Iain Rankin, Susan MacLeod and MacLeod campaign manager John Simmonds at Queens Manor. Photo Nova Scotia Liberal Party

The Liberals are planning to replace Queens Manor and Hillsview Acres with a new consolidated facility.

Liberal leader Iain Rankin was at Queens Manor in Liverpool Thursday with Queens Liberal Candidate Susan MacLeod to announce the new facility will add six more beds to increase the combined capacity of the two locations from 90 to 96 beds.

Rankin says the liberal government had already been moving to modernize long-term care homes and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought that need home.

“It’s more pronounced, especially looking at higher quality of infection control that we need to have single rooms with no shared washrooms and more modern equipment in the homes,” said Rankin.

A site for the new long-term care home has not been decided. Rankin says a location will be determined as part of the tendering process.

The promise to replace the two aging care homes in Queens comes as a result of one of the last announcements the Liberal government made before calling the election.

The province pledged $152.6 million to renovate and replace almost 2,400 beds across 24 facilities in Nova Scotia and add a further 500 new beds to the Halifax region, where the demand is highest.

Rankin says the Liberals are also investing in workers to care for people in the long-term care homes.

“More workplace safety, we’ve increased pay and we’re allocating more spaces, you saw at the Nova Scotia Community College.”

Rankin says his government will address worker shortages by creating 276 spaces to train new licensed practical nurses, opening 30 seats – tuition free, for current continuing care assistants to upgrade their skills along with heavily recruiting to attract more careworkers to the province.

Government recently reached a collective agreement with the union representing a large number of CCAs that will see them receive an eight percent wage increase over the first two years of the contract.

Rankin says seniors and residents of long-term care homes are a priority for his party.

“We’re building on a lot of progress we’ve made recently. We’ve made significant, historic investments in our 21/22 budget. We’re building on some of that with an additional spend for staffing,” said Rankin. “We have the most aggressive capital plan including the largest single long-term care investment in our history. So we’re building on that. It’s targeted and we believe that it’s appropriate and fiscally responsible. Those that have been working on the front lines deserve this investment.”

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NDP candidate for Queens Mary Dahr, Photo contributed by Mary Dahr

The last of the three major Nova Scotian parties have announced their candidate for the riding of Queens.

The NDP have chosen Mary Dahr to carry their banner in the next provincial election.

Dahr has been involved with the NDP for over 20 years and feels the priority the party places on social issues will resonate with voters.

“I’m hoping what I’m saying is going to touch people’s hearts and they’re going to vote for me,” said Dahr.

Born in Queens, Dahr’s family moved to Alberta when she was a child.

After retiring from a career as a medical lab technician she moved back to the region six years ago and currently works at White Point Beach and Resort.

Dahr was inspired to put her name forward after learning of the desperate child poverty rates in Nova Scotia and in particular, Queens.

“I know that when they announced child poverty in Nova Scotia, it seemed to me that nobody blinked,” said Dahr. “There was no, oh, we have to do better. I didn’t hear that at all.”

This isn’t the first time Dahr has stood for the NDP provincially. She twice ran in Alberta and narrowly missed winning a seat when Rachel Notley led the party to power in 2015.

Dahr says with a platform that includes a $15/hr minimum wage, free tuition, increased social assistance rates and a commitment to find solutions for affordable housing, the Nova Scotia NDP under leader Gary Burrill are working to make the lives of everyday Nova Scotians better.

“It’s an honest and fair government that is looking out for the people of Nova Scotia, not just caring about the people who don’t really need to be cared about, because they have all the money that they need,” said Dahr. “We need to care about everybody in Nova Scotia and not leave anybody behind.”

Dahr joins Liberal candidate Susan MacLeod and PC Candidate and current MLA for Queens –Shelburne Kim Masland in trying to win the re-established riding of Queens.

It’s up to Premier Iain Rankin to decide when the writ will drop.

Rankin has until May to make the call but given the large and frequent number of funding announcements coming out of government the past few weeks, speculation is high the election could be called soon.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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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.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Premier Iain Rankin in Lunenburg. Photo Ed Halverson

The province announced five new palliative care beds are opening on the South Shore.

Premier Iain Rankin was in Lunenburg to share the news the province will provide $1 million annually to fund the five spaces at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.

The new unit will provide team-based palliative care, including end-of-life care, symptom management and support for patients and families from across Queens and Lunenburg counties.

Existing beds at the hospital will be converted into home-like environments.

The province will pick up the tab for equipment and furnishings and additional staff requirements.

Chair of the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society Trudy Johnson says the new beds will provide dignity at the end of life.

“I guess I’ll describe it as a giant hug,” said Johnson. “You know, you have people embracing you at your end of life and being able to be with you with dignity and comfort and care and knowing that they love you.”

Trudy Johnson. Photo Ed Halverson

The new unit is set to open this fall.

The new funding announcement is the latest in a string from Premier Rankin, leading many to believe an election call is imminent.

Border blockade takes center stage

Wednesday’s announcement was overshadowed by news of the blockade that has been erected at the New Brunswick – Nova Scotia border.

Protestors blocking the Trans-Canada Highway into Nova Scotia are reacting to last minute changes to quarantine requirements for anyone entering this province from New Brunswick.

The premier announced Tuesday people coming from New Brunswick may have to quarantine up to 14 days based on the number of vaccines they have received and testing.

Protestors are frustrated restrictions weren’t lifted for travellers from New Brunswick the same as they were for people coming from Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.

Rankin has a message to those blockading the highway.

“Think about all the families in Nova Scotia. I have a duty to look out for safety and everyone’s lives,” said Rankin. “We just lost two Nova Scotians yesterday. One had one shot of vaccine. I need to trust the advise of public health that we need one more week.”

At a press conference late Wednesday afternoon, PC Leader Tim Houston said he has been in touch with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs about the blockade

“I urge the premier to do the same thing. To have those discussions, get everyone to the table and open up the border. But the blockade must end. Goods and services have to be able to flow, families have to be reunited and out products have to move, so end the blockades now,” said Houston.

PC Leader Tim Houston. Screen grab from Zoom conference

For his part, the premier is once again calling on Nova Scotians to put their faith in the people who have kept them safe throughout the pandemic.

“Support public health and support the safety of Nova Scotians for one week and then we’re in a much different place,” said Rankin. “We’ll have thousands of more people with their second dose. Let’s give public health the confidence we have for five months.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government

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.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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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.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Iain Rankin sworn-in as premier of Nova Scotia. Photo Government of Nova Scotia

The province officially has a new premier.

Iain Rankin became the 29^th premier of Nova Scotia Tuesday.

Rankin and 16 of his caucus colleagues were sworn-in to their cabinet posts by Lt. Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc.

The event, held at the Halifax Convention Centre began with a smudging ceremony conducted by Queens County residents Todd and Melissa Labrador.

In addition to his responsibilities as premier of the province, Rankin will also serve as president of the Executive Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. He is Minister of the Department of L’Nu Affairs, formally the Office of Aboriginal Affairs among others.

Deputy premier Kelly Regan will maintain her role as Minister of Community Services with responsibility for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She also takes on the Department of Seniors.

Rankin’s opponents to become Liberal leader Labi Kousoulis and Randy Delorey will also feature prominently in his new cabinet. Kousoulis will assume the position of Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, which is the new name for the Department of Business.

Former Health Minister Delorey is now Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Minister of Labour Relations.

Former Education Minister Zach Churchill will now assume the health portfolio.

Derek Mombourquette is the new Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and Chuck Porter is now Minister of Lands and Forestry and Energy and Mines.

There will be some new faces around the cabinet table as well as Kings South MLA Keith Irving was appointed Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Ben Jessome, the MLA for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, becomes Minister of the Public Service Commission, and Brendan Maguire, MLA for Halifax Atlantic, takes over at Municipal Affairs.

Premier Rankin used his first public opportunity to rally Nova Scotians to build a better province.

“All of you, not just the women and men that are serving in cabinet today have a role in building our future. Whether a union member, a business owner, a volunteer, retiree, still working, any age, you are part of building that future. It’s not just government. This is your province. This is your opportunity. This is our time to break through in Nova Scotia, so let’s get to work.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Premier Stephen McNeil signs minister’s oath of office. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Premier Stephen McNeil has announced a cabinet shuffle.

The MLA for Lunenburg, Suzanne Lohnes-Croft will assume her first cabinet role as minister for Communities, Culture and Heritage and Minister of Gaelic Affairs.

Suzanne Lohnes-Croft. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Former Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine returns to the health portfolio as Minister of the Department of Health and Wellness. 2017. He will continue on as Minister of Seniors.

Leo Glavine. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Lena Metlege Diab, the MLA for Halifax Armdale, will be serving double duty as well. Currently the Minister of Immigration, Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, Ms. Diab will also take over as Minister of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

Lena Metledge Diab. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

The final MLA to add a portfolio to their existing responsibilities is Sydney-Whitney Pier MLA Derek Mombourquette. The Minister of Energy and Mines, also becomes Minister of the Department of Lands and Forestry.

Derek Mombourquette. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Former ministers of Health and Wellness, Randy Delorey, Labour and Advanced Education, Labi Kousoulis and Lands and Forestry, Iain Rankin resigned their cabinet posts to run to replace Premier Stephen McNeil as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal party.

McNeil announced in August he was retiring from politics but would stay on until a new leader was chosen.

Party faithful will decide who will lead the liberals and by default, become premier of Nova Scotia on February 6.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson