Province bringing forward amendments clarifying language in Boat Harbour Act
Photo credit: Stingray News
The Province of Nova Scotia is bringing forward amendments clarifying and strengthening the language in the Boat Harbour Act. The amendments are being made in the face of a $450-million lawsuit by Paper Excellence, which is claiming it was forced to shut down the Northern Pulp Mill due to the closure of the provincially owned effluent treat plant it had been using. Premier Tim Houston says the amendments are aimed at bringing crystal clear language to the bill and protecting taxpayers. Just over a week ago, a B.C. Supreme Court justice ordered the Nova Scotia government to enter into the mediation talks with the owners of the mothballed mill.
Nova Scotia doctor wait-list hits new record high with more than 88,300 people
Nova Scotia’s wait list of people needing primary care has hit a new record high this month. There are more than 88-thousand Nova Scotians signed up to be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The figure is up about three per cent since March. The wait list grew most in the health zone that includes the Halifax region where more than 30-thousand people are waiting for primary care.
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinics will be offering drop-in vaccines this week. Clinic locations include: Debert Fire Hall (Pfizer – anyone age 5+) 34 Carter Rd., Debert on Tuesday, April 12 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Pugwash Fire Hall (Pfizer – anyone age 5+) 11057 Hwy. 6, Pugwash Thursday, April 14 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Provincial government providing $396,000 in grants to community transportation providers
The Province is providing one-time grants totalling $396,000 to support 20 community transportation providers across Nova Scotia. Minister of Public Works Kim Masland says the funding recognizes the financial pressures faced by these organizations, in the wake of increased costs of fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance. Among those providers receiving grants is: CHAD Transit, Pictou County – $16,000
Grant recipients:
— Antigonish Community Transit Society – $36,000
— Cumberland County Transportation Society – $36,000
— La Coopérative de Transport de Chéticamp Lté – $31,000
— Colchester Transportation Cooperative Limited – $25,000
— Municipality of Chester Community Wheels – $25,000
— Sou’West Nova Transit Assoc. – $25,000
— Queens County Transit Society – $21,000
— Victoria County Transit – $21,000
— Bay Rides, Halifax Regional Municipality – $18,000
— Musgo Rider, Halifax Regional Municipality – $18,000
— West Hants Dial-a-Ride – $18,000
— CHAD Transit, Pictou County – $16,000
— Trans County Transportation Society, Annapolis County – 6,000
— Musgo Valley-Sheet Harbour – $16,000
— Strait Area Transit – $16,000
— Le Transport de Clare – $13,000
— Kings Point-To-Point Transit – $13,000
— East Hants Community Rider – $13,000
— HOPE Dial-a-Ride, Yarmouth County – $11,100
— Transit Association of Guysborough – $8,000
Province launches province wide housing needs assessment
Nova Scotia is paying a real estate consulting firm to determine affordable housing needs in the province. Turner Drake and Partners is being paid more than 400-thousand dollars to study affordable housing needs. Housing Minister John Lohr says he knows there’s a need to increase housing supply across the province. Lohr says reliable and current information about housing is also needed to make smart policy decisions.
Nova Scotia Finance Minister Allan MacMaster says two new taxes aimed at non-resident property owners are aimed at easing a housing shortage that is especially acute in Halifax. MacMaster defended the measures as he tabled legislation giving the provincial government the authority to implement tax changes in the recent budget. But he admits it’s unknown whether the deed transfer and property tax measures will prompt non-residents to sell their homes and increase housing stock in the province. MacMaster says there is also no way to be sure whether the measures will help ease skyrocketing house prices until they are implemented.
Two suspects released without charges after shots fired Friday night near Halifax
Nova Scotia RCMP have released two men who were arrested after shots were fired Friday evening in the community of East Preston, near Halifax. Police say the suspects, aged 21 and 26, were released without charges, but the investigation is ongoing. Police say they have been able to rule out a third suspect and initial reports that shots were also fired in North Preston. They say it’s unknown if suspects may have been shooting at each other or something else.
One of the candidates for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada is in the region today. Leona Alleslev will be in Central Nova for a formal kick-off of her Nova Scotia campaign tonight. It’s being held between 6pm and 8pm at Summer Street Industries on Park Street in New Glasgow.
Mattea Roach wins 4th game on Jeopardy!; winnings hit over $100,000
Nova Scotia’s Mattea Roach will be looking for a fifth win when she competes again tonight on Jeopardy! The 23-year-old woman, who’s originally from Halifax, pocketed just over 24-thousand dollars on Friday — increasing her four-day total to 104-thousand-600-dollars. Roach first applied to compete on the popular TV game show in 2020. This January she was invited to Los Angeles to tape an episode.
