Tears for Nova Scotia

Unbridled madness in our paradise of Nova Scotia. It’s unsettling to say the least, and sad beyond measure. More than twenty senseless deaths. Yes, even the death of the perpetrator is senseless.

We have received heartfelt calls and emails from friends in other Canadian provinces, as well as other countries, including England, Germany and the United States of America. This is not the way we want them to think of this wonderful province: home to Canada’s worst mass shooting. No. Home to wonderful people, caring people and the most beautiful  land and seascapes. 

One has to remember that Nova Scotia has not been without tragedies throughout its history, albeit not of this nature. There is the treatment of our indigenous population since settlement by Europeans, the treatment of the Acadians during the period of the expulsion in the mid-1700s, and the treatment of the Blacks who came here in search of freedom in the latter 1700s, and found far less than they had hoped for. 

And then we’ve had other tragedies too: the Halifax explosion (1917), the Springhill mining disasters (1891, 1956, 1958) and other such disasters through the 1900s including the Westray Mine disaster in 1992. Of course, there have been countless hurricanes, and far too many fishing deaths at sea through the centuries. 

And we have responded to many others including the Titanic in 1912, and the Swiss Air disaster in 1998. And we cannot forget our response to the current Covid-19 pandemic.  In all of these we’ve shown our resilience as a people. 

Although it is difficult for us to come together in this time of social distancing and isolation; no doubt we will find a way. And we will heal.