Steve Caines

Shubenacadie First Nation - Supporting Elsipogtog, Opposing Fracking

Steve Caines — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:21:01 +0000

SIPEKNE'KATIK (Shubenacadie) - Members of the Shubenacadie First Nation Band, Millbrook First Nation Band, and others staged a rally on Highway 102 on Monday, October 21, to oppose fracking and show support for Elsipogtog First Nation's ongoing protest in Rexton, New Brunswick.

“Compassionate, Caring, Outgoing, Welcoming”

Steve Caines — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:32:02 +0000

Vigil held on Gottingen Street following murder of Raymond Taavel

At least 300 people gathered on Gottingen Street in Halifax today at 7pm to mourn the passing of Raymond Taavel, local community activist. Taavel was killed this morning at approx. 3a.m., outside Menz and Mollyz Bar, defending a friend during a physical attack.

Unions in the Broader Community

Steve Caines — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:44:11 +0000

CLC Rep Tony Tracy on union work in the non-unionized and international context

Tony Tracy got his first unionized job at 17. He grew up in the New Brunswick forestry town of Nackawic, and started work in the town’s pulp and paper mill as part of the unionized workforce.

Halifax Rallies Against the Robocall Scandal

Steve Caines — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:29:25 +0000

About 90 people gathered at Halifax Grand Parade on March 11th to protest the ongoing robocall scandal.

Elections Tinkering

Steve Caines — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:50:59 +0000

Are the NS NDP's election reforms enough, and can they increase voter turnout?

For at least two reasons, 2009 was a new landmark in Nova Scotian electoral politics.

Making Every Vote Count

Steve Caines — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:24:10 +0000

Fair Vote Nova Scotia, local chapter of Fair Vote Canada, seeks your support

If you’re over eighteen, chances are you cast a ballot back on May 2nd. And if you did go to the polling stations on May 2nd chances are you were not, to say the very least, a happy person on May 3rd.

'A Tommy Douglas Moment' for Pensions

Steve Caines — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:55:31 +0000

Labour groups and other Haligonians organizing to expand CPP

On March 2, a community assembly was held to strategize on methods to pressure the federal government to expand Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits.

Blocking Bill C-311 and the Need for Democratic Reform

Steve Caines — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:41:34 +0000

Halifax environmental groups speak out on Senate's sacking of Climate Change Accountability Act

It was another turbulent weather day in Nova Scotia as Gretchen Fitzgerald, director of Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, spoke about the sacking of Bill C-311. Storm surge and wind warnings had been issued for the region; ninety kilometer gusts and heavy rains had knocked out power for thousands across the province.

Protesting Against the Prorogue

Steve Caines — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:20:05 +0000

Several hundred people gathered in front of Province House in Halifax on Saturday, January 23rd to protest the Conservative Party's proroguing of Parliament. All photos by Tony Tracy.

Speakers at the event included:

- Halifax-Dartmouth and District Labour Council President Kyle Buott

Climate Change Rally on the Common

Steve Caines — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:59:17 +0000

About 500 people gathered at the Halifax Common between 2pm and 4pm on October 24th, as part of the International Day of Climate Action.

More photos from the Halifax event can be found at http://www.350.org

Latin America On The Move (In Halifax)!

Steve Caines — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:31:20 +0000

Symposium: Latin America On The Move
Sobey Building, St. Mary's University
October 2nd & 3rd, 2009
Halifax, Nova Scotia

_________________________________________

“The Americas are at a crossroads, and what I want to say to the youth is to get involved. You can choose to be part of the problem or part of the solution, and you must get involved” Nchamah Miller (University of Havana)

“The days of thinking that the North has something to teach the South are over. It is time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of South America and the Caribbean.” Jay Hartling

Labour Day in Halifax

Steve Caines — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:15:07 +0000

A recession-quality camera did not make for the best slide show of photos here, but it captures the days events OK.

Just under 1000 people attended this year's September 7th Labour Day March around the Commons.

The march began at 11am, ending around 11:30am and was followed by several speakers including Premier Darrell Dexter, Rick Clark, Megan Leslie, Kyle Buott, Karen Ray, Jackie Barkhouse and Phil Brown.

Premier Dexter announced that there are two increases in the minimum wage scheduled in the coming year.

"Labour Day is a day for relaxation, but it is also a time for organizing, contributing to your community, and helping to make a better world possible". Megan Leslie

The NDP's Time?

Steve Caines — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:21:15 +0000

Party kicks off election campaign at Nova Scotia Community Center

Having never before formed a government in the province of Nova Scotia but with recent public opinion polls suggesting they are in the lead, the NDP wasted little time in launching their campaign for election, hoping to capitalize on current public discontent with the Progressive Conservatives and the continued low standing of the Liberal Party.

Election signs were already appearing the morning after the MacDonald government's budget was rejected in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly on Monday, and on Tuesday, May 5th over a hundred citizens filed into a small room at the Sackville Heights Community Center to watch Darrell Dexter kick off the provincial election campaign for the New Democrats.

The Community Centre was perhaps an ideologically consistent choice of location for the centre-left New Democrats, who have campaigned in previous years on a commitment to the activities of community groups. The Center houses a number of citizen organizations including a local environmental association, a children's club, several seniors groups and an early intervention program for youth at risk.

With what will no doubt form a main slogan of the NDP in the run up to the June 9th election, Dexter claimed that “it is time for a change” in Nova Scotia after 10 years of lacklustre Conservative performance. While short on specifics himself with regard to NDP plans in the province, the event was heavy on political rhetoric.

“The Rodney MacDonald government can't keep an emergency room open and they can't keep a jail cell closed”, he said. Dexter blamed the Conservatives for the large provincial debt, high electricity rates, increases in service user fees, and crumbling infrastructure.

As the official opposition, the NDP currently holds 20 seats in the Nova Scotia legislature. The Progressive Conservative Party holds 21 seats, while the Liberal Party occupies nine. One seat is held by an independent candidate.