The “Pandemic Budget,” and Politics at the End of the Line
The truth is even simpler than it was last year. The province, despite seven years of austerity, is even closer to financial ruin that it was in 2019. Keep Reading
Searching for a ‘Ome for Nature
Earlier this year, “A Home for Nature” was released for public comment. Feedback for phase one of the plan is open until October 1, 2020. Keep Reading
Notes From the Rafters: 28 September 2020
We are told that the City “values the input” of the inclusion committee on winter sidewalk clearing… but clearly not their actual quality of life. Keep Reading
The Snelgrove Cycles: What was Done and What was Lost
Each trial is its own contained drama, but it is also a link in the chain of our laws. Keep Reading
Notes From the Rafters: 14 September 2020
How is the democratic process supposed to work? If we're cavalier about limiting offline public engagement, we risk de-prioritizing full and fair democracy. Keep Reading
Indy Inks (11 September 2020)
Let no one say that the Newfoundland and Labrador government doesn't believe in recycling. Keep Reading
Notes From the Rafters: Who’s Who in the Race for Ward 2
With literally nothing of interest to report from this week’s meeting, let's take this opportunity to gossip about the Ward 2 candidates so far. Keep Reading
All Workers Deserve the Dignity of a Living Wage
Do we, as a society, accept that there are people in our province who work full time for wages that trap them in poverty? Keep Reading
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,… Keep Reading
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. Keep Reading
LETTER: Investing in a Walk-able City Pays for Itself
With an investment of $3 million annually into improving walkability in St. John’s, the economic benefits would outweigh the costs by four times. Keep Reading
Indy Inks (20 August 2020)
Indy Inks (19 August 2020)
"No, no—it's just the seat of the pants that are missing. The arse, we assure you, has not gone out but remains firmly in 'er." Keep Reading
Notes From the Rafters: 17 August 2020
Council's first meeting without Hope; the great Car Concert of 2020; finding the proper Werkliv balance; smelly Southlands water; and much more! Keep Reading
Indy Inks (17 August 2020)
Everything's probably fine! Keep Reading
Notes from the Rafters: 4 August 2020
Hope Jamieson's final council meeting involved a bit of blood, sweat, and tears—plus a little urine in a cup. Also: sucks to your "property values"! Keep Reading
Andrew Furey Reneges on Transparency Commitment
Last month, the Independent published an investigation and interview with Liberal Leadership candidate Andrew Furey, about his experience as a director of three corporations—Alderon Iron Ore, Sequence Bio, and Canada Fluorspar. Each of those corporations have lobbied the government or have received loans from the government in recent years. The title of the piece, “On corporate ties, Furey has nothing to hide,” was inspired by the following exchange during our interview. “The Indy: So these [corporate director] positions, I assume were a pretty significant source of income for you in recent years? And you’ve omitted them from your public profile on your website. Can you explain why? Furey: Well, by Sequence Bio, there was no income generated from that. I would be happy to disclose the income from others. Of course Alderon would be publicly visible as it was a publicly-traded company. I’d have to look, but I would be… Keep Reading
Learning How to Speak
When I moved to St. John’s I got work at a call center. Sometimes, on the other end of the line I’d hear “I’m not talking to a Newfie,” and then a dialtone. Keep Reading
Notes from the Rafters: 20 July, 2020
Council is chafing in the muggy summer heat. Not a few councillors and/or mayors and deputy mayors sounded fed up with the rules of council and each other. Keep Reading
Community Groups Urge NL to Waive Income Support Clawbacks
The letter calls for a one-time change to the provincial Income and Employment Support Act to waive all penalties associated with receiving the CERB. Keep Reading