Halifax, NS – Solidarity Halifax is pleased to announce the results of our Name Our Oval contest. The winning name, with 31.4% of the vote, is Halifax Common Oval.
“Solidarity Halifax wants to thank the hundreds of people who voted in the Name Our Oval contest,” says Brian Crouse, a member of Solidarity Halifax. “We will be writing to the Mayor and HRM Council with the results of the contest and to urge them to rename our oval after something that reflects the residents of this city and not a for-profit corporation.”
“Solidarity Halifax ran this contest to oppose corporate sponsorship of public facilities and call for the return of Nova Scotia Power to democratic, public ownership,” says Crouse. “We will continue to highlight the unjust actions and PR gimmicks of this corporate bully, Emera/Nova Scotia Power. Electricity should be run on a non-profit basis.”
Results:
Nomination
Totals
Percentage
K'jipuktuk Oval
133
20.4
Raymond Taavel Oval
82
12.6
Muriel Duckworth Oval
41
6.3
People’s Oval
125
19.2
Halifax Common
Oval
205
31.4
Viola Desmond Oval
66
10.1
Total
652
100.0
Background:
In December 2011, with very little public debate or discussion, Halifax Regional Council voted to let Emera, owners of Nova Scotia Power and one of the biggest corporate bullies in the province, name the Oval. True to form, Emera named the Oval after themselves.
The skating oval was built with millions of public dollars, but for a measly $50,000 a year, Emera gets to name the Oval for a decade.
Our city belongs to the people who live here – not to corporations and developers. Naming the Oval is an opportunity that could reflect and celebrate local history and the people who actually live here. If city council won't do this, we'll have to do it ourselves.
Information on the nominations, results, and more details on the contest can be found athttp://solidarityhalifax.ca/campaigns/power/nameouroval/
Solidarity Halifax is running this contest because we believe an alternative to corporate sponsorship and development is possible. We believe there is also an alternative to private, for-profit electricity.
We call on the new Mayor of HRM, Mike Savage, to right the mistakes of previous HRM Councils and work to rename the Oval. We also call on the Province of Nova Scotia to return Nova Scotia Power to democratic, public ownership immediately.
Full contest details and info on return Nova Scotia Power to democratic, public ownership atwww.solidarityhalifax.ca/power
Power to the People!
- 30 -
About Us:
Solidarity Halifax is an anti-capitalist organization in the Halifax Regional Municipality. We believe that there is an alterative to capitalism and that another world is possible. One of our campaigns is called Power to the People, which seeks to return Nova Scotia Power to democratic, public ownership.
Learn more:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SolidarityHalifax
Twitter: @SolidarityHFX
For more information contact:
Brian Crouse
Mobile (902) 222-1564
The site for the Halifax local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.