New poll suggests many Nova Scotians skeptical PCs can ‘fix’ health care as Premier gets set for first state-of-the-province speech
A new poll is indicating that many Nova Scotians are skeptical about the Tim Houston Government’s ability to “fix” health care. On Monday, results of a poll conducted by an Ontario-based research firm suggested that only about 40-percent of Nova Scotians were generally pleased with how the Houston government is running the province, while the other 60 percent was either displeased or unsure the direction Nova Scotia is headed under the government. But, that same poll shows that the Progressive Conservatives still hold a lead over their rivals in terms of voter support. Meanwhile, Premier Houston will deliver his Annual State of the Province address today. He’ll be discussing issues such as COVID-19 recovery, competitive taxes, and housing affordability. (With files from CBC)
Interim report released in Nova Scotia’s mass shooting inquiry
The inquiry investigating the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia has released an interim report that charts its progress so far and offers insight into what it hopes to accomplish over the next six months. Having largely completed its initial fact-finding phase, the inquiry has already heard from several witnesses and disclosed more than 50-thousand documents, including investigative files, emails, notes from first responders, transcripts of police communications and photographs. The 162-page interim report contains no findings of fact or recommendations, which will be part of a final report that must be submitted by November first. Meanwhile, the federal-provincial inquiry has moved on to explore “how and why” a lone gunman killed 22 people on April 18th and 19th, 2020, while evading police capture for 13 hours. (The Canadian Press)
Judge extends creditor protection for Northern Pulp
Creditor protection for Northern Pulp has been extended by a BC Supreme Court Justice until the end of October. The ruling follows a hearing on Friday. The Judge also approved the company’s use of up to an additional $8 million from a designated fund as it looks to reopen the pulp mill and pursues legal action against the Nova Scotia government for the mill’s closure. Creditor protection was scheduled to expire this month.
New virtual care program to be piloted in Truro
Nova Scotia Health is testing a virtual care option delivered by emergency department physicians and staff at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Known as VirtualEmergencyNS, the pilot program is intended to reduce wait times for Nova Scotians visiting the emergency department with health concerns that can be appropriately treated through a virtual visit. To this point, 175 patients have received virtual care from one of the eight participating doctors
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinics will be offering drop-in vaccines across the province this week. Locations include: Bass River Fire Hall (Pfizer – anyone age 5+) 5554 Hwy. #2, Bass River on Tuesday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and River John Fire Hall (Pfizer – anyone age 5+) 32 School St., River John on Wednesday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
‘Jeopardy!’ champion Mattea Roach wins 20th game Monday
Photo: Jeopardy Productions, Inc.
Canadian “Jeopardy!” super-champ Mattea Roach has earned the fifth-longest streak in the TV quiz show’s history. Roach is tied for the spot with Julia Collins, whose 2014 run lasted 20 games. To move up to Number 4 on the list, she would need to match James Holzhauer’s 32-game streak. Roach has also brought in the sixth-biggest haul of any contestant in regular season play, earning US$476,985 so far. The 23-year-old tutor has the longest streak of any Canadian to appear on the show. (The Canadian Press)
