Canadians heading to the polls to choose next federal government
Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Today is federal Election Day. The polls are open 8:30am to 8:30pm, and all the details on where you can vote is on that voter information card you received in the mail. There are 338 seats up for grabs, but political pundits aren’t expecting any of the parties will reach the 170 needed to form a majority. Six-million ballots were cast during advance polls. Those, along with all ballots cast-in person today will be counted tonight. However, election officials won’t start counting a million other special mail-in ballots until Tuesday, because all need to be verified to ensure no one voted twice. If it’s a tight race, we may not know the election results for four days. In Central Nova, Liberal Sean Fraser is seeking another term in office. He’s being challenged in this election by Conservative Steven Cotter, Betsy MacDonald of the NDP, Green candidate Katerina Nikas, Al Muir of the Peoples Party, Communist Party candidate Chris Frazer, Rhinoceros Party candidate Ryan Smyth, and Independent Harvey Henderson.
Imams ask Conservative candidate in Central Nova riding to quit over poor follow-up on apology for posts
The Canadian Council of Imams says the Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia’s Central Nova riding must resign because his apology for Islamophobic media posts was an insincere attempt at damage control. Two weeks ago, Steven Cotter apologized on Facebook for earlier posts he made about Shariah law and supporting a ban on the burka worn by some Muslim women. However the imams say when Cotter met with local Muslim leaders on Sept. 15, he repeated his apology but “refused to say anything else” in answer to questions about what he would do to address Islamophobia. The imams say they can only interpret Cotter’s silence as a refusal to reflect and learn as he promised to do in his apology, and they say requests to the Conservative party for further engagements were turned down. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole fired a Toronto candidate over Islamophobic social media posts she claims are not hers but he kept Cotter in the race. O’Toole told The Canadian Press on Sept. 11 that he wanted to retain candidates on a team that would unite the country and help restore the economy. (The Canadian Press)
Two teens charged with break and enter at New Glasgow business
Early Sunday morning, at about 3:00am, New Glasgow Regional Police responded to a call of a break and enter at the Vapour Trail on Provost Street, New Glasgow. Someone entered the business through the front doors by smashing the glass and damaging the door. Police immediately responded and located and arrested two 16-year-old boys from Pictou County. Hundreds of dollars worth of product were stolen. Both teens have been charged with Break and Enter into the business and were released on strict conditions pending an appearance in Pictou Provincial Court.
N.S. premier tells people who protested at public health doctor’s home to ‘grow up’
Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative premier has asked people who protested proof-of-vaccination policies outside the home of the province’s chief medical officer of health to consider acting more like adults. Tim Houston released a video message over social media on Friday night about the small protest outside the Halifax home of Dr. Robert Strang earlier in the day. Houston says he would encourage those who carried out the protests to “grow up and think of others,” and that there’s no language tough enough to describe how upset he is with the actions. The premier added he believes in the right to free speech and protest, but venues like the legislature or his office in downtown Halifax are locations for demonstrations rather than the private homes of public servants. The recently elected government has announced that beginning on Oct. 4, residents looking to participate in non-essential activities, such as going out to restaurants, theatres or gyms, must provide proof they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The premier also criticized rallies held over the past week outside hospitals, referring to the protest outside Strang’s residence as “a new low.” (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia Health’s Outreach Vaccine Clinics will be heading to various locations this week to help support vaccine availability for residents and nearby community members. One of those locations is: Truro NSCC (Forrester Hall) 36 Arthur St. Tuesday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop-ins only. To be eligible for a second dose, it must be 28 days or more since the first dose, or 21 days if the first dose was Pfizer.
New name and website for Palliative Care Society
A new name for Aberdeen Palliative Care Society. Over the past year the Society has invited stakeholders, medical staff, past and present board members, and various members of the community to help with its strategic plan and rebranding process. After many sessions, it was determined that there should be a renaming to reflect the work the Society provides within the community, and not just within the Aberdeen hospital. The new name is Pictou County Palliative Care Society. The community is also invited to visit their newly launched webpage: www.pcpcares.org
Local Sports:
The Stellarton Albions started their first game with a triple and a home run and kept on hitting all weekend on their way to the Atlantic Canadian u13AA baseball championship. The Albions had round robin victories of 10-4 over Fredericton, NB 19-3 over St. John’s, Nfld. 17-7 over Cornwall, PEI and 14-3 over Summerside, PEI before defeating Summerside in the championship game 14-6. Congratulations to the team and coaches Mike Walker, Donnie Walker, Steve Daley and Leigh MacLennan on a tremendous season with 29 wins and 4 losses culminating in the Atlantic Canadian championship!
Weekend Scores NS U18 AAA Female – Northern Subway Selects: Saturday September 18th @ Pictou County Wellness Centre – Northern Selects 6 – Bussey Auto Penguins 1 – Goals scored by: Erin MAcNeil (2) Abigail MacKenzie, Jaylen Langile, and Sara Stewart. And Sunday September 19th @ RBC Centre Dartmouth – Northern Selects 1 – Bussey Auto Penguins 0 – Goal scored by Sarah Fraser. Gabby Arsenault earned the shut out. Northern Selects will play a home and home series next weekend with the Cape Breton Lynx.
