Green Party Condemns McNeil Government for Losing Perspective on Education Reform (HALIFAX) – The Green Party of Nova Scotia has long held that an education strategy should be developed through broad and transparent consultation, not the opaque and top-down approach favoured by the current Nova Scotia government. “The McNeil government is irresponsibly picking and choosing reforms from their own report,” says Green Party leader Thomas Trappenberg, “They claim this will put more money in the classroom, but they can’t tell us how much money, or even where it will go.” The immediate proposed changes from the report – eliminating school boards,...
Glaze Report a step too far
Cape Breton teacher Adrianna MacKinnon, who ran for the Nova Scotia Green Party in May of 2017, recently made news across the province for her heart-breaking resignation video. The Liberal government’s approach to education saw the province’s first major job action by teachers last spring, and a strike vote tomorrow indicates that Stephen McNeil has not scored any points with teachers since then. The government has announced they will disband school boards and remove principals and administrators from the union. Veteran teacher posts video, resigns from system ‘full of holes’ TheChronicleHerald.ca–Feb. 8, 2018 It’s like rowing desperately for shore in...
Cynical political manoeuvring? Frack that.
Last week, Stephen McNeil told the Halifax Chamber of Commerce that he is willing to consider lifting the ban on hydraulic fracturing if a community builds local support for it. His comments are strategic political manoeuvring. The Liberal party, which introduced the ban on fracking, now wants to make it clear to everyone that maintaining the public will to support the ban is everyone’s responsibility, except perhaps its own. Justin Trudeau used this approach to justify abandoning electoral reform: blaming the population for not miraculously developing a unified voice. McNeil wants to weaken the ban without taking responsibility. Let’s not...
On the Promise of Wealth and Selling our Environmental Riches
By Thomas Trappenberg, PhD, Leader, Green Party of Nova Scotia I listened to Premier Rachel Notley’s strong words yesterday on the radio, and I agree with her that we need a strong leadership. I also understand that the oil industry is currently a strong component of Alberta’s (and hence Canada’s) industry. Where I don’t agree is that this should be the status quo. I do believe it is now time to turn to our future industry in which our kids will thrive; I do believe we should stop making a quick buck on the future of our planet; I do...
Green Party Leader Says “No Fracking Way!”
Green Party leader Thomas Trappenberg commends the government’s ongoing commitment to the moratorium on fracking. Trappenberg adds that he will fight any future decision to allow fracking in the province: “I have three words for anyone who would gamble Nova Scotia’s groundwater on such a pipeline dream: no fracking way.” With fracking put to bed, Trappenberg would like to see the province focus on building alternative industries to boost the number of green jobs. “Our carbon economy is dying. It is time to move forward. Nova Scotia should not be left behind.”