Province reports youngest COVID-19 death, 25 new cases
Nova Scotia reported one death related to COVID-19 on Thursday. A man in his 30s has died in Central Zone. The Province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, says this Case involves the youngest Nova Scotian who has died from COVID-19 and is a stark reminder that the virus can have devastating impacts. Nova Scotia is also reporting 25 new cases of COVID-19 and 60 recoveries. There are 15 new cases in Central Zone. Eleven of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases, two are related to travel and two are under investigation. Eight cases are in Eastern Zone. Six of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases, one is related to travel and one is under investigation. Two cases are in Northern Zone. One is related to travel and the other is under investigation.
Nova Scotia has started to offer earlier second shots of COVID-19 vaccine. The province says people who received their first shot of a vaccine between March 11th and 21st and are scheduled to receive their booster shot between June 24th and July 3rd can now reschedule their appointments for earlier dates. About eight thousand-600 people received their first dose between those dates. Nova Scotia has set a target of getting at least 75 per cent of its population fully vaccinated. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang will provide a COVID-19 update this afternoon at 2 p.m.
Increase at the pumps overnight
Both gas and diesel prices rose overnight in Nova Scotia, with prices up at the pumps by 2.8 cents per litre for gasoline and 2.6 cents per litre for diesel. Locally, that puts the cost of regular self serve at 129.5 cents per litre, and the cost of diesel at 119.5 cents per litre. The Utility and Review Board had indicated earlier in the week that the price would go up after it approved an increase to make up for a drop in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary markup is on top of a permanent increase in the retail margin on gas prices, approved earlier this year, as well as federal subsidies some gas stations have received due to a revenue shortfall.
Two years after MMIWG report, Ottawa releases preliminary national plan
Chief commissioner Marion Buller, front left to right, commissioners Brian Eyolfson, Qajaq Robinson and Michele Audette get ready to prepare the final report to give to the government at the closing ceremony for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Gatineau, Que., Monday, June 3, 2019. Two years after the sweeping findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls were released, a plan to move forward on its 231 calls to justice is finally being released. (The Canadian Press)
The federal government is committing to funding and co-developing targeted initiatives to address many systemic barriers identified by a national inquiry into Indigenous women who have disappeared or been killed in Canada. As part of yesterday’s release of the action plan on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, a “federal pathway” document outlines Ottawa’s planned steps to address the inquiry’s sweeping 231 calls to justice. It includes general commitments to provide funding, or enhance existing funding, toward a number of programs and initiatives in four thematic areas: culture, health and wellness, human safety and security and justice. As part of its justice commitments, Ottawa says it will re-establish the Law Commission of Canada, an independent federal agency to advise Parliament on how to modernize and improve Canada’s laws, de-funded by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government in 2006. The federal government is also pledging to invest in research and data collection to better understand the role of different social systems in preventing Indigenous involvement with the criminal justice system. This work will include establishing national standards for missing persons reports and improving the collection and use of disaggregated data to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous victims, survivors and offenders in the criminal justice system as well as their disproportionately frequent experiences with police, courts and prisons, as compared to the non-Indigenous population. (Teresa Wright/The Canadian Press)
Senate unanimously votes to create national holiday for truth and reconciliation
Nisga’a dancer Rosita Martinez takes part in a ceremony on Parliament Hill Thursday June 3, 2021 in Ottawa. A bill creating a statutory holiday to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada has been passed unanimously by the Senate. (The Canadian Press)
A bill creating a statutory holiday to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada received royal assent Thursday. Bill C-5 passed unanimously in the Senate earlier in the day on Thursday. Its swift passage means September 30th will become the first of what is to be an annual day for truth and reconciliation. It comes after last week’s discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, B-C.
Town of New Glasgow displays orange ribbons and partners with Pictou Landing First Nation to collect donations of children’s shoes and stuffed animals
Orange ribbons are being displayed throughout downtown New Glasgow to show support for Indigenous communities and the Town of New Glasgow is encouraging residents to add orange ribbons in memory of the children and lives impacted by the residential schools system. The Town is also partnering with Pictou Landing First Nation to collect donations of new or gently used children’s shoes and small stuffed animals in memory of the 215 children found buried near the former site of Kamloops Residential School. If you wish to donate, these items can be brought to a contactless drop-off box that will be available outside the front door of Glasgow Square Theatre between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
The unemployment rate in N.S. increased by 1.7 per cent in May to 9.8 percent, following the province-wide lockdown that was implemented in late April. Stats Canada says the net loss of 22,000 jobs, or 4.8 per cent, was the largest decrease in Nova Scotia since early in the pandemic. Full-time employment dropped by 12,700, while 9,600 part-time positions were lost. Employment declines were largely in retail trade, educational services, and accommodation and food services. Stats Canada says nationally, 68,000 jobs were lost to move the unemployment rate to 8.2 per cent in May – with Nova Scotia and Ontario accounting for most of the overall employment decline. (With files from the Canadian Press)
River John Festival Days has been cancelled for 2021. Organizers say with the cancellation of other summer events and ongoing health restrictions in place, they decided to postpone the event until 2022. However, the planning committee says to keep an eye on their Facebook page and Instagram, as there may be contesting and small pop-up events announced in the weeks to come.
