6 Comments
User's avatar
Robert Berard's avatar

I've only lived in Halifax for 50 years, but I can attest to everything you've described, and I was able immediately to identify the location of the photograph accompanying your post (and I've experienced the same feelings whenever I am near to it).

Part of the story you tell takes me back to the much heralded (at the time) "Ivany Report" of 2014. Very much like the work of Richard Florida, it was, in my view, a blueprint for a childless paradise on the Peninsula. We have been building an urban "empty cradle" to serve the growing number of citizens, who for ideological, cultural or fiscal reasons, perceive any family with more children than replacement size as oddities at best.

Expand full comment
John Wesley Chisholm's avatar

Only 50 years... hahaha.

Expand full comment
Robert Berard's avatar

This reminds me of a story, probably apocryphal, told by the late humourist, Marshall Dodge, born in NYC, but a long time resident of Maine. He goes to the local hardware/general store and is reminded by the old boys that he is a come-from-away. He protests that, while that's true, all of his children were born and grew up in Maine. One of the old boys responds, "Just because ya' put kittens in the oven just afteh they-ah baohn, that don't make 'em muffins."

Expand full comment
John Wesley Chisholm's avatar

The Ivany Report was the worst thing to ever happen to Nova Scotia... and that is saying something.

Expand full comment
Carol Bradley's avatar

Big mistake: building that new huge convention centre.

Expand full comment
John Wesley Chisholm's avatar

Yes, and it's just one example of generations of wealth wasted on mega-project madness disguised as economic development.

Expand full comment