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(NB-Tourism-Grant-Program)
New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin says the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture lacks adequate processes to ensure grant programs deliver value and achieve intended results.
A new audit found poor public access to information on available grants, weak monitoring of funded projects and insufficient tracking of programs outcomes.
The report also identified documentation gaps in the evaluation of some grant applications, and overpayments exceeding funding limits.
Tourism Minister Isabelle Theriault says the current government has already revised grant programs and introduced clearer criteria and processes, though part of the audit period covered her government’s time in office. (CBC News)
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(NB-Advocate-Seniors)
New Brunswick’s public advocate says the death of an elderly woman with dementia was caused by systemic failures within the province’s social welfare system rather than mistakes by front-line workers.
In a new report, Kelly Lamrock says the woman, identified as Alice, repeatedly wandered away from her care facility and waited about a year for a higher level of care after officials determined it was needed.
Lamrock says she was found unresponsive after leaving the facility for the 12th time, despite repeated warnings and concerns raised by those involved in her care.
The report argues the system prioritized compliance with procedures over the needs of vulnerable people and marks the second recent investigation in which Lamrock has linked a death to broader shortcomings within the Department of Social Development. (The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Halifax-White-Nationalists)
Halifax Regional Police say members of the white nationalist group Second Sons staged a brief demonstration in the Bedford South area on Saturday.
Police estimate 20 to 25 people gathered on an overpass above Highway 102 and then moved to a nearby parking lot before officers arrived.
No arrests were made, and police said they found no criminal activity or public safety concerns associated with the demonstration.
Bedford South M-L-A Damian Stoilov condemned the group’s presence, saying there is no place for hatred or racism in the diverse and growing community. (The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Annual-Garden-Party)
Nova Scotia’s annual lieutenant-governor’s garden party will be held June 17th at Government House in Halifax.
The event will be hosted by Lieutenant-Governor Mike Savage and Darlene Savage, who are inviting residents and visitors to celebrate Nova Scotia’s communities and traditions.
Government House will be open from 2-to-5 p.m. and the party is free.
The event is a long-standing tradition welcoming the public to the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NL-Forestry-Act)
Newfoundland and Labrador has passed amendments to the Forestry Act aimed at strengthening wildfire prevention, emergency response and public safety after last year’s destructive wildfire season.
The changes give forestry officials expanded authority during emergencies and provide clearer rules for regulating burning during forest fire season.
The updated legislation also broadens wildfire-related offences to include reckless or negligent behaviour, in addition to intentional acts.
It also allows forestry officials to order people out of areas where fire crews need to work.
(The Canadian Press)
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(PEI-Netflix-Partnership)
Prince Edward Island is making its largest-ever investment in the film industry, committing five-million-dollars to support Netflix’s upcoming series “The Summer Will Be Different.”
The 10-episode series is based on the bestselling novel by author Carley Fortune and is expected to begin filming on the Island in the coming weeks.
The province says the investment will create jobs, provide training opportunities for local film workers and promote the Island’s talent, businesses and landscapes to an international audience.
Local residents and businesses will have opportunities to participate in the production as crew members, service providers or background performers. (The Canadian Press)
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