Fire broke out Monday night in a home in New Glasgow, and reports indicate the family was able to get out safely.

The building is a former church that was converted into a home.

The New Glasgow Fire Department responded after 8:00pm and mutual aid was dispatched from a number of area fire departments.

 

 

The Nova Scotia government intends to take on 117-million dollars of the provincial electric utility’s fuel costs in a bid to reduce the burden on ratepayers.

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton says the plan — if approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board — would lower the anticipated 2024 rate increase to 1.1 per cent.

He says Nova Scotia Power ratepayers would face a seven-per-cent increase this year without government intervention.

Nova Scotia Power can pass on extra fuel costs to its customers through the fuel adjustment mechanism, which had a balance of 395-million dollars as of December 31st.

 

 

The House of Commons was back in full swing as M-Ps picked up where they left off — both in substance and in tone — before the Christmas break in December.

The Liberal government’s immediate focus was on passing a bill that would implement the promises in its fall economic statement.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland insisted the bill is “making the math work for builders,” as the government included additional money to stimulate housing construction in the package

 

 

Health Minister Mark Holland is offering no clues about a new timeline after stating Canada is not ready to expand eligibility for medical assistance in dying.

Holland’s comments echo those in a report tabled Monday by a joint parliamentary committee on the matter, that says fundamental issues around the controversial expansion have not been resolved.

The expansion to include people whose only medical condition is a mental illness is scheduled to take effect on March 17th.

Holland says the government will introduce new legislation soon detailing its plans.

 

 

Public Health will be holding COVID-19 and influenza immunization clinics this week. Locations include:

Royal Canadian Legion

130 Veterans Dr., Pictou

Thursday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Offering:

·         COVID-19 Moderna & influenza vaccines (ages six months +)

·         PCR testing for COVID-19 and flu and COVID-19 rapid test pick-up

Book an appointment: Vaccines | Testing

Limited drop-in appointments may be available.