GAS PRICES UP IN NOVA SCOTIA
Local gas prices are up by 3 cents a litre this morning. Regular self-serve is 95.8 cents per litre in the local pricing zone. Diesel will cost you an extra 3.3 cents per litre, hitting 95.6 cents locally.
PROVINCIAL COVID CASELOAD UP BY 14 PEOPLE
There are 114 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia with 14 new cases have been identified in the latest update.
Public Health says 12 of the new cases are in the Central Zone and there is one case in each of the Northern and Western Zones. There are no infections being treated in Nova Scotia hospitals this morning.
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, will provide an update by teleconference on Friday, Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. This update will be livestreamed on https://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast
CFIB CALLS FOR DATA RELEASE
As Atlantic Canadian small businesses face a new round of COVID-19 restrictions, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on government to better explain their lockdown measures and, correspondingly, the fate of independent firms. While each of the Atlantic provinces is taking a slightly different approach, the experience in other provinces – outside the region – is providing some valuable insight into what NOT to do. What the CFIB and its small business members say would help them – is the data behind decisions that might affect one business sector more than another.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY COVID
The McNeil government is offering financial support for Halifax and Hants County area businesses that have been ordered closed under the province’s new COVID-19 restrictions.
Business Minister Geoff MacLellan said today the province will offer a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to small, independently owned dine-in restaurants, bars, and fitness and leisure centres.
The province ordered those businesses closed for at least two weeks, effective today, following a rise in COVID-19 infections across the Halifax region.
Businesses can use the grant money for any operational expenses like wages and supplies.
Eligible businesses must have been operating since March 15 and have annual sales between $25,000 and $300,000.
OTTAWA TALKS NUMBERS ON VACCINE ROLL-OUT
Ottawa’s deputy chief public health officer, Dr. Howard Njoo says this country is in a good position to provide coronavirus vaccine access to “every Canadian who wants one” in 2021, but a lot of people will have to wait while initial supplies roll out.
Njoo and others made the statements in the first of a new round of weekly press conferences that will outline the government’s vaccination roll-out plans. That initial rollout will likely see three million priority Canadians getting their shots first. Those innoculations will focus on three core groups: meaning…people at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19, those at high risk of transmitting it to vulnerable people and essential workers.
PROVINCIAL HEALTH MINISTER MAKES IT OFFICIAL – HE’LL DEFINITELY RESIGN
There’s no big shock in the news that Kings West MLA and cabinet minister Leo Glavine won’t be re-offering in the next election. The Valley MLA said earlier this year that he wouldn’t be running again. And yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed that after Premier McNeil leaves, he’ll be retiring from the health portfolio to enjoy his grandchildren. The Premier calls Glavine, a former teacher, a gentleman who is a good role model for anyone in public office.
LOCAL STUDENT GETS MAJOR SCHOLARSHIP
The province is supporting the next generation of the energy and mines sector by awarding scholarships to 20 Nova Scotia students.
The Nova Scotia Energy and Mines Scholarship program – previously named the Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship – is rewarding students pursuing energy and mining-related studies at post-secondary institutions across the province. On the list from Pictou County is Amelia Steeves, of Northumberland Regional High School, doing her bachelor of science at Saint Mary’s University. Amelia says “ When I received the call informing me that I was a recipient, I was ecstatic. I feel so proud to have received the scholarship. It is a huge financial weight lifted off my shoulders and has truly helped give me the confidence to pursue my career.”
IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS…..
“THE ROCK” MAKES AN APPEARANCE IN MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
Dwayne, “The Rock” Johnson, the wrestler and actor took to social media on Thursday, after an ad for his upcoming NBC biopic series, Young Rock, aired during the annual parade, depicting his infamous fanny pack throwback pic as one of the parade’s larger-than-life balloons. “Never in my wildest dreams…” Johnson captioned the clip. “I’ve been a lucky SOB to have done some pretty cool sh*t in my career, but after seeing my @nbcyoungrock FANNY PACK FLOAT in the #MacysThanksgivingParade, this might take the cake.”
“This time in my life may represent when I had just $7 bucks in my fanny pack, but at least I had enough COOL to tuck my turtleneck in and wear fake silver jewelry because it was all I could afford,” he added, with some laughing emoji. “And my massive plucked raised eyebrow is the stuff that dreams (and nightmares) are made of… Float on, kid.. you might just make it one day.”
SPORTS
IN MHL hockey, the Amherst Ramblers visited the Pictou County Weeks Crushers at the Wellness Centre, with the hometown Crushers defeating the Ramblers 4 – 1.
