Backwater: Nova Scotia's Economic Decline

I've been reading Paul Moreira's book, "Backwater: Nova Scotia's Economic Decline". Having heard his interview on CBC's Mainstreet with Stephanie Domette and the number of "talkback" calls from insulted listeners, I just knew I had to read this book. I admit, I haven't finished it yet, with two children under 5 and a fulltime job,  its hard at times to finish books. So far, however, I'm finding it to be an interesting read. Not from the Maritimes myself, it's been a bit of a political history lesson about Nova Scotia and why this region has a bad rap.
Mr. Moreira's book is inspiring me to get more involved in my community and to do my part to affect political and business change. Having moved here 2 1/2 years ago from Vancouver, it has been a bit of an adjustment to the kinder pace of life in Nova Scotia. People are very friendly, yet friendliness doesn't translate to finding employment very easily. Something I'm learning about from my interaction with recent immigrants and general comments people "from away" have made.
If Nova Scotia plans to fulfill their recruitment objectives as per the Nova Scotia Come to Life campaigns, everyone has to be onboard. Attractive and intelligent marketing campaigns generate the leads and interest, but whose job is it to close the sale? The government? Business?
Moreira has some solutions - particularly how to plan for the pending demographic shift such as cutting back and amalgamating government. Once I finish the book, I'll prepare a little report.

Nova Scotia population crisis...

I came across "At Issue: Report on Population Crisis" about the current population crisis here in Nova Scotia published by the Halifax Chamber. I was pleased to know that we were part of the 18, 553 people who moved here in 2007. My husband and I didn't make our decision lightly. After all, moving from Vancouver to the other side of the country isn't something you do on a whim. There were other cities we considered, but in the end we chose Halifax/Dartmouth because it made the most sense to us. My husband went to Dalhousie, two of his university friends lived here with their young families, it has the big city amenities but still small enough that you feel a sense of communiy. We absolutely love it here. There are lakes and beaches, parks and community events. People are friendly and motorists actually stop for pedestrians. For the first two months, I couldn't get over how polite everyone was. Even the Superstores are different here - they're neat and orderly and they pack your groceries!!! Wow! I know it seems bizarre that these little things would impress someone, but it does.

But for us, moving here was a much easier transition than an immigrant. We recently met a young family that moved here from Russia in September. They have two children under 4 and only the wife speaks English. I feel an obligation to help this family settle into Canada by providing community and neighbourly support. If we want people to stay and contribute to our community both economically and socially, we need to do our part. We can't always expect the government or agencies to help immigrants.

Easiest birthday party

Edmund turns 2 tomorrow. This had to be the easiest party we've thrown for our two children. Nothing fancy, no major activities, just kids playing, eating cake and parents hanging out. The hardest part was when the kids had to say goodbye. Why do all good things come to an end? Because parents say so. 

Halloween 2009

Just had a great Halloween Trick O Treating with my kids. Perfect weather! All my years in Vancouver, most Halloweens were damp and raining. The last 3 Halloweens here in NS have been great!

HRM Transit - Do they ever enforce the non smoking policy?

What do you do about smokers at the bus stop? I've sent a message to HRM Transit a few weeks ago complaining about having to ingest disgusting secondhand smoke at the Sportsplex terminal. I got the usual, "we're looking into it response". This morning was even more disgusting, eveywhere I turned I was swamped with smoke. Even in the shelter, it was coming in. There was no way to escape it till my bus arrived. So for about 10 minutes I dodged back and forth through an obstacle course of smokers and their tail of smoke - YUCK! Any suggestions on how to improve the situation? Perhaps they could designate an area just for smokers?