Government of Nova Scotia News

Premier's Office -- NOTE: Small Business Week, Oct. 15 to 21, is an annual event that recognizes the importance of small and medium-sized businesses. The government is tackling the top two priorities of small businesses – cutting red tape and taxes – as it works with them to build a stronger Nova Scotia.

Justice -- The province has appointed retired senior Crown attorney John Scott as interim director of the province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). Work is underway to hire a permanent director.

Service Nova Scotia -- Cinq mille foyers supplémentaires à l'échelle de la province pourront recevoir de l'aide pour payer les frais de chauffage cet hiver grâce au Programme d'aide au chauffage amélioré.

Service Nova Scotia -- Five-thousand more households in the province will be able to receive help with home heating costs this season through an enhanced Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP).

Public Prosecution Service -- Janice Rea has been appointed a Crown attorney in Bridgewater.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Les jeunes Néo-Écossais qui se mettent au défi et qui changent les choses dans leur communauté sont mis à l'honneur, aujourd'hui 16 octobre, lors du lever du drapeau à Province House dans le cadre de la Semaine de sensibilisation au Prix du duc d'Édimbourg.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Young Nova Scotians who are challenging themselves and making a difference in their communities are being celebrated today, Oct. 16, with a flag raising at Province House as part of Duke Awareness Week.

Community Services -- NOTE: The following is a feature story on Foster Family Appreciation Week, Oct. 15-21 “I could never do what you do. I could never take care of a child and let them go.”

Premier's Office -- Premier Stephen McNeil offered his congratulations today, Oct. 13, to the five outstanding Nova Scotians who will be invested into the Order of Nova Scotia.

Lieutenant Governor -- REMARQUE : On trouvera la biographie complète et la photo des récipiendaires à l'adresse www.novascotia.ca/orderofnovascotia (en anglais seulement). Cinq Néo-Écossais respectés qui ont fait des contributions remarquables à la culture et pour les gens de leur province recevront l'Ordre de la Nouvelle-Écosse cet automne.

Lieutenant Governor -- NOTE: Full biographies and photos of the recipients are available at www.novascotia.ca/orderofnovascotia . Five respected Nova Scotians who have made outstanding contributions to their province’s culture and people will be invested into the Order of Nova Scotia this fall.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- NEW WORK

Health and Wellness -- Freeing up more operating room hours, hiring more surgeons and creating a central booking system will help hundreds more Nova Scotians get the orthopedic surgeries they need.

Labour and Advanced Education -- Nova Scotia is embarking on a project that will make it easier for businesses to hire the skilled workers they need once the requirements for six more trades are streamlined across the Atlantic provinces.

Environment -- The province is making changes to its air quality regulations that will allow a successful mercury diversion program to continue.

Ombudsman -- The Office of the Ombudsman is hosting a conference for young people in Halifax on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Youth Summit is designed to hear from young people about their diverse backgrounds and interests.

Health and Wellness -- On encourage les Néo-Écossais de tous les âges à se faire vacciner contre la grippe.

Health and Wellness -- Nova Scotians of all ages are encouraged to get the annual influenza vaccine.

Communities, Culture and Heritage -- More than 100,000 visitors from around the world were able to experience the Bluenose II this summer, which has completed her 2017 summer sailing season.

Tourism Nova Scotia -- Nova Scotia welcomed 46,000 more non-resident overnight visitors in August 2017 than in August 2016, an increase of 11 per cent, according to monthly statistics released today, Oct. 12, by Tourism Nova Scotia.