I was proud to be part of the cross-section of local folks who came together to support our Jewish community. I hope the message they take from the gesture is that Fredericton has their back
All in Social Justice
Data my ass strikes again
who knew (data my ass) wasn’t just a comment dropped into a specific heated discussion…but rather, his motus operandi for how to govern.
Premier Higgs Political Firestorm
Here’s the thing. Policy 713 is one of those issues on which reasonable people can disagree.
In this battle with CUPE, it’s Higgs government that has the credibility problem
if the government wants to make the argument the union demands are unreasonable and unaffordable, it should be forced to confront the double standard it is practicing when it comes to finances. Because until it does, the “can’t afford it” argument will ring hollow.
About cancelling Canada Day celebrations
Outrage is great. I think it speaks to our commitment to improve. It is…the essence of what makes Canada worth celebrating – that we confront this dark part of our history with a resolve to be better in the future.
Fredericton Council comes through for homeless, but would bolder have been better?
how’s this for a Tale of Two Cities. While our city council was meeting Friday evening to revisit that $900 thousand for homelessness relief here, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation was announcing $3.4 million for affordable housing in Moncton.
Some further thoughts on that City Motel vote by Fredericton city council
if you want to vote them out, fill your boots, that’s your right, but let’s put a cap on the hateful rhetoric. Just because they didn’t vote to our liking doesn’t make them bad people.
Fredericton Council votes NO to housing homeless
The most frustrating thing about Fredericton City Council’s vote not to cover the shortfall that would have turned the City Motel into housing for the homeless, is that the rationale the councillors who voted against it used was so damned lame.
City Motel would be a real game changer for homelessness in Fredericton
It’s the right thing to do morally and economically. We’re talking over $1M in taxpayer savings in one year alone (based on 40 people housed) But what we are really talking about is changing lives.
Racism - it's not just an American thing
Most Canadians, not all, are quick to sympathize with police brutality and racism in the United States - as they should be - but continue to remain silent about the injustices many indigenous people in their own country continue to suffer at the hands of law enforcement and the justice system. (TJ Burke)
The Potential of Co-operatives just got a boost
While successive provincial governments have long placed their priority on chasing investment from outside the region, plying everybody from Sears to call centres with everything from wage subsidies to tax breaks, the real economic potential has always been right here in front of us. It’s Co-operatives and Social Enterprises.
Baby it's PC Madness Outside
banning Baby It’s Cold Outside by all these broadcasters is extreme hypocrisy, given what they are OK with. Not that I want to see any of it banned, I would not support that. I just want to make the point that their decision in this case is Political Correctness gone berserk.
Out of The Cold: A Homelessness Plan Comes Together
All of this is good of course in that it meets an immediate need. But it is not the answer to homelessness. That would be a home, through Housing First. There is good news on that front too
Let's see how the new Higgs government measures up on the compassion front
The problem is considerable. For a start, there’s hardly any affordable housing. Rents have risen steadily while welfare rates haven’t moved in years. Add to that the complex issues those who are living rough are dealing with. Almost all have mental health challenges, often combined with serious addictions. As Faith McFarland of the Community Action Group on Homelessness so matter-of-factly states, crystal meth is a monster. And it is a monster combined with everything else requires professional intervention. This isn’t a job for volunteer ladies from our local churches, regardless of how well-intentioned they may be.
A Straight Pride flag? Chipman, ya gotta be kidding me.
I expect the mayor and council, and maybe even those who hatched the flag idea, simply didn’t think it through. That’s the benefit of the doubt. The other possible conclusions are less kind.
Fredericton City Hall Drops the Ball on Housing First
to have a report for nearly a year, and then to come back and say the city shouldn’t do this because it is something the volunteers should do, or this needs to be studied further, or this should go to such and such a committee, is, not to put too fine a point on it, lame, and not consistent with a city that prides itself on being progressive and getting things done.
A Good Step Forward for Greener Village, but We're Not There Yet
the naming of a community-based board is a very good thing. It’s the start of returning Greener Village’s reputation to what it was before the church intervened. But what’s needed now are answers to these basic questions, so those directly involved in the facility as well as the greater Fredericton community can be assured the church won’t intervene again the next time something doesn’t strike their fancy.
7th Day Adventist Church has to go further with Greener Village to correct wrongs
the only viable solution is for the SDA church to step back, and have a community-controlled board in charge of Greener Village. Not a board with token community representation, but a board comprised of solid, talented and committed community members.
Community rallies for Jim Smith after new management at Greener Village cuts off his pay
But while he was thrown this curve by the same church-controlled board of Greener Village that so unfairly fired the facility’s General Manager last month, it is so reassuring and heartwarming to see that the larger Fredericton community (and beyond) has come to Jim’s aid.
