TRUDEAU TAKES HEAT AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S CONFERENCE CALL WITH PREMIERS ON VACCINES
All eyes and ears will be out for the latest update in the wake of the Prime Minister and the country’s premiers taking part in a conference call tonight. The call is to update all leaders on where Canada sits in the line-up for COVID-19 vaccines being developed in a number of countries. Prime Minister Trudeau has drawn the ire of federal Tories after admitting yesterday that since Canada doesn’t have its own vaccine production facilities, some of those other countries making the COVID vaccines might come first. That’s despite the fact that Canada has millions of advance orders in place. (File Photo)
LOCAL STUDENT RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP
The province is supporting the next generation of the energy and mines sector by awarding scholarships to 20 Nova Scotia students.
The Nova Scotia Energy and Mines Scholarship program – previously named the Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship – is rewarding students pursuing energy and mining-related studies at post-secondary institutions across the province. On the list from Pictou County is Amelia Steeves, of Northumberland Regional High School, doing her bachelor of science at Saint Mary’s University. Amelia says “ When I received the call informing me that I was a recipient, I was ecstatic. I feel so proud to have received the scholarship. It is a huge financial weight lifted off my shoulders and has truly helped give me the confidence to pursue my career.”
NB GAS PRICES MOVE UP THIS WEEK
New Brunswick gas prices are leading the trend slightly higher this morning. Gas is up by a penny per litre and New Brunswick diesel prices are up by 1.3 cents per litre. Nova Scotia’s new prices come in at midnight
102 ACTIVE COVID CASES IN NOVA SCOTIA , WITH 16 NEW INFECTIONS ADDED
The province reported 16 new COVID infections at suppertime last night, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 102 province-wide. New restrictions for a 2-week period began at one minute after midnight. So this morning, folks in the Halifax Central Zone, which includes parts of Hants County are into those strict modified-lockdown measures we told you about earlier in the week. Here are the latest Halifax area COVID exposure sites. (NS Gov’t Photo)
MEDICAL VANS TO FREE UP NOVA SCOTIA PARAMEDICS AND AMBULANCES
We’ll soon see a new type of Emergency Health Service vehicle on the roads. As part of a one year pilot project, the province has purchased vans for the EHS system to provide non-urgent transportation for patients to shuffle them between health facilities. Provincial Health Minister Leo Glavine says using vans for clients who don’t need medical care during a transfer will free up ambulances and paramedics, so they can concentrate on emergency care. It will only take one EHS employee to transport several people in the new van system. Three vans are expected to be in service by February in Kentville, Bridgewater, and the Central Zone. (Bing Photo)
PICTOU COUNTY WELLNESS CENTRE LOSING ITS C-O-O
The Pictou County Wellness Centre is in the market for a new Chief Operating Officer. Greg Smith, the man currently holding the job was hired in 2018 and has submitted his letter of resignation for the end of next week. Smith thanked the centre’s Board of Directors and says he’s moving on to a job that’s a better fit for him and for his family. Board Chair Mr. Jim Ryan says Smith has had a positive impact on the facility and its board. Smith has also offered to support the transition to an interim management model for the Wellness Centre. His final day on the job is next Friday, December 4th.
TEMPORARY RENT CONTROL FOR NOVA SCOTIA TENANTS TO LAST UNTIL FEB. 2022
The provincial government is bringing in temporary rent control to combat evictions of low-income tenants and rising homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing Minister Chuck Porter says rents across the province can’t increase by more than two per cent a year until February of 2022, or until the pandemic state of emergency is lifted. The other good news for tenants is that the rent control percentage is retroactive to September of this year.
Porter also says landlords will not be able to obtain an eviction order when they’re doing most kinds of renovations.
OTTAWA’S ORDER CAUS
In case you missed it yesterday…..
The two largest hospitals in Pictou and Colchester Counties are imposing new rules to restrict visitors to cut down on the risk of spreading coronavirus. Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro and the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow are not allowing visitors, with a list of exceptions.
Two designated support people per day for:
- palliative care and other patients nearing end of life
- children under 18 admitted to hospital
- labour and birth
One designated support person for:
- children under 18 in outpatient settings
- prenatal visits
- people arriving at the hospital for inpatient or outpatient cancer care, emergency, and ambulatory care clinics, who need support for physical, intellectual, cognitive and emotional conditions
- there are special provisions for organ transplant situations at the discretion of the clinical team
As a result, ALL visitors and support people entering Nova Scotia Health facilities must be screened at the building entrance or 72 hours before presenting at a building entrance.
PICTOU COUNTY CHAMBER ANNOUNCES “BUSINESS UNUSUAL” FOR JANUARY
The head of the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce is talking about January’s “Business Unusual” when he tells us that ‘These are the stories that all in our community should know.” Jack Kyte says the Pictou County Chamber is partnering with several community-based organizations for their plans on January 28th at the deCoste Centre in Pictou. Kyte says the board of directors’ idea is to celebrate and showcase the amazing things businesses, organizations and individuals have done to help the Pictou County community “during the darkest days of the pandemic. ” So they’ve set aside their traditional business achievement awards program to tell stories of resilience and adaptation that have happened since last March.
The result is an exciting hybrid event with a safely distanced in-person audience at the deCoste and an unlimited at-home audience via a live stream. The planning committee is also hoping to work with and business partners and organizations to arrange multiple watch parties.
Michelle Ferris says she “had been feeling for some time that our community needed a pep rally,” and January’s Business Unusual will be it.
Acclaimed futurist Nik Badminton will be the keynote speaker for the event. Nik is based in Toronto and has worked with an incredible list of clients, including the United Nations, Microsoft, Bank of Canada, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Virgin, Bayer and many more.
A limited number of in-person tickets will be available for purchase through the Chamber of Commerce. Through a sponsorship from the Advocate , they’re also planning complimentary tickets for their streamed broadcast.
PANDEMIC HURTS INTER-UNIVERSITY SPORTS
Atlantic University Sport has announced that it will not proceed with conference-sanctioned regular seasons or postseasons for the remainder of this season and will not host any conference championships.
Each of the 11 universities making up AUS will figure out how their own member-driven competition might look as they focus on the latest public health directives.
Last month, AUS announced the formation of a new committee dedicated to exploring possible return-to-play options for January and beyond.
IN MHL action, the Amherst Ramblers are in town to meet the Pictou County Weeks Crushers tonight at the Wellness Centre. Game time is 7 o’clock.
