Michael Tutton

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Michael Tutton.

Theft of NS Power customer data is likely ransomware attack: security experts

Theft of NS Power customer data is likely ransomware attack: security experts

HALIFAX -- Security experts say the theft of customer data from Nova Scotia's electric utility has the hallmarks of an extortion attempt by cybercriminals.

On the banks of a N.S. river, elver fishers from a Mi'kmaq First Nation defy Ottawa

On the banks of a N.S. river, elver fishers from a Mi'kmaq First Nation defy Ottawa

HUBBARDS -- As night falls along the banks of the Fitzroy River, Tabitha Morrison pauses from dipping her net for baby eels, and explains why she believes Ottawa's rules shouldn't govern Indigenous fishers.

Rise in number of U.S. doctors looking to move to Canada since Trump's election

Rise in number of U.S. doctors looking to move to Canada since Trump's election

HALIFAX -- Recruiters say there's been a surge of interest from American doctors considering moving to Canada since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump in November.

Science in steel boxes: how research teams hitched a ride with navy to Antarctica

Science in steel boxes: how research teams hitched a ride with navy to Antarctica

HALIFAX -- Scientists who went aboard a Royal Canadian Navy mission to Antarctica say the trip demonstrated how portable labs and gear can effectively probe the ocean depths.

N.S. premier backtracks on bill allowing the firing of auditor general without cause

N.S. premier backtracks on bill allowing the firing of auditor general without cause

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier says he is withdrawing amendments to a bill that would have allowed his government to fire the province's auditor general without cause and veto the public release of her reports.

N.S. premier retreats on bill that allowed firing of auditor general without cause

N.S. premier retreats on bill that allowed firing of auditor general without cause

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier has retreated from a contentious bill that would have allowed his government to fire the province's auditor general without cause.

N.S. auditor wants government to drop legislation allowing her firing without cause

N.S. auditor wants government to drop legislation allowing her firing without cause

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's auditor general wants the Progressive Conservatives to withdraw amendments to a bill that allows her to be fired without cause and gives the government more veto power over her reports.

Nova Scotia move to allow firing of auditor general without cause described as threat

Nova Scotia move to allow firing of auditor general without cause described as threat

HALIFAX -- A move by Nova Scotia's government to allow the auditor general to be fired without cause is being described by a legal expert and the current auditor as a threat to the agency's watchdog role.

Mental health care for rural Black people in N.S. lacking, year after Desmond report

Mental health care for rural Black people in N.S. lacking, year after Desmond report

HALIFAX -- A lack of mental health care tailored to rural Black Nova Scotians is one of several problems yet to be properly addressed by the province, more than one year after an inquiry report into the Lionel Desmond tragedy recommended reforms.

'Remedy' for Nova Scotians with disabilities in institutions behind schedule

'Remedy' for Nova Scotians with disabilities in institutions behind schedule

HALIFAX -- Shannon Sweet lives in a Halifax nursing home, but she imagines a home of her own, with a kitchen set up for her wheelchair and visiting staff to assist her with some daily needs.

Ottawa delays meetings for unpopular plan to redistribute baby eel quotas

Ottawa delays meetings for unpopular plan to redistribute baby eel quotas

HALIFAX -- After a barrage of criticism over a plan to transfer baby eel quotas away from longtime licence holders, the federal Fisheries Department is delaying information sessions on the pilot project.

Mik'maq elver fishers hope quotas create safety on N.S. rivers, but critics doubtful

Mik'maq elver fishers hope quotas create safety on N.S. rivers, but critics doubtful

HALIFAX -- Indigenous elver fishers who once were at odds with federal fisheries officers say they're hopeful that a new plan to provide them quotas this season will create more peace on the water.

In tumultuous history of finance minister resignations, Freeland's exit stands out

In tumultuous history of finance minister resignations, Freeland's exit stands out

Having a finance minister openly condemn the prime minister's policies on her way out is a fresh level of acrimony in Canadian political history, longtime observers of the country's politics say.

North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike

North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike

HALIFAX -- Community leaders in Northern Canada say the postal strike is choking off the supply of some necessities and could mean children in more remote regions don't receive gifts this year during the holiday season.

Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units

Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units

HALIFAX -- Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.

Halifax security forum: United States senator questions Canada's military spending

Halifax security forum: United States senator questions Canada's military spending

HALIFAX -- An influential United States Republican senator delivered some blunt criticism of Canada's military spending on Friday, telling a major security conference in Halifax the federal government has to do better to please president-elect Donald Trump.

Halifax security forum begins amid questions about Canada's military spending

Halifax security forum begins amid questions about Canada's military spending

HALIFAX -- The Halifax International Security Forum opened Friday with Defence Minister Bill Blair defending Canada's military spending amid mounting pressure on NATO members to do more following Donald Trump's win in the U.S. presidential election.

Halifax Security Forum begins amid questions on Canada's military spending

Halifax Security Forum begins amid questions on Canada's military spending

HALIFAX -- The Halifax International Security Forum started today with Canada's defence minister defending Canada's military spending as Donald Trump's election in the United States increases pressure on NATO members to do more.

Halifax security forum gathers as Trump's support for Taiwan, Ukraine in question

Halifax security forum gathers as Trump's support for Taiwan, Ukraine in question

HALIFAX -- Uncertainty is a key theme this year at the annual, three-day gathering in Halifax of political leaders, defence officials and policy analysts who aim to promote democratic values around the globe.

Early voter turnout down compared to 2021 as Nova Scotia campaign enters last week

Early voter turnout down compared to 2021 as Nova Scotia campaign enters last week

HALIFAX -- With one week to go in the Nova Scotia election campaign, early voter turnout is down sharply compared to the 2021 election.

Nova Scotia election debate: Leaders clash over pace of health-care improvement

Nova Scotia election debate: Leaders clash over pace of health-care improvement

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's NDP and Liberal leaders attacked Progressive Conservative leader Tim Houston's claims of reviving the province's ailing health-care system, citing patient horror stories during a televised debate Thursday.

N.S. election: Woman battles for air conditioners for people on income assistance

N.S. election: Woman battles for air conditioners for people on income assistance

HALIFAX -- As Nova Scotia politicians make their fall election promises, Julie Leggett is urging them to commit to helping people on income assistance stay cool during heat waves.

'Not for now,' says N.S. Tory leader regarding order-making power for info czar

'Not for now,' says N.S. Tory leader regarding order-making power for info czar

HALIFAX -- The leader of Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservatives made clear last week that if he's re-elected, a key change that he once supported to increase the power of the province's information commissioner is on the back burner, if not dead.

N.S. premier apologizes to women who fought in court for out-of-province operations

N.S. premier apologizes to women who fought in court for out-of-province operations

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier is apologizing after a court criticized his government for what it calls a flawed, discriminatory and unfair process that led to two women being rejected for coverage of out-of-province treatments.

Nova Scotia offers retirement fund top-ups for doctors, hoping they'll stick around

Nova Scotia offers retirement fund top-ups for doctors, hoping they'll stick around

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is offering to pay up to $15,000 a year into a new retirement benefits program for doctors in hopes the public money will keep more physicians in the province.

N.S. government revises deficit forecast higher, citing softening tax revenues

N.S. government revises deficit forecast higher, citing softening tax revenues

HALIFAX -- In what's become a September pattern in Nova Scotia politics, the province's finance minister is again projecting a bigger deficit than estimated in the spring budget.

Gap between richest and the rest creates a land of disappointed citizens: economist

Gap between richest and the rest creates a land of disappointed citizens: economist

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia economist Lars Osberg's latest book on the widening gap between the very richest and the rest argues the trend is creating disappointed Canadians prone to distrusting one another and their governments.

Sister of dead firefighter calls for safety overhaul of N.S. firefighting school

Sister of dead firefighter calls for safety overhaul of N.S. firefighting school

HALIFAX -- The sister of a firefighter who died during a training exam at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School says the program needs an overhaul to improve its safety standards.

N.S. behind on plan to move people with disabilities out of institutions: monitor

N.S. behind on plan to move people with disabilities out of institutions: monitor

HALIFAX -- An independent monitor says Nova Scotia's progress over the past year on moving people with disabilities out of institutions is missing milestones called for in a legally binding human rights decision.

Mom wants quicker reform on disaster preparations, one year after flood took son

Mom wants quicker reform on disaster preparations, one year after flood took son

HALIFAX -- The mother of a boy who died a year ago in a Nova Scotia flood says her grief returns daily, along with frustration over what she considers the province's slow pace in reforming its preparations for climate disasters.

Halifax shipyard tests steel-cutting methods as first new destroyer expected by 2035

Halifax shipyard tests steel-cutting methods as first new destroyer expected by 2035

HALIFAX -- The Irving shipyard is testing methods to cut steel for Canada's new destroyers, though the navy says it will be about a decade before the first vessel joins military operations.