Diesel up in N.S. and N.B. today
The price of diesel went up in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick overnight. The interrupter clause was used to raise the price by 9.1 cents per litre to $1.943 in the local area. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board says the change was necessary due to significant shifts in the market price of diesel oil. New Brunswick increased diesel prices by 8.4 cents per litre to $2.105.
Man and woman arrested in relation to offences against ‘prominent health official’
Halifax Regional Police say they’ve arrested two people in relation to what they call offences involving a “prominent health official.” Police did not specifically name Chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang. However, on Sunday night Dr. Strang had people opposed to public health measures protesting outside of his home. Police say a man and a woman were arrested last night in Dartmouth. Authorities would not say much else regarding the incident, only that it is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The protest outside the private home of Nova Scotia’s top doctor has been condemned by Premier Tim Houston, who called the gathering “completely inappropriate”. He also suggested steps could be taken to stop future protests at the homes of public officials.
Province adds 13 types of cancer to workplace insurance coverage for firefighters
Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is adding 13 types of cancer to its workplace injury insurance for firefighters. In an announcement on Tuesday, the provincial government said it’s acting on its commitment to increase presumptive coverage to 19 cancers from six and is also covering heart attacks that occur within 24 hours of an emergency call. The additional coverage will be in amendments to regulations under the Workers’ Compensation Act. The cancers being added are esophageal, lung, testicular, ureter, breast, multiple myeloma, prostate, skin, ovarian, cervical, penile, thyroid and pancreatic. There is currently coverage for bladder, brain, colorectal and kidney cancer, as well as leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Labour Minister Jill Balser says about 6,600 firefighters and their families will benefit from the changes, which are scheduled to take effect on July 1. (The Canadian Press)
The provincial government is investing $3.5 million to help some first responders recoup fundraising losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province says more than 340 volunteer fire departments, ground search and rescue organizations and First Nations fire departments will receive a one-time grant of $10,000. Each organization can determine how to use the funding to best meet the needs of the department, its volunteers or the needs of the wider community. Organizations will receive the grant directly, and no application is required.
Desmond inquiry: presiding judge hints at key recommendation as testimony concludes
The Lionel Desmond inquiry heard from its final witness yesterday, closing more than two years of evidence gathering into what led an Afghanistan veteran to fatally shoot his family and himself in January 2017. The focus will shift now to the recommendations the inquiry will make to prevent future such tragedies. The province’s chief firearms officer, John Parkin, testified yesterday before the Port Hawkesbury inquiry for the third time, when the inquiry drew upon his expertise to determine what changes are needed to make sure people with ongoing mental illness or a history of domestic violence face additional scrutiny when applying for a firearms acquisition licence. The provincial court judge presiding over the inquiry, Warren Zimmer, suggested to Parkin that medical professionals should be required or at least encouraged to update officials when they detect a decline in the mental health of patients with firearms licences. Zimmer said health professionals in some provinces are already required to alert authorities when patients with a driver’s licence are afflicted with mental or physical conditions that make it unsafe for them to drive. The judge hinted that his final report, expected this fall, will include a recommendation for legislation that would require medical professionals to provide similar information to firearms officials. (With files from CBC and the Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia opposition to focus on cost of living, health care during spring sitting
Nova Scotia’s opposition parties are targeting the rising cost of living and health care as their major issues when the legislature returns for its spring session on Thursday. NDP Leader Gary Burrill told reporters today that the public is looking to the Progressive Conservative government to do everything it can to “improve their financial situations” with the cost of everything from gasoline to home heating and groceries on the rise. Burrill also took aim at a proposed 10 per cent rate hike by Nova Scotia Power, saying his party would introduce several pieces of legislation aimed at the utility during the session. The first NDP bill would revise the regulatory powers of the Utility and Review Board to give it the authority to address rate affordability for lower-income residential customers. Liberal Leader Iain Rankin said his party will also hold the government to account on its promise to pump over $400 million into the province’s ailing health system. Rankin says fixing health care was the main promise made by the Tories during last summer’s election campaign, and he adds that he hasn’t seen any significant improvements yet. (The Canadian Press)
Public Health mobile units are offering testing in a number of communities around the province this week. Locally, there will be a testing event at the Scotsburn Fire Hall this Friday, March 25th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The mobile units conduct on-site PCR testing by appointment (online or by calling 811), including to confirm positive rapid test results. Community members can also access take-home rapid test kits with or without an appointment, while supplies last (one kit per person).
