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Desmond Inquiry Final Report Delayed Again [AUDIO]

Raymond Sheppard talks to The Todd Veinotte Show on News 95.7FM in Halifax – July 7th, 2023. 

Via City News: “The Nova Scotia government has dismissed the judge presiding over an inquiry that has spent much of the past five years investigating why Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond killed three family members and himself in 2017.

Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s attorney general, confirmed Tuesday he has asked the chief judge of the provincial court to assign a new judge to finish the work started by provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, saying the province has waited long enough for Zimmer’s final report.” 

See Also:

The Desmond family

See also:

Lionel Beals & Rocky Coward

[VIDEO] Advocate challenges dismissal of DND employee after 30 years with the Canadian military

As we celebrate this year’s Black History Month, this special edition of Community Update highlights the ongoing struggle against racism and injustice faced by Black individuals, particularly within the Canadian Armed Forces. Reflecting on the historical context, including the formation of Canada’s first all-Black military regiment during World War One, the program focuses on recent events involving community advocate Rubin “Rocky” Coward and Lionel Beals, a former Department of National Defense employee.

Beals was fired after being accused of misconduct, an allegation he vehemently denies. Coward, a retired senior noncommissioned officer and community advocate, has taken up Beals’ case, alleging systemic racism within the military.

Raymond Sheppard speaks at the rally in support of Black HRM workers.

Halifax mayor speaks at third rally for Black HRM workers who allege racial discrimination [VIDEO]

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage spoke to attendees at a rally this week organized by an advocate who’s been supporting Black HRM workers who say they are the targets of racist discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Black Community Support Line - 1-866-732-1253 Ext. 2

Black Community Support Line: 1-866-732-1253 Ext. 2

The Black Community Support Line (1-866-732-1253, Ext. 2) is available to provide resources, support, and navigation to those of African descent across Nova Scotia. #blackhealthmatters #novascotia #canada #health

C MLA Elect for Preston, Twaila Grosse, at her campaign announcement even in June, 2023.

Twila Grosse said no decision yet on her role with African Nova Scotian Affairs, joining caucus [AUDIO]

Twila Grosse won Tuesday’s byelection, making her the first person of African descent to be elected for the provincial PC party.

The next sitting of the legislative assembly will also be the first in Nova Scotia’s history where MLAs of African descent will represent all of the parties in the legislature.

At her campaign announcement event in June, Grosse and Premier Tim Houston said they had had some preliminary discussions about her taking on the role of minister with African Nova Scotian Affairs. In an interview with the Examiner on Thursday, Grosse reiterated that no decision has been made on that matter.

“Now my focus is, in terms of being oriented, being set up as an MLA, getting going with regards to trying to seek solutions, and trying to get up to speed on some of the various issues and some of the things that need to be done in the riding,” Grosse said.

“I’m sure at some point that discussion will be had with regards to moving forward and sort of how I can contribute to our government.”

Kerian Burnett, left, and Stacey Gomez, right, speak to reporters in Halifax on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. Burnett arrived in Nova Scotia from Jamaica to work on a strawberry farm, but says she was fired after her cancer diagnosis, leaving her without medical coverage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marlo Glass

Jamaican migrant worker granted federal health care after being fired from N.S. farm [VIDEO]

A migrant worker who was diagnosed with cervical cancer shortly after arriving in Nova Scotia has been granted health insurance under a federal program.

Kerian Burnett arrived from Jamaica in April 2022 to work on a strawberry farm, and says she was fired after her cancer diagnosis and left without medical coverage.

Her lawyer, Thiago Buchert, says that after nearly eight months Burnett has been admitted to the interim federal health program.

Cecil Boutilier.

No More Excuses: Cecil Boutilier is trying to right his troubled past despite COVID and an overbearing parole system

Boutilier was on a hunger strike to draw attention to COVID rules, until he tested positive for the virus last week. Now, he says he’s advocating against obstacles put in his way of running his business.