(Atl-Living-Wage)
A new report is calling on provincial governments in the Atlantic provinces to do more to bridge a gap between what people earn and what they need as a living wage.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says living wage rates are broadly comparable across the region, although they are affected by different regional costs.
The report says while minimum wages have increased in recent years the rates have not kept up with cost-of-living increases, which has left a gap between the minimum wage and what’s considered a living wage.
It says the ability of lower wage earners to keep up has been affected across the region by a severe housing affordability crisis, growing food insecurity and an absence of affordable public transportation.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Offensive-Postcard)
The federal government is condemning postcards delivered to New Brunswick mailboxes claiming “gender ideology” is being taught in schools and resulting in “surgical mutilation.”
The Campaign Life Coalition says it is mailing about 160-thousand such cards to homes across New Brunswick.
The group says it fears Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs’s strict policy on gender identity in schools will be reversed if the Tories lose the upcoming election.
The federal office of public services and procurement oversees Canada Post and says it is deeply concerned about the potential harm the mail campaign could cause the L-G-B-T-Q community.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Health-Strike)
Nova Scotia’s health minister has asked the province’s two health authorities to prepare for a labour strike.
Michelle Thompson wrote to the authorities yesterday warning that tomorrow is the last day of bargaining with the Council of Health Care Unions at Nova Scotia Health and I-W-K Health.
Thompson says negotiations have been difficult and the province cannot offer the union any more money as the government grapples with a staggering debt.
She says the parties are working with a conciliation officer, and her advice to prepare for a strike is precautionary.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Roxton-Flag)
A Newfoundlander will be carrying the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies for the Paralympics today in Paris.
Swimmer Katarina Roxon from Newfoundland’s west coast will carry the Maple Leaf with wheelchair basketball player Patrick Anderson of Fergus, Ontario.
Roxon will be the first Canadian woman to compete in five Paralympic Games in swimming.
The 31-year-old was born missing her left arm below her elbow.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Bear-Trail)
Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources says an investigation has found there wasn’t a bear attack on a Halifax-area trail.
In an email yesterday, the department says there was no confirming evidence of a bear or wildlife attack as reported at the scene on the Shearwater Flyer Trail in Cole Harbour.
A section of the trail was closed on Monday and bear traps were set as a precaution.
Police say a man sustained non-life threatening injuries, while Emergency Health Services says it responded to a call Monday and provided care to someone, but it did not elaborate on the nature of their injuries.
(CBC NS/ The Canadian Press)
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