New era as toll booths come down on Angus L. Macdonald Bridge
When the Angus L. Macdonald bridge reopens to traffic on Monday, there will be no tolls for the first time in its 70-year history.
The Halifax bridge is closed this weekend for crews to remove the toll plaza and prepare the bridge for fare-free traffic.
Tim Houston and his PC party campaigned in 2024 on a promise to remove tolls from the harbour bridges.
More than 200,000 Nova Scotians have MacPass accounts — the system used to pay tolls through a transponder — and balances will be refunded in the coming weeks.
Construction to remove the toll plaza on the MacKay Bridge will begin on Monday.
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Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ignorance far from bliss, PC leader pleads in effort to leave stench of '23 campaign behind
Opinion Obby Khan wants to make it perfectly clear that the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba's controversial 2023 election campaign is not an accurate reflection of who he is. Khan, who became PC party leader in late April, said he continues to struggle to explain his role in that campaign, particularly ads and flyers promoting him as the champion of 'parental rights,' a well-established dog whistle for anti-LGBTTQ+ activists in Canada and the United States. When the idea for the advertisements was first brought up, Khan said no one from the central campaign team ever warned him the term 'parental rights' was being used in heavy rotation by anti-LGBTTQ+ activists seeking to remove books from school and public libraries and expunge any reference to sexual orientation or gender in public school settings. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba Leader Obby Khan says he supports the LGBTTQ+ community and would never knowingly promote hatred towards them. 'People will believe me or not believe me on this,' Khan said in an interview on the Niigaan and the Lone Ranger podcast. '(But) I did not know the parental rights was a dog whistle. I was legitimately, like, 'It makes sense, you want to be involved (in your child's education). Let's go, let's go do this.' And then, it was afterwards… that I was made aware of (the meaning). People were talking to me about this and it was kind of like one of those 'a-ha' moments.' Khan said he supports the LGBTTQ+ community and would never knowingly promote hatred towards them. However, he said during the campaign, the parental rights issue was presented to him as a way of pledging support to families struggling to get their children's' education back on track after the worst years of the pandemic. Although he is reluctant to say he was misled by the campaign, Khan did say that he now realizes how divisive the term is and wants to apologize to anyone who thought he was promoting a hateful concept. 'I do believe parents should be involved in their children's lives but it's really sad and unfortunate that we used it in a way to create divide and anger and hurt some people, because that was never my intent. My intent was really about trying to protect all kids. If it has caused some harm to some people, I apologize for that.' Niigaan and the Lone Ranger | Khan said he also had an 'a-ha' moment on the 'stand firm' against the landfill search campaign ads. In fact, he said the first time he learned of the advertisements was when he drove past one on a McGillivray Boulevard digital billboard with his son in the car. 'Seeing the damage that it's done, the divide it's created, and anger… I'll say it again: unequivocal apology to the families and… the entire province of Manitoba.' Khan is not the first Tory to argue the most controversial planks in the 2023 election campaign were kept from candidates until the moment that they were broadcast in advertisements and plastered across digital billboards. However, many of the other candidates from that election have moved on, while others enjoy a political existence that is well away from the spotlight reserved for political leaders. The 2023 campaign is clearly still an albatross for Khan, the lens through which everything he says and does is assessed. For example, Khan had to scramble recently to explain why he did not participate in last Sunday's Winnipeg Pride parade, the annual celebration of LGBTTQ+ culture. Pride organizers said neither Khan nor any of his MLAs signed up as an official entry in the parade; Khan said he personally could not attend because of a conflicting obligation and besides, Pride organizers did not invite anyone from his party to participate. In any other year, with any other leader perhaps, this might not be a big concern. But when the poster boy for an ill-fated parental-rights campaign advertisement does not reach out to the Pride community, it leaves both leader and party open to criticism. Can he rise above the meanness of the 2023 campaign and once again stake out ground near the middle of Manitoba's political spectrum? On the positive side of the equation, he seems wired for the job. Despite a lack of experience in politics — he won a 2022 byelection to replace former Tory premier Brian Pallister in Winnipeg's Fort Whyte riding — he is gregarious and unafraid of wading into a room full of voters. Khan is also used to a certain degree of success in his personal and professional life. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. A superstar lineman in the Canadian Football League, Khan spent only eight years in professional football but won folk-hero status here in Winnipeg. After retiring, he became a successful business owner with two different local restaurant chains. As for politics, it goes without saying that his victory in 2023 in Fort Whyte was important for his party; Khan was one of only three Tories to win seats in Winnipeg. He quickly translated his political resilience into a leadership win. Now that he's in charge, Khan said he is looking for ways of getting past the mistakes made during the 2023 campaign. 'For any of the hurt or the damage that's been caused throughout the (campaign), I apologize for that. It was never my intent. My intent is always to work for a better Manitoba, for everyone.' Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
Maritime Launch Receives Additional Infrastructure Reimbursement Approval for Over $10 Million from the Province of Nova Scotia for an Additional Small Launcher Launch Pad
CANSO, NS, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Maritime Launch Services Inc. (Cboe CA: MAXQ) (OTCQB: MAXQF) announces that the Company has obtained approval from the Province of Nova Scotia for approximately $10.5M under the Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC). This approval will support the construction of a dedicated launch pad for small launch vehicles, an essential addition to support the company's growing roster of global launch clients. The CITC is a refundable corporate tax credit designed to encourage capital investment in Nova Scotia through approved projects. The approval awarded to Maritime Launch will facilitate the establishment of highly specialized commercial space infrastructure and enhance Canada's sovereign space capabilities. This approval builds upon prior support from the Province under the CITC program. Approximately $30.7 million in CITC funding has been authorized for qualified infrastructure projects at Spaceport Nova Scotia. "This support from the Province sends a clear message to the global space industry that Nova Scotia is open for business," said Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch. "With the help of the CITC, we are building the foundation for Canada's commercial space sector, bringing jobs, innovation, and global investment to rural Nova Scotia and sovereign launch capability to Canada." The dedicated launch pad is a separate, stand-alone launch platform designed to serve Maritime Launch's growing customer base of international launch providers. The project includes the full suite of specialized infrastructure required for safe and efficient orbital launch operations, including a flame diverter, gas and propellant system interfaces, electrical and power systems, civil works, and other mission-critical components tailored to support modern small launch vehicles. "Nova Scotia is working to grow our economy, and we're happy to see companies investing in their future here," said Premier Tim Houston. "This tax credit will continue to support Maritime Launch Services in creating something truly exciting to be part of – a spaceport here in the Province. In the process, they'll create opportunities for Nova Scotians in rural areas." Spaceport Nova Scotia: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation in Nova Scotia and Sovereign Launch Capability for Canada The CITC-supported infrastructure will generate substantial benefits for the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Province as a whole: Job Creation: As the spaceport becomes operational, up to 30 jobs will be created in the local area, spanning technical, operational, and maintenance roles. Local Economic Activity: Infrastructure development and ongoing operations will drive demand across local construction, hospitality, and service sectors. Investment Attraction: Spaceport Nova Scotia will anchor a new high-tech sector in the region, helping to diversify the local economy and position Nova Scotia as a global destination for space and satellite companies. Resilience and Sovereignty: With robust infrastructure in place, Canada strengthens its domestic capability in satellite communications. The CITC is a targeted incentive program offsets 25% of eligible capital expenditures on approved projects in Nova Scotia, with a maximum benefit of $100 million. The program enables transformative infrastructure projects to move forward in rural regions, attracting private-sector investment and high-quality jobs. The support of the Nova Scotia Government's CITC program is essential to attract private-sector investment, stimulate innovation, and create the conditions for long-term economic growth. For more information on this announcement and ongoing development at Spaceport Nova Scotia, please visit: About Maritime Launch Maritime Launch Services Inc. (NEO: MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) is a Canadian-owned commercial space company based in Nova Scotia. Maritime Launch is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, a launch site that will provide satellite delivery services to clients to support the growing commercial space transportation industry over a wide range of inclinations. Spaceport Nova Scotia will allow small and medium-sized launch vehicles to place their satellites into low-earth orbit. Spaceport Nova Scotia is Canada's first commercial orbital launch complex. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: entering into binding definitive extension agreements with the holders of the debentures, consideration payable in connection with the extension of the debentures, and regulatory approval of the extension by the Cboe Exchange. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to come to mutually agreeable binding terms in definitive agreements with the holders of the debentures in a timely manner or at all; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the Company's ability to finance its operations until the extension can be secured and profitability of the Company can be achieved and sustained. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Houston pitches ambitious 'Wind West' offshore wind energy project
In response to Prime Minister Mark Carney's bid to make Canada an "energy superpower," Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is floating the idea of dramatically ramping up the province's nascent offshore wind energy industry. In an online video released earlier this week, Houston said he's hoping Carney's Liberal government will support a new megaproject the premier has dubbed "Wind West." "Right now, Nova Scotia is on the edge of a clean energy breakthrough," the Progressive Conservative premier says on the slickly produced video. "We've been handed a golden ticket .... We cannot afford to let this moment pass us by." Houston's plan calls for construction of enough offshore wind turbines to supply 27 per cent of Canada's total demand for electricity. "Sounds like a stretch, right?" Houston asks rhetorically. "Well, it's not." The video was released with little fanfare on Monday, a day before Canada's provincial and territorial leaders pitched their wish list for major projects at a meeting with Carney in Saskatoon. Carney has said projects deemed in the national interest could get fast-track approval. Meanwhile, Houston's government has yet to release any details about how much his proposed project would cost. "Nova Scotia cannot undertake an offshore wind project of this magnitude on its own," a provincial government spokesperson said Thursday in an email. "Leveraging this opportunity will require a national-level consolidation of resources and industry development strategy, and significant federal support." The statement said the new turbines could be built within the next 10 years. Nova Scotia has no offshore wind turbines, but the province is in the process of licensing projects that could produce up to five gigawatts of electricity by 2030. The province's new plan calls for private and government funding to pay for construction of enough turbines to generate 40 gigawatts of electricity — eight times greater than the projects now on the drawing board. 'It would be a game changer' As well, Houston says a cross-country cable would be needed to get that electricity to other markets. "Of course, there are questions," Houston says as the video shows him shaking hands with people and walking with construction workers. "Big projects always raise questions. But we are committed to working with Nova Scotians to ensure this project will benefit everyone." He said bigger offshore wind farms could supply power to green hydrogen plants, battery manufacturers and AI data centres. "This will transform our economy, create jobs and support families," he said Thursday in a statement. "It would be a game changer." Houston has also renewed his support for the now defunct Energy East pipeline project, which called for a new oil pipeline stretching from Alberta to New Brunswick. The project was shelved by its proponent in 2017 amid slumping oil prices, mounting regulatory hurdles and opposition from politicians in Quebec and Indigenous groups. Meanwhile, the prime minister has made it clear Ottawa is ready to spend big money to protect Canada from the ongoing trade turmoil caused by U.S. President Donald Trump. Potential wind areas "The point is to build the certainty ... that builders need to catalyze enormous investment — investment to make Canada into an energy superpower," Carney said Tuesday. In March, Houston's government said it had identified five areas deemed suitable for development of offshore wind farms. "Nova Scotia's offshore is particularly promising, with strong winds and favourable underwater conditions — including water depth and geology — to support offshore wind energy projects," the province said in a discussion paper released at the time. A regional assessment had initially recommended eight potential wind energy areas, but a review shortened the list to five in January. The independent assessment, which started in 2023, was based on technical studies, geological surveys, environmental data, fishing activity and community feedback. Four of the chosen wind energy areas are south of Nova Scotia's eastern shore: French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank and Emerald Bank. The fifth area, known as Sydney Bight, is northeast of Cape Breton. In all, these offshore areas cover more than 19,500 square kilometres. A 25-kilometre buffer zone has been recommended from the Nova Scotia coastline and around Sable Island, a national park reserve.
