Premier Tim Houston is welcoming Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to meet NATO’s defence spending target this year.

For years, Canada has faced criticism from some of its allies for failing to increase its defence spending to reach two per cent of G-D-P.

Carney announced yesterday that Ottawa will be spending an extra nine-billion dollars this year to meet that target.

Houston says Nova Scotia is ready to help by creating good-paying jobs in manufacturing, technology and development of its critical minerals and raw materials industries.

 

 

A Mi’kmaq band that claimed in a lawsuit that Ottawa’s lobster fishing rules didn’t apply to it has quietly dropped its case.

Last December, the lawyer for Sipekne’katik First Nation told the Nova Scotia Supreme Court the matter was of historic importance and the band was “moving to a conclusion” to make a deal.

But as a deadline of June 16th crept up, the band lawyer sent a letter dropping the matter.

Band members had argued their fishery outside of the regular season is permitted by the Marshall decision, but commercial fishers have contended it threatens stocks and ignores that the courts also maintained Ottawa’s right to regulate.

 

 

The provincial Education Department says the province’s school staff have been surprised by the smooth implementation of a cellphone ban in classrooms.  Department spokesperson Alex Burke says while not all students like leaving their devices out of the classroom, there is a general acceptance of the benefit of limiting cellphone use.  Education ministries across the country that introduced the ban last fall say they agree.  They say the ban has taught students not to develop unhealthy attachments to their phones and to focus on lessons in the classroom.

 

 

The Pictou County Chamber has issued the call for nominations for the Community Impact Award.  The Community Impact Award honours a local business or organization that is making a meaningful difference in Pictou County through their commitment to wellness, connection, and collaboration. The award celebrates those who support the mental and physical health of the community; foster partnerships that make the region stronger; and actively work to create a thriving, inclusive, and healthy place to live and work.  Nominations close June 30th.