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Nova Scotia Power
The news cycle this week has been dominated by Nova Scotia Power's application to the Utility and Review Board. At over 1,000 pages it's not easy reading but there are several concerning aspects, including a proposed charge for solar customers (since rescinded), a 10% rate hike over 2 years, and a decarbonization fund where ratepayers will pay an extra tax on their bill to pay for NSP to transition off of coal.
I am not convinced ratepayers (most of us) should pay additional amounts for the maintenance and resilience of our grid given the it's unreliability. In 2020 alone, there was at least one unplanned outage every single day. Only this week, 20,000 people, 15 schools, and many businesses were without power during a light rainstorm.
Every week in our office we speak to people who can’t afford to pay their power bills, are in arrears, or who cannot open an account because of an outstanding payment. They have to choose between heat and food.
This application will come before the NSUARB in September, and people will have a chance to make their voices heard. In the meantime, we are urging Premier Houston to follow through with his recent commitment to re-examine our relationship with Nova Scotia Power. We need a utility that delivers reliable power and works to help us green the grid and reduce our carbon footprint while ensuring that we can all afford power. Right now, NSP works to deliver profit for their shareholders while delivering substandard service. That needs to change.
Storm Preparations
If weather predictions are correct, we're now in the middle of yet another intense weekend weather pattern. Given the issues we have with power, please do your best to prepare for an outage. If you experience one, please report it to NS Power.
Highway Conditions
I've heard from constituents, and noticed myself, that the conditions on Highway 111 following snowstorms have been more treacherous than in previous years. Public Works is aware of the issue and is prioritizing the highway.
I'm told the challenge lies in the heavy use and wide breadth of the highway combined with--you guessed it--changing environmental patterns. In recent winters, storms have been followed by warm, rainy days. This year, we are experiencing more "old-fashioned" storms. The snow piles up and slows efforts. Once the ice settles in, prolonged cold makes it very difficult to manage. We continue to press the Department of Public Works to properly maintain the safety of travel on our vital 111 highway.
Affordable Housing and Development
In addition to the modular units on Church Street, a new supportive housing development at 101 Yorkshire Avenue Extension--the former Travelodge in North Dartmouth--was announced last week. We are told it will be ready this year but an exact date has not been set.
This collaboration between Federal, Provincial, and Municipal levels of government will create 65 new permanent supportive housing options for people who are chronically unhoused. The hotel will be renamed The Overlook and be operated by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia and the North End Community Health Centre.
Wraparound services for residents will include occupational therapy, onsite nursing and addictions counselling, harm-reduction services, and peer support.
Last week the Province also announced new potential affordable housing in Downtown Dartmouth. I remain skeptical but hopeful that the bid won't be given to a private developer. More details on this project can be found here. I look forward to meeting with Develop Nova Scotia next week to get more details on this project.
New Isolation Guidelines
Public Health has revised the isolation requirements for families with positive cases. Close contacts in a household are at a much higher risk of contracting the virus and are therefore required to isolate for a minimum of 72 hours, even if they can isolate away from a positive case. Please consult this infographic and get more information for close contacts on the NSHA website.
Two years into this pandemic we are all tired and frustrated. The pandemic continues to have a real effect on not only our individual health and healthcare system but on our mental health as well. My focus, as always, is on the wellness of our community. We are all connected, through families, the places we frequent, the friends we see, where we volunteer, and the things we hold dear.
Over 40 Nova Scotian lives have been lost to COVID-19 in 2022. Dartmouth South is home to many seniors residences, a long-term care facility, and many immunocompromised folks. By taking care and following guidelines, we can keep others safe. I know the guidelines can be frustrating, and even seem contradictory at times, but they are the best we've got. I urge everyone to think of the folks who are least able to protect themselves from COVID-19, and to go about your days with them in mind.
My own family is currently isolating, and I tested positive this week. I have been boosted, and thankfully our two cases have been mild so far, but isolation for two weeks (cases spread apart) has a huge impact on our lives, and we count ourselves among the lucky ones.
Please continue to look out for each other, stay safe, and be kind.
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Record Suspensions
As of January 1st, record suspension fees dropped from $657.77 to $50. If you or someone you know is interested in a Record Suspension, or you have questions, contact The John Howard Society. Their staff are knowledgeable on the processes and can help guide you through an application.
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Don't feed the birds.
This week a Canada goose in HRM tested positive for avian flu. The viral infection can spread easily and quickly among birds. Some, such as ducks, can carry the virus and infect other birds without getting sick themselves. Others are more likely to become severely ill and die.
Report sick or dead wild birds to the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables at 1-800-565-2224. Do not handle them yourself.
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Equity and Anti-Racism Legislation
With the establishment of the "All-Party Committee", the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives (OEA) is working to engage Nova Scotians on Equity and Anti-Racism legislation.
Throughout the months of January and February 2022, the OEA is engaging with community leaders, diverse organizations, and as many voices as possible to help inform the creation of the Equity and Anti-Racism legislation. Background information and documents can be found on the website.
There are a number of ways to have your voice included, heard, and counted.
- Provide feedback in the comment box on the website. You can also complete the survey.
- Email correspondenceoea@novascotia.ca.
- Call our office 1-844-424-4897
- Attend a virtual session.
- Social media (Twitter & Facebook)
Feedback on 20 Agencies, Boards and Crown Corporations
Nova Scotians are invited to share their thoughts and ideas to strengthen 20 provincial entities. The survey seeks input on the powers, duties, roles and responsibilities, accountability, oversight and governance, structure and programs of agencies, boards and Crown corporations. The feedback will help inform decisions about how they align with the needs of Nova Scotians.
The 20 entities selected for review are arm's-length organizations and include:
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- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Arts Nova Scotia
- Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council
- Develop Nova Scotia
- Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission
- Harbourside Commercial Park Inc.
- Innovacorp
- Invest Nova Scotia Board
- Nova Scotia Business Inc.
- Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission
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- Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board
- Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board
- Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
- Nova Scotia Lands Inc.
- Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
- Nova Scotia Municipal Finance Corporation
- Perennia Food and Agriculture Incorporated
- Public Archives of Nova Scotia
- Resource Recovery Fund Board Inc.
- Sherbrooke Restoration Commission
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Nova Scotians can provide feedback on all organizations or select the ones they want to comment on. The survey will remain open until February 15th, 2022.
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February 1st marked the opening of African Heritage Month. This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme, Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians, recognizes the long-standing history of people of African Descent in the development of Canada.
This theme explores and examines the effects of anti-black racism and the voice of African Nova Scotians who blazed the trail for change. The theme also aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (DPAD) 2015-2024. (Check out the Nova Scotia chapter here.) The goal of DPAD is to strengthen global cooperation in support of people of African descent, increase awareness and the passage towards presence in all aspects of society. Find the listing of events at ahm.bccnsweb.com.
And Now, Suzy Hansen
The following video comes from the Mulgrave Park Youth and Community Centre Facebook page and was first posted in 2021. My colleague, Suzy Hansen, sings the Black National Anthem.
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"Often referred to as "The Black National Anthem," Lift Every Voice and Sing was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics. A choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal, first performed the song in public in Jacksonville, Florida to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's birthday.
At the turn of the 20th century, Johnson's lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans. Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.”
- Text from the NAACP website.
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Art Cart News
In response to continued restrictions, the Art Carts is now offering take-home art kits for the month of February! Pick-up day is Saturday, February 12th from 9 am - 1 pm and Saturday, February 26th from 9 am - 1 pm!
Some more amazing programming is on the way for March so stay tuned!
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We Downtown Dartmouth
Saturday, February 12, 2022 is We Love Downtown Dartmouth Day! Our beloved downtown Dartmouth businesses continue to take a hit as we navigate through a third year in a global pandemic. Check out the participating businesses here.
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Scholarship: Learn French
Alliance Française Halifax announced scholarships for the five sessions of courses in 2022. Regardless of level, age or type of group course, anyone with a desire to learn French at Alliance Française Halifax can apply. More details here.
Application deadline: Sunday, February 6th
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The Bicycle Film Festival has been celebrating bicycles through art, film and music for the last 20 years with over 90 cities worldwide and a viewer audience of 1 million and growing. The festival has an incredible history of working with the most important artists, filmmakers, venues, and institutions around the world. Get tickets and more info here.
A portion of the Halifax Festival ticket sales will go to supporting the Halifax Cycling Coalition, which is also hosting a "get to know us" webinar with the NS Environmental Network on February 16th!
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Whether you're new to the cycling world, or simply looking to get more involved and stay up to date on events, education and advocacy support join our webinar to learn more!
Register here.
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