South Shore Health Bracing For Funding Freeze

The CEO for South Shore Health says they're anxiously awaiting their budget targets, after the province's health minister revealed all districts should be prepared for a funding freeze. Peter Vaughan says it's no real surprise because the health-care system is feeling pressure across the country with an aging population with more chronic diseases. Vaughan says the health authority has to be as efficient as possible, and look where they can trim some costs.



Vaughan says they have to start thinking differently about how they're delivering service. Health care funding represents about 40 per cent of provincial spending, or about $3.8-billion. The spring budget will be announced April 4.

Chester Warden: South Canoe Emotional Experience

Councillors in Chester have given the green light to a $200 million wind farm in Lunenburg County. A motion to enter into a development agreement  for the South Canoe Wind Project was approved in a 6-1 vote. The only vote against came via New Ross councillor Tina Connors.  Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are behind the project which would feature 34 turbines stretching between Vaughan and New Russell. Chester Warden Allen Webber says the project has created division within the municipality.



The wind farm would stretch over 3,000 hectares and be known as the largest wind energy project in Nova Scotia. The turbines are expected to generate enough power for 32,000 homes, create 100 jobs during construction. It's expected the project will come online late in 2014.

UPDATED: Chester Council Approves Wind Project

Councillors in Chester have given thumbs up to a $200 million wind farm between Vaughan and New Russell. It was a 6-1 vote in favour of entering into development agreement with the three proponents behind the South Canoe Wind Project. The only vote against came via New Ross councillor Tina Connors, who felt the turbines would be too close to homes. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power want to build 34 turbines over 3,000 hectares in Lunenburg County. It would be known as the largest wind energy project in Nova Scotia. The turbines are expected to generate enough power for 32,000 homes and create 100 jobs during construction which will begin this year. It's expected the turbines will be turned on late in 2014.

Youth In Custody Following Break-Ins

The Bridgewater Police Service has one youth in custody after a number of break and enters into out buildings and motor vehicles late last month. Members of the service's Community Response Unit used a combination of monitoring areas of town with an unmarked cruiser, along with foot patrol throughout the nights. Officers made their first arrest of a male youth shortly after 3am Wednesday. Police have recovered some of the property stolen and remind the public to lock doors to buildings and vehicles.

South Shore Groups Receive Mental Health Grants

Two South Shore groups are among 23 organizations receiving new provincial grants to help people living with mental illness and addictions. Lunenburg West MLA and ministerial assistant for Health and Wellness, Gary Ramey, released details of Together We Can, the province's mental health and addictions strategy. The South Shore Improving Partnerships Advisory Committee is getting a one year grant worth $45,000 to build a community health network to help improve the quality of care for people with dementia, addictions and mental illness, and support their families and caregivers. The Split Rock Learning Centre Association in Yarmouth will receive $29,000 until 2015 as a three-year grant.

Unfair To Chop More Health Care Dollars: PC Health Critic

More belt tightening awaits South Shore Health and the other 8 health authorities across the province and the IWK Health Centre. The Dexter government has sent out a warning to prepare to pare more from their budgets. PC Health critic Chris d'Entremont of Argyle says enough is enough. He says there's litttle left to be cut as it is! He says: "If you're asking the district health authorities to make due with what they have is quite honestly creating a deficit situation for them because of the different things they have to spend on whether its wages or whether its other contracts they have over longer terms." d'Entremont fears cuts to services might result. Health-care funding represents about 40 per cent of provincial spending, or about 3.8-billion dollars.