I arrived here in Halifax last evening for the University Art Association of Canada‘s annual conference. This year being hosted by the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, NSCAD. It is wonderful to be back in this vibrant and historic city!
Better still having arrived yesterday, on such a historic day for our nation! (“Canada becomes one of only five countries in the world to achieve gender parity at the federal level” Globe and Mail, November 5th. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/gender-parity-in-trudeaus-cabinet-a-positive-start-advocates-say/article27113563/)
“It is 2015.” (Yes. It sure is. FINALLY!!) I want to personally wish ALL 31 ministers clear vision, positive support and good health, as well as open hearts & minds as they work to guide our nation of Canada forward into the future.
Here’s to “this” – us – our opportunity to conduct our national and international business more responsibly.
And lastly, here is my promise – small that it may be – to not simply sit back and wait for a new MP to publicly slip’n fall so that I might perhaps appear “wise”, or above it all, or that maybe I somehow “knew it all along”. I promise to strive to recognize, and act on each opportunity to reflect back to my own local community the positive and progressive values to which I believe the majority of Canadians aspire. -DH
Photo above: Canada’s new Democratic Institutions MP Maryam Monsef, a Canadian and a former refugee who left Afghanistan in 1996.
I look forward to reporting on the proceeding beginning tomorrow. Please check back with me! Until then, here are just a few photos to give you “the lay of the land” so to speak.
Cheers from The Port City!
Danielle
My heart is beating faster after reading and viewing your side of your first day at the conference! I took the liberty to pass on your new “office” to George Cotaras the Halifax lead architect on THE library! Love you.