Government of Nova Scotia News

Service Nova Scotia -- NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece from Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey. The Canadian Federation of Business Red Tape Awareness Week reminds us that excessive government regulation can create hardship for small and medium-sized businesses. I want Nova Scotians to know that reducing red tape and modernizing programs is a priority for this government.

Lieutenant Governor -- African Heritage Month, recent discoveries in Acadian history and the fiftieth anniversary of the Canadian flag are among the topics to be featured in the upcoming Evenings at Government House, a public event series hosted by the lieutenant governor.

Human Rights Commission -- An independent Nova Scotia human rights board of inquiry in the case of Matthew Johns v. Sobeys is scheduled to begin Friday, Jan. 23.

Communities, Culture and Heritage -- The Town of Yarmouth will develop Heritage in Your Hand, a self-guided activity app to promote the community's culture and heritage.

Health and Wellness -- Les Néo-Écossais peuvent maintenant faire connaître leur préférence quant aux arômes qui seront exemptés d'une interdiction dans le cas des produits du tabac aromatisés et du liquide à vapoter aromatisé.

Health and Wellness -- Nova Scotians can now give their input on which flavours should be exempt from a ban on flavoured tobacco and e-cigarette juice.

Fisheries and Aquaculture -- REMARQUE : une liste des dates et des lieux des rencontres figure à la fin du communiqué. Les membres de l'industrie de la pêche au homard sont invités à discuter la proposition d'un droit de deux cents la livre pour aider à faire la promotion et la commercialisation de l'industrie du homard.

Fisheries and Aquaculture -- NOTE: A list of dates and locations of meetings follows this release. Members of the lobster fishing industry are invited to discuss a proposed two-cent per pound fee to help promote and market the lobster industry.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- À partir du 1er février, les Néo-Écossais qui utilisent un téléphone cellulaire ou un appareil portatif similaire tout en conduisant recevront des amendes plus élevées et verront des points d’inaptitude inscrits à leur dossier de conduite.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- Beginning Feb.1, Nova Scotians who use a hand-held device while driving will face increased fines and receive demerit points on their licence.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Les familles qui ont des enfants qui présentent un risque de retard du développement recevront le soutien dont elles ont besoin plus tôt grâce aux résultats de l'examen des programmes d'intervention précoce.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Families who have children at risk of developmental delays will get the support they need sooner as a result of the early intervention program review.

Service Nova Scotia -- Government is marking the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's (CFIB) annual Red Tape Awareness Week, Jan. 19-23.

Premier's Office -- Premier Stephen McNeil congratulated WestJet on its largest East Coast expansion in over a decade.

Council of Atlantic Premiers -- The Atlantic premiers are working together to improve the competitiveness of the regions's economy through actions to strengthen the workforce, harmonize and streamline regulations, ensure open transmission and transportation of energy, and provide more efficient and cost-effective services to Atlantic Canadians.

Human Rights Commission -- An independent Nova Scotia human rights board of inquiry in the case of Graham Downey v. Halifax Regional Water Commission is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Health and Wellness -- Arbitrator James Dorsey's decision meets the province's goals and supports the creation of a unified health-care authority on April 1.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Les familles dans les collectivités de toute la province auront accès à des services et du soutien pour les jeunes enfants grâce à quatre nouveaux centres de la petite enfance.

Education and Early Childhood Development -- Families in communities across the province will have services and supports for young children as a result of four new Early Years Centres.

Premier's Office -- Premier Stephen McNeil is sending a message of support for RCMP Const. David Wynn, who was seriously wounded in Alberta on Saturday, Jan. 17, and who worked as a paramedic in Bridgewater for years.