Unions representing health-care workers in Nova Scotia have filed for conciliation to reach an essential services agreement with the province, a first step toward a possible strike.
The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union says in a news release that it, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Unifor have met 13 times with Nova Scotia Health, but they have been unable to agree on a staffing plan that would ensure essential services in the event of a strike.
Since 2014, an agreement spelling out which workers are essential and are not allowed to take any job action has been required before health workers can legally strike.
The three health-care unions, which have been without a collective agreement since Oct. 31, bargain together in the Council for Unions.
Health sectors represented by the Council for Unions include diagnostic imaging, laboratories, pharmacy, mental health and addictions, cancer therapy and paramedics.
New Glasgow Regional Police are looking for the owner of an undisclosed amount of money that was found yesterday.
The envelope was found near East River Road and Pine Street and was turned into Police. If you have lost or know someone who has lost money today that may be the owner, please call New Glasgow Regional Police non-emergency number at 902-752-1941.
Most Nova Scotians can now access health information on their phone through the YourHealthNS app.
The Province has expanded electronic health records access provincewide after a successful three-month pilot project with 15 family doctors and seven nurse practitioners at six clinics.
Anyone with a valid Nova Scotia health card now has access to information about:
- Past visits to hospitals, clinics, or to their family practice, including VirtualCareNS.
- Any Active and past medications including dosage and instructions
- And Lab and diagnostic scan results
More records will be added over the coming months from the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinics and community pharmacy primary care clinics.
Nova Scotians 16 and older who choose to view their records can log in through YourHealthNS.
Applications for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors program are now open.
To be eligible for the program this year, people must:
– have paid their 2023 municipal residential property taxes in full
– have their name on the property title
– be eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Guaranteed Income Supplement – Allowance from Service Canada.
People who received the rebate last year will receive an application by mail this week. The forms are also available online, at Access Nova Scotia centres and in MLA offices.
Applications are open until December 31. Seniors can also use this application for the 2024-25 Heating Assistance Rebate Program.
People should be aware that rebates such as this one are often cited in scam emails or texts that ask for personal information. The Province will never email, text or call citizens asking for personal information, such as banking information or social insurance numbers.
