A new report on family poverty in Nova Scotia says there was an historic single-year increase in the amount of children experiencing poverty. One of the report’s authors says the new findings show the staggering difference in rates of poverty when families are provided government support versus when those benefits are eliminated. Last year’s report recorded the largest single-year reduction in Nova Scotia’s child poverty rate in 2020, which Canada Research Chair Lesley Frank says is attributed to pandemic-related benefits. Frank says now that those supports are gone, the report found that in 2021 there was the largest single-year increase in child poverty since 1989.
An inquiry into why a former Nova Scotia soldier killed three family members and himself in 2017 is calling on Ottawa and the province to change the way health records are shared and close gaps in the firearms licensing system. A final report released yesterday includes 25 recommendations aimed at improving supports for veterans like Lionel Desmond. Reacting in Ottawa, Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said she had not read the report, but she confirmed her department is already making changes. As an example, the minister said that when a veteran seeks mental health support from Veterans Affairs, “those supports are approved immediately and put in place.”
Public Health will be holding COVID-19 and influenza immunization clinics this week. Locations include:
Royal Canadian Legion
130 Veterans Dr., Pictou
Thursday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Offering:
· COVID-19 Moderna & influenza vaccines (ages six months +)
· PCR testing for COVID-19 and flu and COVID-19 rapid test pick-up
Book an appointment: Vaccines | Testing
Limited drop-in appointments may be available.
The Town of New Glasgow, in partnership with African Nova Scotian Affairs, is hosting a special ceremony today in celebration of the launch of African Heritage Month 2024 in New Glasgow and Pictou County. There will be a Proclamation signing, unveiling of the Official African heritage Month poster, refreshments and a reception. It’s at 11:45am at Glasgow Square Theatre.
A sports note, in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, the Pictou County Weeks Crushers host Yarmouth tonight.
