October 2025
- Jill Guinan
- Nov 13, 2025
- 9 min read
What's Happening Across Nova Scotia
Legislation Commits Province to Strengthen Fire Services
The Province will address long-standing issues in fire services in Nova Scotia, including governance, consistency in fire response, firefighter health and well-being, access to safe training and certification.
The Fire Safety and Services Act, introduced October 1, commits the government to create a legislative framework to respond to the wide range of matters identified in this year’s value-for-money audit of the Nova Scotia Firefighters School and in a new report from the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia. Consultation and public feedback on those reports will also help build the framework.
Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Members Act
Our PC government tabled and passed the Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Members Act with all party support. This act ensures that serving and retired CAF members can wear their uniform with pride in all provincial spaces—because those who defend our freedoms deserve nothing less than our full respect and gratitude.
Amendments Clarify Code of Conduct for Elected Officials
The Province is making changes to the code of conduct for elected officials to address feedback from municipalities about the complaints and investigation process. Amendments to the regulations clarify that:
complaints may be made by a council member related to the conduct of another elected official in the same municipality
council members may not submit a complaint on behalf of another person or entity
multiple complaints may not be submitted by a council member on the same subject.
When multiple complaints have been received about the same subject, the investigator must consolidate the complaints into a single investigation, where appropriate. The changes do not apply to complaints and investigations already in progress. Now in effect, the changes will address the immediate needs of municipalities while discussions to strengthen and refine the administration of the code of conduct continue. The Province has committed to conducting a full review of the framework in 2027.
Reducing Costs for Trades Professionals
The Province has eliminated the five-year certification renewal requirement for journeypersons in most compulsory trades, such as plumber, construction electrician and boilermaker, which will save them time, money and paperwork. This makes it easier and more affordable to work in the skilled trades by removing red tape and reducing costs for thousands of trades professionals.
Additionally, experienced professionals in almost all trades – more than 70 occupations – will pay less to challenge their certification exam. The Province has reduced the cost to $350 from $644.15, bringing Nova Scotia more in line with other provinces and making it easier for experienced workers, including newcomers, to become certified.
Preserving Affordable Housing in Dartmouth, Truro
The Province has partnered with Rooted, a community housing organization, to preserve close to 200 affordable housing units in Dartmouth and Truro. Rooted recently purchased six properties, with a total of 197 units, to protect their affordability and allow the current tenants to stay in their affordable homes. All of the units are occupied.
The properties are located at 19 Primrose St. and 2 and 4 Franklyn Court in Dartmouth and 16 Park St. and 18 and 28 Minerva Dr. in Truro. The Province provided Rooted with more than $6.8 million in grants and loans to support the purchase of the six properties – $5,238,400 through the Community Housing Capital Fund and $1,636,048 through the Community Housing Acquisition Program.
This investment will ensure that the units remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years or until the mortgages mature. Since 2021, the Province has invested more than $283 million in 3,054 affordable units, and these numbers continue to grow. In the first two years of the Province’s five-year housing plan, 14,667 new housing units have been created or are in progress and the conditions have been created to pave the way for another 54,174 housing units for a total of 68,841 – 167 per cent of the 2028 goal.
Cutting Taxes for Small Businesses
Premier Houston and our PC government stand shoulder to shoulder with small businesses across Nova Scotia. That’s why we cut the small business tax rate from 2.5% to 1.5% and raised the income threshold from $500,000 to $700,000. These changes will help local businesses create jobs, keep more money in their communities, and grow our economy.
Honouring the Hon. Robert L. Stanfield
69 years ago, on October 30, 1956, the Hon. Robert L. Stanfield was elected Premier of Nova Scotia with a strong Progressive Conservative majority—marking the beginning of one of the most transformative eras in our province’s history.
Premier Stanfield’s leadership brought fiscal responsibility, social progress, and a renewed sense of pride to Nova Scotia. His vision for good governance, compassion, and integrity continues to inspire leaders across our province and country today.
My grandfather, Gerald Ritcey, replaced Premier Stanfield as the MLA for Colchester in a byelection in 1968.
Transforming NS into an Energy Superpower
Nova Oil and Natural Gas is Nova Scotia's opportunity to create good paying jobs while developing a stable supply of energy here at home.
It's time for our region to stop relying on energy imports from the United States. Nova Scotia has developed our offshore natural gas resources before, and we can do it again.
Healthcare Access Points
Pharmacist Walk In Clinic +
The Pharmacist Plus Clinics are another way we're improving access to healthcare for all Nova Scotians.
The Truro Lawton's Pharmacist Plus Clinic is a walk-in clinic that has a nurse practitioner and pharmacists working as a team to provide a variety of health care services, from primary care to chronic disease prevention and management.
Services include:
Diagnosing and treating routine and more immediate health concerns
Prescribing medications and prescriptions renewals
Medication management or modifications
Chronic disease management
Health screening and preventative care
Ordering and interpreting tests
Vaccinations and injections
Making referrals to specialists and other health care providers
Lawton’s Pharmacist Walk-In Clinic + 316 Willow Street, Suite 20 902-896-0987 | ||
Monday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Tuesday | 12:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
Wednesday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Thursday | 12:00 pm | 8:00 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic
Pharmacist-led clinics provide an extended suite of pharmacy primary care services at no charge to people with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.
These services include assessment and prescribing for:
Strep Throat
Pink Eye
UTIs
Chronic Disease Management (Diabetes, Asthma, COPD)
Prescription renewals for all medications and more
Publicly funded vaccines for adults and children are also available at these clinics as well as medical injections.
The Medicine Shoppe Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic 1B-664 Prince Street 902-814-2679 | ||
Monday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Tuesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Wednesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Thursday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Saturday | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
Sunday | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
VirtualCareNS
Did you know that Nova Scotians with a primary care provider get two free visits through VirtualCareNS per year? And that those without a primary care provider have unlimited access to virtual care?
To learn more about VirtualCareNS and to register today,visit: www.virtualcarens.ca
Your MLA at Work
Treaty Day 2025
A ceremony was held at the Lieutenant Governor’s for the Treaty Day flag raising with Ministers Scott Armstrong and Leah Martin along with my friend Chief Bob Gloade of Millbrook First Nation.
New Mayflower Curling Club
Congratulations to the members of the Mayflower Curling Club on the opening of their new facility in Timberlea — and thank you for letting me test my skills on the ice!
Congratulatory Certificates
I was honoured to wish my good friend, Herb Taplin, a happy 90th birthday on October 3. Thank you, Herb, for your continued support — here's to many more!
2025 Skylar Blackie Challenge
Another successful Skyler Blackie Fit to be a Hero Challenge for 2025 was held October 5 with great attendance. Thank you to Chief Blois Currie for the important conversations and EMO Minister Kim Masland for taking part in this impactful event.
Samuel Cunard Prize Ceremony
I had the honour to attend the Samuel Cunard Prize ceremony on board the Queen Mary 2, on behalf of the Premier to bring remarks and congratulations to this year’s award recipients.
The Samuel Cunard Prize is an annual award created in 2015 to recognize individuals exemplifying Samuel Cunard's qualities of vision, courage, and creativity. The award ceremony is held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on board the Queen Mary 2, a traditional vessel of the Cunard Line. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Deveau family. This award places your company- and your family- among those who have fused maritime tradition with forward looking innovation and global impact.
More information on Canadian Commercial Seaweed Harvesting Company- Acadian Seaplants:https://www.acadianseaplants.com/commercial-seaweed.../e
2026 University Cup Kickoff
On October 9 I had the pleasure of joining community partners, student athletes, university leaders and dedicated sponsors at the 2026 University Cup kickoff event at
the Scotiabank Centre.
This event builds on our three year commitment to host some of the most exciting U SPORTS Canada championships. This commitment strengthens Nova Scotia's reputation as a leader in sport tourism and delivering on world-class events.
Celtic Colours International Festival
I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the Celtic Colours International Festival on October 10.
Celtic Colours has been one of our province’s premier festivals for 29 years. Nova Scotia’s culture is rich in song, music, language and traditions that reflect the spirit of our people. I would like to thank and congratulate the performers, organizers, staff and the 1700 volunteers for their dedication and hard work in making this festival a success!
Emergency Services Provider Fund Recipients
I’m so pleased to announce funding through the Emergency Services Provider Fund for these incredible organizations:
Bible Hill Fire & Emergency – $30,000
Special Hazards Response Unit- $30,000
The Emergency Services Provider Fund provides financial support to fire departments and ground search and rescue organizations, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams. Through this program, organizations may receive up to 90% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000, once every two years. As MLA for Truro-Bible Hill- Millbrook- Salmon River, I understand and appreciate how vital our fire services and HAZMAT teams are to our community and across Nova Scotia.
Door Knocking
On October 17 I was happy to make some time to get out on the doorsteps in Truro to chat directly with constituents. Thanks to everyone for the great conversations!
Furthering Cultural Ties
I was honoured to have the opportunity to meet with Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister of Scotland serving as an opportunity to build further cultural ties between Nova Scotia and Scotland.
The Scottish, particularly Scottish Gaelic, impact on Nova Scotia culture has been significant and Scottish Gaelic language, music and dance are critically important pieces of Nova Scotia’s cultural identity, and contributes to the Province’s economic and social health and prosperity.
I also had the pleasure of meeting with H.E. Ekaterina Dimakis, the Ambassador of Greece to Canada. The meeting provided us with the opportunity to discuss cultural and economic ties between Nova Scotia and Greece.
The Greek community in Nova Scotia, plays a vibrant and culturally enriching role in the Province’s multicultural landscape. One of the most prominent expressions of this community's heritage is the Halifax Greek Festival, the oldest and largest cultural festival, which is celebrated annually and attended by locals and visitors alike.
Colchester East Hants Public Library 75th Anniversary Gala & The Cantible Singers
Amber and I had a great time at the Colchester East Hants Public Library's 75th Anniversary Gala. Thanks to Jeff Mercer, Jeff Douglas and all the volunteers who made this event such a success.
Amber and I also got to enjoy a wonderful performance by the Cantible Society of Truro's Cantible Singers at the First United Church in Truro!
Community Capacity Summit
Our government has invested $7.3 million in the Community Climate Capacity Program. With this program and others including the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, we are building the foundation for a climate resilient Nova Scotia.
Thank you to my colleague Minister Tim Halman and Ministerial Assistant Melissa Sheehy-Richard for the invitation to attend the Community Capacity Summit in Truro on October 21.
Halifax Waterfront Boat School
I had the pleasure of visiting with the team at the Boat School on the Halifax Waterfront- seeing the progress of the facility being built. The new facility will help the museum meet growing demand for the boatbuilding and watercraft programs it offers to underserved youth.
For the past decade, these popular programs have been delivered in small boat sheds at the museum, which is part of the Nova Scotia Museum family. Thank you for the tour and invitation. We look forward to the new school opening their doors in 2026.
2025 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials
It was an honour to attend the 2025 Canadian Curling Pre Trials in Wolfville this year.
Prior to the Men’s final, I joined my colleague MLA Julie Vanexan at an event reception to recognize and thank community partners, sponsors and the over 170 volunteers for their incredible work and dedication.
ACAA Women's Volleyball
On October 26, I stopped by Dal AC's Langille Athletic Centre to watch the ACAA Women's Volleyball — a thrilling five set match between Mount Allison University and the Dalhousie Rams!
11th Annual PANS MLA Reception
Thank you to members of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) for invitation and hosting the 11th Annual PANS MLA reception.
It was great to speak with healthcare professionals from across the province including local pharmacist Sandeep Sodhi and Helen Marshall from Truro/Colchester.
As always, I remain deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be your MLA.
Don't forget to visit my website to view past newsletter editions and to keep up on what's happening in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River.
Sincerely,
The Hon. Dave Ritcey
MLA Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River
