Local MLA says 2022-2023 Budget Set to Improve the Lives of Pictou Centre residents
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MLA Pat Dunn says the Progressive Conservative government’s first budget contained “real solutions that will improve the lives of Pictou Centre residents.” He says the budget includes local investments for:
• Primary care in the form of a new health clinic in New Glasgow. The clinic will be staffed by a pharmacist and a nurse practitioner;
• A new Regional Office for African Nova Scotian Affairs in New Glasgow;
• Planning, design and construction of a new residence for Nova Scotia Community College’s Pictou Campus;
• Cancer coverage for firefighters in Trenton, New Glasgow and Stellarton
The $13.2-billion budget for 2022-23 contains $5.7 billion for health care.
N.S. introduces refundable tax credit for fertility treatments, surrogacy costs
The province will be offering a refundable tax credit for families going through fertility treatment and surrogacy. The new tax measure was introduced in legislation on Wednesday. The tax credit will equal to 40 per cent of the cost of fertility treatments provided by a Nova Scotia-licensed medical practitioner or infertility clinic, as well as for surrogacy-related medical expenses. If the particular service is not offered in the province, a licensed practitioner in Nova Scotia can refer the patient elsewhere. The rebate, called the Nova Scotia Fertility and Surrogacy Rebate, is part of the province’s 2022-23 budget. While there is no limit to the number of treatments people can claim, the maximum annual claim is $20,000 in eligible costs, for a maximum annual tax credit of $8,000. It will provide coverage for people who would have previously had to pay the full cost of these treatments, including members of the 2SLGBTIQ+ community.
Police in Truro looking for missing teen
Truro police photo (submitted)
Police are looking to locate a missing teen from Truro. Truro Police say 13-year-old Kurt Gould Michael is approximately five feet tall, weighing 108 pounds, with long black hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie with a white pattern on it, black Champion sweatpants and black and white checkered VANS shoes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts his asked to contact Truro Police Service at 902-895-5351.
Pictou District RCMP looking for suspects after man attacked with metal bar, sprayed with irritant
Pictou County District RCMP are looking for two suspects after a man was attacked with a metal bar and sprayed with an irritant in Rocklin. Police responded to a report of an assault with a weapon at a home on Gairloch Road just after 10 p.m. on March 22. RCMP say two men went to the home and asked for help fixing a “wobbly tire” on their vehicle. Once outside, police say the homeowner was hit with a metal bar and then sprayed with an irritant. Police say both men fled the scene in a vehicle. RCMP say the male victim suffered minor injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Police do not believe this was a random act. The RCMP has released surveillance video and still images of one of the suspects in hopes it will help with their investigation. They say there are no images available of the second man.
One man is described as white, in his early 20s, five-foot-eight inches tall and 150 pounds. He has short, curly, dark brown hair and freckles on his face. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a plaid jacket, orange hunting hat and medical mask. The second man is described as white, in his early 20s, six-feet tall and has short or buzzed hair. He was wearing a hat and safety glasses during the incident. Police say the suspects’ vehicle is believed to be a hatchback or SUV with a loud exhaust. They add it is dark in colour, has six spoke wheels, C-shaped taillights and the reverse lights are located in the lower bumper. Anyone who recognizes the men, the vehicle, or who has information about the incident, is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Mass Casualty Commission inquiry resumes Thursday
The inquiry investigating the mass shooting in Nova Scotia two years ago resumes today with the disclosure of more documents. The new documents will provide more details about the second day of the killer’s rampage through northern and central Nova Scotia. Thursday’s evidence, compiled from interviews with police and witnesses, is expected to focus on what happened in Glenholme, where the killer was almost nabbed by an RCMP officer. (The Canadian Press)
RCMP policing costs in Nova Scotia municipalities to rise by average of 11 per cent
More than $20-million in increased policing costs contained in Nova Scotia’s spring budget will be passed down to cash-strapped municipalities that contract the RCMP. Justice Minister Brad Johns has confirmed that municipalities will see an average increase of 11 per cent as a result of higher operational and staffing costs contained in Tuesday’s budget. Johns says his department will be contacting municipalities within the next week to discuss the ramifications. The minister says he believes it’s a one-time hit, but he adds he’s not sure what additional costs could come in the future. He says the increase for RCMP services reflected in the budget includes $3.3-million for staffing. The Justice Department says municipalities are responsible for paying for 70 per cent of RCMP services while the federal government pays 30 per cent. (The Canadian Press)
Ottawa announces closure of Atlantic mackerel, bait fisheries to restore stocks
Photo: Fisheries minister Joyce Murray (Francis Georgian/Postmedia/File)
Fishers on the East Coast are expressing their disappointment with Ottawa after the federal Fisheries Department closed the Atlantic mackerel and commercial bait fisheries, citing concerns that dwindling stocks have entered a “critical zone.” The department said in a release Wednesday it was taking “urgent action” to help preserve the stock of southern Gulf spring herring and Atlantic mackerel with the closures in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray said she recognizes many harvesters depend on the fisheries, and she promised to work with them and others in the industry to preserve the stocks. Fishers in the sector, however, want the decision reversed. Last year, the Fisheries Department imposed measures to protect the fish stock, including by halving the total allowable catch for Atlantic mackerel, but now it says the measures haven’t worked and fishing from all sources needs to be kept as low as possible. The department says it’s turning its focus to investing in projects that support alternative forms of bait. (The Canadian Press)
Togetherall, an online mental health support platform, is now available free of charge to all Nova Scotians aged 16 and older. The peer-to-peer community is available in English and French through a partnership between Nova Scotia Health, the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, the Department of Advanced Education and IWK Health. The community is moderated by registered clinical practitioners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and members can share their thoughts and experiences by writing community posts, supporting others’ stories, creating art, or taking well-being courses and resources. It has recently expanded to include a section on community discussion areas related to student life, health care workers, parents and caregivers, military community, work-life balance and health and lifestyle tips, among others. Anyone aged 16 and older can access the community online or through a student e-mail address.
Sportfishing Season Opens April 1
The 2022 Sportfishing Season opens tomorrow in Nova Scotia. Sportfishing licences can be purchased online, or in person at Department of Natural Resources and Renewables field offices, and various retail vendors throughout the province. The rules for the season are outlined in the Anglers’ Handbook and 2022 Summary of Regulations, which is supplied to anyone who buys a fishing licence, and is also available online. The province says more than 78,000 sportfishing licences were sold last year, which is the highest participation since 1985.
