September 2025
- Jill Guinan
- Nov 10, 2025
- 8 min read
What's Happening Across Nova Scotia
More Seniors Get Provincial Tax Refunds
The Province has mailed about 19,000 tax refunds to low-income seniors through a program offered only in Nova Scotia. That is over 2,000 more seniors than last year. The total value of the tax refund is $31 million.
Nova Scotian seniors who receive the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and pay provincial income tax are eligible for a refund of their provincial tax. The number of eligible seniors has grown because of demographic changes. Seniors who work can earn more money and pay provincial income tax while still qualifying for the federal GIS. The Province assesses eligibility and processes refunds based on tax returns. Seniors do not have to apply for this refund, but they must file a tax return every year. Those who did not file a return for the 2024 taxation year, but who are eligible, can still receive the refund when they file a tax return.
Province Helps Address Food Insecurity
More communities in Nova Scotia will have reliable access to healthy food with the creation of three new collaborative food networks. Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, made the announcement Wednesday, September 10, at a community event in Truro.
Collaborative food networks bring together local organizations, partners and suppliers to address food insecurity in ways that reflect the unique needs and strengths of each community.
Each received a $200,000 one-time grant from the Province to support community programming, operations and startup costs. These new community grants are part of $2 million in funding to support 10 collaborative food networks across the province, including the Colchester Food Network, which has been serving communities in Colchester County for 40 years.
Protection Against RSV
Infants under eight months and adults 75 years and older will soon have access to free protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
As of September 10, Nova Scotians aged 75 and older can book their free RSV vaccine through pharmacies and public health, with the first appointments Monday, September 15. Primary care providers will begin offering the vaccine in November. The program for infants under eight months will be offered every year during the RSV season, which typically begins in late fall and lasts until spring. Newborns will be offered their dose before being discharged from hospital, and other eligible infants can receive their dose from their primary care provider or public health. This year, the program runs from October 15 to April 30.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that can lead to severe complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in infants and older adults.
Adults age 75 years and older can book their vaccine online at http://novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling 1-833-797-7772.
Need a Family Practice Registrants Decrease
The Need a Family Practice Registry is now at 84,069 Nova Scotians — down more than 3,800 people in just one month. Our PC team is working hard to recruit more doctors and nurse practitioners so more Nova Scotians can access primary care.
With the new Cape Breton Medical School now open, the number of providers will only keep growing and the list will keep shrinking. Progress is happening, and we’re building a stronger healthcare system for every community.
More Access to Recovery Support
Nova Scotians now have even more access to recovery support services. A celebration was held in Truro to mark the opening of new centres, bringing the total number of recovery support centres across the province to 12. These centres provide walk-in care, in-person assessments, group programs, harm reduction support, and recovery planning. Help is closer to you.
Appointments can be made by calling the provincial mental health and addictions intake service at 1-855-922-1122 or booking at https://prebooking.nshealth.ca/
Local 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
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Seniors Care Grant
The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services (like lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, transportation, small home repairs and phone service), healthcare services (like physiotherapy and mental health support) and home heating.
Grants are $750 for each household. You can apply until 31 March 2026.
Heating Assistance Rebate Program
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Eligible home heating costs include:
heating oil
electric heat
natural gas heat
wood
wood pellets
coal
other heating sources
Ineligible home heating costs include:
heating that’s included in rent
electricity usage that’s less than 5,000 kWh per year
heating for investment or income properties
heating for seasonal or recreation properties
heating for commercial or business properties
Rebates are $400 for each household. You can apply 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Apply for a heating assistance rebate: Heating Assistance Rebate Program - Government of Nova Scotia
Your MLA at Work
The Hub Shopping Centre Celebrates 50 Years
Congratulations to The Hub Shopping Centre, owners Arnold Hagen and Doug Doucet, and their incredible team on their 50th anniversary milestone.
Bible Hill Fire & Emergency Firefighters Competition
Stopped into the 1st Annual Bible Hill Fire and Emergency Firefighters Competition on the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill. Thank you for all that you do for our community!
Community Outreach Report
My Constituency Outreach coordinator Mike MacDonald met with local Colchester MLA’s to review feedback from his meetings with Community organizations in our constituencies.
Thank you to all the community organizations for reaching out and for all your work supporting our community members.
Event Atlantic Summit
It was a pleasure to join Millbrook First Nation Chief Bob Gloade to bring greetings to delegates from across the Atlantic region attending the Event Atlantic Summit 2025 at the Inn on Prince.
Second Annual Nova Scotia Stampede
What a ride! The second annual Nova Scotia Stampede was a huge success — thanks to the incredible organizers, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, performers, and community members who made it all possible. Your hard work and spirit brought the excitement of the Stampede to life once again, creating unforgettable memories for all who attended.
Here’s to another year of community pride, western fun, and Nova Scotia hospitality!
An amazing evening at the second annual Colchester East Hants Health Centre Foundation Nova Scotia Stampede Kick-Off Barn Dance. Thanks to the support and generosity of our incredible community, a net total of $38,500 was raised for local healthcare!
I was honored to have the opportunity to meet with Theresa Howland from the Calgary Stampede and Carson Ackroyd from Tourism Calgary with members from our events team. Thank you Matt Moore for the introduction and welcome Theresa and Carson to Nova Scotia!
A big thank you to The Kilted Chef for including me in his demonstation, preparing and serving a delicious cut of Nova Scotia beef - chuck eye roast.
Battle of Britain
September 21 marked the Battle of Britain, where Canadians stood shoulder to shoulder with our allies in defense of freedom and democracy. Their bravery in the skies helped shape the world we know today.
Thank you to the 102 Colchester Wing for inviting me to participate in remembering this important day and pledging never to forget the sacrifice of those heroes.
NS Tourism Sector Strategic Plan
Tourism in our province is an important driver of economic and social well-being in Nova Scotia, generating $3.5 billion in revenue and supporting over 55,000 jobs.
I was honoured to join the TIANS board, HIAA board, industry partners, municipalities and the Tourism Nova Scotia team at an event at Halifax Stanfield International Airport to announce the Nova Scotia Tourism Sector Strategic Plan - a framework for sustainable year - round tourism growth in Nova Scotia.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and insights to the development of this plan, particularly want to thank TIANS and the members of the oversight committee who have worked so hard to provide us with a real vision of what tourism in this province can become. So let’s keep the momentum going and make sure Nova Scotia continues to be a place that people are excited to visit — and a place that people are proud to call home.
The news release can be found here: https://news.novascotia.ca/.../new-tourism-sector...
Announcements at Lake Banook
I was joined by my colleague, the Hon. Tim Halman, MLA for Dartmouth East, along with
community members and athletes like Sloan MacKenzie and Tate Levy at the Banook Canoe Club to announce the province will be hosting two major events next summer on the world renowned, first class facility Lake Banook in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
2026 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships (June 25-27, 2026)
ICF Masters Canoe Sprint World Championships (July 1-5, 2026).
These two events are a real win for Nova Scotia. More than 1800 athletes and officials from over 60 counties will come together with an estimated $11 million in economic impact. Our Government has invested in Lake Banook so that we can continue to welcome the world for competition and support our Nova Scotia athletes
Truro Senior 'A' Mosaik Bearcats
I had the pleasure of welcoming members of the Truro Senior 'A' Mosaik Bearcats to our community and to wish them the best of luck in their upcoming inaugural season at their team BBQ at Warmth by Design.
Congratulations to owner Kevin Dawe and coach Lou Lanceleve - I'm looking forward to catching some Senior hockey again at the Colchester Legion Stadium. Go Bearcats!
Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame
Amber and I attended the 2025 Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame Ceremony and dinner in Truro to celebrate the inductions of four individuals. I had the pleasure and honour to bring greetings on behalf of the province and meet inductee, Mike Surette.
Thank you for the invitation and congratulations to the other inductees: Paul Kennedy, Art Fitt and Gordie Giles.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Great day spent in Millbrook First Nation and their wonderful and passionate community on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.
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 and beyond at the link below.
Sincerely,
The Hon. Dave Ritcey
MLA Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River
