Premier says N.S. won’t initially set up enforcement squad for proof of vaccination rules
Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotians aged 12 and older will be expected to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in order to attend restaurants, gyms, theatres, concerts and sporting events as of October 4th. Premier Tim Houston said Thursday that he’s had a positive response from industry and the public about the plan. He says the province won’t initially set up an enforcement team to ensure compliance with rules. Houston says for now, public health emails and mailed documents showing vaccination status will suffice, but there are plans afoot in Ottawa to create a more standard and secure document that meets national standards.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Officials say all but one infection have been traced back to travel or to previously known cases. There are now 74 active reported cases across the province and one person is in a hospital in a COVID-19 unit. Government data shows 72 per cent of all Nova Scotians aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated against the disease.
Canada’s federal election leaders face off in the English-language debate last night
Indigenous reconciliation, climate change, foreign policy and Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic were the hot topics at the English leaders debate. Erin O’Toole, Jagmeet Singh, Annamie Paul and Yves-Francois Blanchet piled on Justin Trudeau for calling an election while Afghanistan was falling to the Taliban. Trudeau shot back at his opponents for talking down the work by the military and diplomats to get 37-hundred people out of Afghanistan. It remains to be seen whether either Wednesday’s French debate or last night’s English debate moved the public opinion needle, with just 10 days to go before election day on Sept. 20. Heading into the debates, polls suggested the Liberals and Conservatives were locked in a dead heat, with smaller parties poised to determine which of the main parties emerges victorious. (With files from the Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia’s mass shooting inquiry has submitted subpoenas to the RCMP: spokeswoman
The inquiry investigating last year’s Nova Scotia mass shooting has filed almost 50 subpoenas to compel the release of information from several organizations, including the RCMP. Barbara McLean, the inquiry’s director of investigations, told a news conference on Thursday that all the agencies and institutions involved have been “very responsive.” McLean said the commission of inquiry, which started its work 11 months ago, has also used subpoenas to get information from the Canada Border Services Agency and “community services” that interacted with the perpetrator. She did not provide details, but McLean’s disclosure reveals the commission is using its legal powers to obtain evidence that might otherwise be beyond its reach. The commission is scheduled to begin public hearings next month, and a final report is expected by November 2022. (The Canadian Press)
Bump at the pumps in N.S.
Gas and diesel prices both went up overnight in Nova Scotia. Gas prices rose 1.9 cents per litre, while diesel prices went up by 1.3 cents per litre. So, locally, you’re paying 137.6 cents per litre for regular self-serve gas, and 126.6 cents per litre for diesel.
