N.S. Liberal leader faces barrage of attacks on health care early on during debate

Health care was the hottest topic of debate last night during the first leaders debate of the Nova Scotia election campaign.  Liberal Leader Iain Rankin was on the defensive when his two main rivals noted the Liberal government had fallen far short of its promise to provide a doctor for every family.  Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston and N-D-P Leader Gary Burrill both noted that almost 70-thousand Nova Scotians are currently without a doctor — a number that has grown under Rankin’s leadership.  Rankin responded that his party’s investments in health care had been sensible, and he suggested that the other parties were in a “competition on who can throw the most money at an issue.”  The province’s major political parties all have full slates of candidates for the upcoming election.  The Liberals, NDP, and Progressive Conservatives all have 55 candidates, while the Green Party has 43, Atlantica has 16, and there are six independents.

Local candidates:

Pictou Centre	Dunn, Pat, PC Party
	McKenna, Jim, Liberal
	Moore, Laura, Green Party
	Theriault, Vernon, NDP
Pictou East	Dean, Jonathan Geoffrey, Atlantica
	Houston, Tim, PC Party
	MacDonald, Joe, Liberal
	Polley, Joy, NDP
Pictou West	Brett, Clare, Green Party
	Clark, John A, Independent
	MacFarlane, Karla, PC Party
	Parker, Rick, NDP
	Wooldridge-Elliott, Mary, Libera

 

Event happening tonight for Pictou West candidates 

The River John School is hosting a conversation with all of the election candidates for Pictou West.  It’s tonight at 6:45pm at The Old School at 2 School Street.  There’s no charge and everyone is welcome to attend.

 

New Glasgow Regional Police/Trenton Fire Department investigating house fire-seeking information from the public

NGRP photo (submitted)

New Glasgow Regional Police are continuing to investigate Tuesday morning’s fire at a vacant house on Main Street in Trenton.  The house sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. New Glasgow Regional Police, Trenton, Stellarton, New Glasgow, and Abercrombie Fire Departments and Pictou Landing Fire Department Emergency Health Services all responded to the scene.  The investigation is in the preliminary stages and officials say it is too early to be able to confirm the cause of the fire.  Police are asking for the public’s assistance in providing any information that may assist in the investigation.  Police are also asking the public to check residential camera footage, dash cams, and other video devices that may assist investigators in solving this crime.  If you have any information about this incident, please contact New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or use the P3 Tips App.

 

Nova Scotia reports no new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, nine active cases remain

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia reported no new cases of COVID-19 and no recoveries.  As of today, Nova Scotia has nine active cases of COVID-19 and no current hospitalizations.  As of Tuesday, over 1.3-million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Nova Scotia.  Of those, more than 581-thousand Nova Scotians have received their second dose.  All Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be made online or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.

 

Slight increase at N.B. Gas Pumps

A bump at the pumps in New Brunswick overnight.  Regular self-serve increased 1.1 cents.  Diesel is up 1.5 cents per litre.  Nova Scotia will set its fuel prices at midnight.

 

Pictou County native makes Canadian history at the Summer Olympics 

Photo credit: MacMillan Photography & Media Services

Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, who’s originally from New Glasgow, and her horse All In made Canadian history in the Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle on Wednesday at the Tokyo Olympic Games.  With an 18th place finish with a final score of 76.404% , they broke the record for highest Canadian score in an Olympic Freestyle.