Latest news with #NovaScotiaGovernment
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
NS government removes more trade barriers
Atlantic Watch The Nova Scotia government allowing a wider range of out-of-province commercial trucks on the roads.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Health advocates express concern about potential alcohol sales changes in N.S.
As the Nova Scotia government prepares to uncork consultation on whether to expand retail options for alcohol in the province, a coalition of health groups is calling for those talks to be transparent and for consideration of potential risks to play a factor in any decision. "Talking to groups that are trying to make a difference and move the needle on health outcomes that are impacted by alcohol is a really important voice to have when we do these types of consultations," said Kara Thompson, an associate professor, research chair in substance use policy and prevention, and director of the Institute for Innovation in Health at St. Francis Xavier University. Thompson also chairs the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition. The group sent a letter this week to all 55 MLAs in the province, along with senior health and finance officials, outlining their concerns with the potential of expanded sales points. Signatories on the letter also include representatives for the Canadian Cancer Society, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor from the IWK Health Centre and organizations that fight intimate partner and family violence. Counter to key government mandate "[The government] has committed to fixing health-care in this province and the suggestion that we expand access to alcohol is directly counter to that mandate," said Thompson in an interview. "There is no doubt that increased access to alcohol is going to increase health-care costs." The letter to MLAs says that in 2022, alcohol was responsible for 571 deaths and almost 44,200 emergency department and hospital visits across the province. Alcohol-related harms cost the province hundreds of millions of dollars a year in related expenses, the letter says. Government officials confirmed last month that the idea of expanding sales for alcohol in the province to locations such as convenience stores was being kicked around. At the time, Premier Tim Houston said he was intrigued by the idea, but pledged "extensive consultation" before any changes happen. Details from gov't to come Finance Minister John Lohr's department will lead consultations when they begin. Lohr was not made available for an interview Wednesday, but a department spokesperson said in a statement the government is working to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, and changes in the alcohol sector "may be a key part of that effort." "Before any decisions can be made about how alcohol is sold, we first need to engage with stakeholders to better understand the broader issues and what Nova Scotians may want to see," said Heather Fairbairn. "We'll be happy to share more about what that process will look like shortly before the engagement begins." Representatives for the province's craft brewing and wine growers associations support the idea, provided any new shelf space comes with requirements for a certain amount of Nova Scotia-made products. They also want to be consulted. 'Significant access' already available Mike Hammoud, Atlantic vice-president for the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, declined an interview request. In a statement, Hammoud said the organization has not been invited so far for any consultation but has long supported opening up new sales channels for provincial producers of beer, wine and ready-to-drink products. "Our members have a stellar track record of retailing age-restricted products," the statement said. "We look forward to the day when Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces join the majority of Eastern Canadians (Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland) who already have the choice to buy local beer and related products in licensed and inspected retail convenience stores." But in their letter to MLAs, Thompson and coalition members say it's unclear why there is a need for more retail options given that there are already 110 NSLC retail stores and 65 agency stores. There are also four private retailers in the Halifax area and craft breweries, wineries and other producers can sell direct to customers. "Nova Scotia already has significant access to alcohol and a privatized retail system," the letter said. If the government does go ahead with opening up sales, coalition members are calling for "appropriate guardrails," such as requirements for training for people working in stores, rules about how close alcohol can be sold in proximity to schools, and parameters around what kinds of products are allowed to be sold in various retail outlets.
National Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Nova Scotia takes Ottawa to court, saying feds must protect land link
HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government argued in court on Tuesday that Ottawa is solely responsible for infrastructure that protects the low-lying strip of land that links the province with New Brunswick. Article content Article content Nova Scotia says the federal government should pay the entire cost of upgrading the centuries-old dikes that protect the Chignecto Isthmus from flooding, a project expected to cost $650 million. Article content Ottawa has agreed to pay only half the bill. It argues the dikes have long been used to protect farmland, which means they are covered by a section of the Constitution that says agriculture is a responsibility shared by the two levels of government. Article content Article content A provincial government lawyer, however, told Nova Scotia's Court of Appeal on Tuesday that the extensive network of dikes protect much more than just farmland. Daniel Boyle said the land bridge now includes a Canadian National Railway line, the Trans-Canada Highway, buried fibre optic cables and overhead electricity lines. Article content Boyle told the three-justice panel the dikes protect interprovincial trade and communications links, which fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction. He said the federal government has an obligation to protect those links, which are increasingly threatened by flooding caused by fierce and frequent storms and rising sea levels. Article content Boyle, who represents Nova Scotia's attorney general, also noted that a three-kilometre stretch of the railway line is part of the extensive network of dikes, which were built by Acadian farmers in the 1600s. There are now about 35 kilometres of dikes that help protect roads, railways, farms and communities. Article content Article content 'A flood could sever Nova Scotia from the rest of Canada,' he said. Article content Article content Michael Wood, chief justice of Nova Scotia, pointed out that agriculture hasn't disappeared from the area, which he said raised questions about shared jurisdiction. But Boyle said the dikes have 'much broader importance,' stressing that the province can't act on its own to protect what has evolved to become an essential 'trade corridor' that is facing serious risks. Article content The lawyer said an eight-metre storm surge would flow over the dikes and submerge the highway and the rail line. At 12 metres, 'Nova Scotia would effectively become an island,' he said. 'It's a real concern.' Article content That level of catastrophic flooding would effectively cut off $50-million worth of trade every day, he said, adding that the Port of Halifax would be unable to use trains or trucks to ship goods to the rest of Canada. Article content 'Provinces don't have jurisdiction over the railway,' Boyle said, adding that one of the main reasons Nova Scotia joined Confederation in 1867 was a promise that a new national government would build a railway to link the province's economy with other rapidly growing provinces.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Nova Scotia takes Ottawa to court, saying federal government must protect land link
HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government argued in court on Tuesday that Ottawa is solely responsible for infrastructure that protects the low-lying strip of land that links the province with New Brunswick. Nova Scotia says the federal government should pay the entire cost of upgrading the centuries-old dikes that protect the Chignecto Isthmus from flooding, a project expected to cost $650 million. Ottawa has agreed to pay only half the bill. It argues the dikes have long been used to protect farmland, which means they are covered by a section of the Constitution that says agriculture is a responsibility shared by the two levels of government. A provincial government lawyer, however, told Nova Scotia's Court of Appeal on Tuesday that the extensive network of dikes protect much more than just farmland. Daniel Boyle said the land bridge now includes a Canadian National Railway line, the Trans-Canada Highway, buried fibre optic cables and overhead electricity lines. Boyle told the three-justice panel the dikes protect interprovincial trade and communications links, which fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction. He said the federal government has an obligation to protect those links, which are increasingly threatened by flooding caused by fierce and frequent storms and rising sea levels. Boyle, who represents Nova Scotia's attorney general, also noted that a three-kilometre stretch of the railway line is part of the extensive network of dikes, which were built by Acadian farmers in the 1600s. There are now about 35 kilometres of dikes that help protect roads, railways, farms and communities. 'A flood could sever Nova Scotia from the rest of Canada,' he said. Michael Wood, chief justice of Nova Scotia, pointed out that agriculture hasn't disappeared from the area, which he said raised questions about shared jurisdiction. But Boyle said the dikes have 'much broader importance,' stressing that the province can't act on its own to protect what has evolved to become an essential 'trade corridor' that is facing serious risks. The lawyer said an eight-metre storm surge would flow over the dikes and submerge the highway and the rail line. At 12 metres, 'Nova Scotia would effectively become an island,' he said. 'It's a real concern.' That level of catastrophic flooding would effectively cut off $50-million worth of trade every day, he said, adding that the Port of Halifax would be unable to use trains or trucks to ship goods to the rest of Canada. 'Provinces don't have jurisdiction over the railway,' Boyle said, adding that one of the main reasons Nova Scotia joined Confederation in 1867 was a promise that a new national government would build a railway to link the province's economy with other rapidly growing provinces. 'It wasn't just one piece of infrastructure,' he said. 'It was the wider promise of what that infrastructure brought.' At one point, Justice David Farrar asked Nova Scotia lawyer Jeremy Smith to explain why the court was asked to settle what is essentially a political dispute over jurisdiction. Smith said the court's decision would 'provide guidance and some certainty to both levels of government.' During a hearing in March, federal lawyer Lori Ward said rail lines can be raised and transmission lines can be buried, suggesting the dikes are not essential for their protection. She also questioned whether enough was known about 'which dike protects what' on the isthmus, though Boyle argued Tuesday that the dikes represent a large network that is only as strong as its weakest part. Ward characterized Nova Scotia's case as an attempt to 'enlist the court' to aid in what is really a funding dispute, saying the panel should decline to answer the province's question as to what level of government is responsible for protecting infrastructure. The three justices plan to deal with that issue at a later date. New Brunswick and P.E.I. are supporting Nova Scotia's case. The hearing resumes Wednesday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025. The Canadian Press
