The federal government says it will purchase a ferry for the Wood Islands-Caribou route to help ensure a two-vessel service in the short term.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in Charlottetown yesterday, adding that the government will also build a new ferry for the route, with that expected to be delivered as early as 2028.

In the meantime, the federal government says it will purchase the Norwegian vessel, M-V Fanafjord, to replace the M-V Holiday Island, which caught fire last summer and was removed from service.

Transportation Minister Pablo Rodriguez says the price of the new ferry is still being negotiated.

 

 

The federal Liberal cabinet wrapped up a three-day retreat in Prince Edward Island yesterday promising to heed calls from Canadians to fix the housing crisis, but without any specific new plans to do so.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most of his 38 cabinet ministers gathered this week in Charlottetown where they were briefed about what is causing the housing affordability crisis and by housing experts about what government can specifically do to fix it.

But their main message at the end of the retreat was to tell Canadians to stay tuned.

The cabinet retreat came at the end of a summer when Liberal poll numbers lost ground to the Conservatives and leader Pierre Poilievre, whose message that under Trudeau everything in Canada is broken appeared to be resonating.

 

 

Halifax is looking at ways to better protect its vulnerable neighbourhoods from wildfires.

Regional councillors have adopted a motion for staffers to study emergency preparedness strategies, building codes and land-use policies.

Municipal staff will review standards for new property developments and explore requirements for evacuation routes and emergency water sources.

 

 

Residents of Nova Scotia are being asked for their input on ways to protect the province’s land and water.

The province has a land and water conservation goal of 20 per cent by 2030.

An online public consultation has started with input from it being used to develop the Nova Scotia Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy.

The deadline for public comments is October 6th and those interested in providing feedback can visit the Nova Scotia government’s website.