On Wednesday, I questioned CBC reporter Phonse Jessome's reporting on the Philip Boudreau killing, and the broader media failure to probe allegations the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP received many complaints about Boudreau's chronic lobster thievery and trap vandalism over the years, but did little or nothing. In an essay on the CBC's website, Jessome elaborates on his approach to the story (though he makes no overt reference to my criticism). Unfortunately, he sheds no light on why the CBC continues to skirt the DFO-RCMP angle....

28 June, 2013

On Monday, CBC reporter Phonse Jessome recounted sensational excerpts from what purported to be a confession by one of the fishermen accused of killing Philip Boudreau June 1. He supplemented his reporting with editorial comments that portrayed the killing as an unfathomable escalation of a feud over "fishing territory." Based on widely known but lightly reported facts, the escalation is not unfathomable. To portray it as arising out of a "feud" over “territory” is to adopt one side in highly contentious matter. Tuesday, while reporting a brief court appearance by the accused men, Jessome added more editorial commentary, stressing the trauma experienced by the Boudreau's family, portraying defense...

25 June, 2013

It's been a while since we've featured a music video. This one comes from Korean-born, London-based electronic music producer Postino (real name: Junho Lee). I think of it as a mashup of Psy and our old friend Brett Domino, Best viewed full screen. [Video link] Director:  Will Kindrick. H/T: the engrossing Stellar blog....

20 June, 2013

For most of 2012, Mary MacDougall was acting community leader at l'Arche Cape Breton. That year, her birthday fell on a Tuesday, the night the whole community gathers to share supper, news, and conversation. That's when Mary received an unexpected birthday gift from a man who has never spoken a word in his life. [Video link] Then there was the time L'Arche Core Member David Gunn decided to ham it up at a gathering where EMT's were present, inspiring a bigger reaction than he bargained for. [Video link] You can subscribe to l'Arche Cape Breton's YouTube channel, and follow l'Arche Cape Breton on Facebook, Twitter, and...

18 June, 2013

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec...

15 June, 2013

In some ways, at least. Our old friend Hans Rosling (previous Contrarian appearances here, here, here, and here) brings us up to date, and highlights the amazing recent prograss in (parts of) Ethiopia: Rosling's Gapminder data visualization software now has some tools you can download to your own computer....

12 June, 2013

Huffington Post's Canadian edition yesterday published an investigative report by a team of student journalists from the University of King's College detailing the housing crisis facing Nova Scotians with intelectual disabilities. There is not enough room in the system for all of the people who need a place to live. They languish on waiting lists that are hundreds of names long. Their families, in turn, must support them with scant financial, caregiving or community programming resources. Eventually the families get too old or sick to do it, making the situation for their relatives in rehab even worse. With so little room, placements...

12 June, 2013

Consider taking in the annual l'Arche Cape Breton Springfest at the World Trade and Convention Center, Membertou. It's an evening of stories and songs  by the l'Arche troupe, together with delicious desserts and an auction featuring arts and crafts by l'Arche folks, and goods donated by l'Arche supporters. L’Arche Cape Breton will share their gift of music and storytelling, while illustrating their incredible zest for life. An evening to remember for just $15. Tickets at Wentworth Perk and the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop. If you aren't familiar with l'Arche, here's a wee introduction: Director and videographer: Naomi Cousins; Producer: Mary MacDougall; Artist: Anil Kumar;...

06 June, 2013

The James McGregor Stewart Society, a small voluntary group with a single summer intern, has managed to pull off in a month what the Disabled Persons Commission of NS (annual budget: $600,000) and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission ($2.1 million) have not achieved in the decades of their existence. It has surveyed the accessibility of MLAs offices throughout the province. The results will not be a source of pride for Nova Scotia or its legislators. The survey rated MLAs' constituency offices based on parking facilities, power door buttons, entrance accessibility, washroom accessibility, and proximity to accessible bus routes. Since accessible bus routes are...

05 June, 2013

The Canadian Automobile Association says so in a survey published today. The Kempt Head Road comes in at No. 5 (actually No. 6, since two roads tied for third). Ironically, the gravel portion of the road is in pretty good shape after a couple of post-winter gradings. But the paved portion? Oh, the paved portion! It's hard to depict in a photo, but this is pretty much how it looks from end to end: For the curious, the Kempt Head Road begins at Exit 13W on the TransCanada Highway 105, near the Seal Island Bridge (officially the Great Bras d'Or Crossing). It...

05 June, 2013
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