Progressive Conservatives to release election platform Thursday
Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservatives will release their official platform today (Thursday) for the August 17th provincial election. The platform will focus in part on the party’s pledge to revamp the province’s healthcare sector. It’s also expected to build on Leader Tim Houston’s comments yesterday about the party’s plan for improving the province’s long-term care sector. The Tories first released an outline for seniors’ care last summer, promising at least 2,500 single person rooms and thousands of new long-term care staff.
Nova Scotia NDP leader Gary Burill is promising to roll back what he says is $70.5 million tax break for corporations if his party wins the provincial election next month. Burill says an NDP government would scrap the corporate tax cut announced in the last provincial budget and reallocate the money to small businesses. The Liberal government said it was cutting the corporate tax rate to 14 per cent from 16 per cent because it was higher in Nova Scotia than other provinces. But the NDP says there are larger priorities as the province recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nova Scotia Liberals are promising to apply for federal funding to twin two more sections of highway in the province if they’re re-elected. The Liberals say Highway 104 to Port Hawkesbury and Highway 103 to Bridgewater will be the next two twinning projects prioritized by a Rankin government. They also say the projects will improve interprovincial trade, make travel safer and create jobs. The party estimates the projects will cost $237 million. (The Canadian Press)
RCMP investigate thefts in Pictou County
Pictou County District RCMP are investigating several vehicle thefts, break-ins, and thefts from vehicles overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The thefts occurred in multiple communities around Pictou County. If you are a victim, or have information on who is responsible, you should contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-755-4141 or Crime Stoppers. Police remind you to remove keys and valuables from your vehicle, make sure you lock the doors, and call police to report suspicious activity in your neighbourhood.
7 new cases of COVID-19 reported in N.S. on Wednesday
Nova Scotia reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including two cases on HMCS Halifax previously reported by the Canadian Armed Forces. According to a news release from the Department of Health, no one is hospitalized with the virus. There are six cases in the central health zone, three of which are close contacts of previously reported cases. Three cases are related to travel, including the two involving HMCS Halifax, which arrived in the city Monday following a six-month deployment. The two crew members will quarantine for 14 days in military housing. One case is in the western health zone and is related to travel. There are now 11 active cases in the province.
Fuel Prices are down in N.B.
Fuel prices have dipped in New Brunswick. Regular self-serve gas dropped 1.3 cents overnight. Diesel is down 1.3 cents per litre. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight.
Environment Canada issued a Special Air Quality statement for Nova Scotia
Photo credit: @ONForestFires on Twitter
The weather agency says smoke from forest fires in Central Canada will persist into Thursday afternoon. Forecasters say the smoke will spread into Cape Breton by early Thursday and will dissipate Thursday evening. For the past several days, hundreds of wildfires in Central and Western Canada have forced evacuations in British Columbia and Manitoba, and prompted a provincial state of emergency in B.C.
Pictou County teen named 2021 Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada Queen at the Calgary Stampede
Facebook photo shared from Municipality of Pictou County
19-year-old Karley Shaw of Hollow Creek Stables in Elgin, Pictou County was recently named the 2021 Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada Queen at the Calgary Stampede. It is an honour bestowed to a person who regularly shows Clydesdale horses and a nod from the association for all her hard work over the years. Karley was selected by the association as a princess in 2019 and was supposed to be queen in 2020, but when the stampede was cancelled because of the pandemic, she was given the honour in 2021. The title required her to present trophies and buckles at the stampede for the Clydesdale division. She will continue to do such presenting throughout 2021 at Maritime shows. Karley’s father, Justin, accompanied her to the Calgary Stampede this year and judged some Clydesdale categories at the stampede. District 12 Coun. Chester Dewar acknowledged the accomplishments of both Karley and Justin during a recent council meeting, saying “This is a big, big deal for people from Nova Scotia and Pictou County to come from Elgin to get to the Calgary Stampede,” adding he was “really proud, and they are certainly good ambassadors.”
New Glasgow Kinsmen Club makes $22,000 donation to NSERS Rehab Squad
Pictured: Terry Cornett KINSMEN CLUB and FIREFIGHTER, Bill Muirhead PARAMEDIC/MFR and SOCIETY DIRECTOR, Brett Carrigan RETIRED FIREFIGHTER/SOCIETY CO-CHAIR, Mike Dean FIREFIGHTER/SOCIETY DIRECTOR and TREASURER. Seated in a Rehab chair Keigan Smith FIREFIGHTER/SQUAD MEMBER (Credit: Brian Cameron)
The Kinsmen Club of New Glasgow recently donated $22,000 to the Northumberland Shore Emergency-Scene Rehabilitation Society (NSERS) Rehab Squad to purchase and equip their new Rehab Trailer. The Trailer will be used to shelter, cool/warm, medically monitor, and rehydrate area responders on larger calls. Especially during high heat/humidity or cold days. The Squad will be staffed by volunteer active/retired Firefighters, Paramedics and other responders.
