Hank Snow Administrator Vina Moses with Charlotte White. Photo courtesy Friends of Hank Snow Society

A dedicated Liverpool volunteer was honoured in a surprise ceremony Sunday.

Charlotte White thought she was attending the regular annual general meeting of the Hank Snow society.

As she pulled in the driveway of the Hank Snow Museum, it didn’t take long for her to figure out something was up.

“When I drove in the yard and I saw all the cars and I thought oh isn’t this nice, we have so many to turn out ‘cause it was our annual meeting, right?” said White. “Oh, my heavens, and then I saw girl stand in the driveway that worked with me at the food bank and I thought, and then when I went to park, I saw my son’s car and I thought, what is going on here?”

For her longstanding service, the Friends of Hank Snow Society decided to name the room that showcases the famous singer’s outfits in honour of Charlotte White.

Commemorative sign inside museum. Photo courtesy Friends of Hank Snow Society

The ceremony was marked with messages of appreciation for White from MLA Kim Masland and Mayor Darlene Norman.

Administrator at the Hank Snow Museum Vina Moses says the honour is not only deserved but appropriate.

“We thought that would be a nice way to honour her so that when we do tours, we can say this is the Charlotte White room,” said Moses. “Charlotte White is the lady who did a lot for the museum, for the Friends of Hank Snow Society and a lady who loved Hank Snow and loved his music and wanted to make sure that it was remembered.”

Moses says White has been involved since the early days of the Friends of Hank Snow Society and her fingerprints are all over the organization.

While she isn’t as front and centre in day-to-day activities, White continues to be an honorary director.

Moses says when you mention to White you have a need, she puts her experience and connections to work to make it happen.

Moses says the society also wanted to ensure White was recognized for her work establishing the outside canteen, which will now forever bear her name.

“I thought we needed something inside and outside because there may be people who don’t come inside but who are at the outside activities or vice versa, you know. So, her name is in both areas, and I thought it was a deserving recognition that she would have that,” said Moses.

Charlotte White sign on concessions building outside museum. Photo courtesy Friends of Hank Snow Society

Keeping the ceremony a surprise from someone as plugged into the community as White was no easy feat.

Moses says she needed to use White’s own network against her to keep the event under wraps.

By using the phone list White provided, Moses managed to divvy up the guest list into a phone tree for volunteers to reach out to all invitees.

“We knew if we put it out there, numerous, I’m sure hundreds and hundreds of people would have come,” said Moses. “But as I said, we kind of wanted her to know that all those volunteers that she’s called over the years did it because they, you know loved her and loved helping out at Hank Snow and they did it because of Charlotte, I’ll tell you for sure.”

When asked how she felt about having her name emblazoned across the museum White was both excited, and humbled.

“I never got to sleep ‘til about 1:30 this morning ’cause I kept thinking who was that who was that?” said White. “It was wonderful but not necessary, but wonderful.”

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
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COVID test kit. Photo Ed Halverson

It’s seems rapid COVID tests are becoming more difficult to find across the province.

Nova Scotia Health say they are aware of increased demand for testing kits and are working to distribute more to their community partners.

The department has increased the number of kits they delivered in July by 34,000 above the almost 234,000 distributed in June.

Rapid tests can be found at most public libraries and family resource centres, MLA offices, Public Health Mobile Units, and for those using the services of Feed Nova Scotia and Access Nova Scotia.

Some regional libraries have been delayed in receiving their test kits, but Nova Scotia Health says they are available at all main branches.

In Queens, the Thomas Raddall library still has stock as does MLA Kim Masland’s office.

Public Health no longer recommends testing for COVID if no symptoms are present but says it’s still a good idea to have a couple of tests on hand in case symptoms develop.

Click here for a complete list of sites where test kits are available.

Follow this link to book a COVID test at any one of the more than 30 locations across Nova Scotia.

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Queens MLA Kim Masland. Photo Ed Halverson

The MLA for Queens sat down with reporter Ed Halverson just before Christmas to discuss a busy 2021.

Kim Masland was re-elected and moved to the government side of the legislature when the PC’s won a majority, was appointed Minister of Public Works and government house leader shortly afterwards and contracted COVID-19 .

The interview is broken into four parts.

In part one, Masland discusses the quick learning curve when forming government.

Another challenge for Masland was contracting COVID, discussed in the second part of the interview.

Healthcare and long term care were hot button topics on the doorstep during the election campaign. The PCs promised to fix the system and Masland describes how her party is working to do so.

The interview wraps up with issues Masland is working to address in Queens including resolving long-standing concerns at Carter’s Beach and the affordable housing crisis.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Queens MLA Kim Masland. Photo Ed Halverson

The MLA for Queens has contracted COVID-19.

In a release issued Wednesday, Kim Masland confirms the diagnosis and says she is unsure how she may have picked it up.

Masland who is also minister of Public Works and House Leader, says she is fully vaccinated and is tested regularly, most recently on Remembrance Day.

She began to feel unwell Sunday and was tested Monday.

The Queens MLA was scheduled to attend the official opening of the new infant care centre at Queens Daycare Tuesday but cancelled as a precaution.

Masland received the positive test result Wednesday morning.

In her statement Masland says, “This shows how contagious this virus is and how important it is to be vaccinated and follow public health measures. I am not feeling well, but thankfully my symptoms are mild and I know that the vaccine is preventing me from becoming seriously ill.”

She expressed concerns for those with whom she has recently been in contact.

Masland says this is a reminder that COVID-19 is still with us and it is critical to continue to follow public health protocols.

She urged people to continue to get vaccinated and to stay home if they are feeling unwell.

Masland says she will continue to work with public health and requests privacy as she recovers.

Her office remains open to address constituent concerns.

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Minister of Public Works, Queens MLA Kim Masland. Photo Ed Halverson

Queens MLA Kim Masland is opening the public purse in her first official announcement as Minister of Public Works.

Masland was at the public works depot in Liverpool to announce an additional $32.5 million dollars in funding to upkeep rural roads.

The money will go to improve Nova Scotia’s 8,400 kilometres of gravel roads through the purchase of materials and new equipment such as excavators, backhoes and graders.

Masland says the money will improve the lives of rural residents.

“Many people travel these everyday to go to work. We needs to make sure that our roads are in good structure for ambulances [and] fire trucks that need to get to people.”

The minister says an investment in infrastructure now will save taxpayers money in the long run

“The gravel road capitol program; that, is proactively rebuilding our already existing roads. And once we build those to the standard that they need to be built, it reduces our maintenance costs.”

It costs $100,000 to $125,000 per kilometre to repair a gravel road, which will function for approximately 15 years.

Masland says department staff is assessing which roads will be repaired first based on need, current condition and traffic volumes and a list of projects will be released once the jobs are put out to tender.

Monday’s announcement will increase the annual budgets of the programs involved in gravel road maintenance from $31 million to $62 million.

The minister also announced a $1 million Rink Revitalization Fund to help repair community rinks.

The money can be used to replace boards, update mechanical systems as well as improve spectator’s experience through refurbished seating and canteen facilities.

Masland says the department of Communities, Culture and Heritage will soon detail an application process on their website.

“The program will actually be a formula-based program for rink owners and operators to apply looking at lots of criteria: the age of the rink, the capitol requirement, the vicinity of the rink within the community.”

Masland says the province will begin accepting applications from rink managers in the next few weeks.

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Photo Ed Halverson

Nova Scotians have elected a Progressive Conservative government for the first time in over a decade.

Kim Masland was reelected to represent the restored riding of Queens in the provincial general election.

She will join the rest of her caucus in moving from the opposition benches to the government side of the legislature.

Throughout the campaign the PCs hammered the Liberal government’s record on healthcare.

Masland says access to doctors and paramedics was the top issue she heard on the doorsteps.

“People are tired of Liberals not listening and acknowledging the crisis that we’re in. We see that with our health care professionals. It’s great to talk about recruiting but if we can’t retain, we’re in trouble and we are in trouble now as a province. This is a strong message that has been sent that people want change and change is coming,” said Masland.

Queens MLA Kim Masland. Photo Ed Halverson

Tim Houston led the PCs to a majority government for the first time since 2009.

Masland says the PCs began releasing their plans to address issues such as long-term care and doctor retention over a year ago, giving Nova Scotians time to absorb the direction her party plans to take the province.

“When we see the large turnout in advanced polls and continuous polls, that’s a sign that people are looking for change.”

Masland says an election campaign can be quite challenging at times and she’s humbled the residents of Queens have once again put their trust in her to be their representative in the legislature.

“When you knock on someone’s door and they immediately say to you that we’re so grateful for what you have done for us the last four years, it gives you that push to keep going, to make sure that you are successful, that you can continue to be the voice for the people that I want to represent,” said Masland. “Hearing that on the doorsteps was certainly great and it made the campaign much easier than what a campaign would be.”

Counting of advanced ballots was suspended at midnight with the PCs winning or leading in 31 ridings, the Liberals in 17, the NDP in 6 and former PC MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin leading as an independent in the riding of Cumberland North.

Elections Nova Scotia will resume counting ballots in that riding and the ridings of Halifax Chebucto and Halifax Citadel-Sable Island at 10:00am Wednesday.

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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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Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland will re-offer in the new riding of Queens. Photo Ed Halverson

The MLA for Queens Shelburne is coming back for more.

Kim Masland has announced she will represent the Progressive Conservatives in Queens in the next provincial election.

Masland wants to continue to work on behalf of the people in her community.

“Even though it’s not a big fancy building or it’s not a repaved highway, for me, I know I’ve made a difference, I’ve made an impact in that person’s life and no one will probably ever know about it. But I do, and they do and that’s why I entered into this job, to care for people,” said Masland.

The first-time MLA was elected in the riding of Queens-Shelburne in 2017.

She says representing a large constituency with very different populations over the past four years has been challenging.

The electoral boundaries have been redrawn for the next election to divide the two communities and Masland has chosen to run in Queens, the district she has always called home.

“Queens is home for me,” said Masland. “You know, I was brought up in Queens and I’ve never left. I’m looking forward to be able to, 100 percent focus on Queens County.”

Masland has spent her time in the legislature on the opposition benches and she is optimistic when the final ballots are tallied the PC caucus will be sitting on the government side of the house.

“I truly believe that we are the government in waiting. I truly believe that after the next election there will be a PC government caring for our province,” said Masland.

Despite her party affiliation, Masland says she would like to see an end of partisan politics and games in Nova Scotia.

“If the Liberals or the NDP bring forth great legislation, or speak to a bill that I know is going to benefit my constituents I’m the first one clapping for them. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s all about what is the best for the people we represent,” said Masland.

Often when politicians hit the campaign trail many promises are made that are forgotten once candidates are elected.

Masland says one commitment she guarantees she will keep is to bring decisions about health care back to a local level.

“The administration that was created by the sitting government, by the Liberal government, has basically put decision-making of how healthcare is delivered into glass towers in Halifax.,” said Masland. “That has made things very difficult for the delivery of healthcare in small, rural areas such as Queens County.”

Masland’s family supports her decision to reoffer even though it means they will continue to take a back seat to the people of Queens.

It was a comment from her daughter that Masland says really underscores her family’s understanding of the sacrifices she makes.

“She said Mom, you know what, it’s okay. And of course, my children are grown and are out my house but, [she said] we’ll share you again with constituents because we know they need you.”

The next general election must be called by spring of 2022.

All parties are in the process of solidifying their roster of candidates as Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada without fixed election dates and Premier Iain Rankin could call an election at any time.

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

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PC Leader Tim Houston. Photo Ed Halverson

The leader of Nova Scotia’s official opposition party says the PCs are the government in waiting.

Tim Houston says the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives have a strong team of sitting MLAs and qualified candidates who are ready to lead after the next election.

“From top to bottom we have a solid team of incredibly talented people. We have it in the caucus now and you’ll see that in MLA Kim Masland and MLA Colton LeBlanc. These are incredible community leaders,” said Houston. “And the slate of candidates that we are assembling, I’m just really humbled with the quality of people that are putting their name forward.”

Houston says Nova Scotia has great potential for success, due in no small part to the increasing population the province has enjoyed over the past few years.

“This government takes a lot of credit for the population growing. But if you’re planning for an increased population then you plan for the other things that go with it, increase the access to health care, understand the needs around housing,” said Houston.

He says that lack of planning for the needs of increased population demonstrates government is taking credit for something that was already happening and is concerned government hasn’t done more to address the housing crisis in Nova Scotia.

“The only solution to the housing crisis is more housing supply. That means looking for ways to get more tradespeople in the province, working with those not-for-profits that are building affordable housing and the development community to see how do we get projects moving quicker and how do we increase supply,” said Houston.

Turning to the pandemic response, Houston says Nova Scotia should be further ahead in its vaccine rollout.

“We were told to be patient. They were building a plan, building a system and that when they turned it on and flicked the switch we would ramp, ramp right up. But we haven’t.”

The PC leader is frustrated it’s taking so long to get needles into the arms of all Nova Scotians.

Houston says from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, opposition parties have voiced their concerns to government outside of the public eye so Nova Scotians would see their leaders taking on the pandemic as a united front.

He was confident in the approach taken by then-premier Stephen McNeil to follow recommendations made by chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang.

Houston says the relationship developed by the two men inspired Nova Scotians to work together to keep the pandemic at bay.

He questions whether Premier Iain Rankin has the same willingness to follow the advice of public health.

“For the past year we got used to seeing Premier McNeil and Dr. Strang and they certainly seemed to be one unit. They seemed to be totally in sync with each other. I just don’t have that vibe from the new relationship,” said Houston. “In fact, the government has issued a couple of releases where they’ve said Premier Rankin directed Dr. Strang to do certain things.”

Houston says politicians giving directives to public health is not what Nova Scotians are accustomed to seeing from their government.

He is hopeful whenever the writ is dropped the people of this province will recognize the work his party has done to prepare plans to provide dignity to seniors, address addictions and mental health and provide better healthcare to all Nova Scotians.

“We want to be very, very open,” said Houston. “We know we need to be accountable, that’s the job of government, to be accountable to the people. So we’re being very transparent about what we think is possible and where the focus needs to be and right now, that focus needs to be on healthcare.”

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

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Photo Ed Halverson

The province has unveiled its five-year highway construction plan.

More than 150 projects will be undertaken over the next year at a price tag of almost $500 million dollars.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal minister Lloyd Hines says the focus will be on completing the twinning projects already underway on the 100-series highways.

“Twinned highways save lives. We know that. We have statistical information to illustrate that,” said Hines.

Chief Engineer at TIR Peter Hackett says the study and public consultation done by the department in 2016 identified the section of Highway 103 between Tantallon and Bridgewater for twinning.

The new plan will continue to twin Highway 103 from Halifax as far as Hubbards but will not extend further into the south shore in the near future.

“It’s on the radar from the department but it’s not currently on radar for funding at the present time,” said Hackett. “So somewhere down the road that will be looked at again as well as the other sections that we had identified in that program.”

Hackett says TIR is exploring alternatives to make those sections of Highway 103 not scheduled for twinning, safer in the short term.

“We are looking at other options such as more climbing lanes or as we have down in the Annapolis Valley, what they call two plus one lanes which are just extra lanes on a flat surface as opposed to a hill surface,” said Hackett.

He says an example of those safety improvements is the addition of climbing, or passing lanes being added between Exits 9 and 10.

The MLA for Queens-Shelburne Kim Masland is left with more questions than answers following today’s announcement.

“What’s the commitment to twinning the rest of the highway?” asked Masland. “What is the plan of the minister? What is the plan of the department? That needs to be communicated to Nova Scotians so they know what to expect. That’s what this five-year highway plan is all about. It’s supposed to be taking the politics out of pavement. It’s supposed to be making sure people know what projects are coming forward.”

Projects are prioritized based on a number of factors.

TIR has a process in place where each of the 51 MLAs meet with department officials to make their case for road improvements in their ridings.

The officials then measure those requests against priorities for highways construction, paving, or other infrastructure needs such as bridges, overpasses and roundabouts.

The need and technical requirements help to dictate how soon a project will be completed.

Queens won’t see any major infrastructure as part of the new plan. But in 2021 residents can expect to see fresh asphalt on a three and a half kilometer stretch on Trunk 3 from the Liverpool Town line south towards White Point, almost four kilometers of the Medway River Road from Bangs Falls to the end and on Beech Hill Road from Trunk 3 to the end.

Masland says those few projects don’t measure up to the support neighbouring constituencies are receiving.

“If you compare Lunenburg County to Queens County, it’s glaring and that’s very disappointing to see that we’re not getting our fair share,” said Masland.

In the next year alone, Lunenburg County will see two major projections along Highway 103: the passing lanes between exits 9 and 10 and the construction of a third interchange in Bridgewater between exits 12 and 13. Lunenburg will also see over 30 kilometers of new asphalt while TIR will be laying down less than 12 in Queens.

Hines says all 51 MLAs were consulted prior to the development of the five-year plan.

The minister says whether it’s transporting goods for business or driving to visit relatives, keeping up highways is essential to Nova Scotians.

“Roads is [sic] a critical investment in both the social and safety and economic well-being of the province. Roads are extremely important to those three considerations.”

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

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Temporary arrows have been in place since the fall at Exit 22A along Highway 103. Photo Kim Masland

Travellers to Queens will have an easier time getting to some of the area’s beaches and attractions.

The intersection of Highway 103 and Exit 22A will have new directional arrows painted this week.

The turnoff leads to popular locations like White Point, the Quarterdeck and Summerville beach.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland said that stretch of Highway 103 has become particularly dangerous since it underwent repairs this summer.

After the micro-sealing took place Masland said the directional arrows were not properly repainted over the multi-lane intersection to indicate to drivers whether or not they could turn.

And the temporary arrows painted on with a spray can are insufficient.

“They look like they were drawn on by my grandson,” said Masland. “It’s absolutely pathetic.”

Temporary arrows at Exit 22A along Highway 103. Photo Kim Masland

Masland has heard from constituents for months how difficult it is to see the arrows and how dangerous that stretch of road can be especially at night or in bad weather.

She followed up on one call and was concerned with what she found.

“I actually got in my car myself that night and drove up to the intersection,” said Masland. “It was pouring rain and it was dark. I’m familiar with that section of the road and I really didn’t know where I was supposed to be because there were no arrows to indicate where I was supposed to be in the road.”

Masland has been in repeated contact with the Nova Scotia department of transportation and infrastructure renewal since October about getting appropriate arrows in place.

She was pleased when she received a call indicating the painting will get underway this week.

A spokesperson from TIR confirmed crews will be out to perform the work as soon as the weather allows.

The department is also set to get to work on a much bigger project in Queens.

Signs are going up this week to detour cars around the Mill Village Bridge.

The condition of the bridge surface is another concern Masland has been hearing about from residents for years.

Mill Village Bridge in need of resurfacing. Photo Kim Masland

While Masland said she has been assured the bridge is completely safe, and has no reason to doubt those assurances, many residents don’t feel safe when they are crossing.

“I had one lady tell me that she travels across that bridge everyday and she literally just holds her wheel and closes her eyes as she goes across. Because, the appearance of it, it does look unsafe, but I have been assured that it is not [unsafe],” said Masland.

The bridge will be resurfaced beginning late this week or early next, again, depending on the weather.

That work is expected to take several months to complete.

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

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Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland

Kim Masland says 2020 has been a year of challenge and change.

The MLA for Queens-Shelburne sat down to talk about the year that was with QCCR reporter Ed Halverson.

In this first segment, Masland discusses how residents in her constituency came together to face the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Next, Masland describes the challenges of being a legislator during a pandemic when the government doesn’t call the house to sit. She also talks about the role of women in politics and a distinction that sets her riding apart from most across the country.

Finally, Masland discusses how she got legislation passed as an opposition member and how the community rallied around each other during a trying year.

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

Queens County Food Bank. Photo: Ed Halverson

RCMP in Queens are working with the community to clamp down on hunger this Christmas.

The annual stuff the cruiser event is taking place again this weekend.

Each year RCMP and their community partners gather donations for the Queens County Food Bank.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland has been involved for the past four years and says the community really gets behind the event.

“Oh my gosh, yes, we definitely stuff more than one cruiser. Last year, I forget the actual pounds we had but it was very significant,” said Masland.

In fact, the donations overflowed the cruiser and stuffed two other vehicles.

Masland said support also comes in the form of grocery store gift cards and last year they received around $1,100 in gift cards and cash.

Usually the event would be a great opportunity to socialize and wish each other well over the holidays but like so much of 2020, COVID has changed that.

“We would have hot chocolate that’s donated by Tim Hortons, coffee by McDonalds, Superstore always has sandwiches, that type of stuff, and we’d have carollers there. This year, we’re not going to be able to do all of that,” said Masland. “But we’ll still be there with smiles on our faces, spreading our Christmas cheer and hope that we get to see you pop off a donation.”

Masland said the donations will support all of Queens County as the Liverpool food bank will be helping to supply the Caledonia food bank in North Queens as well.

At this time of year, Masland said people can feel good about helping their neighbours.

“It certainly makes your heart happy and very full,” said Masland. “You know, since becoming the MLA it has become a real eye-opener for me to see the number of people around me in my community that struggle just to make ends meet.”

Masland said there’s a large amount of poverty in Queens. There are children who go to school hungry, parents choosing between paying the power bill or their rent and feeding their families.

It’s good for people to remember that spirit of Christmas giving throughout the year.

“It’s really important and it’s who we are. Nova Scotians are very friendly, caring compassionate people. And in Queens County, through the pandemic, we saw that,” said Masland. “People really opened their arms up and they wrapped them around people. We can’t do that now because of COVID, but we look after each other.”

Masland said she’ll be at the Liverpool Superstore alongside RCMP Constable Ron Duffney on Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm to receive donations.

Donations can also be made in advance at Superstore or left at Masland’s office 271 Main Street in Liverpool.

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

Legion poppies. Photo credit: Ed Halverson

The MLA for Queens-Shelburne is asking the province to provide financial support to legions.

Kim Masland was moved to make the motion after a presentation Wednesday by legion members to the legislature’s standing committee on veteran’s affairs.

Chairman of the poppy and remembrance committee for the legion’s Nova Scotia/Nunavut command Don McCumber was there to explain how money raised through poppy donations helps not just veterans but communities.

“It’s the service that’s provided to our youth through bursaries. It provides funding to our local cadet organization,” said McCumber. “It’s providing service to our seniors and it would be a big loss to a community to have a legion close its doors.”

McCumber said the poppy fund is a public trust that can only be used to support veterans, RCMP and community members in need.

Masland said she became concerned when she asked how the legions fund their day-to-day operations.

McCumber explained the money used to keep the lights on comes from social events they usually hold throughout the year. Because of COVID-19 precautions they’ve been unable to host any events.

Masland asked the committee to write a letter of support to Premier Stephen McNeil, in his role as minister responsible for military.

“Asking him to extend a one-time grant to the legions throughout the province to continue to support the work they do and to make sure that they’re able to keep their doors open,” said Masland.

The Queens-Shelburne MLA said the legions are crucial to so many members of the community, seniors and veterans.

“That’s their place that they go and meet and chat and we have to do what we can to make sure those doors stay open,” said Masland. “We saw it in Caledonia, the doors closed, and once the doors close, they don’t reopen.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is also forcing the legion to change how it collects donations for the poppy fund this year.

McCumber says in 2018-19 the legion raised $771,000 across Nova Scotia through poppy donations, of which, $736,000 was put back into local communities. He is concerned the legion may see a steep decline in donations because of COVID-19 restrictions.

The legion will not have veterans and volunteers collecting donations for poppies in person at the usual malls and shopping areas.

Donation boxes will instead be in place at NSLC outlets across Nova Scotia and at some retailers.

McCumber is optimistic people will still keep the legion in mind around Remembrance Day.

“We’re hoping, even though we’re having some tough times here with COVID and policies, that the community members themselves will realize the situation that we’re in and take the initiative to find a way to make a donation to that poppy fund,” said McCumber.

He encourages people and businesses to reach out to their local legion branch when making a donation for a poppy or buying a wreath to be laid during Remembrance Day services to ensure the money raised will continue to support efforts in their home community.

Donations can also be made directly to the legion by e-mail: merseybranch038@eastlink.ca.

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

Trucks outside North Queens station. Photo Credit: North Queens Fire Department

Medical first responders in North Queens are being told not to respond to calls because of COVID-19.

The MFRs are volunteer firefighters trained to attend to someone in medical distress until paramedics arrive on scene.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland says when someone is having a medical emergency, waiting 40 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from the nearest EHS base in Liverpool is too long.

“If you’re living in Caledonia and you’re in cardiac arrest, the local MFRs can no longer come to you, who actually have an AED on site, there’s no way someone’s going to get to you in time,” said Masland.

In March, the EHS/MFR coordinator told MFRs across the province they could respond only to motor vehicle accidents and to leave emergency calls to EHS paramedics because at the time, there wasn’t enough personal protective equipment to go around.

A spokesperson for Emergency Health Services says since COVID-19 restrictions have started to ease up, they have been bringing MFRs back online in 21 areas with high incidents of cardiac arrests.

Already, 11 have received the training around proper use of the new personal protective equipment and are currently operating.

The other ten are slated to return to service in the coming weeks but unfortunately, none of those are in the Western Zone servicing North Queens.

The EHS spokesperson says the North Queens MFR agency is one of the more remote agencies in the province and is also scheduled to receive training in the coming weeks.

Masland is concerned about what could happen if an ambulance can’t get to the area in time.

“We’re so rural, we’re so geographically isolated and if I’m getting text messages saying on a Saturday morning at 11:55 there’s not an ambulance to be seen from Barrington to Halifax, that’s very, very frightening,” said Masland.

North Queens Fire Chief Chris Wolfe says the community has always relied on the department as medical responders and as fire fighters.

He’s frustrated they’re being left in the dark as to why the department is no longer being dispatched for medical emergencies.

“Every time I see somebody in Caledonia they’re saying, why aren’t you guys answering medical calls?So and so had this problem the other night and you guys weren’t there,” said Wolfe. “To me, if EHS is not going to allow us to do this they should be making it more publicly aware and giving briefings to the public on what’s taking place, why we’re not responding.”

Wolfe is well aware of the strain on the province’s ambulance system.

He has been writing to government officials for the past three years to explain the dire situation residents in North Queens can face when looking for emergency medical help.

“It’s an ongoing problem and the province doesn’t seem to see that there is a problem. I’m to the point myself, that I can’t write no more or talk no more to change anything so, where do you go, right? It’s one of them things that a little town fire chief like me isn’t going to be able to fix ‘cause there’s too many people above me that make the decisions,” said Wolfe.

The president of Local 727 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, the union representing paramedics in Nova Scotia, says the EHS system in Nova Scotia is in chaos as it struggles to fill shifts and reduce offloading time for patients at hospitals.

Michael Nickerson says it’s helpful to have MFRs to service remote areas before his members arrive.

“They can provide oxygen therapy and get vital signs and treat fractures, like, splint fractures and dress wounds, bandage and whatnot,” said Niickerson. “So, they are a great, great asset.”

Nickerson says his members have been warning the province since before the COVID-19 outbreak that the pre-hospital system in Nova Scotia is not working.

The health department took those concerns to heart when they commissioned a $145,000 report by Fitch and Associates in October 2018 to review the ambulance system across the province.

The province received the report in December of that year, but Nickerson says despite repeated requests by IUOE 727, they still have not released the results.

“I don’t understand why they’re not putting it out there. They’re saying because, you know, negotiations and whatnot. Our contract’s settled, so they can’t use that as an excuse. They need to put that report out and let us see what’s in it. I’m sure there’s recommendations in there to make the system better than it is right now,” said Nickerson.

Health department spokesperson Marla MacInnis said they are currently in negotiations with Emergency Medical Care Incorporated, the company contracted by the province to provide paramedic services.

She says while the paramedics working under EMCI have a contract in place, the contract with the supplier (ECMI) is still being negotiated and releasing the Fitch report could put the province at a disadvantage.

Back in Queens, Kim Masland says now that the province has the personal protective equipment in place the focus should be on getting the medical first responders trained, and back in action.

“So let’s get our agencies back in the saddle,” said Masland. “Let’s get them doing what they do best in our communities.”

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