Nova Scotians heading to the polls Aug. 17th

Photo credit (Canadian Press)

Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, NDP Leader Gary Burrill and Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston all officially began campaigning over the weekend with the provincial election call for August 17th.  It’s only the third time a Nova Scotia provincial election has been held in August. At dissolution Saturday, the Liberals had a minority government and held 24 of the 51 seats, while the Progressive Conservatives had 17 and the New Democrats five. There were three Independents and two vacancies.

The NDP released its vision document on Sunday, which outlines the Party’s plan for the province if elected.  That vision document indicates an NDP government will deliver, among other initiatives, permanent rent control; ensure every employee has 10 paid sick days; eliminate before- and after-school child care fees; increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour; and make sure people can access same-day/next-day mental health care.

In reaction to the NDP announcement, the Progressive Conservatives issued a release saying Sunday’s NDP platform release shows that Tim Houston and PCs are the only ones ready to replace the Rankin Liberals and the only party laser-focused on fixing health care. The fully costed PC platform will be released later this week.

Liberal Leader Iain Rankin says this election is about Nova Scotia’s economy, recovery, and growth, and he says the Liberal Party has the plan.  Rankin’s campaigning took him to Bedford, and the Halifax Needham and Halifax Armdale ridings on Sunday to help open the candidates’ campaign headquarters.

Local candidates:

Pictou Centre: Pat Dunn (PC), Jim McKenna (Liberal), Vernon Theriault (NDP)

Pictou East: Tim Houston (PC), Joe MacDonald (Liberal), Joy Polley (NDP)

Pictou West: Karla MacFarlane (PC), Mary Wooldridge-Elliott (Liberal), Rick Parker (NDP)

 

Pictou County Check Stops result in over 100 Summary Offence Tickets & Warnings

RCMP Photo (submitted)

Pictou County District RCMP, along with RCMP Traffic Services, Nova Scotia Vehicle Compliance, New Glasgow Police Service, Westville Police Service and Stellarton Police Service partnered together to promote safer roads in Pictou County. On Friday, the teams organized multiple check points in areas of high volume collisions and reports of speeding vehicles on Westville Road, Maclellans Brook Rd, Egypt Road, Stellarton Trafalgar Road, River John, Lyons Brook, Trenton/Abercrombie and Three Brooks Road throughout the day.  Police say during the operation, over 2000 vehicles were stopped. 81 provincial charges were laid, 60 warnings issued and 9 defect notices served. Some of the prominent fines issued were Operating a Vehicle Without a Valid Inspection Sticker, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Wearing a Seatbelt, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Drivers License, and Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle.

 

Three new Covid-19 Cases in N.S.

Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, as the active number of cases in the province rises to eight. Public health says the new cases are in the Central Zone. Two are close contacts of previously reported cases and one is under investigation. The new cases break a four day streak of no new cases reported in the province. There are currently two people in hospital, with one in ICU.

A case of COVID-19 has been identified on HMCS Halifax, a day before the ship was scheduled to return to the city. In a release issued Sunday night, the Navy said a member received a positive PCR test result after first taking a rapid test. The member is said to be asymptomatic and has been isolated. The remaining company tested negative.  HMCS Halifax is expected to arrive in Halifax today at 9 a.m., where all crew will remain on board until another round of tests are completed.

The federal government is expecting to receive about 7.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week, as it adjusts its distribution strategy amid waning vaccination rates and substantial supply. The new deliveries will include about 3.1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and four million doses of Moderna. Canada’s vaccination rate remains among the highest in the world, but is starting to slow as the pool of people still looking for a first or second dose shrinks. As of Friday, almost 79 per cent of eligible Canadians had received at least one dose of a vaccine and more than 50 per cent were fully vaccinated.  Locally, The New Glasgow Drive-Thru Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic for ages 18 and over has opened up more appointments this week. Bookings have been added today through Friday. (With files from the Canadian Press)

 

Serious collision Friday on East River Road 

New Glasgow Regional Police and New Glasgow Fire Department responded to a two vehicle collision involving a motorcycle early Friday afternoon, and received assistance from Pictou County District RCMP, Stellarton Police, Westville Police, RCMP Traffic Services and Emergency Health Services.  It happened on East River Road in New Glasgow, between Pine Street and Atlantic Drive. The 56-year old man driving the motorcycle suffered life-threatening injuries and had to be taken by life flight to the QE-2 Health Science Centre in Halifax. The 63-year-old man driving the other vehicles had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Aberdeen Hospital by EHS.  New Glasgow Regional Police continue to investigate.

 

Recall issued for HanSang brand Pork & Vegetable Gyoza

Photo credit: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Lemond Food is recalling HanSang brand Pork & Vegetable Gyoza because it contains milk and coconut that are not declared on the label. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the recalled product has a code of 04.06.2023 and was sold in the Maritimes, Ontario and Quebec. There have been no reports of illness linked to the product, though anyone who has it is advised to either throw it out or return it to the store it came from. (The Canadian Press)

 

N.S. is investing $858,000 to support 35 community projects. Locally, $20,000 will go to replace bay doors, windows, and ceiling tiles at East River St. Mary’s Fire Dept. The Lorne Community Hall will receive $8,400 to insulate and replace the door. And Pictou United Church (Hall), will have $12,000 to replace the furnace and upgrade their hot water supply. The community-led projects are supported through the Community Facilities Improvement Program (CFIP), which focuses on repairing and improving existing building exteriors and interior features.