NS: Province seeks heritage advice from developers, community
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, June 7, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - Government will ask Nova Scotians how it should protect heritage properties in the next phase of the Heritage Property Act review announced on June 4.
The review of the act is one of the recommendations in the provincial heritage strategy, A Treasured Past, A Precious Future, released in 2008.
“This will ensure Nova Scotia is able to respond to the needs of heritage preservation while balancing the benefits of good jobs and economic growth that future development can bring to communities across the province,” said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
Public consultations will target municipal officials, heritage property owners and developers, and heritage advocates. A consultant will conduct targeted consultations over the summer and provide government with input on potential changes to the act. A final report is due in early fall. Details about the consultations will be announced shortly.
“We are following the recommendations of the provincial heritage strategy by proceeding with a review of the Heritage Property Act,” said Bill Greenlaw, executive director of heritage. “We understand that there are many perspectives related to heritage property preservation and want to make sure that all points of view are considered as the review proceeds.”
The provincial heritage strategy, released in February 2008, was guided by a heritage task force, led by Voluntary Planning. The strategy’s recommendations focus on policy and program development to strengthen heritage preservation in Nova Scotia and include a review of the Heritage Property Act.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tourism Stats Say "UP"!
NS: Latest tourism statistics reveal rise in visitors
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, June 7, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - Visits to Nova Scotia between January and April are up six per cent compared with the same time last year as the province welcomed 447,000 visitors.
Room nights sold between January and April were up three per cent compared with the same months in 2009. Although results varied across the province, all regions saw increases between January and April with the exception of the South shore and Cape Breton regions, which stayed the same as 2009.
“We are encouraged to see that we’re ahead of where we were last year although it is very early in the season to speculate on what the year will bring,” said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
To the end of April, domestic travel showed growth of six per cent, even though visitors from Western Canada decreased by 15 per cent. Visits from Ontario improved by 12 per cent and those visiting from Atlantic Canada increased by seven per cent compared with this time last year.
The number of people traveling to Nova Scotia by road during the first four months of the year grew by nine per cent, while air travel stayed the same as 2009.
In the month of April, 138,000 people visited Nova Scotia, an increase of 11 per cent compared with April 2009. Road visitors increased by nine per cent while air travel is up by 16 per cent. Room nights sold jumped by two per cent, compared with April 2009.
In April, visits to novascotia.com increased by 27 per cent, following the launch of the 2010 tourism marketing campaign in key markets.
Nova Scotia’s comprehensive system for reporting monthly tourism statistics includes counting non-resident overnight visitors at all entry points to the province and gathering the number of room nights sold from licensed accommodations operators.
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, June 7, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - Visits to Nova Scotia between January and April are up six per cent compared with the same time last year as the province welcomed 447,000 visitors.
Room nights sold between January and April were up three per cent compared with the same months in 2009. Although results varied across the province, all regions saw increases between January and April with the exception of the South shore and Cape Breton regions, which stayed the same as 2009.
“We are encouraged to see that we’re ahead of where we were last year although it is very early in the season to speculate on what the year will bring,” said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
To the end of April, domestic travel showed growth of six per cent, even though visitors from Western Canada decreased by 15 per cent. Visits from Ontario improved by 12 per cent and those visiting from Atlantic Canada increased by seven per cent compared with this time last year.
The number of people traveling to Nova Scotia by road during the first four months of the year grew by nine per cent, while air travel stayed the same as 2009.
In the month of April, 138,000 people visited Nova Scotia, an increase of 11 per cent compared with April 2009. Road visitors increased by nine per cent while air travel is up by 16 per cent. Room nights sold jumped by two per cent, compared with April 2009.
In April, visits to novascotia.com increased by 27 per cent, following the launch of the 2010 tourism marketing campaign in key markets.
Nova Scotia’s comprehensive system for reporting monthly tourism statistics includes counting non-resident overnight visitors at all entry points to the province and gathering the number of room nights sold from licensed accommodations operators.
Labels:
tourism nova scotia
Tax on Emissions?
Gulf Oil Spill Response Should Include Carbon Price, Kerry Says
June 06, 2010, 3:23 PM EDT
By Simon Lomax
June 6 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. should respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by approving legislation that makes companies pay for the carbon dioxide produced by burning oil, coal and natural gas, Senator John Kerry said today.
Legislation that helps the U.S. “wean ourselves from our addiction to oil” should take precedence over “throwing the blame around” for the spill, triggered by an April 20 explosion on a Transocean Ltd. rig leased by BP Plc, Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, said on ABC’s “This Week” program.
Kerry and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut unveiled last month legislation that seeks to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, linked by scientists to climate change, 17 percent from their 2005 level by 2020.
Under the bill, power plants and factories would be regulated by a cap-and-trade program in which companies buy and sell a declining number of carbon-dioxide allowances. Oil refiners would pay fixed fees to the government for the carbon dioxide produced by cars and trucks burning their fuels instead of being regulated by the cap-and-trade program.
Legislation that “prices carbon” will result in “less pollution, better health, better national security” and create jobs as companies invest in energy technologies such as wind farms and solar arrays that produce less carbon dioxide, Kerry said.
The bill by Kerry and Lieberman combines these greenhouse gas limits with proposals to boost domestic energy production, including federal loan guarantees for the construction of nuclear power plants and financial incentives for coastal states to expand offshore drilling for oil and natural gas.
Obama, Reid
President Barack Obama urged the Senate last week to pass legislation that includes “a price on carbon pollution.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he plans to bring comprehensive clean energy legislation up for debate next month. Reid’s spokesman Jim Manley said last week it hasn’t been decided whether the energy bill should include greenhouse gas limits.
Kerry and Lieberman’s bill revamps cap-and-trade legislation that narrowly passed the U.S. House last year and stalled in the Senate. Their only Republican supporter for a reworked cap-and-trade bill, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, backed out of the effort in late April.
Graham, who withdrew from climate-change talks to protest Democratic plans to take up an immigration bill, later said the Gulf spill made it “impossible” to pass any legislation that included offshore drilling provisions. Graham said he wasn’t willing to drop expanded offshore drilling to win the support of some Democrats for the climate-change bill.
‘New Energy Tax’
Charging companies a price for the carbon dioxide produced when oil, coal and natural gas are burned is effectively “a new energy tax” and shouldn’t be considered when U.S. unemployment is almost 10 percent, Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on ABC.
“If we do that then we’re going to kill a lot of jobs that currently exist,” Cornyn said. Senate Republicans might be willing to support parts of Kerry and Lieberman’s legislation that boost domestic energy production and nuclear reactor construction, Cornyn said.
--Editors: Steve Geimann, Ann Hughey.
To contact the reporter on this story: Simon Lomax in Washington at slomax@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net.
June 06, 2010, 3:23 PM EDT
By Simon Lomax
June 6 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. should respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by approving legislation that makes companies pay for the carbon dioxide produced by burning oil, coal and natural gas, Senator John Kerry said today.
Legislation that helps the U.S. “wean ourselves from our addiction to oil” should take precedence over “throwing the blame around” for the spill, triggered by an April 20 explosion on a Transocean Ltd. rig leased by BP Plc, Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, said on ABC’s “This Week” program.
Kerry and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut unveiled last month legislation that seeks to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, linked by scientists to climate change, 17 percent from their 2005 level by 2020.
Under the bill, power plants and factories would be regulated by a cap-and-trade program in which companies buy and sell a declining number of carbon-dioxide allowances. Oil refiners would pay fixed fees to the government for the carbon dioxide produced by cars and trucks burning their fuels instead of being regulated by the cap-and-trade program.
Legislation that “prices carbon” will result in “less pollution, better health, better national security” and create jobs as companies invest in energy technologies such as wind farms and solar arrays that produce less carbon dioxide, Kerry said.
The bill by Kerry and Lieberman combines these greenhouse gas limits with proposals to boost domestic energy production, including federal loan guarantees for the construction of nuclear power plants and financial incentives for coastal states to expand offshore drilling for oil and natural gas.
Obama, Reid
President Barack Obama urged the Senate last week to pass legislation that includes “a price on carbon pollution.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he plans to bring comprehensive clean energy legislation up for debate next month. Reid’s spokesman Jim Manley said last week it hasn’t been decided whether the energy bill should include greenhouse gas limits.
Kerry and Lieberman’s bill revamps cap-and-trade legislation that narrowly passed the U.S. House last year and stalled in the Senate. Their only Republican supporter for a reworked cap-and-trade bill, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, backed out of the effort in late April.
Graham, who withdrew from climate-change talks to protest Democratic plans to take up an immigration bill, later said the Gulf spill made it “impossible” to pass any legislation that included offshore drilling provisions. Graham said he wasn’t willing to drop expanded offshore drilling to win the support of some Democrats for the climate-change bill.
‘New Energy Tax’
Charging companies a price for the carbon dioxide produced when oil, coal and natural gas are burned is effectively “a new energy tax” and shouldn’t be considered when U.S. unemployment is almost 10 percent, Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on ABC.
“If we do that then we’re going to kill a lot of jobs that currently exist,” Cornyn said. Senate Republicans might be willing to support parts of Kerry and Lieberman’s legislation that boost domestic energy production and nuclear reactor construction, Cornyn said.
--Editors: Steve Geimann, Ann Hughey.
To contact the reporter on this story: Simon Lomax in Washington at slomax@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net.
Digby Port Day
The town of Digby in particular, and the Fundy and Basin areas in general, will be looking at the economic, social and environmental aspects of our marine resources. On Monday, June 28, the Digby Harbour Port Authority, supported by ADEDA, will be hosting a seminar called Digby Port Day: Our Port – Our Future. From 10 AM until 2 PM the seminar will feature noted speakers and panellists addressing our port facility and our immediate marine environment. The special luncheon speaker will be our Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg Kerr. Keep checking our web site, and future editions of the newsletter, for more details outlining location, topics and speaker profiles. For immediate information, or to make plans to attend, contact ADEDA’s Terry Thibodeau at tthibodeau@annapolisdigby.com, or me at communications@annapolisdigby.com. If you’re involved in marine activities, use the port of Digby, our just concerned about these issues – mark the date on your calendar.
When you have a seacoast as spectacular as ours, the subject of oceans management is a constant cause for discussion and concern. And that’s top of mind this week as we celebrate international Oceans Day on June 8.
Oceans Day was formally declared during the 1992 international “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janiero, spearheaded by the Canadian delegation which wanted the future of our oceans to be considered as part of the meeting agenda. It’s particularly special to me since I was part of the Canadian NGO which facilitated that declaration. When the NGO mission leader and I were discussing (and, OK, there may have been a Brazilian beverage or two involved) which day would be appropriate for our declaration, we learned that June 8 was the date of her birthday and my wedding anniversary. So –hey – there was obvious karma at work. Accordingly a decision was made. True story.
In the intervening 18 years the celebrations have spread worldwide. You can check out global events by visiting The Ocean Project at http://theoceanproject.org/wod/.
Tourism
When acclaimed tourism consultant Roger Brooks visited our region last year, he stressed the need for improved business signage and additional storefront beautification as the most effective way to draw shoppers inside. Once inside, visitors are likely to buy more, leaving their dollars in our communities. Brooks has proven over and over again that a small investment in beautification and signage can pay for itself many times over, and quickly!
Every business person should do what they do best, and partner for the rest. Those of us who are not design/decoration experts can partner with those who are. All will benefit. That’s why we are calling this initiative “Business to Business to Prosperity”, or “B2B2$”.
If you want to learn about local businesses that can help you make your business grow, there’s help on the horizon. If you have a business in Digby County, reserve Wednesday, June 16 at the Digby Pines at 6:30pm on your calendar. If you have a business in Annapolis County, make that Tuesday, June 15 at the Annapolis Royal Legion, same time.
Come learn about Roger Brooks’ recommendations for our communities and what it can mean for your business. You will also meet with local businesses that can help you put these improvements in place – it’s all about driving business to your business! Contact Joy O’Neill, Economic Development Officer, for additional information. She can be reached at 638-8139 or via email at: joneill@annapolisdigby.com
Last week our region’s own Digby Pines Resort was the venue for the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s (TIANS) Annual General Meeting. TIANS is the voice of advocacy for the tourism sector, working with industry and government on national issues, transportation policy, the environment, human resources and financial advocacy. A power point presentation outlining TIANS’ major issues and achievements is available online. Rob McCloskey, Director General of Tourism Atlantic clarified the relationship between ACOA and Tourism. Chip Madera, a powerful motivational presenter, spoke about using trying times to re-tool and bring about radical change. Get motivated by Chip’s insights at The Artful Blogger! If you’re wondering what is the real economic impact of that local festival or event? Check out details of the new TIEM analytical model, which will be available by year end. Check out The Artful Blogger for some more comments on TIEM.
Waves of the Future
When we maintain that the future of our oceans resources is a front and centre concern in this region, we only need to consider the award winning science project designed by a talented local high school student. She won national honours for her work studying the future of wave energy. It’s great to be reminded that our young students are so eager and able to address the challenges that shape the destiny of places like Annapolis Digby.
The Bay on the Hill
While Oceans Day has been established to focus international attention on the plight and the future of our oceans, particularly among our world’s political and government leaders, it was good to learn that some of our own politicians had already been placing it on the national agenda. Last month. The Bay of Fundy’s growing world prominence was the subject of discussion within the venerable halls of our House of Commons, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our local Members of Parliament. You might say they were ahead of the tide.
“Claws” for Notice
And, forgive me, but I couldn’t let any journal discussing our ocean’s abundance omit an interesting yarn about a giant crustacean recently fetched from the deeps off our coast recently. We all know that the finest lobster in world is harvested right here in south western Nova Scotia. It’s a fishery that is well conducted, and well managed, and can produce the biggest as well as the best. Think of the number of lobster sandwiches here.
In the Market For Attention
The natural wonders of our seacoast, and its succulent seafood, are just a couple of reasons why Annapolis Digby is fast becoming one of the world’s top tourism destinations for global travellers. Those of us lucky enough to live here are becoming accustomed to the multinational roster of visitors who are drawn here – many of whom then chose to return and live with us. And to accelerate that development the Province of Nova Scotia just recently unveiled a new “Explore Our Shores” campaign to attract even more visitors to our region. If you want a sneak visual preview you can go to our web site or visit. Officials with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage have been working with staff from the Destination South West Nova Scotia Association to develop this well-timed campaign.
Ongoing Success Leads to New “Zip” For Park
And our local recreation and tourism operators are sure doing their part to underline and consolidate the efforts of the provincial marketing campaign. Already a success story in terms of both management and results, the management of Upper Clements Park recently provided more details of its proposed 250 acre Adventure Park. Opening this summer will be two new aerial Zip lines. And that’s just the beginning of an exciting new facility that will act in concert with the existing theme park. Many more features are planned over the next 18 months.
And our own ADEDA staff has been doing their bit to boost visits to the area. At recent tourism trade shows our booths and presentations were popular destinations.
So this week, especially when you’re watching the depressing news from the Gulf of Mexico, give a thought to how we can be better stewards of our oceans. Organize a beach sweep, get to Oceans Day activities wherever you can and support our local oceans preservation organizations. And I’d better remember the other reason for that date, or I’ll be in deep something – and it won’t be the “briny deep”!
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 town of Digby in particular, and the Fundy and Basin areas in general, will be looking at the economic, social and environmental aspects of our marine resources. On Monday, June 28, the Digby Harbour Port Authority, supported by ADEDA, will be hosting a seminar called Digby Port Day: Our Port – Our Future. From 10 AM until 2 PM the seminar will feature noted speakers and panellists addressing our port facility and our immediate marine environment. The special luncheon speaker will be our Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg Kerr. Keep checking our web site, and future editions of the newsletter, for more details outlining location, topics and speaker profiles. For immediate information, or to make plans to attend, contact ADEDA’s Terry Thibodeau at tthibodeau@annapolisdigby.com, or me at communications@annapolisdigby.com. If you’re involved in marine activities, use the port of Digby, our just concerned about these issues – mark the date on your calendar.
When you have a seacoast as spectacular as ours, the subject of oceans management is a constant cause for discussion and concern. And that’s top of mind this week as we celebrate international Oceans Day on June 8.
Oceans Day was formally declared during the 1992 international “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janiero, spearheaded by the Canadian delegation which wanted the future of our oceans to be considered as part of the meeting agenda. It’s particularly special to me since I was part of the Canadian NGO which facilitated that declaration. When the NGO mission leader and I were discussing (and, OK, there may have been a Brazilian beverage or two involved) which day would be appropriate for our declaration, we learned that June 8 was the date of her birthday and my wedding anniversary. So –hey – there was obvious karma at work. Accordingly a decision was made. True story.
In the intervening 18 years the celebrations have spread worldwide. You can check out global events by visiting The Ocean Project at http://theoceanproject.org/wod/.
Tourism
When acclaimed tourism consultant Roger Brooks visited our region last year, he stressed the need for improved business signage and additional storefront beautification as the most effective way to draw shoppers inside. Once inside, visitors are likely to buy more, leaving their dollars in our communities. Brooks has proven over and over again that a small investment in beautification and signage can pay for itself many times over, and quickly!
Every business person should do what they do best, and partner for the rest. Those of us who are not design/decoration experts can partner with those who are. All will benefit. That’s why we are calling this initiative “Business to Business to Prosperity”, or “B2B2$”.
If you want to learn about local businesses that can help you make your business grow, there’s help on the horizon. If you have a business in Digby County, reserve Wednesday, June 16 at the Digby Pines at 6:30pm on your calendar. If you have a business in Annapolis County, make that Tuesday, June 15 at the Annapolis Royal Legion, same time.
Come learn about Roger Brooks’ recommendations for our communities and what it can mean for your business. You will also meet with local businesses that can help you put these improvements in place – it’s all about driving business to your business! Contact Joy O’Neill, Economic Development Officer, for additional information. She can be reached at 638-8139 or via email at: joneill@annapolisdigby.com
Last week our region’s own Digby Pines Resort was the venue for the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s (TIANS) Annual General Meeting. TIANS is the voice of advocacy for the tourism sector, working with industry and government on national issues, transportation policy, the environment, human resources and financial advocacy. A power point presentation outlining TIANS’ major issues and achievements is available online. Rob McCloskey, Director General of Tourism Atlantic clarified the relationship between ACOA and Tourism. Chip Madera, a powerful motivational presenter, spoke about using trying times to re-tool and bring about radical change. Get motivated by Chip’s insights at The Artful Blogger! If you’re wondering what is the real economic impact of that local festival or event? Check out details of the new TIEM analytical model, which will be available by year end. Check out The Artful Blogger for some more comments on TIEM.
Waves of the Future
When we maintain that the future of our oceans resources is a front and centre concern in this region, we only need to consider the award winning science project designed by a talented local high school student. She won national honours for her work studying the future of wave energy. It’s great to be reminded that our young students are so eager and able to address the challenges that shape the destiny of places like Annapolis Digby.
The Bay on the Hill
While Oceans Day has been established to focus international attention on the plight and the future of our oceans, particularly among our world’s political and government leaders, it was good to learn that some of our own politicians had already been placing it on the national agenda. Last month. The Bay of Fundy’s growing world prominence was the subject of discussion within the venerable halls of our House of Commons, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our local Members of Parliament. You might say they were ahead of the tide.
“Claws” for Notice
And, forgive me, but I couldn’t let any journal discussing our ocean’s abundance omit an interesting yarn about a giant crustacean recently fetched from the deeps off our coast recently. We all know that the finest lobster in world is harvested right here in south western Nova Scotia. It’s a fishery that is well conducted, and well managed, and can produce the biggest as well as the best. Think of the number of lobster sandwiches here.
In the Market For Attention
The natural wonders of our seacoast, and its succulent seafood, are just a couple of reasons why Annapolis Digby is fast becoming one of the world’s top tourism destinations for global travellers. Those of us lucky enough to live here are becoming accustomed to the multinational roster of visitors who are drawn here – many of whom then chose to return and live with us. And to accelerate that development the Province of Nova Scotia just recently unveiled a new “Explore Our Shores” campaign to attract even more visitors to our region. If you want a sneak visual preview you can go to our web site or visit. Officials with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage have been working with staff from the Destination South West Nova Scotia Association to develop this well-timed campaign.
Ongoing Success Leads to New “Zip” For Park
And our local recreation and tourism operators are sure doing their part to underline and consolidate the efforts of the provincial marketing campaign. Already a success story in terms of both management and results, the management of Upper Clements Park recently provided more details of its proposed 250 acre Adventure Park. Opening this summer will be two new aerial Zip lines. And that’s just the beginning of an exciting new facility that will act in concert with the existing theme park. Many more features are planned over the next 18 months.
And our own ADEDA staff has been doing their bit to boost visits to the area. At recent tourism trade shows our booths and presentations were popular destinations.
So this week, especially when you’re watching the depressing news from the Gulf of Mexico, give a thought to how we can be better stewards of our oceans. Organize a beach sweep, get to Oceans Day activities wherever you can and support our local oceans preservation organizations. And I’d better remember the other reason for that date, or I’ll be in deep something – and it won’t be the “briny deep”!
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
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