Jeffrey Simpson
The Conservatives tamper with a way of life
Changes to employment insurance will not be well received in parts of the country where it is part of the social fabric
Master Mariner John Russell lived life to the fullest, all 105 years
Seafaring Newfoundlander was known for storytelling, humour and energy
Three years later, a Duchess wows the Canadian crowd
Three years after her first royal visit to Canada failed to stir up much excitement, Camilla proves to be a crowd-pleaser this time around
Prince Charles's CFB Gagetown visit will be a homecoming
Visit is certainly not attracting the same interest as did the younger Royals last year.
Proposed changes to EI perturb Atlantic Canada
Tory revamp that could force people to move to where jobs are and penalize repeat claimants would mostly be an attack on seasonal workers
Roman Catholic bishop convicted of child pornography stripped of clerical duties
A Roman Catholic bishop who was convicted of importing child pornography into Canada has been stripped of his clerical duties.
Occupy NL campers leave park after seven-month protest
Protesters in St. John’s, Nfld. camped through the winter
N.S., PEI premiers voice anxiety over EI reform
Atlantic Canada’s dependence on seasonal industries has to be taken into account, Ghiz says
Weather
Hot enough for you? Canadians brace for heat, wind and drought
More than two-thirds of the country is expected to be warmer than normal, from Nunavut in the North to cottage country in Ontario to the rugged Nova Scotia coast
Racy ‘Bridget’ campaign aims to reduce traffic on Halifax bridges
Dark-haired star of public-awareness campaign aimed at reducing gridlock on commuter bridges
Human remains found in Halifax identified
Police say remains found on a Nova Scotia trail are those of man missing since 2004
Mill closings prompt Nova Scotia power company to seek higher rates
NS Power cites shutdowns at two largest customers in application for second increase in a year
MEMORIAL
Vigil marks 20th anniversary of deadly Westray mine explosion in N.S.
26 men died in the underground explosion
Father pulls son from Nova Scotia school over Jesus T-shirt controversy
William Swinimer returned to school Monday wearing the same T-shirt that led to his suspension and aroused a debate on religious freedom, but was abruptly pulled from class by his Bible-waving father who said his son would not take part in a discussion on tolerance.
Officials trying to track down New Brunswick E. coli outbreak
With 13 confirmed cases, authorities haven’t found the source of the deadly disease
Hundreds pay tribute to slain gay activist in Halifax
Raymond Taavel, 49, was beaten to death outside a bar in Halifax on April 17
New Brunswick officials hunt for source of E. coli outbreak
11 cases have tested positive as E. coli O157, the same strain found during the Walkerton, Ont. tainted-water tragedy
PRESERVATION
Iconic N.S. lighthouse faces demolition
Popular Peggy’s Cove beacon one of about 500 in Canada that needs a heritage designation to avoid the scrap heap
Nova Scotia school to debate religious T-shirt controversy
Student was suspended for continuing to wear a shirt with the slogan, “Life is wasted without Jesus”
Ottawa Notebook
PEI Premier seeks health ‘synergies’ in wake of Ottawa’s funding decree
Robert Ghiz and Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall press ahead with innovation agenda
Education
N.S. student suspended for wearing religious T-shirt
Nova Scotia board issues five-day suspension for ‘Life is wasted without Jesus’ emblazoned on shirt
Mother of bullying victim says Nova Scotia anti-bullying legislation is weak
The mother of 15-year-old girl who committed suicide last year after being bullied implored the Nova Scotia government to strengthen its proposed legislation to combat cyberbullying, saying the bill lacks “meat.”
Globe Editorial
Dodge should not have undermined Carney’s housing message
The criticism by David Dodge, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, of his successor Mark Carney was an ill-judged and surprising departure from custom
Judge ‘unreservedly rejects' clawbacks of disability benefits for veterans
A new Federal Court ruling restores a degree of dignity for former military personnel, the lead plaintiff said Tuesday
Enbridge Gas files $560-million lawsuit against New Brunswick
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick has launched a lawsuit against the provincial government, alleging it has breached conditions of an agreement and in so doing, has harmed the company's bottom line.
Royal Visit
Prince Charles, Camilla to tour Canada in May
May 20-23 visit will include stops in Toronto, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan
Wildlife
Wolf sightings trigger speculation in Atlantic Canada
Large animals may be escaped pets, have arrived on ice floes or be interbred species
REVIVAL
Moncton on top after surviving recession, government austerity
City has lured small business, 5,000 new jobs in four years
Halifax hospital strike averted
The two sides in a labour dispute that threatened to send 3,600 hospital workers out on strike have reached a tentative agreement.
Halifax hospital strike postponed while two sides continue to talk
The head of a union representing 3,600 hospital workers in Halifax says she is postponing a strike deadline until Thursday as negotiations continue.
Newfoundland budget projects $258-million deficit
Finance Minister Tom Marshall says he won’t balance the budget with ‘slash and burn’ tactics
Nova Scotia health minister won't intervene as clock ticks towards strike
Nova Scotia's health minister says she has no plans to intervene to avert a potential strike Wednesday by some 3,600 health workers in Halifax.
Canadians to mark Earth Day with events across the country
It's Earth Day today and dozens of events are planned across Canada to mark the event.
Small plane crash reported in New Brunswick
Search and rescue crews are investigating a report of a small plane crash in New Brunswick.
HEALTH CARE
Possible Halifax hospital strike won’t delay urgent surgeries: minister
A potential strike by 3,600 hospital workers in Halifax will not affect urgent and emergency surgeries, Nova Scotia's health minister said Thursday.
SENTENCING
Ex-Nova Scotia politician gets nine months in jail in spending scandal
A former Nova Scotia politician was sentenced Thursday to nine months in jail for defrauding the public of nearly $61,000 in the province's legislative spending scandal.
PEI government tables budget; set to introduce HST by next April
Finance Minister Wes Sheridan says negotiations have begun with the federal government to introduce a 14 per cent HST
Views on development
In Halifax, battle lines drawn in controversy over views and vistas
City grappling with how to make itself more vibrant and modern while protecting heritage character
Ottawa Notebook
Environmental-review proposal met with western praise, eastern caution
Provinces react to Ottawa’s plan to streamline oversight process for major resource projects
100 years later
Titanic sinking remembered in silence in Halifax, the ‘City of Sorrow'
A silence that fell over Halifax on Sunday was broken by the peal of a church bell as the city marked the centennial of the Titanic's sinking with songs and stories tinged with sorrow.
Two men in hospital after Halifax shooting
Police take three people into custody for questioning after finding 41-year-old man injured from gunshot
Nova Scotia education minister reacts to calls for resignation
Nova Scotia's education minister says she's disappointed with a call by the province's teacher's union for her resignation over her handling of budget cuts.
Ex-Nova Scotia Tory cabinet minister pleads guilty in spending scandal
Richard Hurlburt pleaded guilty to fraud and breach of trust
Sarah McLachlan pens letter urging Harper to end seal hunt
Songstress says PM should stop defending the seal hunt and work on helping sealers find a new way to make a living
Romeo Cormier appeals conviction and sentence in New Brunswick abduction case
Cormier is representing himself today before the provincial Court of Appeal in Fredericton
Disaster's Centennial
Titanic disaster’s 100th anniversary a chance to commemorate – and capitalize
Events are being planned on both sides of the Atlantic to mark the tragedy that took 1,500 lives
PEI Premier calls for federal transfer changes in Throne Speech
Robert Ghiz says equalization does not recognize the higher cost of delivering public services in small provinces
The civil servant and the sea
Nova Scotia’s longest-serving deputy minister worked under Liberal, Tory and NDP governments
BUDGET
Nova Scotia promises modest tax cuts, though Premier rules out election call
Opposition says NDP’s plans don’t go far enough in reducing impact of increased cost of living
MARGARET WENTE
The seal hunt is dead, thank God
Ironically, the demise of the sealing industry hasn’t stopped the activists, who still need the innocent seals as poster animals
Sister of farmer held in Lebanese jail says feds did not do enough to secure his release
Hermien Dionne says she never felt that the federal government was doing anything to have Henk Tepper come back to Canada
N.B. potato farmer released from Lebanese jail arrives in Canada
Henk Tepper, from Drummond, N.B., is accused of exporting rotten potatoes to Algeria and forging export documents
JEFFREY SIMPSON
We’re still fighting a recession hangover
This week’s Ontario and federal budgets were less about cutting programs than seeking to deliver existing programs more efficiently
Cabot Links
Golf course brings hope – and jobs – to Cape Breton community
Cabot Links, on the western side of the island, is being billed as the first true links course in the country
Navy officer accused of espionage denied bail
Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle was charged with communicating information that could harm national interests
Love it or hate it: Provinces react to federal budget
How the federal budget was received by the provinces
Atlantic Canada
Polar bear shot dead after Newfoundland home break-in
A large male polar bear broke into a home in northern Newfoundland
FBI expert testifies at sailor’s bail hearing
Russian intelligence specialist called as judge tries to decide whether to grant bail to man accused of espionage
Deadly East Coast shipwreck sparks human-smuggling investigation
One person has died and three more are feared dead in what’s being described as a possible human-smuggling venture into Canada gone badly awry.
Charest unbending on tuition fee hikes despite protests
Premier firm that province can’t afford to back down on budget plan to raise fees by 75% over four years
New Brunswick delivers spring budget, forecasting debt to hit nearly $11-billion
The $8.2-billion budget delivered for 2012-13 includes a $183-million deficit, down from the $449-million shortfall recorded for the budget year ending March 31
One dead, three missing after yacht breaks down off Nova Scotia
Two others taken to hospital after the yacht broke down and was drifting off Cape Sable Island
Civil service
New Brunswick government to cut 4,500 jobs over three years
Budget aims to eliminate deficit by end of Premier David Alward’s mandate in 2014
New Brunswick flood waters recede, but no luck yet for evacuees
Residents of Perth-Andover were forced to leave after ice jams forced the St. John River to spill its banks last week, though water has been receding slowly since then
Health
With high health costs, PEI politicians carry weight of a province on their shoulders
A new report shows that Islanders have higher instances of obesity, asthma, diabetes and cancer than the rest of Canada
Darrell Dexter
Nova Scotia shows New Democrats can govern responsibly
Sustainable economic growth, which also meets environmental goals, gives province a foundation for better health care, education and poverty reduction
John Jodrey dedicated his life to the family empire
Nova Scotia scion expanded company founded by his father, making the clan among Canada’s most wealthy
Dalhousie University support staff prepared to strike Thursday
The 800 staff do jobs ranging from administration to maintenance of the university's computers
WEATHER
Spring arrives early with warm weather across the country
Soaring temperatures across much of Canada are unprecedented, forecasters day – but it doesn’t mean March couldn’t bring a cold spell
One conciliator helps resolve two labour disputes gripping Nova Scotia
Tentative deals were reached with Dalhousie University professors, librarians as well as striking transit workers
Halifax public transit may be restored by Friday after tentative deal reached
750 bus drivers, ferry crew and maintenance workers walked off the job on Feb. 2
More questions arise over emergency clause for Nova Scotia shipbuilding campaign
Untendered contract to consulting firm was used for marketing province’s bid to build naval vessels
JUSTICE
Tobacco firms face all-out assault in Canadian courts
One of the two Quebec lawsuits seeks $105,000 for each of the estimated 90,000 people suffering from a smoking-related disease
Former Nfld. premier's son granted day parole after six months in jail
A judge sentenced Jack Tobin to three years in prison and a seven-year driving ban for his role in the death of a close friend on Christmas Eve 2010
Atlantic fishermen fear Ottawa plans to take away their livelihood
Proposal to ‘modernize’ the industry is seen as a ploy to eliminate policies that protect independent fishermen from being forced out of business by large seafood companies
Education
Dalhousie University gets solvency break as faculty mulls walkout
The release from Nova Scotia’s rules on pension solvency deficits means deep budget cuts at the school may not be necessary
Winter storm wallops Newfoundland
Snow storm forces closure of government services and schools in the St. John’s area
Newfoundland Throne Speech stresses fiscal prudence
Oil-rich province must ensure its new prosperity is not squandered by short-sighted decisions, Premier says
James Chalker: a lawyer and a gentleman
One of Atlantic Canada’s top lawyers was well-respected by colleagues and opponents alike
Ottawa Notebook
There’s no ‘straight line to paradise,’ N.S. Premier tells NDP contenders
Darrell Dexter preaches patience to his federal counterparts
Nova Scotia
‘Glimmer of hope’ for Cape Breton village fighting to fix 70-year-old seawall
Nova Scotia government agrees to assess the cost and scope of repairs to Gabarus structure, a project caught up in years of bureaucratic wrangling
Harper's approach to provinces has Nova Scotia's Premier on edge
Nova Scotia leader Darrell Dexter will play host to fellow premiers in July when they try to eke out funding from a stingy federal government for health care and equalization transfers
Hebron oil project could generate $20-billion for Newfoundland: review
The Hebron oilfield 350 kilometres east of St. John’s is estimated to hold up to 700 million barrels of oil
EDUCATION
Struggling N.S. college losing its president
Smith stepping down at art and design school grappling with funding woes and identity crisis
Search continues for missing scuba diver at the Bay of Fundy
Mounties received a report about a missing diver who was diving for sea urchin
Halifax mayor accused of wrongdoing in managing friend’s estate
Halifax is buzzing over allegations of wrongdoing by Mayor Peter Kelly in managing a friend’s estate
N.S. tightens rules on OxyContin
Provinces become proactive after being accused of inaction in the face of rising addiction rates
FAMILY DAY
February holiday a boon for family-friendly business
Savvy airlines, zoos, museums and ski resorts cash in on popular long weekend
State of emergency declared in northern Labrador town
Community’s entire water system at risk of freezing
TRIBUTE
Halifax plans tributes to mark 100 years since Titanic sank
Events include a candlelight procession through downtown Halifax
Shipbuilding
In Lunenburg, a new Bluenose gets set for sea
After two years, reconstruction of Bluenose II, the namesake of the legendary Nova Scotia schooner, is almost complete
Newfoundland
Ocean Ranger disaster’s anniversary brings families memories’ to the surface
Thirty years ago, 84 people died in a storm that sank their drilling rig off the Newfoundland coast – and their loved ones reflect on how it could have been prevented
Nova Scotia health board reports privacy breach involving 120 people
Records were inappropriately accessed by a former employee over a six-year period
Halifax sees record homicides in 2011, while overall crime levels fall
Attempted murders rose by nearly 70 per cent, while homicides saw a nearly 73 per cent jump
Western provinces lead the country in growth
As it has done for years, Quebec continues to lose ground
Census shows changing times require new approaches
Both Westerners and Easterners will have to think differently about their roles within the new Canada
Canada’s future is in the West: 2011 Census
Alberta and Saskatchewan are booming as both immigrants and native-born Canadians flock to the oil fields and resource industries
School board sorry after Nfld. teacher sprays kid with air freshener because of fish lunch
Teacher has been put on paid leave while board conducts investigation
Intense storm blasts Newfoundland
Several flights at St. John’s International Airport have been cancelled
openings
With new Maritime resto, Roncesvalles becomes a foodie destination
Hoof Café alumnus and Nova Scotian Geoff Hopgood brings a smart, playful menu to the changing west-end strip
