New supports & another May long weekend at home

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Claudia stands with arms crossed in front of the Dartmouth ferry.

I think we were all hoping that restrictions would lift, at least somewhat, by the end of May; that our kids could get back into the classroom, and that our businesses could open up a little more. The news that restrictions remain in place until the middle of June is challenging, but the slow decrease in case numbers indicates how much more easily the variants are moving among us. We have lost more Nova Scotians to the virus in the last few weeks. We have to remain vigilant.

The good news is that the vaccine rollout is really ramping up. If you are 25-years-old or older, you are eligible to get a vaccine. Book one today if you have not. Check back frequently as earlier appointments do show up as more are added or people reschedule. Appointments will be open to everyone over 12 by the end of next week.

Sick Days

The provincial government announced new paid sick days for those affected by COVID-19. My colleagues and I have been advocating for paid sick days for years. While we are happy to see the government finally pick this up, we want to see permanent paid sick days and will continue to advocate for that.

Paid Sick Days for COVID-19

Last week the Nova Scotia Government announced the “Nova Scotia COVID-19 Sick Leave Program.” Nova Scotians who must take time off due to COVID-19 between May 10, 2021, and July 31, 2021, may now qualify for up to four paid sick days. This includes those who need to take time off work because:

they are awaiting test results.
those who are getting tested.
those who are self-isolating.
those who are going to get vaccinated.

This program covers employee wages, including self-employed people, up to a maximum of $20 per hour, or $160 per day. The maximum payment over the 12-week period is $640 per worker. Employers will pay employees and then request a refund from the Province. This will be administered by the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council or Credit Unions.

> Program launches on May 26, 2021. Questions can be directed to COVIDsickbenefit@novascotia.ca.
> More information is available at novascotia.ca/coronavirus/paid-sick-leave-program
> If you need to miss more than 50% of your scheduled workweek, you may qualify for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).

Small Business

I have heard from many small business owners, patrons, and allies about the dire need to support our small local economy. I have been advocating for better supports for our small businesses since COVID-19 hit in 2020 and was pleased to see another $17 million in supports added to the Small Business Impact Grant today. It’s a start, but there are many small businesses that did not qualify for the Small Business Impact Grant before, and still don’t. If you own a business, please reach out and tell me what would help you. Email me at claudiachendermla@gmail.com.

Travel

Many of you have reached out in frustration over travel protocol. Today the Province announced they are expanding the criteria for people who are moving to the province and adding flexibility for travel from Prince Edward Island.

People can apply to move to Nova Scotia with immediate family members who live in the same household if they have:

a purchase and sale agreement for a property purchase showing that an offer has been accepted on or before May 1, 2021
proof of ownership of property in Nova Scotia, and either a purchase and sale agreement for a property or notice of termination of their lease agreement in another province or territory
a minimum one-year lease signed on or before May 1, 2021
a letter of acceptance for new employment in Nova Scotia that cannot be done virtually or deferred; the letter must be dated on or before May 7, 2021

People who meet this criterion must apply via the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in and have a plan for the required 14-day self-isolation. Due to volume, it will take a week to review applications and only people who plan to arrive before July 1 will be considered at this time. People who plan to come later should wait until about a week before their travel date to apply.

People should not start their travel to Nova Scotia without having received approval in advance. They will be denied entry if they do not have approval.

The Nova Scotia-New Brunswick travel protocol is now expanded to include Prince Edward Island. People can use the protocol to travel between Nova Scotia and these two provinces for work, school, child care or veterinary services. They do not complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in and do not have to self-isolate when they enter or return to Nova Scotia.

It’s a beautiful day, and we have another long weekend ahead where we have to stick close to home. Here’s hoping you can make the most of it.

Kind regards,

Claudia

Business Grants

Small Business Impact Grant

The Small Business Impact Grant Part 3 will provide a 1-time grant of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses that have been directly affected by public health measures introduced in April 2021, plus an additional 1-time grant of $5,000.

After May 19, incorporated eligible businesses that operate more than 1 business establishment under a single corporate entity can claim a rebate of up to $5,000 for each establishment. You need to show the allocation of revenues and expenses between the establishments.

Please click here for more details.

Tax Rebate

The COVID-19 Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program will provide eligible businesses with a one-time rebate of $1,000 or 50% of property taxes paid for the last 6 months of the 2020 – 2021 tax year. Applications are available now.

Please click here for more details.

Community

Older Women Podcasting Project

Four images of podcasting equipment (microphone, headphones, recorder) in various living rooms and bedrooms.

Kelly O’Neil, a doctoral candidate in Educational Studies from St. Francis Xavier University, is conducting "a research project engaging older women in developing a podcast about what matters to them." If you're interested in participating or know someone who might be, check out their website.

Volunteer Firefighters Wanted

The local Fire Department located in Downtown Dartmouth on King Street is looking for volunteer firefighters.

If that’s you, contact Hawthorn Parent Joel Miller here

Email: millerjo@halifax.ca

Dartmouth Recreation and Open Space Asset Map

A few years ago the Dartmouth Community Health Board created getactivedartmouth.ca to raise public awareness of the extensive recreation assets within Dartmouth, which feels more important than ever. Make sure you bookmark this one!

Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team
Call: 902-429-8167 or 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Crisis support for children, youth, and adults experiencing a mental health crisis by phone 24/7 anywhere in Nova Scotia and a Mobile Response from 1 pm to 1 am to most communities in HRM.

Crisis Text Line
Public text: NSSTRONG to 741741
Frontline workers text: FRONTLINE to 741741
Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 for adults who are going through a difficult time and need someone to text with. Special support is available for frontline workers.

Good2Talk Nova Scotia
Call: 1-833-292-3698 (toll-free)
Text: GOOD2TALKNS to 686868
Good2Talk Nova Scotia provides support for university and college students.

Kids Help Phone
Call: 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
Text CONNECT to 686868
Kids Help Phone is always there for you. No matter what you want to talk about, we’re here to listen. No judgment, totally private, 24/7. Live Chat open daily from 8 pm to 1 am.

VETS Canada (Veterans only)
Call: 1-888-228-3871 (toll-free)
24/7 emergency support line. VETS Canada exists solely to help our Canadian veterans. Whatever the need, you can reach out in confidence, and we’ll do what it takes to help.

Morneau Shepell
Call: 1-844-751-2133
24/7 national crisis support line that is available to anyone in need of emotional support. By calling the crisis line, individuals will receive crisis counselling support and/or referral to community resources. This resource is available to anyone and everyone, client or not.

Eskasoni Mental Health Services (Indigenous only)
Call: 902-379-2099 or 1-855-379-2099 (toll-free)
Message: Facebook @EskasoniCrisisWorker
Culturally appropriate, community-based, and community-led mental health and addiction services available 24/7 by phone or Facebook. Crisis intervention and referral services, central intake, ASIST/Safe Talk/Mental Health First Aid.

Pause: Mental Health Walk-In Clinic (ANS only)
Call: 1-800-598-5270 (toll-free)
A mental health drop-in program where community members can access a 45 minutes counselling session on a first-come-first-served basis. Currently only operating via telephone due to restrictions around COVID-19. Call at any time, leave your name and a call back number and the coordinator will reach out to you with an appointment time. You do not need a health card or a mental health diagnosis. You do not need to be a patient of the NECHC.
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5 pm – 8 pm.

Association of Black Social Workers (ANS only)
Call: 1-855-732-1253 (toll-free)
Email: nsabswcovid19@gmail.com
Providing support to members of the African Nova Scotian community by phone and email.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. For after-hours calls, please allow up to 12 hours for a callback.

Healthy Minds Cooperative
Call: 902-404-3504 ext. 201
The HMC patient navigator, Brad, can help connect you with the appropriate support services within your community. Services in the community: support groups, programs and workshops, referral services, self-advocacy, web-based resources.

NSHA & IWK Mental Health and Addictions Intake Line
Call: 1-855-922-1122
For help with a mental health or addiction concern, the Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions team is available to take your call.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

COVID-19 Information

- Book a vaccine
- Check exposure notifications
- Provincial

- Federal

- Toll-free info line: 1-833-784-4397

How and Where to get a COVID-19 Test

Primary Testing Sites. For symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. Book online or call 811. Dartmouth locations are Burnside/Dartmouth Crossing, by the Dartmouth General Hospital, and the Zatazman Sportsplex.

Public Health Mobile Units. Pre-book your appointment at the mobile unit online, call 811. Click here for mobile unit locations.

Pop-Up Rapid Testing. Asymptomatic testing. No appointment is necessary. This option is for you if you are over 16 and have no symptoms or exposures.
Click here for rapid testing locations.

Domestic Violence

For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)

Further Resources

2-1-1 is a 24/7 connection to programs and services in Nova Scotia. Call 211 or visit online.

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Claudia Chender MLAMay 21, 2021