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NS: IT firms choose Nova Scotia for expansion
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 30, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — Nova Scotia’s information technology sector is welcoming two more companies to the mix. Irvine, California-based eEye Digital Security and Fredericton-based Radian6 are expanding with the support of the province through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI).
eEye Digital Security provides IT security software to assess, mitigate, and protect against vulnerabilities of IT assets and their data. It has offices in California, Arizona, Germany, and the U.K. Its Halifax location will focus on research and development and will be seeking a mix of highly skilled application developers, lead engineers and quality assurance people.
“Halifax will be our first Canadian location,” said Kevin Hickey, CEO, eEye Digital Security. “We are looking forward to the skilled graduates Nova Scotia has in the IT sector and further growing our business.”
The company plans to create up to 40 new full-time positions over five years. The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc., is supporting this growth with a five-year payroll rebate to a maximum of $808,500.
Radian6 has developed a social media monitoring and engagement platform which allows clients to listen and engage in social media conversations around their brands, industry and competitors. The company has successfully marketed itself globally and demand for its services continues to grow. Marcel LeBrun, CEO of Radian6, says they are expanding in Halifax because it is close to Fredericton, is accessible to markets and offers the right mix of professionals.
The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc., is supporting the company’s growth with a five-year payroll rebate to a maximum of $652,459. This will support the creation of up to 40 new full-time positions.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Canadian Jets Repel Russians
Canadian jets repel Russian bombers
By BRIAN LILLEY, QMI Agency Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: July 30, 2010 9:00am
A CF-18 Hornet does a fly-by. (Dave Abel, QMI Agency file photo) OTTAWA - Canadian fighter jets scrambled to repel Russian bombers that made several attempts to probe Canadian airspace on Wednesday.
QMI Agency has learned that two CF-18s took off from CFB Bagotville to intercept two TU-95 long range bombers about 463 km east of Goose Bay, N.L.
Attempts by Russia to test Canadian airspace have been going on since 2007; military and intelligence analysts tell QMI Agency the frequency has been increasing since then, but one senior official described Wednesday's event as "not the usual s--t."
"The response as always was a rapid, effective deterrent," Defence Minister Peter MacKay told QMI Agency.
"They were in the buffer zone," said MacKay, stressing that although the planes did not enter Canada's sovereign airspace, the bombers did come inside the 300 nautical mile zone that Canada claims.
"They did not give us any advance notice," said MacKay, adding that NORAD fighter jets have intercepted between 12 and 18 Russian bombers per year since 2007. After the CF-18s made contact with the Russians the pilots shadowed them until the bombers turned northeast and headed out of Canadian airspace.
The TU-95 bomber, known as the Bear, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and may have been loaded with warheads on this trip. One military analyst tells QMI Agency the Russians have been known to fly with nukes on board just to flex their muscle and prove to the world they are still a powerful country.
"We certainly weren't aware of what if any weapons were on board," said MacKay.
Canada is in a race with Russia and other Arctic nations to lay claim to the frozen territory that may hold untold treasures.
Geologists believe the Arctic shelf holds vast stores of oil, natural gas, diamonds, gold and minerals. A 2007 Russian intelligence report predicted that conflict with other Arctic nations is a distinct possibility, including military action "in a competition for resources." The United States, Norway, and Denmark (through Greenland) also lay claim to portions of the Arctic seabed based on their coastal waters.
China, which does not have an Arctic coast, has sent icebreakers and ships into the Arctic Ocean. A Chinese admiral said earlier this year since China has 20% of the world's population, they should have 20% of Arctic resources.
The incursion into Canadian airspace also comes as debate rages over whether Canada needs the next generation of fighter jets to replace the nearly 30-year-old CF 18s. The Harper government has committed to buying 65 F-35 stealth fighters at a cost of $9 billion. Critics have said such Cold War-type jets are no longer needed.
Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies tells QMI Agency the Canadian Air Force needs to upgrade its fleet now that Russia is upgrading its bombers.
"The mere fact that the Russians are building the next generation of bombers means that we need something or we need to accept that the Americans will do it for us," Huebert said.
"This is about a Russian military resurgence, the Russians asserting their authority in the north," military analyst Mercedes Stephenson told QMI Agency.
Stephenson says that after the Cold War ended the Russian military was in a shambles but the last few years have seen a lot of money poured into restoring past glories, particularly in the air force.
Asked if he was playing up this Russian incursion to boost support for the F-35 purchase, MacKay said no.
"Surely even the most cynical, partisan person would not suggest that we engineered the visit of a Russian bomber to boost support for our air force," said MacKay.
Previous Russian incursions into Canadian airspace
February 2009: Hours before U.S. President Barack Obama's big visit to Canada, two Russian bombers were intercepted just outside the Canadian Arctic.
Two Canadian CF-18s were dispatched to signal the Russian aircraft to turn back to its own airspace.
The Russians called Canada's reaction "a farce."
General Walter Natynczyk, the chief of the defence staff, said, at the time, sporadic incidences of Russian incursions had started in 2007 after many years of no activity.
August 2008: Canadian jets scrambled during a visit by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Inuvik in the Arctic to intercept an aircraft nearing Canada's airspace.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Russians were unwilling to notify Canada of planned military flights nearing our airspace.
September 2007: Russians boasted that two of their Tu-95 bombers flew along the coasts of Alaska and Canada and returned via the North Pole during a 17-hour flight. They said their flight was accompanied by NATO planes.
brian.lilley@sunmedia.ca
By BRIAN LILLEY, QMI Agency Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: July 30, 2010 9:00am
A CF-18 Hornet does a fly-by. (Dave Abel, QMI Agency file photo) OTTAWA - Canadian fighter jets scrambled to repel Russian bombers that made several attempts to probe Canadian airspace on Wednesday.
QMI Agency has learned that two CF-18s took off from CFB Bagotville to intercept two TU-95 long range bombers about 463 km east of Goose Bay, N.L.
Attempts by Russia to test Canadian airspace have been going on since 2007; military and intelligence analysts tell QMI Agency the frequency has been increasing since then, but one senior official described Wednesday's event as "not the usual s--t."
"The response as always was a rapid, effective deterrent," Defence Minister Peter MacKay told QMI Agency.
"They were in the buffer zone," said MacKay, stressing that although the planes did not enter Canada's sovereign airspace, the bombers did come inside the 300 nautical mile zone that Canada claims.
"They did not give us any advance notice," said MacKay, adding that NORAD fighter jets have intercepted between 12 and 18 Russian bombers per year since 2007. After the CF-18s made contact with the Russians the pilots shadowed them until the bombers turned northeast and headed out of Canadian airspace.
The TU-95 bomber, known as the Bear, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and may have been loaded with warheads on this trip. One military analyst tells QMI Agency the Russians have been known to fly with nukes on board just to flex their muscle and prove to the world they are still a powerful country.
"We certainly weren't aware of what if any weapons were on board," said MacKay.
Canada is in a race with Russia and other Arctic nations to lay claim to the frozen territory that may hold untold treasures.
Geologists believe the Arctic shelf holds vast stores of oil, natural gas, diamonds, gold and minerals. A 2007 Russian intelligence report predicted that conflict with other Arctic nations is a distinct possibility, including military action "in a competition for resources." The United States, Norway, and Denmark (through Greenland) also lay claim to portions of the Arctic seabed based on their coastal waters.
China, which does not have an Arctic coast, has sent icebreakers and ships into the Arctic Ocean. A Chinese admiral said earlier this year since China has 20% of the world's population, they should have 20% of Arctic resources.
The incursion into Canadian airspace also comes as debate rages over whether Canada needs the next generation of fighter jets to replace the nearly 30-year-old CF 18s. The Harper government has committed to buying 65 F-35 stealth fighters at a cost of $9 billion. Critics have said such Cold War-type jets are no longer needed.
Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies tells QMI Agency the Canadian Air Force needs to upgrade its fleet now that Russia is upgrading its bombers.
"The mere fact that the Russians are building the next generation of bombers means that we need something or we need to accept that the Americans will do it for us," Huebert said.
"This is about a Russian military resurgence, the Russians asserting their authority in the north," military analyst Mercedes Stephenson told QMI Agency.
Stephenson says that after the Cold War ended the Russian military was in a shambles but the last few years have seen a lot of money poured into restoring past glories, particularly in the air force.
Asked if he was playing up this Russian incursion to boost support for the F-35 purchase, MacKay said no.
"Surely even the most cynical, partisan person would not suggest that we engineered the visit of a Russian bomber to boost support for our air force," said MacKay.
Previous Russian incursions into Canadian airspace
February 2009: Hours before U.S. President Barack Obama's big visit to Canada, two Russian bombers were intercepted just outside the Canadian Arctic.
Two Canadian CF-18s were dispatched to signal the Russian aircraft to turn back to its own airspace.
The Russians called Canada's reaction "a farce."
General Walter Natynczyk, the chief of the defence staff, said, at the time, sporadic incidences of Russian incursions had started in 2007 after many years of no activity.
August 2008: Canadian jets scrambled during a visit by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Inuvik in the Arctic to intercept an aircraft nearing Canada's airspace.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Russians were unwilling to notify Canada of planned military flights nearing our airspace.
September 2007: Russians boasted that two of their Tu-95 bombers flew along the coasts of Alaska and Canada and returned via the North Pole during a 17-hour flight. They said their flight was accompanied by NATO planes.
brian.lilley@sunmedia.ca
New Weymouth Library
From the Digby Courier
New Weymouth library a waterfront anchor
West Nova Greg Kerr MP, right, and Education Minister Marilyn More join municipal councillor Randall Amero and librarian Marguerite Thibault during the opening of the new Weymouth Waterfront Library. Karla Kelly photo
Published on July 30th, 2010
Published on July 30th, 2010
By Karla Kelly FOR THE DIGBY COURIER NovaNewsNow.com
Topics : Weymouth Waterfront Library , Environmental Design , Green Building Rating System , Weymouth
It was standing room only for the many who attended the official opening Thursday of Weymouth’s new Waterfront Library after thundershowers forced planned outdoor celebrations inside the new facility.
Municipal councillor Randall Amero expressed pride in representing the people of the area and said it was nice to see something added to the village since it had lost so much in recent years.
“It provides an anchor for the waterfront,” he said.
West Nova MP Greg Kerr said the planning, building and opening of the new 307 square-meter library reflected the fact that Weymouth was a community determined not to go backward any longer.
“Weymouth has suffered difficult economic times but the extraordinary commitment to complete this project reflects the change,” Kerr said. “It’s Weymouth moving forward.”
View the gallery
Federal, provincial and municipal funding for the Weymouth Waterfront Library, totalled $417,900. The building is environmentally friendly, meeting the silver standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Education Minister Marilyn More acknowledged the important contributions of both the federal and provincial governments and thanked the Municipality of Digby and the village of Weymouth for working so hard to make the library a reality.
“This beautiful facility would not be possible without the hard work of the Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee, the library staff and this community,” More said. “What a perfect place to build a library that will be the focal point of this community.”
What a perfect place to build a library that will be the focal point of this community. - Education Minister Marilyn More
Western Counties Regional Library director Trudy Amirault said she was pleased with the number of people who attended the opening.
“It is a real indication of the support for this project in the community as well as the future increase in library usage,” Amirault said. “We are pleased to provide 1,000 new books and materials as part of Western Counties Regional Library’s contribution to enhance library service in Weymouth.”
During the opening ceremonies, author Barbara Erjavec presented the library copies of her book ‘The Wit and Wisdom of Joe Casey’.
Refreshments were served and a walk through of the facility followed the ribbon cutting ceremony.
New Weymouth library a waterfront anchor
West Nova Greg Kerr MP, right, and Education Minister Marilyn More join municipal councillor Randall Amero and librarian Marguerite Thibault during the opening of the new Weymouth Waterfront Library. Karla Kelly photo
Published on July 30th, 2010
Published on July 30th, 2010
By Karla Kelly FOR THE DIGBY COURIER NovaNewsNow.com
Topics : Weymouth Waterfront Library , Environmental Design , Green Building Rating System , Weymouth
It was standing room only for the many who attended the official opening Thursday of Weymouth’s new Waterfront Library after thundershowers forced planned outdoor celebrations inside the new facility.
Municipal councillor Randall Amero expressed pride in representing the people of the area and said it was nice to see something added to the village since it had lost so much in recent years.
“It provides an anchor for the waterfront,” he said.
West Nova MP Greg Kerr said the planning, building and opening of the new 307 square-meter library reflected the fact that Weymouth was a community determined not to go backward any longer.
“Weymouth has suffered difficult economic times but the extraordinary commitment to complete this project reflects the change,” Kerr said. “It’s Weymouth moving forward.”
View the gallery
Federal, provincial and municipal funding for the Weymouth Waterfront Library, totalled $417,900. The building is environmentally friendly, meeting the silver standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Education Minister Marilyn More acknowledged the important contributions of both the federal and provincial governments and thanked the Municipality of Digby and the village of Weymouth for working so hard to make the library a reality.
“This beautiful facility would not be possible without the hard work of the Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee, the library staff and this community,” More said. “What a perfect place to build a library that will be the focal point of this community.”
What a perfect place to build a library that will be the focal point of this community. - Education Minister Marilyn More
Western Counties Regional Library director Trudy Amirault said she was pleased with the number of people who attended the opening.
“It is a real indication of the support for this project in the community as well as the future increase in library usage,” Amirault said. “We are pleased to provide 1,000 new books and materials as part of Western Counties Regional Library’s contribution to enhance library service in Weymouth.”
During the opening ceremonies, author Barbara Erjavec presented the library copies of her book ‘The Wit and Wisdom of Joe Casey’.
Refreshments were served and a walk through of the facility followed the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Labels:
Weymouth Nova Scotia library
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Buy Local Farmer's Products Campaign
NS: New marketing campaign helps people get to know their local farmers
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – A new marketing campaign by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is aimed at introducing consumers to the men and women who produce the food on your local grocery store shelf.
The website, www.meetyourfarmer.ca, was officially launched in Halifax on Tuesday evening with the release of a report, in conjunction with the Ecology Action Centre, which shows Nova Scotians are buying less local foods than they did in 1997. The federation says the website is meant to “create and improve the relationship” between farmers and the consumer.
Beth Densmore, vice-president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, says the website has an educational component because many people have no clue where their food comes from. She denies it’s an opportunity to improve the opinion of farmers among people who think the industry is too heavily subsidized by government.
“It’s not to draw on sympathy from the public. It’s the awareness side of it,” Densmore says. “They’re hoping to change (the website) over the coming months, so that (people) understand that farming is not just having sheep, it’s not just having lettuce. It could be all different aspects of it and hopefully put a face to these products.”
So far the website has seven farmer profiles from the Annapolis Valley and Hants County, as well as videos and stories about the farms. It also includes pictures of farm animals that children can print out and colour.
Co-ordinator of the project Wanda Hamilton says more content will be added in the coming months, along with stories from farmers in other parts of the province.
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – A new marketing campaign by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is aimed at introducing consumers to the men and women who produce the food on your local grocery store shelf.
The website, www.meetyourfarmer.ca, was officially launched in Halifax on Tuesday evening with the release of a report, in conjunction with the Ecology Action Centre, which shows Nova Scotians are buying less local foods than they did in 1997. The federation says the website is meant to “create and improve the relationship” between farmers and the consumer.
Beth Densmore, vice-president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, says the website has an educational component because many people have no clue where their food comes from. She denies it’s an opportunity to improve the opinion of farmers among people who think the industry is too heavily subsidized by government.
“It’s not to draw on sympathy from the public. It’s the awareness side of it,” Densmore says. “They’re hoping to change (the website) over the coming months, so that (people) understand that farming is not just having sheep, it’s not just having lettuce. It could be all different aspects of it and hopefully put a face to these products.”
So far the website has seven farmer profiles from the Annapolis Valley and Hants County, as well as videos and stories about the farms. It also includes pictures of farm animals that children can print out and colour.
Co-ordinator of the project Wanda Hamilton says more content will be added in the coming months, along with stories from farmers in other parts of the province.
N.B. Power Rates Examined
NB: Electricity ratepayers to be better protected
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[SAINT JOHN, NB] – The provincial government is making a number of improvements that will better protect electricity ratepayers. Energy Minister Jack Keir, in making the announcement, said the changes will strengthen the regulatory framework of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).
“The New Brunswick government wants to ensure the EUB is equipped with the necessary tools to safeguard the interests of New Brunswick electricity ratepayers,” Keir says. “Combined with the recent decision to reintegrate the utility into a single company, these changes will mean NB Power will be a more transparent and accountable utility.”
Keir announced five key changes:
• all electricity rate increases, regardless of size, will need to be approved by the EUB;
• an appropriate form of regulatory oversight will be introduced for municipal utilities;
• cabinet will no longer be able to reverse or modify an EUB decision dealing with rates;
• utilities will be required to file annual capital spending plans to the EUB and obtain pre-approval from the board for projects that exceed certain spending limits; and
• the EUB will follow new policy objectives. They include reconciling the public interest, ensuring consumer protection and fair treatment of utilities, promoting sustainable development, promoting fiscal responsibility, promoting energy efficiency and promoting the use of electricity from renewable sources.
These changes were announced following public consultations that included the release on June 15 of an options paper, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement. A review of those consultations, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement – Summary of Written Submissions, was released yesterday. Both documents are on the Department of Energy website. The suggestions made in the summary document will help form the necessary legislative amendments to be introduced this fall.
“All electricity ratepayers in New Brunswick should feel absolutely secure knowing that any electricity rate increase has been thoroughly reviewed and found to be warranted by an independent board,” Keir says. “The EUB has demonstrated the necessary level of expertise, experience and independence to make well-reasoned decisions that affect both utilities and customers. Creating a stronger EUB means more protection for consumers.”
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[SAINT JOHN, NB] – The provincial government is making a number of improvements that will better protect electricity ratepayers. Energy Minister Jack Keir, in making the announcement, said the changes will strengthen the regulatory framework of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).
“The New Brunswick government wants to ensure the EUB is equipped with the necessary tools to safeguard the interests of New Brunswick electricity ratepayers,” Keir says. “Combined with the recent decision to reintegrate the utility into a single company, these changes will mean NB Power will be a more transparent and accountable utility.”
Keir announced five key changes:
• all electricity rate increases, regardless of size, will need to be approved by the EUB;
• an appropriate form of regulatory oversight will be introduced for municipal utilities;
• cabinet will no longer be able to reverse or modify an EUB decision dealing with rates;
• utilities will be required to file annual capital spending plans to the EUB and obtain pre-approval from the board for projects that exceed certain spending limits; and
• the EUB will follow new policy objectives. They include reconciling the public interest, ensuring consumer protection and fair treatment of utilities, promoting sustainable development, promoting fiscal responsibility, promoting energy efficiency and promoting the use of electricity from renewable sources.
These changes were announced following public consultations that included the release on June 15 of an options paper, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement. A review of those consultations, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement – Summary of Written Submissions, was released yesterday. Both documents are on the Department of Energy website. The suggestions made in the summary document will help form the necessary legislative amendments to be introduced this fall.
“All electricity ratepayers in New Brunswick should feel absolutely secure knowing that any electricity rate increase has been thoroughly reviewed and found to be warranted by an independent board,” Keir says. “The EUB has demonstrated the necessary level of expertise, experience and independence to make well-reasoned decisions that affect both utilities and customers. Creating a stronger EUB means more protection for consumers.”
Biomass/Sustainability/Climate Change
NS: “Adventures in biomass” may lead to sustainability dead end
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 27, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — In a recent submission to the Nova Scotia Department of Energy’s Renewable Electricity consultation process, Scotian Carbon Services expressed its concern about the government’s thrust to promote biomass combustion as part of its renewable electricity strategy.
The carbon management consulting firm’s submission explains that most international protocols for greenhouse gas accounting dictate that emissions from biomass combustion is accounted for separately from all other greenhouse gas activities. There is a growing trend among jurisdictions in North America and Europe to exclude biomass from their renewable electricity totals.
“The government of Nova Scotia has gone to a lot of trouble to craft a renewable electricity plan that will help them reach the aggressive emission reduction targets in their Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA)”, said Gay Harley, manager of Scotian Carbon Services. “It would be a shame if a significant chunk of their investment could not be accounted for as creditable emission reductions.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) dictates that carbon dioxide emissions from biomass be reported separately from all other scopes in official National Inventories. As well, Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment promotes the accounting protocol used by The Climate Registry as their standard for greenhouse gas accounting. The Climate Registry meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) criteria for greenhouse gas inventories. In that standard, biomass combustion is reported separately from other forms of electricity generation.
Scotian Carbon Services said it is important that universal standards be developed for carbon accounting, so that reporting can be compared across jurisdictions and so that targets and emission reductions have credibility and result in genuine reductions. Nova Scotia must design its programs and targets to integrate with domestic and international accounting standards.
“With the global practice to exclude biomass accounting from general emission reduction inventory, Nova Scotia may be steering toward a sustainability dead end in their biomass policy. The money invested in promoting electricity from biomass in an effort to meet provincial emission reduction targets may simply be wasted taxpayer resources.”
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 27, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — In a recent submission to the Nova Scotia Department of Energy’s Renewable Electricity consultation process, Scotian Carbon Services expressed its concern about the government’s thrust to promote biomass combustion as part of its renewable electricity strategy.
The carbon management consulting firm’s submission explains that most international protocols for greenhouse gas accounting dictate that emissions from biomass combustion is accounted for separately from all other greenhouse gas activities. There is a growing trend among jurisdictions in North America and Europe to exclude biomass from their renewable electricity totals.
“The government of Nova Scotia has gone to a lot of trouble to craft a renewable electricity plan that will help them reach the aggressive emission reduction targets in their Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA)”, said Gay Harley, manager of Scotian Carbon Services. “It would be a shame if a significant chunk of their investment could not be accounted for as creditable emission reductions.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) dictates that carbon dioxide emissions from biomass be reported separately from all other scopes in official National Inventories. As well, Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment promotes the accounting protocol used by The Climate Registry as their standard for greenhouse gas accounting. The Climate Registry meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) criteria for greenhouse gas inventories. In that standard, biomass combustion is reported separately from other forms of electricity generation.
Scotian Carbon Services said it is important that universal standards be developed for carbon accounting, so that reporting can be compared across jurisdictions and so that targets and emission reductions have credibility and result in genuine reductions. Nova Scotia must design its programs and targets to integrate with domestic and international accounting standards.
“With the global practice to exclude biomass accounting from general emission reduction inventory, Nova Scotia may be steering toward a sustainability dead end in their biomass policy. The money invested in promoting electricity from biomass in an effort to meet provincial emission reduction targets may simply be wasted taxpayer resources.”
Lewis Mouldings Grows!
NS: Lewis Mouldings increasing sales, adding new equipment
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[WEYMOUTH, NS] – Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties is finding new opportunities and higher sales halfway into 2010. The manufacturer of finger-jointed pine mouldings and other value-added products has survived the recent economic downturn that has seen other similar businesses shrink or close.
As market demand rebuilds for its products, Lewis Mouldings is working to fill customer needs and capture a greater share of the market.
“We continue to run a successful business by employing hard-working people and staying focused on producing high-quality, value-added products,” says Jamie Lewis, general manager. “We are a family company in Nova Scotia and couldn’t imagine operating anywhere else.”
The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting Lewis Mouldings’ efforts to position itself for growth. NSBI has provided a $100,000 term loan for new equipment, including a large wood grinder, which will help convert by-products to fibre fuel. NSBI has also signed a guarantee that will enable Lewis Mouldings to increase its operating line of credit by up to $300,000 with its bank.
“Greater productivity, new market growth, creating good jobs and growing the economy are priorities that our government is encouraging and supporting,” says Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris.
“Lewis Mouldings is a great example of a Nova Scotia company finding opportunity in the global market and taking action to stay ahead of the curve,” says Stephen Lund, president and CEO of NSBI. “NSBI is working proactively with companies that are investing in market growth, productivity and competitiveness.”
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[WEYMOUTH, NS] – Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties is finding new opportunities and higher sales halfway into 2010. The manufacturer of finger-jointed pine mouldings and other value-added products has survived the recent economic downturn that has seen other similar businesses shrink or close.
As market demand rebuilds for its products, Lewis Mouldings is working to fill customer needs and capture a greater share of the market.
“We continue to run a successful business by employing hard-working people and staying focused on producing high-quality, value-added products,” says Jamie Lewis, general manager. “We are a family company in Nova Scotia and couldn’t imagine operating anywhere else.”
The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting Lewis Mouldings’ efforts to position itself for growth. NSBI has provided a $100,000 term loan for new equipment, including a large wood grinder, which will help convert by-products to fibre fuel. NSBI has also signed a guarantee that will enable Lewis Mouldings to increase its operating line of credit by up to $300,000 with its bank.
“Greater productivity, new market growth, creating good jobs and growing the economy are priorities that our government is encouraging and supporting,” says Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris.
“Lewis Mouldings is a great example of a Nova Scotia company finding opportunity in the global market and taking action to stay ahead of the curve,” says Stephen Lund, president and CEO of NSBI. “NSBI is working proactively with companies that are investing in market growth, productivity and competitiveness.”
Farmers in Crisis
NS: Nova Scotia farmers are in ‘crisis’
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – Farmers across the province are in “crisis” with incomes dropping drastically and fewer young people entering the profession.
A report released Tuesday by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is a joint project with the Ecology Action Centre. It indicates that although total farm cash receipts have grown by 11 per cent from 1971 to 2008, net farm income has plummeted 80 per cent over the same period. In 2008, farmers in Nova Scotia didn’t have a net income.
“Support for new farmers, existing farmers, I think that would be our real challenge to make farming economically viable here in the province so that young people want to get into farming,” says Marla MacLeod of the Ecology Action Centre and co-author of the report, Are Nova Scotians Eating Local? The report took a close look at the cost of food and what it might take to make a more locally based food system.
Based on a survey of household spending conducted by Statistics Canada, Nova Scotians spent about $2.6 billion on food in 2008. The report’s authors estimated that in 2008 Nova Scotians spent 13 per cent of their grocery budget on food produced locally. In 1997, it was 17 per cent.
The study examined more than 60 products and found that, on average, the food products were travelling nearly 4,000 kilometres from the farm to the kitchen table.
“There is potential for reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by switching to locally grown foods, provided they’re produced by methods of similar or increased energy efficiency compared with imports,” MacLeod says.
Joe King, manager of the vegetable division at Eyking Farms in Millville, says he has seen improvements in retailers keeping more locally grown products in stores across Cape Breton.
“There’s more ‘buy local’ over the last two years,” King says.
He says grocery chains such as Sobeys ship Eyking’s lettuce, cabbage and turnip to a main distribution centre in Debert, outside Truro, before returning to the island for sale in stores.
Among the report’s key recommendations is the need for consumers to ask their grocery stores, restaurants and institutions if they buy local. Farmers should “forge new, unconventional” alliances between health, environmental, social justice and anti-poverty organizations, the report says.
It also cites the need for retailers to begin competing to offer consumers more local options, and those companies should look to replace imported food items with ones that are easily grown in Nova Scotia.
The government should break down barriers related to provincial and federal meat inspection, and develop and adopt local, sustainable procurement policies that include targets.
In the beef industry, more than 90 per cent of the beef eaten by Nova Scotians is imported from elsewhere in the country, the report states. It says local beef production has “great potential” for improving soil quality and rejuvenating rural communities.
On average, 1.14 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are created from trucks used in the transportation of every kilogram of imported beef. The report says the cost to the environment in beef imports is estimated at $30 million a year.
“People have gotten used to taking the first thing they see in the grocery store as opposed to shopping around to find some product that’s local,” says Donnie MacNeil, a beef producer in Point Aconi who sells his products directly to the customer.
A new seller at the weekly farmer’s market in Coxheath, MacNeil says it’s been historically cheaper to produce beef in central and western Canada due to lower grain costs. He says higher fuel prices will likely make it easier for small businesses to compete and make a profit.
“It’s going to get to the point where it’s just going to cost way too much to transport food. It’s going to make it a little bit more competitive for us with such a short growing season to compete.”
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – Farmers across the province are in “crisis” with incomes dropping drastically and fewer young people entering the profession.
A report released Tuesday by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is a joint project with the Ecology Action Centre. It indicates that although total farm cash receipts have grown by 11 per cent from 1971 to 2008, net farm income has plummeted 80 per cent over the same period. In 2008, farmers in Nova Scotia didn’t have a net income.
“Support for new farmers, existing farmers, I think that would be our real challenge to make farming economically viable here in the province so that young people want to get into farming,” says Marla MacLeod of the Ecology Action Centre and co-author of the report, Are Nova Scotians Eating Local? The report took a close look at the cost of food and what it might take to make a more locally based food system.
Based on a survey of household spending conducted by Statistics Canada, Nova Scotians spent about $2.6 billion on food in 2008. The report’s authors estimated that in 2008 Nova Scotians spent 13 per cent of their grocery budget on food produced locally. In 1997, it was 17 per cent.
The study examined more than 60 products and found that, on average, the food products were travelling nearly 4,000 kilometres from the farm to the kitchen table.
“There is potential for reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by switching to locally grown foods, provided they’re produced by methods of similar or increased energy efficiency compared with imports,” MacLeod says.
Joe King, manager of the vegetable division at Eyking Farms in Millville, says he has seen improvements in retailers keeping more locally grown products in stores across Cape Breton.
“There’s more ‘buy local’ over the last two years,” King says.
He says grocery chains such as Sobeys ship Eyking’s lettuce, cabbage and turnip to a main distribution centre in Debert, outside Truro, before returning to the island for sale in stores.
Among the report’s key recommendations is the need for consumers to ask their grocery stores, restaurants and institutions if they buy local. Farmers should “forge new, unconventional” alliances between health, environmental, social justice and anti-poverty organizations, the report says.
It also cites the need for retailers to begin competing to offer consumers more local options, and those companies should look to replace imported food items with ones that are easily grown in Nova Scotia.
The government should break down barriers related to provincial and federal meat inspection, and develop and adopt local, sustainable procurement policies that include targets.
In the beef industry, more than 90 per cent of the beef eaten by Nova Scotians is imported from elsewhere in the country, the report states. It says local beef production has “great potential” for improving soil quality and rejuvenating rural communities.
On average, 1.14 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are created from trucks used in the transportation of every kilogram of imported beef. The report says the cost to the environment in beef imports is estimated at $30 million a year.
“People have gotten used to taking the first thing they see in the grocery store as opposed to shopping around to find some product that’s local,” says Donnie MacNeil, a beef producer in Point Aconi who sells his products directly to the customer.
A new seller at the weekly farmer’s market in Coxheath, MacNeil says it’s been historically cheaper to produce beef in central and western Canada due to lower grain costs. He says higher fuel prices will likely make it easier for small businesses to compete and make a profit.
“It’s going to get to the point where it’s just going to cost way too much to transport food. It’s going to make it a little bit more competitive for us with such a short growing season to compete.”
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Clearcutting in Nova Scotia
Blogger wants to know: if you clearcut, are *all* trees in that area infested or low grade? And...how long would the Crown lands last? Where would the company go when the Crown lands are denuded? So is this sustainable? Trees take up to 60 years to grow to size. And, trees are the lungs of the earth.
Cutting down on clearcuts
NewPage readies for biomass hearings, pledges to reduce controversial forestry practice
By JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
A harvester cuts wood in Rossfield, Pictou County, on Thursday.(Christian Laforce / Staff)
Paul MacDonald, a NewPage district superintendent, says there’s enough wood to fuel the biomass project.
AS THE DEXTER government considers putting the brakes on clearcutting, one of the largest forestry companies working in Nova Scotia says it plans to significantly reduce its reliance on clearcutting.
It’s another sign that Nova Scotia’s forestry industry is bracing for changes ahead of government regulations.
Derek Geldart, regional manager of woodlands for NewPage, an Ohio company that has a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury, defends clearcutting but says NewPage plans to reduce the percentage of its wood it acquires from clearcutting to 50 per cent from 67 by 2020.
"I think clearcutting should be done on a site when it is appropriate to do it," Geldart said. "I do believe clearcutting is an appropriate silviculture system for some of the forests in Nova Scotia."
This week, NewPage managers took The Chronicle Herald and the CBC into five parcels of managed Crown land that the pulp and paper giant has leased in northern Nova Scotia.
During the daylong tour of forest sites, NewPage tried to dispel the image of mechanized destruction of woodlands that clearcutting conjures up.
A Halifax public relations firm organized the show and tell, not to stick up for clearcutting but to defend another controversial aspect of forestry: the use of biomass, or wood waste, as fuel to generate electricity.
On Monday, lawyers for NewPage and its partner, Nova Scotia Power, will try for the second time in a year to persuade government regulators in Halifax to allow them to burn 650,000 tonnes of wood waste a year to generate electricity.
In May, a blue-ribbon panel urged the government to be wary of allowing biomass to be used to generate electricity because the resource may not be sustainable.
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell has said he is not opposed to the use of biomass, but he is concerned about clearcutting and isn’t in favour of "turning the province into a moonscape" to reduce Nova Scotia Power’s carbon emissions.
In the beautiful rolling hills of Upper Barneys River, Pictou County, the words "clearcutting" and "biomass" aren’t spoken with disdain but are considered viable ways of putting bread on the table.
NewPage says half of the 650,000 tonnes of wood waste it would need would be produced during the company’s papermaking and sawmill operations in Port Hawkesbury, where a power plant would be located.
The other half would be harvested, and half of that, about 170,000 tonnes, would be taken from Crown land as outlined in a 25-year deal NewPage reached with the Dexter government.
Nova Scotia Power has said the $208.6-million project would generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes annually.
Murray MacDonald, an independent New Glasgow sawmill operator, says there is "quiet confidence" in rural Nova Scotia that if the proposed biomass project goes ahead, it will be good for the sector.
"The forest industry in the past three years has been terrible," said MacDonald, president of M.R. MacDonald Holdings Ltd.
"This project may be the bright light that this industry needs. I think it will be good for contractors, truckers and landowners to get some management done on their stands."
If the biomass project is approved, MacDonald said, contractors would upgrade their equipment and workers could have steady employment.
"To grow our industry, we need a steady stream and an outlet for low-grade hardwoods, and this biomass project is an outlet we need here in Nova Scotia," said MacDonald, whose company has been in operation for 16 years and employs 10 to 12 people.
In a forest stand in Rossfield, Pictou County, Paul MacDonald, NewPage’s district superintendent for Pictou County and St. Mary’s, explains that there is enough wood waste in Nova Scotia forests to fuel the proposed power plant.
The 20-year forestry veteran said the waste wood used would include low-grade material not sold commercially, such as insect- or storm-damaged wood, over-mature hardwood with rot, and other deformed or low-quality hardwood.
"We have a long-term forest management plan, the plan has been verified by third-party audits (and) the province, and when they run the model, it shows we have more than enough growing currently in forests today to sustain the biomass project that has been proposed," MacDonald said.
( jmyrden@herald.ca)
Cutting down on clearcuts
NewPage readies for biomass hearings, pledges to reduce controversial forestry practice
By JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
A harvester cuts wood in Rossfield, Pictou County, on Thursday.(Christian Laforce / Staff)
Paul MacDonald, a NewPage district superintendent, says there’s enough wood to fuel the biomass project.
AS THE DEXTER government considers putting the brakes on clearcutting, one of the largest forestry companies working in Nova Scotia says it plans to significantly reduce its reliance on clearcutting.
It’s another sign that Nova Scotia’s forestry industry is bracing for changes ahead of government regulations.
Derek Geldart, regional manager of woodlands for NewPage, an Ohio company that has a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury, defends clearcutting but says NewPage plans to reduce the percentage of its wood it acquires from clearcutting to 50 per cent from 67 by 2020.
"I think clearcutting should be done on a site when it is appropriate to do it," Geldart said. "I do believe clearcutting is an appropriate silviculture system for some of the forests in Nova Scotia."
This week, NewPage managers took The Chronicle Herald and the CBC into five parcels of managed Crown land that the pulp and paper giant has leased in northern Nova Scotia.
During the daylong tour of forest sites, NewPage tried to dispel the image of mechanized destruction of woodlands that clearcutting conjures up.
A Halifax public relations firm organized the show and tell, not to stick up for clearcutting but to defend another controversial aspect of forestry: the use of biomass, or wood waste, as fuel to generate electricity.
On Monday, lawyers for NewPage and its partner, Nova Scotia Power, will try for the second time in a year to persuade government regulators in Halifax to allow them to burn 650,000 tonnes of wood waste a year to generate electricity.
In May, a blue-ribbon panel urged the government to be wary of allowing biomass to be used to generate electricity because the resource may not be sustainable.
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell has said he is not opposed to the use of biomass, but he is concerned about clearcutting and isn’t in favour of "turning the province into a moonscape" to reduce Nova Scotia Power’s carbon emissions.
In the beautiful rolling hills of Upper Barneys River, Pictou County, the words "clearcutting" and "biomass" aren’t spoken with disdain but are considered viable ways of putting bread on the table.
NewPage says half of the 650,000 tonnes of wood waste it would need would be produced during the company’s papermaking and sawmill operations in Port Hawkesbury, where a power plant would be located.
The other half would be harvested, and half of that, about 170,000 tonnes, would be taken from Crown land as outlined in a 25-year deal NewPage reached with the Dexter government.
Nova Scotia Power has said the $208.6-million project would generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes annually.
Murray MacDonald, an independent New Glasgow sawmill operator, says there is "quiet confidence" in rural Nova Scotia that if the proposed biomass project goes ahead, it will be good for the sector.
"The forest industry in the past three years has been terrible," said MacDonald, president of M.R. MacDonald Holdings Ltd.
"This project may be the bright light that this industry needs. I think it will be good for contractors, truckers and landowners to get some management done on their stands."
If the biomass project is approved, MacDonald said, contractors would upgrade their equipment and workers could have steady employment.
"To grow our industry, we need a steady stream and an outlet for low-grade hardwoods, and this biomass project is an outlet we need here in Nova Scotia," said MacDonald, whose company has been in operation for 16 years and employs 10 to 12 people.
In a forest stand in Rossfield, Pictou County, Paul MacDonald, NewPage’s district superintendent for Pictou County and St. Mary’s, explains that there is enough wood waste in Nova Scotia forests to fuel the proposed power plant.
The 20-year forestry veteran said the waste wood used would include low-grade material not sold commercially, such as insect- or storm-damaged wood, over-mature hardwood with rot, and other deformed or low-quality hardwood.
"We have a long-term forest management plan, the plan has been verified by third-party audits (and) the province, and when they run the model, it shows we have more than enough growing currently in forests today to sustain the biomass project that has been proposed," MacDonald said.
( jmyrden@herald.ca)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
St. Mary's Bay Off Limits to Clamdiggers
Toxins close shoreline to clamdiggers
Paralytic shellfish poisoning risk high in Digby County’s St. Marys Bay
By BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
Federal fishery officer Leisha Clarke-Doherty posts a notice Friday announcing the closure of shellfish harvesting in St. Marys Bay.(Brian Medel / STAFF)
BELLIVEAUS COVE — All the beaches and shorelines of St. Marys Bay in Digby County are now off limits to commercial and recreational clamdiggers because the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning has increased dramatically this month.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests regularly and issued the warning this week, federal fishery officer Howard Blinn said Friday.
"They test the clams," Blinn said.
The levels of biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are extremely high, he said.
As a result, "all of St. Marys Bay . . . is closed for mussels, soft-shelled clams, bar clams, razor clams, etc."
Scallops are not included in the closure, said Blinn.
Fishery officers posted signs Friday morning on public roads leading to popular beach areas. The signs warn of the danger and prohibit commercial and recreational harvesting until further notice.
Toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are natural but sometime accumulate in bivalve shellfish, which include shellfish with hinged upper and lower shells.
"These closures are very common, especially in the Annapolis Basin," said Gary d’Entremont, the acting inspection manager in the agency’s Yarmouth office.
"They occur every year."
The toxins are produced as a result of a plankton bloom, he said. The agency will increase its sampling during the closure.
"We want to monitor how far it’s progressing," said d’Entremont.
In a news release, the food inspection agency said consumers may ask wherever they purchase clams or mussels if there is proper documentation to ensure that the shellfish was harvested from an approved or open area.
The agency has issued a fact sheet on paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning may begin within a few minutes of eating contaminated shellfish or may take up to 10 hours to develop.
Symptoms include a tingling or numbness around the lips that gradually spreads to the face and neck.
Fingertips and toes may also be affected and victims may experience headache and dizziness, said the fact sheet.
A person suffering from paralytic shellfish poisoning may have trouble breathing and seeing, and may vomit.
Medical attention should be sought.
In extreme cases, respiratory arrest and death may result within two to 12 hours after consuming contaminated shellfish, the fact sheet said.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur in other countries and people should always be cautious when consuming mussels and clams while vacationing, the agency said.
( bmedel@herald.ca)
Paralytic shellfish poisoning risk high in Digby County’s St. Marys Bay
By BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
Federal fishery officer Leisha Clarke-Doherty posts a notice Friday announcing the closure of shellfish harvesting in St. Marys Bay.(Brian Medel / STAFF)
BELLIVEAUS COVE — All the beaches and shorelines of St. Marys Bay in Digby County are now off limits to commercial and recreational clamdiggers because the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning has increased dramatically this month.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests regularly and issued the warning this week, federal fishery officer Howard Blinn said Friday.
"They test the clams," Blinn said.
The levels of biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are extremely high, he said.
As a result, "all of St. Marys Bay . . . is closed for mussels, soft-shelled clams, bar clams, razor clams, etc."
Scallops are not included in the closure, said Blinn.
Fishery officers posted signs Friday morning on public roads leading to popular beach areas. The signs warn of the danger and prohibit commercial and recreational harvesting until further notice.
Toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are natural but sometime accumulate in bivalve shellfish, which include shellfish with hinged upper and lower shells.
"These closures are very common, especially in the Annapolis Basin," said Gary d’Entremont, the acting inspection manager in the agency’s Yarmouth office.
"They occur every year."
The toxins are produced as a result of a plankton bloom, he said. The agency will increase its sampling during the closure.
"We want to monitor how far it’s progressing," said d’Entremont.
In a news release, the food inspection agency said consumers may ask wherever they purchase clams or mussels if there is proper documentation to ensure that the shellfish was harvested from an approved or open area.
The agency has issued a fact sheet on paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning may begin within a few minutes of eating contaminated shellfish or may take up to 10 hours to develop.
Symptoms include a tingling or numbness around the lips that gradually spreads to the face and neck.
Fingertips and toes may also be affected and victims may experience headache and dizziness, said the fact sheet.
A person suffering from paralytic shellfish poisoning may have trouble breathing and seeing, and may vomit.
Medical attention should be sought.
In extreme cases, respiratory arrest and death may result within two to 12 hours after consuming contaminated shellfish, the fact sheet said.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur in other countries and people should always be cautious when consuming mussels and clams while vacationing, the agency said.
( bmedel@herald.ca)
DSWNA News
Marketing Update from DSWNA!
In This Issue:
Opportunities:
DSWNA Marketing & Media Plan 2010-11, Booking Form
Explore Our Shores Advertising Campaign
Travel packages/Travel Deals
Special Partner Deal!
Radio campaign, C100
Telegraph Journal
Chronicle Herald
DSWNA on-line advertising
Maritime Travel Saver Program, version francais - FREE!
The Arts Map - FREE listing!
Municipal & Community Pages on dswna.com
The 2011 Travel Guides to Canada - deadline November 8th, 2010
Culinary Tourism World Summit - early bird registration ends July 31st!
Brides 2011-Halifax Bridal Show, January 23rd, 2011
Market Canada to Australia
Share Nova Scotia Favourites
novascotia.com - advertising opportunities
Adventures in Taste: How you can Participate! Visit their website for more information
* Please note: all invoices will be submitted to partners via email where possible
Recent DSWNA Marketing & Promotions:
DSWNA hosts CTV's Live at 5
Look Live at 5 YouTube videos
Explore our Shores campaign
Newspaper Insert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explore our Shores campaign
This campaign is led by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage working in close partnership with Destination Southwest Nova Association. This is a multi-phase advertising campaign, focusing on targeting the Maritimes, that captures a range/volume of activities in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Advertising is supported by editorial, FAMS, social media etc. all tied together by a micro site built to highlight experiences and industry packages, www.exploreourshores.ca.
Travel Packages/Travel Deals
Promote your travel deals and packages on www.exploreourshores.ca for $30 + hst. Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105.
Partner Deal
If a partner of DSWNA purchases a $30 Travel Package space on the exploreourshores website, DSWNA will post that package on www.dswna.com and novascotia.com (if not there already).
C100 & Exploreourshores.com Halifax radio campaign - August 23rd- September 1st
C100 is excited to partner with Destination Southwest Nova this summer to give our listeners an opportunity to experience all that Southwest Nova Scotia has to offer.
As partner in this promotion, you will be features in a 6 week campaign that incorporates an on-air commercial schedule, weekly contesting executions, and an online microsite (Exploreourshores.com) that will detail area interests and events and individual offers from the participating sponsors with website links.
The promotion will focus on the five participating partners highlighting their specific offerings through the high frequency commercial schedule. The experiences each partner offers, combined with the contesting and online info, will give people a reason to get out and experience the area ultimately building the Southwest Nova Scotia brand among C100 listeners.
Cost: $2,000 + hst
Deadline: August 16th, 2010
Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105
Top of page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph Journal - August – October advertisement/editorial campaign
Building on visitor awareness as well as leveraging specials and value add-on's, along with commitments from the province in this marketplace, 4 half-page editorial (lure) focusing on attractions and outdoor activities, and a half-page of partner spaces will be purchased in the Telegraph Journal.
Insertion dates (week of): August 5th, 19th, Sept 3, 17th, 31st, Oct 14th and 28th
Cost: $250.00 per insertion, 6 partners per insertion
Deadline: one week prior to publication
Contact:Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-
In This Issue:
Opportunities:
DSWNA Marketing & Media Plan 2010-11, Booking Form
Explore Our Shores Advertising Campaign
Travel packages/Travel Deals
Special Partner Deal!
Radio campaign, C100
Telegraph Journal
Chronicle Herald
DSWNA on-line advertising
Maritime Travel Saver Program, version francais - FREE!
The Arts Map - FREE listing!
Municipal & Community Pages on dswna.com
The 2011 Travel Guides to Canada - deadline November 8th, 2010
Culinary Tourism World Summit - early bird registration ends July 31st!
Brides 2011-Halifax Bridal Show, January 23rd, 2011
Market Canada to Australia
Share Nova Scotia Favourites
novascotia.com - advertising opportunities
Adventures in Taste: How you can Participate! Visit their website for more information
* Please note: all invoices will be submitted to partners via email where possible
Recent DSWNA Marketing & Promotions:
DSWNA hosts CTV's Live at 5
Look Live at 5 YouTube videos
Explore our Shores campaign
Newspaper Insert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explore our Shores campaign
This campaign is led by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage working in close partnership with Destination Southwest Nova Association. This is a multi-phase advertising campaign, focusing on targeting the Maritimes, that captures a range/volume of activities in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Advertising is supported by editorial, FAMS, social media etc. all tied together by a micro site built to highlight experiences and industry packages, www.exploreourshores.ca.
Travel Packages/Travel Deals
Promote your travel deals and packages on www.exploreourshores.ca for $30 + hst. Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105.
Partner Deal
If a partner of DSWNA purchases a $30 Travel Package space on the exploreourshores website, DSWNA will post that package on www.dswna.com and novascotia.com (if not there already).
C100 & Exploreourshores.com Halifax radio campaign - August 23rd- September 1st
C100 is excited to partner with Destination Southwest Nova this summer to give our listeners an opportunity to experience all that Southwest Nova Scotia has to offer.
As partner in this promotion, you will be features in a 6 week campaign that incorporates an on-air commercial schedule, weekly contesting executions, and an online microsite (Exploreourshores.com) that will detail area interests and events and individual offers from the participating sponsors with website links.
The promotion will focus on the five participating partners highlighting their specific offerings through the high frequency commercial schedule. The experiences each partner offers, combined with the contesting and online info, will give people a reason to get out and experience the area ultimately building the Southwest Nova Scotia brand among C100 listeners.
Cost: $2,000 + hst
Deadline: August 16th, 2010
Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105
Top of page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph Journal - August – October advertisement/editorial campaign
Building on visitor awareness as well as leveraging specials and value add-on's, along with commitments from the province in this marketplace, 4 half-page editorial (lure) focusing on attractions and outdoor activities, and a half-page of partner spaces will be purchased in the Telegraph Journal.
Insertion dates (week of): August 5th, 19th, Sept 3, 17th, 31st, Oct 14th and 28th
Cost: $250.00 per insertion, 6 partners per insertion
Deadline: one week prior to publication
Contact:Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-
Labels:
DSWNA
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tourism Stats
NS: Province releases latest tourism stats
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 21, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — The provincial government recently released its latest tourism industry figures, revealing a rise in visitor numbers.
Nova Scotia reportedly welcomed 614,100 visitors between January and May, up four per cent compared to the same time last year.
The province experienced a decrease of three per cent during the month of May, a slight drop compared to 2009.
Visits to novascotia.com during May increased by 21 per cent compared to last year, reflecting increased marketing efforts in key markets.
Room nights sold between January and May were up two per cent across the province compared to the same time period in 2009. Room nights sold in May remained unchanged.
Between January and May, domestic travel showed a growth of four per cent. Visits from Ontario were up five per cent and visitors from Atlantic Canada and Quebec increased by six per cent in each market compared to this time last year. Visits from Western Canada were down 19 per cent.
Visitors from the United States from January to May also increased by four per cent compared to last year, while overseas visitors were down by four per cent. Visitors from the United Kingdom are down slightly, with a two per cent decrease.
The number of people traveling to Nova Scotia by road during the first five months of the year grew by seven per cent. Air travel decreased by four per cent in the same period.
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 21, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — The provincial government recently released its latest tourism industry figures, revealing a rise in visitor numbers.
Nova Scotia reportedly welcomed 614,100 visitors between January and May, up four per cent compared to the same time last year.
The province experienced a decrease of three per cent during the month of May, a slight drop compared to 2009.
Visits to novascotia.com during May increased by 21 per cent compared to last year, reflecting increased marketing efforts in key markets.
Room nights sold between January and May were up two per cent across the province compared to the same time period in 2009. Room nights sold in May remained unchanged.
Between January and May, domestic travel showed a growth of four per cent. Visits from Ontario were up five per cent and visitors from Atlantic Canada and Quebec increased by six per cent in each market compared to this time last year. Visits from Western Canada were down 19 per cent.
Visitors from the United States from January to May also increased by four per cent compared to last year, while overseas visitors were down by four per cent. Visitors from the United Kingdom are down slightly, with a two per cent decrease.
The number of people traveling to Nova Scotia by road during the first five months of the year grew by seven per cent. Air travel decreased by four per cent in the same period.
Tax Payers Federation Wants an Office Here
NS: Scandal prompts taxpayers federation to come east
By Alex Boutilier, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 21, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — The MLA expense scandal and the recent HST increase have a national taxpayers’ advocacy group planning to open up an Atlantic bureau.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is only “months” away from establishing an east coast office in Halifax, according to spokesman Scott Hennig.
The policy watchdog organization is currently in the fundraising stages for the new office, which would cover all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.
“We rely on the support of regular, taxpaying Canadians to step forward and put up the money to help us get started,” said Hennig.
Hennig pointed to the MLA expense scandal and the recent HST increase as catalysts for the decision to move forward with the office.
“In Nova Scotia, there’s been some prime examples of places where there’s been waste, places where there’s been a lack of accountability,” he said. “We’re hopeful that there’s enough Atlantic Canadians who want to see a full-time, on-the-ground presence of a taxpayer watchdog.”
By Alex Boutilier, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 21, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — The MLA expense scandal and the recent HST increase have a national taxpayers’ advocacy group planning to open up an Atlantic bureau.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is only “months” away from establishing an east coast office in Halifax, according to spokesman Scott Hennig.
The policy watchdog organization is currently in the fundraising stages for the new office, which would cover all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.
“We rely on the support of regular, taxpaying Canadians to step forward and put up the money to help us get started,” said Hennig.
Hennig pointed to the MLA expense scandal and the recent HST increase as catalysts for the decision to move forward with the office.
“In Nova Scotia, there’s been some prime examples of places where there’s been waste, places where there’s been a lack of accountability,” he said. “We’re hopeful that there’s enough Atlantic Canadians who want to see a full-time, on-the-ground presence of a taxpayer watchdog.”
Labels:
taxes canada nova scotia HST
Oh Sure, Let's Have Lots of Mercury
Blogger's Note: Something smells in what went down here
NS: Province eases emissions rules after outcry over rate hike
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 22, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — Premier Dexter said on Tuesday that he and his NDP government would consider loosening regulations on mercury emissions as one option to reduce a potential Nova Scotia Power rate hike.
Today, they followed through.
In a media release issued late this morning, the premier announced the government plans to amend its air quality regulations to extend the deadline for achieving the 2010 cap until 2014 and require an even lower emissions cap of 35 kilograms by 2020. By 2020, total mercury emissions will be lower than originally set. Nova Scotia Power will be required to make up for any emissions over 65 kilograms per year and submit a plan on how it will be accomplished.
The NDP government’s move comes a week after it was publicly criticized by business and community groups for not taking action to help mitigate a proposed double-digit electricity rate hike by Nova Scotia Power.
“Nova Scotians said the proposed power increase would have a devastating impact and government listened,” said Premier Dexter. “Nova Scotia Power has agreed to look at a change in their technology in order to reduce costs, make electricity more affordable and ensure the province meets its mercury emission targets.”
Nova Scotia Power released projections two weeks ago about the cost of fuel to generate power which could see electricity rates increase by 12 per cent or more for residential customers and 18 per cent or more for large industries, effective in January.
The utility, however, attributes only about half of the increase to the cost of meeting provincial regulations on mercury emissions, currently set at 65 kilograms per year.
This had some calling “foul” on Wednesday. In Metro News, Liberal energy critic Andrew Younger said slackening the rules wouldn’t solve anything since mercury emissions accounted for only a portion of the rate increase. He accused the government of deliberately misleading the public, calling the emissions standards debate a “red herring”.
“Why not focus the public discussion on what is the long-term solution to all these rate increases, instead of talking about the short-term political gains,” said Younger.
NS: Province eases emissions rules after outcry over rate hike
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 22, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — Premier Dexter said on Tuesday that he and his NDP government would consider loosening regulations on mercury emissions as one option to reduce a potential Nova Scotia Power rate hike.
Today, they followed through.
In a media release issued late this morning, the premier announced the government plans to amend its air quality regulations to extend the deadline for achieving the 2010 cap until 2014 and require an even lower emissions cap of 35 kilograms by 2020. By 2020, total mercury emissions will be lower than originally set. Nova Scotia Power will be required to make up for any emissions over 65 kilograms per year and submit a plan on how it will be accomplished.
The NDP government’s move comes a week after it was publicly criticized by business and community groups for not taking action to help mitigate a proposed double-digit electricity rate hike by Nova Scotia Power.
“Nova Scotians said the proposed power increase would have a devastating impact and government listened,” said Premier Dexter. “Nova Scotia Power has agreed to look at a change in their technology in order to reduce costs, make electricity more affordable and ensure the province meets its mercury emission targets.”
Nova Scotia Power released projections two weeks ago about the cost of fuel to generate power which could see electricity rates increase by 12 per cent or more for residential customers and 18 per cent or more for large industries, effective in January.
The utility, however, attributes only about half of the increase to the cost of meeting provincial regulations on mercury emissions, currently set at 65 kilograms per year.
This had some calling “foul” on Wednesday. In Metro News, Liberal energy critic Andrew Younger said slackening the rules wouldn’t solve anything since mercury emissions accounted for only a portion of the rate increase. He accused the government of deliberately misleading the public, calling the emissions standards debate a “red herring”.
“Why not focus the public discussion on what is the long-term solution to all these rate increases, instead of talking about the short-term political gains,” said Younger.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Treasure Island No More
Nova Scotia to limit treasure hunting
By JULIA SKIKAVICH, QMI Agency
Last Updated: July 14, 2010 7:16pm
Treasure hunters will have until the end of the year to unearth the legendary trove on Oak Island before the Nova Scotia government cracks down on excavations.
The provincial government intends to end commercial treasure hunting on the island on Dec. 31.
Legend has it 2,000 lbs. of treasure are buried on the island in an area
called the Money Pit.
When the Nova Scotia legislature returns in the fall it will table
legislation to repeal the Treasure Trove Act and amend legislation to
protect "special places" in the province and to remove all references to
"treasure,” the government announced Wednesday. It will also put in place an Oak Island Act to specifically regulate hunts on the island off Nova Scotia's south shore.
The legislation is an effort to preserve marine resources and to bring the province in line with a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention for the protection of cultural
heritage, said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell.
The Treasure Trove Act was enacted in 1954 to govern treasure hunting on Oak Island and to license salvage operations for shipwrecks off Nova Scotia's coast.
If passed, the new legislation will prevent commercial treasure hunting in the province and its offshore waters, said David Salter, a spokesman for the natural resources department.
Treasure hunting will only be permitted for archeological or historical purposes and any finds would become property of the Crown, Salter said.
Under the proposed legislation, treasure hunters will have to apply for a
heritage research permit and will need an archeologist to lead the
excavations, which must have a historical purpose, said Michael Noonan,
director of communications for the tourism, culture and heritage department.
The exact implications of the Oak Island Act will remain to be seen after the legislation is drafted and if it is enacted, Noonan said.
But government officials expect the legislative changes will mean less interest in treasure hunting, Salter said, since there will no longer be the opportunity for personal or commercial gain.
About a dozen commercial treasure hunters operate in the province and five licences have been renewed up to the proposed Dec. 31 deadline.
Interest in the legendary treasure on Oak Island "waxes and wanes over
periods of time," said Noonan.
Though the legislation would limit treasure hunting and excavations on Oak Island and offshore, it could open up other niche tourism opportunities like scuba diving tours at shipwreck sites, said Noonan.
The hunt for treasure on Oak Island began in 1795 when 16-year-old Daniel McGinnis discovered a circular depression adjacent to a tree with a tackle block, which is used in shipping for hoisting heavy weights.
Excavations at the site, which became known as the Money Pit, have
reportedly found flagstones, markings from digging and coconut fibre going down at least 31 metres.
One of the stones reportedly had an inscription that when deciphered read, "forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried."
No one knows for sure what may be buried on the island.
Some theories argue it's pirate treasure of Captain Kidd or Blackbeard.
Others say it's more likely naval treasure buried by the Spaniards,
British or French.
Theories suggest the legendary treasure could be gold or silver or even the jewels of Marie Antoinette, important historic documents or artifacts hidden by the Knights of Templar.
Though excavations have continued on the island, modern geologists have argued the pit, which is susceptible to flooding, is a sinkhole and a series of natural caverns — not booby traps.
By JULIA SKIKAVICH, QMI Agency
Last Updated: July 14, 2010 7:16pm
Treasure hunters will have until the end of the year to unearth the legendary trove on Oak Island before the Nova Scotia government cracks down on excavations.
The provincial government intends to end commercial treasure hunting on the island on Dec. 31.
Legend has it 2,000 lbs. of treasure are buried on the island in an area
called the Money Pit.
When the Nova Scotia legislature returns in the fall it will table
legislation to repeal the Treasure Trove Act and amend legislation to
protect "special places" in the province and to remove all references to
"treasure,” the government announced Wednesday. It will also put in place an Oak Island Act to specifically regulate hunts on the island off Nova Scotia's south shore.
The legislation is an effort to preserve marine resources and to bring the province in line with a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention for the protection of cultural
heritage, said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell.
The Treasure Trove Act was enacted in 1954 to govern treasure hunting on Oak Island and to license salvage operations for shipwrecks off Nova Scotia's coast.
If passed, the new legislation will prevent commercial treasure hunting in the province and its offshore waters, said David Salter, a spokesman for the natural resources department.
Treasure hunting will only be permitted for archeological or historical purposes and any finds would become property of the Crown, Salter said.
Under the proposed legislation, treasure hunters will have to apply for a
heritage research permit and will need an archeologist to lead the
excavations, which must have a historical purpose, said Michael Noonan,
director of communications for the tourism, culture and heritage department.
The exact implications of the Oak Island Act will remain to be seen after the legislation is drafted and if it is enacted, Noonan said.
But government officials expect the legislative changes will mean less interest in treasure hunting, Salter said, since there will no longer be the opportunity for personal or commercial gain.
About a dozen commercial treasure hunters operate in the province and five licences have been renewed up to the proposed Dec. 31 deadline.
Interest in the legendary treasure on Oak Island "waxes and wanes over
periods of time," said Noonan.
Though the legislation would limit treasure hunting and excavations on Oak Island and offshore, it could open up other niche tourism opportunities like scuba diving tours at shipwreck sites, said Noonan.
The hunt for treasure on Oak Island began in 1795 when 16-year-old Daniel McGinnis discovered a circular depression adjacent to a tree with a tackle block, which is used in shipping for hoisting heavy weights.
Excavations at the site, which became known as the Money Pit, have
reportedly found flagstones, markings from digging and coconut fibre going down at least 31 metres.
One of the stones reportedly had an inscription that when deciphered read, "forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried."
No one knows for sure what may be buried on the island.
Some theories argue it's pirate treasure of Captain Kidd or Blackbeard.
Others say it's more likely naval treasure buried by the Spaniards,
British or French.
Theories suggest the legendary treasure could be gold or silver or even the jewels of Marie Antoinette, important historic documents or artifacts hidden by the Knights of Templar.
Though excavations have continued on the island, modern geologists have argued the pit, which is susceptible to flooding, is a sinkhole and a series of natural caverns — not booby traps.
Monday, July 19, 2010
maine and nova scotia collaborating
July 12--The leaders of Maine and Nova Scotia have signed an agreement pledging closer collaboration on research and development of tidal energy as well as offshore wind energy.
Gov. John Baldacci and Premier Darrell Dexter signed the memorandum of understanding Monday during a meeting of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Massachusetts.
Also at Monday's meeting, Baldacci signed an agreement with New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham to create a joint cultural initiative to explore cross-border projects and encourage additional trade opportunities.
The initiative also aims to simplify cross-border processes for artists, cultural institutions and "creative businesses," and identify new or expanded tourism opportunities.
Energy security, energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources were a major focus of the discussions at the Monday meeting.
Under the energy agreement, Maine and Nova Scotia will "investigate opportunities and areas within which to cooperate on furthering offshore wind and tidal energy technology and application."
The two governments also hope to bring together researchers, policymakers and potential energy developers. As part of that effort, Maine and Nova Scotia will host a Tidal Energy Symposium in conjunction with next year's conference of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Nova Scotia.
"Maine is forging a path toward clean, renewable, home-grown energy development which will keep hard-earned dollars here at home and provide good paying jobs, all while preserving our valuable natural resources," Baldacci said in a statement. "Premier Dexter shares my commitment to work regionally to address these criti-cal issues, and I'm pleased that we are forging this partnership to explore the opportunities before us."
Much of the recent focus on renewable energy in the Gulf of Maine has been on offshore wind. The region is considered to have some of the best offshore wind resources on the planet, but the technology to capture that wind in the deep, stormy waters of the gulf is still in development.
But the Gulf of Maine and, in particular, the Bay of Fundy have the highest tidal ranges in the world, making it a prime location for industrial tidal energy projects.
As with offshore wind power, there is significant research taking place in both countries -- including a pilot project deployed near Eastport -- on technologies that harness the power of the tides with minimal impacts on marine life, fisheries and communities.
Blogger's note: merging our cultures, infrastructure systems and trade are the precursors to...what?
Gov. John Baldacci and Premier Darrell Dexter signed the memorandum of understanding Monday during a meeting of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Massachusetts.
Also at Monday's meeting, Baldacci signed an agreement with New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham to create a joint cultural initiative to explore cross-border projects and encourage additional trade opportunities.
The initiative also aims to simplify cross-border processes for artists, cultural institutions and "creative businesses," and identify new or expanded tourism opportunities.
Energy security, energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources were a major focus of the discussions at the Monday meeting.
Under the energy agreement, Maine and Nova Scotia will "investigate opportunities and areas within which to cooperate on furthering offshore wind and tidal energy technology and application."
The two governments also hope to bring together researchers, policymakers and potential energy developers. As part of that effort, Maine and Nova Scotia will host a Tidal Energy Symposium in conjunction with next year's conference of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Nova Scotia.
"Maine is forging a path toward clean, renewable, home-grown energy development which will keep hard-earned dollars here at home and provide good paying jobs, all while preserving our valuable natural resources," Baldacci said in a statement. "Premier Dexter shares my commitment to work regionally to address these criti-cal issues, and I'm pleased that we are forging this partnership to explore the opportunities before us."
Much of the recent focus on renewable energy in the Gulf of Maine has been on offshore wind. The region is considered to have some of the best offshore wind resources on the planet, but the technology to capture that wind in the deep, stormy waters of the gulf is still in development.
But the Gulf of Maine and, in particular, the Bay of Fundy have the highest tidal ranges in the world, making it a prime location for industrial tidal energy projects.
As with offshore wind power, there is significant research taking place in both countries -- including a pilot project deployed near Eastport -- on technologies that harness the power of the tides with minimal impacts on marine life, fisheries and communities.
Blogger's note: merging our cultures, infrastructure systems and trade are the precursors to...what?
Re: last post from ADEDA
Blogger's opinion:
Congratulations! There's one other business building on Digby's Water Street that it's astute owners decided to paint in distinctive, bright colours. I had the same opinion a year and a half ago, that bright colours on Digby's main street businesses would attract more visitors. Look at Lunenburg! The photographs of Lunenburg's streetscape with bright red and blue colours go around the world! People come there just to see that pretty scene. Colourful buildings make great photo ops and just the lively colours are "attractive" in all senses of the word. Good for you, building owner number two! One by one, we can make Digby the most picturesque place in Western Nova, and a wonderful draw for tourists.
Congratulations! There's one other business building on Digby's Water Street that it's astute owners decided to paint in distinctive, bright colours. I had the same opinion a year and a half ago, that bright colours on Digby's main street businesses would attract more visitors. Look at Lunenburg! The photographs of Lunenburg's streetscape with bright red and blue colours go around the world! People come there just to see that pretty scene. Colourful buildings make great photo ops and just the lively colours are "attractive" in all senses of the word. Good for you, building owner number two! One by one, we can make Digby the most picturesque place in Western Nova, and a wonderful draw for tourists.
Labels:
Digby Nova Scotia
ADEDA News
Peter MacLellan
One of the things you get to do on these occasions is to check out how other communities welcome visitors and make the travel experience more interesting and inviting. There's a whole new breed of traveller these days who want more than just a pretty place to visit with static exhibits and basic services. Like them I wanted the journey to be an "experience", one where I felt welcome and engaged.
That's why it was interesting to note the past week the ways that our businesses and tourism industry planners in Annapolis Digby were getting ahead of that experiential travel curve in putting out the regional welcome mat for visitors.
Come On In!
When highly regarded international tourism consultant Roger Brooks came to our area to study and propose ways to improve our services, one of the recommendations was to create more inviting streetscapes and facilities appearance by local businesses. The study and subsequent report was facilitated by ADEDA, and follow-up sessions have been held with businesses in both Annapolis Royal and Digby to discuss ways to act on the recommendations. In Annapolis Royal ADEDA coordinated a business makeover contest to illustrate how good looks can mean good business. And there was also ample evidence in Digby that the message was being well understood and received as well.
Back to the Future
And that experiential tourism option will get no better illustration than when history comes alive in ways that you can see, feel, smell and maybe even touch in Annapolis Royal very shortly. The 84th Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highland Emigrants are coming to Fort Anne National Historic Park very shortly. This is a living history re-enactment of a military encampment during the American Revolution, and it will be at Fort Anne on July 30th. It's a great chance for local families as well as visitors to experience directly the every day feel of an 18th century military encampment - and it'll be anything but static. And speaking of experiential tourism, folks in Annapolis Royal; also got to inhale the aroma of both fine wines and lovely roses recently at a Historic Gardens event. If you missed that chance, fear not - and stay tuned - there's a similar opportunity in the offing.
Old Friends Seek New Opportunities
A strong relationship that goes back a couple of centuries doesn't mean that it can't look to an even more exciting future. The Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia and the Governor of the State of Maine underlined that fact - as well as a new document - when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on renewable oceans energy development. Nova Scotia and Maine have always had a strong relationship in many areas ranging from businesses connections to longstanding family ties. This new MOU recognizes the tremendous opportunities now before both jurisdictions in the emerging fields of tidal energy and wind power, as well as new technology development.
Shared Interests Bridge the Gulf
As if to pave the way for the recent MOU signing between the governments of Nova Scotia and Maine, a group of local students and adults joined with their peers from the United States recently to discuss the present and future health of the Gulf of Maine and its international watershed. The occasion was the 10th anniversary of the Gulf of Maine Institute, held at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre in Cornwallis Park, and shared environmental projects were at the top of the agenda.
Busier Than Ever
The Bay of Fundy is still very much in play in other areas these days. While political leaders signed development research agreements, and environmentalists young and old from both sides of the border worked to preserve its natural features, the Bay's transportation workhorse was busier than ever. The Princess of Acadia, the ferry that traverses the waters of the Fundy between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick, has been having a hard working summer. And the fact that the "Acadia" has been so busy this year has our community leaders pointing out that this certainly underlines the growing and essential business case for this marine service, and expressing the hope that plans for improvements in equipment and capacity are in the near future.
Cyclists get the Green Light
While a traditional sea ferry service was getting busier than ever, a newly rediscovered form of land based transit just got a new boost. Bicycle riders in our area got, excuse the expression but I couldn't resist, a "leg up" recently. Cyclists in the towns of Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown will benefit from a newly announced provincial program to develop infrastructure aimed at active and more sustainable transportation.
Happy Trails
As I mentioned at the outset, I've been travelling for family reasons. No one told me to "take a hike". But if they did I'd probably head for the Delap's Cove Wilderness Trail this week. It's the 25th anniversary this year for the Bohaker Falls at the Trail and there are a several special events to mark it, with the first one is on the 21st. And there's another on August 15 if you can't make that. But you can go anytime - it's a terrific outdoor experience. I first discovered this gem 12 years ago when we took our new puppy for a walk. He escaped, still dragging his leash through the woods and thus causing great concern. We found him shortly, happy but thirsty. He probably won't be making it with us this year, he's older and minds the heat. Sadly I'm the same way in both aspects - but I know what I'd be missing. So maybe we'll see you on the Trail.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby.com.
One of the things you get to do on these occasions is to check out how other communities welcome visitors and make the travel experience more interesting and inviting. There's a whole new breed of traveller these days who want more than just a pretty place to visit with static exhibits and basic services. Like them I wanted the journey to be an "experience", one where I felt welcome and engaged.
That's why it was interesting to note the past week the ways that our businesses and tourism industry planners in Annapolis Digby were getting ahead of that experiential travel curve in putting out the regional welcome mat for visitors.
Come On In!
When highly regarded international tourism consultant Roger Brooks came to our area to study and propose ways to improve our services, one of the recommendations was to create more inviting streetscapes and facilities appearance by local businesses. The study and subsequent report was facilitated by ADEDA, and follow-up sessions have been held with businesses in both Annapolis Royal and Digby to discuss ways to act on the recommendations. In Annapolis Royal ADEDA coordinated a business makeover contest to illustrate how good looks can mean good business. And there was also ample evidence in Digby that the message was being well understood and received as well.
Back to the Future
And that experiential tourism option will get no better illustration than when history comes alive in ways that you can see, feel, smell and maybe even touch in Annapolis Royal very shortly. The 84th Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highland Emigrants are coming to Fort Anne National Historic Park very shortly. This is a living history re-enactment of a military encampment during the American Revolution, and it will be at Fort Anne on July 30th. It's a great chance for local families as well as visitors to experience directly the every day feel of an 18th century military encampment - and it'll be anything but static. And speaking of experiential tourism, folks in Annapolis Royal; also got to inhale the aroma of both fine wines and lovely roses recently at a Historic Gardens event. If you missed that chance, fear not - and stay tuned - there's a similar opportunity in the offing.
Old Friends Seek New Opportunities
A strong relationship that goes back a couple of centuries doesn't mean that it can't look to an even more exciting future. The Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia and the Governor of the State of Maine underlined that fact - as well as a new document - when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on renewable oceans energy development. Nova Scotia and Maine have always had a strong relationship in many areas ranging from businesses connections to longstanding family ties. This new MOU recognizes the tremendous opportunities now before both jurisdictions in the emerging fields of tidal energy and wind power, as well as new technology development.
Shared Interests Bridge the Gulf
As if to pave the way for the recent MOU signing between the governments of Nova Scotia and Maine, a group of local students and adults joined with their peers from the United States recently to discuss the present and future health of the Gulf of Maine and its international watershed. The occasion was the 10th anniversary of the Gulf of Maine Institute, held at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre in Cornwallis Park, and shared environmental projects were at the top of the agenda.
Busier Than Ever
The Bay of Fundy is still very much in play in other areas these days. While political leaders signed development research agreements, and environmentalists young and old from both sides of the border worked to preserve its natural features, the Bay's transportation workhorse was busier than ever. The Princess of Acadia, the ferry that traverses the waters of the Fundy between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick, has been having a hard working summer. And the fact that the "Acadia" has been so busy this year has our community leaders pointing out that this certainly underlines the growing and essential business case for this marine service, and expressing the hope that plans for improvements in equipment and capacity are in the near future.
Cyclists get the Green Light
While a traditional sea ferry service was getting busier than ever, a newly rediscovered form of land based transit just got a new boost. Bicycle riders in our area got, excuse the expression but I couldn't resist, a "leg up" recently. Cyclists in the towns of Annapolis Royal and Bridgetown will benefit from a newly announced provincial program to develop infrastructure aimed at active and more sustainable transportation.
Happy Trails
As I mentioned at the outset, I've been travelling for family reasons. No one told me to "take a hike". But if they did I'd probably head for the Delap's Cove Wilderness Trail this week. It's the 25th anniversary this year for the Bohaker Falls at the Trail and there are a several special events to mark it, with the first one is on the 21st. And there's another on August 15 if you can't make that. But you can go anytime - it's a terrific outdoor experience. I first discovered this gem 12 years ago when we took our new puppy for a walk. He escaped, still dragging his leash through the woods and thus causing great concern. We found him shortly, happy but thirsty. He probably won't be making it with us this year, he's older and minds the heat. Sadly I'm the same way in both aspects - but I know what I'd be missing. So maybe we'll see you on the Trail.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby.com.
Labels:
ADEDA news
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What Next?
Gas-powered Motors on Wind Turbines?
By EarthTalk
Jul 17, 2010 - 12:41:24 PM
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - One of the major drawbacks to wind power is the fact that, even in windy locations, the wind doesn’t always blow. So the ability of turbines to generate power is intermittent at best. Many turbines can generate power only about 30 percent of the time, thanks to the inconsistency of their feedstock.
In order to overcome this Achilles’ heel of intermittent production, some wind companies have developed back-up systems that can spin turbines even when the wind isn’t blowing, thus optimizing and keeping consistent the power output. For example, Colorado-based Hybrid Turbines Inc. is selling wind farms systems that marry a natural gas-based generator to a wind turbine. “Even if natural gas is used, the electricity produced…is twice as environmentally clean as burning coal,” reports the company. Better yet, if a user can power them with plant-derived biofuels, they can remain 100 percent renewable energy-based.
While some wind energy companies may want to invest in such technologies to wring the most production out of their big investments, utilities aren’t likely to suffer much from the intermittent output if they don’t. Even the utilities that are most bullish on wind power still generate most of their electricity from other more traditional sources at the present time. So, when wind energy output decreases, utilities simply draw more power from other sources—such as solar arrays, hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors and coal-fired power plants—to maintain consistent electrical service. As such, reports the American Wind Energy Association, utilities act as “system operators” drawing power from where it’s available and dispatching it to where it is needed in tune with rising and falling power needs.
But just because generating wind power all day long isn’t imperative doesn’t mean that suppliers aren’t doing all they can to maximize output. To wit, turbine manufacturers are beginning to incorporate so-called Active Flow Control (AFC) technology, which delays the occurrence of partial or complete stalls when the wind dies down, and also enables start-up and power generation at lower wind speeds than conventional turbines. The non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists lauds AFC for these capabilities, which in turn can help system operators create a more reliable electric grid less dependent on fossil fuels.
As to whether or not noise from wind farms can harm people and wildlife, the jury is still out. New York-based pediatrician Nina Pierpont argues in her book, Wind Turbine Syndrome, that turbines may produce sounds that can affect the mood of people nearby or cause physiological problems like insomnia, vertigo, headaches and nausea. On the flip side, Renewable UK, a British wind energy trade group, says that the noise measured 1,000 feet away from a wind farm is less than that of normal road traffic. Here in the U.S., a Texas jury denied a 2006 noise pollution suit against FPL Energy after FPL showed that noise readings from its wind farm maxed out at 44 decibels, roughly the same generated by a 10 mile-per-hour wind.
CONTACTS: Hybrid Turbines, Inc., www.hybridturbines.com; American Wind Energy Association, www.awea.org; Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org; Nina Pierpont’s Wind Turbine Syndrome, www.windturbinesyndrome.com.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E – The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Request a Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
By EarthTalk
Jul 17, 2010 - 12:41:24 PM
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - One of the major drawbacks to wind power is the fact that, even in windy locations, the wind doesn’t always blow. So the ability of turbines to generate power is intermittent at best. Many turbines can generate power only about 30 percent of the time, thanks to the inconsistency of their feedstock.
In order to overcome this Achilles’ heel of intermittent production, some wind companies have developed back-up systems that can spin turbines even when the wind isn’t blowing, thus optimizing and keeping consistent the power output. For example, Colorado-based Hybrid Turbines Inc. is selling wind farms systems that marry a natural gas-based generator to a wind turbine. “Even if natural gas is used, the electricity produced…is twice as environmentally clean as burning coal,” reports the company. Better yet, if a user can power them with plant-derived biofuels, they can remain 100 percent renewable energy-based.
While some wind energy companies may want to invest in such technologies to wring the most production out of their big investments, utilities aren’t likely to suffer much from the intermittent output if they don’t. Even the utilities that are most bullish on wind power still generate most of their electricity from other more traditional sources at the present time. So, when wind energy output decreases, utilities simply draw more power from other sources—such as solar arrays, hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors and coal-fired power plants—to maintain consistent electrical service. As such, reports the American Wind Energy Association, utilities act as “system operators” drawing power from where it’s available and dispatching it to where it is needed in tune with rising and falling power needs.
But just because generating wind power all day long isn’t imperative doesn’t mean that suppliers aren’t doing all they can to maximize output. To wit, turbine manufacturers are beginning to incorporate so-called Active Flow Control (AFC) technology, which delays the occurrence of partial or complete stalls when the wind dies down, and also enables start-up and power generation at lower wind speeds than conventional turbines. The non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists lauds AFC for these capabilities, which in turn can help system operators create a more reliable electric grid less dependent on fossil fuels.
As to whether or not noise from wind farms can harm people and wildlife, the jury is still out. New York-based pediatrician Nina Pierpont argues in her book, Wind Turbine Syndrome, that turbines may produce sounds that can affect the mood of people nearby or cause physiological problems like insomnia, vertigo, headaches and nausea. On the flip side, Renewable UK, a British wind energy trade group, says that the noise measured 1,000 feet away from a wind farm is less than that of normal road traffic. Here in the U.S., a Texas jury denied a 2006 noise pollution suit against FPL Energy after FPL showed that noise readings from its wind farm maxed out at 44 decibels, roughly the same generated by a 10 mile-per-hour wind.
CONTACTS: Hybrid Turbines, Inc., www.hybridturbines.com; American Wind Energy Association, www.awea.org; Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org; Nina Pierpont’s Wind Turbine Syndrome, www.windturbinesyndrome.com.
SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk®, c/o E – The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. E is a nonprofit publication. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Request a Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
Labels:
wind turbines
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Marine Protected Area Survey- Please Do!
Marine Protected Area Survey Inbox
Erin Mutrie Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 11:23 AM
To: Erin Mutrie
Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original
Hello,
As part of my Masters project for the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University, I am administering and distributing surveys throughout the Digby Neck and Islands region. The goal of the surveys is to learn more about how familiar residents are with Marine Protected Areas, and also to gauge their interest in helping develop a Marine Protected Area for their region. As a resident and as someone who has a business in the region, I was hoping you could respond to the survey. I was also hoping you could pass the survey link on to friends and family. Surveys will be randomly mailed to a certain number of residents but unfortunately my budget does not cover printing and mailing costs for each resident. I am therefore also hoping to reach people through electronic means (email, facebook groups and local blogs). The survey can be reached here: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=8728. There is also a more complete explanation of the study at this link.
If you have any questions about the study, or have any ideas about ways for me to distribute the survey link, I can be reached at erinmutrie@dal.ca or my phone number is 1-902-495-7728. I really appreciate your time!
Sincerely,
Erin Mutrie
Quick Reply
To: Erin Mutrie
Erin Mutrie
To: Erin Mutrie
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Hello,
As part of my Masters project for the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University, I am administering and distributing surveys throughout the Digby Neck and Islands region. The goal of the surveys is to learn more about how familiar residents are with Marine Protected Areas, and also to gauge their interest in helping develop a Marine Protected Area for their region. As a resident and as someone who has a business in the region, I was hoping you could respond to the survey. I was also hoping you could pass the survey link on to friends and family. Surveys will be randomly mailed to a certain number of residents but unfortunately my budget does not cover printing and mailing costs for each resident. I am therefore also hoping to reach people through electronic means (email, facebook groups and local blogs). The survey can be reached here: https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=8728. There is also a more complete explanation of the study at this link.
If you have any questions about the study, or have any ideas about ways for me to distribute the survey link, I can be reached at erinmutrie@dal.ca or my phone number is 1-902-495-7728. I really appreciate your time!
Sincerely,
Erin Mutrie
Quick Reply
To: Erin Mutrie
Power Rate Hikes
NS: NDP feeling heat over power rate hike
By Alex Boutilier, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks refused to say whether the government would consider loosening regulations to reduce a looming power-rate hike.
According to Nova Scotia Power Inc., restrictions on mercury in fuel necessitate a 12 per cent rate hike for residential users and an 18 per cent increase for businesses in 2011.
NS Power spokesman David Rodenhiser said the corporation has to operate within the regulatory framework set by the provincial government, but generating greener energy costs the company another kind of green.
“It’s our role to take whatever regulatory environment that the government sets and produce electricity meeting those regulatory requirements at the most cost-effective way to our customers,” said Rodenhiser.
Estabrooks said there has been pressure from various groups to reduce environmental targets in order to lessen the impact on energy consumers. But he said only cabinet can decide that.
“I won’t give you a yes or no on that,” said Estabrooks yesterday. “I’m … a cabinet minister and I’m not representing what my colleagues would make in a decision of that nature.”
Rodenhiser also refused to speculate on the matter.
“We wouldn’t go on record prejudging or hypothesizing about what the government might do,” said Rodenhiser.
Estabrooks met with representatives from business and social groups to discuss the possible rate hikes.
By Alex Boutilier, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks refused to say whether the government would consider loosening regulations to reduce a looming power-rate hike.
According to Nova Scotia Power Inc., restrictions on mercury in fuel necessitate a 12 per cent rate hike for residential users and an 18 per cent increase for businesses in 2011.
NS Power spokesman David Rodenhiser said the corporation has to operate within the regulatory framework set by the provincial government, but generating greener energy costs the company another kind of green.
“It’s our role to take whatever regulatory environment that the government sets and produce electricity meeting those regulatory requirements at the most cost-effective way to our customers,” said Rodenhiser.
Estabrooks said there has been pressure from various groups to reduce environmental targets in order to lessen the impact on energy consumers. But he said only cabinet can decide that.
“I won’t give you a yes or no on that,” said Estabrooks yesterday. “I’m … a cabinet minister and I’m not representing what my colleagues would make in a decision of that nature.”
Rodenhiser also refused to speculate on the matter.
“We wouldn’t go on record prejudging or hypothesizing about what the government might do,” said Rodenhiser.
Estabrooks met with representatives from business and social groups to discuss the possible rate hikes.
Labels:
nova scotia power rate hikes
Shucks, Shoulda Been in Digby :- )
NS: Feds award $59M contract for RCMP headquarters
By Aly Thomson, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010
[DARTMOUTH, NS] — The Government of Canada has awarded PCL Constructors Canada Inc. $59 million to build a new RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth.
PCL is the largest general contracting organization in Canada and the eighth largest in the United States with an annual construction volume over $6 billion. Its operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by offices located across North America, including one in Dartmouth.
The RCMP H Division headquarters is currently comprised of 14 leased and two Crown-owned buildings in 10 different locations found across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The new headquarters will generate 150 fresh jobs, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay in a news release.
The funding comes in addition to a previous commitment for a total investment of $100 million.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose turn sod at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new RCMP H Division headquarters in Burnside. The new building is scheduled to be completed by December 2013. — Ryan Taplin, Metro Halifax photo
The five-storey building will be developed over three years with the aim of receiving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating. The design includes the installation of a green roof, dimming fixtures that adjust to natural light and use of natural gas.
If everything goes as planned, the building should be ready in December 2013, the release said.
By Aly Thomson, Metro Halifax
Source: Metro Halifax, July 14, 2010
[DARTMOUTH, NS] — The Government of Canada has awarded PCL Constructors Canada Inc. $59 million to build a new RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth.
PCL is the largest general contracting organization in Canada and the eighth largest in the United States with an annual construction volume over $6 billion. Its operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by offices located across North America, including one in Dartmouth.
The RCMP H Division headquarters is currently comprised of 14 leased and two Crown-owned buildings in 10 different locations found across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The new headquarters will generate 150 fresh jobs, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay in a news release.
The funding comes in addition to a previous commitment for a total investment of $100 million.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose turn sod at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new RCMP H Division headquarters in Burnside. The new building is scheduled to be completed by December 2013. — Ryan Taplin, Metro Halifax photo
The five-storey building will be developed over three years with the aim of receiving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating. The design includes the installation of a green roof, dimming fixtures that adjust to natural light and use of natural gas.
If everything goes as planned, the building should be ready in December 2013, the release said.
Labels:
RCMP headquarters
Australia and Energy Ideas
Australia Businesses Call For Tax Breaks On Energy Efficiency
CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Australian business groups are calling on the government to use tax breaks to improve energy efficiency, rather than the " heavy-handed" approaches of a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme, until there is an international consensus on climate policy.
It comes as the ruling Labor government is due to meet Tuesday to consider fresh approaches to climate policy in the run-up to a general election. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard named climate change one of the key issues she plans to address following the ouster of Kevin Rudd as leader on June 24.
Gillard has said she won't consider reintroducing plans for a carbon emissions trading scheme until at least 2012, in line with a delayed timetable Rudd announced in April.
But she is expected to flag new renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
"With government this week again considering climate policy, there is no quick pre-election fix. In the absence of a global consensus where other countries carry their fair share, the Australian government should look to policies which are measured, practical and more carrot than stick," Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said in a statement.
"The recent change in Australian political leadership did not change the fact that the Copenhagen (climate) conference failed to reach a global consensus. The Australian government must adapt policy to this reality," he said.
Tax incentives for lower-emitting plant and equipment would be a "step in the right direction", he said.
A survey of 1,000 business owners by ACCI found 75% favor business tax incentives for energy efficiency.
"Taxing our economy with a carbon tax or unilateral emissions trading scheme has low business support in the current environment. The higher energy costs it would bring to business and consumers would come with little global gain," Anderson said.
-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@ dowjones.com
CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Australian business groups are calling on the government to use tax breaks to improve energy efficiency, rather than the " heavy-handed" approaches of a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme, until there is an international consensus on climate policy.
It comes as the ruling Labor government is due to meet Tuesday to consider fresh approaches to climate policy in the run-up to a general election. New Prime Minister Julia Gillard named climate change one of the key issues she plans to address following the ouster of Kevin Rudd as leader on June 24.
Gillard has said she won't consider reintroducing plans for a carbon emissions trading scheme until at least 2012, in line with a delayed timetable Rudd announced in April.
But she is expected to flag new renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
"With government this week again considering climate policy, there is no quick pre-election fix. In the absence of a global consensus where other countries carry their fair share, the Australian government should look to policies which are measured, practical and more carrot than stick," Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said in a statement.
"The recent change in Australian political leadership did not change the fact that the Copenhagen (climate) conference failed to reach a global consensus. The Australian government must adapt policy to this reality," he said.
Tax incentives for lower-emitting plant and equipment would be a "step in the right direction", he said.
A survey of 1,000 business owners by ACCI found 75% favor business tax incentives for energy efficiency.
"Taxing our economy with a carbon tax or unilateral emissions trading scheme has low business support in the current environment. The higher energy costs it would bring to business and consumers would come with little global gain," Anderson said.
-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@ dowjones.com
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Recycling
Is everyone aware of the Freecycle Network? Go to freecycle.com and choose your closest town if your own isn't listed. Sign up and post the stuff you have to give away and find items you are looking for when other people post what they are giving away. Must be *free* and no strings attached. Anyone in Digby County can post their items here too, as well as on that listserv.
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Blogger
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the freecycle network
Municipal Council #2
Agenda for July 12 2010
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateJuly 12, 2010Pause to Seek GuidanceApproval of the AgendaAdditions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of MinutesMay 10, 2010Old Business /BusinessArising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Other BusinessArisingWardenThurberDeputy WardenMacAlpineCouncillor GregoryCouncillor AmeroCouncillor Adams
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Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda
New Business#1ADEDAFunding Request-Investment Attraction Consulting Services - $ 3,000
#2Councillor AmeroWeymouth Street Signage Update
#3UNSMMunicipal Auditors Report-Inputrequested-Deadline Sept 13, 2010
#4Harold TheriaultFlat Iron Road
#5#6# 7# 8CorrespondenceReceivedInformation Only# 1 Digby and AreaCommunity HealthBoardCopy of letter to Minister of Healthconcerning the lack of Palliative Care beds in the District# 2 NS Labour & Workforce DevelopmentAmendments to the NS Building Code Regulations-September 1, 2010# 3 NS CommunityServicesAmalgamation of the Annapolis ValleyHousing Authority, the South Shore Housing Authority, and the Tri-CountyHousing Authority as the Western Regional Housing Authority#4CUPWCanadian Postal Service Charter and the Future
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaChief AdministrativeReportJuly, 2010Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersAugust 23rd– Council @ 6:00 pm atCulloden Baptist ChurchSeptember 13th– COTW @ 6:00 pm at North Range Community HallSeptember 27th– Council @ 6:00 pm at Weymouth Waterfront LibraryDepartment Reports for May and June 2010AdministrationTaxationBuilding DepartmentBuilding PermitMunicipal Fire InspectorAirport/DispatchDispatch Call ReportAirport Statistical Dog Control ActivityDog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateJuly 8, 2010Notice of MotionIn-CameraContractual IssueAdjournment
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateJuly 12, 2010Pause to Seek GuidanceApproval of the AgendaAdditions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of MinutesMay 10, 2010Old Business /BusinessArising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Other BusinessArisingWardenThurberDeputy WardenMacAlpineCouncillor GregoryCouncillor AmeroCouncillor Adams
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Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda
New Business#1ADEDAFunding Request-Investment Attraction Consulting Services - $ 3,000
#2Councillor AmeroWeymouth Street Signage Update
#3UNSMMunicipal Auditors Report-Inputrequested-Deadline Sept 13, 2010
#4Harold TheriaultFlat Iron Road
#5#6# 7# 8CorrespondenceReceivedInformation Only# 1 Digby and AreaCommunity HealthBoardCopy of letter to Minister of Healthconcerning the lack of Palliative Care beds in the District# 2 NS Labour & Workforce DevelopmentAmendments to the NS Building Code Regulations-September 1, 2010# 3 NS CommunityServicesAmalgamation of the Annapolis ValleyHousing Authority, the South Shore Housing Authority, and the Tri-CountyHousing Authority as the Western Regional Housing Authority#4CUPWCanadian Postal Service Charter and the Future
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Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaChief AdministrativeReportJuly, 2010Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersAugust 23rd– Council @ 6:00 pm atCulloden Baptist ChurchSeptember 13th– COTW @ 6:00 pm at North Range Community HallSeptember 27th– Council @ 6:00 pm at Weymouth Waterfront LibraryDepartment Reports for May and June 2010AdministrationTaxationBuilding DepartmentBuilding PermitMunicipal Fire InspectorAirport/DispatchDispatch Call ReportAirport Statistical Dog Control ActivityDog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateJuly 8, 2010Notice of MotionIn-CameraContractual IssueAdjournment
Labels:
Digby Municipal Council
Municipal Council Minutes
Minutes from May 10 2010
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Thurber in thechair at 6:04 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jim Thurber, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Thurber asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIED
Hearings & PresentationsIan Russell – NovaScotia WeekMOVED and seconded that Mr. Ian Russell come before theCommittee to make a presentation on Nova Scotia Week.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Russell came before the committee to make apresentation on Nova Scotia Week. He gave a brief outlineof what took place during the trip to Scotland last year in which there were 42 delegates from Nova Scotia. There area number of benefits with bringing delegates from NovaScotia to Scotland and from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Onething that Mr. Russell would like to see in Digby is amanufacturing industry. It is a prime location with Digbybordering on the Bay of Fundy. In 2010, Mr. Russell would like to focus on tourism and
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Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia2promoting Nova Scotia as a destination. More specifically, he would like to promote Digby. He is currently working on bringing people into Digby with the goal of getting themto open businesses in this area. Mr. Russell is looking for representation from theMunicipality. The cost is $2,850 per person. Theorganization is a non-profit organization. He noted thatCouncillor Gregory did a great job last year representing theMunicipality. Warden Thurber thanked Mr. Russell for the presentationand advised that this will be discussed by Council and notedthat there will be Council representation. Mr. Russell asked Council to check out the followingwebsite: www.helloscotland.comMinutesApril 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 13, 2010 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED
Business Arising/OldBusinessWestern CountiesRegional Libraries –Personal EmergencySystemsWeymouth DrainageGrass Burning It was noted that the safety devices for the WesternCounties Regional Libraries do not rely on the cell phoneservice; therefore, should work fine in Weymouth. A quote will be received by the end of the month for thedrainage issue in Weymouth. Deputy Warden MacAlpine would like to come up with a solution to the grass burning issue discussed at the lastCOTW meeting. It was suggested that Council reviewexisting bylaws from other Municipal Units to see how thisis addressed and discuss it at a Bylaw and Policy meeting. Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is another unitwith a bylaw in place that addresses this, and another unitwith one in progress. It was suggested to have this issue in the Coastline next
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Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia3spring.Other BusinessArising NILWarden Thurber No Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business Arising
New Business#1 UnsightlyComplaint – DerelictVehicles on DigbyNeck There was a discussion regarding derelict vehicles. It wasnoted that the price is high for scrap metal now so peopleare getting rid of it. There are people willing to pick up derelict vehicles for free; however, this would be hard tocoordinate. There was a discussion regarding theDangerous and Unsightly Act and how people can interpretunsightly premises differently. It was agreed to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Act to see if there is a way to tighten it up. If Council wishes tomake changes, a resolution should be taken to the UNSM atthe fall conference. A letter will be sent back to the complainant advising ofCouncil’s plan to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Actand also advising that Council has addressed one of theissues outlined in the letter.#2 UnsightlyComplaint – Litter in Ditches There was a discussion regarding what can be done with thelitter in the ditches throughout the Municipality. It wassuggested that there be a detailed story in the June Coastlineon community pride. This article should make peopleaware of the By-law Enforcement Officer. This articleshould also make people aware of the program availablethrough Waste Check for groups who can receive funding inthe amount of $200 if they are willing to cleanup a 1 km
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia4section of highway. It was noted that the suitcases and toilet that werementioned in the letter received must be addressed. Council will discuss the option of making property ownersresponsible for the ditches in front of their property at aPolicy and Bylaw meeting.#3 AirportSurveillance Camera –Quotes There was a discussion regarding replacing the surveillanceCamera that RCMP used to have at the Airport. Thecamera that had been there was able to rotate to view theDog Kennel and around to the runway. There is a camerathat would provide a view of the bus only, for a cost of $500 - $600. The Deputy CAO is recommending that acamera be installed like the one that was there previously so that the dispatchers have a view of vehicles and planes thatare coming and going. This is good for security at theAirport. This camera can also be accessed from homewhich would be good for being able to see the snowconditions for plowing in the winter.MOVED and seconded that Council accept the DeputyCAO’s recommendation to purchase a surveillance camerafrom Norm Levesque.MOTION CARRIED
#4 Digby CountyFamily ResourceCentre The Digby County Family Resource Centre is looking at thepossibility of having a Multi-purpose community centrebuilt in the area. They are looking for a letter of supportfrom Council so that they can move forward and hire aConsultant to have a feasibility study done. They are alsolooking to have representation from Council to sit on asteering committee.MOVED and seconded that Council send a letter of supportto Digby County Family Resource Centre for this project.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia5CorrespondenceRegion of Queens –Letter to Minister Jennex Re: MunicipalFinesMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to MinisterJennex, carbon-copied to the Region of Queens supportingthe two recommendations outlined by the Region of Queens.MOTION CARRIEDChief AdministrativeReportBudget MeetingsMaud Lewis Site The CAO report dated May, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. The CAO noted that she needs to have a couple extrabudget meetings in order to have the budget ready forapproval by the end of June. Council discussed possibledates. The CAO has emailed the person who had been lookingafter mowing the lawn at the Maud Lewis site last year.They plan to continue this year and it has been mowedalready. The CAO is expecting an answer in regards to thetiming of the signage on the site very shortly. Request for Decisions/DirectionDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for May 2010 was included in themeeting package.There were questions regarding theowner unknown properties. It was explained that anyowner unknown properties have to be offered to NaturalResources before the Municipality can do anything with them. There was also a question regarding the redemptionperiod for the 2010 tax sale. The redemption period for the2010 tax sale ends on September 13, 2010.
Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for May 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There was a discussion regarding the rags that arecontinually being found in the pump and what can be doneabout it. The Deputy CAO advised Council that he recentlyfound out that diapers that are flushed can appear to be ragsafter they go through the system.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia6 Council felt there is a need for education in this area.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for May, 2010 was included inthe meeting package. There was a question regarding thenumber of calls received. The Deputy CAO is going toreview these numbers with the person who prepared thereport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for May2010 was included in the meeting package.Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update for April 30, 2010 was sent outprior to the meeting.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/AAdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:30PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Thurber in thechair at 6:04 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jim Thurber, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Thurber asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIED
Hearings & PresentationsIan Russell – NovaScotia WeekMOVED and seconded that Mr. Ian Russell come before theCommittee to make a presentation on Nova Scotia Week.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Russell came before the committee to make apresentation on Nova Scotia Week. He gave a brief outlineof what took place during the trip to Scotland last year in which there were 42 delegates from Nova Scotia. There area number of benefits with bringing delegates from NovaScotia to Scotland and from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Onething that Mr. Russell would like to see in Digby is amanufacturing industry. It is a prime location with Digbybordering on the Bay of Fundy. In 2010, Mr. Russell would like to focus on tourism and
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia2promoting Nova Scotia as a destination. More specifically, he would like to promote Digby. He is currently working on bringing people into Digby with the goal of getting themto open businesses in this area. Mr. Russell is looking for representation from theMunicipality. The cost is $2,850 per person. Theorganization is a non-profit organization. He noted thatCouncillor Gregory did a great job last year representing theMunicipality. Warden Thurber thanked Mr. Russell for the presentationand advised that this will be discussed by Council and notedthat there will be Council representation. Mr. Russell asked Council to check out the followingwebsite: www.helloscotland.comMinutesApril 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 13, 2010 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED
Business Arising/OldBusinessWestern CountiesRegional Libraries –Personal EmergencySystemsWeymouth DrainageGrass Burning It was noted that the safety devices for the WesternCounties Regional Libraries do not rely on the cell phoneservice; therefore, should work fine in Weymouth. A quote will be received by the end of the month for thedrainage issue in Weymouth. Deputy Warden MacAlpine would like to come up with a solution to the grass burning issue discussed at the lastCOTW meeting. It was suggested that Council reviewexisting bylaws from other Municipal Units to see how thisis addressed and discuss it at a Bylaw and Policy meeting. Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is another unitwith a bylaw in place that addresses this, and another unitwith one in progress. It was suggested to have this issue in the Coastline next
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia3spring.Other BusinessArising NILWarden Thurber No Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business Arising
New Business#1 UnsightlyComplaint – DerelictVehicles on DigbyNeck There was a discussion regarding derelict vehicles. It wasnoted that the price is high for scrap metal now so peopleare getting rid of it. There are people willing to pick up derelict vehicles for free; however, this would be hard tocoordinate. There was a discussion regarding theDangerous and Unsightly Act and how people can interpretunsightly premises differently. It was agreed to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Act to see if there is a way to tighten it up. If Council wishes tomake changes, a resolution should be taken to the UNSM atthe fall conference. A letter will be sent back to the complainant advising ofCouncil’s plan to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Actand also advising that Council has addressed one of theissues outlined in the letter.#2 UnsightlyComplaint – Litter in Ditches There was a discussion regarding what can be done with thelitter in the ditches throughout the Municipality. It wassuggested that there be a detailed story in the June Coastlineon community pride. This article should make peopleaware of the By-law Enforcement Officer. This articleshould also make people aware of the program availablethrough Waste Check for groups who can receive funding inthe amount of $200 if they are willing to cleanup a 1 km
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia4section of highway. It was noted that the suitcases and toilet that werementioned in the letter received must be addressed. Council will discuss the option of making property ownersresponsible for the ditches in front of their property at aPolicy and Bylaw meeting.#3 AirportSurveillance Camera –Quotes There was a discussion regarding replacing the surveillanceCamera that RCMP used to have at the Airport. Thecamera that had been there was able to rotate to view theDog Kennel and around to the runway. There is a camerathat would provide a view of the bus only, for a cost of $500 - $600. The Deputy CAO is recommending that acamera be installed like the one that was there previously so that the dispatchers have a view of vehicles and planes thatare coming and going. This is good for security at theAirport. This camera can also be accessed from homewhich would be good for being able to see the snowconditions for plowing in the winter.MOVED and seconded that Council accept the DeputyCAO’s recommendation to purchase a surveillance camerafrom Norm Levesque.MOTION CARRIED
#4 Digby CountyFamily ResourceCentre The Digby County Family Resource Centre is looking at thepossibility of having a Multi-purpose community centrebuilt in the area. They are looking for a letter of supportfrom Council so that they can move forward and hire aConsultant to have a feasibility study done. They are alsolooking to have representation from Council to sit on asteering committee.MOVED and seconded that Council send a letter of supportto Digby County Family Resource Centre for this project.MOTION CARRIED
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Page 5
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia5CorrespondenceRegion of Queens –Letter to Minister Jennex Re: MunicipalFinesMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to MinisterJennex, carbon-copied to the Region of Queens supportingthe two recommendations outlined by the Region of Queens.MOTION CARRIEDChief AdministrativeReportBudget MeetingsMaud Lewis Site The CAO report dated May, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. The CAO noted that she needs to have a couple extrabudget meetings in order to have the budget ready forapproval by the end of June. Council discussed possibledates. The CAO has emailed the person who had been lookingafter mowing the lawn at the Maud Lewis site last year.They plan to continue this year and it has been mowedalready. The CAO is expecting an answer in regards to thetiming of the signage on the site very shortly. Request for Decisions/DirectionDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for May 2010 was included in themeeting package.There were questions regarding theowner unknown properties. It was explained that anyowner unknown properties have to be offered to NaturalResources before the Municipality can do anything with them. There was also a question regarding the redemptionperiod for the 2010 tax sale. The redemption period for the2010 tax sale ends on September 13, 2010.
Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for May 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There was a discussion regarding the rags that arecontinually being found in the pump and what can be doneabout it. The Deputy CAO advised Council that he recentlyfound out that diapers that are flushed can appear to be ragsafter they go through the system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 6
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia6 Council felt there is a need for education in this area.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for May, 2010 was included inthe meeting package. There was a question regarding thenumber of calls received. The Deputy CAO is going toreview these numbers with the person who prepared thereport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for May2010 was included in the meeting package.Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update for April 30, 2010 was sent outprior to the meeting.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/AAdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:30PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK
Labels:
Digby Municipal Council
Friday, July 9, 2010
Opposition to Fish Farms
By Tina Comeau
SOU’WESTER
Plans to locate two Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms off the eastern shore of Long Island, N.S. have generated opposition from fishermen and local residents.
Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd., the farming division of Cooke Aquaculture, submitted an application in March to locate two aquaculture sites in Freeport and Grand Passage, off Digby Neck. The company wants to set up two salmon farms with 12 pens each, however it is also exploring whether these sites would be suitable for Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). The company says this is the practice of growing extractive species – commonly mussels and kelps – which act as natural filters alongside fed species like salmon.
The fish farms would each be 42-hectares and would house two million salmon, but the company notes that is the total lease size. It says the salmon pens are a small part of the overall area. According to the company, the entire lease site encompasses the area where the mooring lines for the pens would go. It says fishermen can still come into this area to set traps.
The sites, the company says, would create approximately 20 direct jobs at the farms, and many more indirect spinoff jobs in areas of feed production, trucking, maintenance and site repairs, restaurants and hatcheries.
But lobster fishermen in the area worry about the loss of fishing grounds and also about the impact on the lobster resource.
At a meeting of the Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 Advisory Committee in June, lobster fisherman Sheldon Dixon of Tiverton said that 100 per cent of their fishermen were against the proposed fish farms a year ago and nothing over the past year has changed their minds.
“Because of the pollution, because we can’t chance losing our livelihood,” Dixon said as reasons why they don’t want to see the fish farms in their area. Dixon also raised concern over lobsters eating the feed that is used in fish farm operations. “Do we want to be marketing lobsters that are eating this? That’s just what we need with a $3.75 lobster.”
“I really think this project has gone way too far, too early,” added Meteghan fisherman Roger LeBlanc, a port rep on the LFA 34 Advisory Committee. “The government of Nova Scotia and DFO don’t even have science on this . . . Nobody has answers for this.”
Other fishermen at the LFA meeting questioned if there has been a social-economic study carried out. Does anyone know what the impact will be of less lobsters caught in this area? Or is it just assumed the lobsters will be caught elsewhere?
A group called Save Our Bays has also been established and has formed a Facebook group. A posting on that site at the time of the Sou’Wester’s deadline noted a petition against the fish farms with more than 400 signatures had been forwarded to the province’s fisheries and aquaculture minister, along with others.
In addition to concerns over lost fishing grounds and lobster quantity and quality, some other concerns include the disposal of waste, the presence of chemicals and pesticides, and the adverse impact on eco-tourism.
Representatives of Cooke’s Aquaculture were at the LFA 34 meeting to talk about their plans and to try and alleviate concerns that fishermen have. Company representatives have also met with individual fishermen and community members and say they are willing to meet with anyone who has questions about their plans.
“We thought we had a productive committee established with the Brier Island group, including representation from the lobster fishery, however they recently informed us they no longer wish to meet with us. We have to respect their decision, but we’re disappointed,” Chuck Brown, communications manager for Cooke Aquaculture told the Sou’Wester. “We meet with other marine users in all the areas in which we operate. For example, in New Brunswick we meet regularly with fishermen to discuss concerns, anticipate potential conflicts and attempt to find the best ways to cooperate and share the marine resource.”
The company says it will give anyone interested in learning more about salmon farming tours of their operations.
Asked about the concerns being raised by lobster fishermen, the company says the last thing it wants to do is negatively impact the lobster industry.
“Many of our managers and workers are former lobster fishers and have family members who fish today. We all live and work in the communities in which we operate and we know we all have to get along,” said Brown.
In New Brunswick, the company says salmon farmers and lobster fishers have worked together to reduce the loss of fishing grounds and fishermen regularly set traps within 10 to 20 metres of the cages.
“We have installed cages over the props on all of our service vessels to prevent entanglement with fishing gear and our site workers regularly help fishermen retrieve traps should they become entangled in mooring lines,” Brown explained.
SOU’WESTER
Plans to locate two Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms off the eastern shore of Long Island, N.S. have generated opposition from fishermen and local residents.
Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd., the farming division of Cooke Aquaculture, submitted an application in March to locate two aquaculture sites in Freeport and Grand Passage, off Digby Neck. The company wants to set up two salmon farms with 12 pens each, however it is also exploring whether these sites would be suitable for Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). The company says this is the practice of growing extractive species – commonly mussels and kelps – which act as natural filters alongside fed species like salmon.
The fish farms would each be 42-hectares and would house two million salmon, but the company notes that is the total lease size. It says the salmon pens are a small part of the overall area. According to the company, the entire lease site encompasses the area where the mooring lines for the pens would go. It says fishermen can still come into this area to set traps.
The sites, the company says, would create approximately 20 direct jobs at the farms, and many more indirect spinoff jobs in areas of feed production, trucking, maintenance and site repairs, restaurants and hatcheries.
But lobster fishermen in the area worry about the loss of fishing grounds and also about the impact on the lobster resource.
At a meeting of the Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 Advisory Committee in June, lobster fisherman Sheldon Dixon of Tiverton said that 100 per cent of their fishermen were against the proposed fish farms a year ago and nothing over the past year has changed their minds.
“Because of the pollution, because we can’t chance losing our livelihood,” Dixon said as reasons why they don’t want to see the fish farms in their area. Dixon also raised concern over lobsters eating the feed that is used in fish farm operations. “Do we want to be marketing lobsters that are eating this? That’s just what we need with a $3.75 lobster.”
“I really think this project has gone way too far, too early,” added Meteghan fisherman Roger LeBlanc, a port rep on the LFA 34 Advisory Committee. “The government of Nova Scotia and DFO don’t even have science on this . . . Nobody has answers for this.”
Other fishermen at the LFA meeting questioned if there has been a social-economic study carried out. Does anyone know what the impact will be of less lobsters caught in this area? Or is it just assumed the lobsters will be caught elsewhere?
A group called Save Our Bays has also been established and has formed a Facebook group. A posting on that site at the time of the Sou’Wester’s deadline noted a petition against the fish farms with more than 400 signatures had been forwarded to the province’s fisheries and aquaculture minister, along with others.
In addition to concerns over lost fishing grounds and lobster quantity and quality, some other concerns include the disposal of waste, the presence of chemicals and pesticides, and the adverse impact on eco-tourism.
Representatives of Cooke’s Aquaculture were at the LFA 34 meeting to talk about their plans and to try and alleviate concerns that fishermen have. Company representatives have also met with individual fishermen and community members and say they are willing to meet with anyone who has questions about their plans.
“We thought we had a productive committee established with the Brier Island group, including representation from the lobster fishery, however they recently informed us they no longer wish to meet with us. We have to respect their decision, but we’re disappointed,” Chuck Brown, communications manager for Cooke Aquaculture told the Sou’Wester. “We meet with other marine users in all the areas in which we operate. For example, in New Brunswick we meet regularly with fishermen to discuss concerns, anticipate potential conflicts and attempt to find the best ways to cooperate and share the marine resource.”
The company says it will give anyone interested in learning more about salmon farming tours of their operations.
Asked about the concerns being raised by lobster fishermen, the company says the last thing it wants to do is negatively impact the lobster industry.
“Many of our managers and workers are former lobster fishers and have family members who fish today. We all live and work in the communities in which we operate and we know we all have to get along,” said Brown.
In New Brunswick, the company says salmon farmers and lobster fishers have worked together to reduce the loss of fishing grounds and fishermen regularly set traps within 10 to 20 metres of the cages.
“We have installed cages over the props on all of our service vessels to prevent entanglement with fishing gear and our site workers regularly help fishermen retrieve traps should they become entangled in mooring lines,” Brown explained.
Jobs at King's Theatre
Supervisor, theatre attendants, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia ...
King's Theatre Society is looking for a Supervisor, theatre attendants in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.
nova-scotia.jobs-open.ca/.../ns-annapolis-royal-nova-scotia-ki...
King's Theatre Society is looking for a Supervisor, theatre attendants in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.
nova-scotia.jobs-open.ca/.../ns-annapolis-royal-nova-scotia-ki...
Labels:
Annapolis jobs
Pot Luck Supper!
10275 Hwy 217 in Rossway. Bring your favourite dish and a friend or neighbour! If you can't bring a dish, come anyway! There's always plenty of good food.
Labels:
Digby Neck Events potluck supper
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
No More Summits in T.O.
No more G20 summits in Toronto: McGuinty
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 4:54 PM ETCanadian Press
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says that when it comes to future requests to hold a summit in Toronto, 'We've been there, done that.' (Canadian Press) Another G20 summit in Toronto? Thanks, but no thanks, says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The city is scarred by the experience of hosting a gathering of world leaders, when police arrested about 1,000 people in a massive crackdown after black-clad protesters rampaged through the city's core, McGuinty said Wednesday.
Asked if it was a mistake to hold the summit in Toronto, the premier didn't hold back.
"Well, let's put it this way: If the prime minister were to sit down and say, 'Can we host another G20 summit in Toronto?' We'd say — I think we'd all say — 'We've been there, we've done that, and thanks very much."'
It's important for global leaders to meet in person, but Toronto went through too much pain, he added.
"There's got to be a better way," McGuinty said. "I think it was very intrusive on life in Toronto. It did result in some fairly serious property damage."
"I also think that there was some tremendous psychological scarring because of what people saw on TV. Burning police cars is not something that anyone will forget for some time."
The violence led to a police crackdown and what's believed to be the largest mass arrest in Canadian history, surpassing even the October Crisis in 1970 when martial law was imposed.
The vast majority of those detained were released without charge within 24 hours, but about 250 people still face charges and more than a dozen remain in custody.
Confusion over expanded police powers
Civil rights groups have been calling for an apology from the government, as well as an independent inquiry into the mass detention of people and widespread use of police force during the June 26-27 summit.
McGuinty has also come under fire for failing to dispel widespread confusion about police powers during the explosive G20 protests.
Last week, the premier admitted to The Canadian Press that his government could have done a better job clarifying a law that many believed had temporarily expanded police powers to stop and detain people during the G20. But he rebuffed calls for an apology.
The regulation, passed June 2, decreed that all streets and sidewalks inside the summit security fence were a "public work" just like courthouses — meaning police could search people trying to enter the area.
But many believed police could arrest anyone who came within five metres of the fence and didn't provide identification.
Neither police nor the province set the record straight until the summit was over. In fact, both made comments about the necessity of such powers.
Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci insisted Wednesday that the government did clarify the law, but acknowledged it should have been "more aggressive" in getting the message out.
"I accept responsibility for that," said a subdued Bartolucci.
"There's absolutely no doubt there was that lack of clarity, and had we put out a statement immediately, we probably would have been able to handle this a little bit better."
The commissioner of community safety informed Toronto police Chief Bill Blair on June 25 — when news broke of the secret law — that there was some "ambiguity" about the new regulation, Bartolucci said.
"Chief Blair assured the commissioner that he would rectify the situation," he added.
It's a flimsy explanation for the fiasco, which saw journalists, civil libertarians and union activists detained without cause, said NDP critic Cheri DiNovo.
"I witnessed personally in my own neighbourhood in Parkdale, young people — just because they were young — being stopped, their backpacks being searched. This was way outside the security zone, way beyond any regulation," she said.
"But it all starts here. It all starts at Queen's Park and it all starts with Dalton McGuinty."
If the power to arrest people near the fence never existed, it's news to the courts that are going to be dealing with the prosecutions of protesters, the New Democrats said.
NDP staffers circulated copies of a bail agreement of protester David Vasey, who made headlines when he was arrested for refusing to show police his ID while walking near the security perimeter. It was the first time most had heard of the regulation, which expired June 28.
Vasey is scheduled to appear in court July 28.
The Opposition Conservatives dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying there's "ample opportunity" for the police to conduct their own review.
The only inquiry that's needed is one that would examine how McGuinty mismanaged a regulation that was passed "under the cover of darkness of cabinet secrecy," said Tory critic Peter Shurman.
"That was never properly enunciated to the public, nobody knew it had even happened, and during the course of the events as they unfolded, we heard nothing from the Ontario government."
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/07/07/g20-mcguinty.html#ixzz0t2oHgYTj
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 4:54 PM ETCanadian Press
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says that when it comes to future requests to hold a summit in Toronto, 'We've been there, done that.' (Canadian Press) Another G20 summit in Toronto? Thanks, but no thanks, says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The city is scarred by the experience of hosting a gathering of world leaders, when police arrested about 1,000 people in a massive crackdown after black-clad protesters rampaged through the city's core, McGuinty said Wednesday.
Asked if it was a mistake to hold the summit in Toronto, the premier didn't hold back.
"Well, let's put it this way: If the prime minister were to sit down and say, 'Can we host another G20 summit in Toronto?' We'd say — I think we'd all say — 'We've been there, we've done that, and thanks very much."'
It's important for global leaders to meet in person, but Toronto went through too much pain, he added.
"There's got to be a better way," McGuinty said. "I think it was very intrusive on life in Toronto. It did result in some fairly serious property damage."
"I also think that there was some tremendous psychological scarring because of what people saw on TV. Burning police cars is not something that anyone will forget for some time."
The violence led to a police crackdown and what's believed to be the largest mass arrest in Canadian history, surpassing even the October Crisis in 1970 when martial law was imposed.
The vast majority of those detained were released without charge within 24 hours, but about 250 people still face charges and more than a dozen remain in custody.
Confusion over expanded police powers
Civil rights groups have been calling for an apology from the government, as well as an independent inquiry into the mass detention of people and widespread use of police force during the June 26-27 summit.
McGuinty has also come under fire for failing to dispel widespread confusion about police powers during the explosive G20 protests.
Last week, the premier admitted to The Canadian Press that his government could have done a better job clarifying a law that many believed had temporarily expanded police powers to stop and detain people during the G20. But he rebuffed calls for an apology.
The regulation, passed June 2, decreed that all streets and sidewalks inside the summit security fence were a "public work" just like courthouses — meaning police could search people trying to enter the area.
But many believed police could arrest anyone who came within five metres of the fence and didn't provide identification.
Neither police nor the province set the record straight until the summit was over. In fact, both made comments about the necessity of such powers.
Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci insisted Wednesday that the government did clarify the law, but acknowledged it should have been "more aggressive" in getting the message out.
"I accept responsibility for that," said a subdued Bartolucci.
"There's absolutely no doubt there was that lack of clarity, and had we put out a statement immediately, we probably would have been able to handle this a little bit better."
The commissioner of community safety informed Toronto police Chief Bill Blair on June 25 — when news broke of the secret law — that there was some "ambiguity" about the new regulation, Bartolucci said.
"Chief Blair assured the commissioner that he would rectify the situation," he added.
It's a flimsy explanation for the fiasco, which saw journalists, civil libertarians and union activists detained without cause, said NDP critic Cheri DiNovo.
"I witnessed personally in my own neighbourhood in Parkdale, young people — just because they were young — being stopped, their backpacks being searched. This was way outside the security zone, way beyond any regulation," she said.
"But it all starts here. It all starts at Queen's Park and it all starts with Dalton McGuinty."
If the power to arrest people near the fence never existed, it's news to the courts that are going to be dealing with the prosecutions of protesters, the New Democrats said.
NDP staffers circulated copies of a bail agreement of protester David Vasey, who made headlines when he was arrested for refusing to show police his ID while walking near the security perimeter. It was the first time most had heard of the regulation, which expired June 28.
Vasey is scheduled to appear in court July 28.
The Opposition Conservatives dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying there's "ample opportunity" for the police to conduct their own review.
The only inquiry that's needed is one that would examine how McGuinty mismanaged a regulation that was passed "under the cover of darkness of cabinet secrecy," said Tory critic Peter Shurman.
"That was never properly enunciated to the public, nobody knew it had even happened, and during the course of the events as they unfolded, we heard nothing from the Ontario government."
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/07/07/g20-mcguinty.html#ixzz0t2oHgYTj
Labels:
G20 Summit Toronto Canada
Send the Ships to Digby!
Saint John port may refuse cruise ships
Port Authority says government funding is needed to upgrade facilities
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 2:14 PM AT Comments28Recommend16CBC News
Saint John may have to start turning away cruise ships as early as next year unless it lands new government funding, according to the Saint John Port Authority.
The port authority is looking to expand and refurbish some of its terminals in order to keep up with bigger cruise ships, a project that is estimated to cost $18.6 million.
Stephen Campbell, the chairman of the Saint John Port Authority, said they are in talks with government officials now and he hopes an announcement will be made within the year. But if the port is unsuccessful in tapping into any government funds it may need to turn away cruise ships.
"We need a commitment to infrastructure regardless of what government comes in and we need that soon," Campbell said.
"Next year, we will be in the dubious position to say to cruise ships that bring in over 200,000 passengers to southern New Brunswick that we might not be able to accommodate you. And the reason for that is that these ships are getting bigger and they're getting longer. "
The port authority is asking for $4.6 million from each level of government to complete the project.
Port money
The Saint John Port Authority had been the only Canadian port not to receive federal infrastructure funding before Tuesday.
However, the provincial government committed to invest $700,000 to refurbish Rodney Terminal this summer. That investment will cover half of the project's total cost.
"This project will help the Port of Saint John provide even better service to the many shipping and trucking companies that depend on the port for business," said Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty in a statement.
A news conference was held on Tuesday to indicate that tenders have been issued for the work but the provincial funding was announced by Premier Shawn Graham on June 10.
Campbell said the infusion of provincial money will help the port authority fund its needed upgrades but it is still not enough.
"We were very appreciative of the announcement [Tuesday] but we've got to go to this next step,' Campbell said.
"We're looking to the provincial and the federal government to step in and support this vital industry ... that to date they have not contributed to."
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/07/06/nb-saint-john-port-142.html#ixzz0t2nXZvRc
Port Authority says government funding is needed to upgrade facilities
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 2:14 PM AT Comments28Recommend16CBC News
Saint John may have to start turning away cruise ships as early as next year unless it lands new government funding, according to the Saint John Port Authority.
The port authority is looking to expand and refurbish some of its terminals in order to keep up with bigger cruise ships, a project that is estimated to cost $18.6 million.
Stephen Campbell, the chairman of the Saint John Port Authority, said they are in talks with government officials now and he hopes an announcement will be made within the year. But if the port is unsuccessful in tapping into any government funds it may need to turn away cruise ships.
"We need a commitment to infrastructure regardless of what government comes in and we need that soon," Campbell said.
"Next year, we will be in the dubious position to say to cruise ships that bring in over 200,000 passengers to southern New Brunswick that we might not be able to accommodate you. And the reason for that is that these ships are getting bigger and they're getting longer. "
The port authority is asking for $4.6 million from each level of government to complete the project.
Port money
The Saint John Port Authority had been the only Canadian port not to receive federal infrastructure funding before Tuesday.
However, the provincial government committed to invest $700,000 to refurbish Rodney Terminal this summer. That investment will cover half of the project's total cost.
"This project will help the Port of Saint John provide even better service to the many shipping and trucking companies that depend on the port for business," said Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty in a statement.
A news conference was held on Tuesday to indicate that tenders have been issued for the work but the provincial funding was announced by Premier Shawn Graham on June 10.
Campbell said the infusion of provincial money will help the port authority fund its needed upgrades but it is still not enough.
"We were very appreciative of the announcement [Tuesday] but we've got to go to this next step,' Campbell said.
"We're looking to the provincial and the federal government to step in and support this vital industry ... that to date they have not contributed to."
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/07/06/nb-saint-john-port-142.html#ixzz0t2nXZvRc
Labels:
cruise ships Digby Nova Scotia
Continued Quest for Yarmouth Ferry
NS: Whiting continues quest for Yarmouth ferry service
By Tina Comeau, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Vanguard, July 6, 2010
[YARMOUTH, NS] — The interim CEO of the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission says he hopes to come away from a meeting with Transport Canada one step closer to sending out a request for proposals for a ferry service.
Dave Whiting said last week a meeting was scheduled this week with Transport Canada “to, in their words, move the project ahead.”
But Whiting said when they do indeed launch a request for proposals, they aren’t expecting to hear back from someone new to the industry.
“Anybody out there that wants to operate a ferry from Yarmouth that doesn’t know about it at this point is probably somebody we don’t want,” he said. “The industry is well aware of what is going on and that is why we have been contacted by seven different groups at this point. They’re aware of it — they work in the business.”
On the issue of ferry service, if people have been hungry for the release of an ACOA transportation study, Whiting said the study released last week has no meat in it.
“There’s not a hell of a lot there,” Whiting said after twice reading over the study’s executive summary. “I found the summary to be rather disappointing.”
Overall, Whiting said the study doesn’t reveal anything that people didn’t already know.
“The conclusion is the ferries are needed and they need subsidy. Well they could have saved themselves a year of work and a lot of money,” he said. “Any of us could have told them that.”
Whiting also said that the study outlines scenarios for ferry service in Yarmouth that include a high-speed ferry. But that ship has already sailed he said.
“There’s nobody that is going to put a high-speed ferry here,” he said.
Whiting did note that the study makes reference to a cruise ferry, which is the type of service he thinks is needed to also allow for more onboard revenue generation to go towards the operation of the service.
Asked if the transportation study helps with the cause of getting new ferry service up and running for next year, Whiting said the study really just serves as reinforcement of the need to reestablish a service in Yarmouth and to maintain the service in Digby.
“Basically it says you’ve been operating services there and A) they are very necessary to the economy of our part of the province, from Annapolis all the way around to Shelburne, and B) governments have to be involved with providing the service.”
Whiting pointed out that as far as future ferry service for Yarmouth is concerned, they’ve yet to get into a business plan phase.
Meanwhile, Whiting said he spoke informally with Premier Darrell Dexter last week, during which the premier said it was time to turn the page, move ahead and get Yarmouth back on track.
“He was very positive,” Whiting said, adding he’s looking to arrange a meeting between himself and the industrial commission chair, Roger King, with the premier and Economic Development Minister Percy Paris.
“The times I’ve met with the premier I’ve assured him we wouldn’t be asking for anything for the ferry until we had a solid business plan. I’m going to stick to that and I think that is what they’re looking for,” said Whiting. “At this point they have to see something that shows we are moving ahead and they’ll help us out with it. They don’t want to be seen as coming in and doing it for us and I can appreciate that.”
By Tina Comeau, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Vanguard, July 6, 2010
[YARMOUTH, NS] — The interim CEO of the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission says he hopes to come away from a meeting with Transport Canada one step closer to sending out a request for proposals for a ferry service.
Dave Whiting said last week a meeting was scheduled this week with Transport Canada “to, in their words, move the project ahead.”
But Whiting said when they do indeed launch a request for proposals, they aren’t expecting to hear back from someone new to the industry.
“Anybody out there that wants to operate a ferry from Yarmouth that doesn’t know about it at this point is probably somebody we don’t want,” he said. “The industry is well aware of what is going on and that is why we have been contacted by seven different groups at this point. They’re aware of it — they work in the business.”
On the issue of ferry service, if people have been hungry for the release of an ACOA transportation study, Whiting said the study released last week has no meat in it.
“There’s not a hell of a lot there,” Whiting said after twice reading over the study’s executive summary. “I found the summary to be rather disappointing.”
Overall, Whiting said the study doesn’t reveal anything that people didn’t already know.
“The conclusion is the ferries are needed and they need subsidy. Well they could have saved themselves a year of work and a lot of money,” he said. “Any of us could have told them that.”
Whiting also said that the study outlines scenarios for ferry service in Yarmouth that include a high-speed ferry. But that ship has already sailed he said.
“There’s nobody that is going to put a high-speed ferry here,” he said.
Whiting did note that the study makes reference to a cruise ferry, which is the type of service he thinks is needed to also allow for more onboard revenue generation to go towards the operation of the service.
Asked if the transportation study helps with the cause of getting new ferry service up and running for next year, Whiting said the study really just serves as reinforcement of the need to reestablish a service in Yarmouth and to maintain the service in Digby.
“Basically it says you’ve been operating services there and A) they are very necessary to the economy of our part of the province, from Annapolis all the way around to Shelburne, and B) governments have to be involved with providing the service.”
Whiting pointed out that as far as future ferry service for Yarmouth is concerned, they’ve yet to get into a business plan phase.
Meanwhile, Whiting said he spoke informally with Premier Darrell Dexter last week, during which the premier said it was time to turn the page, move ahead and get Yarmouth back on track.
“He was very positive,” Whiting said, adding he’s looking to arrange a meeting between himself and the industrial commission chair, Roger King, with the premier and Economic Development Minister Percy Paris.
“The times I’ve met with the premier I’ve assured him we wouldn’t be asking for anything for the ferry until we had a solid business plan. I’m going to stick to that and I think that is what they’re looking for,” said Whiting. “At this point they have to see something that shows we are moving ahead and they’ll help us out with it. They don’t want to be seen as coming in and doing it for us and I can appreciate that.”
Labels:
Yarmouth ferry service
Monday, July 5, 2010
Your Opp to Comment
A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
Labels:
coastal development Nova Scotia
ADEDA News
The big news last week was the release of the South West Transportation Study by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The eagerly awaited report examined the role of our area’s existing transportation system and the bulk of the Study – and of immediate concern to Annapolis Digby – centered on how the future our regional transportation infrastructure relates to the area’s ferry services.
The study consultants reported that, in spite of changes in usage over the past number of years, local communities and industries strongly believed the ferry services to be an integral part of the regional transportation network and economy.
Fundy Service Essential Trade Link
This is particularly true for the ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick. The fact that the ACOA study acknowledged that of the number of options tabled, the Bay of Fundy service had the best current cost/benefit ratio was welcomed by top government and business leaders on both sides of the Bay. Jim Thurber, Warden of the Municipality of Digby and Chair of the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition, had been leading an active regional business and community group for a number of years dedicated to communicating the need for continued and improved service.
The continuing case for the Digby-Saint John marine commercial corridor was also supported in an editorial at the end of last week in the region’s largest newspaper.
Port Day Focuses on Future
The day before the release of the ACOA transportation study a near capacity crowd at the town’s Heritage Centre gathered for Digby Port Day to hear roster of top speakers discuss the opportunities that could be met by present and future marine facilities and our location on the Bay of Fundy. The presenters discussed the Bay’s rising profile as a global tourism and alternative energy option, as well as the importance of existing commercial services. The special keynote speaker, area Member of Parliament Greg Kerr emphasised that continuing community involvement was essential to pursuing our goals.
A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
One innovative new coastline concept attracted national radio and print media last week when a Halifax environmental group linked with five area fishermen to launch Atlantic Canada’s first community supported fishery. It’s a bold idea in sustainable resource management that could benefit both harvesters and the consumers.
And back on dry land Annapolis Municipality Warden Peter Newton announced that the District would be targeting receipt of provincial energy funding to continue to pursue initiatives designed to reduce our energy consumption to more sustainable levels.
A Hall of Fame Career
As you know it is often my wont to put faces on the many achievements that celebrate the winning ways of life in Annapolis Digby. Last week it was a young golfer from Digby who won the national university women’s championship and just beginning promising future. This week the spotlight swings to the other margin of a successful athletic career with the recognition given to Weymouth native Gary Sabean who was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
Out and about
What with the timing of Canada Day last week offering up the prospect of a four day weekend, family and I took the opportunity to take in some of the community events that have been popping up all over Annapolis Digby like lupines – and fortunately scheduled to continue on much longer. As residents of a lovely seaside locale we took in the annual Smiths Cove Day festivities, which featured great food and good fellowship – especially the return of our many seasonal friends from the USA – as well as this year meeting new neighbors from Europe. Our day kicked off with a breakfast at the Fire Hall, followed later in the day by a sandwich-laden “tea” at the Museum/Community Centre. If you’re in our area make an effort to get out to our community events (especially the weekly “Firemen’s Breakfasts” scheduled around the area). They’re great gatherings serving great causes.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
The study consultants reported that, in spite of changes in usage over the past number of years, local communities and industries strongly believed the ferry services to be an integral part of the regional transportation network and economy.
Fundy Service Essential Trade Link
This is particularly true for the ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick. The fact that the ACOA study acknowledged that of the number of options tabled, the Bay of Fundy service had the best current cost/benefit ratio was welcomed by top government and business leaders on both sides of the Bay. Jim Thurber, Warden of the Municipality of Digby and Chair of the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition, had been leading an active regional business and community group for a number of years dedicated to communicating the need for continued and improved service.
The continuing case for the Digby-Saint John marine commercial corridor was also supported in an editorial at the end of last week in the region’s largest newspaper.
Port Day Focuses on Future
The day before the release of the ACOA transportation study a near capacity crowd at the town’s Heritage Centre gathered for Digby Port Day to hear roster of top speakers discuss the opportunities that could be met by present and future marine facilities and our location on the Bay of Fundy. The presenters discussed the Bay’s rising profile as a global tourism and alternative energy option, as well as the importance of existing commercial services. The special keynote speaker, area Member of Parliament Greg Kerr emphasised that continuing community involvement was essential to pursuing our goals.
A Boatload of New Ideas
And opportunities to propose new paradigms for our marine resources weren’t confined to just the discussions at Port day. Area residents were informed that they could still make their views known on issues affecting Nova Scotia's coastline by providing feedback on the State of Nova Scotia's Coast report and the development of Nova Scotia's Coastal Strategy. The provincial government announced that it had extended the deadline for comments to Friday, July 18 and you can participate by visiting the website for the report at www.gov.ns.ca/coast to access the online questionnaire.
One innovative new coastline concept attracted national radio and print media last week when a Halifax environmental group linked with five area fishermen to launch Atlantic Canada’s first community supported fishery. It’s a bold idea in sustainable resource management that could benefit both harvesters and the consumers.
And back on dry land Annapolis Municipality Warden Peter Newton announced that the District would be targeting receipt of provincial energy funding to continue to pursue initiatives designed to reduce our energy consumption to more sustainable levels.
A Hall of Fame Career
As you know it is often my wont to put faces on the many achievements that celebrate the winning ways of life in Annapolis Digby. Last week it was a young golfer from Digby who won the national university women’s championship and just beginning promising future. This week the spotlight swings to the other margin of a successful athletic career with the recognition given to Weymouth native Gary Sabean who was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
Out and about
What with the timing of Canada Day last week offering up the prospect of a four day weekend, family and I took the opportunity to take in some of the community events that have been popping up all over Annapolis Digby like lupines – and fortunately scheduled to continue on much longer. As residents of a lovely seaside locale we took in the annual Smiths Cove Day festivities, which featured great food and good fellowship – especially the return of our many seasonal friends from the USA – as well as this year meeting new neighbors from Europe. Our day kicked off with a breakfast at the Fire Hall, followed later in the day by a sandwich-laden “tea” at the Museum/Community Centre. If you’re in our area make an effort to get out to our community events (especially the weekly “Firemen’s Breakfasts” scheduled around the area). They’re great gatherings serving great causes.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
Labels:
ferry service Digby Nova Scotia
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