The province says it did everything it could to explore viable options with Northern Pulp, and remains ready to explore future opportunities in the forestry sector.  Northern Pulp is entering a court-supervised sales process of its assets after confirming that it couldn’t secure the necessary funding for a new mill project in Nova Scotia.  Northern Pulp has been under creditor protection since June 2020 after it closed its mill in Pictou County, eliminating 300 jobs and affecting another two-thousand positions in the forestry sector.  The former Liberal government ordered the shutdown after Northern Pulp failed to meet the province’s environmental requirements for a new effluent treatment plant.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government is focused on building a strong Canadian economy in the wake of more U-S tariff threats. He met virtually with his cabinet Tuesday to discuss President Donald Trump’s plan to levy 35 per cent tariffs on Canada on August 1st.  Carney expects trade negotiations between both nations will intensify over the next couple of weeks and he indicated that any deal will likely include some tariffs.  The prime minister is set to meet with the country’s premiers, including Premier Tim Houston, next week.

 

 

The pace of inflation picked up speed in June.  Statistics Canada says annual inflation rose to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.7 per cent in May.   It says consumers paid more for new and used cars last month while prices at the pump were nearly unchanged.  Tuesday’s data further cements expectations that the Bank of Canada will hold its benchmark rate steady at 2.75 per cent later this month.  Nova Scotia’s inflation rate in June was 1.6 per cent, up from 1.3 per cent in May.

 

 

As of Tuesday, new legislation is in effect in Nova Scotia requiring workers injured on the job and their employers to work together for a timely and safe return to work.  The return-to-work legislation – known as the Duty to Co-operate – is part of the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act, passed in September 2024.  Employers are expected to offer meaningful accommodations, such as the type of work available and maintain open communication, while workers are expected to participate in planning for a safe return.  Nova Scotia has the lowest return-to-work rates and one of the longest claim durations in Canada, averaging 168 days in 2022.

 

 

Music Nova Scotia has announced the 2025 Music Nova Scotia Music & Industry Award nominees.  With award submissions covering 23 music and 7 industry categories, Morgan Toney leads the way with five award nominations. Following close behind with four nominations is KAYO.  Other nominees include 11th & Duke from Trenton for Blues Recording of the Year for 105 Reasons Why.