Charlie Cottreau
@charliecnorth.bsky.social
Writer. Photographer. Socialist. Acadian Driftwood.
Writes https://thenorthcolumn.substack.com.
Based in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
Writes https://thenorthcolumn.substack.com.
Based in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
Embracing work from home is the key to revitalizing rural NS. I took a drive down the Eastern Shore last fall and half the houses are standing empty. Imagine if we let the people who'd rather not live in Halifax at all, let alone drive in it, move out there without having to leave their jobs.
We also seriously need to promote working from home. I go days without driving because I work from home.
Know what? We can find cost savings in ditching middle managers whose job it is to make sure workers have their butts in seats.
Know what? We can find cost savings in ditching middle managers whose job it is to make sure workers have their butts in seats.
For HRM, we need to reduce emissions and adapt via HaliFACT which relies on implementing the IMP.
This means a significant modal shift away from driving for every trip to riding for more trips 🚍⛴️🚲🛴.
This means a significant modal shift away from driving for every trip to riding for more trips 🚍⛴️🚲🛴.
February 12, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Embracing work from home is the key to revitalizing rural NS. I took a drive down the Eastern Shore last fall and half the houses are standing empty. Imagine if we let the people who'd rather not live in Halifax at all, let alone drive in it, move out there without having to leave their jobs.
"Is 40% of your catalogue just jokes about Brian Mulroney being in hell?" is still my favourite question I've gotten about my writing.
This is why. He set foreign policy entirely to impress Reagan.
This is why. He set foreign policy entirely to impress Reagan.
Mulroney loved selling our sovereignty. So many things that have cascaded badly started with him
January 31, 2026 at 12:24 AM
"Is 40% of your catalogue just jokes about Brian Mulroney being in hell?" is still my favourite question I've gotten about my writing.
This is why. He set foreign policy entirely to impress Reagan.
This is why. He set foreign policy entirely to impress Reagan.
Three weeks into the Hemlock Walk and I've covered 97.7/535KM! We're also 30% of the way to our fundraising goal! Onwards and upwards
My New Year's/Birthday/Anniversary of Moving Back to NS/Motivation to run in the Canadian Winter Project! Raising money for the Ecology Action Centre and NS Environmentalism.
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
Donate to The Hemlock Walk, organized by René Doucet Cottreau
I'm walking 535KM by April 30th to raise $500 for the Ecology Action Centre. The Hemlock Walk wi… René Doucet Cottreau needs your support for The Hemlock Walk
www.gofundme.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Three weeks into the Hemlock Walk and I've covered 97.7/535KM! We're also 30% of the way to our fundraising goal! Onwards and upwards
The "rules based order" was built on one rule. Imperialism for the Global South while the privileged North chooses its own fate. The USA has always been like this. Only now they're redefining who's a fair target. Our choice is to stand united with the Global South or become an American vassal.
For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the ‘rules-based international order.’
That order is not coming back, but from the fracture, we can build something better, stronger, and more just.
youtu.be/Ve4FwAexdSQ
That order is not coming back, but from the fracture, we can build something better, stronger, and more just.
youtu.be/Ve4FwAexdSQ
Canada's path forward • La voie que le Canada a choisie
YouTube video by Mark Carney
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 AM
The "rules based order" was built on one rule. Imperialism for the Global South while the privileged North chooses its own fate. The USA has always been like this. Only now they're redefining who's a fair target. Our choice is to stand united with the Global South or become an American vassal.
My New Year's/Birthday/Anniversary of Moving Back to NS/Motivation to run in the Canadian Winter Project! Raising money for the Ecology Action Centre and NS Environmentalism.
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
Donate to The Hemlock Walk, organized by René Doucet Cottreau
I'm walking 535KM by April 30th to raise $500 for the Ecology Action Centre. The Hemlock Walk wi… René Doucet Cottreau needs your support for The Hemlock Walk
www.gofundme.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:46 PM
My New Year's/Birthday/Anniversary of Moving Back to NS/Motivation to run in the Canadian Winter Project! Raising money for the Ecology Action Centre and NS Environmentalism.
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
9.1 KM down and 525.9 KM to go!
www.gofundme.com/f/the-hemloc...
BREAKING: Canadian Visitors to USA Offered Free Beer and Chance to Win All Expenses Paid One-Way Flight to El Salvador.
*Offer Not Available in White, Protestant, Anglophone, or Quebec.
*Offer Not Available in White, Protestant, Anglophone, or Quebec.
This CBC article reads like a tourism brochure for the US travel industry. Not one mention of the boycott.
The article says that if you travel to Montana you can buy one beer and get one free.
Frick...I value our sovereignty to a higher value than a free bottle of Coors.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The article says that if you travel to Montana you can buy one beer and get one free.
Frick...I value our sovereignty to a higher value than a free bottle of Coors.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Canadians travellers are resisting the U.S. Can ski vacations entice them back? | CBC News
American ski towns bracing for a steep decline in Canadian tourism are still hoping they can coax their northern neighbours back this holiday season. Ultimately, the decision to travel south might hin...
www.cbc.ca
December 18, 2025 at 2:43 AM
BREAKING: Canadian Visitors to USA Offered Free Beer and Chance to Win All Expenses Paid One-Way Flight to El Salvador.
*Offer Not Available in White, Protestant, Anglophone, or Quebec.
*Offer Not Available in White, Protestant, Anglophone, or Quebec.
Noise pollution is underappreciated aspect of this too. I've felt bad driving to work through the early morning in my little car with its totally blown exhaust that I haven't had time to fix. I realized the other day that it's still quieter than my coworkers' perfectly operational monster trucks.
Let’s talk about the size of trucks & SUVs in the city. My column on the virtue & status signalling of vehicle bloat.
Shawn Micallef: This truck ad shows why Toronto needs smaller vehicles — if only the carmakers wanted to sell them
A car comically overloaded with plywood? It’s a good ad for a pickup — but also a sign of the incredible amount of money, weight and energy being wasted on
www.thestar.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Noise pollution is underappreciated aspect of this too. I've felt bad driving to work through the early morning in my little car with its totally blown exhaust that I haven't had time to fix. I realized the other day that it's still quieter than my coworkers' perfectly operational monster trucks.
Colonial governments like Nova Scotia have been using race and class to separate the haves from the have nots since the beginning.
Remember that you're no exception. Only the ruling class are truly safe. Stand up for the people standing up for Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia. We're in this together.
Remember that you're no exception. Only the ruling class are truly safe. Stand up for the people standing up for Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia. We're in this together.
Environmental classism: Governments aren’t destroying or contaminating communities of the wealthy
Morning File by @suzannerent.bsky.social
Morning File by @suzannerent.bsky.social
Environmental classism: Governments aren't destroying or contaminating communities of the wealthy - Halifax Examiner
The prosperity of a few should never be at the great expense of working class and marginalized communities.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Colonial governments like Nova Scotia have been using race and class to separate the haves from the have nots since the beginning.
Remember that you're no exception. Only the ruling class are truly safe. Stand up for the people standing up for Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia. We're in this together.
Remember that you're no exception. Only the ruling class are truly safe. Stand up for the people standing up for Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia. We're in this together.
I've spent close to a month of nights in that tent over the last two years. I'm listening to the wind, -25 by morning they say, and thinking of my friends out there tonight. All to stop world eaters like Tim Houston from finishing what the wildfires started. Write your MLA. Save Goldsmith Lake.
Advocates set up new camp in Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area to protest government’s failure to protect it
By @mmughees.bsky.social
By @mmughees.bsky.social
Advocates set up new camp in Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area to protest government's failure to protect it - Halifax Examiner
Asked if SOOF is concerned about potential repercussions from the new 'Protecting Nova Scotians Act,' Nina Newington said “We're not willing to be intimidated.”
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I've spent close to a month of nights in that tent over the last two years. I'm listening to the wind, -25 by morning they say, and thinking of my friends out there tonight. All to stop world eaters like Tim Houston from finishing what the wildfires started. Write your MLA. Save Goldsmith Lake.
I met Dermot in a hostel at the edge of the arctic the day after he fought a bear in his tent during his successful attempt to be the first Irishman to canoe the Yukon River from source to sea. Now he's running 1000km for Palestine.
Donate what you can.
www.gofundme.com/f/the-slo-sl...
Donate what you can.
www.gofundme.com/f/the-slo-sl...
Donate to The SLO SLO DERMO 1000KM CHALLENGE, organized by Dermot Higgins
The SLO SLO DERMO Challenge
You may have heard of GOGO Dermo. I’ve also compl… Dermot Higgins needs your support for The SLO SLO DERMO 1000KM CHALLENGE
www.gofundme.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:55 AM
I met Dermot in a hostel at the edge of the arctic the day after he fought a bear in his tent during his successful attempt to be the first Irishman to canoe the Yukon River from source to sea. Now he's running 1000km for Palestine.
Donate what you can.
www.gofundme.com/f/the-slo-sl...
Donate what you can.
www.gofundme.com/f/the-slo-sl...
Reposted by Charlie Cottreau
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
November 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
Stop selling your creativity to a human rights violating Dunning Kruger machine from the real world equivalent of Skynet that burns orphans for fuel and uses the same amount of water as Zimbabwe.
It's that easy.
It's that easy.
Sure, they've made an environmentally catastrophic mass hallucination disinformation plagiarism Clippy that will destabilize the world, but also their other goal is to replace human workers entirely and let us humans starve. A boycott of AI is the most important boycott of your entire life.
"All of this falls apart if humans don't adopt the tech. This is why you've seen Meta cram its lame chatbots into WhatsApp and Instagram. This is why Notepad and Paint now have useless Copilot buttons on Windows. This is why Google Gemini wants to "help you" read and reply to your emails."
November 30, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Stop selling your creativity to a human rights violating Dunning Kruger machine from the real world equivalent of Skynet that burns orphans for fuel and uses the same amount of water as Zimbabwe.
It's that easy.
It's that easy.
As part of my recent pledge to bring Nova Scotia climatology to Bluesky, here's one for the locals from the recently reprieved West Mabou Beach. Seems like it'll be a great talk!
November 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
As part of my recent pledge to bring Nova Scotia climatology to Bluesky, here's one for the locals from the recently reprieved West Mabou Beach. Seems like it'll be a great talk!
Vancouver's new climate ignoring, union assaulting, people ignoring austerity budget. Hopefully Mayor Ken Sim's last, but this is a symptom of a larger issue of disconnection between service and money on every level of government in Canada.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Hundreds sign up to speak to council about Vancouver’s ‘Zero Means Zero’ budget
More than 600 people signed up to weigh in on Vancouver’s proposed 2026 budget, which was drafted to deliver a zero per cent property tax increase.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Vancouver's new climate ignoring, union assaulting, people ignoring austerity budget. Hopefully Mayor Ken Sim's last, but this is a symptom of a larger issue of disconnection between service and money on every level of government in Canada.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Worth a read. Canada's financescape really has lost the plot and forgotten that profits should serve people and not vice versa. It's not 1980. We know the invisible hand of the free market left unchecked does nothing but choke us and in our world climate change preparedness is an essential service.
“My name is Brent Toderian. I’m a resident of Vancouver. I’m also a city planner, a former chief planner for Vancouver, and now an advisor to cities across Canada & around the world.
Council knows I don’t make a habit of this. I can count on one hand the times I’ve spoken to council as a citizen.”
Council knows I don’t make a habit of this. I can count on one hand the times I’ve spoken to council as a citizen.”
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Worth a read. Canada's financescape really has lost the plot and forgotten that profits should serve people and not vice versa. It's not 1980. We know the invisible hand of the free market left unchecked does nothing but choke us and in our world climate change preparedness is an essential service.
Some more good mayoral news. The Seattle Mayoral Election has ended in a razor thin victory for community organizer Katie Wilson over the billionaire funded establishment incumbent.
I've only spent six hours in Seattle, but I'm happy to see a good city get better.
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
I've only spent six hours in Seattle, but I'm happy to see a good city get better.
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
The Real Losers in Seattle’s Mayoral
Election? Oligarchs.
They poured mountains of dollars into trying to find ways to stop socialist Katie Wilson. But to younger voters, their money stinks.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Some more good mayoral news. The Seattle Mayoral Election has ended in a razor thin victory for community organizer Katie Wilson over the billionaire funded establishment incumbent.
I've only spent six hours in Seattle, but I'm happy to see a good city get better.
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
I've only spent six hours in Seattle, but I'm happy to see a good city get better.
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
Some good news from Denmark! The centrist Social Democrats have lost the Copenhagen Mayoral Election to a left wing coalition for the first time in history.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Centre-left tipped to lose Copenhagen for first time in electoral history
Political rivals say PM’s divisive politics have encouraged voters to ditch the Social Democrats for the far right
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Some good news from Denmark! The centrist Social Democrats have lost the Copenhagen Mayoral Election to a left wing coalition for the first time in history.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Oddly the NDP got it right this time. Lori Idlout and Gord Johns directly served their constituents by abstaining and the rest of the party reminded Carney that he's a minority PM.
This budget misses nearly every mark, but a winter election would benefit nobody.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
This budget misses nearly every mark, but a winter election would benefit nobody.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney government wins crucial confidence vote on budget | CBC
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Oddly the NDP got it right this time. Lori Idlout and Gord Johns directly served their constituents by abstaining and the rest of the party reminded Carney that he's a minority PM.
This budget misses nearly every mark, but a winter election would benefit nobody.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
This budget misses nearly every mark, but a winter election would benefit nobody.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
For possibly the first time ever, Tim Houston has read the room.
West Mabou Beach is safe. At least until Timmy decides it's Round 3.
Yelling at politicians works!
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
West Mabou Beach is safe. At least until Timmy decides it's Round 3.
Yelling at politicians works!
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
Nova Scotia government quashes West Mabou Beach golf course plan
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says the Cabot’s proposal to build a third golf course in parts of West Mabou Beach, in West Mabou, N.S., is off the table.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
For possibly the first time ever, Tim Houston has read the room.
West Mabou Beach is safe. At least until Timmy decides it's Round 3.
Yelling at politicians works!
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
West Mabou Beach is safe. At least until Timmy decides it's Round 3.
Yelling at politicians works!
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
You know what? We're on the wrong end of forty years of decimation against public transport in Canada. If the enthusiasts want to take matters into their own hands I say we let them.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Man who took Hamilton bus on joy ride 'did a great job' driving, left no dings, say police | CBC News
He made several stops along the way, allowing passengers to get on and off, police say. He was then arrested.
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
You know what? We're on the wrong end of forty years of decimation against public transport in Canada. If the enthusiasts want to take matters into their own hands I say we let them.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
BREAKING: Irving Opens Branch Office of Skynet.
Volta Grid, which is definitely somehow Irving, said: "After years of paper and oil based climate and social villainy a jump into the digital world felt right!"
The disembodied corporate voice then cackled maniacally.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Volta Grid, which is definitely somehow Irving, said: "After years of paper and oil based climate and social villainy a jump into the digital world felt right!"
The disembodied corporate voice then cackled maniacally.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Proposed data centre would need almost half of Tantramar gas plant’s power | CBC News
A proposed data centre in the Lorneville area of Saint John would gobble up the equivalent of almost half the electricity N.B. Power will get from a controversial natural gas plant in the Tantramar ar...
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 10:49 PM
BREAKING: Irving Opens Branch Office of Skynet.
Volta Grid, which is definitely somehow Irving, said: "After years of paper and oil based climate and social villainy a jump into the digital world felt right!"
The disembodied corporate voice then cackled maniacally.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Volta Grid, which is definitely somehow Irving, said: "After years of paper and oil based climate and social villainy a jump into the digital world felt right!"
The disembodied corporate voice then cackled maniacally.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
BREAKING: Local Man Holds Firm on Commitment to Learning Nothing.
"Pattern recognition is woke," claimed Poilievre. Reporters strained to hear as he then muttered something about ancestral hominids being leopard hating communists.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
"Pattern recognition is woke," claimed Poilievre. Reporters strained to hear as he then muttered something about ancestral hominids being leopard hating communists.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Poilievre says he is not reflecting on his leadership style after MP departures | CBC News
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday he is not reflecting on his leadership style after two MPs announced they were leaving his caucus — including one who cited the leader's "negative" ...
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
BREAKING: Local Man Holds Firm on Commitment to Learning Nothing.
"Pattern recognition is woke," claimed Poilievre. Reporters strained to hear as he then muttered something about ancestral hominids being leopard hating communists.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
"Pattern recognition is woke," claimed Poilievre. Reporters strained to hear as he then muttered something about ancestral hominids being leopard hating communists.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
BREAKING: Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Brings Down NYC Crime Rate by 50% in First 48 Hours on the Job.
November 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
BREAKING: Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Brings Down NYC Crime Rate by 50% in First 48 Hours on the Job.
It's looking more and more like it's probably Poiliover for Poilievre. Two gone in two days.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announces resignation from Parliament | CBC News
Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced Thursday he is resigning from the House of Commons, according to a statement shared with CBC News.
www.cbc.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 AM
It's looking more and more like it's probably Poiliover for Poilievre. Two gone in two days.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Russia is cracking down on environmentalists as they lose millions in crop failures due to desertification.
Nova Scotia is cracking down on environmentalists guarding our surviving 0.5% of old growth forest after years of record breaking flooding, fire, and drought.
www.asianews.it/news-en/Dese...
Nova Scotia is cracking down on environmentalists guarding our surviving 0.5% of old growth forest after years of record breaking flooding, fire, and drought.
www.asianews.it/news-en/Dese...
Desertification causes crop failure in southern Russia
The effects of climate change are leading to a drastic decline in cereal production this year, a crucial sector for the Russian economy. In the Rostov region, 17.5% of the territory has now become des
www.asianews.it
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Russia is cracking down on environmentalists as they lose millions in crop failures due to desertification.
Nova Scotia is cracking down on environmentalists guarding our surviving 0.5% of old growth forest after years of record breaking flooding, fire, and drought.
www.asianews.it/news-en/Dese...
Nova Scotia is cracking down on environmentalists guarding our surviving 0.5% of old growth forest after years of record breaking flooding, fire, and drought.
www.asianews.it/news-en/Dese...