There was no change overnight in gasoline prices in Nova Scotia, while diesel prices decreased by 3.6 cents per litre. The minimum pump price for regular self-serve gasoline remains at 158.3 cents per litre in the local area. The minimum pump price for diesel is 186.2 cents per litre locally.

 

 

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Ottawa will suspend its second wave of retaliatory tariffs on 125-billion dollars of U-S products until April 2nd.

U-S President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pause some of his duties on Canada and reduce potash tariffs to 10 per cent.

Details of Trump’s order read out in the Oval Office link the tariff relief to maintaining the flow of automobile parts but it’s not immediately clear exactly what is being included in the exemptions.

Before the pause, LeBlanc told C-N-N he was optimistic that at some point there will be a way to resolve trade issues with the U-S without the need for tariffs.

 

 

Premier Tim Houston did not get unanimous consent in the legislature for a resolution calling on Ottawa to condemn any national political leader who opposes energy infrastructure projects amid the trade war with the United States.

Tim Houston singled out Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, who last month said he was “fiercely opposed” to running energy pipelines through his province in response to the impact of U-S tariffs.

His resolution also called on Ottawa to prioritize and streamline approvals for oil and natural gas infrastructure projects in order to bolster Nova Scotia’s domestic and export capabilities.

The premier’s motion called for no debate, and that was opposed by the Opposition New Democrats, meaning the resolution was tabled and could be subject to further debate should Houston choose to bring it back before the legislature.

 

 

Members of Nova Scotia’s civil service have voted overwhelmingly to reject the provincial government’s latest contract offer. The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says 99 per cent of members who voted rejected an offer the union’s bargaining committee had recommended be turned down.

The union says the government’s offer included significant concessions to important job security language as well as a wage package that doesn’t reflect the current state of the economy or the impact of inflation.

The union says it will meet with the bargaining committee to determine next steps that will include an application to the Labour Board to move the process to arbitration – an application can be made as early as next week.

 

 

The Town of New Glasgow has scheduled a series of programs and activities for residents during the March Break next week. They include a free skate on Monday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Pictou County’s Wellness Centre; and a Winter Guided Night Walk on Wednesday at 6:00pm at Roy Island Trail.

 

 

In sports,

In the Maritime Junior Hockey League, the Pictou County Weeks Crushers beat the Amherst Ramblers 9-2. The teams battle again tonight at 7:00pm at the Wellness Centre.