Nova Scotia News

1. Investing in the big impact of small business

   From October 20th to 26th during Small Business Week, Canadians across the country are celebrating the crucial role that local companies play in strengthening our communities and economies. Small- and medium-sized businesses are powerful engines for Canada’s economy, employing 64% of Canadian workers. The Government of Canada is investing to help position four Nova Scotia companies for growth and success.

2. NICHI announces Atlantic recipients of funding to advance critical Indigenous housing projects in urban, rural and northern areas and address urgent and unmet needs

   Today, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon and Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, Patty Hajdu, announced the recipients of NICHI’s expression of need process to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Atlantic Canada.

3. Government of Canada and Atlantic Coastal Action Program Launch Major Reforestation Project in Cape Breton

   Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria, Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton announced a joint investment of more than $1.2 million to plant over 208,000 trees in eastern Cape Breton through the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program.

4. Federal, provincial, and municipal governments invest in local sports field

   The West Kings District High School David Morse Memorial Sports Field is being upgraded after a combined investment of $444,399 from the federal and provincial governments, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education, and the Municipality of the County of Kings.

5. Government of Canada to Announce Plans to Plant Trees in Cape Breton

   SYDNEY — MP Jaime Battiste, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will make a tree planting announcement in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

6. Renewal of interim understanding with Wasoqopa'q (Acadia), Annapolis Valley, Bear River and Glooscap First Nations to support moderate livelihood lobster fisheries

   Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier announced that for the fourth consecutive year, an interim authorization has been issued to Wasoqopa’q (Acadia), Annapolis Valley, Bear River and Glooscap First Nations. This interim authorization will see community members fishing and selling their catch in pursuit of a moderate livelihood during the commercial seasons in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 33, 34 and 35, without increasing overall fishing effort.

7. New sidewalk in Canning

   Construction is beginning on a new sidewalk in the Village of Canning after an investment of more than $700,000 from the federal government.

8. Death of an inmate from Springhill Institution

   On October 4, 2024, John Daley, an inmate from Springhill institution, died while in our custody.

9. Government of Canada recognizes success of foreign credential recognition project in Nova Scotia

   Canada continues to face significant labour shortages in healthcare as the demand for qualified professionals continues to grow.

10. Federal government invests in new Oxford Community Centre

    The federal government is investing $7 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program for a new community centre in Oxford.

11. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Oxford

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, and David Hoffman, President of the Oxford Community Centre Association.

12. MP Blois to announce investments to support the organic sector

    Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants and Chair of the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee, will be in Port Williams, Nova Scotia to announce federal investments on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, to support sustainable practices in the Canadian organic sector.

13. Investing in public transportation in the Annapolis Valley

    Residents in Annapolis and western Kings counties will have increased access to a bookable transportation service after an investment of more than $270,000 from the federal and provincial governments.

14. Investing in public transportation in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s

    Residents in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s will have access to a new transportation service following an investment of $234,548 from the federal and provincial governments.

15. Government of Canada successfully completes the removal of three problem vessels from the Marine Environment in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

    The Government of Canada is committed to addressing problem vessels that impact our marine environment and communities on our coasts. Recently, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) operation to remove and safely dismantle three vessels in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, was successfully completed.

16. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Sherbooke

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Greg Morrow, Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Guysborough–Tracadie, and Heather Kreffer, Executive Director of SMART-GO: St. Mary’s Association for Rural Transit.

17. Investing in active transportation infrastructure in Lower Sackville

    The Lower Sackville area has access to a new section of trail after an investment of over $680,000 from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments and non-profit organizations.

18. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Lower Sackville

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Darrell Samson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for Sackville–Preston–Chezzetcook, the Honourable Steve Craig, MLA for Sackville–Cobequid, His Worship Mike Savage, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Brenden Blotnicky of the Trans Canada Trail, and Matthew Spicer of the Sackville Lakes Park and Trails Association.

19. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Springhill Institution

    On September 2, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Springhill Institution, a medium security federal institution.

20. Fisheries enforcement ongoing in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

    Fisheries enforcement ongoing in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

21. Minister Petitpas Taylor to unveil 2024 Veterans’ Week Poster honouring the contributions of Canadian Armed Forces members around the world

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, alongside Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Forces Atlantic, and Colonel David Holmes, Commander, 12 Wing Shearwater, will unveil the 2024 Veterans’ Week poster in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

22. Government of Canada to provide update on Public Lands for Homes Plan, as part of Canada’s Housing Plan

    The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, along with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, will announce an important milestone in the government’s efforts to address the national housing crisis and build more homes, faster.

23. Protecting communities in Nova Scotia from the impacts of climate change

    The town of Bridgewater and the LaHave River will be better protected from the impacts of climate change after an investment of more than $69.4 million from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

24. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Services Canada announce funding for Emergency Management Coordinators in member First Nation communities

    First Nation governments are playing a leading role in assessing the immediate needs of their communities and determining the appropriate course of action during emergencies. As emergency events such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and snow storms are increasing in frequency and severity, having dedicated community-level emergency management coordinators is vital.

25. Minister Petitpas-Taylor to announce support for Atlantic Canadian communities to transition to a net-zero economy

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, will make an announcement about Atlantic Canadian communities’ leadership in the transition to a net-zero economy.

26. The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Services Canada to make an announcement related to emergency management for Nova Scotia First Nations communities

    Please be advised that Angeline Gillis, Executive Director of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq, and Jenica Atwin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, will make an announcement related to emergency management for Nova Scotia First Nation communities.

27. Media Advisory: Housing Announcement in Dartmouth

    Members of the media are invited to an announcement with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs; Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, Debbie Lowther, CEO of Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada; and Dr. Belinda Seagram, Founder and Executive Director, Landing Strong Cooperative Ltd.

28. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Chéticamp

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso, and Cyril Camus, President of La Coopérative de Transport de Chéticamp (L’Acabie).

29. Government of Canada Advances Canadian Battery Innovation at Dalhousie University

    While visiting the Metzger, Yang, Dahn Research Group’s world-class battery laboratory at Dalhousie University, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $10.15 million in funding to establish Dalhousie University’s Canadian Battery Innovation Centre (CBIC). Minister Wilkinson was joined by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West.

30. Canadian Coast Guard celebrates new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships shipbuilding milestones

    The Canadian Coast Guard serves Canadians everyday by protecting lives and the environment, and supporting the safe movement of goods in our waterways. The renewal of its fleet ensures the Canadian Coast Guard can continue to carry out its important work for years to come, while supporting innovation and creating new shipbuilding jobs from coast to coast to coast.

31. Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships

    As part of its fleet renewal plan, the Canadian Coast Guard is acquiring two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) to replace two of the five existing Offshore Patrol Vessels. The new AOPS — named the CCGS Donjek Glacier and CCGS Sermilik Glacier — will support offshore international fisheries surveillance and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization patrols, and offshore search and rescue on Canada’s east coast and in the low Arctic.

32. Government of Canada Announces $300 Million in Port Hawkesbury on Canada - Germany Hydrogen Alliance

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced Canada will commit up to $300 million to support clean hydrogen trade with Germany. The funds will be allocated via a competitive auction process expected to be launched by the end of the year, following European Commission review of the proposed auction parameters and a similar funding commitment from Germany. As part of the joint Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance, this initiative will help Canadian companies access German markets for their clean hydrogen and ammonia. It will also ensure Germany has access to competitively priced clean energy products produced by Canadian industry and driven by Canadian workers.

33. Government of Canada to Make Two Funding Announcements for Energy Innovation in Nova Scotia

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, together with Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, will make a funding announcement on clean hydrogen trade with Germany. A media availability will follow. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Lena Metledge Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, and Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, will tour a research lab receiving funding from the Government of Canada. A media scrum will follow.

34. Government of Canada Expands Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity in Nova Scotia

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced investments totalling over $192 million for six clean electricity projects in Nova Scotia through Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program (SREPs) and Electricity Predevelopment Program that will help drive down energy bills across the province.

35. Government of Canada and Province of Nova Scotia Unveil Collaboration Framework to Drive Economic Growth and Create Jobs

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, released The Nova Scotia Regional Energy and Resource Table Framework for Collaboration on the Path to Net Zero (Collaboration Framework).

36. Canadian Coast Guard to unveil names and mark construction milestones for Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships

    Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will be at Irving Shipbuilding Inc. of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to unveil the names for the Canadian Coast Guard’s two new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and celebrate construction milestones. MP Fisher will be joined by Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

37. More Support for Nova Scotia Beekeepers

    Nova Scotia beekeepers will have access to more financial support this year. The Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program will provide eligible beekeepers up to $50,000, an increase from the maximum $27,000 in 2023.

38. Nova Scotia small craft harbours, Budget 2024

    Projects funded by Budget 2024 will be undertaken at the following Nova Scotia harbours managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

39. Parliamentary Secretary Mike Kelloway to make a major announcement to support Nova Scotia’s Small Craft Harbours

    Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will hold a press conference to announce major investments for small craft harbours in Nova Scotia.

40. Government of Canada Announces 660 New EV Chargers in Nova Scotia

    Member of Parliament, Kody Blois, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced federal investments in two organizations to install 660 Level 2 EV chargers across Nova Scotia.

41. MP Blois to Make an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Announcement in Nova Scotia

    Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, will announce federal support for electric vehicle infrastructure on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

42. Green, multi-purpose recreation facility coming to Stellarton after arena retrofit 

    Stellarton Memorial Rink is getting an overhaul after an investment of $6 million from the federal government.

43. Death of an inmate from Springhill Institution

    On July 13, 2024, Charles Mangapi, an inmate from Springhill Institution, died while in our custody.

44. Lockdown and search at Springhill Institution

    On July 11, 2024, a lockdown was put in place at Springhill Institution, a medium security federal institution, to enable staff members to conduct an exceptional search.

45. Minister Sean Fraser to make an announcement regarding No. 2 Construction Battalion

    The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will attend the Annual No. 2 Construction Battalion Remembrance Ceremony and Honour Parade, where he will make a funding announcement honouring the Battalion.

46. Membertou First Nation celebrates the construction of a new gas bar, timber office building

    Today, Membertou First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada announced the construction of a new gas bar and a mass timber office building at the Seventh Exchange retail district.

47. Federal, provincial, and municipal governments partner on active transportation in Wolfville

    Wolfville will gain more than 10 km of multi-use pathways after a combined investment of more than $3.3 million from the federal and provincial governments and the town of Wolfville.

48. Canadian Coast Guard concludes 2024 Summit with the United States Coast Guard

    As neighbouring maritime nations, Canada and the United States have long shared knowledge, experience, and best practices on a wide range of coast guard services that help keep our collective mariners safe and protect our coasts and waterways.

49. Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Wolfville

    Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, the Honourable John Lohr, Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Her Worship Wendy Donovan, Mayor of Wolfville.

50. Announcement related to infrastructure projects for Membertou First Nation

    Please be advised that Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation along with Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton—Canso and Jaime Battiste, Parliament Secretary and Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, will make an announcement on infrastructure projects to support Indigenous community businesses.