Evan Taylor is a 2018 graduate of the journalism program at Fanshawe College. He is based in Bridgewater and covers stories across the South Shore and Nova Scotia. Contact Evan at taylore@radioabl.ca.
Premier Tim Houston has called a byelection for the new riding of Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay.
Voters in the western Cape Breton constituency will head to the polls on June 23.
According to Elections Nova Scotia, early voting will begin Wednesday at the returning office on Old Cabot Trail Road in Grand Étang, while candidate nominations must be submitted by June 3.
The riding was officially created earlier this year after the provincial government announced plans for a new “exceptional riding” designed to improve representation for Acadian voters in the region.
The constituency was carved from the existing riding of Inverness.
Nova Scotia already has several other exceptional ridings aimed at protecting minority representation, including Argyle, Clare, Richmond and Preston.
With the addition of Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay, the Nova Scotia Legislature now has 56 seats, up from 55 previously.
The Progressive Conservatives currently hold 42 seats, followed by the NDP with nine, the Liberals with three and one Independent MLA.
World Cup excitement is building in Nova Scotia as the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour made a stop in Halifax Friday morning.
The original FIFA World Cup trophy arrived at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 ahead of a public fan festival later in the day at the Halifax Soccer Centre.
Organizers say outside of the FIFA World Cup tournament itself, the trophy rarely leaves the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, making the Canadian tour a rare opportunity for fans to see the iconic trophy in person.
Michelle McKenzie, interim CEO of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, said hosting the trophy at the museum carried special meaning.
Speakers and guests, including FIFA legend Alessandro Nesta, pose with the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Pier 21 in Halifax on Saturday. PHOTO: EVAN TAYLOR/ACADIA NEWS
“We think that’s very poignant to be welcoming the cup here at the museum in a facility that celebrates and welcomes people to Canada as we get ready to welcome so many people to Canada for the FIFA World Cup,” McKenzie said.
Sandra Gage with FIFA Canada said the tournament is expected to help grow the sport across the country and inspire a new generation of players and fans.
“Canada is a football country,” she said.
Children take part in soccer-themed activities during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour fan event in Halifax on Saturday. PHOTO: EVAN TAYLOR/ACADIA NEWS
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab called the World Cup a “once in a generation opportunity” and said the tournament can inspire young people across Canada.
“Moments like this can spark a lifelong love of sport,” Diab said.
Nova Scotia Communities Minister Dave Ritcey pointed to the growing popularity of soccer in the province, specifically mentioning Nova Scotia soccer star Jacob Shaffelburg.
“Soccer is a growing sport in Nova Scotia,” Ritcey said.
Ritcey also suggested Shaffelburg could represent Canada at the World Cup, though Canada Soccer has not yet announced its final roster for the tournament. The roster is expected to be revealed May 29.
Crowds gather at Pier 21 in Halifax awaiting the unveiling of the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour stop on Saturday. PHOTO: EVAN TAYLOR/ACADIA NEWS
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore said the event highlights Halifax’s growing connection to the international soccer community.
“Today is about much more than a trophy,” Fillmore said. “It’s about excitement. It’s about pride. It’s about the connection that sports creates across communities.”
Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico.
The RCMP says it failed Susan Butlin following the release of a civilian review into the handling of her sexual assault complaint before she was murdered in Colchester County in 2017.
Butlin was killed about a month after reporting a neighbour had sexually assaulted her.
A final report released Thursday by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission concluded the RCMP investigation into the complaint was inadequate and failed to take reasonable measures to ensure her safety.
In a statement, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme — the head of the national police force — acknowledged the findings and said the RCMP fell short.
“We must acknowledge where we fell short and the consequences that followed,” Duheme said.
The report found police mishandled multiple aspects of the investigation, including dismissing Butlin’s pleas for help in the days leading up to her death.
Duheme described the findings as “difficult, but necessary” and said the RCMP has since implemented changes aimed at improving sexual assault investigations and victim support.
Those changes include updated training, strengthened investigative oversight and the creation of Sexual Assault Investigation Review Committees across RCMP divisions.
Nova Scotia RCMP Commanding Officer Dan Morrow also acknowledged Thursday that police failed Butlin and that the investigation was inadequate.
The RCMP says it remains committed to improving investigative accountability and public trust moving forward.
A new Boat School on the Halifax waterfront is aiming to connect young Nova Scotians with the province’s maritime heritage while teaching practical skills on and off the water.
The new facility at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic officially opened Thursday.
Boat School will offer hands-on boatbuilding programs and sailing experiences for underserved youth through partnerships with community organizations and the Nova Scotia Sea School.
Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey says the program is designed to help young people build confidence and develop new opportunities.
The interior of Boat School where boats are built from scratch before their inaugural sail. (Maritime Museum of the Atlantic)
“Boat School supports young Nova Scotians as they build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging,” Ritcey said in a release.
The new facility replaces smaller sheds that had been used to operate the program over the past decade as demand continued growing.
The project also includes upgrades to the museum wharf and pier.
Officials say the building was designed with climate-resilient features to help withstand hurricanes and sea-level rise while also meeting green building standards.
The project cost approximately $15 million and was funded through contributions from the province, federal government and private donors, including Irving Shipbuilding.
The Region of Queens has closed the Cowie Well in Liverpool as Nova Scotia Public Health investigates a suspected case of E. coli in the area.
According to the municipality, public health officials contacted the region Thursday evening after an individual involved in the investigation reported recently accessing water from the well on Main Street.
The well was subsequently shut down and will remain closed until further notice.
Out of an abundance of caution, the municipality is advising anyone who collected water from the well on Wednesday or Thursday to boil it for at least one minute before consuming it.
Officials say the Cowie Well system uses filtration and UV disinfection and is tested weekly for contaminants, including E. coli.
The most recent water testing completed Tuesday showed no signs of contamination.
The Region of Queens says it continues working with Nova Scotia Public Health as the investigation continues.
Michelle Thompson says Nova Scotia is working to address long wait times for mammograms as staffing shortages continue impacting diagnostic imaging services across the province.
Thompson was asked about reports of some patients waiting up to 15 months for mammograms following cabinet Thursday.
“We know that there are varying wait times across the province and we are certainly working very hard to address those wait times,” Thompson said.
“We know that it’s very distressing for individuals.”
The minister acknowledged Nova Scotia continues facing staffing shortages in diagnostic imaging and mammography services.
“We know there is a shortage across the country and Nova Scotia is no different,” she said.
According to Thompson, the province doubled the number of radiation technologist training seats in 2023 in an effort to grow the workforce locally.
She says the first expanded graduating class is expected in 2027, with 26 students currently enrolled.
In the meantime, the province says it continues recruiting both domestically and internationally to fill vacancies.
Thompson also pointed to ongoing work reviewing healthcare processes and booking systems to improve efficiency.
“I think looking at the processes is really important, understanding where some of the choke holds are in the system,” she said.
The minister said Nova Scotia Health and the IWK are also examining options including centralized booking systems.
When asked directly whether a 15-month wait was acceptable, Thompson acknowledged the province still has “gaps in staffing” and “real challenges” it is trying to work through.
She said officials are applying lessons learned from recruitment efforts in other parts of the healthcare system.
“What I want people to know is that the folks at IWK and Nova Scotia Health are working hard on this,” Thompson said.
The minister also encouraged people awaiting mammograms to continue checking for cancellations, saying appointment openings become available on a regular basis.
Nova Scotia’s newly contracted fleet of fixed-wing water bombers has now responded to its first wildfire.
The Department of Natural Resources says the province’s four new Air Tractor 802 air tankers, bird dog aircraft and a DNR helicopter were all deployed Wednesday to help battle a wildfire near Port L’Hebert in Queens County.
The fire was estimated at about 7.5 hectares and is now under control.
According to the province, the aircraft worked alongside DNR firefighters and three volunteer fire departments during the response.
“The new planes worked very well in conjunction with the helicopter, ground crews and volunteer fire departments,” the department said in a statement provided to our newsroom.
Officials say the aircraft helped slow the spread of the fire, allowing crews on the ground to continue extinguishing hotspots.
The wildfire was first reported Wednesday afternoon and at one point was listed as out of control before crews managed to contain it later in the evening.
The response came just days after the province officially unveiled the new fleet of fixed-wing water bombers for the wildfire season.
The province recently signed a contract for four Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers and a Cessna Caravan bird dog aircraft to support wildfire response efforts across Nova Scotia.
A large watermain break has disrupted water service for residents and businesses on the east side of the LaHave River in Bridgewater.
Municipal staff are currently working to repair the break and restore normal service, though there is no timeline yet for when water will be fully restored. Officials say updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Once repairs are complete and water pressure returns to normal, the Public Service Commission of Bridgewater is advising affected customers to run their taps for five to ten minutes if they notice any air in the lines or discoloured water. This step helps clear sediment that may have entered the system during the disruption.
Crews in Bridgewater work to address a water main leak on Elm Street. PHOTO: EVAN TAYLOR/ACADIA NEWS
The Town of Bridgewater and the Public Service Commission have apologized for the inconvenience and are asking residents for patience as crews continue their work.
