Dalhousie president Tom Traves has rejected a plea by the university's women's hockey team to lift their season-ending suspension. The suspension was imposed after a complaint stemming from a private house party, a party the university considered a hazing. It described the night as one of exessive drinking, intimidation, humiliation and bullying, something the players have denied. They've admitted to dressing up the rookies, asking them to eat a mix of sardines, peppers and whipped cream along with some drinking games but the players say at no time was anyone forced to participate. The university says that's not the whole story, but it refuses to reveal any further information citing privacy issues. Keeping that information a secret is unfair to the players and casts a dark cloud over them. If there's indeed more to this story than what the players are telling, the university needs to come clean.
A big announcement's coming today about new investment in Michelin's Waterville plant. Michelin's corporate president Dana Leblanc is coming to make what's described as a positive investment announcement. While it may indeed be good news, I wonder how much it's going to cost the Nova Scotia taxpayer.
A study to be released today concludes the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project will be the cheapest option to meet Nova Scotia's future energy needs. The study by John Dalton of Power Advisory in the U.S. compared Muskrat Falls to other options like Quebec hydro and a mix of wind power and natural gas. Sources indicate Dalton determined Muskrat Falls would be the cheaper option. No numbers were provided however. That will come today with the report's release. Proponents of cheap and plentiful hydro power from Quebec have argued we could get it for a fraction of the cost of Muskrat Falls. It will be interesting to see the actual numbers from this study.
They're going home. Donors from across the country have chipped in enough cash and air miles to send home the 8 sailors stranded in Halifax after their tug was detained for safety deficiencies. The crew could fly home to Honduras and El Salvador as early as tomorrow. They've been here about a month after seeking shelter in Halifax from a storm. In that time they haven't been paid nor have they been able to contact the ship's New Jersey-based owner. CTV's supper hour news did get ahold of the fellow yesterday. And while he promised to pay the crew, he says he has no responsibility to help cover the cost of their flights home. Indeed, he says the crew should have stayed on the boat and fixed its problems rather than appeal for help to return to their homes.
What a jerk!
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
