Latest news with #JaimeBattiste
CBC
30-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Elections Canada workers say issues in 2 Cape Breton offices made April vote a 'nightmare'
Several Elections Canada workers in a newly reconfigured Nova Scotia riding say a number of issues made April's voting process a "nightmare" for poll workers and voters alike. The complaints were brought forward by a handful of people who staffed two offices in the riding of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish. The riding takes in all of Cape Breton Island outside of the new urban riding of Sydney-Glace Bay, as well as all municipal units found within Antigonish and Guysborough counties. Liberal candidate Jaime Battiste, who had served two terms in the former Sydney-Victoria riding, won the newly redrawn district on April 28. While the Elections Canada workers who spoke to CBC do not dispute the result, they are critical of their offices' employee training, inaccurate election materials that were also in short supply, and lengthy delays in receiving payment. 'There was a lot of pressure' Megan Rankin of Lower River Inhabitants, Richmond County, was originally hired as a service agent for the Port Hawkesbury Elections Canada office. But on the day of her orientation session, she was abruptly reassigned to be the office co-ordinator, she said. Rankin, who had previously worked in provincial electoral offices, said she immediately sensed a lack of communication and organization as the April 20 advance poll approached. "Because this election was important to so many, there was a lot riding on it to make sure everything worked out really well. So there was a lot of pressure," she said. "Somebody would come in and tell you what you were supposed to be doing, and you'd be doing it, and someone else would come right in after them and say, 'No, no, scrap that, you're not supposed to be doing that, we need something else done.'" Rankin said the confusion extended to voters, with some sent to polling stations several kilometres out of their way. Elections Canada cards mailed to voters in St. Peter's, in eastern Richmond County, advised them to travel to a polling station in St. Francis Harbour, Guysborough County. Multiple polling stations were established in small communities, while larger neighbouring communities had only a single polling station. Elections Canada did not respond to the specific complaints when contacted by the CBC to address the workers' concerns. Communications officer Matthew McKenna said in a statement only that late-campaign staff vacancies were filled by a new assistant returning officer and co-ordinator brought in from outside Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish. Rankin said she feels a lack of knowledge — both at the local and national levels — about the new riding's size hindered the efficiency of the process. "We had over 200 polls, from advance polls to the regular polling. And we ran from Antigonish right up to Neils Harbour, and Louisbourg, and all the little places in between. And we had to make sure they had all the right materials," she said. "So, logistically, it was a nightmare." Payment delays frustrate election workers Lisa Skinner, one of two central poll supervisors in her home community of Arichat, echoed Rankin's concerns about low morale, poor office organization and placement of polling stations in areas outside of their traditional communities. Skinner also criticized a payment system that meant some workers didn't receive their remuneration until nearly two months after the federal campaign ended. She said the 2025 election was the third straight federal vote that was followed by lengthy payment delays. "When I called the Elections Canada payroll line, they were very quick to blame the Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish returning office," Skinner said. She said she received calls from numerous election workers wondering when their paycheques would arrive. While Skinner said workers were told in the early stages of the campaign that their pay might not arrive quickly, she asserted that Elections Canada has to "do better" in future votes. "You might not be shovelling dirt or you might not be out on a fishing boat, and everybody says 'Oh, you're working in an office,' but it's still hard work. It's mentally draining, and we work hard," Skinner said.
Canada News.Net
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Canada invests $2.2 million to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Nova Scotia
July 16, 2025 - Truro, Nova Scotia - Department of Justice Canada The Government of Canada is investing $2.2 million over five years to help Nova Scotia support more families of missing and murdered Indigenous people. This funding will enhance the province's Family Information Liaison Unit and expand community outreach efforts through the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association. The announcement was made today by Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, at the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association. Nova Scotia will use the funding to hire a full-time case coordinator for Victim Services, improving how families are supported through every step of the process. The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association will also hire a full-time community outreach worker to help connect families with culturally grounded support and services. The Family Information Liaison Unit works directly with families using a trauma-informed and culturally grounded approach. It helps gather answers from across government systems and connects families with Elders, cultural advisors, and other local supports. Units like this exist across Canada, supported by the Government of Canada in collaboration with provinces and territories.
Cision Canada
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Canada invests $2.2 million to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Nova Scotia
TRURO, NS, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is investing $2.2 million over five years to help Nova Scotia support more families of missing and murdered Indigenous people. This funding will enhance the province's Family Information Liaison Unit and expand community outreach efforts through the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association. The announcement was made today by Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, at the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association. Nova Scotia will use the funding to hire a full-time case coordinator for Victim Services, improving how families are supported through every step of the process. The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association will also hire a full-time community outreach worker to help connect families with culturally grounded support and services. The Family Information Liaison Unit works directly with families using a trauma-informed and culturally grounded approach. It helps gather answers from across government systems and connects families with Elders, cultural advisors, and other local supports. Units like this exist across Canada, supported by the Government of Canada in collaboration with provinces and territories. Quotes "For many families, getting information about a missing or murdered loved one is an essential part of the healing process. This support will help more families in Nova Scotia get the answers they deserve. It means more staff on the ground to guide families, stronger outreach in Mi'kmaw communities across Nova Scotia, and services that are grounded in culture, compassion, and trust." The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Families of missing and murdered Indigenous people have experienced unimaginable pain. They deserve more than words. They deserve real support. This investment in Nova Scotia's Family Information Liaison Unit will help families get the help they need to find answers, honour their loved ones, and begin to heal. It also responds to recommendations from the National Inquiry, like better coordination, cultural support, and services that put families first." Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish "Through Nova Scotia Victim Services, we strive to provide culturally appropriate and easy-to-use supports so that people can access justice and move towards healing. The Family Information Liaison Unit is an important resource for Indigenous families, and I am very pleased to see that it continues and expands." Becky Druhan, Attorney General and Minister of Justice "Too many Mi'kmaq families in Nova Scotia have faced barriers when searching for answers about their loved ones. This funding will help ensure that they are received with compassion, understanding and culturally appropriate care when it matters most." Leah Martin, Minister of L'Nu Affairs "We are committed to empowering women, girls, and Two-Spirit people and providing them with vital resources and safe spaces to thrive. This new funding is critical in our work to improve safety, implement preventative measures, and raise awareness of the FILU program. The addition of an outreach and prevention worker will also allow us to provide direct support and resources to MMIWG2S families and survivors." Dawn McDonald Executive Director, Nova Scotia Native Women's Association Facts Quick Facts The Government of Canada is investing $2.2 million over five years (2025–2030) to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Nova Scotia. This funding will allow Nova Scotia to hire a full-time case coordinator for Victim Services and support the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association in hiring a community outreach worker. The Family Information Liaison Unit helps families gather information about their missing or murdered loved one and connects them to cultural, emotional, and legal support. Units like this exist across Canada and are supported by the Government of Canada in collaboration with provinces and territories. This initiative responds to key recommendations from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including the need for family-focused, culturally respectful, and trauma-informed services. Associated links Justice Canada's Victim Fund Federal Victims Strategy Family Information Liaison Units Stay connected SOURCE Department of Justice Canada
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Additional Francophone childcare spaces open in Antigonish County
More Francophone childcare spaces will be accessible for families in Antigonish County, N.S., through a new centre operated by the Centre d'appui à la petite enfance de la Nouvelle-Écosse. 'The demand for childcare spaces in Antigonish continues to grow,' said Brendan Maguire, minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. 'This expansion responds to long-standing challenges faced by local families, who have had limited access to francophone childcare in their community.' The centre will be co-located on Conseil scolaire acadien provincial property at École acadienne de Pomquet, a new release said. The centre will receive $3.5 million from the province for the project, which will provide 40 new childcare spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. It is expected to open next spring. 'Childcare has a profound influence on children's overall development, including their language skills and identity,' said Jaime Battiste, member of parliament for Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish, on behalf of Patty Hajdu, federal minister of jobs and families. 'This investment will provide 40 new childcare spaces and help meet the needs of francophone families in Antigonish. With Nova Scotia, we are adding to the nearly 7,000 childcare spaces already announced, so more families in Nova Scotia can save thousands of dollars every year on childcare.' The funding is through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Nova Scotia has signed a five-year extension to the agreement as well as the Child Care Agreement and the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, worth more than $1 billion total. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Carney leads Canadian delegation to the Vatican for Pope's inaugural mass
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pictured during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not shown, in Rome, Saturday, May 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld ROME — Prime Minister Mark Carney is at the Vatican today, leading a Canadian delegation attending the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV. Carney, a devout Catholic, will be among a number of world leaders and heads of state in attendance who will all have a brief meeting with the pontiff inside Saint Peter's Basilica after the mass. Carney met a number of them on Saturday on his first official visit to Italy, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who he hosted at Canada's Official Residence to the Italian Republic. Thirteen Canadian MPs will also attend the mass, including Jaime Battiste, who was part of a reception with Canadian Catholic Cardinals on Saturday evening in Rome alongside the prime minister. The Nova Scotia MP says he's looking forward to hearing how the Pope 'sets the tone' for how he will lead. 'It's kind of like our version of the speech from the throne as members of Parliament,' Battiste told reporters outside Canada's Official Residence. Indigenous leaders have long called on the Vatican to repatriate thousands of Indigenous artifacts taken from communities in Canada. The late Pope Francis had expressed a willingness to return colonial-era artifacts in the Vatican Museum. Battiste said the return of the artifacts came up in his meeting with the Cardinals, and their return is an important step toward reconciliation. 'I've always said that reconciliation is a journey, not a destination, and we all have steps to take on that journey,' Battiste said. 'I was proud to see our prime minister was talking about reconciliation between Indigenous communities and the Catholic church.' Quebec MP Jean-Yves Duclos is also part of the Canadian delegation to the Vatican. He said the church plays an important role in fostering peace between countries. Last week Leo offered to host peace talks at the Vatican between Russia and Ukraine. 'We need more peace in this world, and I think we will be hearing more of that on the part of the Pope,' Duclos told reporters. 'I think (hosting peace talks) is a very important thing that the church can do. The church is not an armed country, it's a small state … with a lot of influence. To try to bring people together, as opposed to divide our humanity, is the right thing to do.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press
