Is Hindsight 20/20? Breaking Down the 2021 NL Election Saga
We break down how the provincial election has been unfolding, how other Canadian jurisdictions approached pandemic elections, and where we go from here.
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Election Chaos Latest Barrier for Indigenous People in Labrador
In Labrador, the election fiasco adds another layer to the inequities imposed by a government founded on the denial of Indigenous peoples’ rights.
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NL Election 2021 District Focus: Lake Melville
Lake Melville is being watched closely by all three major political parties, who see potential opportunity against independent incumbent Perry Trimper.
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When “Bankruptcy” is on the Table, It’s Not a Normal Election
If the financial situation in Newfoundland and Labrador is dire—and governments don’t have actual solutions—what is likely to happen?
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An Empty Lot on Eric Street Holds the Key to the City
A clash between affordable housing advocates, community gardeners, & neighbours neatly illustrates the promises and perils of urban planning in St. John’s.
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Hands That Feed, Pt. 2: the Paradox of Essential Food Charity
Food charity is putting a band-aid on a deadly and insidious gangrene—which corporate power and government inaction allows to fester in our communities.
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RNC Partnership May Be Over, but SHOP is Busier than Ever
“As long as sex work is criminalized then authorities have a mandate to treat sex workers as criminals. They’re oversurveilled and they’re underprotected.”
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Who Controls Fish Processing in Newfoundland & Labrador?
Is corporate concentration a central part of the province’s long-term strategy for the fishery? How does that benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians?
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No Safe Bet: Why Newfoundland & Labrador is Canada’s Casino Holdout
In 2010, when Colliers International was listing the Battery Hotel and Suites for $15 million, they dared buyers to imagine alternate usages for the property—even those that went against provincial policy. “Newfoundland is one of only two Canadian provinces that does not have a provincially approved casino,” Colliers said in a brochure. “If this highly interesting situation changes, the site is sufficiently large to accommodate a Class A casino and hotel.” “Our policy doesn’t permit casinos in the province,” then-finance minister Tom Marshall told reporters at the time. “There’s been no change in that policy.” When asked if he’d reconsider the policy if a casino application was submitted, he was unequivocal: “No.” By 2014, Marshall was premier and Charlene Johnson, then-finance minister, suggested to reporters that they might be willing to consider a good offer. Saying the government would review proposals stopped far short of saying they would be approved,…
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The Doctor is In: Andrew Furey as Technocrat
Dr. Furey does in fact have a principled vision for Newfoundland and Labrador’s future. It is a vision that is deeply technocratic—and troublingly elitist.
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On Corporate Ties, Andrew Furey has Nothing to Hide
Up to now, an important aspect of Andrew Furey’s recent professional life has received almost no mention at all: his corporate board directorships.
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Rushing to Judgement on Judges’ Salaries
The House of Assembly has mismanaged the motion before it on whether to adopt the Tribunal recommendations in light of recent jurisprudence on the matter.
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The Hands that Feed, Part 1: Faces of the Grocery Frontlines
Despite the fanfare for their service, food retail employees themselves are not convinced they’re ‘recognized’ in ways that actually improve their lives.
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Thinking Outside the Crisis: A Great Big Bag of Hammers
The events triggered by Covid-19 are diagnostic of fragile social arrangements that we have lacked the ability to discuss for decades.
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Why NL Fishers are Protesting in a Pandemic: An Explainer
The fight over the 2020 fishing season has exposed many deeply rooted problems in a crucial but troubled industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Thinking Outside the Crisis: Decarbonized or Destitute?
We can *heart* oil and gas all we want—it doesn’t *heart* us back.
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Constabulary and Critics Continue Tense Coexistence
As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s been nearly a year since Jenny Wright stepped down as Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council. In October, the Independent revealed RNC and provincial government involvement in the sequence of events leading to her departure. Since that time, there have been a range of responses from community organizations, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and state officials. Five months after the story emerged, and nearly a year after Wright stepped down, the Independent takes a look at what’s transpired in the wake of the revelations. The provincial government has maintained clear support for key figures involved in the overreach, including Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Chief Joe Boland and now-Deputy Minister for Status of Women Linda Ross. But many important relationships across the community remain strained. The St. John’s Status of Women Council, as well as the Provincial Action Network for the Status of Women…
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There Will Be No Coalition Government
Opposition parties and independents can float forming a coalition government as much as they want. The precedent is clear that it would not happen.
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Milestone or Millstone?: Unpacking the Premier’s “Plan”
Several days after the premier’s “significant announcement,” neither the plan—or Dwight Ball’s political future—is clear.
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Unmasking Donny Dooley: Newfoundland’s Most Wanted Troll
For years, an anonymous Twitter account mocked accident victims, berated grieving parents, and terrorized women. Today the Independent removes his mask.
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