Nova Scotia’s vaccine rollout continues to expand this week. There are now vaccinations taking place across the province, and facilities are rapidly being brought online to store, distribute, and administer immunizations. Within the next thirty days, there will also be nine cold storage sites – and seven health care worker vaccination clinics established.
This is the largest public health project in our province’s history, and our government is ensuring that health care workers and those who are at highest risk get immunized as soon as possible. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to work with medical experts in ensuring a safe and successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2LDtohB
Today is a historic day for Nova Scotia – and for Canada. Nova Scotia has officially become the first jurisdiction in North America to adopt transformative deemed consent legislation for organ and tissue donation.
This change will affect thousands of Nova Scotians and their families for years to come. The new legislation was passed unanimously – an important achievement for our government and Premier Stephen McNeil. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Xn6kWn
With cases of COVID-19 rising, our government has implemented new self-isolation requirements for people hosting travellers from outside the Atlantic bubble. Effective today, if a person travelling for non-essential reasons enters Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada, everyone in the home where they are self-isolating will have to self-isolate as well. Nobody in that home can leave the property for 14 days and they cannot have visitors.
There will be no change for rotational workers, specialized workers or those who have been granted exemptions under the health order, such as military, police, first responders, truckers, flight crews and others. Nova Scotians are also advised to avoid non-essential travel into and out of Atlantic Canada. The public is reminded again to continue following public health protocols – including washing your hands, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and limiting social contacts.
Nova Scotia Health is offering a variety of online wellness programs this fall for adults of all ages on healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellness, parenting, and reducing one’s health risks.
The wellness sessions are offered in a friendly group setting using Zoom for Healthcare, and are facilitated by health care professionals, including dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Most sessions are an hour in length, and generally consist of a presentation, followed by a moderated group discussion. All of the online wellness sessions are free for anyone who lives within the province; a valid Nova Scotia health card is required to register.
The fall wellness schedule is now available online. Nova Scotians can register for sessions through www.HealthyNovaScotia.ca or call 1-844-460-4555 for more information. As well, this website contains a wealth of information about staying well (e.g. tips on mental wellness, physician activity, healthy eating, and parenting), as well as living a healthy life with chronic conditions (such as diabetes, heart and lung conditions, or chronic pain).
Once again the residents of Tatamagouche and area get a Gold Star for Community Spirit.
On the late afternoon of Monday August 29th, an unfortunate accident occurred on the construction site of the new P-12 school. This was an industrial accident, with no injuries to workers or others, but its effects were soon felt as the break in the water main sent thousands of gallons of water rushing over ground and through the sewer system to the buildings on the lower side of the village.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia have reached an Agreement under the new Infrastructure Funding Program that will benefit residents in Colchester North. I am pleased that the Province of Nova Scotia is contributing to Clean Water and Wastewater Infrastructure projects. This is an excellent example of co-operation, and that co-operation will benefit hundreds of constituents right here at home.
As a result of our recent weeks of dry weather, hot sun and no rain, forests in our province became tinder dry and conditions were perfect for forest fires. Unfortunately, those fires did erupt and over the past few weeks, volunteers, local fire department members, trained firefighters with Natural Resources and support from other provinces have worked long and hard to contain several fires in our province. Since many of us live in rural Nova Scotia, we know the risk of forest fires as we are completely surrounded by trees. We value and appreciate our forests and we also know how quickly they can be destroyed by fires.
Outdoor recreational facilities like trails, playgrounds and sports fields provide opportunities for Nova Scotians of all ages to be active and to have fun in their own communities. The Liberal Government in Nova Scotia supports a healthy, active lifestyle, and continues to invest in communities across the province.
Most recently, $1.8 million has been provided to upgrade facilities in 65 communities, and many of those are in rural Nova Scotia. In fact, $250 000 of that investment comes to the Fundy Region, which includes Colchester County. These grants help community groups, Municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation. Some examples include renovations to buildings, developing and/or maintaining walking trails and building and upgrading fields for sport and recreation.
The health of all Nova Scotians is always a priority for us as individuals and for our families and friends. As a Government, we continue to support and encourage Nova Scotians to follow a healthy lifestyle and to exercise regularly. Along with healthy eating and a physical active lifestyle, we do need to have access to quality health care from our medical professionals. This means focusing on what people need to be healthy and to providing supports in the community so that care can be accessed.
With the establishment of one Nova Scotia Health Authority, physicians are advocating for better health and working as part of a team to provide the services and supports we all need and deserve. Our Government has made a commitment to work toward the goal of having access to a family doctor for every Nova Scotian. At the present time 90% of Nova Scotians do have a family doctor, however, for the remaining 10% who do not have a family doctor, it is frustrating and disappointing and makes managing our own health a challenge.
The health of all Nova Scotians is always a priority for us as individuals and for our families and friends. As a Government, we continue to support and encourage Nova Scotians to follow a healthy lifestyle and to exercise regularly. Along with healthy eating and a physical active lifestyle, we do need to have access to quality health care from our medical professionals. This means focusing on what people need to be healthy and to providing supports in the community so that care can be accessed.
With the establishment of one Nova Scotia Health Authority, physicians are advocating for better health and working as part of a team to provide the services and supports we all need and deserve. Our Government has made a commitment to work toward the goal of having access to a family doctor for every Nova Scotian. At the present time 90% of Nova Scotians do have a family doctor, however, for the remaining 10% who do not have a family doctor, it is frustrating and disappointing and makes managing our own health a challenge.