Nova Scotia reports 96th COVID-19 related death, 83 new cases over the weekend
The province reported one new death and 83 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. A man in his 80s in the central zone has died. Since the start of the pandemic, 96 people have died of COVID-19. The number of new cases over the weekend brings the active caseload in the province to 205. Of the new cases, 65 are in the central zone, eight are in the western zone, six are in the northern zone and four are in the eastern zone. In a press release issued Monday, the province said it will begin reporting the number of schools with cases of COVID-19 each day, starting today (Tuesday).
New Brunswick is reporting 86 new cases of COVID-19. The cases identified yesterday bring the number of active infections in the province to 650. Officials say 67 of the new cases involve people who are not fully vaccinated. There are 41 people hospitalized due to the virus, with 16 patients in intensive care.
Premier issues statement on Truth and Reconciliation Week
Premier Tim Houston issued a statement Monday on Truth and Reconciliation Week. He says that throughout the past year, with the devastating news of children’s bodies being uncovered at former residential school sites throughout the country, Canada’s history with Indigenous people has also come to light – to many for the first time. Houston says for there to be reconciliation, we must learn and speak the truth. The trauma brought on by residential schools, past policies and racism still affect Indigenous people and communities. This week is designated as Truth and Reconciliation Week in Canada, and Houston calls it an opportunity to reflect on the dark and difficult parts of our shared history with Indigenous people.
Government announces investment in N.S. roads and rinks
The Nova Scotia government says it will spend 33.5 million dollars to improve roads and rinks in the province. It says an additional 32.5 million in funding will see improvements to more gravel roads sooner throughout the province. The province is also investing in the new one-million dollar rink revitalization fund to help communities make repairs and upgrades to aging rinks. The fund will help arena owners and operators with projects such as replacing boards, upgrading refrigeration, improving seating and renovating canteens.
A $2.5-million marketing investment will help Nova Scotia attract newcomers from across Canada and around the globe. Labour, Skills and Immigration Minister Jill Balser says the province needs to encourage more people to move to Nova Scotia to help fill labour gaps, and rebuild the economy. Balser says a marketing campaign will help tell Nova Scotia’s story, show off its natural assets and demonstrate to the world why Nova Scotia is an amazing place to study, work, live and raise a family. The province is looking to double Nova Scotia’s population to two million people by 2060 and attract, on average, 25,000 new residents each year.
Voter turnout in federal election about average despite pandemic challenges
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Sixty-two per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in last week’s federal election, about average turnout for recent Canadian elections despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elections Canada says almost 17 million Canadians voted, out of 27.4 million eligible electors. Turnout was down from 67 per cent in 2019 and 68.3 per cent in 2015 but it was still better than four of the previous seven federal elections held in Canada since the turn of the century. The pandemic resulted in fewer polling locations, fewer poll workers and long lineups to vote last Monday in some places. It also resulted in a record number of Canadians, some 850,000, voting by mail. Election officials completed counting the mail-in ballots on Saturday. (The Canadian Press)
