Kevin Northup has been a reporter and news anchor for more than 15 years. He is based in Yarmouth and covers stories locally and across Nova Scotia. Contact Kevin at northupk@radioabl.ca.
Yarmouth Recreation wants to hear about volunteerism.
Nominations are open for their 52nd annual Volunteer Awards.
Community Engagement Officer Jillian Comeau says they’re looking to recognize people who make the community better.
“There are so many groups and individuals in the area that really work hard at getting jobs done and volunteering in the community, so we want to hear about them,” said Comeau.
One volunteer from the town and one from the municipality will be chosen as provincial volunteer award recipients.
The rest will be honoured at a ceremony in the fall.
“There are a lot of things that can’t happen without volunteers, so getting together on one night a year is a small way to celebrate all of their accomplishments.”
Nominations close April 26, at the end of Volunteer Week.
The province says the door is open for discussions with First Nations leaders on cannabis.
Last Thursday, April 2, members of First Nations communities blocked key highways for several hours.
The protests were over RCMP raids of cannabis storefronts on First Nations.
Tensions are high, First Nations say it’s their Treaty right to sell cannabis on their lands.
Justice minister Scott Armstrong says they’re always open to meeting, but there are policies in place.
“We have a policy where First Nations can actively participate in cannabis sales at NSLC locations, with proceeds going back to the bands. We’re willing to have discussions on that, and other policies,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong says the province strongly supports the RCMP and their actions on illegal cannabis.
“The Cannabis Control Act is the law of the land in Nova Scotia. The Cannabis Act is the law of the land across Canada. Health Canada produced cannabis products are the only legal ones across the country.”
Armstrong was asked what it will take to resolve tensions.
“We’ll have to work on that together. I think the onus is on all leadership to work together to try and find a solution to all of these issues. The issue of public health and safety for young people is a priority.”
Premier Houston issued a lengthy statement over Easter weekend, saying blocking a highway or road is never acceptable.
He said they are ready to work together to address the drug crisis, but they are not prepared to accept the status quo.
Several RCMP cars are parked outside of a cannabis store along Highway 4 in Potlotek First Nation on Thursday. PHOTO: ACADIA BROADCASTING
3 arrested after RCMP vehicles damaged
Meanwhile, RCMP say two men, aged 33 and 30 from Potlotek and a 19-year-old man from River Bourgeois were arrested in relation to mischief Thursday.
This was after several police vehicles were damaged during the protests in Potlotek, RCMP say seven vehicles had damage of some kind, including broken windows and flat tires.
Police say no charges have been laid.
Potlotek First Nation released a statement condemning the vandalism, and asked anyone with information to come forward.
The First Nation said the raid Thursday caused fear, and what followed was a powerful demonstration of unity and solidarity across the community.
When will construction on the Chignecto Isthmus begin?
An agreement was struck last year for climate change improvements to the trade route between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Cumberland North independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin says the Houston government talked about a ten-year timeline in 2021, and work still hasn’t begun.
During Question Period Tuesday, she asked Public Works minister Fred Tilley for a clear completion date, and says we can’t afford any more delays.
“The storms are coming, high tides are coming, and it will cost a lot more to try and do the repair work after the damage is done,” said Smith-McCrossin.
Tilley says they recognize the importance of the Isthmus, as $94 billion in goods cross it each year.
But it’s not known what will be uncovered when work starts.
“To put a firm date on a project that could potentially change, it’s not prudent to do that, because we don’t know what we’re going to face,” said Tilley.
He pointed to a recent example of the Avon River Aboiteau, which got the federal green light last week, six years after the initial application.
Tilley says they’re continuing work with New Brunswick and Ottawa on planning and collecting data, and they will get it done.
Nova Scotia has $1 million in the budget this year for the project.
Yarmouth mayor Pam Mood is excited for the area to host.
She expects provincial budget cuts to be a topic.
“How do we manage? Because budgets have been cut. What are other municipalities doing? That’s a benefit of conferences like this, and we do it twice a year, we learn from each other,” said mayor Mood.
Some agenda items include success stories, stormwater strategies, an update on a policing review and the use of AI.
“You don’t have to be right next door to each other to benefit from what other units are doing. We’re looking at the best way forward for what we’re all going through right now.”
Mood hopes all local councillors take part.
“We’re thrilled to have our colleagues in Yarmouth, and we’ll get to discuss all the big issues right here at home.”
It’s a website with everything you need to know about Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties.
Station manager Eric Whynot says they wanted to turn the mirror on the community.
“And make a website that is 100 percent focused on everything that is happening in the Tri-Counties, that’s why we’ve come up with this approach,” said Whynot.
You’ll find news, sports, entertainment and more from staff and community contributors.
Whynot says it’s about the people who live, play and work in our communities.
“The contributors will write a blog or article that will show up on our website weekly or monthly. These are real people that live in the area that want to share their experiences with our website viewers.”
Y95-CJLS is still featured on the site, with a link to listen live, announcer blogs and local news.
“With the growth of smart speakers and streaming services, being able to supply our broadcast to your home, it was important to not lose that connection on this new website,” added Whynot.
If you’re interested in becoming a contributor, there is a contact drop down on ‘Your Tri-Counties.’
The interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health is staying on, for now.
Karen Oldfield’s contract was extended on March 31, as the search for a permanent hire begins.
Oldfield has been in the role since 2021, when Premier Tim Houston and his new PC government fired the previous CEO and health board.
Health minister Michelle Thompson says they want to make sure there’s a good transition period.
“This is just the normal course of things. We will go out to a search, and Ms. Oldfield will remain for the next foreseeable bit,” said Thompson.
Thompson said the extension would be over ‘several months,’ as they search for the next CEO.
“We’ll be looking at different skill sets, it’s all human resources work. I don’t think we want to pre-determine what people’s experiences have been. Ms. Oldfield has been an incredible CEO and has accomplished a lot of incredible things during her time here.”
Meanwhile, NDP leader Claudia Chender says the fact Oldfield is still in the role is concerning.
“The Nova Scotia Health Authority needs to go back to being what it had always been, and running an independent, non-partisan healthcare system,” said Chender.
She says a permanent CEO is needed with healthcare credentials, that is not a Tory-partisan.
