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We’re now in our second weekend of the Atlantic Bubble, and despite some early issues with car travel across the borders, things seem to be going relatively well. Nova Scotians are thrilled to be reunited with family across the Atlantic provinces, and our tourism and hospitality sector are, for the most part, able to take advantage of the increased traffic.
We have seen a handful of new cases but all are related to travel or contact with travellers from outside of the Atlantic Provinces, and there does not appear to be community spread.
Despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19 new businesses continue to pop up in downtown Dartmouth. I was happy to welcome Chanoey’s Pasta, Dear Friend bar, and Doraku sushi in the past month!
Looking forward, top of mind for me on a personal and professional level is the issue of school re-opening in the fall. With no in-person instruction since March and many children without access to technology or supervision left unable to access any formal learning at all since then, it is vital that a plan for September be made public.
Of course, due to the uncertain epidemiology of COVID-19 and the possibility of a second wave, we need to be planning for multiple scenarios. Nonetheless, I believe it should be a top priority for the government to find and communicate a safe way for children, particularly younger children, and teachers to return to classrooms in September. I spoke with CTV (watch here), News 95.7 (listen), and Global (watch below) about these issues and their implications.
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Those plans may change, but this government needs to put Nova Scotian families at the forefront of their plans for the fall. Children have a right to an education and parents are being left without a safe instructional environment for their children. Without plans for school many parents are prohibited from participating in the workforce, and we know that those stepping out of the workforce are disproportionately women. Beyond these concerns, for the most vulnerable Nova Scotians school is a safe and nurturing space where those may be few and far between.
A plan should be predicated with safety for children and teachers and their families at the forefront. We have seen hundreds of millions of dollars in unplanned stimulus investments in the past few months. These have kept the construction industry going and have helped most retail, hospitality, and recreation sector organizations and businesses to open safely. Given this, we should also be seeing a plan for how children will return to in-school learning in the fall that includes any investments necessary for safety. We are told that it’s coming at the end of July but I will continue to push for more information as soon as possible so parents can plan as best they can.
My colleagues and I also continue to advocate for the quick and effective disbursement of top-ups to essential workers, and that they be provided to all essential workers required to attend their workplaces during the “stay the blazes home” period of the pandemic. I have heard from so many essential workers who went without breaks, without seeing their children, or without child care at all (Nova Scotia was the only province not to arrange for any for essential workers), during the height of the pandemic. Flowing through funds from the federal government to help them in this challenging time is the least we can do.
Dartmouth's Lakes
Like we have seen year after year, once the warm weather hits and we want to take advantage of the lakes, they are abruptly shuttered due to one outbreak or another. HRM has closed both Lake MicMac and Lake Banook to swimmers due to the presence of another blue-green algae bloom. Many of you will remember the Lakes Town Hall my colleague Susan Leblanc and I held last summer. One of the key takeaways from that meeting was the need for an Urban Lakes Commission. With all three levels of government involved in the care of urban lakes, responsibility gets punted around and around. The ecology of the lakes is also complex with a number of potential activities that could be responsible for the algae blooms.
After our community meeting, Susan and I requested a meeting with the Minister of Environment in which we presented our demands. We also presented your petitions for better oversight of Dartmouth’s urban lakes in the Spring sitting of the House. After some delay, we did get a meeting to discuss the lakes but Boat Harbour and then COVID-19 took over the government’s attention. We are still working on this issue and have renewed our urgent request for attention to this issue and for the immediate establishment of an Urban Lakes Advisory Committee. We will continue to press for better oversight and caretaking of the heart of our community, the Dartmouth Lakes.
Best,
Claudia
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Note: If you selected to “Dartmouth Lakes Only” when you signed up for this newsletter, this will be the first you should have received this year. If you’d like to adjust your settings to receive all of my (approximately bi-weekly) newsletters, email chenderoutreach@gmail.com.
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New Restos
Despite the pandemic, business is growing in Dartmouth. I was lucky to attend the opening of The Clever Barkeep's latest venture, Dear Friend. This cocktail bar, located at 67 Portland Street, is a beautiful addition to the Downtown and I'm happy to say they have been able to design the space with physical distancing guidelines in mind.
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Two other new spots that are luckily within walking distance from my office are Chanoey's Pasta in the old Subway location on Portland Street, and Doraku Japanese Restaurant in the old Ma Belle's location on Ochterloney Street. Welcome to the community!
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Halifax Pride released their lineup of events.
Click on the image above to check them out!
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Mental Health Support
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them: 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7: 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 the recent tragic events in our province: 1-844-751-2133
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Self-Assessment
If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit https://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:
- fever (i.e. chills, sweats)
- cough or worsening of a previous cough
- sore throat
- headache
- shortness of breath
- muscle aches
- sneezing
- nasal congestion/runny nose
- hoarse voice
- diarrhea
- unusual fatigue
- loss of sense of smell or taste
- red, purple or blueish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers without a clear cause.
Other Support
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
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