Chief Paul issues alert for Pictou Landing First Nation this morning**UPDATED 11:15AM**
Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul posted on social media this morning saying that Pictou RCMP is investigating a report of shot fired on Maple St. She’s asking those in the community to stay in homes and away from scene until further notice. If you see police officers do not report their location on social media. The community’s school and band office are closed until further notice.
**10AM Update**RCMP provided an update in the 9am hour saying officers are on scene on Maple St. in Pictou Landing First Nation dealing with barricaded persons. Police say the scene is currently contained and neighbours are being asked to stay in their homes. Please avoid the area to allow officers to do their work. Please don’t post information about position or activities of officers.
**10:40AM Update**Chief Paul shared an update from RCMP saying the public safety incident on Maple St has been dealt with. Public can depart their homes. Police remain in area to investigate. RCMP thanks public for their patience and cooperation.
**11:15AM Update**RCMP say officers are no longer on scene on Maple St. in Pictou Landing First Nation. The matter remains under investigation and officers are still in the area. The RCMP wishes to thank the community for its patience and understanding as the investigation continues.
N.S. reports 38 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday
Nova Scotia is reporting 38 new cases of COVID-19 — half of them in the central zone including Halifax. The Nova Scotia Health Authority says its public health team is investigating the new cases to understand the circumstances around the increased numbers. They are up from 11 new cases reported yesterday. The number of active cases in the province has also increased to 180, including eight people who are hospitalized. As of Wednesday, 78.7 per cent of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated.
Minimum wage in the province is $12.95 an hour – new report says that’s not nearly enough
A new report is calling for an increased minimum wage and more universal public services to get regions across Nova Scotia closer to a living wage. The study from The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the living wage for regions including Halifax, the Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia are all over 21-dollars an hour. The minimum wage in the province is currently set at 12-dollars-and-95-cents. The think tank says the provincial government needs to do more to support workers as the cost of living rises.
N.S. pays off bonds on tolled highway, says it’s the first step in toll removal
Photo credit: Global News
Nova Scotia’s minister of public works says the government has paid of the remaining bonds for the Cobequid Pass toll highway. Kim Masland describes it as the first step in the removal of the four-dollar toll. Masland says the intention is to remove the toll for drivers of all Nova Scotia registered vehicles and more details should be released at the end of the month. The province’s only tolled stretch of highway was built through a public-private partnership and opened in 1997. (With files from The Canadian Press)
Province dedicating up to $34M towards new foster care system redesign
Nova Scotia is investing up to 34 million dollars over three years in a redesign of the province’s foster care system. The province says the changes will include new financial supports and an immediate increase in per diem rates by 15 dollars a day. The system will also start engaging youth currently or formerly in care to hear their concerns and ideas. The redesigned foster care program will also prioritize maintaining a child’s culture while in care, after concerns were raised by First Nations and African Nova Scotian communities.
Premier Houston’s pledge to hike privacy commissioner’s power pushed to next year
Premier Tim Houston is still committed to giving order-making power to Nova Scotia’s information and privacy commissioner, but it will have to wait. Houston made the pledge before becoming Premier. He acknowledged Wednesday that it won’t happen during the fall sitting, but the goal is to have the legislation ready for the spring sitting.
Desmond inquiry: expert says red flags for domestic violence were ignored, overlooked
An expert in domestic violence has told the Nova Scotia inquiry into the case of a former soldier who killed his family and then himself in early 2017 that many red flags were ignored or overlooked. The psychologist at Western University in Ontario says his review of the case of Lionel Desmond shows it was predictable and preventable. Dr. Peter Jaffe says Desmond presented 20 risk factors associated with domestic homicide, out of 41 factors developed by the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee. But he says mental health experts dealing with the family focused almost entirely on Desmond’s mental health problems and no one really addressed the extent of domestic violence and abuse. (The Canadian Press)
Small drop at N.B. pumps
There’s a slight drop in fuel prices in New Brunswick today. Gas dropped six-tenths of a cent per litre and diesel is down 1.4 cents. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
Sports note:
The Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers host the Truro Bearcats tonight. Puck drop is at 7pm at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
