Government of Nova Scotia News

Status of Women -- NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is available on the Communications Nova Scotia website at http://novascotia.ca/news/Photos/2014/12/18/Status_Women_Chairman.jpg . Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard has been appointed chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Immigration -- En janvier, la Nouvelle-Écosse lancera un nouveau volet d'immigration appelé « Demande de la Nouvelle-Écosse - Entrée Express ».

Immigration -- Nova Scotia will launch a new immigration stream in January called Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry.

Energy -- The Government of Nova Scotia is welcoming BP Canada's new partner to the province's offshore oil and gas industry.

Service Nova Scotia -- The amount of gasoline each retail outlet in the province sells, the grade, and at what price, will soon be tracked electronically and reported directly to regulators.

Natural Resources -- Government has released a discussion paper in preparation for a review of the Mineral Resources Act.

Health and Wellness -- Consultation will begin in January on whether certain flavours should be exempt from a ban on flavoured tobacco and e-cigarette juice.

Trade Centre Limited -- A tender is being issued for the Scotiabank Centre seating replacement project today, Dec. 17.

Housing Nova Scotia -- A Springhill family is closer to owning its own home through Habitat for Humanity.

Community Services -- Nova Scotians needing literacy and skills development as a step toward employment will benefit from provincial funding of a program at the Dartmouth Learning Network .

Justice / Public Prosecution Service -- Justice Minister Lena Metlege Diab issued a ministerial directive today, Dec. 17, to clarify the use of Rehtaeh Parsons's name under the existing publication ban.

Service Nova Scotia -- Government is reducing red tape and streamlining services for restaurant and accommodation operators, as part of the 2015-16 capital plan.

Community Services -- Community Services is phasing out its extended pharmacare benefit and new clients can enrol in the Nova Scotia family pharmacare program, effective Dec. 15.

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism -- PepsiCo Foods Canada is planning capital upgrades at its Frito Lay plant in Kentville. The company plans to buy new equipment, such as energy-efficient fryers and heat recovery equipment to improve productivity.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- LUNENBURG COUNTY: Morgan Falls Bridge

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal -- Construction of a new East River Bridge in Sheet Harbour is on budget and on schedule to open in 2015.

Innovacorp -- Innovacorp is helping Canadian companies set up in one of the fastest growing tech hubs in the U.S., to provide better access to major markets abroad.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. -- BioVectra is investing and creating new jobs in Windsor to support its international growth.

Health and Wellness -- A procurement consultant will make recommendations about tendering for home care services across the province to ensure Nova Scotians receive quality service at a sustainable cost.

Fisheries and Aquaculture -- Nova Scotia's Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review Panel released its final report today, Dec. 16.