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Iain Rankin

data centre: 2008

Liberals table new bill to tackle data centre costs

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Liberal leader Iain Rankin is tabling a bill he says will protect Nova Scotians from the costs of future data centres.

The Data Centre Water and Ratepayer Protection Act aims to protect ratepayers from the costs data centres could pose on both the electricity system and water resources.

“People cannot afford to pay more so massive data centres can operate,” said Rankin. “If these projects come to Nova Scotia, the companies behind must pay their own way.”

The legislation outlines an approval process data centres must go through, a cost-recovery agreement and makes companies have to pay the full cost of electricity and required infrastructure upgrades.

It also requires large data centres to conserve water or pay a mitigation charge to cover the impact of their water use.

“AI and data centres are expanding rapidly across the country,” said Rankin. “If these projects come here, we need the rules in place before the first shovel hits the ground, not after Nova Scotians are already on the hook.”

Marco MacLeod, Energy Minister

New N.S. energy minister to focus on jobs

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Nova Scotia’s new energy minister said one of his first priorities is to modernize the power grid and create more jobs in the sector.

In a cabinet shuffle, Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston handed the role over to Marco MacLeod after seven months of having the portfolio, himself.

Speaking to reporters, MacLeod said he wants to avoid having people feel they need to move somewhere else to get employment.

“My job is to make sure future generations don’t have to go to western Canada for work,” said MacLeod. “That they can work here at home.”

MacLeod worked as the assistant to Trevor Boudreau when he held the energy minister role, before he worked alongside Houston, making it what he called an “easy transition”.

“I learned that we gotta pursue the opportunities that we have,” said MacLeod. “It’s not ok to sit in an office all day. We actually gotta get out there.”

Opposition agrees with upgrades to grid, pushes for Nova Scotia Power review

The interim leader of the Liberals has already reached out to MacLeod, to build a “more affordable reliable energy future”.

In a letter, Iain Rankin agreed the grid needs to be modernized but also pushes for an independent review of Nova Scotia Power and to keep rates stable.

“Our province has enormous potential when it comes to energy, but we need a system that people can afford and depend on,” reads the letter. “Nova Scotians are counting on strong leadership on this file, and I hope we can make progress on those priorities.”

doctor holding red stethoscope

Opposition leaders ask province to pause rollout of OPOR health system

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Opposition leaders are asking the province to press pause on the rollout for One Person One Record (OPOR).

OPOR system matches your health data to a single record with the intent of making it easier to for health professionals to access information. It kicked off in the IWK in December.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Liberal Leader Iain Rankin written letters to Health Minister Michelle Thompson, Iain Rankin says there are concerns about how the system is being implemented.

“Nova Scotians deserve to know, with certainty, that when they need care, they will be able to get it without delay,” says Chender. “Right now, we’re hearing from healthcare providers that the rollout of OPOR acorss the Central Zone is putting this certainty at risk.”

Iain Rankin echoes Chender’s comments.

“We all agree on the goal – modernizing our healthcare system matters, and a province-wide record system can help improve care,” says Rankin in a statement. “But what we’re hearing from frontline workers raises real concerns about how this rollout is happening.”

According to a recent survey by NSGEU members, more than 80 per cent of respondents say OPOR has not gone well with things like missed appointments, delays in care and longer waitlists.

Staff also expressed issues with training.

“We need to listen to the people delivering care,” says Rankin. “They want OPOR to succeed, but they’re telling us the rollout is moving too quickly and without the support needed to do it safely,” says Rankin.

Rankin asks the province to pause further implementation that is slated for May 9 until concerns are addressed.

“Everyone wants progress, but safety has to come first,” says Rankin.

Meantime, in response to the survey by NSGEU, the province acknowledges that healthcare staff may feel anxious over the “significant change” but say training targets are being met and safety is top priority.