StFX Hosts Former Deputy Premier and Current Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish Federal Conservative Candidate Allan MacMaster for Discussion: Where Are We Going Next in Canada?

For transparency's sake, I am a member of the XPCs.

On Tuesday March 18th, the StFX Political Science Society sponsored an address by former deputy premier and current federal Conservative Party of Canada candidate Allan MacMaster at Mulroney Hall, promoted by the Xaverian Progressive Conservatives. It boasted a full classroom of around 45 attendees including members of the town, county, and student body. The Cape Breton native opened with a speech then transitioned into a question period.

He began by stating that during his time working for the Bank of Montreal, they would look to whether a stock market was being driven by fear or greed. Today, he said, the markets are driven by fear.

MacMaster reiterated worries many Canadians have about the United States' aggressive tariffs threatening to stagnate an economy that is already struggling, but also noted the opportunity that has arisen for us to take a step back and ask ourselves if free trade is really working for the Canadian people in the best way it can.

Early on in his speech he begged the question, does free, globalization of trade always make our lives better? He noted how it leads to cheaper, more disposable goods that negatively impact the environment, not to mention the pocketbooks of those who have to purchase them again and again. Planned obsolescence was a constant theme.

MacMaster emphasized that the growing push to buy local was our chance to create a market reaction that could encourage businesses to start producing in Canada, but that the government has a place in setting the standard. Some interesting ideas that he suggested from a regulation perspective were minimum lifespans for consumer goods, and something like a right to fix your own products, referencing the fact that Samsung stops manufacturing parts for some of its products only a few years after release, forcing you to buy an entirely new product.

However, the former Inverness MLA insisted that localization only works if we produce high quality products. In response to a question on whether it was feasible to bring industry to a relatively unproductive province like Nova Scotia, he acknowledged that investment is crucial to improving productivity. It’s not that Nova Scotian’s are any less hard working, they just aren’t equipped to produce at the same level as their American counterparts.

After taking a question about the future of the economy from a student, MacMaster related it to similar concerns people had in the 80’s when interest rates were upwards of 20%. Eventually things cooled down and the economy got better. His advice for students was this: focus on your studies, get a job you enjoy, start making money and put a little aside if you can. In 5 years, you might be looking at a very different world.

Probe: Starbucks Whistleblower Reveals Increasingly Long Drink Orders Actually an Attempt to Trick Patrons into Summoning Ghargatuloth, Demon Prince of Tzeench into Reality.

We really should have seen this coming…..

In the wake of the enormous multi-headed demon currently wreaking havoc on campus, a whistleblower who will remain anonymous approached the Xaverian Weekly claiming to have information on its origins. 

Huddled by a window on the third floor of the library, struggling to maintain our balance as the tremors from the avian-headed Forger of Hells pummeling Mulroney building into oblivion with everyone inside shook the ground, she began to explain.

“So basically, we don’t make any coffee at Starbucks” she shouted over the noise. “The elaborate names of our drinks are actually spells, and when a customer riddles off each magic word in perfect succession, the drink is summoned from the great beyond to an area just out of his or her sight. We just grab it and hand it to them.” 

A small crack formed in the ceiling above us through which an ancient dust billowed, but for the sake of journalism I continued the interview. 

“Have you ever had the person working the counter ‘mishear your order?’ That just means your spell was weak and it failed to summon anything. Have you ever got the wrong order? Guess what, you must have mispronounced your Latin at the counter.”

“Eventually, the goal was to keep increasing the number of magic words required per order until one fateful student was skilled enough to cast the spell that summoned the Prince of a Thousand Faces, and it looks like that finally happened.”

At this point, the structural integrity of the library was failing, and chunks of concrete began to fall. Seeing as this was the case, we pushed over some terrified first years who looked to us for salvation but were ultimately in our way, and bolted for the doors. 

Regrouping, we dusted ourselves off in the atrium at the top of the science building, affording us a view of the colloquially named God of the Last Hunt just in time for him to sunder the library in two, destroying all life within. 

“I’m not sure how people never picked up on what was going on” our informant continued. “They are literally chanting Latin-esque words in quick succession to get their drink. Why else would the sizes be in Italian? We’re in Canada.” 

After writing down all she said I quickly wrapped up the interview and made my way to my car, which was luckily one of a few not crushed by flying debris. Unfortunately, however, I had forgotten that I’d spent my last $15 ordering a small water from Starbucks and wasn’t able to fill up on gas. I then got out of my car and ran to the safest place I could think of: the catacombs beneath St. Ninian’s Cathedral. Imagine my shock as I managed to barely escape them with my life after seeing what they beheld. Clothes tattered and mind fuzzied, I somehow was able to stumble my way to McDonald’s where for the price of a crisp high five and some pocket lint I procured an extra-large coffee, and was able to regain my senses.

As of now, Father Donald and Father Danny’s excommunication effort has seen minimal progress. Some on campus have suggested reforming the Sisters of St. Martha to reinforce our Chaplains, and there have even been murmurs of utilizing the nuclear option and calling Father Stan out of retirement to banish this Malignant Entity. However, critics argue that harnessing his spiritual power may result in the destruction of all known life, which could be seen as counterproductive. 

For updates on this situation, stay tuned in to the Xaverian Weekly.

Breaking: Fanfiction Featuring Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Quote: “Best Friends” Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher Found Among Mulroney’s Personal Effects

Over the last year, a team made up of faculty from StFX’s little known archeology department has been meticulously combing through new evidence found after a minor windstorm knocked out the power for the entirety of northern Nova Scotia. This was accompanied by a slight tremor, and due to the “pragmatic” design philosophy of Mulroney building, caused several load bearing walls to collapse. Luckily for those interested in Canadian political history, albeit less so for the 48 students and staff crushed to death by the falling debris, a smaller wall on the 5th floor also collapsed, revealing a mysterious crypt, previously uncaptured by the inquisitive eyes of the public.

After weeks of excavating only revealed such trivialities as the former Prime Minister’s detailed list of investments in Mexican auto manufacturing and a full-sized poster of Quebec with a large “X” drawn over it, archeologists began to lose hope for any kind of meaningful discovery.

However, in their hour of greatest need, one plucky professor finally stumbled upon something of significance, a notebook labelled “Brian’s Diary (DON’T TOUCH!!!)” The diary appeared to contain plausibly true stories in which Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Brian Mulroney were the protagonists.

“Everyone said we were like three peas in a pod” was the opening line, read to us by Dr. Doug Diggemup, the professor who located the notebook.

Passages included adventures both whimsical and fantastic, but of which some may be criticized for what are colloquially known as “mary-sueisms.” A good many references to the strength of the three world leaders’ friendship were made across the diary. One excerpt read that the trio were:

“(L)ike Holmes and Watson and Lestrade.”

Literature experts from StFX’s English department have determined from context that Mulroney was referring to himself as Lestrade.

An excerpt describing the three of them working together at the United Nations read:

“We were a classic trio, like Bonnie and Clyde and Doug, and Doug was maybe even more important than Bonnie because he was the one taking all the pictures.”

Interestingly, several passages in the notebook look as if to be describing instances of slights Mulroney feels to have suffered at the hands of the other two, but what appears to be residue from dried tears renders these pages illegible. The words “birthday” and “forgot” are solely identifiable, but purely because of their frequency of use.

The implications of this notebook on Canadian political history may be dubious, but Dr. Diggemup is certain that within these pages lie the key to finally making Quebec “take the hint” and go away.

Revenge of the Pencil Pushers: In Response to Increasing Blowback Against Exorbitant Salaries, Anonymous StFX Administrators Share Thoughts: Maybe the students are the bad guys?

After the release of an article published by the Xaverian Weekly that included the quote,

“StFX administrators’ salaries have risen by 108 percent since 2012, while faculty compensation has gone up by 16.5 percent over the same period, even though more students are enrolling,”

and various others, pointing out the rapidly growing salaries of those who set the salaries at StFX. A number of administrators who felt as if their good names were being tarnished reached out to give statements justifying their yearly profit of over double what the average Canadian makes.

“I just want to say right out the gate, some of the statistics given in the sunshine list article were taken very out of context,” noted a 34-year-old failed professor turned middle manager earning a yearly salary of $165,000.

“For example, the writer notes that that administrators’ salaries have increased 108% since 2012, but she fails to consider that the number of emails we have to send every day has increased by 110%, from 10 to 21. And that’s only on average. It makes sense that if our total amount of work doubles, so should our compensation.”

Another administrator whose honour was offended had this to say:

“Quite simply, the reason we demand these salaries is because we are uniquely qualified. I didn’t waste the best years of my life getting a Ph.D. in vocally imitating whale calls to have to sully myself with a job that provides value to this country. I’m only taking what I deserve. And by the way, a construction worker could never send 20-25 emails a day like I do. That’s why I make twice his salary.”

When asked about the rising costs to students attending StFX, and the fact that the university is already strapped for cash, another administrator countered with this:

“Honestly I wish those little twerps would pay more. And quite frankly, this school would be better off without any students at all. Everyone knows the point of this institution is to employ people to send emails. We need to focus on streamlining the business model and only keeping what’s most valuable. I would bet my entire $210,000 salary that not one student could look at one of my perfectly crafted emails and say that I didn’t deserve so much of their hard-earned money.”

The Xaverian Weekly was emailed exactly 29 individual statements, but with very little variation from those published above.

Just a day before this article was meant to be published, we received correspondence from an unlikely source.

Dr. Diggumup, a non-tenured assistant professor working with the StFX archeology department offered a statement in defense of administration salaries.

“My name is Dr. Diggemup, and many of you Xaverian Weekly readers may not know me. You could say I’m a bit underground. For many years, I’ve moonlighted as Professor Putemdown, part-time pet euthanizer for hire. If you don’t know me, you might know my cousin, Professor Puteminpound, who is a dog catcher. Euthanizing beloved family pets was never my passion, and the children’s tears that accompany doing a good job but having read the wrong address on the email (I have dyslexia) are always hard. I only took up this gig to cover rent, because my assistant professor salary doesn’t cut it.”

“That being said, it warms my heart to know that those doing the most important jobs don’t have to struggle like I do. I’m glad that the heroes on the front lines of Microsoft Outlook will never have to look into a child’s eyes and explain that their beloved Fido didn’t do anything wrong, he just had the misfortune of living at a house number that looked (EXACTLY!!!) like the one I needed to go to. At the end of the day, it gives me comfort.”

We deliberated whether to add his testimony to this article or not, but the consensus among XW staff was that it was too powerful not to share.

Bombshell: Copy of Xaverian Weekly Open to Mark Mercer Article Spotted in the Background of Andy Hakin’s Presidential Portrait

What was originally an interesting piece of scandalous of gossip has now been corroborated with witness testimony.

One lazy evening over reading week a student who wishes to remain anonymous was browsing St.FX’s website, innocently looking for pictures of Dr. Szlachta to frame and put on his wall, when he found something that shook him to his very core. While perusing faculty profiles, a previously overlooked detail in Dr. Hakin’s profile picture caught his eye.

This is our interview with him.

“I thought I saw the familiar colour scheme of the Xaverian Weekly on his desk in the background” he explained wearily. “‘A supporter of student journalism!’ I exclaimed. Little did I know just how much what I found would reveal about our revered President.”

“Looking carefully, I managed to make out the words ‘facts’ and ‘feelings’ on the paper. Already I felt sick to my stomach. I would know that title anywhere. It haunts my every waking moment, although sleep offers no respite. It was the Mark Mercer article, but I shudder even saying his name.”

“Immediately, I called student services, something had to be done, but all I received over the line were inane platitudes. When I checked the website later that night, the picture was gone, like it was never there at all.”

“I didn’t know what to do. I contacted local media, but no one would believe me. I tried crying out from the street corners, but the management at Starbucks told me to stop loitering because I was making their customers feel uncomfortable. I was out of options and out of ideas. That led me to you.”

Quite frankly, we at the Xaverian Weekly were just as appalled as our unnamed hero was, so we got in touch with Dr. Hakin ourselves to set the record straight.

His statement was transcribed to the best of our ability below.

“Th' idea that ah wid ever read sic horrendous material is preposterous, 'n' th' implication that ah support free speech is equally sae, I don’t keek lik' a nazi, dae ah?”

We have determined that his position is unknowable.

Where does StFX Stand Politically: Survey Results

Over the first few weeks of February, I posted and circulated a survey around public spaces at StFX that asked students to anonymously indicate which party they’re most favourable towards, and to rank the most pressing issues Canadians face today according to their personal importance. My goal was to reach 200 replies so I would have a realistic sample size and therefore a good indication of how StFX really felt politically, and I achieved this goal. In this article, I will show you some interesting graphs I was able to compile using the demographic data volunteered by participants.  

Before I get to the graphs, however, I have to make some caveats. First, certain demographics were too small to include in the demographic-based graphs while respecting the anonymity of the respondents and the meaningfulness of the data. There were only two students who selected “education” as their program, one who selected “graduate studies,” and only seven students who selected “other” as their gender. Data drawn from these numbers alone would not tell us anything conclusive. Nevertheless, everyone who participated in the survey is included in the “All Students” bar in the graph ranking political issues, and those who selected “other” are still included in the graph representing their major. One final caveat is that conservative hesitancy in polling is a real phenomenon. If you’ve never heard of this, look up the “shy tory factor” or “social desirability bias.” Anecdotally, I have already heard of conservative students not wanting to complete the survey because I might be a nefarious character who would expose them. That is unfortunate, but it is what it is. I don’t think it would change too much if this wasn’t the case, but just keep in mind that StFX students may be marginally more conservative than a poll could indicate.  

With all that out of the way, here are the results of the survey. I’ll begin with the preferred parties of different majors, starting with Bachelor of Arts Students: 

I don’t think this or any of the other first three graphs are too surprising. Canadian universities are known to be pretty left-leaning places, and I don’t think anyone, regardless of political leaning, would guess that Bachelor of Arts students would be the ones to buck this trend. Up next, we have Bachelor of Science students: 

Almost identical. If you’re a Liberal or New Democrat, use this graph to epically own your Conservative friends by claiming that it is proof that Conservatives are anti-science. However, I will be collecting royalties if you choose to do so. On to Schwartz School of Business: 

Another shocking twist. It is cool to see some diversity of thought among departments, however isolated they might be from each other. Sometimes I wonder, though, if there’s a divide between how Conservative business students are and how Conservative actual businesspeople are. Because if I was a Canadian businessman and for 10 years I watched Liberal insiders collect those cheeky little government contracts and bailouts, I might buy some lobbying time and become Trudeau’s next best friend myself! 

These upcoming graphs are going to get far juicier than what we’ve already seen. Next, we have the differences in political preference between men and women on campus. Here are both graphs together: 

This one actually did surprise me. I understand I may be missing out on some nuances from my personal position, but it seems weird that men are more likely to be Conservatives but equally likely to support the NDP. I know this isn’t reflective of the country as a whole, and a university campus is a pretty unique place. But I feel like if men are more conservative (“small c” on purpose here), then shouldn’t there be more Liberal men than NDP men, since the Liberal party is ostensibly less left-wing than the NDP? It seems like the Liberal party must have done something to seriously alienate men that did not affect women at all, but I can’t think of what they could have done that would be so different than the NDP. Alternatively, men could just be more radical if the Liberals are seen as centrist, but the next graph would seem to suggest otherwise.  

This brings us to our finale. The juiciest graph of them all. Forthwith, I am about to expose the ideological divide between men and women on campus...prepare yourselves: 

These numbers were found by averaging all responses to each question by men and by women, and the total average of all responses (including those who selected other) as well. The average difference between men and women only equaled 0.79 which is not that high considering each issue was ranked out of 10, so a big win for unity between the sexes.  

I know that’s not what you care about, though, dear reader, so I have compiled the issues that men and women differed the most on.  

The top 5 most divisive issues at StFX are: 

1. Progressive social issues – 168% higher than the average difference (HTAD) 

2. Childcare – 78% HTAD 

3. Indigenous issues – 63% HTAD 

4. Climate change – 54% HTAD 

5. Provincial/language rights – 18% HTAD 

Interestingly, women cared more about each of these issues. 

Overall, men seem to be more socially centrist, only polling at an average 0.33 points more for progressive social issues than they did for conservative social issues. Women, on the other hand, poll as being much more left wing, with a difference of 2.83 between the average importance attributed to progressive social issues and conservative social issues. Outside of the social issues, men care more about affordability, housing, the economy, immigration, tax policy, foreign policy, and military spending, but the difference between men and women for these issues were all below average (0.79), except for military spending. Women care more about healthcare, climate change, poverty and social inequality, provincial/language rights, indigenous issues, and education.  

In conclusion, I hope you all enjoyed this survey as much as I enjoyed chasing strangers down to get them to participate in it. Thank you to all of those who did, and if people like this kind of thing than maybe it can become something that happens every few years to see where StFX stands politically in the future.  

Is StFX respecting its architectural heritage?

The StFX campus is beautiful. Its architecture is cohesive and inspiring. It even makes you wonder how something so great could be built in such a small town. Its a testament to the passion and dedication of those who came before us, whether they be former StFX staff, builders, stonemasons, or students. Walking around campus, the love and craftsmanship that was put into most of the buildings is apparent. Buildings like Morrison Hall, Gilmora Hall, Xavier Hall, Schwartz School of Business, the Coady Institute and gardens, etc., weren’t built so meticulously and so intentionally because it was the cheapest way to build them, but because of how much beauty was valued by those who made and used them. They weren’t made by people trying to pump something out as cheaply or quickly as possible, they were made by people who had a love for the people that would come after them, us.

The picturesque feel of the campus comes down to building according to the Italianate and Neoclassical traditions. The Italianate style, best demonstrated in Xavier Hall, is described by the American National Park Service as having “low, overhanging roof(s) with decorative eave brackets...windows accentuated with thick, decorative hoods and the front entrances often highlighted with a tower, a cupola or a projecting porch.” The Neoclassical style is characterised by following the British Georgian tradition, which incorporates “symmetry, graceful proportions, clean lines, and the use of exposed brick” while also including features like classically detailed pediments and pillars. Most buildings around campus are a mix of the two, and I encourage readers to look up images of these terms to get a better appreciation of their meaning. To simplify it pretty heavily, red bricks = Georgian/Italianate, and pillars = Neoclassical. These styles make up the classic, beautiful university aesthetic that we know and love here at StFX.

With the addition of Mulroney Hall, however, it feels like StFX took a big step in the wrong direction. It’s almost like it’s trying to blend in with the rest of the buildings on campus, but on closer inspection lacks any kind of soul or artistry. The huge square pillars are clearly trying to ape those found somewhere like the Keating Centre, Governor’s Hall, or Coady, but look more like something you’d build on your first night on a new Minecraft survival world. They’re just so ugly. When it comes to the outside, there is no level of detail that even comes close to some of the great buildings on campus. It’s plain all the way around, like no effort or thought whatsoever went into it besides the desire to keep the budget low. Compare the outside walls of Mulroney Hall with the outside walls of a similarly sized building in the Keating Centre. The Keating Centre isn’t even that crazy, but there was clearly significant thought that went into adding detail and character to the exterior. On top of this, Mulroney is literally just 2 big squares. A baby could come up with that, in fact, when I was a baby playing with blocks on the floor, I probably did come up with that exact design! Put a big square next to a smaller rectangle and you’re qualified to design a building for StFX.

The worst and most soul crushing part of Mulroney is the interior, and there’s nowhere on campus so sterile and characterless. Sitting in Mulroney, you could be anywhere in the world. Once you get past the novelty of “Wow, this building is pretty big” you realize that there is almost no difference between a classroom in Mulroney and a room in a stereotypical TV asylum, nothing but bleached white walls. This is a building that stands in total opposition to the sentiment of love for future generations and passion to do something well that went into so many other buildings on campus. There are some buildings on campus that are run down, sure, even if they were originally very inspired. There are also other cheap and ugly buildings on campus that were never inspired, like Bloomfield, Annex, Nicholson Tower, and MSB (sorry bears), but none of those are flagship buildings for the school, as big of an undertaking, or as important as Mulroney Hall.

This article may look like it’s coming out of nowhere since it’s been five years since Mulroney was completed. However, in the wake of construction beginning on the new Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall, I think it’s worthwhile to start a conversation about what we really want this campus to look like. How much can we chip away at the elegance and charm of our campus for cynical financial reasons before it stops being one of the most picturesque campuses in Canada? I know this seems harsh, but it’s coming from a place of love for the passion that those in the past had for creating something uplifting for us to enjoy, and I don’t want the corporate beast of the StFX administration to take that away from the experience those who will come after us.

Antigonish Mayoral Race: A Breakdown

On October 19th, 2024, Antigonish will decide whether Sean Cameron or Emilie Chiasson will be its new mayor after incumbent Laurie Boucher decided not to run for reelection. This is happening alongside the election of what is expected to be several new faces to town council. Being as entwined with the town as our university is, we at the Xaverian Weekly thought it would be prudent to inform students and everyone else reading what’s at stake in this election, and remind them to get out and vote if they're eligible and willing to declare Antigonish and Nova Scotia their primary residence. 

To this end, I was able to get a hold of both mayoral candidates one-on-one and ask them some pressing questions potential voters may have.

Question 1: What are your main concerns? 

Cameron:  

“Infrastructure, water, sewer, streets.”  

Chiasson:  

“My main goals will be to form an effective council that will work on a strategy together to work on the main pressing things: being our streets, sidewalks and sewer. Those are three main things that we need to look at right away. And then I want to really focus on coming up with strong communication strategies about anything that is being done in the town that involves Council or the Mayor, sharing that out with residents and  I will begin right away forming good relationships with county council as well and whomever ends up being Warden for the county, because it's really an important piece of success in Antigonish and local government and as well as federal government, because we're very likely going to need to get federal government to solve some of our infrastructure issues.” 

Question 2: Why should students vote for you? 

Cameron:  

“I would hope that during your time here, in Antigonish that the town has presented and given you opportunity to meet with the citizens, see how a small town operates in conjunction and in partnership with StFX,  and see how this is town has grown. The students and town people can work together to ensure that you guys have a great experience, and the town can provide you with the safety and the adequate amenities required to have a safe and prosperous four years to complete your degree.” 

Chiasson: 

“I think that it's really important because the students are a big part of the community. There's lots of issues within the town that are directly related to students. You know, students dealing with landlords, bylaws, garbage removal, recreation, and volunteering. There's lots of ways (to volunteer).  I think having a more involved student body leads to better relationships between the town and StFX, which has historically sometimes been a bit of complicated relationship, and I would be really interested in having a committee that would meet with Town Council, with students on it, just hear what you have to say, like what your concerns are. I spoke to some students the other day, and they said that they don't have a working bathroom in their house right now. Oh, wow. Sometimes people spin it that students cause problems, but it can be the exact opposite. Sometimes there's landlords and other people that also need to step up and be better neighbors. 

Question 3: What’s your position on amalgamation? 

Cameron: 

“As a sitting town councilor, I was one of three opposing this rushed consolidation without any input from citizens. I demanded, from the onset, a plebiscite be held and that information sessions present pros and cons and clearly identified issues associated with everything. They failed to do that, in my opinion, and as a result, the premier ended up pulling the plug on the whole consolidation issue. Okay, great. Interesting note, my (opposing) mayoral candidate was in support of this rushed consolidation, both by in print and in video, and in presenting to the Law Amendments to Halifax that she felt that the nine elected people who voted for this were within their rights to dissolve the town without any financial implications or complete study done on the impacts of the town and county residents.” 

Here Sean references Emilie’s support for consolidation in an email to the Law Amendments Committe on March 3, 2024. Her words at the time were: 

“I would like to express my support for the consolidation of the Town and County of Antigonish... Town and County Councils have been voted in to make decisions on behalf of their constituents and we must trust in their decisions. [The Councils] have asked for the two municipal units to be consolidated, and I fully support that.” 

Back to the interview... 

Chiasson: 

“Well, I don't see it as being a topic that's going to be on the table in the near future, and if it does come back up, it's not my job to decide it for people and we would have a vote plain and simple.” 

 (End interview) 

This past Tuesday, October 8th, members of the community had a chance to listen to the mayoral candidates engage in a debate on their positions and view of the future of the town. I encourage those interested in voting to check out the livestream on the Student Union’s YouTube, because I’ll only be providing a brief recap. 

 Right out of the gate Emilie Chiasson came out strong in her introduction, making connections with people in the crowd, showing great public speaking ability and seeming comfortable. Sean Cameron seemed less comfortable speaking to the large audience. He read his introduction from his notes.  

Cameron’s introduction began with his extensive roots in the town and connection to the school, as well as the importance of students. He then went into his plan for improving infrastructure, noting the need for a new water supply, the aging sewer plant, and accessibility issues. During his opening, Cameron emphasized that without capable infrastructure, developers are unable to build new houses (including affordable housing) for the growing population. He mentioned his 31-year career with the department of community services, and that his 20 years on town council would enable him to guide the incoming council of mostly newly elected counselors.  

Chiasson gave a strong introduction, starting by connecting with the crowd. She gave a shoutout to incumbent mayor Laurie Boucher, alongside all those running for council in attendance, made eye contact with the audience, and commanded the room. She then went on to detail her extracurriculars during her time at StFX, and then her previous career with StFX as a Senior Fund Development Executive, before moving on to being the Manager of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. She also won the StFX Young Alumnus of the Year in 2020. The next part of her introduction focused on different ways students benefit the town, including some interesting facts. Did you know over 1000 StFX students volunteer in the community every year? Chiasson emphasized the need to work with students and the university.  

Overall, Cameron seemed to have more substance to his answers. He knew more about town operations in the past, as to be expected of someone with a slogan like “20 years of experience.” His proposals were ambitious, like the idea that Antigonish might build a new Rec Centre with a daycare to retain medical workers for St. Martha’s, and proposing that the town could become the first in the country to achieve net-zero emissions with its new wind farm. He focused on what the council did during his tenure, like building the library on Main Street  and securing $5 million to maintain the sewer plant a few years ago. He also really hammered home the need to strengthen infrastructure to enable growth. Again, Cameron’s answers were mostly read from his notebook, although he started addressing the audience more directly toward the end.  

Chiasson, on the other hand, was the stronger public speaker, almost never looking at her notes while speaking. She agreed that infrastructure issues were a major issue impeding growth, put an even greater emphasis on the sewage problem and how much the town stinks, and brought up how hard it would be for developers to sell recently constructed properties to newcomers when they arrive in a town that smells the way that it has recently. She also paid greater attention to the opportunity that lies in collaboration with students and the university, in council meetings and elsewhere.  

Feel free to take this next opinion with a grain of salt, as I’ve only lived here a few years, but anecdotally, being the mayor of a small town seems like a role where extensive technical knowledge may not be as important as personability and leadership ability. After all, the town already has a Chief Executive Officer who works alongside the mayor and council and whose full-time job is to run the logistics of the town.  

Warning to out-of-province students from Sean Cameron: 

“One thing you guys should be aware of as well as students. (If you) have an Ontario driver's license, Ontario OHIP card in Ontario student loan deal...and you sign that declaration saying you wish to vote in the town election, those three items could be jeopardized because you're now making Nova Scotia your home province, you. So, I would caution out-of-province students from voting and signing that declaration. I want them to be safe.” 

I confirmed this with the returning officer, Allan Armsworthy, although I could not find any cases of this happening.

Some important information for those looking to vote: 

E-voting began on Oct. 5th, and you can vote over the phone by calling 1-877-446-5146 or online at antigonish.isivote.com. 

 Oct. 12th is the First Advance Poll at the Returning Office, 149 Church Street (Mall Annex). Polls will be open from 12 to 8 p.m.  

Oct. 15th is the Second Advance Poll at the Returning Office, 149 Church Street (Mall Annex). Polls will be open from 12 to 8 p.m.    

Oct. 19th is Election Day. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School, 105 Braemore Avenue. E-voting closes at 7 p.m. 

If you have questions for Allan Armsworthy regarding your eligibility, you can call him at 902-318-3309 or email him at returningofficer@townofantigonish.ca. 

The candidates running for town council are as follows. 

Sarah Armstrong: sarahclaudette@gmail.com, 902-870-6519. 

Travis Decoste: vote4travisdecoste@gmail.com, 902-318-8292. 

Kara Kilfoil: karakilfoilforcouncil@gmail.com, 403-993-3659. 

Drake Lowthers: drake.lowthers@gmail.com, 902-623-0852. 

Leon MacLellan: leon4antigonish@gmail.com, 902-714-6393. 

Patrick McKenna: antigonishmckenna@gmail.com, 902-318-2745. 

Coline Morrow: colinemorrow123@gmail.com, 902-318-0961 

Andrew Murray: andrew.murray@townofantigonish.ca, 902-968-1248 

Juanita Pelly: Juanitampelly@gmail.com, 902 318 1153. 

Diane Roberts: 74ladyd@gmail.com, 902-318-1284. 

Jack Sullivan: sullmatt.cont@gmail.com, 902-863-5457.