Campaign School

Her first try at politics didn't win her a seat. But it's been a very busy year for Denise Peterson-Rafuse. In 2004, she made an unsuccessful run at a seat on Municipal Council. This year, she ran for the NDP in Chester St. Margaret's, winning the seat and earning a place in cabinet. And she's paying some of that forward. The Minister responsible for the status of women is helping with a campaign school next week trying to encourage more females to enter politics and bring the numbers up from about one in four. The school is being run at Mt St Vincent University this coming weekend. Brochures and application forms are available at www.women.gov.ns.ca or by calling 1-800-565-8662.

Flood Money Flows

The Town of Bridgewater will be receiving a little more than $208,000 as a final payment for flood damage sustained in March 2003, The town was one of several communities affected as a result of unprecedented rainfall combined with spring runoff. Floodwaters washed out roads and severely damaged a number of bridges. The damage expenses were claimed by the province on behalf of the towns and municipalities affected by the flooding. The federal Minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan announced a final payment of $7.5 million to the Province of Nova Scotia under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. The Minister made the announcement following a visit to Truro Fire Service, whose firefighters helped with flood relief efforts in 2003.

Bill Damage Assistance

Major work will be needed to repair the damage Hurricane Bill did to the causeway at Western Head. Member of Parliament Gerald Keddy says it's not clear if the repair bill will qualify for federal dollars. He says the provincial government has to pay for the repairs and then apply to the federal government for assistance. He says the Disaster Relief funding automatically applies when damages are above a million dollars. The M-P for South Shore/St. Margaret's says Bill did quite a bit of damage in areas of the riding in Western Head and in Lockeport.

Health Helpers Helped

Some caregivers in Nova Scotia will soon be able to receive financial help from the province for the work they do supporting loved ones and friends. Caregivers and the person requiring care must both meet certain criteria to be eligible for the 400 dollars per month caregiver allowance. Eligible caregivers must be residents of Nova Scotia, 19 years of age and older and provide 20 or more hours of assistance a week to qualified care recipients. Eligible care recipients must be Nova Scotia residents, 19 years of age or older and have a high level of disability or impairment. Their income will also be reviewed. More information about the allowance is available on the Department of Health website www.gov.ns.ca/health .

Red Cross help

2009-04-09 11:30:23

With hundreds dead and thousands injured a world away, Atlantic Canadians looking to help in Italy are getting a chance to do that through the Red Cross.  Now that the Italian Red Cross has a clearer idea of its ongoing needs, it has signed formal agreements with a number of its sister organizations including the Canadian Red Cross.  That agreement ensures donations are tax-deductible in Canada even though the money will be spent in Italy to provide emergency shelter, meals and blankets, and for ambulances and field hospitals. Donations can be made at any Canadian Red Cross office, securely online through a link on our website (www.redcross.ca) or by calling toll-free 1-800-418-1111 and indicating the money is for the Italian earthquake victims.