Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s high-profile jump from the federal Conservatives to the Liberals has sparked chatter across the region. An Acadia University political scientist speculates that Chris d’Entremont’s decision to cross the floor was due in part to feeling marginalized by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.  Alex Marland says these decisions depend heavily on a politician’s relationship with their party leader.  D’Entremont told reporters he didn’t feel his values as a so-called red Tory were reflected in the current Conservative caucus, and he did not feel aligned with what he called the party’s negative approach.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre calls the defection disappointing, but says his party remains focused.

 

 

Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his first federal budget as an aggressive plan to steer Canada through global economic turbulence and trade uncertainty.

The spending plan includes targeted affordability measures, new green-transition investments and updated fiscal projections.

Opposition parties argue that the budget lacks a clear path to restore affordability for working families.

Carney says the government is focused on stable, long-term growth, even as global volatility persists.

 

 

The Nova Scotia finance minister says he’s happy that the federal budget makes mention of the Wind West project.  The project proposes offshore wind turbines that could provide a quarter of Canada’s total demand for electricity.  The federal budget, tabled Tuesday, says Wind West could be transformative for the country, and directs the review process to the Major Projects Office.  Provincial Finance Minister John Lohr says the province looks forward to Wind West being included in the next round of approved major projects.

 

 

New Glasgow Regional Police report that a 28-year old woman from Pictou County, who was reported missing on Tuesday, has been located safe. Police thank the public for assisting with tips and shares on social media.

 

 

The Province is set to expand 16 parks and protected areas across Nova Scotia. In a statement, two government departments say it will be a build out of 12-hundred hectares of natural areas to fight climate change.  The Department of Natural Resources has designated 11 sites under the Provincial Parks Act for expansion — all are already managed as provincial parks.  Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Climate Change will designate a new nature reserve, expand another reserve and build out three wilderness areas that include habitats for at-risk species.

 

 

In sports

In the Maritime Junior Hockey league, the Crushers host the Grand Falls Rapids tonight at 7:00pm.