What's wrong with voters in the Halifax Regional Municipality? Only 37% of the city's eligible voters cast their ballots, 22% online or by phone in the municipal election. That compares to Richmond County with an 80% turnout. It was 57% in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and a whopping 87% turnout in Guysborough County. Truro reported a 47% turnout compared to 19% four years ago. Every single vote in the town was done online. The polls closed at 7 in Truro and the results were in by 7:15. Halifax's final results weren't known until around 3 Sunday morning. The delay is certainly something the city needs to rectify for next election, but why residents in the city were less inclined to vote than other areas of the province is a mystery and one of the many challenges facing Mike Savage and his new council. They'll be sworn into office November 6th.
Defeated city councillor Dawn Sloane is taking her loss especially hard. Sloane wasn't answering her phone at all yesterday and when the results became apparent Saturday night one reporter who came looking for reaction at her home was pushed out the door. I understand her frustration, but still, the media has been kind to Sloane over the years. Other defeated councillors made themselves available for comments. I expected better of her.
Sea lice might not be harmful to human health, but the treatments used to control the issue in farmed salmon can be very harmful to the lobster fishery. So says west coast marine biologist and anti-fish farm activist Dr Alexandra Morton who's whirlwind visit to the region in the last couple of weeks has fired up the debate over open pen salmon farming. Sobeys removed Atlantic salmon from its storeshelves last week after Morton posted photos online of salmon sold in its stores containing sea lice. Morton agrees its not a human health hazard, but the drugs used to control the problem can devastate lobster stocks. The Dexter government's support for open pen salmon farming, knowing that risk, is disconcerting.
A CSIS assessment says Sub-Lt Jeffrey Delisle's spying for the Russians has caused severe and irreparable damage to Canadian interests. That view certainly conflicts with the Harper government's contention damage was minimal. There's also concern Delisle passed on intelligence about Canada's allies to the Russians putting Canada's relationship with our allies "in jeopardy" according to another report on the Delisle case. Delisle pleaded guilty earlier this month to passing on secret information in exchange for $3000 a month. He'll be sentenced in January. I expect in the coming months we'll learn ever more about the damage done by his traitorous actions.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
