Latest news with #Druhan
Global News
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Nova Scotia NDP says province too secretive, must release environmental racism report
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Nova Scotia's Opposition NDP is calling on the province to release recommendations from a panel that examined environmental racism, saying it's a matter of accountability. Premier Tim Houston's Progressive Conservative government has refused to release the panel's report, which was due in December 2023. Justice Minister Becky Druhan, who is also responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, did not answer Thursday when pressed by reporters to explain why the government is sitting on the report. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Druhan also wouldn't answer when asked whether she had seen the panel's recommendations, saying its work predated her appointment as minister. NDP Leader Claudia Chender said today that Druhan's evasiveness is part of a 'concerning pattern' by a government that acts as if it's above accountability. She also pointed to the government's failure to publicly announce that it had agreed last year to sign a $170-million federal infrastructure deal. Story continues below advertisement This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Global News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Nova Scotia quiet why it won't release findings of environmental racism panel
The Nova Scotia government is not releasing recommendations from a panel tasked with examining environmental racism in the province — and it isn't saying why. Justice Minister Becky Druhan repeatedly avoided giving a reason under repeated questioning by reporters today following a provincial cabinet meeting. Druhan did say the government is committed to addressing issues of equity and racism, and she said she believes the panel's work will 'inform' those efforts. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The eight-member panel was appointed in June 2023 to examine how racism affects a community's natural environment, and it was expected to submit recommendations by the end of that year. The panel was created as the result of an amendment to climate change legislation that was passed in the fall of 2023. Opposition NDP Leader Claudia Chender said it was 'disheartening' that the government has sat on the findings for more than a year and she said the panel's report should be released to the public.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nova Scotia government refuses to release environmental racism panel recommendations
Opposition leaders say it's disgraceful that the Nova Scotia government is refusing to release the recommendations of a report it received on environmental racism. Justice Minister Becky Druhan is also refusing to say if she's even read those recommendations. "Obviously, they're not releasing it for a reason. We have major concerns over that," interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette told reporters in Halifax. "It's disgraceful what I heard today." The creation of the panel and its subsequent report was the product of an amendment proposed by NDP MLA Suzy Hansen to the Progressive Conservative government's Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act in 2022. reported on Wednesday that the province has received the report but is withholding its recommendations. Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Druhan would not provide any explanation for that decision. "That work happened at [the Office of Equity and Anti-racism] prior to my tenure here. We are moving forward with those recommendations in mind." The minister said she is "personally committed to transparency and to the sharing of information." Druhan refused to answer repeated questions about why the government is not making the recommendations public, whether the panel recommended reparations and whether she's even read the recommendations. "It predated my time at the office," she said. NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the government's decision to withhold the recommendations is "disheartening" for the people who worked on the panel and the communities that have experienced environmental racism. "The only conclusion I can draw is that they don't want to be held accountable to [the report's] recommendations," she told reporters. "The reason that they did this panel was to understand the legacy — the harmful legacy of environmental racism in this province — and understand how not to repeat it. So let's see what those recommendations were and let's all work together to make sure that we don't repeat that legacy, that we don't perpetuate it." Druhan said a "key insight" to come from the report is the need for "systemic and foundational change" to the way the province handles and addresses discrimination and racism. One step toward doing that is a previously announced plan to modernize and improve the province's Human Rights Commission, she said. "We're really excited about that work, which will support addressing racism, addressing discrimination in all its forms across Nova Scotia — including issues around land use and environmental racism." The minister noted that municipalities are also developing equity and anti-racism plans following a provincial directive. MORE TOP STORIES
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nova Scotia considers new rules for bar bouncers, justice minister says
The Nova Scotia government is considering new regulations for bouncers, according to Justice Minister Becky Druhan. It comes after some family members of loved ones who died outside bars criticized the province over accountability. Two of those family members called out the government at Province House last month for introducing a bill that would repeal legislation that hasn't been proclaimed within a decade, including the Security and Investigative Services Act that passed in 2010. Since the act has never been proclaimed it never took effect. It would have required all security officials working at bars and lounges in the province to have criminal background checks, training and be licensed. "The Department of Justice and Service Nova Scotia have been working together to consider what our next steps are," said Druhan. "We will be meeting with the families." The province implemented changes for bouncers at late-night bars, which have cabaret licences, following the death of Ryan Sawyer outside the Halifax Alehouse in 2022. Druhan wouldn't say if the latest changes under consideration are similar to those conditions. Family confirms meeting scheduled Ryan Sawyer's mother, Lee, was one of the family members who spoke in front of MLAs in March. She told MLAs at the time she can't understand why the government hasn't proclaimed the Security and Investigative Services Act or come up with a replacement. The rules introduced after her son's death don't go far enough and only apply to a handful of bars, Sawyer said at the time. She confirmed with CBC News she's meeting with government officials at the end of the month, but said via text message she hasn't been told what will be discussed. Ryan Sawyer, far left, died after an altercation with a bouncer outside the Halifax Alehouse in 2022. His mother, Lee Sawyer is shown on the far right. She criticized the province last month for not proclaiming potential life-saving legislation. (Scott and Lee Sawyer) B.C., Alberta, Quebec and Ontario have legislation regarding bouncers and security staff. The family of Stephen Giffin lobbied successive governments after he died after being beaten by bouncers outside a downtown bar in 1999. That effort continued until the Security and Investigative Services Act passed 11 years later. Giffin's family said it only learned the legislation had not been proclaimed after Ryan Sawyer died under similar circumstances. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
20-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Nova Scotia considers new rules for bar bouncers, justice minister says
Social Sharing The Nova Scotia government is considering new regulations for bouncers, according to Justice Minister Becky Druhan. It comes after some family members of loved ones who died outside bars criticized the province over accountability. Two of those family members called out the government at Province House last month for introducing a bill that would repeal legislation that hasn't been proclaimed within a decade, including the Security and Investigative Services Act that passed in 2010. Since the act has never been proclaimed it never took effect. It would have required all security officials working at bars and lounges in the province to have criminal background checks, training and be licensed. "The Department of Justice and Service Nova Scotia have been working together to consider what our next steps are," said Druhan. "We will be meeting with the families." The province implemented changes for bouncers at late-night bars, which have cabaret licences, following the death of Ryan Sawyer outside the Halifax Alehouse in 2022. Druhan wouldn't say if the latest changes under consideration are similar to those conditions. Family confirms meeting scheduled Ryan Sawyer's mother, Lee, was one of the family members who spoke in front of MLAs in March. She told MLAs at the time she can't understand why the government hasn't proclaimed the Security and Investigative Services Act or come up with a replacement. The rules introduced after her son's death don't go far enough and only apply to a handful of bars, Sawyer said at the time. She confirmed with CBC News she's meeting with government officials at the end of the month, but said via text message she hasn't been told what will be discussed. B.C., Alberta, Quebec and Ontario have legislation regarding bouncers and security staff. The family of Stephen Giffin lobbied successive governments after he died after being beaten by bouncers outside a downtown bar in 1999. That effort continued until the Security and Investigative Services Act passed 11 years later. Giffin's family said it only learned the legislation had not been proclaimed after Ryan Sawyer died under similar circumstances.
