Price of diesel jumps as Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board invokes interrupter clause for the second time this week
A huge jump in diesel prices overnight in the province as the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board invoked the interrupter clause for the second day in a row. At midnight Wednesday night, the price of diesel went up by 19.5 cents per litre to 228.5 cents per litre locally. The price of gas was not affected. Meanwhile, diesel prices went down in New Brunswick by 2.2 cents per litre to a maximum of 221.9 cents per litre and regular self-serve gas dropped four tenths of a cent to a new maximum of 182.5 cents per litre. Nova Scotia is to set its fuel prices at midnight again tonight.
April 28 is the national Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured while on the job
Today is the annual National Day of Mourning, for those killed or injured as the result of workplace accidents. Mary Lloyd, President of Pictou County Injured Workers Association, says true injury prevention involves the mandatory reporting of all accidents, thorough investigation of the cause of each injury and fatality, immediate remedial action by employers, and the vigorous prosecution of repeat offenders. This past year saw 20 people die as a result of workplace accidents in Nova Scotia. Workplace safety is also top of mind as the 30th anniversary of the Westray mine disaster approaches. On May 9, 1992, 26 employees were killed early in the morning during a single shift in Plymouth, Pictou County. On May 9, an assembly is planned for 7pm at Westray Miners Memorial Park. There’s to be a roundtable discussion about the Westray Law that day, as well. Organizers include relatives of the deceased workers, the United Steelworkers Union, provincial government and Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.
RCMP supervisor during N.S. mass shooting took extended leave amid second-guessing
An RCMP risk manager has told the public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting that he spent a lot of time second-guessing decisions he made during the rampage. Staff Sergeant Brian Rehill was off work for at least 16 months in the aftermath of the killings of 22 people just over two years ago. The inquiry removed the reasons for his absence but Rehill said he struggled with questions about his decisions on the night the shootings began and support from other officers helped him cope. He also said that in hindsight, he probably could have sent in another police team but decided against it out of concern that officers could end up shooting at each other. (The Canadian Press)
West Hants RCMP charge teacher with assault after pushing a child in the classroom
A Nova Scotia teacher has been charged with assault for allegedly pushing a child to the floor in a classroom. The West Hants District RCMP say a teacher was seen pushing a student in the classroom on April 7th, causing the child’s head to strike the floor. RCMP spokesperson Constable Guillaume Tremblay declined to give the child’s age or say if any injuries resulted, out of “consideration for the child and their family.” A 27-year-old woman from Falmouth was arrested Tuesday and is scheduled to appear on a charge of assault in Windsor provincial court in June.
Mental Health Foundation of N.S. funds $1.26M in mental health and addiction programs
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia says 1.26 million dollars in grants have been awarded to 58 community-based programs and 50 addictions and mental health initiatives. The foundation says the funding is essential at a time when many Nova Scotians are living with anxiety and depression as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, the province provided three million dollars in funding to the foundation. The money will be distributed through the foundation’s community grants program beginning in July. Locally, the Pictou County Roots for Youth Society is receiving funding for its Compassionately Rooted in Mental Health program. A complete list of the organizations receiving grants and the programs they will be implementing can be viewed here. The application process for the second round of Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia Community Grants will open on July 7, 2022.
Atlantic provinces will have highest proportion of seniors over 85 by 2043: census
New census data shows the Atlantic region’s population is much older than the rest of Canada, and it’s aging rapidly. Statistics Canada says about 22 per cent of Atlantic Canadians are currently 65 or older, compared with about 15 per cent of people in the rest of the country. It says that in just over two decades, seniors 85 and older could make up more than six per cent of the population in each of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. That would be the highest proportion in the country and compares with the current rate of older seniors making up 2.3 per cent of the entire Canadian population.
For the first time, the most recent census also included data relating to gender diversity. Nearly 101,000 people 15 and older (1 in 300 people) reported themselves as transgender or non-binary, accounting for 0.33 per cent of the population in this age group. The proportions of transgender and non-binary people were three to seven times higher for Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2006) and millennials (born 1981 to 1996) than for Generation X (born 1966 to 1980), baby boomers (born 1946 to 1965) and the Interwar and Greatest Generations (born in 1945 or earlier). Nova Scotia, Yukon and British Columbia had the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people aged 15 and older among provinces and territories. Victoria, B.C., Halifax, N.S., and Fredericton, N.B., had the most gender diversity among Canadian large urban centres.
Tearmann of Art event Rescheduled to October 13, 2022
Photo (submitted): piece of art by professional artist Janet Wallace which will be one of the many art pieces available and featured at the Celebration of Art
The Tearmann Society Board of Directors says the Celebration of Art originally planned for Friday, May 6 is now rescheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the Museum of Industry. Chair Jessie Parkinson says it was a difficult decision to postpone the event until the fall, but the Board’s decision was unanimous in consideration of the peak number of COVID cases in Nova Scotia. For ticket holders wishing to attend the event on the October 13 date, the original tickets with be honoured. Anyone requiring a refund may do so by stopping by Hector Building Supplies in Stellarton, Monday to Fridays-7:30am-5:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-4:00pm. Also, for those who do not yet have tickets and would like to purchase for the October 13 event, you can still do so at Hector Building Supplies, Stellarton or from Board members.
