N.S. further relaxes COVID-19 public health restrictions, pushes harder on vaccines

Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is further reducing COVID-19 public health orders this week, and the province’s top public health doctor is calling on citizens to stop hesitating on getting the Moderna vaccine. During yesterday’s briefing, Dr. Robert Strang said Nova Scotia will begin its fourth phase of reopening on Wednesday. Dr. Strang says the decision is tied to strong COVID-19 vaccine uptake and low, new daily case numbers. Under the new rules, retail stores can operate at full capacity, churches and other venues can operate at half capacity or with a maximum of 150 people, and up to 50 people can attend outdoor family gatherings.

Other restrictions that will end on Wednesday include capacity limits for dance classes, music lessons and indoor play spaces. Organized sports practices, games, league play, competitions and recreation programs can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors without physical distancing. Day camps can operate with 30 campers per group plus staff and volunteers, following the day camp guidelines. In addition, professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances can involve up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors without physical distancing. Meanwhile, fully vaccinated residents of long-term care homes can now have visitors in their rooms and visit their family’s homes, including for overnight stays.

One new case of COVID-19 was reported in the province on Monday, as the active number of cases in the province rises to 37. The new case was identified in the Eastern zone and involves a close contact of a previously reported case. (With files from the Canadian Press)

 

B.C. First Nation says more than 160 unmarked graves found

The Kuper Island Industrial School on Penelakut Island, B.C., is seen in an image from Library and Archives Canada dated June 19, 1941.

There’s been another discovery of unmarked graves at a former residential school in B.C. The Penelakut Tribe in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands says it has found more than 160 “undocumented and unmarked” graves in the area, which was also once home to the Kuper Island Residential School.  The school operated from 1890 to the 1970s. (With files from CBC)

 

Man from Pictou County charged with child pornography offences

RCMP have charged a Pictou County man for child pornography offences, after searching a home in Hillside on July 8th. The RCMP’s provincial ICE Unit searched a home in Hillside, assisted by the RCMP’s Digital Forensic Services Unit, along with the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, and Pictou County District RCMP. The investigation began in March 2021, after receiving information from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre. 22 year old Andrew Langley was arrested at his home without incident. He has been charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Transmitting Child Pornography. Langley was released on a number of strict conditions and will next appear in Pictou Provincial Court on September 13, 2021.

In Nova Scotia, it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. This means that anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Child and Family Services Act. The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to your local police or by using Canada’s National tipline for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca

 

N.S. Government announces $6 Million investment in school upgrades and repairs

Schools across Nova Scotia will get additional repairs and upgrades to extend the lives of buildings and facilities, with $6 million in funding from the province. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development says the projects include energy efficiency improvements, new windows and repairs to building walls, foundations, roofs, windows and doors, enhancements to parking and transportation flow at schools, and exterior and interior repairs, including new roofs, facade upgrades and painting. Overall, 26 projects are being funded in all seven regional centres for education and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, including improvements to old locker rooms at Thorburn Consolidated School. The provincial government says these investments are in addition to the $25 million investment announced by the provincial and federal governments in June.

Nova Scotia is launching a community-led justice institute to support Black Nova Scotians who interact with the legal system. Premier Iain Rankin and African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Tony Ince announced a $4.8-million investment to create the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute on Monday. The institute is an initiative of the non-profit African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition, they said, adding that the centre will include programs aimed at reducing the over-representation of Black citizens in the justice system. It will be set up over the next year and run eight programs, including on race and cultural assessments for courts, data collection and policing accountability. There will also be an African Nova Scotian court-support program as well as programs for community justice legal defence and for reintegration. (The Canadian Press)

The provincial government has announced it’s investing $1 million in COVID-19 related emergency support for non-profit owned and operated recreation facilities across Nova Scotia.  Due to public health restrictions, many recreation facilities were closed, resulting in significant revenue loss. The province says the fund will assist with operational expenses to ensure that facilities can continue to operate or to reopen. Government says the emergency investment is a one-time, application-based program based on proven need. Communities, Culture and Heritage will contribute $800,000 to the emergency fund while the Office of Mental Health will contribute $200,000.

 

MOPC flushing hydrants this week in a number of areas***UPDATED***

Due to unforeseen circumstances, hydrant flushing will not take place this week.  The Municipality of Pictou County says new dates for flushing will be announced at a later time.