The Nova Scotia NDP has been stuck in neutral since losing power nine years ago. But the party’s next leader believes she can move it forward with a strategic shift in focus. “We’ve had a lot of conversations and we know the path to government is through rural Nova Scotia,” Claudia Chender told the Sidebar. … Continue reading Next leader planning strategic shift for Nova Scotia NDP →

Labour organizing has never been easy. Just ask the thousands of Amazon employees who are fighting to unionize workplaces across North America. Or take a look at the early days of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers in Trail, British Columbia. As chronicled in Ron Verzuh’s superb new book Smelter Wars: A Rebellious Red … Continue reading New book chronicles a labour war fought on many fronts →

Pierre Poilievre’s ability to draw large crowds isn’t restricted to western or central Canada. Despite sunny skies and warm weather, the Conservative leadership candidate was able to attract several hundred supporters to an event at a Truro, N.S., hotel this morning. The eastern Ontario MP, who is outpacing his opponents in both polling and fundraising, … Continue reading Poilievre fires up ‘freedom’-loving people in Truro →

This year’s celebration of workers’ arts and culture will feature a walking tour focused on the working-class history of downtown Halifax. “Any place where there is wealth and power, there is also a working-class and labour story,” said tour guide Emma Lang about the Mayworks event and its location. “It’s just not necessarily as visible.” … Continue reading Mayworks festival will feature a working-class tour of downtown Halifax →

The country’s institutions are crumbling, democracy is dying, family values are under attack, and “global forces” are threatening our sovereignty. That was the portrait of Canada painted by Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis last night in Halifax. “The fabric of our nation is being torn apart,” the Ontario MP told a gathering of more than … Continue reading Conservative leadership candidate paints bleak portrait of Canada →