With the first day of school today, New Glasgow Regional Police are reinforcing safety in school zones and crosswalks.  With expected increases in traffic, give yourself a little more time to get students to their destination safely.

Slow down in school zones..

Red lights flashing on a bus means YOU MUST STOP. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when red lights are flashing. Flashing amber lights, get ready to stop.

Be aware as many students are walking to school

Use extra caution around school areas.

Pay attention to crossing guards.

 

 

The Nova Scotia legislature returns today for its fall sitting.

The early September return has led to speculation of a possible early election call later this fall, but Premier Tim Houston will only say that he is excited about his government’s legislative agenda and has much to accomplish.

Both the Opposition Liberals and the N-D-P say they are ready for any scenario and remain focused on their priorities for the House sitting.

Both parties say they will highlight the need to tackle cost of living issues including the shortage of affordable housing in the province.

 

 

The Nova Scotia government has announced three projects aimed at improving access to health-care information with the help of Google Cloud and artificial intelligence.  Premier Tim Houston issued a statement saying the partnership will offer Nova Scotians advanced search capabilities using natural language to find information across the health system, including the Nova Scotia Health website.  As well, health-care professionals will be able to use a natural-language searches to find information within each patient’s health records.  Another digital project will help radiologists review chest X-rays by providing preliminary findings.

 

 

Workers in Nova Scotia are now protected from two additional workplace injuries.

The Workers’ Compensation Board now covers workers for gradual onset psychological injuries, or injuries resulting from workplace stressors like harassment or bullying.

The board also announced yesterday it is funding funeral coverage for bereaved families, with benefits increasing from four-thousand-dollars to 15-thousand-dollars.

The change comes alongside a new strategic plan and review of the workers’ compensation system.

 

 

The Bank of Canada is again slashing its interest rate, bringing down to 4.25 per cent.

It’s the third consecutive time the central bank has delivered a quarter-point rate cut, after inflation fell to 2.5 per cent in July.

Governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank is encouraged by the ongoing slowdown in price growth and now wants to see economic growth pick up again.

He says if inflation continues to ease as expected, it is “reasonable” to expect more rate cuts.