NOVA_SCOTIA · SECTION
News affecting Nova Scotia province-wide or areas beyond HRM.
A new report indicates that workers in Nova Scotia encounter a cumbersome and time-consuming legal framework when attempting to unionize, characterized as 'a mountain of unnecessary and unfair obstacles.'
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has officially opened Souls Harbour South, a new six-unit facility in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, donated by entrepreneur Mandy Rennehan to provide shelter and skills training.
Construction has begun on a new residence at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Kingstec campus, adding approximately 90 beds to support students and apprentices. The project, expected to be completed by fall 2028, aims to alleviate local rental market pressure and provide affordable housing options.
Novaporte and Sydney Harbour Investment Partners are shifting focus from a long-stalled container port proposal in Cape Breton to developing an offshore wind manufacturing terminal in Sydney Harbour, aiming to align with Nova Scotia’s $60-billion Wind West project.
The Nova Scotia Energy Board and Prince Edward Island's Regulatory and Appeals Commission have announced adjustments to diesel prices effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation reported a 1.7% drop in alcohol sales and an 11.2% increase in cannabis sales for the first quarter ending June 28, 2026. Despite nearly flat total sales, earnings fell by 6.8% due to rising labour and technology costs.
A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives highlights significant barriers to unionization in Nova Scotia, including strict timelines and employer delays. The study recommends policy changes such as single-step certification and extended card validity periods.
In Halifax, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem stated that the Atlantic region is less exposed to U.S. tariffs than Quebec and Ontario. While Nova Scotia's unemployment rate remains low, rising oil costs continue to impact residents who heat homes with furnace oil. Macklem highlighted new investment opportunities in shipbuilding, defence, and energy, emphasizing the need for sustained multi-year commitments.
The Nova Scotia government will spend $1 million annually starting in 2027-28 to cover RCMP critical incident response services for eight municipal police departments, alleviating financial concerns for smaller communities.
A new study published in the Canadian Pharmacies Journal reveals that emergency department visits for tick bites in Nova Scotia decreased significantly after pharmacists were authorized to assess bites and prescribe preventative Lyme disease treatment in August 2021.
Nova Scotia Liberal interim leader Iain Rankin has introduced legislation to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to children under 16, citing health risks and following similar moves by Quebec and the United Kingdom.
Following a Labour Day weekend storm that dumped over 200 millimetres of rain on Cape Breton, specialists are calling for updated building codes and improved drainage infrastructure to prevent future flooding.
A study led by Dalhousie University researchers reveals that granting Nova Scotia pharmacists the authority to prescribe doxycycline for tick bites in August 2021 significantly reduced emergency room visits. The rate of tick cases in ERs dropped by half, while prescriptions for Lyme disease prevention increased substantially, improving access to timely care.
With home heating fuel prices in Nova Scotia rising approximately 40 per cent compared to last year, residents are increasingly seeking alternatives to oil and electric heat. Industry leaders report a significant spike in inquiries for propane conversions, while political figures highlight the impact of energy poverty and recent cuts to assistance programs.
Families in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley are grappling with uncertainty after discovering that ashes belonging to their loved ones, previously buried by the former Serenity Funeral Home, were found in storage. Experts note that identifying these remains via DNA is extremely challenging due to the high temperatures of cremation.
A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has approved a restructuring plan for John Risley's CFFI Ventures Inc., exchanging approximately US$1 billion in debt for the company's investment portfolio. While the court deemed the transaction preferable to bankruptcy, Justice John Keith imposed conditions requiring transparency regarding an unresolved dispute over hundreds of artworks claimed personally by Risley.
Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted the first-ever Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, gathering approximately 250 global financial leaders to discuss investment opportunities. While significant policy announcements were made—including a "productivity mega deduction" and plans to open major airports to private investment—few immediate foreign deals were secured, leaving provincial leaders with optimism but no new funding commitments.
Diesel prices in Nova Scotia jumped by 21.6 cents in less than a week, while the U.S. House voted to end the war in Iran, which the CBO estimates has cost over $38 billion and will drive inflation higher.
A judge stayed the sexual assault trial of RCMP Const. William McNutt in Nova Scotia due to unreasonable delays under the Jordan framework. The complainant advocates for restorative justice, which remains unavailable for such cases in the province due to a moratorium from 2000, despite new federal legislation encouraging alternatives to stays.
Heating oil costs in Nova Scotia have risen by approximately 40 per cent compared to last year, driven by geopolitical tensions and crude oil market fluctuations. NDP Leader Claudia Chender is calling for improvements to the provincial heating assistance program as maximum rebates have decreased.
The Government of Canada celebrated the opening of three major battery energy storage systems in Nova Scotia on September 16, 2026. The project, funded by federal investments and a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, involves partnerships with Mi'kmaw communities and aims to reduce emissions while supporting renewable energy integration.
The inaugural Canada Investment Summit in Toronto secured billions in new commitments from major banks and funds, while facing opposition over privatization plans.
In Nova Scotia, police are searching for three masked men who shot a 30-year-old during a targeted home invasion. Separately, an Israeli Defense Forces soldier wounded a Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank amid rising settler tensions and new UK sanctions.
On September 10, 2026, the Government of Nova Scotia introduced the Public Safety Act. The legislation includes amendments to protect against AI-generated intimate images, extends property closure periods for serious crimes, establishes a new Conservation Officer Service Act, and modernizes emergency services.
After a multi-day fire at a battery facility in Summerside, P.E.I., Nova Scotia's energy regulator is evaluating alternative storage technologies alongside planned natural gas plants to meet its 2030 coal phase-out goals.
As reciprocal tariffs between Canada and the U.S. intensify, Nova Scotia companies like Ace Machining Ltd. are cutting ties with American suppliers and seeking federal aid, while Premier Tim Houston warns of prolonged uncertainty.
Four years after the initial promise, the environmental remediation of Boat Harbour in Nova Scotia remains stalled due to a legal dispute between the Pictou Landing First Nation and Build Nova Scotia. The conflict centers on whether approximately 1 million cubic metres of toxic sludge can be stored onsite or must be moved offsite, with costs rising from $230 million to $425 million.
Minister Sean Fraser announced more than $14.1 million in federal funding for 27 Nova Scotia businesses and organizations affected by U.S. tariffs, delivered through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative.
Starting September 2026, Nova Scotia's school lunch program will cover all 372 public schools, including high schools, serving over 133,000 students with a budget exceeding $100 million.
The Government of Canada has proposed a $957.8 million investment over five years for the Small Craft Harbours Program, marking the largest funding increase in the program's history to support coastal economies and climate-resilient infrastructure.
