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CUPE LTC Strike

Schools prepare for support worker strike as CUPE, government far apart on major issues

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CUPE and the provincial government remain far apart on some issues, as schools prepare for a possible strike from support workers starting Monday next week.

Spokesperson for CUPE Mary-Dan Johnston says in a statement that there was some progress made Tuesday related to issues in Cape Breton, but CUPE and the government are still far apart on some major pieces.

School support workers include program and teaching assistants, janitors, bus drivers, librarians, admin staff, and other community members who provide additional support.

CSAP strike operations

CSAP has sent a notice to parents about what might happen if they walk off the job next week.

They say schools will remain open and school activities will continue as normal for Growing up in French programs to Grade 12, according to an email sent to parents and families.

However, school bus service provided by CSAP will be suspended in Clare, Argyle, and Pomquet, as well as some routes on the South Shore.

If the school bus stoppage affects your child “due to special needs requiring accommodation”, they say you should contact your school administration as soon as possible.

Regular concierge services will be suspended.

All extracurricular activities will be suspended. However, outdoor activities may continue, and child care services will continue operating.

 More to come…

John Fraser Tyler Watt on OSAP Oct 14 2026

Ontario Liberals seek OSAP funding restored to private career colleges not under investigation

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Ontario Liberals are calling for the Ford government to restore student assistance to private career colleges that are not at the centre of a scandal involving the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

All grants were frozen after the Liberals raised concern about the amount of money directed to a small handful of learning institutions.

The Liberals say 95% of all OSAP funding issued in 2025 was issued to the private career colleges.

An audit is being done, but Interim leader John Fraser feels the OPP should be involved.

“I understand the need for an audit, but I think it has been rather obvious,” says Fraser.

“There’s a lot of smoke here. There’s a lot of money, and there’s very clear evidence of unusual activity they’ve known about for three years. I’m just surprised that they haven’t started an investigation in the last two years. That’s the shocking thing.”

The Liberals also point to one career college with campuses across the province, they say, that has close political connections to the PC party and received one-fifth of all OSAP money.

Ottawa-area MPP Tyler Watt says government inspectors even visited its Ottawa campus in 2025 and identified in court documents that it could not demonstrate that OSAP-funded students were participating in programs.

He says by freezing OSAP to all private career colleges, the government is unfairly punishing students who attend colleges following the rules.

“These students are sacrificing so much to be here,” says Watt.

“Some drive two hours a day to get to class, while others are precariously housed. The government broke OSAP, blamed students for it, and now those same students are the ones suffering.”

Fraser puts the blame solely on the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

“Nolan Quinn must resign or be fired,” says Fraser.

“Only in Ontario could you fail on this scale hundreds of millions of dollars. One school in one year, three locations, getting one-fifth of all of the OSAP funding. Only in Ontario could you fail that big, still keep your job, and then thousands and thousands of other people who just want a better future lose that.”

Oyster

Independent Merit Assessment report finds Argyle met legal obligations creating ADA

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The Municipality of Argyle has published a report saying they met every legal obligation when creating pre-approved aquaculture development areas.

The report was prepared by Rick Dunlop, a lawyer based out of Halifax.

In 2019, the Municipality of Argyle began working on a process to pre-approve aquaculture development areas (ADA) to make it easier to attract business in the area.

In a 2022 post on the Municipality’s Facebook page, they say “the primary goal of this ADA is to remove some of the burden placed on investors by simplifying the application process in specific areas. Our role in this process is to inform the public of the project and to gather feedback”.

What was once praised as a quick and efficient way to bring developers to the area soon prompted backlash from some community members.

The Association from Responsible Aquaculture in Argyle (ARA) has been an outspoken opponent to the development areas proposed by the municipality.

The group put forward a list of sixteen conflict of interest allegations, including providing insider access, discouraging public consultation and fabricating data.

In a previous interview with Acadia News, ARA spokesperson Chris Thibideau said he isn’t against aquaculture development, but that it has to be done away from people’s property.

“Most government programs invoke public consultation at the beginning, during the process and at the end. And in this case, it’s only at the end. Many in the community feel it’s too late,” said Thibedeau last year.

At a council meeting on June 25, 2026, Warden Nicole Albright read through an Ombudsman report that found the Municipality “met or exceeded” its duty to consult the public about the development area.

Now, the latest report aims to alleviate any community members of their conflict of interest concerns.

The ARA have said they are taking the time to read “the legal opinion the Municipality commissioned with taxpayer money”, and that they will respond at a later date with their own findings and a press release.

In their own statement, the Municipality says although they did pay for the lawyer to create the report, using an outside, certified legal professional is “the established, responsible standard for municipal risk management and governance”.

They say their process guarantees total independence because of the lawyers professional and ethical binding under the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, the autonomy they allowed during the investigation and the government’s ability to filter fact from grievance.

“Our goal throughout the six-year ADA process has always been to support the province in building a system that supports local sustainable economic growth,” said Deputy Warden Ted Saulnier. “We welcome the Ombudsman’s feedback and are already actively implementing suggestions to enhance our public engagement policies.”

The full report is available to read here.

Legislature

Nearly $250 million spent on health, seniors care outside of N.S. budget

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After projecting a billion-dollar deficit in the spring budget, the province has spent an additional nearly $250 million dollars since then.

The budget estimate for the 2026-27 year is now sitting at a deficit of $1.4 billion. That is the same as the deficit for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The largest areas of increase were about $125 million went to pay for doctors, Emergency Health Services, pharmaceuticals, and other programs. While the next largest went seniors and long-term care at about $62 million.

Finance Minister John Lohr says the government is working hard to slow the growth in their expenses, but health and seniors care are more challenging.

“When people need home care, when they need an ambulance or a prescription through seniors’ pharmacare, we will be there to provide it for them,” says Lohr.

“We have worked hard to reduce the need of family practice list and to ensure more people get the care that they need. And we have been successful, but there’s more to be done.”

The budget tabled in the spring sitting at the legislature drew criticism from across the province because of cuts to arts and culture, disability supports, and more.

The province ended up restoring some of that funding, about $53.6 million, which is factored in the deficit in this update.

Overall, that brings the province’s net debt to $24.1 billion as of March 31, 2026. That is $3.26 million higher than the same day of the previous year, and $1.48 billion higher than the government initially planned in the budget estimate.

The additional out-of-budget spending has drawn criticism from the NDP and Liberals, as well as the province’s auditor general.

A report from auditor general Kim Adair highlighted that the government had spent about $6.7 billion outside of the approved budgets over the past five years.

The auditor has suggested that the government change the Finance Act to require a vote in the legislature on any out-of-budget spending.

But the government has previously argued that they need the flexibility to respond to emergencies and unexpected events.

Forest Fire - near Deer Lake

Opposition renews demand for public inquiry, increased funding for Ontario’s wildland firefighting program

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The opposition is calling a recent funding announcement to improve two Ministry of Natural Resources fire bases a band-aid solution.

Twenty million dollars is being allocated to improve bases used by wildland firefighters near Fort Frances and Sioux Lookout.

NDP Critic Guy Bourgouin says while it is a good step forward, the Ford government needs to properly fund the wildland fire program.

“And provide the base operating budget firefighters have been asking for in the sum of approximately 300 million per year,” states Bourgouin in a release.

He also wants to see more local decision-making to tackle fires.

He says much of the command is now centralized and shifted further from the affected regions.

“People managing fires in northern Ontario need the authority to make decisions locally,” Bourgouin.

“They understand the terrain, the communities, the available resources, the weather, and the conditions on the ground.”

The NDP also continue to support First Nations leadership in calling for a public inquiry into this year’s response to the fire season.

Thousands of people were forced to evacuate this year because of out-of-control wildland fires, many doing so on their own, which has led to questions about the province’s preparedness, communications, evacuation process, and the allocation of resources and supports for residents.

“We urge Doug Ford and his ministers to learn from what happened and fix what is not working, and to stop treating northern communities as an afterthought that only gets action after preventable crises worsen,” states Bourgouin.

Legislature

Day 3 of provincial legislature focuses on consumer protections

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Consumer protections are front and centre at Province house as the legislature enters day three.

Progressive Conservatives

Attorney General and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong introduced a bill to protect Nova Scotians safe called the Public Safety Act.

They say it will keep laws responsive to the evolving needs and public safety concerns of today’s world including better support for victims of intimate image abuse, modernizing 911 services, protecting emergency helicopter flight paths and more.

“Nova Scotians deserve to feel safe in their homes, online and in their communities,” said Armstrong. “These changes will provide stronger protections for victims, improve our ability to address serious public safety concerns and make sure our laws keep pace with new and evolving risks.” 

NDP

Leader Claudia Chender says the bill the PC’s tabled Wednesday on Nova Scotia Power was “desperately needed” but should have been done years ago.

The bill would review whether Nova Scotia Power’s earning should be tied to their performance.

Chender said the proposed bill “ties the hands” of the Energy board by saying that their recommendations must also protect the interests of Nova Scotia Power, along with the public’s.

“This Bill is a good step,” said Chender. “But the Houston government has a long way to go to make Nova Scotia Power work for the people of this province.”

Similarly, the NDP applauded the idea of further online protections for Nova Scotians, but say most of the positive changes they’ve seen from this session so far have come from ideas the NDP have championed.

Liberals

Consumer protections were the theme of both of the Liberal bills brought to the legislature on Thursday.

MLA for Lunenburg West Becky Druhan brought forth both the Click to Cancel act and the Right to Repair act.

The Click to Cancel act would require businesses to provide advance notice before subscription renewals, with clear cancellation instructions. It would also force online subscriptions to offer a straightforward “click-to-cancel” option.

Similar to a Quebecois bill passed in 2025, the Right to Repair act would mandate manufacturers to provide necessary parts and repair information, allow consumers to choose an independent repairer or repair a product themselves without voiding their warranty.

“If you bought it, you should be able to fix it,” said Druhan. “Giving Nova Scotians more repair options means lower costs, less waste and more control over the things they own.”

Interim leader Iain Rankin also provided a positive statement on the PC’s independent review of Nova Scotia Power, saying the review is “long overdue”. 

“Nova Scotians are paying more for electricity and deserve better service in return,” said Rankin. “They need a power system that is reliable, affordable and accountable.”

MODY council

Municipality of Yarmouth seeks community input on new electoral boundaries

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The Municipality of Yarmouth is looking for input on its new electoral boundaries as it begins the transition from a warden system to a mayoral system. 

Council unanimously approved the change at their meeting on April 22 this year, and the change will take effect in the next municipal election, scheduled for fall 2028.

Under the warden system, residents were represented by seven councillors who then chose a Warden amongst themselves, but the new system will have 6 electoral districts and a mayor.

Each resident will get one vote for their councillor as well as a vote for the overall mayor.

Due to these changes, the municipality has to redraw the boundaries of the six electoral districts.

Rules and guidelines for establishing municipal boundaries are regulated by the Municipal Government Act, and are focused on voter parity, community interest and geography.

The project is currently in the data public engagement phase, and community sessions are being held across the municipality next week. 

  • Tuesday September 15 – Forest Glen Community Centre
  • Wednesday September 16 – Lake George Community Centre
  • Thursday September 17 – Melbourne Community Centre
  • Friday September 18 – Greenville Community Centre

All sessions are being held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..

Other opportunities to get involved include completing the project survey, commenting on the interactive maps online or by contacting the project team at consultation@uplandstudio.ca.

PXL_20260224_180834012.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL~2

Liberals, NDP look to tackle affordability, women’s healthcare in fall legislature session

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Ahead of the fall session of the legislature, both the NDP and Liberals are laying out their priorities, with some common ground in affordability and rent costs.

The Liberals also are planning to table bills related to groceries, while the NDP are also doubling down on women’s health and birth control.

Liberal leader Iain Rankin says they will put through a bill that would let create a grant for independent grocers to expand or open stores.

“It can be incredibly difficult, particularly when you’re competing against all those big box stores that have such high purchasing power.”

The fall session of the legislature begins Tuesday.

Rankin says they keep hearing again and again that affordability is a problem for everyone, but he says “we’re not seeing the focus on affordability that Nova Scotians need from the Houston government.”

He says they also want to cut the provincial tax from all food at the grocery store.

That includes pre-made items, like hot rotisserie chickens, premade salads, granola bars, or juice boxes, which are all staples for busy families, he says.

“For too long, families have faced what amounts to a convenience tax on everyday food items,” says Rankin.

Manitoba recently passed this into law in the spring.

Another of their upcoming bills would ban what Rankin says are “restrictive property controls,” rules that let retailers prevent competitors from opening nearby.

Meanwhile the NDP continue to focus on access to women’s healthcare, and are calling on the Houston government to extend the 5 per cent rent increase cap.

According to a study done in August 2026 by Rentals.ca, Nova Scotia currently has the highest average rental price in Canada.

“We are urging the government to finally offer real protection for renters,” said NDP leader Claudia Chender. “The Houston governments existing rent cap expires at the end of next year, and the premier has already suggested he doesn’t plan to replace it. That is the wrong approach.”

They’re also proposing a $17 million healthcare package that would include covering the cost of birth control, hormone replacement therapy and a full cycle of IVF.

“These measures would put money back in the pockets of Nova Scotians, save the healthcare system millions of dollars and keep people healthier,” said Chender.

Both parties will have their chance to get their plans set into motion when the fall legislature session opens on Sept. 8.

With contributions from Jacob Moore

Peter Bethlenfalvy Aug 5 2025

Ford government reviewing 8 provincial agencies

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The operations of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Legal Aid and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario are among agencies that are under review.

The provincial government says the reviews will focus on their efficiency, governance and productivity.

Metrolinx, Supply Ontario, Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation and Agricorp are also subject to the reviews.

President of the Treasury Board Peter Bethlenfalvy says the eight were specifically selected for review based on their reliance on government funding, financial performance, and the size of their workforce.

“We are asking agencies to look at financial metrics, different metrics,” says Bethlenfalvy.

“We’ve given them that correspondence, and we have communicated that today with them, and we expect them to come back to us with options for their financial performance and their financial position.”

Bethlenfalvy calls the reviews good governance and says they owe it to the taxpayers to conduct them.

He says everything will be on the table.

“It’s a range of things that they can look at,” says Bethlenfalvy.

“They can look at their spans of control, they can look at their administrative costs, the paperwork, they can look at retraining and re-skilling, they can look at their strategic plans.”

Bethlenfalvy notes that the number of government agencies has been reduced by nearly a third since the Ford government came to power in 2018.

They have also instituted new policies that redirect resources to increasing frontline service staff.

Agencies have also been under a hiring freeze since last fall and required to reduce the use of outside consultants by 20%.

“We’re very proud of the fact that actually for the first time in eight years agencies reduced their headcount by 0.4%,” states Bethlenfalvy.

“Of course, our expectations for the delivery of the frontline services and the critical business delivery remain intact, and in fact we’re looking to enhance it.”

The results of the reviews are likely to be known later this year.

fred-tilley

Public Works Minister says staff are reviewing Highway 101 safety survey

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Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said that he’s open to working with the Highway 101 Taskforce.

The group was recently reformed with their main focus being getting the province to include the Marshalltown to Weymouth bypass on their Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan.

Four kilometres of the road was improved in 2019, but the rest has still not been brought up to 100-series standards. Many community members have cited safety concerns, even going so far as to contribute to a list of “Highway 101 Horror Stories” online.

In an interview with Acadia News, task force member and Acadia-Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont said the provincial government needs to make the bypass a priority.

Tilley said the province redid the safety survey for the area, and that staff are currently reviewing the document. He added they received the document in December of 2025, but did not provide a timeline for how long the process could take.

“We’re always looking at what is going to be in our next plan,” said Tilley. “The team has some data they’re going through, and then as we put the five year plan together we’ll know more.”

Although he did not commit to the bypass being included in the plan, Tilley said he’s glad the task force is back together, and that he has met with the group in the past, and that he would be open to meeting with them again.

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