Spouse must speak at mass shooting probe: families
The families of the 22 victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting say the gunman’s spouse must testify at the inquiry into the killings. The commission has tabled a summary of Lisa Banfield’s statements to police saying the rampage began on April 18th, 2020 after she escaped into the woods after her spouse assaulted her. But lawyers for the victims’ families say information is missing in those statements and Banfield should be compelled to testify under oath and face cross-examination. Her lawyer says he will not agree to having her appear until her trial on charges of transferring ammunition to her spouse is over or the charges are dropped. (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia reports 4 COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday
Health officials in Nova Scotia reported four new COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday. Two deaths were reported in the central zone, involving a woman in her 50s and a man in his 90s. The other two deaths involve a man in his 80s from the western zone and a man in his 90s from the eastern zone. A total of 206 people have died due to COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. There are 45 people in hospital, including 12 in intensive care. 362 new lab-confirmed cases were reported yesterday bringing the estimated total active case count in the province to 2,247.
New funding announced to support tourism recovery in the province
Nova Scotia has announced a 12-million dollar investment into tourism marketing to support the recovery of the sector that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding includes over nine-million for registered tourist accommodations to implement marketing activities. Tourism Minister Pat Dunn says the funding will bring more people to the province and encourage spending across the hospitality, arts, culture, museums, events and retail sectors. Guidelines for the investment program will be presented to the tourism industry next week.
Summer Ad Campaign Rolls Out Welcome Mat for National, International Travellers
Tourism Nova Scotia is launching new marketing campaigns to encourage people to explore the province this summer. The Calling All Doers campaign launched in Ontario, Quebec, the northeastern United States, United Kingdom and Germany in mid-February, two weeks earlier than in previous years. The goal is to catch people in those farther away markets when they are in the early stages of planning their summer travel. The campaign will launch in Atlantic Canada in early April. Tourism Nova Scotia will also be launching a summer campaign in Nova Scotia at the end of April
Nova Scotians highly satisfied with Tim Houston government
The latest survey by Narrative Research shows that 67% of Nova Scotians are satisfied with the performance of the provincial government led by Premier Tim Houston. As for support among decided voters, the Progressive Conservatives have 44% support; the Liberals have 27% support; the NDP 20%; the Green Party 6%; and the People’s Party of Canada and Atlantica Party each have 1% support.
Those looking to lead the federal Conservatives have more time to mount their campaign. The Conservative Party of Canada says it will wait until September 10th to pick a new leader. The party says candidates will have until April 19th to enter the race.
RCMP investigating after Trenton Connector roundabout is damaged
Photo credit: Shaun Roach
Pictou County District RCMP are investigating after someone recently drove through the centre of the Trenton roundabout. Police got the call last Friday morning. There are tire tracks through the roundabout’s landscaped centre.
Fuel prices rise again in N.B.
Fuel prices in New Brunswick have hit a new record high. Gas increased 4.4 cents to 163.3 cents per litre overnight. Diesel jumped 5.2 cents to 177.8 cents per litre. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
Classes resume today at Acadia following month-long strike
Classes will resume today at Acadia University after an end to the month-long strike at Acadia was announced Tuesday. The decision came after three days of mediation between Acadia, the faculty association and provincially appointed mediator William Kaplan. No agreement was reached, but the parties agreed to send all outstanding items to be arbitrated under Kaplan, whose final decision will be binding. About 350 members of the school’s faculty walked off the job February 1st after negotiations failed to reach a new collective agreement. The university says all classes are returning to in-person format, although there may be a few exceptions. Details on exams and any extension to the term will be released as soon as possible.
Sports note:
The Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers are on the road tonight to face the South Shore Lumberjacks.
