(NB-Advocate-Report)
New Brunswick’s seniors advocate says the province is lagging in culturally appropriate long-term care for First Nations.
In a new report, Kelly Lamrock says inadequate progress has been made in providing compassionate care to diverse communities.
He suggests that the departments of Health, Post-Secondary Education, and Aboriginal Affairs should develop agreements for culturally appropriate and financially accessible long-term care for First Nations.
The New Brunswick government says it is collaborating with the federal government to enhance long-term care for First Nations. (The Canadian Press)
(NL-House-Arrest)
A Newfoundland woman and a New Brunswick man have been sentenced to house arrest for abducting a teenage girl.
Wilbur Crockwell will serve one year of house arrest, co-accused Erin Bast will serve eight months, and they will both serve one year of probation afterwards.
The 14-year-old girl abducted by Crockwell and Bast was reported missing on June 2nd, 2023, after she left a group home in St. John’s, prompting an Amber Alert.
Crockwell says he only meant to help the girl, who was known to him.
(CBC News)
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(NB-Book-Award)
A Fredericton-based author’s book has been shortlisted for award from the Writers’ Trust of Canada.
Stephen J. A. Ward’s book, “Irrational Publics and the Fate of Democracy,” explores how extreme historical events can cause society to become irrational, intolerant and anti-democratic.
The book is one of four shortlisted for the 2025 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy, which recognizes nonfiction that advances public discussion.
The winner of the prize will receive a 70-thousand-dollar award during a ceremony in Toronto on November 25th.
(CBC News)
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(Maritime-Blueberry-Crash)
This summer’s prolonged drought across Atlantic Canada has had a costly impact on wild blueberry growers.
Donald Arseneault, head of the industry group Bleuets N-B Blueberries, says that as this year’s harvest was wrapping up, the yield was 70 per cent less than the previous three-year average.
He says some of the province’s 175 wild blueberry farmers are now thinking about selling land to make ends meet, and the group is seeking financial compensation from the province’s Liberal government.
Janette McDonald, head of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia, says yields have dropped by 55 per cent amid hot, dry conditions.
(The Canadian Press)
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(NS-Wildfire-Season)
Nova Scotia has extended its wildfire season through to the end of October, as the Lake George wildfire remains out of control.
Typically, wildfire season ends October 15th.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton says it’s rare to have wildfire activity so late in the season.
The extension means daily burn restrictions will remain in place across the province through the end of the month.
And a total burn ban remains in place in Annapolis County.
(The Canadian Press)
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(PEI-Mi’kmaq-Licence)
The P-E-I government has unveiled a new specialty licence plate that pays tribute to the Mi’kmaq (MIG’-maw) and their contributions to the Island.
The new design features a symbol that means the people in the Mi’kmaq language.
The announcement was made yesterday when Premier Rob Lantz celebrated Treaty Day by meeting with the leadership of the Mi’kmaq First Nations.
Recognized every year on October 1st, Treaty Day celebrates the relationship between the P-E-I Mi’kmaq and Islanders, and the province’s commitment to advancing reconciliation.
(The Canadian Press)
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