It’s looking like 15-25 centimetres of snow will blow into Nova Scotia on Monday.
Environment Canada meteorologist Jim Prime says a low pressure system is expected to hang east of the province.
“It looks like most of Nova Scotia will see snow out of this, starting around Monday mid-day and the afternoon, continuing overnight into Tuesday morning,” said Prime.
A special weather statement is in effect for the entire province.
“Right now, we’re on the cold side of this system. If it moves west a bit, there could be less snow. We’ll have to see how the track pans out.”
Prime says snowfall amounts in January were around normal, but it’s been below average through February.
Our guest on this week’s episode of the Insights Podcast is Nathan Ough, President and CEO of Texas-based VoltaGrid. Born and raised in Saint John, Ough is now looking to put a large-scale data centre in the port city, bringing several hundred high-paying jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city and provincial government. A partnership with Beacon AI Centres, the $2+ billion project involves an innovative ‘behind the meter’ approach to meeting the large electricity needs of the data centre. Ough claims the project will have no negative impacts on the province’s electricity grid or the city’s water supply. Data centres are among the fastest-growing industries across North America, as they are necessary to provide the computing power and storage for the emerging artificial intelligence boom. Will Saint John be at the front end of this industry in Canada? Download and listen to our conversation with Nathan Ough to find out.
A Canadian added her personal touch as the production designer on the Frankenstein movie.
Tamara Deverell worked alongside director Guillermo del Toro to creatively architect scenes such as the lab, the wooden boat, and an apartment in Scotland.
“It’s funny how connected you feel to Cape Breton in Scotland because there’s so many similar landscapes and, and just the feel of the wind and the sea,” explains Deverell.
As the supervising art director, she designs all the sets with a team of people by making architectural and construction drawings, picking the colours for the colour palette, and deciding how to light the sets.
She says Nova Scotia has a background setting ready for films.
“I’m hoping that in Cape Breton, there’s more films coming here and more film action because it is a fantastic place visually and I wouldn’t be surprised if more filmmakers find out about it,” expressed Deverell.
She recommends you check out Frankenstein that’s currently streaming on Netflix.
Regional collaboration was the topic of discussion as Atlantic Canada’s economic development ministers met Thursday.
The meeting was an opportunity for the group to affirm their commitment to collaboration between the four provinces and to identify joint priorities to strengthen Atlantic Canada’s economic future.
“Atlantic Canada has a long history of resilience and innovation,” said Nova Scotia Minister of Growth and Development Colton LeBlanc. “By working together, we can amplify our strengths and ensure our region is positioned for long-term success.”
Opportunities New Brunswick Minister Luke Randall said the region is strongest when the provinces work together.
“Today’s meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to economic growth, supporting our businesses and communities, and ensuring Atlantic Canadians receive equitable access to federal programs and investments,” Randall said.
Ministers focused on a list of shared priorities during the meeting, including market diversification, infrastructure investment, innovation and productivity, and support for rural and Indigenous communities.
Under market diversification, priorities included expanding access to national and international markets for Atlantic businesses and reducing reliance on traditional trading partners.
Infrastructure investment included enhancing transportation, digital connectivity and energy infrastructure to support business growth. They also discussed community development and transformative projects across Atlantic Canada.
The innovation and productivity component included scaling up productivity across sectors like clean technology, ocean industries, natural resources development, defence and advanced manufacturing.
Committing to support for rural and Indigenous communities will ensure inclusive economic development that benefits all Atlantic Canadians.
The ministers highlighted their commitment to working together as a region and with the federal government to advocate for equitable access to federal funding and programs.
They emphasized Atlantic Canadians deserve their fair share of national investments and that regional collaboration is key to achieving this goal.
Nova Scotia hosted the inaugural meeting, with ministers agreeing to meeting regularly. Meeting will rotate through the four provinces, with the next planned for the spring in New Brunswick.
The actor who portrays Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys has been charged with sexual assault in Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service told Acadia Broadcasting that Mike Smith is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. at Halifax provincial court.
Court documents provided to Acadia Broadcasting state the charge relates to an alleged incident on Dec. 30, 2017, at or near Dartmouth, N.S.
The documents state Smith was ordered to have no contact with the complainant nor attend her residence or any place of work or education. He signed an undertaking to that effect Oct. 2.
The prosecution service also said it will be seeking a publication ban on any information that could identify the victim. Such a ban is mandatory under the Criminal Code of Canada.
There is no indication if Smith will appear in-person or will be represented by his lawyer.
A statement from Trailer Park Boys, Inc., which produces the comedy show, was posted to Facebook. The statement said the company was aware of the allegation and that Smith had stepped away from his role as managing director of the company.
A Nova Scotian MP hopes those who voted for him as a Conservative, can forgive him.
Chris d’Entremont of Acadie-Annapolis crossed the floor, and joined the Liberals Tuesday night after the budget was presented.
Reflecting on his decision, he says it took months of research and soul-searching.
“It wasn’t an easy choice, I know I’ve disappointed many people, but I’ve received very positive comments from many others. We’re going to continue to move forward and prove that this is the best move for Acadie-Annapolis,” said d’Entremont in a phone interview with Acadia News.
Floor crossing ‘shocking’ to many in Acadie-Annapolis
D’Entremont says many are ‘bewildered’ over his decision, and social media has taken on a life of its own.
But he’s looking forward to returning to Nova Scotia and having conversations.
“It’s going to take a while and a lot of talking, I’m looking forward to being back home and explaining this.
People trust in their MPs to make decisions on their behalf. I believe I did it for the right reasons, for the riding.”
For those who worked on his campaign, d’Entremont says he’s in the process of reaching out to them.
“I hope at some point they can forgive me, but they know that we heard from folks on doorsteps during the last election that wanted to vote for me, but couldn’t vote for Pierre Poilievre and the party. That resonated in my head. I could not continue to support his type of leadership and negativity that comes from that side of the house, it solidifies even more that I’ve made the right decision.”
Conservatives say move fueled by loss of Deputy Speaker vote
The Conservatives issued a statement Tuesday, saying d’Entremont let his own personal grievances of not being elected Deputy Speaker factor into his defection.
d’Entremont denied that claim, and says it’s about building his riding, and moving away from their leadership style.
“They (Conservatives) don’t have Canadians in mind. They have taken on such an American, negative, ‘MAGA’ feel, that I did not recognize my party.
I’ve always been a red Tory throughout my career, and I don’t feel they represent that anymore.”
The move gave Prime Minister Mark Carney another seat in the House, the Liberals are now two seats away from a majority.
When asked about others in the Conservative Party potentially following his lead:
“I know there are a number of Canadians that are not liking that style of leadership, but I’ll let other members, if that comes along, tell their stories. For me, it was time to decide whether to deliver for my riding, or to sit and complain.”
Click play below to hear reporter Kevin Northup’s full interview with Chris d’Entremont.
One of Atlantic Canada’s worst droughts ever continued last month.
In September, the soil usually has a chance to regain some moisture, but that was not the case this year.
According to the federal drought monitor, some parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia reached the maximum level on the drought scale in September.
July, August and September were the driest ever recorded for Amherst, Greenwood, Truro in Nova Scotia and Summerside, P.E.I.
And it was the second driest period ever for Moncton, Saint John, and Charlottetown. For Halifax, it was the third driest spell.
Most of Nova Scotia, eastern Labrador, and some parts of eastern New Brunswick and P.E.I. got less than 40 percent of what the areas would typically get during that period.
Most of New Brunswick and much of western Newfoundland got less than 60 per cent of typical rainfall
Farm crops were seriously impacted, meaning some crops did not grow as much, and some crops were lost without enough rain. Many homeowners ended up with dry wells.
Ottawa says a six-week pilot project is about to begin in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
It’s voluntary, and will test an online system, along with collection of 200 firearms.
The compensation program will then open to all eligible firearms owners with a nation-wide declaration period later in fall 2025, followed by a collection and compensation period in 2026.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree refers to what he calls assault-style guns, are weapons that don’t belong in communities.
“It has the power to penetrate body armour. A version of this weapon was associated with the deadliest mass-shooting in Canadian history, in Portapique, Nova Scotia in April, 2020,” said Anandasangaree.
The Cape Breton Regional Police Service says this gives an opportunity for owners to surrender guns they can’t legally have.
Chief Robert Walsh says these types of guns are a significant risk to public safety.
“Police see first-hand the devastating impacts of gun violence, and we know the importance of removing these dangerous firearms from our communities,” said Walsh.
The federal government banned over 1,500 models of “assault-style firearms” in 2020
Eligible owners will receive information by mail or email.
Government of Canada moves forward with the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program for individual firearms ownershttps://t.co/7lShp8HqtW
