Nova Scotians with mood and anxiety disorders will have more access to mental healthcare at no cost in the coming months.

The provincial government is building the province’s first mental health and addictions publicly funded insured services program. The first phase will boost access to non-urgent mental healthcare by publicly funding private-sector professionals.

The Province has issued a request for proposals to secure a billing administrator for the program. The next step will be identifying the professionals – which will include master’s level social workers, master’s and PhD psychologists, and registered counselling therapists – to provide non-urgent mental healthcare for eligible Nova Scotians experiencing mood and anxiety disorders.

The Province is making an initial $10-million investment in the new program, which aims to be ready this spring. Nova Scotians who call the provincial intake line will be assessed and could be eligible to be covered for mental health support.

 

 

Federal Cabinet Minister Anita Anand says interprovincial trade barriers in Canada could be removed within a month. Speaking at the Port of Halifax, Anand expressed optimism after an emergency meeting last week between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers. She said the threat of new U.S. tariffs has increased the urgency to tackle these barriers, which could lower prices, boost productivity, and add up to $200 billion to the domestic economy. Anand believes the momentum is strong, and that the government is ready to act quickly to improve trade between provinces.

 

 

The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged a Bible Hill man with child pornography offences. 

On December 12, 2024, the ICE Unit and Digital Forensic Services, assisted by Colchester County District RCMP, searched a home on Pictou Rd. and seized electronic evidence. 

Investigators were directed to the residence after an electronic service provider notified law enforcement that child pornography was being shared using their service. 

As a result of the search and subsequent investigation, 48-year-old Adam Franklin was arrested on February 4 and charged with Transmitting Child Pornography and 2 counts of Possessing Child Pornography.

Franklin, who’s also facing a previous charge of Invitation to Sexual Touching, was released by the courts on conditions. He’s scheduled to appear in Truro Provincial Court on March 12.

 

 

In sports, The Pictou County Weeks Crushers face the summer side western Capitals tonight at the PCWC.