There was no change in regular gasoline prices overnight in Nova Scotia, while premium gasoline prices rose by 1.9 cents per litre and diesel prices went up by 0.7 (7-10ths of a cent) cents per litre.  The minimum pump price for regular self-serve gasoline remains 165.0 cents per litre in the local area.   The minimum pump price for diesel is 193.7 cents per litre locally.

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A new session of the Nova Scotia legislature opens today with a speech from the throne.

The speech will be delivered by Lieutenant-Governor Mike Savage, who was sworn in during a ceremony in December.

The Progressive Conservatives, led by Premier Tim Houston, hold 43 seats in the 55-seat legislature.

The New Democratic Party has nine seats, there are two Liberals and one Independent.

 

 

Nova Scotia Liberals are calling on Tim Houston’s government to strengthen the province’s economy in a quick and decisive manner.  In a letter, the Liberals say they intend to introduce a suite of bills aimed at strengthening the economy, increasing accountability, and providing support to Nova Scotians.  The Liberals are calling on the premier to pass the bills with speed to ensure economic stability as U-S tariffs continue to cause uncertainty in the market.  Trade Critic Iain Rankin says the stakes are too high for the province’s leaders to be mired in partisanship.

 

 

Nova Scotia’s Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc says the province intends to build 242 new public housing units as part of its capital plan.  LeBlanc says the 2.4-billion dollar plan will see the construction of the housing units at a cost of 136.4-million dollars.  The capital plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year nearly doubles the number of new public housing units planned.  Finance Minister John Lohr says the provincial wait-list for public housing is well over seven thousand people — calling it the main reason why the government is building more units.

 

 

The New Glasgow Fire Department and Town of New Glasgow warn residents to stay off the ice due to risks associated with breaking ice on the East River.  They caution that the East River is a tidal river that flows into the Pictou Harbour. The tide activity results in the ice along the banks of the river becoming very unstable and uneven.

 

 

In sports,

In the Maritime Junior Hockey League, the Pictou County Weeks Crushers host Amherst tonight at 7:00pm.

At the Invictus Games in Whistler, BC, Colin Chabassol of Pictou County and his teammates on Canada’s Wheelchair Rugby team lost 17-20 to Team Unconquered 2, and 24-5 to France.