October 18-24, is Small Business Week. Small businesses are an important stitch in the fabric of our communities, and they are the backbone of Nova Scotia’s economy. This week, we celebrate the Canadian entrepreneurial spirit, and the resilience of small business owners in our province – and across the country.
2020 has brought some of the most significant global health and economic challenges in modern history. Small businesses have stepped up to the plate, not only to persevere – but also to serve and support their communities. Local entrepreneurs have sacrificed so much in an effort to keep us all safe by responding with creativity, innovation, and community spirit.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
NOTICE
The office will continue to remain open during this period of COVID-19. However, contact should be made by phone or email or appointment only. Anyone entering the office will be required to wear a mask (can be provided) and practice social distancing (6 ft).
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday
8 AM – 3 PM
PHONE: 902-641-2200
EMAIL: karencasey@eastlink.ca
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).
Forest Fires in NS
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
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.
Government & Physicians
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.
Family Doctors
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.
Five Islands Provincial Park
It is the season when provincial parks across Nova Scotia celebrate their opening dates. As seasonal parks, most are open to the public from early June until early October. During that time families have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities in our parks. We also welcome hundreds of tourists who come to our province and to also enjoy what our parks have to offer.
In particular, we celebrate the opening of the Five Islands Provincial Park. The Park offers over 80 open and wooded campsites, 300’ cliffs overlooking the Minas Basin and great opportunities for hiking, beachcombing, rock collecting, clam digging and other outdoor activities. A view from many points within the Park has been described as “a million dollar view”.
Coding in NS Schools
Coding has been gaining a lot of attention over the past year. As reported in the Globe and Mail in January, Nova Scotia is leading the country in introducing coding into schools. Coding has been identified as a priority for all classrooms under Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for Education, and students in grades Primary to 3 were introduced to coding in September 2015. I was pleased to announce that as part of Budget 2016-2017, the province has invested $1 million to expand support for this initiative.
We offer no-charge energy assessments and home upgrades to income-qualified homeowners. Know someone we can help? No Child Should Ever Go Hungry
Through Nourish NS, your Nova Scotia Liberal government is expanding the school breakfast program to provide a healthy breakfast to every single student in the province, five days a week.
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