Lots of local updates this week

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As I drove home from meetings in Mahone Bay last Sunday, I saw what turned out to be the early stages of the Tantallon fires, a billowing cloud of dark smoke stretching across the sky. As we all know, that fire continues to burn and over 15,000 people have been evacuated from the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains area. The Shelburne county wildfire, the largest fire on record in our province, has also expanded into Yarmouth county, forcing thousands there to evacuate as well. My heart goes out to the people of those communities whose lives were turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

HRM has declared the area in a local state of emergency. Please, stay away from the areas affected by the fires to keep arteries clear for first responders and residents where permitted.


Our resources are stretched and in order to keep them focused, all wooded areas of Municipal parks including Shubie Park are closed until further notice. This also includes the wooded areas of Oathill Lake and other recreation spaces. When in doubt, please stay out of the woods. Also no burning at all—no backyard fires, BBQs, etc.


Green spaces, playgrounds, sports fields and ball diamonds will remain open for use. Provincially, hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted.


Stay up to date at the following links:

The Province has promised $500 to every household required to evacuate because of recent fires in Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne County. Funds will be administered through the Red Cross at: www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/atlantic-canada-wildfire-responses. Those without internet can call 1-800-863-6582 between the hours of 8 am - 8 pm Atlantic, 7 days a week to apply.


Comfort Centres: temporary accommodations where food and water are provided, as well as a place to charge devices and receive up-to-date information.

  • Black Point and Area Community Centre | 8579 St Margarets Bay Road. The comfort centre reopened at 7 a.m. on May 30 and will remain open until further notice. 

  • Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre |  1583 Beaver Bank Road. The comfort centre reopened at 7 a.m. on May 30 and will remain open until further notice. 


Evacuation Centre: an emergency facility where evacuees are received, needs are identified, and food, water and overnight accommodations are provided. 

  • Canada Games Centre |  26 Thomas Raddall Drive. The evacuation centre is open 24/7 and will remain open for the foreseeable future until it is no longer needed.

All residents who have been required to evacuate must register with 311 via the online form (or by calling 1-800-835-6428) for follow-up when more information becomes available.

Insurance: Fire is typically covered under a typical home insurance policy. There will also be coverage for things like additional living expenses, and smoke damage – subject to stated policy limits on those damages. The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Consumer Information Centre is open. Call 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) or visit www.ibc.ca/ns/disaster/wildfires for more information.

As of Tuesday morning, the NS SPCA has helped over 100 evacuated animals and with help from foster families and partners is making room to help more.

More resources for pets on The Coast’s resources page.

Nova Scotians are once again experiencing a collective trauma. Please do not hesitate to reach out for mental health support if you need to. I have listed many resources (in person, over the phone, and online) on my website: claudiachender.ca/resources#mental-health-crisis


Christ Church Shelter Closes

The last day of operation for the Christ Church Shelter was Wednesday. While this was envisioned as a seasonal emergency shelter, as we feared, there is no place for residents to move to in the wake of this closure and on the eve of some very dangerous climate conditions. I’ve confirmed that of the shelter residents, six were outfitted with “living rough” kits from the city and have been left to find outdoor accommodation. By all accounts the closure was a painful blow to those who slept there.


With the added pressures of 16,000+ Nova Scotians in HRM displaced by wildfires, the strain of the housing crunch got a lot more intense this week. Where three or four years ago, it was unthinkable that community support organizations would hand out a tent to someone in need of shelter, we are now in the situation where “living rough” kits are the norm. We are glad to see that the Province is discussing short term modular housing for those displaced by fire. As that plan evolves it must also include those living rough prior to the fires.

COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted

The Province announced last week that it had lifted the Health Protection Act Order, the mandatory vaccination protocol for high-risk settings, and the directive around COVID-19 management in long-term care facilities.


The WHO is no longer treating the virus as requiring a global emergency-type response. Nova Scotia will now treat COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The change means the COVID-related Health Protection Act Order is no longer necessary, and public health’s COVID-19 reporting will also change.


Ahead of the fall respiratory illness season, Public Health is reminding the public that “the same type of personal measures that protect us against COVID-19 will also protect us against influenza and other respiratory illnesses.”


Employers and operators of high-risk settings will be responsible for policies about COVID-19, including masking and whether employees, outside service providers and volunteers need to be vaccinated. Employees and others who have questions about an organization’s vaccine policy should contact the organization directly. Public health has provided guidance for operators of congregate settings on COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.


Nova Scotia Health Authority Response

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has said that all NSH and IWK employees (including employees who work from home), and onsite medical staff are still required to complete and provide proof of their primary series COVID-19 vaccination and are encouraged to obtain all future recommended booster doses due to the vulnerability of the patient populations they serve. Medical and human rights exception processes remain in place.


NSH & IWK Health will move to optional masking in non-clinical areas of NSH & IWK Health facilities. These include areas in which there is no contact with patients, families, or essential care partners/caregivers. Continuous masking requirements will remain in place for all other areas for staff, physicians, patients, visitors, and learners.


Testing sites will close down but rapid tests are widely available (get them at my office). Testing remains an important and effective tool for protecting one another from the virus.

NS Power Delays

A number of you have reached out to my office regarding scheduling delays with Nova Scotia Power. They recently reached out with some background information about these delays. Over the Easter weekend they implemented a new scheduling and permits system to help be more efficient and flexible with scheduling customer work, however the rollout has not at all gone according to plan and wait times when calling the Permits Centre have been particularly long. NSP is working on the issue but it you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We can connect to NSP on your behalf.


Notary Public

If you require notary services, please call my office to book an appointment. These services are offered free-of-charge and generally on a Friday.


Supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ Community

An event being held at Sullivan’s Pond this Sunday by a group seeks to harm the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by promoting anti-queer and anti-trans policy and messaging. The HRP, and the municipality are aware of the gathering, and I stand firmly against it. There is no legal mechanism to stop a hateful group from hosting a gathering, but along with my municipal and federal counterparts I have released the following statement of support:

Let us be clear, we condemn the malicious targeting of the trans community, and all acts of hatred, aggression and misinformation directed towards them.

Trans rights are human rights.


As allies, we will not allow the hard-earned victories of the Pride movement to be lost to a minority of hateful voices. We stand together as a whole community based on love, diversity and tolerance. And we will continue to prioritize building a more inclusive community where trans people are safe and supported.


This Pride Season and beyond, we ask you to join us in supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ community on Sunday and everyday.


Sam Austin, Councillor for Dartmouth Centre

Claudia Chender, MLA for Dartmouth South

Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour

As always, if you need assistance, please reach out to my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachendermla@gmail.com.


Have a wonderful weekend,

Claudia

Community Organization Spotlight

North Woodside Community Centre

Besides hosting one of the best holiday pancake breakfast and craft fairs in town, the North Woodside Community Centre offers recreational and artistic classes, youth drop-ins, and seniors programming.


The North Woodside Community Centre is a volunteer-led, charitable, non-profit organization that exists to serve the residents of North Woodside and the surrounding community. The mission of the North Woodside Community Association is to aid in focusing the energy and skills of citizens in building a stronger community in which to live, work and play. 

Specifically, the Association focuses on providing a meeting place for people to discuss and take action on issues of common concern and interest, encouraging the development of social, recreational and educational opportunities, and hosting special events that promote meaningful interaction among residents.


There are plenty of ways for you to get involved with the North Woodside Community Centre. Consider becoming a member of the community association or volunteering with their programs and community initiatives.


Find out more at www.northwoodsidecc.com.

Provincial

Meningococcal B Vaccine for 25+

The Province is offering the meningococcal B vaccine for free to young Nova Scotians who will be living in a group setting such as a university residence or military barrack for the first time.

People can book appointments starting Monday, May 29, at: https://novascotia.ca/meningococcal-vaccines/. Vaccines will be administered at select pharmacies.

Public health recommends those who are eligible get vaccinated before they start living in a congregate setting. Full protection against meningococcal B disease requires two doses of the vaccine. The second dose is administered at least four weeks after the first dose.

The bacteria that can cause invasive meningococcal disease are spread through direct contact with the saliva or spit of an infected person. Some examples are:

  • kissing or close physical contact

  • sharing utensils, drinking glasses, water bottles, toothbrushes or lipstick

  • sharing vapes and cigarettes.


The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease do not spread through the air or by being near a person. For example, the disease cannot be contracted by sitting next to or taking a class with someone who is infected, or by walking in the halls with someone who is sick with the illness. It is also not spread through air circulation systems.


Regional Transportation Plan: Stage 1 Engagement

The Joint Regional Transportation Agency’s Regional Transportation Plan will establish a coordinated and strategic vision for a regional transportation system that makes sustainable growth and development possible and improves the safe and efficient flow of people and goods into, out of, and throughout Halifax and surrounding communities. 


Engagement will take place in three phases, with Phase 1 in June 2023 consisting of pop-ups, an online engagement tool, focus groups / working groups with key internal and external stakeholders, and focused Indigenous and African Nova Scotian collaboration.


Dartmouth Stage 1 Engagement pop-up session will he Held at Alderney Landing Farmers' Market on June 17 from 8-11 am.


Can’t get to the market? You can still participate online. Interested individuals can visit engage.jrta.ca to participate in an online ideas board. The website will be used to provide ongoing project updates to keep the public informed.

Community

Donate


Dartmouth High Prom 2023 Fundraiser


The families and graduating class of Dartmouth High School are planning their 2023 Prom to be held June 25, 2023 and are looking for community support.


This event is especially important for the students not only as its a milestone in their academic career, it is important as this group of students have not had a regular high school experience with COVID starting when these students were in Grade 9. Many of them have never attended a high school dance and this is the first year they have been able to participate in special events.


Their main objective is to ensure that all students will be able to attend this prom regardless of financial status and they hope to reduce costs for all students.


June 3rd: Silent Auction & Dance at the Brightwood Golf Club 7pm - Midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door dhscommunityprom@gmail.com.

LungNSPEI offers the Sleep Apnea Refurbishment Program, which collects gently-used, new models of CPAP and BiPAP machines. With the help of volunteers. Lions Clubs, and the Dalhousie School of Respiratory Therapy, the machines are refurbished and provided to people who cannot afford therapy. Donate or apply for a machine here.

Engage


Inclusion Nova Scotia Transition Guide Project

Inclusion Nova Scotia is developing a Transition Guide—from High School to Community & Adulthood—to assist parents & their family members with an intellectual disability, to truly plan and dream for the future. And in order to do so, they need feedback from you!


Here are questions for families/family member with an intellectual disability. Your experience will help in the development of our Transition Guide. First Voice feedback is important! 


For more information, contact Allana Dalrymple at research@inclusionns.ca or 902-469-1174 ext 2.

Events

Supporting Your Aging Loved One At Home


Monday, June 12, 1pm – 2pm 

Woodlawn Library, 31 Eisener Boulevard, Dartmouth 


Supporting your aging loved one can be tough. We know most older adults want to stay at home as long as they can, but caregivers have questions on how to make this happen safely with the highest quality of life possible; like where do you get support and funding? Joni Snair, Physiotherapist and Caregivers Nova Scotia Staff are here to discuss all of the tough questions that come with supporting an aging loved one at home. Questions can be submitted anonymously in advance to Joni@safeathomephysio.ca


To register: Call JoAnne Connors at 902.421.7390 or email: Halifax@CaregiversNS.org by Wednesday, June 7th.

As a member of the Youth Climate Council, you will work with a group of 12-15 of your peers, along with representatives from Clean, to advise the Government of Nova Scotia on its response to climate change. Together, over a ten-month term, you will:

  • Help identify, develop and deliver 4-6 educational and training opportunities for NS youth.

  • Design and host interactive educational summits for 50 like-minded youth.

  • Create micro-granting programs to support youth climate action.

  • Develop a bursary program for NS youth.


If you’re between 14-24 years old, reside in Nova Scotia and are interested in joining the Youth Climate Council, please fill out the application form online.


Clean offers tons of other youth programming as well. Check them out!

Service

LakeCity Helpers delivers yard and lawn care services. In partnership with Home Services Nova Scotia, LakeCity Works' Helpers program creates training opportunities and waged positions for individuals facing employment barriers. As outlined in the Nova Scotia Shift Strategy, we provide a premium service that helps seniors age in place. Recently, our services have opened to all Nova Scotians regardless of age.


In partnership with Home Services Nova Scotia, LakeCity Works' Helpers program creates training opportunities and waged positions for individuals facing employment barriers. As outlined in the Nova Scotia Shift Strategy, we provide a premium service that helps seniors age in place. Recently, our services have opened to all Nova Scotians regardless of age.

Resources

Dartmouth Food Calendar

Every month Carla Foxe from the Halifax Public Libraries puts together the Dartmouth Food calendar. Please share this resource with anyone who could use it. Download PDF version.