(Atl-WEA-Nor’easter)
Parts of Atlantic Canada are covered by either snowfall warnings or winter storm warnings ahead of a storm set to hit the region today.
Anywhere from 10 to 40 centimetres are forecast in much of Newfoundland, P-E-I, Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick.
Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for parts of central Newfoundland, where hazardous winter conditions are expected.
Motorists are being urged to drive with caution, as snow across the Atlantic region will impact visibility. (The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Employee-Death)
The death of a waste recycling employee in New Brunswick is under investigation.
WorkSafeNB says the Fero Waste Recycling employee died last Thursday in Sussex.
The company’s website confirms it provides waste collection, management and recycling services.
WorkSafeNB provided no further details. (CTV News New Brunswick)
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(NB-Fuel-Cut-Cancelled)
Gas price cuts that were set to come into effect in New Brunswick have been cancelled by the province’s energy and utilities board.
Premier Susan Holt announced in Late October that the tax would be cut as of yesterday and would save New Brunswickers about eight cents a litre.
The decision by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board says cutting the tax would be harmful to both petroleum wholesalers and retailers.
Holt says it’s the board’s job to ensure the lowest possible price for consumers and she is frustrated her government’s efforts were undone.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NB-Substance-Abuse)
The New Brunswick government has announced plans to build a 50-bed facility for adults seeking treatment for substance abuse.
The facility will open next year on the province’s Kingston Peninsula.
The Edgewood Health Network will operate the facility, which the network says will help address a gap in live-in treatment options for people with complex substance use and behavioural addictions.
Premier Susan Holt issued a statement saying the facility will double the province’s capacity for dealing with complex cases.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Attempted-Murder-Sentencing)
A 37-year-old Newfoundland and Labrador man who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a woman in St. John’s two years ago will be sentenced in the new year.
The incident happened near St. Clare’s Marcy Hospital on December 13th of 2023 where a woman was found with near-fatal stab wounds.
William Oliver was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon before the attempted murder charge was added six months later.
His sentencing was delayed after issues in transporting Oliver to court this morning. (VOCM)
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((NS-Basic-Income)
The government of Nova Scotia is not considering implementing a basic income program for its residents.
Deputy Minister of Social Development Craig Beaton says the government’s targeted investments to reduce poverty are just as effective as a basic income program.
Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird with Basic Income Nova Scotiadisagrees and says the province’s income supports are insufficient.
She told a government committee meeting this morning that the province could save billions in health-care and justice costs by eliminating poverty.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-AI-Detection-System)
Nova Scotia Health says it is expanding the use of an artificial intelligence-powered weapons detection system after a successful pilot program.
The pilot saw more than 74-hundred people screened over two weeks after Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro.
Nova Scotia Health says roughly 49 items deemed potentially dangerous were intercepted because of the system.
It says the technology improved screening times and cut the number of secondary searches at the hospital by about 25 per cent compared to conventional screening methods such as metal detectors. (The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Churchill-Falls)
Newfoundland and Labrador’s new government is now promising to launch a review of a tentative energy deal with Hydro-Québec before Christmas.
Premier Tony Wakeham promised in October to launch the review within weeks.
However, his office said yesterday the review would begin some time this month before Christmas.
Under the terms of the draft deal, Hydro-Québec would pay much more for energy from the Churchill Falls plant in Labrador, ending the current contract 16 years early.
(The Canadian Press)
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(Atlantic Update by Lisa Laporte)
