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Caitlin Snow

About Caitlin Snow

Caitlin Snow is a multi-award-winning news anchor and reporter who started in the radio business 20 years ago. Roles included working in a helicopter delivering up to date traffic and news in Alberta. She is based in Halifax, reporting and broadcasting stories across Nova Scotia. Contact Caitlin at snowc@radioabl.ca.

Posts by Caitlin Snow:

halifax waterfront

Chamber of commerce says U.S. midterms bring hope to business community

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The CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce says the business community is feeling hope after the democrats swept the U.S. midterm elections.

Democrats gained more than 30 seats Tuesday, giving them a solid majority in the House of Representatives. Key wins were in North and South Carolina, Texas, Ohio and Kansas.

In an interview with Acadia News on Thursday, Don Bureaux says since President Donald Trump was elected, it’s been a time of uncertainty – but now there could be a shift.

“There’s feeling that even in the past 48 hours that with this change in the political landscape in the United States, that the U.S. may be coming to the table with a more, shall we say, fair deal for both sides,” says Bureaux.

He says there is a big sigh of relief that come the new year – when the winners of the election are sworn in – there may be more predictability with what’s happening south of the border.

Since Trump took office, he’s implemented a slew of tariffs.

But it was in August when friction between Canada and the U.S. reached at an all-time high after a trade war was ignited when a deal collapsed. Ottawa says what was offered threatened our country’s sovereignty.

However, now Bureaux says there’s been a number of comments that our prime minister is on the right track, making sure we sign the right agreement.

“There is recognition that some of the trade policies that have been put forward over the past couple of years may be tampered own,” explains Bureaux.

But as for the days of true free trade that we had for many decades, “we think those days are gone.”

-with files from Randy Thoms

Cell phone not working 2

Halifax bans photos, videos in certain areas of rec facilities

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The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has new policy for recreation facilities that bans photos, videos and broadcasting from change rooms, washrooms and registration areas where finances may be visible.

In a news release, the city says it’s to protect privacy and safety while allowing residents to “capture their experiences.”

Photos and videos are allowed in arenas, gyms and multi-purpose rooms, however, for pool and fitness areas, you need approval from staff.

For those who do not comply, HRM says, they will be asked to stop and possibly leave the facility. If there is more than one offence, there may be further action.

There will be signs installed in the coming weeks.

sperm whale

Young sperm whale dead after stranding on Cape Breton coast

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A young male sperm whale is dead after it was stranded alive on the eastern coast of Cape Breton, in an incident the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) calls, “exceptionally unusual.”

MARS says the whale was found on Thursday of last week in Rockdale. Despite multiple attempts to return the whale to deeper water, he kept getting stranded.

The response society says finding a young whale this far north is an extremely rare occurrence, considering females and younger whales typically stay in warmer, lower-latitude waters.

The whale was 14 feet and 5 inches long, about 2,500 lbs and may have been less than a year old and still dependent on its mother.

“Sperm whale calves typically remain with their mothers for several years, making the presence of such a young animal in northern waters particularly remarkable,” says the post.

After the whale died, he was taken to the MARS Lab in Seaforth on Saturday for a full necropsy, but no obvious cause of death was found.

MARS thanks Fisheries and Oceans Canada including conservation and protection officers or trying to get the whale to float.

“We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and resources to this challenging response.”

Police Vehicle Lights

Potlotek man facing 8 charges after building evacuated

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A man from Potlotek is facing eight charges after a building was evacuated and firearms were seized.

RCMP say it started late afternoon on Monday when officers received a report that a person with a firearm was inside a unit on New Subdivision Road.

Those in the building were evacuated out of caution when the man was seen holding a firearm inside that was believed to be loaded.

The 36-year-old who was on conditions, did not comply with law enforcement until officers were able to enter the building.

He was arrested just before 10 p.m. and a .308 rifle and ammunition were seized.

The suspect remains in custody and will appear in court for a second time at a later date facing charges including Careless Use of Firearm (two counts), other weapons offences, and Failure to Comply with Undertaking (three counts).

Amazonhub

‘First of its kind’ robotics Amazon facility breaks ground in Dartmouth to create 1K jobs

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More than 1,000 jobs will be created in a new Amazon robotics facility in Dartmouth that the company said will be the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.

Political officials and business leaders were on hand at the Burnside location Wednesday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Amazon said it is a Generation 14 robotics facility, which means employees will be working alongside the “most advanced technology in the network”.

It’s expected to speed up delivery and have more selection.

Brooks Barnett at the groundbreaking ceremony for an Amazon facility in Dartmouth. PHOTO: Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting.

“I think Haligonians and people across the region will be really happy with faster ship times, much more product selection and local products also available on our shelves,” said Brooks Barnett, Head of Economic Development with Amazon Canada.

But will there be same-day delivery?

“I will say this,” said Barnett. “Once a site like this is built out and fully operational, we tend to see much faster service overall and a broader product selection.”

Enhanced technology..

The facility will be a robotic one with enhanced technology working alongside employees at the new Amazon hub.

Barnett said it’s to help workers do their job better.

“We believe very firmly that safety is of paramount importance that helps our employees do their job in a way that is safe and productive,” said Barnett.

Groundbreaking for an Amazon facility in Dartmouth. PHOTO: Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting.

Why Halifax?

Not only does the port play a big role in why Halifax was chosen for the location, but Barnett said there is a growing customer base.

“It’s a welcoming and open business environment that says ‘yes’ to national and international investment,” explained Barnett.

Houston optimistic

Premier Tim Houston said Nova Scotia is open for business.

“Some of the biggest employers in the world are taking notice and investing in our province,” said Houston.

He said considering how many jobs will be created means Nova Scotia is on the move.

“This is just another example of the momentum that we have as a province right now,” said Houston.

The whole project is expected to take about four years.

Cellphone on a computer

Province warns of courthouse scam through text message

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The provincial government is warning about a scam circulating through text messages that says you must appear in court due to an outstanding traffic citation.

In a screen shot posted to social media, the Nova Scotia Government shows the text that says if you fail to show up there may be consequences.

“Suspension of your driving privileges, vehicle impoundment and asset seizure – without further notice.”

The text then instructs you to respond by replying with “G” to reopen the message or clink on the provided link.

The province says the courts do not send text reminders and that it is a phishing scam.

You are asked to delete the text and do not respond.

assekereh1

Court case for man accused in Halifax bomb threat case pushed

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Another delay for the bomb threat court case in Halifax has the crown concerned about how many time it’s been pushed back.

It was August 9th when police originally learned of the threat from 54-year-old Ali Assakereh outside the U.S. consulate downtown Halifax that brought traffic to a standstill for hours.

He appeared in court Monday, when defence lawyer Kristyn Stevens asked to delay election or plea again because of new charges added on October 22 of hoax terrorism threats.

But crown prosecutor Lee-Ann Conrod says the facts are still the same.

“We were hoping that the matter would move forward today,” said Conrod outside the courtroom.

Delays in the case have been ongoing since September.

Assakereh is facing charges for public mischief, uttering threats and threats against an internationally protected person.

He is now set to return to court November 30th for election or plea.

uriah black

Halifax homicide added to major crimes reward program

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Up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the homicide of Uriah Lemar Black.

The province says the case has been added to the major crimes reward program.

It was February 20, 2025, when police responded to a report of an injured man on McFatridge Road in Halifax. When officers arrived on scene, Uriah Lemar Black was suffering from a gunshot wound.

He was taken to hospital when he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090.

People who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Nova Scotia at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

house keys on keychain

Halifax councillor says new housing directive from N.S. could cause slew of challenges

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A Halifax councillor says a new directive from the province to build more housing could open up a Pandora’s Box of challenges.

The province says new rules introduced October 28, will remove barriers to housing development. There are amendments to permit more residential units of “comparable scale” like apartments, in zones for things like hotels, long-term care homes and similar overnight accommodations.

“Nova Scotia needs more housing, and these changes help build it. They support new housing in rural communities, make it easier to use new building approaches like mass timber and improve emergency access for existing communities,” said John White, Minister of Housing. “By removing barriers to new housing, we’re helping more Nova Scotians find a place to call home.”

However, Kathryn Morse says council already approved zoning changes to allow for tens of thousands of housing units to be built within the municipal service boundary.

“But in this latest directive, the Houston government is forcing HRM to allow more housing in areas where the municipality is building new roads for emergency egress routes in case of wildfire,” says Morse in a post on social media.

She says those roads were meant to be gravel to only be used in emergencies.

According to the province, HRM must adopt these changes by January 15, 2027, and update its planning documents by June 30, 2027, to:

  • remove restrictions that would limit eligible conservation design developments based on start of construction or the date the lot was created
  • enable residential development and subdivisions in areas where the strategic creation of new public streets would improve connectivity and emergency egress routes for existing communities.
  • remove certain design requirements that can be a barrier to building mass timber residential buildings up to 12 storeys.

Morse says the city has been trying to encourage new development within existing boundaries for efficiency of services.

“Building new housing within the existing municipal service boundary typically requires less new infrastructure and therefore a lower tax burden,” says Morse.

She says although this directive may open up areas to developers, it will likely rise costs for residents and municipality

In October 2025, Nova Scotia scrapped HRM’s Regional Plan saying it didn’t go far enough to enable density and affordability and would make housing less affordable in the future.

The province says in January 2026, HRM amended its 2014 Regional Plan to address most of the minimal planning regulations in place at the time, however, it’s Suburban Plan remains outstanding. The minister of municipal affairs can establish an interim planning area if requirements are not met.

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