GROUPS TO RESPOND TO NORTHERN PULP FOCUS REPORT TODAY
Photo: © Provided by Canadian Press Enterprises Inc
The major stakeholders in the Northern Pulp issue are planning to put a public face on their plans today. People representing the Town of Pictou, Pictou Landing First Nation, the Fishermen’s Working Group, representing 3000 fishermen from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI, and Friends of the Northumberland Strait (FONS) will present their main findings on Northern Pulp’s Focus Report during a joint press conference at the Decoste Centre at 11 o’clock morning. The Focus Report was mandated by the provincial environment department to fill in critical information that it said was missing from Northern Pulp’s original documents. The Northern Pulp plan is to release up to 85 million litres of treated effluent into the fishing grounds of the Northumberland Strait – and it’s been a divisive topic since it was first introduced almost two years ago. Meanwhile, there’s news that Northern Pulp and an associated company owe the province more than $85 million. While the company and province have acknowledged the existence of outstanding debts to the taxpayer, neither have been willing to disclose the amounts. The Chronicle Herald -Saltwire News has received the details on the interest-bearing loans via a Freedom of Information request and has published that $85 million dollar figure this week.
HOME SALES UP IN PROVINCE
Home sales are up in Nova Scotia, and so are prices. The latest numbers show more than one-thousand Nova Scotian homes found new owners during the month of October. (To be exact, 1044 homes were sold across the province last month) That’s a 17 per cent increase in home sales compared to the month before. 530 of those home sales were in the non-Halifax counties, and 514 homes changed hands in Halifax and its suburbs. As a result of that healthy demand, home prices province-wide are up by about 7 per cent.
LOCAL WINNERS OF SPARK INNOVATION CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED
Two Pictou County tenants from Ignite Labs Inc. (IGNITE) have won a total of $75,000 in the Spark Innovation Challenge. This challenge is focused on supporting startups in smaller communities across Nova Scotia who are doing amazing things but aren’t always noticed. Green Oil Solutions is a sustainable innovation company based in Pictou County, and last night, they won third place and a $35,000 prize for their filtration technology that separates oil and water for use on commercial fishing vessels. Cultivated Eco Systems, a zero waste Ag-tech company ALSO based in Pictou County, has won second place and a $40,000 prize for their soil pro-biotic that stabilizes hostile soil conditions to increase crop yields and plant growth. Angie VanKessel is the company co-founder, and she says “At Cultivated Eco Systems, we are proud to be a woman run, zero waste, Ag-tech company based in rural Pictou County. Teaming up with IGNITE and now being Spark winners has really helped us on our mission to bring our product across Canada and eventually, the world.” IGNITE is known as Nova Scotia’s rural innovation hub, and is happy to be providing mentorship and opportunities for these small firms to create and grow. IGNITE encourages everyone to explore entrepreneurship as a career path without restrictions, especially those in rural areas. By supporting these startups, IGNITE says it hopes to grown Nova Scotia’s culture of innovation.
The Lionel Desmond inquiry has been delayed until January 27th. Despite all sides being ready to go ahead in Guysborough yesterday, one of the lawyers was just recently hired, and the judge agreed it wasn’t fair to have the sessions get underway without enough legal preparation time. It’s hoped a detailed examination of the issues causing Desmond to take his own life, and the lives of his family members, will shed some light on mental health issues for Canadian Forces members.
About 3,200 Canadian National Railway conductors, train personnel and yard workers hit the bricks overnight after the union and company failed to reach a deal by the union’s midnight deadline.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says the union is still talking with CN in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement to end the strike.
The union has said passenger rail services into Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver will not be affected by the walkout.
Without a contract since July, workers are concerned about long hours, fatigue, and alleged dangerous working conditions they fear will only worsen with C-N’s plan to cut jobs.
Mayor Danny MacGillivray says the Town of Stellarton is mixing information with fun during this Local Government Awareness Week. Staff and council from the Town of Stellarton will be getting out into the community to connect with folks. You can also win some nice prizes by answering the daily local government trivia questions via Facebook and Twitter from today until Friday. Also this week, students from GR Saunders are ready to act as town councillors in a mock council meeting – which will be livestreamed.
PICTOU COUNTY UNITED WAY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL CHARITIES
The United Way is now accepting applications for the 2020 funding period from local charities serving Pictou County. Executive Director Ellen Fanning says anyone needing information on funding guidelines, applications, or additional information should contact the local United Way office. The deadline for all applications is Monday, January 6th at 4:00 pm.
SPORTS:
NBA: The Toronto Raptors were on fire last night, O-G Anunoby had 24 points in Toronto’s 132-96 romp over the Charlotte Hornets.
NFL: Phillip Rivers threw 4 INTs on Monday night football, giving the game to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a 24-17 win over the LA Chargers.
Pictou County Gymnastics Club will be holding open registration for their upcoming Winter session today and tomorrow from 4-8 pm.(both days). Classes available for all ages and skill levels. Programs for Toddlers, Preschoolers, School Age, Teens and Adults. No experience necessary. Registration taking place at the club, (PCGC), 558 South Frederick St, New Glasgow.
10th Annual OLIVER HUDSON GRAHAM MEMORIAL“CANCER SUCKS CUP” with fundraising games happening at the Trenton Rink Dec. 19th, 22nd, and 23rd. See the full schedule and link for online donations on our events section. Monetary donations will be used to purchase gas and grocery cards for families of sick children on the 6-Link floor of the IWK Children’s Hospital & at Ronald McDonald House Atlantic.
