(From Globe and Mail.. Saturday, April 17, 2021)
The governments of Canada's four easternmost provinces have spent the past year enrolled in the COVID-19 gifted program. Their early, aggressive action to suppress the virus and keep it down, allowing their economies to largely reopen, puts them on a par with the world's most successful curve crushers, from Austrialia and New Zealand to Japan and South Korea.
Karen Casey quote.. "Our thanks for the leadership of former Premier Stephen McNeil and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Strang. This leadership began 12 months ago, and has protected us from COVID-19, and has allowed us to become the envy of the country. Congratulations to both."
The Nova Scotia COVID Relief (NSCR) Fund was established by the Government of Nova Scotia from the Federal Safe Restart Agreement in April 2021. The $3.5 million fund supports low-income Nova Scotians who are struggling to pay their home heating or electric bill as a result of income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is administered by The Salvation Army.
The Fund provides one-time assistance to help Nova Scotians with their home heating costs or electricity bills. Each household may be eligible for up to $400 in support.
For more information CLICK HERE
For the NSCR Fund Application CLICK HERE
Our government is on track to give every person who wants a COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia their first dose by the end of June. Health-care workers, staff and residents of licensed long-term care facilities will be fully vaccinated by the end of April.
We are implementing a flexible model of vaccine delivery, using community clinics, pharmacy clinics, primary care clinics, outreach clinics and mobile clinics. By May, we will be able to administer about 86,000 doses per week. Most Nova Scotians will continue to receive their vaccine when they become eligible by age and based on anticipated vaccine supply.
Let me begin by extending a welcome to Dr. Lisa MacKinnon, who has recently joined the staff of physicians providing health care to residents along the north shore. Lisa will bring the complement of physicians back up to four including Dr. Rob Bush, Dr. Dan MacDonald and Dr. Michael Glasgow.
Residents have been patient and sometimes frustrated with the speed of the recruitment process, however, I do want to congratulate all those who continue their efforts and who were successful in bringing Lisa to the community.
Birthdays are always special occasions to share with family and friends. Each year Maurice (Editor, Shoreline Journal) helps those along the shore who have reached the age of 90 come together to celebrate. For many of those who are 90+, it is a great opportunity to socialize.
As the MLA, I have participated in those celebrations and it is always a pleasure to join other elected officials at the Economy Rec Centre.
Your Liberal government is committed to improving Nova Scotia’s education system. That’s why we created the Council to Improve Classroom Conditions. We are striving to ensure the recommendations that the council provided be completed and addressed, the most recent being a new attendance policy.
Starting October 1st, this new policy will address the growing concern of student absenteeism in schools across Nova Scotia. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
I am pleased to announce our Minister of Health and Wellness, Randy Delorey, is taking the time to travel across the province to meet with and listen to health care professionals who deliver quality care to Nova Scotians every day. I am very pleased that Tatamagouche and the Lillian Fraser CEC was chosen as one of those visits on August 29th and while there the Minister had a tour of the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital.
It was with great pride that I joined the Lieutenant Governor for Nova Scotia, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, along with other dignitaries to officially unveil the monument recognizing the importance of Canadian Forces Station Debert (also known as Camp Debert).
My sincere congratulations to the members of the Debert Military History Society who work constantly to maintain and promote Debert’s military history. Through the Debert Military Museum they have a diverse collection of military memorabilia that attracts visitors to Nova Scotia and in particular, Colchester County. This museum would not be possible without the work of the Society’s members.
Making physical and community activities a part of our daily lives is very important. One of the ways our government provides support is through investments in the Recreation Facility Development Program. These investments help communities remain connected and vibrant. They are also part of the Culture Action Plan.