Dear Dartmouth South,

This is one of the saddest and most unsettling weeks we’ve had here in Nova Scotia in my lifetime. Over the weekend Nova Scotia was the site of Canada’s deadliest mass shooting in history. We now know that there were 22 deaths and 3 more injuries in an awful murder spree that began with an assault and forcible confinement of the shooters’ girlfriend. The shooter was killed when apprehended.

This is a tragedy of which we are only beginning to be able to take the full measure. I encourage everyone to take the time the need, and to get the help they need to try and make sense of these events. Many of us may know someone who was killed, or someone closely connected.

The tragedy was compounded for residents of Dartmouth South when it was discovered that the shooter was the owner of the Denturist building on Portland Street with which so many of us are familiar, and where he also lived. The distinct signage became very disturbing to residents, and I want to thank Mayor Mike Savage and our Councillor Sam Austin with whom I was immediately in contact and who facilitated removal of the signage with the Halifax Regional Police.

A vigil was held this morning by bagpipers in Nova Scotia and across the country piping Amazing Grace in honour of the dead. I was proud to see two of my colleagues, Iain Rankin and Karla MacFarlane, from the Nova Scotia Legislature join this tribute.

At 2pm today the RCMP will have a moment of silence to honour Constable Heidi Stevenson who was killed in the line of duty.

Nova Scotia Remembers, a large virtual vigil, is planned for 7pm tonight. Find information about where you can access and how you can participate here. However you choose to mark this terrible event, be sure to take the time to reach out to those you love.

I was contacted by CTV in the hours following the incident, and here is some of what I had to say in the immediate aftermath:

Here are some resources available to help Nova Scotians cope with the grief we are now experiencing:

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
Morneau Shepell has also opened its 24/7 bilingual crisis support line to help anyone in need of emotional support as a result of these tragic events. Their number is 1-844-751-2133
Wellness Together Canada mental health portal https://ca.portal.gs/.

Nova Scotia Strong

COVID-19

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I’m sad to report that our COVID-19 cases are still in a critical band, with 55 positive cases identified the day before yesterday, and 23 cases yesterday. If there is a silver lining, it is that we now have the most widespread testing per capita in the country and public health leadership is working literally around the clock to contact, identify, and trace new cases. All information is available at www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus.

The majority of new cases in Nova Scotia are in long-term care facilities, with the majority clustered in the Northwood facility in Halifax. The NSHA has “wrapped their arms around this facility” deploying dozens of additional staff and setting up a satellite location in a hotel for those recovering from coronavirus, creating reduced risks and more space within the facility. As of April 23 there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors homes in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 189 residents and 82 staff.

You can watch the government's daily daily briefings here around 3pm, and can find information on my website and at www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus.

After six weeks or more of isolation and the warmer temperatures of spring, many of us are wondering when the rules around social distancing will relax. As Dr. Strang has said, that is unlikely to happen before June. The reality is that COVID-19 is a new virus for which we have no cure. Unlike any other virus we’ve seen in our lifetimes, it has spread globally.

Please, be patient and follow the instructions of Dr. Strang. We continue to be in a critical time for transmission of the virus, and we need to be very conscientious of when we interact with others (as little as possible), and how (as safely as possible).

OFFLINE RESOURCES

We are hearing from community groups that many isolated seniors who do not have access to the internet are doubly feeling the weight of COVID-19 and the tragic events of the past week. The VON has prepared a PDF of phone numbers where seniors can access information about COVID-19, health resources, and other information that those who have access to the internet are lucky to have at their fingertips. Please download and print this file and leave it in the mailbox of someone you know may be in need of this communication link.

PROVINCIAL UPDATES

School

The provincial government has said that schools will remain closed until May 1st, but it seems likely this will be extended until the end of the official school year in June. This will be re-addressed in the coming days and weeks.

Motor Vehicle Inspections

Government is extending the deadline for some Registry of Motor Vehicle services until further notice because of COVID-19.

Driver licences: All driver licences expiring in March, April, May and June will have a five-month extension from the original expiry date. For example, if a licence expires on April 15, the new expiry date is Sept. 15.

Motor vehicle inspections: Motor vehicle inspections expiring in March, April or May will now be valid until June 30.

Vehicle registrations: Vehicle registrations expiring Dec. 31, 2019, and later, are extended until Aug. 31. This includes all vehicle types, as well as off highway vehicles, motorcycles and trailers. Vehicle registrations may be renewed online at: http://www.accessns.ca/renew .

Temporary permits: All temporary permits expiring in March or later are extended until Aug. 31.

Driving tests: Knowledge tests and road test bookings for driver licences are unavailable until further notice.

Accessible parking permits: All blue permanent accessible parking permits are valid until Aug. 31.

Out of province and foreign licence plates and driver licences: All out of province and foreign licence plates and driver licences are valid until Aug. 31.

Non-essential services: Non-essential Registry of Motor Vehicle services, such as purchasing handbooks or getting personalized or antique licence plates, are unavailable until further notice.

Urgent Registry of Motor Vehicles services are available by appointment at some Access Nova Scotia locations. Before making an appointment, check service changes and deadline extensions for Registry of Motor Vehicles at https://novascotia.ca/closures . If people still need to make an appointment, they can call 1-800-670-4357.

Pharmacare Coverage

The provincial government announced it will now temporarily cover the extra dispensing fees for Seniors and Family Pharmacare clients on refills for prescriptions that would usually be filled for longer periods.

To manage the drug supply in Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists recommended that prescriptions only be dispensed in 30-day batches. Many prescriptions are typically dispensed in 90-day batches. This change means Nova Scotians pay three dispensing fees instead of one for the same supply of medication which can be a significant burden to those on a fixed or low income.

Additionally, the $5.00 prescription co-pay for Income Assistance program and the Low Income Pharmacare for Children program clients will also be temporarily waived. These changes are now in effect.

FEDERAL UPDATES

Student Support

This week the federal government released details about the support they will offer students during COVID-19.

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) is intended to support students and new graduates who are not be eligible for the CERB or EI or who are unable to work due to COVID-19. This benefit would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities from May to August, 2020. Students may make up to $1,000 per month and still be eligible for this benefit. You are not yet able to apply for the CESB. Stay tuned to the government website for more details.

Beyond the CESB, the Federal Government also proposed the new Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) this week. This grant of between $1,000 and $5,000 toward education fees in the fall, is for students who “take part in national service activities that can provide valuable labour market and skills development experiences, while giving back to their local communities.” These opportunities are to be made available via an online platform called “I Want to Help.”

More details about how students can expect support from the Federal Government can be found here.

As with all federal programs, please reach out to your MP for questions. In Dartmouth, that is Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, 902-462-6453.

Other information

My office remains open virtually for your constituency-related needs. Don’t hesitate to call 902-406-2301 or email claudiachendermla@gmail.com if you need assistance.

Stay safe, and be kind to each other.

Claudia

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