarmouth.

Friday June 11 was the last day of operation for the South West Shore Development Agency, or SWSDA. Mired in controversy and unable to account for nearly $500,000, the agency lost the confidence of the province, SWSDA's largest financial contributor. The agency shared offices with the Yarmouth and Area Industrial Commission, which runs the port and ferry terminal, and CEO Frank Anderson headed both organizations.

An audit ordered by the province in February and conducted by Ernst and Young criticised the board's competence and cited the lack of experience and proper information to run the RDA efficiently.

The audit and subsequent inability to account for $500,000 is a major story in the by-election currently underway in Yarmouth. Green Party Leader and candidate John Percy said that the financial discrepancies could not have come at a worse time, given the large economic hit the area has taken with the closure of the ferry. "Rebuilding the economy of the region is of paramount importance, and perhaps we have come to realize that the old boys network is not the organization we need to run the new economy."

A report by Nova Scotia Ombudsman Dwight Bishop was critical of dual CEO Frank Anderson. Mr. Anderson is paid by both organizations but, Bishop said, that even after careful examination, he was not able to assess how much Anderson is paid.

The report also indicates nearly $1 million in loans were made from the Yarmouth Industrial Commission to the authority between 2004 and 2007. In one case, a loan was issued because the authority "had a cash flow issue."

The Ombudsman said it was unclear if any or all of that the money was repaid or exactly what it was used for.

Political Reality in Yarmouth

2010-06-03T07:16:47-07:00

In politics truth takes a back seat to perception. Public perception becomes reality regardless of the truth of the situation. The current public perception of the antics of the three main parties is one of dishonesty, betrayal, and a lack of integrity. It's time to move away from the entrenched political positions of privilege and entitlement and back to one of service to the people. In Japan, the Prime Minister just resigned because he could not fulfill a campaign promise. Here in Canada, we expect our elected representatives to say anything to get elected, and promises are ephemeral at best.

Economically the Yarmouth area is ripe for renewal. While some have benefitted greatly from projects in the past, much of the benefit has not trickled down to Main St. We need to prime a new economic engine that is less dependent on grandiose projects that look shiny but deliver little, and more projects that reflect local initiatives, and take advantage of the area's natural gifts.

Here's one example: no one would say that Yarmouth has the calmest air in the province. This area is blessed with strong, consistent winds. Yet there are no wind power projects, not even a course on wind power technology and maintenance at NSCC. Nova Scotia could be the pacesetter in home-grown wind technology, instead of relying on foreign companies selling their technology to us for assembly. We are falling behind in the advancement of Green technology and risk being importers and consumers instead of innovators and distributors, which is where the real, lasting economic benefit is, not in the consumption of someone else's product. And yet that is the direction in which we are being led, if we can call that leading.

Which brings me to leadership...

There is a serious lack of leadership in this province. The crew at the helm have taken over the boat, but don't appear to be able to set a course, and we could easily run aground or adrift. As purveyors of the status quo, they do not welcome the future, but rather fear it. Steady as she goes doesn't work well when the boat is headed for the rocks. We used to be pioneers, willing to sail to the horizon; now we crave our comforts and appear to be willing to settle for anything that will ensure calm waters. But we can only drift in the horse latitudes for so long before we wither away. The only way to go is forward, into the future, and sometimes that means heading into the chop. It may not be comfortable all the time, but it will be exciting, and wonderful to get our hearts racing again.

John Percy the Green candidate in Yarmouth

2010-05-31T09:30:38-07:00

On Saturday May 29th, nomination papers for the June 22nd by-election were filed with the Yarmouth Returning Officer by John Percy, Leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia.

In his statement Mr. Percy said, "I am anticipating an exciting electoral race with six candidates in the field. Normally by-elections draw minimal involvement, but this one is going to be very engaging. From the people on the street that I have talked with, there is a justifiable undercurrent of anger and disappointment with the electoral status quo, making for a wide open race. There are many issues facing the district, among them the polluting of the Tusket River Watershed, the loss of the ferry service, and the controversy surrounding the Regional Development Agency and its finances."

Mr. Percy went on to say, "Yarmouth voters have an unprecedented opportunity to send a strong message to the socialist NDP government that they resent the ostracization of their community, and at the same time make international history by electing the first Green representative of a legislature anywhere in North America, and thus take the first step towards rebuilding the local economy in a modern, sustainable fashion."

Premier Dexter calls by-elections in Yarmouth and Glace Bay for June 22nd.

2010-05-20T09:22:37-07:00

Premier Dexter calls by-elections in Yarmouth and Glace Bay for June 22nd.

This morning the Premier called by-elections in Yarmouth and Glace Bay to fill the vacancies left by the resignation of PC Richard Hurlburt and Liberal Dave Wilson, who both resigned in the wake of the MLA expense scandal exposed by the Auditor General.

Yarmouth in particular presents the Green Party of Nova Scotia with an opportunity to advance our policies in a region that has been badly burned by all three major parties. Distrust is the word of the day in Yarmouth when speaking of traditional political choices. As Greens, we have an opportunity to build local public trust and increase our recognition and vote count.

The candidate for Yarmouth will be the Leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia, John Percy.

I strongly urge ALL Nova Scotia Greens to financially support and volunteer time and ideas to the campaign. Hit the donate button on the front page of the GPNS website. Hit it often!

A message from Dawna Toews, Deputy Leader

2010-05-03T09:36:03-07:00

It is with huge regret that I wish to inform you of my need to step down from the Green Party of Nova Scotia.
With many fond thoughts and memories of this amazing province, we have made the tough decision to move. We will no longer be living within Nova Scotia. It is for this reason and this reason alone, that I will be stepping down. My hope is that this position will now be given to someone else who will continue to be passionate about a better future for Nova Scotians. This was a decision our family did not take lightly. I am deeply saddened by having to relinquish the privilege of being part of such an amazing team.
In closing, I offer my support to John Percy, to the executive - present and future - and to all GPNS members. I have worked with some amazing people in this party. Some of these people have the potential to take this party where this province needs it to be. Of course, we still need more of you. We must not wait until six months before voting time. The time is now to embed the GPNS into voter's hearts and minds. I am excited to have been a part of a political party with such care about its province - both present and future generations.
I wish you all the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Dawna Toews
First Deputy Leader - Green Party of Nova Scotia

Lack of Community Control Can Lead to Environmental Disaster

2010-04-14T12:04:33-07:00

The Green Party of Canada and the Nova Scotia Green Party are united in supporting the community of Guysborough's attempt to relocate a proposed a tire processing plant from beside the Drysdale Bog in Goodwood, to the Guysborough Waste Management Facility.

The decision of the provincial Resource Recovery Board Fund Board (RRFB) to award a Halifax company the contract for the tire yard to be built Goodwood was met with a hail of protests. Goodwood does not want the project, fearing for the sensitive ecosystem around the proposed site. In contrast, communities surrounding the Guysborough Waste Management Facility, including Sunnyville, Upper Big Tracadie and Lincolnville, would welcome the tires as a source of more jobs in the existing facility. Guysborough Waste Management Facility has won awards for maintaining strict environmental standards.
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"The Drysdale Bog is considered a significant wetland by the very same government that is allowing it to be endangered by this project," said NS Green Party Leader, John Percy. "It is highly inappropriate to site a tire plant in this location."

"This is yet another example of what happens when local communities are not given any say," said federal Green Leader Elizabeth May. "Local community leaders know best what will work for their area and their concerns should be given much more weight than they are under the current system."

The Municipality of the District of Guysborough has asked the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia to overturn the decision of the RRFB.

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Superstore and Sobeys Refuse to Buy Food Grown in Biosolids

2010-04-14T08:04:12-07:00

Superstore and Sobeys Refuse to Buy Food Grown in Biosolids.

Both major food chains in Nova Scotia have said they will refuse to purchase any products grown in biosolids. Despite assurances from the NDP provincial government and Halifax Regional Municipality that biosolids are "safe", the evidence just isn't there. The Precautionary Principle has won out.

At a meeting last Fall in Kings North, government witnesses could not state with certainty that biosolid use was completely safe, and admitted there were problems.

One of the biggest concerns has been the testing procedures and the test criteria, which are far less stringent than tests conducted elsewhere. Currently, Nova Scotia tests for 11 pathogens, leaving thousands of other known pathogen levels untested. Neighbours around farms using biosolids complained bitterly about the smell.

Jeannie Cruikshank of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors says the grocery stores also require suppliers to disclose the use of any non-agricultural generated bio-solids - which refers specifically to sewage sludge, a by-product of Halifax's sewage treatment plants.

Wonderful news for farmers, consumers and taxpayers in general. What many people don't realize is that the biosolid industry in Nova Scotia is 100% taxpayer funded. The cost to produce one tonne of biosolid is $175, but is shipped and sold to Valley farmers for $15/tonne, which doesn't even cover the cost of fuel.

Kings North Municipal Council voted last Fall to ban the use of biosolids, but the decision was overturned by the NDP government.

It's ironic that the NDP have traditionally positioned themselves as the champions of the people over corporate greed, but it appears that they could learn a few lessons from Superstore and Sobeys. Good on ya!