GOOD NEWS ON JOBS FRONT, AS 259,000 FULL-TIME PAYCHEQUES ADDED (UPDATED)
The latest job numbers show more good news on the economy, as the country gained more than a quarter of a million jobs in the month of February. That leaves the rate of working age people looking for a job on the decline, as the rate dropped to 8.2 per cent, decreasing by more than a full percentage point from the national numbers in January. Here in Nova Scotia, the jobs numbers continue to look good, with three times as many part-time positions being created, as full-time jobs being lost. Local MP Sean Fraser says it’s terrific news, combined with the fact that the number of people classed as “long term unemployed” is down by 49,000 in a single month, an encouraging sign that we’re starting to bounce back from the low points of the pandemic. The other news is that retail has gained 122,000 jobs, and economists say even the bar and restaurant sector is starting to add jobs again. (CBC News photo)
WHO AND HOW TO BOOK YOUR COVID-19 VACCINES – (UPDATED FRIDAY AFTERNOON)
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 vaccination program has now expanded to include anyone who is 80 and older and born in May, June, July or August.
People aged 80 and older and born between May 1 and Aug. 31 can now book an appointment at a community clinic.
The following groups are still eligible to be immunized:
— those aged 80 and older and born between Jan. 1 and April 30 can book an appointment at a community clinic
— people who are 63 and 64 years old can book an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine at one of 25 pharmacy and physicians offices
Nova Scotians who are in one of these groups are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. Other groups will become eligible as more vaccine is rolled out across the province.
The province’s goal continues to be to immunize as many Nova Scotians as quickly as possible, based on age, to reach a high rate of population immunity.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be made online at http://www.novascotia.ca/vaccination or by phone at 1-833-797-7772. Appointments cannot be booked directly through a community clinic, pharmacy or physician. Walk-ins will be turned away.
10 community clinics are operating across the province administering COVID-19 vaccine
-25 pharmacies and physician offices are administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
LATEST CASE COUNT FOR NOVA SCOTIA COVID ON MARCH 12th
There is one new case of COVID-19 as of Friday. It’s a case in the Eastern Health Zone, which includes Antigonish-Guysborough and Cape Breton.
NOVA SCOTIA GAS PRICES MAKE SIZEABLE GAINS
If you didn’t fill up yesterday, it’s going to cost you more to do that today. World oil prices rose by more than $1.60 a barrel in the past 24 hours, and gas prices are up by 6 cents a litre this morning across Nova Scotia. Your best price for regular self-serve is now $131.2 in our area. It’s the first time we’ve gone above $1.30 since May of 2019. Diesel is up by 3 cents, now sitting at $120.2 for local drivers.
SCAM PHONE CALL WARNING FROM NEW GLASGOW POLICE
There’s a fresh warning about phone calls from scammers going into the March Break. New Glasgow Regional Police Constable Ken MacDonald says you can’t trust your caller I-D anymore. He says to avoid be scammed, when somebody asks for your personal information, and they claim to be from a well-known entity, the safest thing to do is just hang up. He says if you then look up the number for that company or organization on your own, or visit them in person, you’ll be able to quickly determine whether or not it’s a scam call. March is Fraud Prevention Month.
NOVA SCOTIA HIRES AUDITOR-GENERAL AWAY FROM NEW BRUNSWICK
Nova Scotians have their first female Auditor-General, and she’s got a reputation for being tough on government waste. The Premier has appointed Kim Adair-MacPherson to the post, effective May 3rd. MacPherson has extensive experience in financial and performance auditing, serving as New Brunswick’s auditor general since 2010. Last fall, she issued a what’s been called a scathing report into how New Brunswick spent tax dollars to pay bonuses to the company providing its ambulance service. MacPherson is taking over from the acting A-G, who’s retiring at the end of this month. (Kim Adair-MacPherson, CBC Photo)
The Liberals at Province House have introduced a new law to make it illegal for anyone except a police supply company in the province to create or sell used police cars, uniforms or equipment. Anybody caught doing it is liable to a $25,000 fine. The plan is to outlaw the possession of anything that could be used by somebody who is not an officer to try to fake a police identity, which was done by the Portapique Shooter last April. . Justice Minister Randy Delorey calls it the most comprehensive law of its kind in Canada.
TWO MICHAELS DUE IN CHINESE COURT SOON, SAYS STATE MEDIA
Chinese Media say the two Canadian Michaels who’ve been jailed in China are soon going to go on trial. But a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada says this morning that Canadian diplomats have not been notified of any court hearings and are not aware of any set timelines for things to go into a Chinese courtroom.
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in December 2018 in apparent retaliation for Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on an extradition request from the United States.
They have been in custody since, held on what the Canadian government and observers have described as bogus charges aimed at putting pressure on Canada to release Meng. (Canadian Press)
COMMONS PASSES ASSISTED DYING BILL FOR CANADIANS
With some rarely-used tactics employed by the Bloc Quebecois, the minority Liberal government has passed a revised bill to expand access to medical assistance in dying — including eventually to people suffering solely from mental illnesses.
Conservatives, New Democrats and two of three Green MPs voted against it.
It was thanks to the Bloc that the bill even came to a vote. Frustrated with Conservative stalling tactics in the face of a looming court-ordered March 26th deadline, the Bloc took the unusual step earlier in the day of joining the Liberals to impose closure on debate, forcing the vote just a few hours later.
The bill is intended to bring the law into compliance with a Quebec Court ruling. That’s when the court struck down a provision that allows assisted dying only for intolerably suffering individuals whose natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.” (Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia has agreed to review its current approach to minimum wage increases as calls for higher wages in the province grow louder.
The Department of Labour says it is following a recommendation from the minimum wage review committee, which is an arms-length body mandated by the Labour Standards Code to conduct a minimum wage review each year. In the review committee’s annual report indicates Nova Scotia’s minimum wage should be closer to the middle of the pack nationwide and a needs to be the highest among the Atlantic provinces, as a way to better attract workers.
Truro Police are asking for help in identifying a vehicle from a hit and run this past Wednesday.
It happed between 11 am and 1230 pm, when a white 2020 Kia Soul was struck in either the Wal-Mart parking lot or the Truro Mall parking lot.
The vehicle sustained front end damage as a result. The vehicle responsible left the scene of that crash and Truro Police are asking people to touch base with them if they know anything about it.
WARM TEMPS HIT NOVA SCOTIA FOR ONE MORE DAY AFTER THURSDAY’S WARMTH
It was a very warm day in most of our inland areas yesterday. The highest temperature we could find was at CFB Greenwood, where it hit 16 degrees. Other locations vying for highest temperatures in the province were Kejimikujik National Park, where it got up to 14 degrees. Here in Pictou County, lots of backyard temperatures were able to hit 11 and 12 degrees, and we’ll enjoy one more day of double-digit warmth today, before brisk west winds move in for your Friday evening.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County is now switching to a 100% virtual Bowl for Kids Sake event. It takes place April 12th to the 16th, and if you can’t bowl online, you’re invited to bowl in your own bubble. You’re asked to call 902-752-6260 or visit www.bbbsofpc.com to register your team, to get ready for next month’s big event.
