The annual inflation rate in Canada rose two ticks to 2.4 per cent in December.  Statistics Canada says Ottawa’s tax holiday dropped prices for dining out, children’s toys and a slew of other goods a year earlier, but those discounts fell out of the annual comparison and pushed inflation higher to end 2025.  Nova Scotia’s inflation rate stood at 3.1 percent in December.   Monday’s inflation figures will be the Bank of Canada’s last look at price data before it makes its first interest rate decision of the year next week.  The central bank’s key policy rate is currently at 2.25 per cent.

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Nova Scotia Power continues to deal with power outages after the overnight storm Monday morning – including some sporadic outages in our region.  More than 120-thousand homes and businesses in Nova Scotia were without power yesterday.  As of about 4:30 this morning, the number was still at about 25-thousand.

 

 

Following up on 2023’s inaugural Pictou County Climate Summit, the Summit is returning on May 29th and 30th of this year.  The event will bring together organizations, businesses, municipal leaders, and residents to connect and collaborate on climate action and community sustainability across Pictou County. The Municipality of Pictou County is co-hosting the Summit with the Pictou County Partnership, Pictou Landing First Nation, Town of New Glasgow, Town of Pictou, Town of Stellarton, Town of Trenton, and the Town of Westville.

 

 

There’s been no confirmation from the federal government on whether Canada will be sending troops to Greenland.  This, as multiple media reports say Canada is considering sending a Canadian contingent to the Danish territory in solidarity with Greenland.  Wesley Wark from the Centre for International Governance Innovation says Canada has been put in a sticky spot by U-S President Donald Trump as he escalates his intentions to take over Greenland.  Wark says the concern for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is fear of retribution, should they decide to show their support for an independent Greenland and commitment to the idea of NATO collective security. —

 

 

The December Parking by Donation program in New Glasgow was a big success.  More than $2,200 was raised through the program and donated to Pictou County Food Bank East.