COVID-19 immunization clinic setting up. Photo: Nova Scotia Government
Nova Scotians at the highest risk for severe illness from Covid-19 can now book their spring dose.
The booster will be available from March 25 to May 31.
The groups eligible to book right now are those 65 or older, people 18 or over in long-term care, nursing homes or residential care facilities; people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and those 50 or older who are indigenous or black.
Dr. Robert Strang said in a news release that cases are steady in Nova Scotia. But he urged people at the highest risk of infection to get their spring booster.
People who did not get a dose in the fall or winter can get the spring dose, even if they are not part of the specific groups mentioned.
Dr. Robert Strang speaks at COVID briefing February 23, 2022. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has announced the availability of new COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang provided details about the rollout at a press conference Tuesday.
Nova Scotians aged 65 and older can get the high-dose influenza vaccine now. All Nova Scotians will have access to Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccine during the week of October 16. The standard-dose influenza vaccine is arriving in the province the week of October 23 and Pfizer’s updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available sometime in late October or early November.
The high-dose flu vaccine will be available at local pharmacies and medical clinics across the province starting this week.
Strang emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “This fall, we encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and get both recommended vaccines to protect their health. It’s the best way to limit the spread of both influenza and COVID-19.”
The province is advising Nova Scotians that they can receive both flu and COVID vaccines at the same time. Anyone wishing to receive a vaccine can do so at a nearby pharmacy or outreach clinic by signing up online at Nova Scotia Immunization. Alternatively, people can book their shots through their family doctors or nurse practitioners.
Nova Scotia Health is reminding people that vaccines do not cause influenza or COVID-19 and that symptoms for both illnesses can overlap, including fever, headache, and fatigue.
Anyone who has already received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for an updated dose if six months have passed since their last vaccination or known COVID-19 infection. And officials are recommending children aged six months to nine years should receive two doses of the influenza vaccine four weeks apart this fall if they have never been vaccinated before.
Health authorities are urging all Nova Scotians to prioritize their health by getting vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19 to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
To hear the broadcast of this story click play below.
Dr. Robert Strang speaks at COVID briefing February 23, 2022. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Premier Tim Houston and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang announced at Wednesday’s COVID update the restrictions would come off in a phased approach.
The process will begin Monday February 28 when people will no longer have to show proof of vaccination for non-essential events like going to a gym or eating at a restaurant.
The second phase will begin the following week on March 7 when gathering limits will be increased for sporting events, arts and music performances and other formal gatherings.
Some businesses will be able to operate at full capacity at this point.
Restrictions will be fully lifted on March 21.
Strang says the phased approach will allow people who feel protected by the restrictions to ease into life without them.
“Restrictions played a necessary and important role in our response to COVID 19. They helped contain the spread of the virus in the first three waves before we had good vaccine coverage and they were critical in reducing the impact of the Delta and omicron waves,” said Strang. “But they were never meant to be a permanent solution. We always knew that they’d be lifted at some point and now it is time to move away from two years of crisis response and approach living with COVID in a long term and manageable manner.”
Houston praised Dr. Strang and the public health team for guiding Nova Scotians through the pandemic.
Premier Tim Houston at COVID briefing February 23, 2022. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The premier acknowledged it wasn’t always easy and the restrictions caused rifts in relationships for friends and families.
He called on all Nova Scotians to work to repair those rifts.
“It’s up to each of us to play a part in healing our communities. We can have different opinions on the path to return to normal, how fast, how slow, we can have different opinions on that,” said Houston. “But we need to get back to a place, a respectful place where we find ways to respectfully disagree. Where we find ways and places that we can constantly remember that at our very core, as Nova Scotians, as Bluenosers, we care about each other.”
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The province’s top doctor says staff and students are welcome to share their COVID status, but schools won’t aid in getting the word out.
Dr. Robert Strang says the omicron variant is so widespread that there is little value in providing contract tracing.
“The risks of relying on being notified and then the false assumption that if you’re not notified, you’re somehow not at risk just don’t work anymore with the widespread of omicron,” said Strang.
While he recognizes the change is a significant psychological shift that will cause anxiety for some staff and parents, Strang says previous attempts at contact tracing have shown they may cause more harm than good.
“What we learned when we were doing this close contact tracing in November and December, particularly, was that doing that close contact tracing and then the subsequent isolation of people who were identified classroom contacts was incredibly disruptive to our school system and to families. So, we’re not going to be isolating people anymore.”
During Wednesday’s COVID briefing, Strang was asked why school officials have been told they are not permitted to share COVID cases.
Strang says it’s up to individual parents and teachers if they want to share their own personal information and schools would not distribute that information to protect the privacy of the people involved.
But he insisted reports of school officials being told not to share information is untrue.
“In fact, that is misinformation that’s been put out there by various groups that there’s somehow a ban or a gag order. That’s not true,” said Strang. “However, the school system and individual teachers need to be aware that there’s legislation that governs how somebody else’s personal health information is actually disclosed.”
Strang was provided with a copy of a letter issued to parents by a principal in which the principal says they have been specifically told they are not permitted to share COVID information with the school community.
Strang responded that is not the message that has come out of discussions he has had with education officials over the past few days.
“That has been clarified and that is not actually the appropriate phrasing and language that has been most recently shared with school administration.”
How the message has been clarified was not identified as the update was cut off abruptly following Dr. Strang’s response.
A series of follow up correspondence with the South Shore Regional Centre for Education, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Health and Wellness all confirm the information provided by the principal was accurate.
The official policy from the education department echoes earlier comments from Dr. Strang that teachers and parents are free to share their own personal COVID information if they choose, but school administration will not make that information public.
The latest COVID numbers from public health show three more Nova Scotians have died, 11 people have been admitted to hospital and five have been discharged.
Strang says while public health is moving away from rigorous contact tracing, how people prevent the spread of COVID-19 remains the same.“The message for everybody is get vaccinated, follow all the personal protective measures, especially and if you’re sick with new cold and flu-like symptoms stay home,” said Strang. “That message doesn’t change just because somebody has been a close contact.”
Public health officials are asking Nova Scotians to change their COVID-19 testing habits.
At Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Premier Tim Houston acknowledged Nova Scotian’s commitment to testing is the envy of public health officials across the country.
“To be totally honest, I’ve been a regular for months at either stopping at a clinic for a PCR or a rapid test at home. It’s always been something I’ve been doing during the pandemic, and it’s always provided a great deal of comfort. So, I get it,” said Houston. “I get that the change is difficult, but we have to start moving away from the way we’ve been testing.”
Houston says approximately 830,000 tests are distributed across Nova Scotia each week.
The province has ordered 2 million tests above the amount they receive from the federal government, but like the rest of the provinces they’re waiting on supply to arrive.
The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says before anyone can get a PCR or rapid test, they need to do the self-assessment online.
“This is the reality of dealing with limited supply and while you may not be happy about this, we all need you to understand and accept that others may need to be a higher priority than ourselves,” said Strang. “ Please do not get angry at frontline staff or try and find a workaround. Put others ahead of yourself and be kind to those who have been caring for you for over the past two years. They deserve nothing less than this.”
Public health announced 12 new hospital admissions and seven discharges Wednesday.
They also reported a woman in her 60s from the Western Zone has died.
Strang says Nova Scotians should be confident that vaccines are working.
While people are still dying from the virus, Strang says vaccines are preventing serious illness in most.
In a release, Nova Scotia Health said there are currently 600 staff and physicians off work due to COVID-19 infections, or self-isolate requirements.
As a result, only urgent and emergent surgeries, including time sensitive cancer surgeries, will be performed at this time
Strang says the omicron virus has seriously impacted the ability of hospitals to maintain staffing levels.
“There’s no doubt we are in a very serious situation. The most serious we’ve been in during this entire pandemic, given all the pressures on our health care system,” said Strang. “This is different than other waves. We’ve never before had hundreds of healthcare workers not able to work or so many cases that public health is no longer able to identify and closely manage each case and all their contacts.”
Strang urges everyone to reduce their contacts and follow the masking and social distancing requirements to keep themselves and the people around them safe.
Dr. Robert Strang appears virtually behind Premier Tim Houston at COVID briefing January 5, 2022. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia students will be learning from home when classes resume Monday.
Premier Tim Houston announced the plan is to take a week to upgrade ventilation at some schools and improve access to three-ply masks, test kits and communication protocols before resuming in-class instruction on January 17.
“Teachers and staff you will be safe at work. Parents, your children will be safe at school, and students, you will be returning to a wonderful in-person learning environment surrounded by people that have your best interests at heart,” said Houston.
A notice from the South Shore Regional Centre for Education says schools will remain open for students who access supports and programs through learning centres.
The province announced new requirements for self-isolation at Wednesday’s COVID update and extended restrictions that have been in place since December 22nd until the end of January.
The new isolation times will be determined by a person’s age, household situation, and vaccination status.
Close contacts are now being told to get tested 72 hours following exposure and to watch for symptoms.
Wednesday marked the first time the number of new COVID cases dropped below 1,000 in a couple of days.
Nova Scotia is reporting 842 new cases with 45 of those people in hospital and eight in the ICU.
Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says high vaccination rates are protecting residents despite the high number of cases.
“Many people are questioning the vaccine, but I need to be clear, the protection we have from our very high level of vaccine coverage is what is keeping us as safe as we are right now,” said Strang. “I don’t even want to think about what omicron would look like if we didn’t have vaccination.”
Houston says he understands the frustration some Nova Scotians feel about the constantly changing rules.
The Premier says he trusts the people at public health who are using the best information available when coming up with plans to protect the people of the province.
“Nova Scotians have been incredible throughout this pandemic. You’ve set an example for the rest of the country,” said Houston. “Let’s keep doing it.”
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s top doctor says COVID restrictions announced last week are not enough as the province imposes harsher restrictions ahead of the holidays.
New measures set to go into effect Wednesday morning include reducing gatherings to 10 people, limits on in-person faith services and restricting singing to one person, businesses reduced to 50 percent capacity, licensed establishments must stop service at 11:00pm and close by midnight and long-term care facilities limiting visitors to two.
Dr. Robert Strang recognizes the impact these new restrictions will have during the holidays.
“What we are asking you to do now is probably the most difficult request we have made yet. This is a long two years and there’s a lot of disappointment about having to do this yet again in the holiday season. But that is our reality, and we have to deal with it,” said Strang.
With 83 percent of samples sent to the national testing lab coming back positive for omicron, Strang says the variant has become dominant strain of COVID in Nova Scotia.
The aggressive nature of omicron has impacted workers across all fields, including the medical profession, leading to staff shortages as employees self-isolate to prevent further spread.
Strang says Nova Scotians need to slow down and reduce their contacts.
“If we continue to have an ongoing high case numbers and building hospitalization rates, we reach a point where our healthcare system become very, very challenged from two perspectives: higher numbers of people requiring medical care in hospitals and worsening of an already existing challenges around getting the number of healthcare workers we need,’ said Strang.
He ended his prepared statement with a personal message to Nova Scotians.
“I want to end today speaking you from my heart. This is a worrisome sad and frustrating time. As your chief medical officer of health, I feel immense pressure to make the right decisions to protect Nova Scotians and to find the best balance to minimize harm from COVID and COVID control measures. I’m not gonna get it right every time and in retrospect, perhaps we did not get things quite right last week,” said Strang. “Things are changing fast with this new variant and there is limited information but please know that my recommendations and decisions always have the best interests of all Nova Scotians in mind.”
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is returning to tighter COVID restrictions Friday as the new omicron variant has reached the province and infection numbers climb.
At Monday’s update, Dr. Robert Strang says the restrictions will focus on masking, gathering limits and physical distancing.
Strang says he has been asked why, if our province has such high vaccination rates public health is panicked.
“There is no need to panic but there is a need to be cautious. We don’t know enough about this variant to wait and see what happens,” said Strang. “We cannot take the risk of wider spread into more vulnerable groups like seniors and those that are immunocompromised and potentially putting pressure on our health care system.
Beginning Friday December 18, the restrictions coming back in to play will see indoor and outdoor informal gatherings limited to 20 people from the same household or consistent social group.
Six feet of physical distance is required indoors and outdoors, except among that household or consistent social group.
Businesses can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing and food and liquor-licensed establishments must have physical distance between tables and a limit of 20 people per table.
People must be seated to remove their mask for eating or drinking.
Schools will implement a return to restrictions Tuesday.
In addition to masks again being required when physical distancing cannot be maintained, school concerts are cancelled, sports teams from different schools will no longer compete against each other and classes can no longer mix with other classes in the same schools.
The province reports 114 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.
Public Health also announced rapid COVID tests are available in libraries across Nova Scotia.
Anyone testing positive from a rapid test must self-isolate and book a PCR test to verify the result.
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Students can look forward to an extended holiday break this year.
Premier Tim Houston made the announcement at Tuesday’s COVID briefing that public schools will return January 6 instead of January 4 as previously planned.
Houston says the education department proposed the extra time to provide public health officials more time to assess any potential COVID spread following the holiday break.
“The department, just on balance, looked at what’s happening around and said a couple more days is not going to hurt the academic calendar,” said Houston. “If we can get through the holidays and kind of reset starting in the new year, that’s better for students and teachers.”
Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says the province’s vaccination rates are climbing.
Almost 82 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.
Strang expects those numbers will increase even more as parents have been snapping up vaccination appointment for their five- to eleven-year-olds.
“So far, almost 29,000 of 65,000 five- to eleven-year-olds, and that’s almost 45 percent, have had a first dose or an appointment scheduled,” said Strang. “That’s quite something, we’ve just begun immunizing a week ago.”
Strang is still urging Nova Scotians to be cautious and follow COVID protocols such as wearing masks, frequent hand-washing and social distancing.
He says that caution should be front of mind when making holiday travel plans as well.
“We’re certainly far more open than we were last Christmas but we’re still in a pandemic. For me it’s about, we need to slow down our lives and be careful about how active we are,” said Strang. “There’s more virus around in New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec than there is in Nova Scotia. So, now’s the time to enjoy the increased freedoms, if you will, and opportunities we have in Nova Scotia while we’re still in a pandemic. But also, let’s not go crazy.”
Strang says everyone still needs to be careful and cautious, even within the province, about how much travel, and how many social events and people they’re exposed to.
He encourages Nova Scotians to enjoy a much less restricted holiday season than last year.
Premier Tim Houston. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Premier Tim Houston calls recent comments by an Amherst pastor appalling and disgusting.
Nova Scotia public health officials have traced three deaths from COVID-19 back to a faith group meeting held between October 25 and 29 by the pastor of the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Amherst, Robert Smith.
In a sermon posted online November 14th, Smith acknowledged the three deaths calling them, “part of God’s plan.”
Houston didn’t hold back in his response.
“The comments downplaying the seriousness of what’s happening, the comments minimizing the loss of life are completely unacceptable and totally disgusting.”
Following an investigation, Smith has been fined $2,422, the maximum allowed under the Health Protection Act.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang shared the Premier’s outrage.
“I am both angry and frustrated,” said Strang. “People chose not to get vaccinated, they gathered with both vaccinated and unvaccinated people against existing rules, and these choices have had significant impacts upon others.”
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The faith gathering has been linked to the outbreak of COVID at the East Cumberland Lodge long-term care home. According to public health, the home has had 31 residents and 10 staff test positive for COVID-19, and two of the infected residents have died. Another death in Northern Zone has also been linked to the gathering.
Dr. Strang also announced during Wednesday’s COVID briefing that over 80 percent of Nova Scotians are now double vaccinated.
He praised Nova Scotians for the high vaccination rates but had strong words for those who choose not to get their shots.
“To those who could be vaccinated but aren’t, who are focussing only on themselves, believing misinformation and false narratives and more and more reacting with inappropriate anger, shame on you,” said Strang. “You want to share in the benefits of Nova Scotia’s strong COVID response but you’re not willing to carry your share of the work.”
Premier Tim Houston. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The government of Nova Scotia has announced all 11,000 direct provincial employees will be required to be vaccinated by November 30.
Those who fail to do so could be placed on unpaid leave.
The measure comes as the province reports another death from COVID and 25 new cases Wednesday.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says Nova Scotia is currently averaging about 40 new cases each day, about what is his department expected to see during this fourth wave of the pandemic.
At Wednesday’s COVID briefing Strang also addressed concerns about the number of cases that have been found in schools.
He says parents should not keep their children out of school unless directed to by public health.
“High vaccination rate and mild symptoms in the vast majority of children means that we can have some tolerance for this. And I firmly believe that the risk of not being in school is greater than the risk of COVID,” said Strang. “I believe that schools remain safe even though we may have some virus activity.”
Strang says if public health feels a school needs to be closed they will not hesitate to do so.
Commenting on the implementation of proof of vaccine requirements that took effect October 4, Premier Tim Houston says the feedback he’s heard from businesses and the public has been mostly positive.
And those who do not support the measures should not take their frustrations out on employees doing what the province have told them they must.
“If you don’t want to do the things that keep us all safe, just stay home. If you’re unhappy, feel free to flip me the bird when I’m walking down the street, or yell at me but don’t yell at the person that’s just doing their job,” said Houston. “Please, take that out on us but not them.”
COVID-19 precaution posters meet visitors to non-essential services at the door. Photo Ed Halverson
The latest COVID-19 proof of vaccine requirements is causing headaches at Queens Place Emera Centre.
Beginning Monday October 4 Nova Scotians wishing to enter any non-essential businesses, including gyms, arenas and fitness studios, will have to show they’ve been vaccinated by showing a picture ID and a proof of vaccination record.
Mayor Darlene Norman says the region doesn’t have the staff at the facility to perform the checks and are currently trying to hire people to do the job.
“We need to hire six to eight people, maybe more, if people are part-time. But we can’t have someone working on desk, and every time someone wants to come in the person leaves their desk and runs to a door,” said Norman.
In Wednesday’s COVID briefing Dr. Robert Strang said known members of a club or gym won’t have to continually show picture ID but will have to present proof of vaccine each time they enter.
Norman says the money to hire the staff at Queens Place is coming out of emergency COVID funding the province provided to help municipalities offset additional expenses they were facing as a result of the pandemic.
She is concerned about the ability to check crowds at larger events held at Queens Place such as hockey games and the upcoming Canada curling qualifiers.
Norman is grateful the Region of Queens doesn’t have to find money from its budget for the new position but worries about other non-profit community groups who may not have the resources to meet the new proof of vaccine standards.
“I think of all the facilities, the rinks that are owned by not-for–profit organizations,” said Norman. “They weren’t given the big chunk of COVID money. It’s going to be a struggle.”
She worries smaller community rinks and their volunteers won’t be able to cope with the volume of participants, family and spectators that come along with events such as hockey tournaments.
Premier Tim Houston says based on conversations government has had with business owners, he doesn’t anticipate any issues with the proof of vaccine checks in their establishments that would require more government support.
However, this is the first time he’s heard non-for-profits may struggle to meet the requirements.
“We haven’t made that decision to provide support yet. We’ll wait for some feedback. You’re raising something there that I haven’t heard, I haven’t heard from a certain type of organization… I’m not at the point where I’m saying there’s some funding that is necessary. But we’ll listen to those specific situations, like you’ve just raised and see if there’s something that is necessary,” said Houston.
As for Queens Place, Norman says they have posted the available positions on the usual job posting sites. Anyone interested in applying can also reach out to Queens Place directly.
Dr. Robert Strang provides COVID-19 update with Premier Tim Houston and Health Minister Michelle Thompson. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s phase 5 reopening plan will see social distancing and gathering limits lifted for businesses but will require healthcare workers and school employees to be vaccinated.
If those employees aren’t vaccinated by November 30, they could be put on unpaid administrative leave and could eventually be fired.
In the technical briefing ahead of Wednesday’s COVID update, Dr. Robert Strang stressed the importance of vaccination.
“If you’re caring for somebody, whether it’s in a hospital [or] long-term care facility. If you’re teaching somebody, who, because of their age can’t be vaccinated, you have an obligation to get vaccinated so you can do your job safely,” said Strang.
Beginning Monday October 4, anyone wishing to enter a non-essential business or activity will need to show proof of vaccination.
Those include full-service restaurants and bars, gyms or indoor sporting events.
People will not be asked to show proof of vaccination at essential services such as retail stores, banks, hair salons, doctor’s offices, hotels or faith services.
When asked if requiring proof of vaccination to fully participate in the reopening was a way to encourage more people to get vaccinated Strang says that is not the intent of the regulations, but is a welcome side-effect.
“Right now the way we look after each other or the main way in a pandemic, is to get vaccinated because that protects everyone else around us. I’m sorry if people don’t like that but you have an obligation to care for your neighbour. Care for the healthcare worker who’s going to be there for you if you get sick,” said Strang. “I won’t apologize for having to take these strong measures to get to the level of safety that we need to have.”
That record will be updated October 4 to include a QR code.
Businesses will be able to download an app on October 22, which will read the code and simply show a green check or red X to indicate if a person is vaccinated without revealing any further personal information.
At Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Premier Tim Houston took a decidedly different tone from past efforts to convince Nova Scotians to get vaccinated.
Premier Tim Houston. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
After thanking the majority of Nova Scotians who have been vaccinated, Houston spoke to some of the 60,000 who are eligible but have yet to get their shots.
“Some of you don’t want to and I also know that you want to convince me that there is a reason not to get vaccinated. But let me be very clear, I don’t agree with you,” said Houston. “No matter how many YouTube videos or conspiracy theories from so-called experts that you send to me, we will not agree. Getting vaccinated is important. For the sake of those around you, please, please, get vaccinated.”
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia will not be easing COVID restrictions Wednesday as they had hoped.
At an update last week, Premier Tim Houston and Dr. Robert Strang said the province could move into Phase 5 of the reopening plan, lifting requirements for masks, social distancing and reduced gathering limits if the number of Nova Scotians who are double vaccinated reached 75 percent and if the epidemiology determined it was safe to do so.
“The reason we’re delaying moving from Phase 4 to Phase 5 is not because of our vaccination. We’ve always said it’s vaccination plus epidemiology. We’ve had a rapidly evolving situation in the Maritime Provinces in the last few days, including Nova Scotia,” said Strang. “There’s too much risk for us to open up gathering limits when we don’t have the proof of vaccination to restrict those gatherings to only people who are vaccinated.”
Strang says all current COVID protocols will remain in place as the province aims to move to Phase 5 October 4.
That is the day Nova Scotia will require proof of vaccination to be shown to access any discretionary businesses, shops or services such as going to restaurants, gyms or movies.
Proof will not need to be provided at essential services like the grocery store, faith services and doctors offices.
A link to the complete list can be found on our website.
Among those still required to wear masks will be school staff and students.
Despite Nova Scotia having some of the highest vaccination rates in the world, a large cohort of the population still cannot be immunized, and those are children under 12.
Dr Strang said it could be early next year before a vaccine is ready for that group.
“Everything that I keep hearing is that it’s, through the fall before we get the vaccine companies with enough of their clinical trial data, to bring that in front of Health Canada, who is the regulator in this country,” said Strang. “So in all likelihood, to get through all of those regulatory steps and get final approval, get vaccine out and et cetera and develop a program, it’s likely that’s it’s going to be at earliest in early 2022 before we start immunizing people under 12. If it’s sooner than that, that would be great.”
Strang says at the outset of the pandemic the priority was to develop a vaccine for the most at-risk group of the population, which were seniors.
He says clinical trials weren’t started for children under 12 until much later, which is why there is a delay in bringing a vaccine for that cohort.
The news comes as Nova Scotia is reporting it’s highest single-day case count in months with a cluster of 61 cases in the Northern Zone accounting for the bulk of the 66 cases announced.
There are currently 173 active COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia.
Dr. Strang says he understands people have different perspectives on vaccination and that choice is important as he again, pleaded with those who are not yet vaccinated to step forward and get their shot.
“But personal choice cannot be all that you think about when it comes to COVID vaccines. I’d ask that you think about others and that you focus on the We, not the Me. The choice to be vaccinated or not has implications for those around you,” said Strang. “We are experiencing a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Because of the risk of further spread, we are having to slow down our reopening. That impacts, directly, people, families, the healthcare system and our economy.”
Strang says we trust basic grounded science for the vast majority of things we do in our daily lives and the vaccine should be no different.
A parents group wants masks to stay on in public schools.
Nova Scotia Parents for Public Schools, a Facebook group with close to 18,000 members is raising their concerns after the province’s chief medical officer for health Dr. Robert Strang announced students and staff would no longer be required to wear masks beginning September 20.
Co-chair Stacey Rudderham says the decision whether or not to wear a mask can’t be left up to students.
“Kids don’t know how to make personal choices that are always in their best interests.”
Rudderham says many of the parents in her group are worried ventilation issues at their schools still haven’t been addressed.
That combined with the decision to drop the masking requirement has shaken their faith in public health direction being put forward by the province.
“Last year we saw a lot of people saying that they trusted the situation was going to be fine and after the spring, we’re not seeing a lot of that in the group anymore,” said Rudderham.
Unlike Nova Scotia, many provinces are requiring teachers to either prove they have been fully vaccinated or undergo regular COVID testing.
The lack of proof isn’t an issue for Rudderham.
Despite having any hard numbers to confirm her speculation, she’s confident the majority of teachers have had their vaccines.
“We were very aware of last spring was that the NSTU (Nova Scotia Teachers Union) and the teachers were asking to prioritized; that they should be treated like healthcare workers and they wanted to be vaccinated,” said Rudderham. “They were very much stressed out about the amount of risk that they were facing.”
The Nova Scotia Parents for Public Education group is putting together a letter outlining their concerns to present to the newly appointed Minister of Education Becky Druhan.
Rudderham expects to send that letter off to the department within the week.
Premier Designate Tim Houston and Dr. Robert Strang provide a COVID update August 23. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Students may only have to wear masks for a week once schools open across the province on September 7.
Premier Designate Tim Houston and Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced the schools reopening plan Monday.
Students will be required to mask up for the first week but with the province projected to move into the fifth phase of the COVID reopening plan on September 15, that requirement could be short-lived.
Phase five of the reopening plan assumes the epidemiology is good and 75 percent of Nova Scotians will have received their second doses of vaccine.
Strang says as a result, rules around mandatory masks and social distancing will be lifted.
“I’m sure there are mixed views on this. Some will be thrilled to get rid of masks and others will be nervous to stop wearing them and that’s totally normal. It’s time to start living more with COVID,” said Strang. “Even if we see rising case numbers that would have previously meant province-wide restrictions, our vaccine coverage means that we can carry on with only border restrictions and maybe, if necessary, targeted local restrictions.”
Despite the impending easing of restrictions, Strang says it’s not time for Nova Scotians to let their guard down.
“But we also need to keep practicing the good habits that help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and quite frankly, will also help reduce the spread of influenza and a range of other organisms that cause other respiratory and other gastro-intestinal illnesses. So staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces are important whether restrictions are in place or not,” said Strang.
He added, Nova Scotians need to accept that a fourth wave of COVID is coming.
“We will get the fourth wave here. We will get some cases. We may get little clusters in unvaccinated populations,” said Strang. “How we minimize the impact of the fourth wave, it really is, the key driver there is our vaccination rate.”
Dr. Strang was also asked how businesses can restrict admittance to individuals based on their vaccination status.
The chief medical officer of health says he has been advising private businesses to ensure that whatever policy they decide to put in place does not discriminate against people or infringe on their rights.
In his first appearance at a COVID briefing since winning a majority in last week’s election Houston echoed Strang’s remarks and added his government will not be issuing vaccine passports.
“There was some talk towards the end of the campaign about a scotia-pass concept. That was not something that bubbled up from public health,” said Houston. “So the province is contemplating phase five re-opening with restrictions removed.”
Premier Designate Tim Houston appearing at his first COVID briefing August 23. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Houston also announced that due to a steep uptick in the number of COVID cases over the past couple of weeks, anyone travelling from New Brunswick who has not been double vaccinated will have to quarantine, beginning Wednesday.
Houston says his government plans to continue to follow public health advice in order to make the best decisions for Nova Scotia around COVID.
“The reality is being cautious has kept this province safe and we will continue to be cautious.”
Dr. Robert Strang shares latest vaccinate numbers. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Over 75 percent of Nova Scotians have either received their first dose of COVID vaccine or have an appointment booked.
Nova Scotia now leads the country in the number of people who have received a first dose.
The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says this is a milestone worth celebrating but we can’t stop yet.
“Seventy-five percent of the entire population with at least one dose is our minimum. While we’ve shifted focus to second doses, we still want as many people as possible to get their first dose and then their second. The more people who are fully vaccinated, the better protected we all are from COVID and its variants, especially the Delta variant,” said Strang.
Another 8,000 members of the military will be added to the total to push the province past the 75 percent mark.
At Monday’s COVID briefing Dr. Strang said the province could begin lifting mask and social distancing restrictions before the end of summer. At Wednesday’s briefing he said that action is dependent on Nova Scotian’s continued willingness to do what needs to be done to beat back COVID.
“We need every eligible person to get both doses of vaccine to help protect us all,” said Strang. “The sooner we do that, the sooner we can lift more restrictions and public health measures.”
Strang acknowledged there are many places who are moving ahead with plans to lift restrictions despite their populations not being fully vaccinated.
He said plans to reopen in the United Kingdom and the United States come with risks of more viral spread, especially the highly contagious Delta variant.
“There is a clear link now between lower COVID vaccination rates and more COVID deaths by state. As Mississippi state health officer says, it is the unvaccinated people who are being diagnosed, who are going to hospital and who are dying. And that’s not a risk we are prepared to take in Nova Scotia,” said Strang. “Our people, our healthcare system and our economy have been through enough so we’ll continue our cautious approach to reopening while we increase our vaccine coverage.”
While Nova Scotia leads in first-dose vaccinations, the province sits in the middle of the pack getting second doses into arms.
Strang reiterated his plea for all Nova Scotians who are able, to get both doses of the vaccine as soon as they can.
Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin. Photo Nova Scotia Government
The province is announcing that as of Monday, Nova Scotians have received one million doses of COVID vaccines.
The milestone comes as Canada is opening the border to international travellers.
Premier Iain Rankin says the federal restrictions are in line with those already in place to protect Nova Scotians.
“People who can show proof of two vaccines will not have to isolate. Those with one vaccine will have to isolate for seven days and get two negative tests. Anyone who has not been vaccinated will have to isolate for 14 days,” said Rankin. “We are monitoring all travel in and out of our province to look for cases and determine patterns but so far, so good.”
Chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang says the province could move to lift restrictions around masks and social distancing sooner if we can increase the rate of vaccinations.
Dr.Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government
To date, 73 percent of eligible Nova Scotians have received a first dose of vaccine and 29 percent have two doses.
Strang says hitting a target of 85 percent of people with at least one dose will be required to lift restrictions ahead of schedule but to do that, people need to stop being selective about which vaccine they receive.
“Pfizer and Moderna are the same type of vaccine and are both equally effective and safe. One is not better than the other. Given the reduced Pfizer supply and considering the risk of the Delta variant please do not wait to book your second dose. If you got Pfizer for your first dose it’s completely fine to get Moderna for your second. The sooner you’re fully vaccinated the better for all of us,” said Strang.
Rankin is confident Nova Scotia will hit targets that will allow the move to Phase 4 of the reopening plan, as scheduled this coming Wednesday July 14.
“Dr. Strang and the team will continue to watch our cases and ensure we’re moving in that direction but all signs are positive so far,” said Rankin.
While the premier is looking ahead to reopening he also reminds Nova Scotians to not let their guard down.
“People are on the move but so too, is Delta variant and it can spread quickly,” said Rankin. “That is why we have to constantly remind ourselves to be cautious and continue to follow protocols.”
Nova Scotia is opening to the rest of Canada beginning Wednesday as the province enters phase three of its reopening plan.
For people coming from the Atlantic provinces that means no more self-isolation requirements.
Those arriving from elsewhere in Canada will need to complete a Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form and electronically upload their proof of vaccination.
The province is throwing open the border as public health continues to report new daily cases in the single digits.
Nova Scotia has 51 active cases of COVID-19, two of those are currently in hospital.
A major milestone in vaccinations was reached Tuesday as the province marks 900,000 doses injected into arms.
(L-R) Rennette Amirault-Laing, IWK Health, Halifax Convention Centre Vaccine Clinic Lead and Captain Danielle Clement, Site Lead, Canadian Armed Forces, Kathleen King, Event Coordinator, Halifax Convention Centre and Sarah Parisio, Site Manager, Canadian Red Cross. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Tuesday saw a daily record of 31,000 shots administered and Nova Scotians are booked to receive 135,000 shots over the coming week.
Dr. Robert Strang says the vaccination rates are some of the highest in the country with 73 percent of the population having received at least one dose of vaccine.
But he is concerned young people in their twenties seem to be resisting getting their shots.
“In that age group many people think they’re invincible, they’re young, they’re not going to get seriously ill. Well even if you’re not worried about yourself, we’re asking you to do, like everything else through COVID, do it for other people around you. Do it for the rest of Nova Scotia,” said Strang. “And quite frankly, for young people, if they want to continue to have restaurants open, if they want to travel, well the way they get to do that is by making sure they’re contributing to the highest possible coverage rate.”
Strang says the province is on track to meet a target of two doses in 75 percent of Nova Scotians by the end of August.
Moving to Phase three of the reopening plan allows a household to host an additional 10 guests inside and 25 outside.
Restaurants and bars can now serve until midnight and close by 1:00am.
Sports, recreation, arts and music events will all see increases in capacity.
A complete list of the changes are available on the government Nova Scotia coronavirus website.
Dr. Strang also took a moment to recognize students, teachers and schools for the efforts they made during a difficult year.
“[Wednesday] is the last official day of school and I just want to personally thank, it’s been a difficult year for school but we’ve done well in Nova Scotia compared to many other places. We’ve had most of the school year in school. So I just want to personally thank students, staff, teachers for all they’ve done to get through the school year by keeping each other safe,” said Strang. “Have a good summer and we’ll come back next year with a much more normal school year. Thank you.”
A jubilant mood outside Queens Place as proud parents, grandparents and members of the community gathered to celebrate the 2021 Liverpool Regional High School graduates.
For the second year in a row, the LRHS community had to find another way to acknowledge graduates as pandemic restrictions have forced the cancellation of traditional proms, safe grads and public graduation ceremonies.
Deborah Raddall says she and her fellow organizers simply followed the plan parents laid out last year.
Students were permitted to be seated six feet apart in front of Queens Place while their loved ones drove past to acknowledge their accomplishments.
Deborah Raddall looks on as the community rolls by in a drive-thru graduation celebration. Photo Ed Halverson
“It’s a simple concept,” said Raddall. “We didn’t ask for more than they were prepared to give and I think that’s really why we got the okay. It was a reasonable, well, thought-out plan, safety was the primary thing.”
Graduate Jamie Dunn is one of many students who appreciates the efforts so many put in to give them a public celebration.
LRHS Graduate Jamie Dunn. Photo Ed Halverson
“It’s really nice that we have classmates with really caring parents that could organize this for us,” said Dunn. “I’m really grateful that everyone is here tonight, together.”
Parent Todd Wilms was on hand to cheer on his daughter Piper. He was glad to see so many people come out to celebrate the graduates.
“This is the epitome of a small community getting together, despite the circumstances here now with the pandemic. Wonderful,” said Wilms.
The excitement of the evening was tempered for some. Graduate Chris Bowers says he appreciates the effort but is a bit disappointed the pandemic has prevented students celebrating the end of their time together in a more traditional way.
“It’s not as exciting as I thought it would be but it’s better than nothing,” said Bowers.
LRHS Graduate Chris Bowers. Photo Ed Halverson
When asked what he was hoping for, Bowers responded, “More together, more than just an hour with everyone. Safe grad is what I’m going to miss the most, not having that.”
Volunteers from Queens County Search and Rescue directed traffic as car after car, loaded with supporters, circled Queens Place several times, honking horns, waving signs and blowing bubbles.
Raddall’s daughter Ellen is among the 2021 graduating class. She was impressed with the turnout from the community and the resilience shown by her fellow graduates.
LRHS Graduate Ellen Raddall. Photo Ed Halverson
“It’s so incredible to see so many people out here today and seeing people who have driven from Bridgewater, like our teachers, just to come and celebrate us. It kind of makes up for the lack of grad we get because of COVID. It really didn’t crack our spirit at all,” said Raddall.
Ellen’s mom Deborah says the support from the community and the turnout really made all the effort worthwhile.
“It’s more than I envisioned. It’s so exciting. I’m trying to hold myself together from having lots of tears, you know, momma tears but it’s excellent,” said Raddall. “The kids are all excited. We’re across the parking lot and you can see them grinning from ear-to ear.”
Liverpool Regional High School. Photo Ed Halverson
A local group is working to recognize Liverpool Regional High School graduates.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, large gatherings are prohibited across Nova Scotia, including graduation ceremonies.
Deborah Raddall is one of a group of volunteers who are working to find a way to allow graduates to gather together without breaking the public health orders.
“We thought, we have to do this so that, in the end we can say we did whatever we could to try and give our kids something,” said Raddall.
Schools have adjusted to allow students to receive their diplomas and awards at individually scheduled times.
The students can be accompanied by up to four guests for the ten-minute ceremony.
Raddall and her group are proposing to follow in the steps of last year’s graduating class and hold a drive-by graduation celebration.
She says using Queens Place Emera Centre again would allow the students to set up six feet apart while the community drives by and shows their support.
Raddall says a letter submitted to public health through the department’s website outlining their plan was met with a form-letter type rejection.
But Friday morning, Raddall awoke to an e-mail from Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang.
Dr Robert Strang discusses what safe graduation celebrations could look like in the second phase of COVID reopening. Photo Nova Scotia Government
In it, he says under the current restrictions the gathering is not permitted.
But once the province moves into Phase II of the COVID reopening plan, which could be as soon as Wednesday June 16, the ceremony can go ahead.
In fact during Friday’s COVID briefing Dr. Strang pointed to the LRHS drive-by model as one other schools should consider.
“Communities will need to be creative and innovative again in celebrating their graduates. One example I’ve heard is a drive-past celebration. Graduates can be sitting outside, properly distanced, while family and community members in their vehicles drive-by to honour the graduate’s accomplishments. It’s a great idea and I’m sure the people who thought of it would be happy if you stole their idea,” said Strang.
Raddall is excited the drive-by idea has received the blessing of Nova Scotia’s top doctor.
She’s optimistic provincial officials will announce phase II of the recovery will begin Wednesday and their group can go ahead with their plans but regardless, they’re determined to provide some ceremony for the LRHS class of 2021.
“Really where we’re at is, we just have to move on and say, ok, if that doesn’t work, let’s go to plan B,” said Raddall. “There’s 26 letters in the alphabet and we’re not the give-y up kind of people.”
The province has announced further easing of COVID restrictions in Nova Scotia.
Beginning Wednesday, malls, retail operations and fitness centres can once again operate at 100 percent capacity so long as people are social distancing.
And anyone arriving from Newfoundland and Labrador will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days.
The province will also ease up on restrictions for sports practices, training and games, and arts and culture rehearsals and performances to allow 75 people to participate.
Spectators will continue to be permitted at those activities except at schools.
Restrictions will remain in place for other parts of the service industry.
Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says after recently extending opening hours to 11:00pm the soonest he will look at easing restrictions for bars and restaurants will be the summer.
Strang says those restrictions can be credited for helping the province avoid the spread of the COVID variants that has plagued other parts of Canada.
“I have to ask myself why. Is it just because we’re lucky? I don’t think so. I think it’s also because we have adhered to, even with very safe epidemiology, we’re still hanging onto these public health protocols, the restrictions, and Nova Scotians are following them,” said Strang.
He says it would be premature to look at relaxing those measures while the COVID variants are all around us.
“I’m very nervous about the next couple of months and we’re not going to relax something beyond where we consider it safe to do that while we are looking at how the variant is playing around in other parts of Canada.”
Strang says Nova Scotians still need to be careful about socializing in groups whether it is in their homes or in public.
The changes are being made as the province announces six new cases of COVID-19.
Premier Iain Rankin says the pace of vaccination in Nova Scotia continues to ramp up as supply increases with almost 10,000 receiving their immunization from Thursday through Monday.
Rankin says this weekend’s vaccination efforts only paused for Easter Sunday and he’s grateful to the workers who are making this possible.
“Thank you to everyone who was working or came out to get vaccinated,” said Rankin. “We are not slowing down. In fact, this week we’ll have 47 pharmacies operating with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and I’m pleased to say, all appointments are booked.”
Rankin says that equates to another 40,000 vaccinations this week.
To date, over 116,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in the province and almost 30,000 Nova Scotians have received their second shot.
Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Government of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotians may not have to endure the stricter COVID conditions announced last week for as long as previously announced.
The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says the fact new case counts have stayed in the low single digits for the past several days may allow restrictions to be eased.
“If the pattern continues that we’re seeing, we may be in a position to lift restrictions much earlier than March 26. I know that will be welcome news,” said Strang.
The one new case of COVID-19 being reported in the Northern zone is a close contact of a previously announced case.
Strang said public health will continue to examine the epidemiology and will have more to say on the subject at Friday’s briefing.
Strang also addressed comments he’s heard questioning why the restrictions were put in place for some activities but not others. He’s concerned people are trying to compare two things that are not comparable.
“There is a science on how the virus is transmitted. Players at hockey games or other sports are not masked and they’re making contact with other players on the ice. There’s no physical distancing,” said Strang. “At an arcade, people are wearing masks, they’re staying physically distanced, they’re handwashing and equipment is frequently cleaned. So the reality is that this is a much safer environment than playing hockey or other sports.”
The chief medical officer said making recommendations to government to limit activities and place restrictions on businesses is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m fully aware of whether it’s limiting hours in restaurants, reducing opportunities for sport or theatre activities, I’m fully aware of what that means to people, so it’s not easy,” said Strang. “But I’m also fully aware of what happens when you allow COVID-19 to spread widely in a community.”
Strang said when it comes to the pandemic; he is always going to err on the side of caution.
“I’d much rather have to come forward and say we acted early and nothing happened and then look at how we can relax, perhaps earlier than we thought and explain that, rather than to sit here and explain why we didn’t act when we should have and have significant spread of the illness and all the impacts that will have,” said Strang.
Premier Iain Rankin also announced support is coming for some small businesses.
Premier Iain Rankin. Photo credit Government of Nova Scotia
A $7 million rebate program launched today will provide service sector owners a one-time rebate of a portion of their paid property taxes.
Nearly 3,300 businesses are eligible, including dine-in restaurants and drinking establishments; gym and fitness establishments; hair salons and barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments.
Rankin said he understands the sacrifices being made by restaurants and many other small businesses and hopes Nova Scotians can follow their lead.
“They have stepped up and continue to do so,” said Rankin. “ I’m sure you’ve all read the reports of some pubs deciding not to open, for example, on St. Patrick’s Day. Obviously a tough decision but one that speaks volumes about our business owners being leaders and helping to contain the spread of the virus.”
Public health officials are warning Nova Scotians not to think we’re out of the woods with the coronavirus.
The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says people are becoming complacent around social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Even though we talk about a pandemic, we’re acting like we’re not in a pandemic in Nova Scotia. That’s important that we remind ourselves we need to be cautious. I recognize that COVID fatigue is real,” said Strang. “We’ve been at this for almost a year but as tired as everyone is, public health measures are as important now as they were last March and April.”
Three new cases of the coronavirus are being reported bringing the total number of active cases to 21.
Strang cautioned people to keep their socializing and social circles to a minimum.
“We need people to slow down for the next two to three months,” said Strang. “We need to still stay very focused on limiting our social activities, limiting the number of people, ideally [to] only a single social group of 10.”
Strang says the province expects to receive 14,700 doses of vaccine this week and vaccine deliveries are back on track to meet targets that were expected when deliveries were first announced.
“Vaccine supply is expected to be steady with weekly shipments of at least 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine until the end of March,” said Strang. “Meaning that we are on target to meet the outcomes for the first 90 days of our vaccine strategy.”
Strang says he’s heard requests for Nova Scotia to develop a vaccine passport to allow those that have been inoculated to be exempt from some of the COVID protocols. He says the province will not be issuing proof of immunization cards or vaccine passports until more is known about the effectiveness of the vaccines.
“We know that they’re very effective against preventing clinical and symptomatic illness but we don’t know yet whether they prevent asymptomatic transmission.”
Premier Stephen McNeil. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Friday marked the final time Premier Stephen McNeil would provide a COVID update to Nova Scotians.
McNeil noted the milestone was significant as it was the 100th time he and the province’s chief medical officer Dr. Robert Strang appeared together to give the latest update on the pandemic and vaccinations.
The premier was asked to reflect on the last eleven months and if there is anything he would like to have done differently.
McNeil said it was important for officials to recognize what they didn’t know about the virus, such as the asymptomatic transmission but overall, was proud of the response by Nova Scotians.
“When we started early on, there were so many unknowns for us. That’s why we acted very quickly and aggressively in shutting down parts of our economy. I think those decisions early on, with the acknowledgement of what we didn’t know, allowed us to be in a position where good parts of our economy are functioning as long as people continue to follow the public health protocols,” said McNeil.
Dr. Strang announced new precautions for travellers from Newfoundland who aren’t required to self-isolate such as long-haul truckers.
Beginning Sunday, COVID-19 testing will be mandatory for anyone arriving by ferry.
Strang also unveiled the locations of 10 community based vaccination clinics, which will be rolled out beginning March 8 in Halifax, New Minas, Sydney and Truro.
Residents of the South Shore will wait to rollup their sleeves until March 22 when a clinic will be opened in Bridgewater.
Seniors 80 years of age and older are the first eligible to receive the injection. MSI will contact those selected by letter to book an appointment.
The province is reporting two new cases of COVID-19, one in the Eastern and one in the Central zone to bring the total to 15 active cases in Nova Scotia.
McNeil said getting to know Dr. Strang was something good that came out of this pandemic.
“Good male role-models are hard to find and last March I found one. He’s an extraordinary Nova Scotian who I think, all of us, owe a great debt of gratitude to. I’m really proud, not only of what he’s been able to do here, but I’m really proud of the fact that I got to know the man,” said McNeil. “I want to say to all Nova Scotians, he may be a great public health doctor but he’s an even better man.”
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government
Strang was equally complimentary of McNeil.
“The premier’s been on the hot seat for a lot of things and I’ve learned a lot in the last year and I can understand why the premier is tired after seven years. But what I’ve seen is somebody who is principled and honest and as I said in my remarks, always, throughout the past year, has put the health of Nova Scotians first and foremost and I have great respect for the premier for that,” said Strang.
Incoming premier-elect Iain Rankin will replace Premier McNeil on Tuesday. McNeil addressed Nova Scotians directly in his final remarks.
“I can’t tell you what it has meant to me over the last 11 months, for you generosity of spirit and your kindness towards me and your thoughtfulness of supporting me and asking me how I’m doing. At the same time you wrapped your arms around each other,” said McNeil. “You know, we take for granted sometimes this beautiful province we live in. We have beautiful scenery, we have magnificent views, we don’t often look back and say you know, the people are pretty good too. You demonstrated that in spades over the last 11 months and I am deeply grateful. My family and I are deeply grateful for the kindness that you’ve shown.”
McNeil asked Nova Scotians to continue to show that kindness and support to Iain Rankin when he takes office next week.
