Government of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians will benefit this year from the largest minimum wage increase in the province’s history. The rate will increase $1.30 in total this year, first rising to $15.70 per hour on April 1 and then to $16.50 on October 1. The minimum wage is updated every year on April 1 based on the consumer price index for the previous year, plus an extra one per cent. The additional increase on October 1 this year responds to concerns about the rising cost of living. As a result of these increases, workers earning the general minimum wage and working 37.5 hours per week will see an annual pay raise of up to $2,535. The Minimum Wage Review Committee, which is made up of employee and employer representatives, filed its report with the Minister on December 30.

This week, the Province announced it is investing in a semiconductor design hub at Dalhousie University to help develop and build microelectronics for electronics to process, store and receive information.   Working with CMC Microsystems, Nova Scotia academics and students, industry and businesses will be able to access advanced technologies to develop products for ocean, marine, naval defence, health, agriculture and communications technologies to help local companies grow.   Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc says investing in productivity and improving technology helps Nova Scotians earn more money – that’s why the Province is making these kinds of investments.   The design hub will support programming, build local expertise, train and retain graduates, and work with local industry. Dalhousie University received $1,415,250 from the Province’s Community Economic Development Fund, which helps increase economic competitiveness and productivity.

A common phishing scam claims that if an outstanding parking fine is not paid immediately, the recipient's driver's licence will be suspended. Neither the Courts, nor the Province currently send out texts about driving privileges or outstanding fines. Nova Scotians should be cautious about texts from unknown senders and should never click on suspicious links. Learn more about phishing from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://lnkd.in/ewzNXa3q. More information about paying parking tickets, including when you may need to visit a courthouse, can be found at https://lnkd.in/ekvFeZ2X.

People in Cumberland County will have improved access to emergency and dialysis healthcare closer to home with a redevelopment project at the regional hospital. The Province is building a new, larger emergency department and a permanent 12-station renal dialysis unit at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre near Amherst. The new emergency department will be almost twice the size of the current one and have its own entrance. Its design will reduce wait times by improving patient intake and flow, and it will provide a modern workplace for healthcare providers. The new, permanent 12-station dialysis unit will replace the current temporary five-station unit. The new unit and a modular dialysis unit announced in September for All Saints Hospital in Springhill will eliminate the need for dialysis patients from Cumberland County to travel long distances for treatment. Final design work will start soon, and several tender packages will be issued, with the first in early 2025. Site preparation will start this winter, and construction is expected to begin in the spring. The entire project is expected to be completed before the end of 2027.

A new tiny home community in Lower Sackville welcomed its first residents in November 2024. The community provides supportive housing for up to 70 people, with fully furnished units and wraparound services.

Here’s a look back at 2024 in Nova Scotia, through the lens of government photographers who take thousands of photos each year across the province. 1. April 8th’s near-total solar eclipse, viewed from Meat Cove on the tip of Cape Breton Island. 2. Canada’s premiers gathered at the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation, held in Halifax in July, with the Bluenose II in the background. 3. A look inside the hyperbaric chamber at the Victoria General site of the QEII in Halifax. 4. Nova Scotia’s first tiny home community welcomed residents in November in Lower Sackville. 5. Southwest Nova Scotia hosted the Congrès mondial acadien 2024 in August. The gathering is an international celebration of Acadian culture. 6. Conservation Officers snowshoed out to homes to help clear snow after the large snowstorm in February. 7. Lunch was served as the Nova Scotia School Lunch program launched in schools across the province in October. 8. Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre hosted National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in June. 9. Arthur LeBlanc, accompanied by his wife Patsy, left the legislative chamber for the last time as lieutenant-governor in December. Days later, Mike Savage took the oath of office as the 34th lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia since Confederation.

Theodore topped the list of Nova Scotia newborn names in 2024! Other names in the top 10 are William, Jack, Noah, Charlotte, Amelia, Oliver, Benjamin, Olivia and Levi, according to the Province’s Registry of Vital Statistics. The most popular names usually remain consistent over the years. There are a few new names gaining popularity, such as Hazel, with some old favourites coming back, including Lucas and Owen. Did you know: - as of today, December 30, there were 7,154 registered births this year in Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia began formally registering births on August 1, 1864, and the most popular names that year were Mary and John - Henry was the top baby name for the province in 2023 Nova Scotia Registry of Vital Statistics top baby names for 2024: - Theodore (41), William (36), Jack (35), Noah (35), Charlotte (33), Amelia (31), Oliver (30), Benjamin (29), Olivia (28), Levi (27), Isla (26), Owen (26), Hazel (25), Sophie (24), Ivy (24), Sophia (24), Sadie (24), Lucas (23), Henry (23), Ava (23)

Mike Savage took the oath of office on Friday, December 13, in Halifax as the 34th lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia since Confederation. Premier Tim Houston said Lt.-Gov. Savage has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to public service, economic development, community engagement and volunteerism – qualities that have prepared him to serve as the King’s representative in Nova Scotia. Elected as mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in 2012, Lt.-Gov. Savage served three terms, prioritizing social inclusion, sustainable development and economic growth. Prior to that, he represented Dartmouth-Cole Harbour as a member of Parliament and was an active member of parliamentary committees, groups and associations. Over the next five years in the vice-regal office, Lt.-Gov. Savage will celebrate the contributions of Nova Scotians to their communities, the province and the country. He succeeds Arthur J. LeBlanc. Following the installation ceremony, Lt.-Gov. Savage inspected the Quarter Guard, Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators of Canadian Forces Base Halifax. The Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy played the Royal Salute and award-winning musician and singer Charlie A’Court performed in the Lieutenant-Governor’s honour.

Tim Houston was sworn in as Nova Scotia’s premier today, December 12, along with the government’s new cabinet. Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc presided over the ceremony at the Halifax Convention Centre. The cabinet appointments are as follows: Premier Houston continues to lead as President of the Executive Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Priorities and Planning and Minister of Trade. Barbara Adams is the Deputy Premier and Deputy President of the Executive Council and continues as the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care and the Minister responsible for Military Relations. John Lohr is the Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour Relations and continues as Minister of Municipal Affairs. Timothy Halman continues as Minister of Environment and Climate Change. He is also the Minister of Service Efficiency, formerly the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Efficiency. Kim Masland becomes Minister of the Department of Emergency Management. Tory Rushton remains as Minister of Natural Resources. Colton LeBlanc is the Minister of Growth and Development, formerly known as Economic Development. Housing is now part of the Department. Minister LeBlanc will continue his responsibilities as Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. Brian Comer continues as Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. Michelle Thompson continues as Minister of Health and Wellness, Minister of the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment and the Minister responsible for Healthcare Redevelopment. Jill Balser will lead Service Nova Scotia and Cyber Security and Digital Solutions. Greg Morrow continues as Minister of Agriculture. Becky Druhan is the new Attorney General and Minister of Justice. She also becomes the Provincial Secretary and the Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. Kent Smith continues as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Trevor Boudreau is the Minister of the new Department of Energy. Twila Grosse continues as Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Minister of the Public Service Commission. Brendan Maguire becomes the Minister of Advanced Education and the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. David Ritcey is the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage as well as Gaelic Affairs. Fred Tilley will lead the Department of Public Works. Nolan Young becomes the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. Scott Armstrong is the Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, formerly the Department of Community Services. Leah Martin is the Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, Minister of L’nu Affairs, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act and Minister responsible for Youth.

Members of the legislative assembly elected Danielle Barkhouse, MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's, as Speaker yesterday during a special sitting of the first session of the 65th General Assembly of the Nova Scotia legislature. Earlier in the day, members of the 65th General Assembly of Nova Scotia were sworn in at Province House in Halifax. Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc, accompanied by his wife Patsy, left the legislative chamber for the last time as lieutenant-governor. The Prime Minister announced in October that Mike Savage will be the province's next lieutenant-governor. His swearing-in date is to be announced. Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc assumed the role in 2017. Lieutenant-governors serve terms of at least five years. During the special sitting, the government passed a motion to make life more affordable for Nova Scotians by permanently reducing the provincial portion of harmonized sales tax (HST) beginning April 1, 2025. To learn more about the HST reduction, you can read the news release here: https://lnkd.in/epRc28p6 Image captions: 1. Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender (left), interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette (behind Ms. Chender) and Premier Tim Houston escort House Speaker Danielle Barkhouse in the legislative chamber at Province House. 2. Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc accepted the election of Danielle Barkhouse as Speaker. 3. Newly elected Speaker Danielle Barkhouse presiding over the House of Assembly yesterday. 4. Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc, accompanied by his wife Patsy, leaving the legislative chamber for the last time as lieutenant-governor.