A 150-year-old church in Digby, Nova Scotia is at risk of losing one of its most historically significant features, and advocates are now asking for the public’s help to save it.
The Trinity Anglican Church was named a top 12 finalist in Canada’s Next Great Save competition. Advocate Greg Turner says they’re hoping to restore the church, which he describes as “a rare piece of Atlantic Canada’s architectural history.”
“The church is a National Historic Site,” Turner explains. “It was built in 1878, and it’s a cornerstone of Digby’s heritage and identity, and this Rose Window is a really prominent feature in the church on the South Wall. It’s one of the most spectacular stained glass pieces in Trinity, and it’s now in danger.”
According to Turner, an engineer’s report indicates a loss of integrity around the window and inside plaster coming away. Turner says it’s stabilized but needs repairs soon. He notes the Rose Window—also known as the Children’s Window—is key to protecting the south wall and entire structure.
“It’s one of the first things you see when you drive in, and when you go inside it becomes illuminated as the sun shines through it and it really highlights the stained glass features of the church,” Turner says. “It’s essential for worship and celebrations, concerts, civic events.”
He wants to ensure the symbolic artwork continues serving Digby for generations, noting “it’s pretty important for the church itself and for the community.”
Competition sponsor Ecclesiastical Insurance is funding the $50,000 grand prize and reinforcing its commitment to protecting Canada’s historic places. Second- and third-place winners receive $10,000 and $5,000.
Turner says the church was “built by the community back in 1878. The Gothic Revival Architecture style is by Stephen Earle, and there are not too many buildings in Atlantic Canada that follow that architectural design. Public voting opened yesterday and runs until April 24th, so hopefully we can make our way to the top.”
Canadians can vote once per day at nextgreatsave.ca. Turner also invites the public to an open house on Saturday, April 18th to see the architecture firsthand.
The federal government announced $6 million in new funding for Indigenous tourism across Canada through the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream (SITES) program.
Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rechie Valdez says, “Indigenous Peoples are the original storytellers of this land, and Indigenous tourism gives visitors the chance to experience those stories, cultures, and traditions first-hand.”
Officials say funding will support the construction of the new Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) near Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia where the announcement took place.
MDCC Executive Director Tim Bernard says, “Our Elders have created a place where people can come together, spend time on the land, and learn about Mi’kmaw history and culture directly from Mi’kmaw voices.”
Funding also reaches areas of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. According to a release, the investment will create over 100 jobs, draw 500,000+ annual visitors, and boost Indigenous economies by expanding cultural tourism, infrastructure, and growth.
Bernard adds, “In the years ahead, Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre will be a place where we will welcome visitors to deepen their understanding of Mi’kmaw history, culture, and understand our 13,000 years of connection to this land.”
Student union leaders say they “were met with excuses” instead of real solutions when discussing strike repercussions during their latest meeting with the Department of Education.
In a statement online, Alexina St. Pierre-Farrow, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–Nova Scotia (CFS-NS), says the response received from government officials has only added fuel to student anger as they gear up for what organizers call Nova Scotia’s first province-wide university strike March 15 – 21 over deep budget cuts.
Specifically addressing Advanced Education Minister Brendan Maguire in her letter, stating “no more excuses”, St. Pierre-Farrow condemns post-secondary funding reductions and demands answers on supports for Indigenous learners and grant-reliant students. It follows a student-led press conference with other Halifax university representatives held on February 26.
They say the walkout next week will involve campuses like Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s, NSCAD, King’s, and Acadia.
Students are reviving Quebec’s iconic red square strike symbolism. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Students say they’re already “squarely in the red” from high tuition, rents, and job scarcity, plus cuts to key financial aids. Representatives are calling for a 20 per cent tuition cut, equal fees for international and domestic students, and protection for programs serving marginalized groups.
Organizers say the goal of their protests are to tell the Houston government that students “need tangible, meaningful action, and they need it now.” They plan to join the thousands taking part in ongoing arts and culture rallies across the province tomorrow outside Province House, while their strike remains scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Thousands of people from across Nova Scotia gathered to protest the Houston government’s recent cuts to arts, heritage, and culture. Creatives from every corner of the province made their stance clear, with demonstrations taking place in Halifax, Yarmouth, Truro, and Windsor.
During the rally, advocates led cheers, chants, and songs as the crowd raised its voice outside the House of Assembly during Question Period, determined to make sure they were heard.
Rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
MLA for Dartmouth North, Suzanne LeBlanc, spoke passionately about the heartfelt letters she’s received over the past week from Nova Scotians feeling the impact of these cuts.
“A mom who is devastated that their daughter was not going to have performances at their school anymore. I had someone write me to just say they live in a small town, and they understand how important the little museum is,” LeBlanc said, her voice shaking as she shared real people’s stories. “I heard from a young dancer who has been volunteering with Dancers with Disabilities every Saturday, and she is devastated that she doesn’t get to do that anymore.”
Artistic Director at Live Art Dance, Liliona Quarmyne, speaking at a rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
As the demonstration grew louder, protesters demanded the Premier come outside and address them, chanting “bring him out” so powerfully that it could be heard for blocks.
Rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Rallies held in southwestern N.S.
About 75 people rallied outside Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton’s office.
Signs read: ‘art saves lives,’ ‘support the arts,’ and ‘get in tune with Nova Scotians.’
Organizer Kathryn Davidson says the cuts slam the door on our ancestors.
“It disrespects everything that makes our beloved province so special to thousands of yearly tourists, and so many of us that are proud to call Nova Scotia home,” Davidson said.
NSGEU members were also in attendance, and say the cuts will hurt their members.
“It’s just a sad situation all around,” said local NSGEU member Lynette Hayward-Byrd.
“A lot of these cuts will hurt families, who live right here in this community. We want the Houston government to reverse this decision.”
Protestors plan to write letters to the Premier, Minister and MLAs.
Hilton responds via open letter on social media letter
Meanwhile, Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton said he would address concerns directly in person, if he could.
In a statement on social media, he says he’s required to be in Halifax at the Legislature, representing the people of Yarmouth.
Hilton pointed to $100 million in the budget for Yarmouth, on things like the emergency department, Mariners Centre, housing, and renovations at the Th’YARC.
He adds the impact of job losses are not lost on him, but they will continue to support tourism as they push for long-term sustainability of the Yarmouth ferry.
Hilton promised to listen and make sure the community’s voice is heard.
Shelburne rally hosts over 100
In Shelburne, a rally was held in front of a museum that’s slated for closure.
Protestors gathered in front of the Ross-Thomson House and Store Museum, which was affected by the budget cuts.
Linda McNichol organized the event, and says people have worked hard to promote tourism.
“It’s going to really affect tourism. Places like restaurants, B&B’s, everything. Along with our spirit and culture, who we are as a community,” said McNichol.
The group also marched to MLA Nolan Young’s office, and will write letters to him and government officials.
Solidarity rally in Antigonish
In the northeastern part of the province, a solidarity rally is planned in Antigonish.
Andrea Boyd, Artistic Director for Theatre Antigonish and Festival Antigonish told us they planned it for later in the day so more residents could attend.
Boyd says hearing about the shocks was shocking, devastating, sort of unbelievable and everybody is feeling it.
“If it’s not a direct impact, because maybe you don’t directly receive those funds. It’s demoralizing,” said Boyd.
She added, the arts sector contributes $989 million to Nova Scotia’s GDP and supports more than 14,000 jobs.
Houston says difficult decisions need to be made
While chants were heard loudly in Province House, Premier Tim Houston said difficult decisions need to be made and times are tough.
“We are focusing on protecting health care, we are focusing on protecting school lunch programs, protecting students. We are focusing on the core services of Nova Scotians,” said Houston.
He stressed they are doing those things while keeping taxes down.
It may have just wrapped up in October but Thunder Bay has earned recognition for its successful Culture Days event.
Running September 19 to October 12, Culture Days is a three week celebration of arts and culture in communities across Ontario.
This year, the City of Thunder Bay was singled out among more than 15 other Ontario centres in the 2025 Culture Days Spotlight Awards as runner-up in the Warren Garrett Inclusive Programming category.
“Warren Garrett is one of the founding members of Culture Days,” explains Caitlyn McMillan, cultural development and public art coordinator with the city. “They created that award specifically to recognize events that are inclusive to all participants.”
Arts and Culture Under the Lights, Thunder Bay’s theme for Culture Days this year, invited residents to participate in several free or pay-what-you-may activities and performances hosted by artists and cultural organizations.
Among the many highlights were such programs as the Art of the Mushroom, a two-day celebration of creativity, clay, and community hosted by the Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP) and free screenings of the film Lempo from Thunder Bay artists Laura-Lynn Petrick and Tina Petrick.
“When they are looking at this award specifically, they look at how the events have engaged in multiple types of demographics, multiple types of audiences and how they’ve been able to include them in the process as well,” says McMillan. “It’s really about highlighting events that are inclusive and welcoming to all types of people in the community.”
McMillan says while the event only recently completed its third edition, Culture Days continues to grow in popularity among residents in Thunder Bay and this recognition should only bring out even bigger crowds for next year.
“We haven’t got into too many details as its still quite early still,” says McMillan about the plans for 2026. “We are hoping we can take what we’ve been doing with it and have it grow to be something a bit more special.”
A made-in-Thunder Bay horror film is set to spook local audiences, starting Thursday night.
Written by Tina Petrick and directed by her filmmaking sibling Laura Lynn Petrick, Lempo is a Nordic-style folk horror film based on Finnish mythology, but set on the outskirts of Thunder Bay.
“Lempo started as the God of fertility and love and then when Christianity took over the country, he was transformed into the Devil himself,” says Tina about the real Finnish mythology that inspired the film. “I thought that served as such a beautiful metaphor for relationships and love. Sometimes a relationship can start in a really beautiful place and then end up turning out to be quite haunting.”
Filmed around the Thunder Bay area with the help of local cast and crew that Tina describes as “heavensent,” Lempo will screen for free Thursday through Sunday at the Co. Lab Gallery in Goods and Company Market on Red River Road as part of Culture Days, the three week-long series of free, or pay-what-you-can, activities and performances hosted by artists, cultural organizations and Thunder Bay.
For the Petrick sisters, it was a great opportunity to showcase not only their homegrown short-film to local audiences, but it was also a chance to present the filmmaking duo’s calling card.
“I think that’s always the dream for filmmakers who make a short, that it becomes a calling card and leads to bigger productions with bigger budgets,” says Tina. “It would be amazing to turn it into a feature or work on another feature-length production together and ideally, set it again in Thunder Bay.”
