Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau says he was not pushed out of government. He says it’s just time for a new finance minister to carry Canada forward as it continues to battle the economic realities of the pandemic.

Morneau says putting business operators back on track in the wake of the pandemic over the next year or two, means the prime minister needs a a finance minister who shares his longer-term vision.

And in another surprise, Morneau says while he continues to serve until his successor is appointed, he is putting in a bid to be the next secretary general for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (also known as the OECD).

 

Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray says he’s prepared to face any challenger for his job, and that he and councillors have “always protected the taxpayer, holding the tax rate, while neighboring municipalities have had to raise their taxes.” You can expect to hear more messages like that from the municipal council contenders over the next couple of months, now that deadlines for announcing are getting closer.  MacGillivray says “ Stellarton effectively has the lowest tax rate of any town in Pictou County.  He says if he’s re-elected, he aims to keep it that way.   The Stellarton Mayor says that’s happening while the Albion Business Park is adding jobs, noting a new Petro Canada, Robin’s Donut Shop and Mary Brown’s franchise as the next business-combo to come into the park, with the ground work now underway.

Potential candidates in the upcoming Municipal Elections in Pictou County can book appointments now for the period from Aug. 27th to Sept. 4th to file nomination papers.  Appointments can be made by emailing: returningofficer@munpict.ca or calling 902-485-2248.  If you don’t have an appointment, the final day to file papers will be Nomination Day on Sept. 8th between 9 a.m. to 5p.m. on a first come – first serve basis at 46 Municipal Drive, Pictou.  Social distancing restrictions are in place and masks are mandatory.  This will be the absolute last day to file nomination papers.  Community volunteer Erinn Wright announced her campaign in District 6 for for Pictou County Council yesterday.

It was a long and trying day for New Glasgow police and paramedics as negotiations with a man barricaded inside a house on Victoria Avenue dragged on until suppertime last night.  Police say it ended peacefully about 5:10 pm, with the man taken in under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act with no serious injuries.  Friends and neighbours are hoping for the best for the man’s recovery.

A PEI man will be in court following a crash on the Pictou County side of Bible Hill on Highway 104 over the weekend. He’s up on drug possession and weapons charges after RCMP seized cocaine and pot. Luckily, that crash near the East Mountain stretch of the 104 did not result in serious injury and the 29-year-old Island man faces a Truro judge on October 14th.

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has handed down suspended sentences and three years probation for two special constables who were found guilty of criminal negligence causing death.  It comes more than four years after Corey Rogers died in a jail cell at Halifax Police headquarters. A medical examiner’s investigation shows Rogers, who was intoxicated, died of suffocation in June 2016 while lying in the cell with the spit-hood covering his mouth as he appeared to be vomiting.

This is the week to check out the diverse dining scene in New Glasgow. There’s a fun food event running until this Saturday and it’s called “Curbside Culture.”  We’re already seeing eateries and other businesses showcasing our community’s diverse multicultural population with special meals and events already being featured on the Town of New Glasgow facebook page.

The Canada Revenue Agency expects online services won’t be fully restored until tomorrow  (Wednesday) after hackers used thousands of stolen usernames and passwords to illegally obtain government services. 

About 5,600 CRA accounts were targeted in what the federal government describes as “credential stuffing” schemes, where hackers used

The suspension of CRA’s online services comes as large numbers of Canadians are still using the revenue agency’s website to access financial support related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Until the online service is made secure, Canadians can still apply for benefit programs by calling 1-800-959-8281.