New COVID-19 cases keep climbing in Atlantic Canada, N.B. logs highest rise with 82
Daily COVID-19 case counts continue to climb across much of Atlantic Canada, with New Brunswick seeing the steepest rise in new infections. The province identified 82 new cases yesterday — 64 were among patients who are not fully vaccinated. Officials also say one person died due to the virus, bringing the death toll since the onset of the pandemic to 54. New Brunswick, which reinstated its state of emergency and tightened protective health measures on Friday, has an active case count of 628. Nova Scotia’s case count from the weekend will be announced today. (With files from the Canadian Press)
Meanwhile, the scheduled meeting of Premier Tim Houston and the other Atlantic Premiers is now being held virtually because of the regional spike in COVID-19 cases. New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs had planned to host his three other counterparts in Moncton. The in-person meeting of the four premiers would have been the first since the pandemic began. The virtual meeting is to take place tomorrow.
Event planned for Pictou Landing First Nation to honour and remember all those who attended Residential Schools
As Canada prepares to recognize the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday – Pictou Landing First Nation will be honoring and remembering all those who attended Residential Schools at an event planned for Wednesday beginning at 11am at IRS Memorial, located in front of the Health Centre. It is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Organizers ask that if you do plan to attend – to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wear orange if you are able.
Inquiry into Nova Scotia mass killing holds first of four community open houses
About 50 people from the community of Debert turned out to meet investigators from the commission of inquiry investigating the mass killing that claimed 22 lives in the central and northern parts of Nova Scotia last year. Barbara McLean, director of investigations for the commission, says the informal format of the open houses is meant to allow people from the community to talk directly to the inquiry team. McLean says they can simply relate their experiences or take the opportunity to provide the commission with information relevant to its investigation. The RCMP have confirmed that on the night of April 18, 2020, a gunman disguised as a Mountie set fire to several homes and killed 13 people in nearby Portapique, N.S., and over the next 13 hours he evaded police while killing more people he knew and others at random. The inquiry is scheduled to begin public hearings next month in Halifax with an interim report expected by May and a final report to be filed by November 2022. Additional open houses will take place at the Douglas Street Recreation Centre in Truro today, Legends Gaming and Convention Centre in Millbrook on Tuesday and at the Wentworth Recreation Centre in Wentworth on Wednesday. (The Canadian Press)
Municipalities to receive extra $32 million to pay for crucial services
Municipalities will receive an additional $32 million from the province to help pay for crucial services for Nova Scotians. The Municipal Financial Capacity Grant is paid to municipalities and towns that need assistance to fund a standard level of services such as police, fire protection and transportation. The Town Foundation Grant is provided as recognition of the particular challenges faced due to local road responsibilities and assessment bases. The extra funding will be given to municipalities this fall through these two programs. The province says the additional funding is for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Dal condemns ‘reckless behaviour’ of students after street parties near campus
Dalhousie University is calling massive street parties attended by its students over the weekend “reckless, dangerous and disruptive.” University officials condemned the actions of students who ignored warnings not to attend such parties, and say the University is working to ensure that they face consequences for their actions. Halifax Police say they responded to a flood of complaints on Jennings Street and arrested nine adult males and one adult female for public Intoxication and issued numerous summary offence tickets for illegal possession of open liquor under the Liquor Control Act. Police say they are continuing to investigate the incident and expect to hand out even more tickets.
Local sports note:
U18 AAA Female play, the Northern Subway Selects fell 3-2 to Cape Breton Links. The Selects next see action in New Brunswick on Oct 2 & 3 vs Fundy Nationals from St John
