All posts by Alexander Quon

How the Canadian government failed its “silent service,” leaving them with antiques to defend the nation’s waters

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Like a third of the ships in the Coast Guard's fleet, the CCGS Louis S. St. Laurent is now past its operational life cycle. (Gordon E. Robertson)
Like a third of the ships in the Coast Guard’s fleet, the CCGS Louis S. St. Laurent is now past its operational life cycle. (Gordon E. Robertson)

The agency responsible for the fleet patrolling Canada’s waters has trouble meeting the expectations set out for it by government, often sacrificing “needed” investment in its ships and relying on temporary funding to make ends meet.

According to a briefing book, received under the Access to Information Act, and prepared earlier this year for Hunter Tootoo, former Minister in charge of the department of Fisheries and Oceans, indicates the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is now in dire straits with little hope for an immediate solution.

The Silent Service

Rob Huebert, Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and expert in Maritime security, described the CCG as a “silent service” — often asked to do more than anyone would think is reasonable, but always succeeding.

“We’re constantly in this bizarre situation where we completely and utterly rely on them for a whole host of issues,” says Huebert. “But the [restructuring] of the coast guard’s capabilities are not in a happy state.”

In the past 11 years over $7 billion has been committed to renewing the CCG.

But the majority of replacements for the CCG’s larger ships are not expected to arrive until 2025. Until they do, an estimate from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says 83 per cent of the CCG’s budget is required to maintain the agency’s state of readiness.

An Aging Fleet

Even 15 years after retirement, Captain Harvey Adams still fondly remembers his time serving aboard the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, one of the two remaining large icebreakers in the CCG’s fleet. During his 33 year career with the coast guard, he served aboard the ship when it was launched in 1969 and eventually became its captain.

“It was the biggest ship, the most powerful ship probably in North America at the time. Even the American’s couldn’t have matched it,” says Harvey, recalling his first thoughts of the Louis.

But that was 46 years ago, and like 31 per cent of the CCG’s current fleet, the Louis has aged significantly – putting the ship past its expected life cycle.

According to an analysis of documents included in the DFO briefing book, the figure will increase to 54 percent within the next five years.

Screen Shot 2016-08-11 at 1.40.31 PM

Replacement

Some replacements ships are on their way. The replacement for the Louis, the CCG John G. Diefenbaker, will be the first to come off the line. While it was originally expected to arrive next year, construction is not expected to begin until 2022 at the earliest. It’s now scheduled to arrive in 2023.

Huebert says as a result of the National Shipbuilding Strategy – a long-term project to rebuild the nation’s fleet that prioritized providing ships to the Navy – the Louis will likely remain in service until the Diefenbaker arrives.

“When you think of something lasting from ’69 until now most people would go ‘Holy Moly! I wouldn’t be driving a car that is that old,’” says Huebert, “That is unless you’re into antiques.”

The Future

The new Minister for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dominic LeBlanc, did not respond to a request for comment.

But with the mandate letter for the Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans indicating a commitment to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, it appears the CCG is stuck on its current course.

For men like Adams, who spent most of their lives on the deck of a vessel it isn’t about the age of the ships they crew, or when new ones will arrive. It’s about the life he built on the water.

“The Coast Guard is one of the best jobs going to sea in Canada,” he says. “I have so many good memories it’s hard to remember just one.

It’s time to get serious about arctic sovereignty and the coast guard

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For experts in maritime security the Canadian Coast Guard is described as the “silent service” — often asked to do more than anyone would think is reasonable, but always succeeding.

But it looks like they might soon have more on their plate.

Arctic sovereignty, the principle that the arctic regions of Canada are the country’s sovereign territory, is set to be the next big issue in the nation’s foreign policy.

So, how is the agency tasked with defending the nations waters preparing for arctic sovereignty? Lets find out.

The new face in town: Dominick Desjardins and the race for Halifax South Downtown

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Dominick Desjardins is the youngest candidate in a three person race for Halifax's District 7 (Provided by Dominick Desjardins)
Dominick Desjardins is the youngest candidate in a three person race for Halifax’s District 7 (Provided by Dominick Desjardins)

Even by his own estimates, first time politician Dominick Desjardin has a hard path ahead of him in the race for Halifax Downtown South.

The Rosethay, New Brunswick native is up against former councillor Sue Uteck and the man that dethroned her four years ago, incumbent councillor Waye Mason.

Between the two of them they have nearly 16 years of political experience; all of it as representatives of the district Desjardin is trying to make his own in the upcoming municipal election.

According to Desjardin, his opponent’s prior experience doesn’t worry him. He thinks it’s time for change in a district that has stagnated under its past representatives.

“If you look back, they’re saying the same things that they’ve said all along,” he says. “So my question is why are we only saying it and not doing it?”

A Youthful Candidate

Almost a year ago, Desjardins had his sights set on a much smaller prize than the seat for District 7. One of the few obstacles in front of him was finishing his bachelor’s degree in political studies from Saint Mary’s University.

Now, the recently graduated 24 year old is only focused on the competitive race ahead of him. One of the cornerstones for his campaign is keeping graduates in Halifax.

“Both of my opponents have said ‘Keep graduates in Halifax’,” Desjardins said. “But they’ve had [16] years between them to do something about it and now they’re making it an issue? That really burns my bridge.”

In addition to his education in political studies, the council hopeful has strong ties to the Nova Scotia Liberal party. He served as the President of Saint Mary’s University Young Liberals during 2015 and is currently listed as the Vice President, Provincial for the Nova Scotia Young Liberals.

If elected, Desjardins says his provincial political affiliations will not affect his decisions in municipal politics.

To assist him in his campaign Desjardins has gathered a mixture of student activists, volunteers and political operatives familiar with federal and provincial campaigns.

“[Regional Council] needs an upgrade of minorities, age difference and gender difference and I think we’re going to see that this coming election.”

On the Trail

Although he officially launched his campaign with an event on May 21, Desjardins says he’s been knocking on thousands of doors and laying the ground work for the campaign since January.

“It’s been a very positive reception,” he said. “And even the youthful aspect [of my campaign] has been welcomed with open arms.”

Desjardins has been called naive for his youthful approach to politics but he says his experiences in life allow him to bring something different than his opponents.

“I’ve been a student, I’ve lived in low income apartments,” he said. “My opponents seem to be focused on getting reelected and that’s something that turns me off.”

Although he lived in Dartmouth until at least 2014 – no property records exist in his name – Desjardins says that he’s always felt like Halifax’s South End has been his home.

Residency (p. 11)
A candidate does not have to reside in the polling district of the Halifax Regional Municipality in which they are seeking election.
View entire document on DocumentCloud

Business Experience

According to records from Nova Scotia’s Registry of Joint Stock Companies, Desjardins and business partner Shawn McGee created Profalco Construction in early 2014. Focused on construction and painting, the company’s registration was revoked in 2015 as a result of non-payment.

A spokesperson for the registry says the non-payment was a decision by the partners of the business.

Desjardins says juggling school, running a company and having a social life was too much as a full time student and that’s why the business ended. But he’s taken a lesson away from his time as a business leader.

“It’s important to take time for what really matters,” he says. “Making changes to our community and growing our community is what matters to me.”

Welcome to Quinpool, a road that divides Halifax geographically and economically

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One of Halifax’s most famous roads has become the dividing line between rich and poor.

Quinpool Road, the 2.5 km long stretch of pavement at the heart of the Halifax peninsula, has long been considered the traditional barrier between the working class North End and the more affluent South End.

But according to an analysis of data from Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey (NHS), the most recent data available, Quinpool Road now serves as the intersection between two economic groups.

By analyzing Halifax’s census tracts, geographic areas established by Statistics Canada, data shows the stark difference on either side of Quinpool Road. In the North, the average median household income is $53,372. In the South, the average median household income is $79,727.

Jennifer Watts, Councillor for Halifax Peninsula North, whose district takes up much of the northern peninsula, said she’s more interested in what might have changed in the last five years.

She points to the number of smaller businesses growing throughout her district as a reason for change.

Watts says while businesses may be creating job opportunities, and possibly raising the median income, she is afraid it may not be benefiting everyone.

“There can be new businesses and new jobs but they’re not necessarily employing or coming out of the historic groups living in the communities,” she says.

In the last five years she has noticed a trend where it has become harder for people to actually live on the Halifax peninsula.

Watts is afraid people who were represented in the 2011 survey have now been priced out of the area.

“There might in fact be a higher income [in the peninsula] now,” she says. “But if that’s true then we’re losing the diversity of people which represent various income levels.”

The NHS was a voluntary survey which means that some areas on the peninsula did not have enough data to be properly assessed by Statistics Canada. As a result, two tracts in the South End have a $0 value and have been removed from the analysis.

For now, the 2011 NHS indicates that there is a very clear divide.

View larger map

Once mapped out, the data shows only one of the tracts in the North End has a median household income of more than $75,000. In the South End only two tracts are below that figure.

But for some, the unique nature of Quinpool has come to represent an opportunity.

“Any great city always has a main street that has an edge to it,” Laura Draeger, owner of Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe, says about Quinpool.

Laura Draeger, owner of Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe, serves as customer. (Alexander Quon)
Laura Draeger, owner of Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe, serves as customer. (Alexander Quon)

In the seven weeks her shop has been open, business has exceeded what she planned for. She says her stores position on Quinpool is the reason why.

“We have everybody come through here,” Draeger says. “Soccer moms park here to quickly grab a coffee, students come through for a bite to eat and people come by pushing a cart with 4,000 bottles in it. But that’s the neighborhood.”

While the 2016 Census may change the divide found in the 2011 NHS, Watts is pessimistic.

“Maybe with the new census data coming out… it may look positive,” she said. “But is it really helping the people who have been marginalized in the community or is it just indicating new people have moved in?”

According to Statistics Canada, data from the 2016 Census is scheduled to be released throughout 2017

Pushing an ATV while drunk doesn’t mean you’re in control ‘of a motor vehicle’: NS Supreme Court

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Thomas Earl Darrah of Hubley, Nova Scotia, is able to “enjoy life again” after his stressful five-year court battle has come to an end.

According to court documents released last Wednesday, the Crown’s attempt to appeal Darrah’s acquittal failed at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. It’s a case that seems to answer the question of whether or not you can be convicted of drunk driving while not actually driving.

On the night of Nov. 28, 2010 Constable Isabelle Jacques, a member of the Tantallon RCMP, found Darrah while he was pushing his broken down all-terrain vehicle (ATV) along a wooded trail.

According to court documents, Darrah testified the keys to his ATV were in the ignition so he could use the vehicles lights to illuminate the path ahead. Darrah testified he was sitting in the drivers seat when he encountered Jacques because he was taking a break.

Judge Barbara Beach's Reasoning (p. 10)
These are some of the key factors that Judge Barbara Beach assessed in the original trial. One of the paramount decisions she made was that the keys were only used to increase Darrah's visibility and not to operate the vehicle.
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However, after Jacques smelled alcohol on his breath Darrah was arrested and then charged with impaired driving and driving while over a .08 blood alcohol content – the legal standard upon which someone can be charged criminally.

The basis of the appeal hinged on whether Justice Barbara Beach, the judge who acquitted Darrah last year in Nova Scotia provincial court, made an error with her interpretation of the law. The appeal focused on the charge of “care and control of a motor vehicle” and an error of law in her application of facts as to what “constitutes the taking of blood samples… as early as practicable.”

William Leahey (Submitted via CBC)
William Leahey (Submitted via CBC)

“An allegation of an error of law on the part of a provincial court judge is very commonly seen on a notice for appeal,” said William Leahay, a lawyer who has specialized in criminal law during his 36-year career. Leahay had no connection to the case.

Leahay explained that only 15 to 20 per cent of appeals are successful. But because of the unusual set of facts in this case, he said he wasn’t surprised the Crown decided an appeal was worthwhile.

Justice Gerald R.P. Moir oversaw the case for the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Justice Moir found that there was no error in Beach’s application of facts and law on either charge. After reviewing the facts of the case he found no reason to change the previous ruling and dismissed the appeal.

Mark Knox, who represented Darrah in court, said his client is pleased to finally be done with legal proceedings.

“Long trials, you know what that means? Stress and expense,” Knox said. “[Darrah is] grateful to be where he is and that he’s acquitted.”

In last year’s ruling, Justice Beach acquitted Darrah on the charges of impaired driving and driving while over a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC).

Since Darrah’s ATV was inoperable when he was found to be pushing it back home, Justice Beach ruled that he had not been in care or control while pushing the ATV or driving with over a .08 BAC

The requirements to administering a breathalyzer test can be found below.

As soon as practicable (p. 12)
The basis for administering a breathalyzer test are laid out here.
View entire document on DocumentCloud

Justice Beach pointed out both of the clauses must be proven independently of one another.

She determined there were four periods of delay before the breathalyzer was administered. The judge ruled that only two of the four delays were found to be reasonable and as a result the “as soon as practicable” requirement had not been met, clearing Darrah of all charges.

Knox says he isn’t surprised with the outcome of the case and the acquittal of his client.

“[Trial] Judges hear the evidence and make assessments about truthfulness,” Knox said. “You’d have to find some really egregious mistakes that are very clear before the appeal court can say the [judge’s ruling] was wrong.”

TIPS for the future, a five year program attempting to hault political waste and fraud in the HRM

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Five years after its implementation, a hotline designed to capture complaints of political waste and fraud in the HRM is receiving a drop off in calls.

An analysis of data from five annual reports on the Taking Improvement & Performance Seriously (TIPS) hotline indicates that the number of calls has decreased by 43 per cent since 2011 to 2015.

The anonymous hotline is operated by the office of Halifax Auditor General Larry Munroe. An independent member of the municipality, his role is to hold the city’s regional council and administration accountable.

The Auditor General

Halifax is the only city in Atlantic Canada to have an Auditor General and seven years after becoming the HRM’s first and only person to hold the position, Munroe will be leaving his post in September.

“We’ve done a lot of good work, a lot of work on behalf of the people of the HRM.” Munroe said. “We like to believe that we are making a difference.”

One of the programs introduced early in Munroe’s tenure was the TIPS hotline which has received support from citizens and city officials alike.

“I think it’s a good resource to have,” said Jennifer Watts, HRM Councillor for Peninsula North. “Sometimes having things that are anonymous allows people to provide more information.”

How a call works (p. 2)
While not all calls merit an investigation every single complaint is reviewed by the Office of the Auditor General. The hotline is confidential and while callers can remain anonymous they are encouraged to leave contact information so that the Auditor General can contact them if they need to collect more information.
View entire document on DocumentCloud

A Complaint Program by Any Other Name

Programs like TIPS are common in major cities throughout Canada but are often referred to as fraud and waste hotlines.

“The [TIPS] acronym is something that we developed,” Munroe said. “I didn’t like the tone that implied it had to be a call about fraud or waste.”

Instead, Munroe wanted it to be an avenue where citizens or workers of the city could notify his office about concerns that would help improve the municipality.

Results of Analysis

From 2011 to 2015 there were a total of 222 calls to the TIPS hotline. According to Munroe, few calls were discovered to involve illicit or even improper conduct.

The unit which received the highest number of complaints was Transportation and Public Works which had 41, or 18 per cent, of the total calls in five years.

Out of all the departments which had recorded data for all five years, Legal had the fewest number of complaints with two.

Munroe refused to comment on the nature of any of the calls or if they have affected changes to programs within the municipality. He says that in order for the program to work it requires complete anonymity.

“We don’t ever talk about anything with the hotline,” Munroe said “Anything ever published is exactly as it is in the reports you’re able to see right now. “

Munroe says that while he considers the program to be an absolute success, he did think it would be more active than it is. However, when Munroe leaves in September he hopes that his successor chooses to continue TIPS.

“For what [the Office of the Auditor General] put into the program,” he says. “We’re very pleased with what we’ve gotten out of it”

Clearwater Seafoods sales have jumped up but it may come with a cost

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Clearwater Seafoods, the Halifax-based seafood giant, is planning for the future, even as their cost of doing business increases.

An analysis of the company’s annual reports over the past five years shows their sales have increased by 34.1 per cent and the company’s cost of goods sold has risen by nearly the same amount, at 29 per cent.

Catherine Boyd, Manager of Sustainability and Public Affairs for Clearwater, said the increase in costs is due to labour expenses, procuring a product outside of its fishing practices and changes in fuel costs.

Clearwater has continued to do well even within the limits put in place by the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), a program that limits the amount of catch for certain species of fish.

The TAC fluctuates from year to year depending on the health of each fish stock and the assessment of each countries respective governing body

As detailed in their 2014 annual report, Clearwater has previously expressed concern over this issues.

“Any material increase in the population and biomass or TAC could dramatically reduce the market price of any of our products,” the company writes.

Even natural events can disrupt their sales. In their 2015 annual report they concluded that their sales for the first half of 2015 suffered as a result of “challenging weather both at sea and on land.”

An increase in Clearwater’s cost of goods while their sales suffer could lead to a loss of earnings for the company. At the moment that seems unlikely, as Clearwater has recently acquired a major competitor.

As of the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 that company’s acquisition is now paying financial dividends.

Macduff Acquisition

The largest point of growth for Clearwater in 2016 Q1 resulted from the purchase of Macduff Shellfish Group Limited, the United Kingdom’s largest processor of wild shellfish, for $206 million.

“We’re always looking for new ways to grow our company and increase value,” said Boyd, “The result of whether or not we’ve been successful in [increasing the value of Clearwater by acquiring Macduff] will be born out in the subsequent years financial statements.

The 2015 fiscal year saw Clearwater post a loss of $20 million. Boyd refused to discuss or provide a reason for the financial loss.

“I’m sorry,” she said as the nature of the company’s 2015 fiscal earnings were brought up. “I’m sorry, I can not.”

2016 Q1 Results

Despite the loss, the company has rallied strong in its 2016 first quarter results. According to the 2016 Q1 report, the company listed $15.1 million in earnings.

According to an investor’s presentation available on the company’s website, they credit their 54 per cent increase in sales from 2015 Q1 to 2016 Q1 in large part as a result of the Macduff acquisition.

“Macduff expands our supply by more than 15 millions pounds or 20 [percent],” the company wrote in their 2016 Q1 Interim Report.

MacDuff Acquisition (p. 12)
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Acquiring MacDuff also boosted the companies sales by $25.8 million dollars, or 22 per cent of the quarter’s $116 million in sales.

As a result of their successful Q1, the stock of Clearwater Seafoods has jumped since the beginning of the year. At it’s lowest point in January 21, 2016, the company’s stock sat at $7.08 per share.

It has since jumped 4 points to a Q1 high of $11.03 per share.

As of today, it sits at $11.02 per share.



CSEAF – Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated Stock Prices by AlexFQ on TradingView.com

Beaten Blue: Halifax police assaulted at a higher rate than anywhere in Atlantic Canada

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Over the past five years Halifax has averaged a rate of 48 assaults on police officers per 100,000 people in its population.
Over the past five years Halifax has averaged a rate of 48 assaults on police officers per 100,000 people in its population.

For four out of the last five years members of the Halifax Regional Police have been assaulted at a higher rate than in any other city in Atlantic Canada.

This is according to an analysis of crime data obtained from Statistics Canada.

From 2010 to 2014, the year with the most recent available data, Halifax has averaged a rate of 48 assaults on police officers per 100,000 people in its population. St. John’s, the next highest city in the Atlantic Provinces, averaged 44.

But that figure doesn’t tell the whole story.

While St. John’s rate of 83 assaults in 2010 was the highest in the region; five years later their rate of assaults fell to 29.

This is similar to the way that rates of assaults on police officers have dropped throughout Atlantic Canada. However, since 2010, Halifax’s has remained relatively the same.

As a result, from 2010 to 2014 Halifax has had a total of 979 incidents where police were assaulted. Over twice the amount that St. John’s had at 440.

In an emailed statement Constable Dianne Woodworth, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Police, wrote that the force would not issue a comment on assaults committed against their police officers.

“We cannot speak to why these assaults are happening as this would be a case by case basis, nor the data on rates of assaults in comparison to other regions,” Woodworth said.

According to Criminal Code of Canada, the charge of assaulting a peace officer carries with it a sentence of up to five years in prison.

When compared to the rate of assault on peace officers across Canada, Halifax officers are still more likely to be assaulted while in the line of duty.

Halifax officers are still more likely to be assaulted while in the line of duty.

In 2011, officers in the HRM were 41 per cent more likely to be assaulted when compared to the rate of officers across Canada.

The year after, the number dropped to 32 per cent.

According to the two years of available data, since then, Halifax hasn’t dropped below that figure.

Staff Sargent Penny Hart, an instructor at the Halifax Regional Police Training Centre, said that members of her police force are not specifically trained to deal with being assaulted.

“Training is an ongoing thing, we don’t have specific days or X number of hours,” Hart said.”But every single member within the police organization will attend mandatory training every year.”

Hart says that the Halifax Regional Police asses and modify their training if they see new trends or events in the world.

She used the example of multiple attacks occurring at one time as an example of events they’ve incorporated into their training.

While the last five years indicate that Halifax stands out in the Atlantic region for assaults on police officers, the crime statistics for 2015 weren’t currently available for analysis.

According to a representative of Statistics Canada those figures won’t be released until later this year.