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.
St. Stephen’s boil water order remains in effect as crews work to stabilize the community’s drinking water system.
In an update issued Monday, the Municipal District of St. Stephen reported that water at the Maxwell Crossing pump station is starting to return to normal, but cloudy water and sediment are still moving through the system.
The municipality said the issue began when water moved from Maxwell Crossing through the Valley Road Reservoir and into town, pushing sediment levels above acceptable limits.
Public Works staff are working to prevent further problems, but the municipality said it will take time for the water to settle throughout the system.
Testing cannot begin until sediment levels drop enough to allow accurate results, according to the municipality.
The Department of Health requires several rounds of clean test results, taken over specific timeframes, before the boil order can be lifted.
The municipality also noted that holiday schedules may affect how quickly testing facilities can process samples, making it unclear whether the order could be lifted this week.
The boil water order will stay in place until the issue is resolved.
The Municipal District of St. Stephen said another update will be provided on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting the President of Ukraine in Halifax
He’s talking with Volodymyr Zelenskyy Saturday afternoon.
The two world leaders spoke with reporters ahead of the meeting.
“Under president Zelenskyy’s leadership, we have the conditions, the possibility for a just and lasting peace, but that requires a willing Russia,” said Prime Minister Carney.
The attack we saw in Kyiv overnight, it shows how important it is to stand with Ukraine during this difficult time, and that we create the conditions for lasting peace and a true reconstruction.”
The two spoke on Boxing Day by phone, the Prime Minister’s office says they discussed the latest development in ongoing peace talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war, which has been on since 2022.
Carney commended Zelenskyy for his ‘continued efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine.’
Carney’s office say they remain engaged, and affirmed Canada’s commitment to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a 20-point plan for peace.
This morning, I spoke with President @ZelenskyyUA about ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.
As Ukrainians face another winter of Russian aggression, I reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to Ukraine, and the need to maintain pressure on Russia to negotiate.
A new report spotlights a poor Canadian performance in women’s health.
The report from Deloitte and the IWK Foundation in Halifax says the country is the fifth worst globally when it comes to addressing gaps.
And only seven percent of research focuses specifically on women.
IWK Foundation president Jennifer Gillivan says it’s time for action.
“We have the doctors, we have the researchers, some of them are the best in the world. We just need a national strategy to pull this together,” said Gillivan.
The report recommends a national women’s health chair to lead a strategy, and committing to a 10-year investment plan.
Gillivan says Canada can be a world-wide leader.
“We don’t have to re-invent the wheel, and we could be so much farther ahead in a couple of years. It’s not just about money, it’s about the will and priority setting.”
She says the recommendations would drive meaningful and lasting change, and urges governments to act.
Nova Scotian MP Chris d’Entremont was booed at a Remembrance Day service.
It happened at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 21 in Annapolis Royal.
This comes after d’Entremont crossed the floor from the opposition Conservatives to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals last week.
In a written statement, Legion president Angela Amiro says at least three members of the audience booed as d’Entremont laid the federal wreath.
Amiro says the conduct disrespected everyone in attendance, including veterans.
She said there’s a time and place to express an opinion, and a Remembrance Day service is not one of those times.
Statement from Branch 21 of Royal Canadian Legion in Annapolis Royal (Facebook)
Conservatives are worried, says political science professor
Meanwhile, a political science professor says it could be an interesting week away from Parliament Hill.
Dr. Tom Urbaniak wonders if more Conservative MPs will consider crossing the floor.
He says MPs are back in their ridings this week.
“They’ll be speaking with constituents, and farther away from the control of Conservative Party leadership. I’m very much watching what happens this week,” said Urbaniak, a political scientist at Cape Breton University.
D’Entremont submitted his resignation last week after the budget was presented, that put Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government two seats away from a majority.
Later in the week, Conservative Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux resigned, saying he wants to spend more time with family.
Urbaniak says it’s a concerning time for the Conservatives.
“They’re clearly in panic mode, or at least very worried. They are trying to do whatever they can to stop more MPs from leaving.”
Urbaniak says he wasn’t surprised at d’Entremont’s move, as he clearly wasn’t comfortable with Pierre Poilievre’s ‘aggressive’ leadership style.
He predicts d’Entremont will carry over support from his political career to the Liberals.
“He has built up trust in his riding throughout his political career, he won the vote narrowly in the last election, but he was elected because he’s Chris d’Entremont, not because he’s running on Pierre Poilievre’s ticket.”
Urbaniak says d’Entremont’s description of harassment from the Conservatives after his decision to cross, if true, should worry Canadians.
The Conservatives have denied d’Entremont’s accusations.
A Nova Scotian MP hopes those who voted for him as a Conservative, can forgive him.
Chris d’Entremont of Acadie-Annapolis crossed the floor, and joined the Liberals Tuesday night after the budget was presented.
Reflecting on his decision, he says it took months of research and soul-searching.
“It wasn’t an easy choice, I know I’ve disappointed many people, but I’ve received very positive comments from many others. We’re going to continue to move forward and prove that this is the best move for Acadie-Annapolis,” said d’Entremont in a phone interview with Acadia News.
Floor crossing ‘shocking’ to many in Acadie-Annapolis
D’Entremont says many are ‘bewildered’ over his decision, and social media has taken on a life of its own.
But he’s looking forward to returning to Nova Scotia and having conversations.
“It’s going to take a while and a lot of talking, I’m looking forward to being back home and explaining this.
People trust in their MPs to make decisions on their behalf. I believe I did it for the right reasons, for the riding.”
For those who worked on his campaign, d’Entremont says he’s in the process of reaching out to them.
“I hope at some point they can forgive me, but they know that we heard from folks on doorsteps during the last election that wanted to vote for me, but couldn’t vote for Pierre Poilievre and the party. That resonated in my head. I could not continue to support his type of leadership and negativity that comes from that side of the house, it solidifies even more that I’ve made the right decision.”
Conservatives say move fueled by loss of Deputy Speaker vote
The Conservatives issued a statement Tuesday, saying d’Entremont let his own personal grievances of not being elected Deputy Speaker factor into his defection.
d’Entremont denied that claim, and says it’s about building his riding, and moving away from their leadership style.
“They (Conservatives) don’t have Canadians in mind. They have taken on such an American, negative, ‘MAGA’ feel, that I did not recognize my party.
I’ve always been a red Tory throughout my career, and I don’t feel they represent that anymore.”
The move gave Prime Minister Mark Carney another seat in the House, the Liberals are now two seats away from a majority.
When asked about others in the Conservative Party potentially following his lead:
“I know there are a number of Canadians that are not liking that style of leadership, but I’ll let other members, if that comes along, tell their stories. For me, it was time to decide whether to deliver for my riding, or to sit and complain.”
Click play below to hear reporter Kevin Northup’s full interview with Chris d’Entremont.
