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Nova Scotia continues to prioritize landlord profits over basic tenant rights

Jenna MacNeily
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Nova Scotia continues to prioritize landlord profits over basic tenant rights

The question of tenant rights in Nova Scotia has resurfaced as the NDP urged the Progressive Conservative government to enact meaningful rent control during the fall sitting of the legislature. The PC government continues to stifle efforts to adopt more progressive policies that would support middle- and low-income earners in the province.

In 2020, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party introduced a temporary two per cent rent cap—meaning that tenant’s rent cannot increase more than two percent each year—in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This remained in place until January 2024, when the province increased the cap to 5 per cent. 

In September, the government announced they are extending the five per cent cap until the end of 2027, along with other changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Among these changes is the tightening of eviction timelines for rental arrears. Landlords will now be able to serve an eviction notice after three days of unpaid rent, whereas before they had to wait fifteen days. Moreover, tenants previously had 15 days to pay the outstanding rent or file a dispute; now they will have 10.  

Fixed-term loophole remains wide open

Advocates at ACORN argue the rent cap is useless while fixed-term leases remain in use. This is because when a fixed-term lease expires, landlords are under no obligation to renew it and are within their rights to evict the tenant without cause. In fact, landlords are incentivized to remove tenants, as the rent cap only applies if the same tenant remains in the unit. This has contributed to skyrocketing rent prices across the province. At the time of the changes to the RTA, data from rentals.ca indicated the average cost of a one bedroom apartment in Halifax increased by 10 per cent in the past year and a staggering 18.2 per cent for two bedroom apartments.

Other provinces have addressed this loophole by setting strict regulations on fixed-term leases. In British Columbia, when a fixed-term lease ends, it automatically becomes a month-to-month lease, unless the landlord intends to occupy the unit. Outside of specific scenarios like this, landlords cannot force the tenant to vacate or sign another fixed-term lease.

NDP calls for rent caps tied to units

The NDP proposes that rent caps be tied to units and not tenants, so that landlords are restricted in their ability to increase rent, even when a tenant moves out. This would remove the current financial incentive to evict tenants and slow the rapidly rising cost. While many lobbyists dismiss this idea as outlandish, similar policies already exist in P.E.I. 

Advocates say a compliance and enforcement unit is needed

A newly released report recommends Nova Scotia create a compliance and enforcement unit for residential tenancies, an enforcement system that already exists in Ontario. The provincial government commissioned the report in 2022, but refused to release the findings until this September. The government has declined to follow these recommendations, citing high operating costs and logistical challenges. Representatives from Dalhousie Legal Aid spoke to the dire need for such a system, highlighting examples of large corporate landlords who flagrantly violate the law without consequence.

Are landlords more deserving than tenants?

Tim Houston’s government says they are balancing the needs of both landlords and tenants, falsely implying that landlords are as vulnerable as renters. Opponents of rent control evoke the image of mom-and-pop landlords renting their basement suite to cover mortgage payments. They allege that fixed-term leases are necessary because they cannot pay their bills while adhering to the rent cap. The reality is that the 5 per cent cap is not tied to inflation or interest rates and more than compensates for increased mortgage payments and operating costs. Landlords are still generating profit, and even if they weren’t, are their investments more important than the housing security of Nova Scotians? 

Interestingly, the amendments to the RTA also include a new clause related to subletting. Tenants are now prohibited from subletting their unit for more than they currently pay in rent. Why are landlord investments protected, while tenants are barred from this revenue stream? These regulations send the message that it is acceptable to profit from housing, but only if you are rich enough to own property.

Is housing a human right or a commodity?

Rent control is a band-aid solution to the overarching problem of commodified housing. While housing remains an avenue for individuals and corporations to generate profit, we will never truly solve the housing and homelessness crises. Nova Scotia needs state-owned housing that is accessible, affordable and dignified for diverse community members. Nevertheless, while we advocate for increased public housing going forward, we must continue fighting for those that are suffering under inadequate rent control today.

Canada’s hypocritical voting record on Palestinian rights

Zainub Beg
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Canada’s hypocritical voting record on Palestinian rights

Canada has long been known to support human rights and the rule of law, but its voting record at the United Nations on Palestinian rights calls that reputation into question. Since 2011, Canada has consistently voted against or abstained from key UN resolutions supporting Palestinian rights, making it a minority alongside Israel, the United States and a few Pacific island nations. This position directly contradicts Canada’s foreign policy, which acknowledges the illegality of Israeli settlements and affirms the Palestinian right to self-determination.

The shift began under the Stephen Harper government and has largely continued under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Despite Trudeau’s stated support for a two-state solution, Canada’s voting record shows a different reality. Over the past decade, Canada has voted against or abstained from numerous UN resolutions related to Palestine. Most recently, Canada abstained on a resolution calling for Israel to end its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. 

This ongoing trend raises concerns about Canada’s credibility as a proponent of human rights on the global stage. Such a discrepancy not only alienates Canada from its traditional allies but also raises ethical questions about its foreign policy priorities. This pattern of voting isolates Canada from some of its Western European allies, who are supporting resolutions that affirm Palestinian rights and uphold international law.

Canada’s role in international diplomacy  

Canada’s alignment with Israel and the United States is particularly concerning given its historical role as a leader in multilateralism. The current stance on Palestine raises doubts about whether Canada remains committed to these ideals. Recently, the Canadian government faced significant debate in the House of Commons regarding a motion that called for recognizing Palestine as a state, reflecting a potential shift in policy. While the motion ultimately did not lead to full recognition, it highlighted the growing urgency of the Palestinian situation and the need for a more balanced approach​. 

European nations such as France, Spain, Norway, and Ireland have voted in favour of resolutions that address Palestinian rights. Moreover, several countries have recognized Palestine as a state in recent years, reinforcing the international consensus around Palestinian rights. 

Canada’s recognition of Kosovo in 2008, despite Serbia’s objections, serves as a relevant example. Kosovo’s recognition was a significant gesture toward supporting the rights of marginalized populations seeking self-determination. If Canada were to extend similar recognition to Palestine, it would align its foreign policy with the principles of justice and human rights that it espouses. 

Contradictions in Canada’s values 

This issue goes beyond foreign policy — it reflects Canada’s domestic values. Canada’s official policy supports the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and condemns the expansion of Israeli settlements. However, when it comes time to vote at the UN, Canada often takes positions that contradict this stance. While Harper openly supported Israel’s controversial actions, Trudeau, though adopting a more measured tone, has largely maintained these voting patterns. Although in 2019, Canada voted in favour of a resolution affirming the right of Palestinians to self-determination, the vote was a rare departure from its usual stance and seems to be the exception.

A broader commitment to anti-colonialism 

Canada’s approach to Palestine is also relevant in the context of its domestic reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission outlined Canada’s responsibility to address the settler colonial legacies that harm Indigenous peoples. Recognizing Palestine could be an extension of this commitment on an international level. The Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is settler-colonial in nature and by supporting Palestinian self-determination, Canada would remain consistent in its promise, both at home and abroad.

A path forward

The time has come for Canada to align its voting record with its foreign policy principles. This involves supporting resolutions that condemn illegal Israeli settlements, calling for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories and affirming the right of Palestinians to self-determination. These are not radical positions; they are consistent with Canada’s historical commitments to international law and human rights. 

Canada cannot remain silent. By supporting UN resolutions that affirm Palestinian rights and call for accountability, Canada can contribute to a fair and lasting solution to the conflict. Canada’s current voting pattern on Palestinian rights contradicts its foreign policy and values. If Canada is to play a meaningful role in global diplomacy, it must reassess its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. A balanced and principled stance would better reflect Canada’s commitment to human rights and international law, paving the way for peace. The time for change is now.

Rent cap loophole leaves Nova Scotia housing crisis anything but “fixed”

Martha Steeper
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Rent cap loophole leaves Nova Scotia housing crisis anything but “fixed”

The Tim Houston government is favouring landlords once again by proposing an extension of the five per cent rent cap until 2027, leaving many Nova Scotians losing hope in seeing the rental market improve. 

Though smaller landlords have made it clear they too benefit from fixed-term leases, opposition parties and housing advocates say this bill’s failure provides incentive for larger corporate landlords to boost rents past five per cent for new tenants. 

Nova Scotia NDP leader Claudia Chender spoke to the disappointment in a statement released by the party. The statement read in part, “This flawed policy incentivizes evictions, drives up market rents, and leads to widespread housing insecurity and, in some cases, homelessness. All Nova Scotians deserve to be safe and housed. This is the purpose of our legislation.”

Lack of clear housing plan despite population increases

The Houston government has made it clear they have a plan to make the single largest investment in public housing in the last 30 years. What is not clear is how the plan will come to fruition. While Tim Houston’s current housing plan focuses on much needed housing for students across the province, it fails to address items such as the rent cap loophole or the growing number of encampments across the HRM. 

Despite having been in power since 2021, the Houston government has little to show for the work on their housing plan. One of the largest projects to date was the $1.3 million investment into a partnership with the ‘Happipad’ app, in the summer of 2023. While the app had good intentions to provide incentive to Nova Scotians to turn spare bedrooms into units for renters, it has only signed 31 leases as of August 28, 2024. 

The province’s population has been on a steady incline, reaching 1.05 million residents in July 2021, largely attributed to immigration and inter-provincial moves. 

Tim Houston was quoted in an interview regarding his lofty goal of hitting a population of two million by 2060 saying, “We need more people. Our demographics are not great. So doubling the population, for me, is about right-sizing our demographics. It’s about making the province younger.” 

But even if such growth can be sustained, there are questions about its logicality, as these statements are made while the province is facing a housing and affordability crisis the likes of which no one here can remember. Vacancy rates in Halifax hover around one per cent and rent costs have increased by 9.3 per cent in the last year, the highest spike in the country for residential rental costs. 

Non-profit organizations left to pick up the pieces 

Many non-profit organizations around the HRM have had to make up for lack of affordable housing, particularly as the five per cent rent cap proposed extension does not protect renters if they move units. 

One example is Adsum, a group who provides shelter and support to marginalized individuals, and whose demand for services has greatly increased. In the month of April 2024, Adsum received over 90 calls from families requiring immediate support. 

Meghan Hansford, a program manager at Adsum, attributed this to the end of many fixed-term leases. Although many non-profit organizations are stepping in to offer support in regards to food security, healthcare and gender-based violence, all are at a loss for housing. 

While non-profit organizations seek to provide as much assistance as they can, the provincial government quietly tightened the eligibility requirements for the provincial subsidy known as rent supplement in January 2023. With hundreds of people completely disqualified from the program, it left many without the ability to afford rent at all. 

Moreover, Nova Scotians are unable to move without being priced out, leaving many to live in dangerous conditions. According to ACORN’s fixed-term lease report, landlords who use fixed-term leases are not doing necessary repairs. Of the tenants surveyed, 60.4 per cent said they had maintenance issues when they moved in, and 60.1 per cent said they have maintenance issues now. 

Nova Scotia is more than just the Halifax Regional Municipality 

With 58.9 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population reported to live in a city center in 2021, much of the provincial funding becomes concentrated within urban areas. This leaves the 41.1 per cent in rural areas with less funding and therefore less access to resources. Some municipal officials in rural Cape Breton said even though they don’t have tent cities like Halifax, housing and homelessness are problems for them too. 

Between the fixed-term lease loophole and many properties being used as short-term housing units like Airbnb’s, municipal governments are feeling the pressure of being the ones who receive calls for help. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the largest municipality on Cape Breton Island, is short 1,000 housing units, a number that could double in the next decade if steps aren’t taken to grow the housing stock, according to its provincial needs assessment. 

Housing is a human right 

In March of 2021, the NDP’s former leader Gary Burrill introduced Bill No. 43, rightly named the Housing as a Human Right Act. 

“There are many solutions to the housing crisis in Nova Scotia,” said NDP Housing spokesperson Lisa Roberts in regards to the act. “Permanent rent control, inclusionary zoning, and support for non-profit housing providers would go a long way to addressing affordability and housing supply.” 

In 2023, Gary Burrill moved two amendments to the bill extending Nova Scotia’s temporary rent control, one being to close the fixed-term lease loophole. The government used the majority of its committee to vote down both amendments. 

It is clear the current Houston government only believes in this right when it is afforded to those they see fit. It is easier for them to continue lining the pockets of their landlord friends than it is to extend a hand to some of Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable.

Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers

Heather Wardlaw
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Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers

Looking for a cute, fun and tasty Halloween dinner? Look no further! Fun and easy to make, this taco bowl/stuffed pepper fusion takes taco night to a whole new level. This is a great way to introduce a healthy and delicious dinner to Halloween night without taking away the fun of the season. It’s also a great meal to make with friends or family; you can even make it a competition to see who can make the cutest, scariest or funniest jack-o’-lantern!

What you’ll need (serves 2): 

  • Olive oil (about 1-2 tbsp) 
  • 1 onion 
  • 2 orange bell peppers 
  • ⅔ cup of rice 
  • ½ lb of ground beef 
  • Taco seasoning 
  • Sour cream 
  • Avocado 
  • Salsa 
  • Shredded cheddar cheese 
  • Tortilla chips

1. Slice your onion. Cover the bottom of the pan in olive oil. On medium high heat, add onions to the pan and cover with lid, stirring occasionally for 10 to 20 minutes or until soft and browning. 

2. Add ⅔ cup of rice to a pot with 1 ⅓ cups of water on high. Once the rice reaches a boil, stir and turn to a simmer until fluffy. 

3. Meanwhile, add the ground beef to another pan and cook until brown all the way through. Add taco seasoning according to instructions on the package. 

4. While the onions, rice and ground beef cook, prepare the bell peppers. Cut a circle around the stem wide enough to cut the core out of the pepper. Once you have removed the core and seeds, get creative and carve your jack-o-lantern! 

5. In a bowl, mix cooked rice, ground beef and onions. Add salsa, sour cream, avocado and shredded cheddar cheese to taste. Scoop mixture into your pepper and rest the stuffed pepper on top of the leftover mixture. Top with crushed tortilla chips.

From Desh with dread: the ghost stories of Bangladesh

Prarthobee Tariq
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From Desh with dread: the ghost stories of Bangladesh

On stormy, rain-soaked nights, when the winds howled like lost spirits and the inevitable power cuts plunged the house into darkness, my cousins and I would gather around our grandmother. The soft glow of a flickering candle barely pierced the thick shadows, but it was enough to see her calm, wise face as she began to weave her stories. Betel leaf in hand, her voice carried us far away — into a realm where folklore blended with reality, where spirits walked among us and where the boundary between life and death was a thin, trembling line.

Her tales were inherited and passed down through generations like a sacred thread that tied us to our ancestors. As the storm outside raged, her whispered words chilled us to the bone. We clung to every syllable, our eyes darting nervously to the darkest corners of the room, as though the very spirits she spoke of were listening, waiting for their cue to step into the light.

The legend of Charu Ghosh

Deep in the heart of Bengal, where the dense mangroves twist like skeletal fingers, lies the legend of Charu Ghosh, a sorcerer feared for his mastery of the dark arts. Charu’s power over nature was unmatched — he could summon storms, bring ruin to crops and even command the spirits of the dead. But his hunger for immortality was his undoing.

One fateful night, Charu, in his insatiable quest for eternal life, sought to bind a wandering spirit known to possess the secrets of death. With forbidden incantations echoing in the stillness, he attempted to imprison the spector. But the spirit, enraged, unleashed a violent storm and in a blinding flash of light, Charu was consumed by his dark magic. His body was never found, but his voice — the voice of Charu Ghosh — lingers still.

To this day, on nights when the winds whip through the mangroves, locals swear they hear him: a whispering, desperate voice, carried on the wind, pleading for release. On such nights, those who venture too close to the cursed land often return changed. Or worse, they never return at all, leaving behind only the sound of the wind and the faint, chilling echoes of Charu’s last, hopeless plea.

The ghost of Bhangarh

Far to the west, in the desolate ruins of Rajasthan, another tale of love and tragedy unfolds: the story of the ghost of Bhangarh. The ancient fort of Bhangarh, now a skeletal monument to a once-glorious past, is said to be the haunt of two tragic souls.

Long ago, a powerful prince fell hopelessly in love with a princess from a distant kingdom. Obsessed with winning her heart, he turned to a dark sorcerer, who crafted a spell to bind her affections to him. But the spell went wrong. The princess, realizing she had been enchanted, took her own life to break the magic. In a furious rage, the prince cursed the very walls of Bhangarh before meeting his violent end.

Now, those who wander the ruins after sunset report seeing shadows moving between the crumbling walls, fleeting glimpses of figures that disappear into the mist. Visitors often describe a suffocating sense of dread, as though the very air is thick with the weight of the ancient loss. It is said that on moonlit nights, the ghostly forms of the prince and princess can be seen, forever searching for each other, their love as unreachable in death as it was in life. 

Haunted echoes

These tales aren’t just about ghosts; they are the whispers of a land steeped in history, where the past bleeds into the present, echoing in unexpected ways. The eerie stories we grew up hearing — the vengeful cries of Charu Ghosh and the tragic love of Bhangarh’s spirits — are more than just folklore. They are the stories that shaped us, the echoes of generations that remind us of the fragile balance between the living and the dead, the seen and the unseen.

Much like the storms outside on those long-ago nights with my grandmother, these stories loom large in our memories, weaving a sense of connection to our roots. Even as we leave behind those rainy nights back home and embrace new lives far away, the ghosts of our homeland follow us, carried in the stories that continue to haunt our imaginations. They are the threads that bind us to our homes, reminding us that some things will always stay with us, no matter how far we go.

New era of Dalhousie University women’s hockey

Ethan Hunt
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New era of Dalhousie University women’s hockey

After losing Olivia Eustace, Brooklyn Paisley and Izzy Weist to graduation, the Dalhousie University women’s hockey team is forced to find new ways to create offense. 

Eustace and Paisley were the top point scorers for the Tigers during the 2023-24 season. Eustace was among the top goal scorers in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) while Weist was the captain of the team for two straight seasons. The team also lost their third highest point scorer— Kennedy Whelan. This leaves holes to be filled by new recruits and existing players on the team.

During the off-season, head coach Keifer House knew the team was going through a big turnover, so during the recruiting process the team put a great deal of effort into finding players who could generate offense. The team recruited so heavily, some players from last year had to leave the team. 

“Not that anybody did anything wrong,” House said. “We feel like the players who we brought in gave us the best opportunity to have success.”

So far the squad has been able to put the puck in the back of the net for the first four games of the new season and sits tied for second in the AUS — having scored the second most goals in the league. New recruit Jill Imeson has been the lead point-scorer for the group as she has tallied three goals and added an assist. 

Score by committee

House anticipated players like Leah MacSween, Imeson and Avery Holmes will be relied on for offense, but he said the team has been able to score throughout the lineup with all four forward lines being able to generate some form of offense. House said this is something they haven’t had in past years. 

“The biggest advantage we’re going to have is people aren’t going to be able to key in on one line,” House said.

Through four games that has been exactly the case, as 11 different members of the team have tallied goals. Only two players have scored multiple goals so far in the season — Imeson and Abby Walmboldt. 

The Tigers are also led in the crease by first-team all-star Grace Beer, who House called a “built in cheat code.” Beer in her sophomore season held the second-best save percentage of any starting goalie in the AUS and the third-lowest goals against average.

“If she’s not the best goalie in the conference,” House said, “then I don’t know who is.”

Leadership group

On top of losing their top three point scorers Dalhousie lost their captain Izzy Weist. Weist wore the “C” for two seasons before graduating last season.

The Tigers are going in an unconventional direction as they assigned captain responsibilities to  five different players. Beer, Natasha Falk, Emma Penner, Gabrielle Noordijk and Lexie Small make up the group with each member having an equal say. However because of the rules Beer cannot wear a letter and the team must have a captain so Penner will sport the “C” for this season. 

House has been impressed by the group’s ability to lead by example and their willingness to ignore the typical hockey tradition, where whoever is named the captain is the one leader of the team. 

“We need to have some letters on jerseys as rules to be able to communicate with the officials in game,” House said. “But really our group is leading as a group.” 

Early success

Heading into their Oct. 5 game against the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, the Tigers had gone 1-3 in their three pre-season games and their first regular season game against the University of New Brunswick. Things changed against the Aigles Bleus as they scored five goals in a 5-2 win. 

Since then, the Tigers beat the pre-season favourite St. Francis Xavier University 4-1 and then defeated Mount Allison University 5-2. 

House credited familiarity being the reason for this as they had 11 new players come in the summer.

“It takes a little bit of time for those things to settle in,” House said.

Dalhousie University basketball set to tipoff

Ethan Hunt
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Dalhousie University basketball set to tipoff

As November draws closer and closer, so does the start to the Dalhousie University basketball season.

Both men’s and women’s basketball teams are well into their pre-seasons as they await the start to their Atlantic University Sport (AUS) seasons with a road trip to StFX scheduled for Oct. 30. 

This season finds the two teams on polarizing ends. 

The men’s team is coming off an AUS championship winning season, but have lost their three top scorers including AUS most valuable player Malcolm Christie. The Tigers are welcoming seven new recruits to the team headlined by 6-10 post Austin Thomson — which fills a need of size the team had last year. 

On the other hand, last year the women’s team endured its second straight winless season, but found a new star in AUS Rookie of the Year Kaitlyn Ferrier. Sydney Guker-Wickie, the second leading scorer last season, is returning for her fifth year of eligibility, while Simona Matic adds another year under her belt as the team’s point guard.

Men’s team

It’s clear from the jump for the men’s basketball team to succeed it will need to score throughout their lineup, and head coach Rick Plato knows this. 

“It’s not going to be like we’re going to count on Malcolm [Christie] to score 25 points per game like last year,” Plato said. “That’s not going to happen.”

Besides Christie, the Tigers have lost the likes of Sam Maillet and Nginyu Ngala, two AUS all-stars at some point in their college career.

Instead the Tigers will be led by a handful of veterans such as Dolu Johnson, Lydell Husbands-Browne and Jayden Parker, along with a ton of young talent. Expect the likes of Spencer Riar and Gabe Damey to lead the offensive charge as they garner experience in the AUS.

But if coach Plato wants you to do one thing, it’s to not count out the Tigers.

“If people in this conference haven’t learned that no matter what we lose or who we’ve got, that at the end of the year we’re going to be there, then they need their head read,” Plato said.

Husbands-Browne, one of the most experienced players on the team and the oldest at 22-years-old, knew he would have an increased role this year, but perhaps underestimated how vital he would really be.

“This year I’m being relied on,” Husbands-Browne said. “If I come out of games, and I shoot poorly, that’s not going to go over well.”

However, Husbands-Browne is up to the task and wants to be an AUS all-star, but foremost wants to win. 

“I think that says a lot,” Husbands-Browne said. “If you can withstand losing guys, coming in and leading them to wins.”

Dalhousie has not yet been able to win a game in pre-season but has gone against the likes of Laval University, the reigning national champions, and top ranked teams such as the University of Victoria and the University of Calgary. During those games and during off-season play Husbands-Browne has been impressed with freshman Drake Kucharik who scored 18 points against the University of Alberta, and twins Caleb and Riley Stewart.

Women’s team

It is only up from last year for the women’s basketball team. 

During their first pre-season game, the Tigers ended their winless streak against Queen’s University, a team that lost the Ontario University Athletics championship and competed at nationals the year prior. 

Kaitlyn Ferrier who starred in her first year at Dal, said she noticed a difference in the level of intensity this year as they welcomed nine new players to the team including a post, which they didn’t have last season.

“This season is going to go completely differently,” Ferrier said.

The team has its eyes set on making the playoffs, which would be for the first time since the 2018-19 season. They will also welcome back Mercy Olugu who missed the last half of the 2023-24 season, Eva Widmeyer who enters her sixth season with the squad and Sarah Valley, the long range sniper.

In her second season with the Tigers, Ferrier is starting to feel the pressure compared to in her rookie season where the bar was set low, but her goal for the season is to be an AUS all-star. 

Once November comes there is no doubt that the Dalplex will be bumping again until the season ends in February.

Dalhousie rugby first alumni weekend to secure a community win

Wyatt Carling
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Dalhousie rugby first alumni weekend to secure a community win

On a cold Oct. 5th morning, a group of Dalhousie University rugby alumni gathered to watch a tripleheader of the current rugby teams. The alumni were connected not by discipline or year of graduation, but by one sport whose community proves to be stronger than ever.

The players walked onto Wickwire Field with their success, not celebrated by their players alone, but by years’ worth of returning Dalhousie rugby alumni. This weekend marked their first annual alumni event.

At the event, students reconnected with past teammates, alumni watched familiar jerseys sprint across the field and emotions ran high as players relived the memories of years past.

Shane Brandstetter saw this event as highlighting core values of the team.

“Seeing the boys that graduated decades ago still sharing that brotherhood together emphasizes what Dal Rugby is as a club,” said Brandstetter. 

A similar sentiment was shared by alumni. Many of them, now deep into their professional career, wanted to reiterate the importance of team sports when in university. 

“Balancing sports and academics is tough, but don’t forget to enjoy it while it’s happening,” said Aidan Chisholm, one of the most recent to join the alumni pool, completing his undergraduate degree in 2022. 

As new and rekindled friendships sparked, some students sought to understand what this alumni weekend could do to aid them in their university career. 

Brandstetter saw this opportunity.

“It was great speaking with the lads,” Brandstetter said. “Gaining new relationships for potential business opportunities further down the road.” 

As the days passed following the alumni weekend, both players and coaches reflected on the experience and what it has done for the team. 

The team’s president, Patrick Spiteri, saw the weekend as more than just your average alumni event. He argued the event was vital for the future of his team.

“Rugby’s been one of the best parts of university for me and it will be great to relive these times in the future,” said Spiteri. 

As the cost of running such programs gets higher, club sports struggle to keep up with their varsity counterparts. To tackle this, Spiteri sees the alumni community as a major player in the fight for fundraising money. Still, Spiteri thinks the most important aspect of the event is that it keeps former players connected to the team. 

What surprised Chisolm the most was the age range of alumni that attended the alumni event, with some graduates going as far back as the 1970s. 

An astonishing 41 year spread of team alumni came to support Dal Rugby, some flying from as far as Whitehorse, Yukon to relive their past in the most supportive way. 

Alumni were asked if they saw any benefit to other student bodies organizing similar events. 2

Many recommended that others follow suit, citing the relationships formed from such communities. 

“[It’s] great to see old friends for anybody,” said Chisholm. 

Following the success Dalhousie Men’s Rugby experienced during their first annual alumni weekend, all eyes look to the future. 

Organizing this year’s event was Eric Fekete, a 2019 graduate. He said he felt a wave of nostalgia when watching the games on Oct. 5. 

“It is important for grassroots communities like sports clubs to give back to their own,” said Fekete.

Fall is a good time to start caring

Maryn Rice
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Fall is a good time to start caring

It’s October. The tree canopies are thinning as coloured fragments float down towards the pavement and pumpkins appear instantaneously on your neighbours porches. You might be knee-deep in midterms reading this to distract yourself from an imminent deadline, or if you’re where I was two weeks ago, you’re having an identity crisis because holy shit, “what am I doing with my life?!” 

If this applies to you, fear not! I am here to share the first of many anecdotes from several special ladies in my life whose wisdom has helped me navigate different niche issues in the cosmos of life at university. This issue’s subject: my brand new housemate Amelia. 

Like a lot of second years renting houses for the first time, I met both of my roommates only a year ago, a risk for sure! A good first impression or sense of humour doesn’t make someone a diligent dish-doer or bathroom-sharer. So naturally, I felt a little apprehensive about signing a lease with two girls I’d only known for a few months, despite how fun our sushi dates and gossip sessions were. I am incredibly pleased to report what was essentially a shot in the dark happened to work very well in my favour. My roommates rock. I have no complaints. If anything, I have begun to find little joys in picking up on their random idiosyncrasies and speech patterns. You can always sniff out a good living dynamic when there’s a healthy dose of banter in place. So without further ado, let me introduce you to my roommate Amelia. 

Amelia is, to put it lightly, a character. I remember on one of our first days living together she told us that before moving to school, her parents sat her down to gently remind her that everyone has their own little quirks at home, and to not let our habits get under her skin. Amelia’s response to this was, “I think I am going to be the weirdest one.” Now that we live together, would I say this is true? No… not with such a negative connotation. I’ll put it this way, Amelia likes what she likes. She has preferences. Ways of doing things. But not in a controlling way. In a passionate way. 

We try to eat dinner together most nights, catered by our lovely roommate Claire, who somehow manages to be our stay-at-home wife and working woman/academic extraordinaire all at once. During these meals, we discuss anything from politics and religion to sex and fetishes at great length. And let me tell you, Amelia has opinions. Oh boy does she have opinions. 

Author Maryn Rice stands with her roommates Claire (L) and Amelia (R). Image provided by Maryn Rice

This is all to paint a picture for you that not only does Amelia care about a lot of things, but she expresses them shamelessly, every chance she gets. Amelia is the most active participant in her own mental landscape I have met in a long time. 

I, on the other hand, find myself plagued by indecision a lot of the time, and that’s where the banter comes in. When Claire asks an organizational question about the spice cupboard or pantry, my instinct is to avoid asserting a position, likely in fear of unnecessary conflict, and my response is without fail: “I don’t care.” As you’ve probably guessed, Amelia has an exact idea of where the paprika should go. And this antithesis has become a running bit between us. Every time those three words escape my lips, I whip my head in her direction in anticipation of that classic eye roll, or in some cases, a “You should care!” (all in good fun of course). 

But this got me thinking. 

Maybe I should care more. Okay, not about paprika, but about other things. Like how I’m getting involved at school, or what I’m doing to move towards some semblance of a future I can’t quite envision yet. Maybe I should have opinions on things and write them down and tell them to people. I should stop bottling things up to be a people pleaser all the time. Maybe Amelia, in all her specificity, is onto something. 

To quote one of my favourite bands right now, Broken Social Scene, (because yes, it is okay to have favourites), “Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me.” I would argue the precepts from their glorious song “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” apply well into adulthood. 

Do that thing! Join that club! Hell, care about where the paprika goes! 

Nova Scotia has the highest university tuition for the sixth year in a row

Jenna Olsen
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Nova Scotia has the highest university tuition for the sixth year in a row

For the sixth consecutive year, Nova Scotia has the highest university undergraduate tuition fees in Canada, according to a recent report.

Statistics Canada reported in September that Nova Scotia’s undergraduate tuition fees reached $9,762 for the 2024-2025 school year, 33 per cent above the national average of $7,360.

The two major sources of revenue for public universities are tuition fees and the provincial operating grant. According to Peter Halpin, the executive director of the Association of Atlantic Universities, the provincial operating grant declined from 45 per cent in 2012 to 32 per cent in 2024.

“The only way to offset declining operating grant revenue is to increase student tuition, and as a result, we’re in the situation where Nova Scotia finds itself having the highest undergraduate tuition in the country,” Halpin said.

The provincial operating grant is determined by the Department of Advanced Education. The department declined the Dalhousie Gazette’s request for an interview, but did provide a statement.

According to the statement: “We understand students are seeking affordable and high-quality education. We are always looking for solutions that will help students and graduates at every stage of their post-secondary career to make education more accessible to everyone.”

G Saleski, executive director of the advocacy group Students Nova Scotia, said the operating grant’s annual increases have been below the rate of inflation for the last few years.

“We need to see contributions from the government to post-secondary institutions go up across the board so that students are less burdened financially,” Saleski said.

Dalhousie University declined the Gazette’s request for an interview, but did provide a statement.

According to the statement, “Tuition fees are essential to funding university programs, services and operations. Without tuition increases, there would be deeper cuts to programs, services and critical university priorities.”

In 2008, the government introduced the Nova Scotia University Student Bursary to try and reduce the cost of tuition for students from Nova Scotia. Under the bursary, Nova Scotian students automatically receive $1,283 off the full price of tuition annually.

“The bursary was introduced as a way of getting the Nova Scotia undergraduate tuition down to the national average. Having said that, it hasn’t changed since it was introduced,” Halpin said.

Students Nova Scotia is working to make tuition fees more affordable for students by advocating for the government to lower the cap on tuition increases. In February 2024, the cap was lowered from three per cent to two per cent, with Students Nova Scotia now campaigning to lower the cap to one per cent.

Saleski worried students from out of province who move to Nova Scotia for school can’t afford to stay after they graduate.

“We have the highest per cent of students graduating with large amounts of debt,” Saleski said. “That means our students who are borrowing student financial assistance dollars are borrowing a lot of money to make up for the cost of their education, and then they’re having to go out of province to make enough money.”

Saleski blamed Nova Scotia’s post-graduate retention problem on the province’s high cost of living.

“It’s a loss. Not just for students, not just for universities, but for the province as well.”

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