Environment Canada issues Heat Warnings for many parts of Nova Scotia-including Pictou County
Environment Canada has issued Heat Warnings for parts of western and central Nova Scotia, including Pictou, Colchester, and Hants Counties. Very warm and humid conditions are expected today and Wednesday, with the daytime temperature expected to top out at between 29 and 32 degrees Celsius, with Humidex values closer to 40. Forecasters say it will be quite warm overnight, with the temperature set to only drop to around 19 degrees in the local area. With the heat warning, comes a reminder to drink plenty of fluids and to schedule outdoor activities in the cooler parts of the day, and residents are reminded to check on elderly neighbours and to never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
Province reports four new COVID-19 cases of Monday, reduces interval between vaccines to 28 days
On Monday, Nova Scotia reported four new cases of COVID-19 and four recoveries. Three cases are in Eastern Zone and the other case is in Central Zone. As of today, Nova Scotia has 57 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, two people are in hospital COVID-19 units.
Nova Scotia is allowing residents who got their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 30th to move up appointments for second doses. Public Health says those scheduled to receive their second dose on or before September 12th will be able to re-book at any clinic in the province and can also select a different vaccine from their first one. Notification emails will go out in batches up until the end of day June 30. People who provided an email address at the time of booking will receive a rescheduling notice by email. Anyone who did not provide an email or does not receive a notice can call the toll-free line at 1-833-797-7772 to reschedule or request an email address be added and the rescheduling email issued. The province has reduced the second-dose interval from 35 days to 28 days in an effort to get more residents fully immunized against COVID-19.
The Nova Scotia government is investing more than 1.1 million dollars to expand eligibility for the Caregiver Benefit Program. Those caring for low-income individuals with a high level of disability who need significant help to carry out daily activities or have mild cognitive impairment will be eligible for the 400-dollar-a-month benefit. Until now, the program was only open to those caring for individuals with high to very high care needs, including those with moderate to significant memory loss. Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill says the change in eligibility taking effect on Friday will allow more Nova Scotians to receive the care they need to remain at home longer.
New Glasgow, Trenton, and Stellarton choosing to make July 1st a day of reflection
Out of respect for the Indigenous people across the country, the Town of New Glasgow will not be celebrating ‘Canada Day’ on July 1st. Instead, it is choosing to make it a day of reflection. On Thursday, the Town is encouraging you to spend the day thinking and learning about the history of this country, and considering your role in working toward meaningful reconciliation. While it did not have any formal Canada Day celebrations planned, the Town of Trenton says it is taking this time to pause and reflect. The flags at Town Hall and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #29 have been lowered to half mast, and Council is looking at other measures of solidarity, reconciliation and working towards building a better community, and country. And, in solidarity with its neighbouring community of Pictou Landing First Nation, and First Nation communities across the country, the Town of Stellarton will not be celebrating July 1 this year. The Town says it will be using this Thursday as a day of reflection instead and is encouraging residents to do the same. With the guidance of Chief Andrea Paul, Stellarton will be holding a flag raising and reflection service on Wednesday.
Nova Scotia premier sidesteps election speculation as opposition gears for July call
Nova Scotia’s premier is continuing to brush aside speculation around a provincial election call as early as next month. This comes as the governing Liberals continued to roll out campaign-style spending announcements across the province Monday. Iain Rankin says he still has a “lot of time” and plans to deliver on a number of commitments before calling Nova Scotians to the polls. Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada without a fixed election date, and Rankin must call an election before May 30th of next year when the government hits the five-year mark of its mandate. Progressive Conservative Leader and MLA for Pictou East, Tim Houston says it certainly appears the Liberals are carrying out a traditional pre-election strategy, and his party will have to ensure it’s ready to go when an election is called. N-D-P Leader Gary Burrill says he’s certain an election call is imminent, adding that “we’ve got all the signs.” (The Canadian Press)
PLFN holding first annual Pride Celebration Wednesday
Pictou Landing First Nation will be holding its 1st annual Pride Celebration on Wednesday from 4-7 pm. There will be guest speakers at the new school, then there will be a short Pride Walk to the Health Centre/Band Office where there will be a free BBQ and food, giveaways, music, educational resources and more.
Pride Flag Raised in Halifax
The progress Pride flag flies over Province House (Photo credit: N.S. Government)
Premier Iain Rankin, members of the Pride Nova Scotia Government Employee Network, and other government representatives attended the raising of the Pride flag on Monday at Province House in Halifax. Premier Rankin says that government is committed to building a safe and caring province for all Nova Scotians, regardless of where they come from, how they pray, who they love or how they identify. He says raising the Pride flag at Province House represents their ongoing commitment and reminds us all of the work yet to be done.
Passenger traffic taking off at Atlantic Canada’s airports after COVID-19 slump
Airlines are resuming flights across Atlantic Canada to meet pent-up demand as COVID-19 infections drop and travel restrictions ease. The Halifax Stanfield International Airport had hosted 17 airlines serving 46 destinations prior to the pandemic, but that fell to two airlines serving four destinations because of COVID-19. Marie Manning, the airport’s vice-president of business development, says the number of domestic flights is starting to increase, and she’s anxious to get some direction from the federal government on international routes. The Charlottetown Airport was down to just one flight per day for the past year, but officials say they expect that will be up to six or seven flights daily by early August. Peter Avery, CEO of the airport in St. John’s, N.L., says passenger levels were down 75 per cent in 2020 over 2019, but they have begun to rebound. Avery, however, says he doesn’t expect a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025. (The Canadian Press)
Forestry Innovation Transition Trust Funds New Centre of Forest Innovation at NSCC
The Forestry Innovation Transition Trust has announced $6.1 million over four years for NSCC to establish the centre at its Truro campus. The centre will have a simulator immersion lab, demonstration woodlot, innovative technology and programming to meet the needs of the forestry sector. The project responds to several recommendations of Prof. Bill Lahey’s review of forestry practices, including encouraging innovation and enhancing education and training for the province’s forestry professionals. The province says NSCC will design and deliver core certificate programs for forest inventory and ecological resource management and offer shorter courses for continuing education and skill development. The centre will bring together industry, innovation, research and training. The centre will be complete June 2022 and will open to students the following school year. One of the main goals of the project is to grow the sector workforce by providing greater access to training and inclusion of youth, Black, Indigenous and women learners supported by tuition bursaries.
