School Board Candidates

Two candidates have put forth their names for a vacant seat on the South Shore Regional School Board. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says a by-election has been set for Saturday,November 21st to to fill the position left vacant when Karen Kinley resigned from the Board earlier this year. Craig Buffett of Spectacle Lake and John Jenkins of Lunenburg - have filed their nominations to represent District 7 on the Board. District 7 comprises the Town of Lunenburg and Polling Districts 1 and 2 in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Voting will take place at advance polls from noon until 8 p.m. on November 14 and 17 and on election day, November 21, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The advance polls are located in the Royal Canadian Legion #23 in Lunenburg. On election day, polls are located in Palmer's Slipcovers & Draperies in Dean's Corner, the Riverport Community Centre, Royal Canadian Legion #23 in Lunenburg, the Little Tancook Activity Centre on Little Tancook Island and the Big Tancook Recreational Centre on Big Tancook Island. There will also be mobile polls on election day in Lunenburg at the Veteran's Unit of Fisherman's Memorial Hospital from 10 a.m. to noon and at Harbour View Haven from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Only residents of the Veteran's Unit and of Harbour View Haven are eligible to vote in the mobile polls. In order to qualify to be on the list of electors and vote, a person must be 18 years or older on election day, be a Canadian citizen and have lived in District 7 since August 21, 2009. People can find out whether they are on the list of electors by contacting Returning Officer Ted Bulley by telephone at 902-354-2563, email at bulleyt@eastlink.ca or in person at 92 Union Street, Liverpool.

RESULTS

2009-06-09 21:13:24

 An NDP majority in Nova Scotia and a south shore sweep for the party. Vicki Conrad held on to her seat, winning in Queens. Sterling Belliveau was returned as the NDP MLA for Shelburne. Two cabinet ministers on the south shore were unseated with Judy Streatch falling to Denise Peterson-Rafuse and Carolyn Bolivar-Getson ceding her seat to Gary Ramey, a first time candidate.  In Lunenburg, Pam Birdsall was elected as the New Democrat representative.

The first N-D-P government elected east of Ontario has not only won -- it's won big.   Voters in Nova Scotia have delivered a decisive majority win to a party that offered a modest platform and a commitment to balance the province's books.
    The N-D-P is elected in 30 ridings and leading in one.   It appears the Liberals will be elevated to the Official Opposition, with the Grits elected in 10 ridings and leading in one.  The Tories have won 10 seats.
    
The New Democrats swept to a majority government by boosting their share of the popular vote to 45 per cent.    That's up from about 35 per cent in 2006.    The Tories fell to 25 per cent from 40 per cent in the last election.  The Liberals polled 27 per cent of the vote, up a touch from about 23 per cent in 2006.

Tune in tomorrow morning for results and reaction to this historic night.

Voting Day

2009-06-09 06:19:43

It's Election day in Nova Scotia. Polls open across the province at 8:00 this morning as a general election gets underway. New Democrats are hoping to form government for the first time having led in opinion surveys for most of the 35-day campaign. At dissolution, there were 21 Tory seats in the 52-seat legislature, 20 NDP, nine Liberals, one Independent and one vacancy.  Polls are closing at seven tonight. And then join CKBW for team coverage of the results from the five South Shore ridings brought to you by the Home Center, North Street, Bridgewater.

Chester-St. Margarets: Ryan Cameron, Green; Jo-Ann Grant, Liberal; Denise Peterson-Rafuse, NDP; Judy Streatch (i), PC.

Lunenburg: Pam Birdsall, NDP; Milton Countway, Independent; Jason Remai, Green; Rick Welsford, Liberal; Peter Zwicker, PC

Lunenburg West: Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (i), PC; Mark Furey, Liberal; Gary Ramey, NDP; Emily Richardson, Green

Queens: Vicki Conrad (i), NDP; Wayne Henley, Liberal; Kerry Morash, PC; Stuart Simpson, Green

Shelburne: Sterling Belliveau (i), NDP; Darian Huskilson, Liberal; Eddie Nickerson, PC; Robin Smith, Green

(i)=incumbant

Campaign change

2009-06-08 06:39:32

A political scientist says when voters get in a mindset that a change is needed, there's no fighting it.  The Conservatives have been asking for another mandate based on experience and leadership.  But Dr Michael MacMillan of Mount Saint Vincent University says government's aren't elected, they're defeated. He says opposition parties wait for opportunities for the government to discredit itself, make mistakes or voters just get tired of them. Dr MacMillan says when making up their minds they look at the parties first, leaders second followed by issues and local candidates. He says opinion polls rank well below those factors when it comes to people making their minds up about who to vote for.

The head of a leading market research firm says Nova Scotians are in the mood for a big change. Don Mills, C-E-O of Corporate Research Associates, says the major theme of the 35-day election campaign was ``change in a substantive way,''  The Halifax-based pollster has been tracking Nova Scotia politics for two decades. His quarterly polls show the N-D-P has been the preferred choice for voters for almost three years.

Itineraries of the Nova Scotia party leaders for Monday, June 8:  
Rodney MacDonald, Progressive Conservative party:
    IONA: Canvassing. 10:30 a.m. 
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing. 12:00 p.m.   
    ESKASONI: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.
      
Darrell Dexter, New Democratic Party:
    BRAS D'OR: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 366 Park Rd. 8:15 a.m.   
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 7 Blowers St. 8:45 a.m.
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Northside Community Guest Home and Extended Care, 11 Queen St. 9:15 a.m.
    MILLBROOK: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.   
    SALMON RIVER: Canvassing along Birch Street. 2:30 pm   
    TRURO: Canvassing along Young Street. 2:50 p.m.
    BIBLE HILL: Canvassing at Bible Hill Estates. 3:30 p.m.
    PUGWASH: Canvassing along Victoria, Prince Albert and Black streets. 5:00 p.m.
  
Stephen McNeil, Liberal party:
    DARTMOUTH: Waving at traffic on the Angus L. Macdonald bridge. 7 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing at Seniors Apartments, Jamieson Street. 10:00 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing along Virginia Avenue. 11:30 a.m.   
    WINDSOR: Canvassing along Water Street. 2:00 p.m.   
    NEW MINAS: Waving at the Atlantic Superstore. 3:00 p.m.   
    KENTVILLE: Canvassing on Main Street. 4:00 p.m.   
    ANNAPOLIS: Canvassing. 6:00 p.m.

Campaign Update

2009-06-05 06:22:03

Just to highlight how important the five ridings are in this campaign, both the NDP and the Conservatives are criss-crossing the south shore today.  Rodney MacDonald will be in Lunenburg with Peter Zwicker this morning before heading out with Carolyn Bolivar-Getson in Bridgewater this afternoon and then it's off to Liverpool with Kerry Morash this evening.  Darrell Dexter will be in Lunenburg this morning for a campaign statement at the Fisheries Museum at ten, before heading to Mahone Bay with Pam Birdsall. He then will be off to Wolfville this afternoon.  Stephen McNeil will be in and around Halifax this morning before heading to Stewiacke, Guysborough and Antigonish.

Two political scientists say the chances of the New Democrats forming a government may be decided in close races in rural Nova Scotia on Tuesday.    David Johnson of Cape Breton University says there's strong evidence the N-D-P has consolidated its lead in most Halifax ridings.    He says a breakthrough victory would be the result of a ``two-decade haul'' of ground work.    Jennifer Smith at Dalhousie University also says she believes the party's hold is strong in Halifax.    However, both long-time observers of party politics say it's much harder to call what will happen in smaller ridings.    That includes ridings like Queens, where just a few hundred votes in the south shore district may decide the outcome in three-way races.    Smith notes when the N-D-P won in Queens in the last election, there was no Liberal candidate, and this race is ``too close to call.'' (The Canadian Press)

Regulation Situation

2009-06-04 06:16:29

An independent retailer says some smaller gas stations in Nova Scotia are still closing in spite of government price regulation that's supposed to save them.    Dave Collins of Wilson Fuels expects that will continue to happen until regulators raise margins so the smaller operators can make more money.    But, he says that would be political suicide.    Collins suggests government get out of regulation and let business address the price issue.    He says governments run a business for headlines while the focus of business is profit.    Collins says the taxes generated can help pay for social programs. (CKBW)

Lunenburg Debate

2009-05-29 06:20:44

It was standing room only at the Lunenburg Fire Hall for the candidates debate last night sponsored by the Lunenburg Board of Trade. The riding will be represented by a newcomer taking over from MLA Michael Baker who died this March after losing his battle with cancer.  Vying for the seat are Conservative Peter Zwicker, Liberal Rick Welsford, Pam Birdsall is representing the NDP, and Milton Countway is running as an Independent. The candidates were previously submitted with four questions dealing with tourism in the town, road maintenance stimulating the economy in the riding and health care.  Questions submitted from the floor ranged from what the candidates would do to ensure the festivals and arts continued in Lunenburg, to supporting an outright ban on uranium mining. A new school for the town, as well as the closure of Riverport Elementary were also touched upon. And each candidate was also asked about their campaign members and if they were brought in from other parts of the province.

Green Leader

2009-05-29 06:01:01

Nova Scotia's Green Party is trying to offer an alternative for voters in this campaign.  Party Leader Ryan Watson tells CKBW they have a candidate in all 52 ridings to provide that option.  He says some people are running full campaigns while others are letting their name stand to give that choice.  Watson acknowledges a full slate does also give them money for every "x".  Watson says he's proud they have 20 women running for seats - the most of any party - especially since that is the way it turned out, not because of any specific policy.  Be listening for more from the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia this weekend on South Shore Sunday Morning.

Lunenburg West Forum

2009-05-28 06:24:32

Three of the four candidates were on hand to offer their views and opinions on a submitted list of questions. The Green Party's Emily Richardson declined to take part. Liberal Mark Furey, Conservative Carolyn Bolivar Getson and Gary Ramey for the NDP addressed the issues of health care, economic revitalization and roads.  The topics were put forward by the debates sponsor, the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce. Other questions from the audience centered on help for low income families,twinning the 103, gas regulation, grants to Michelin and the proposed provincial curfew for teens. It was a mild almost cordial debate with the candidates wrapping up the evening with a pitch why they deserved the voters ballot. Tune in this morning to CKBW to hear what the candidates had to say.

Candidate Forums

2009-05-25 06:16:34

Another south shore riding will be giving voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates ahead of the June 9th vote.  The South Queens Chamber of Commerce is holding their event on May 27th at the Junior High School Auditorium in Liverpool.   Vicki Conrad of the NDP, Wayne Henley of the Liberals and Kerry Morash of the Conservatives will be there and organisers say the Green Party has also been invited.  All will be asked six questions that include school board autonomy, government involvement in the economy, support for volunteer fire departments, fiscial responsibility, health care in Queens and forestry growth and protection.  And people in the audience will also get to submit questions.  That same night, Lunenburg West candidates will be holding a forum at the Michelin hall and the next night, The five Lunenburg candidates will be having their say.

Leader's Tour

2009-05-22 07:12:26

The Conservatives and New Democrats are kicking off their election activities today (Friday) with campaign statements in Dartmouth.  Premier Rodney MacDonald has scheduled a morning news conference at the Dartmouth East campaign headquarters. While the premier speaks, N-D-P Leader Darrell Dexter will talk about the future for young people at the community college's waterfront campus before heading to the south shore. He'll be campaigning with Garey Ramey and Pam Birdsall this afternoon. Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil will spend the afternoon campaigning with Mark Furey in Bridgewater, Wayne Henley in Liverpool and Darian Huskilson in Shelburne. MacDonald is also fanning out with several candidates later today.

Independant Candidate

2009-05-21 06:31:40

He says by running independently he will be able to work with all of the parties for the betterment of the people in the Lunenburg riding.  Municipal councillor Milton Countway is running as a candidate in the upcoming election.  And he's doing it without being associated with any of the major parties.  Last May, he lost a bid for the nomination of the NDP to Pam Birdsall who is running this time against Rick Welsford of the Liberals and Peter Zwicker of the Conservatives.  Countway made his announcement to run as an independent in Lunenburg in front of a group of supporters in the Blockhouse Fire Department parking lot last evening.

Uranium Issue

2009-05-21 06:26:46

Environment and politics, where does the rubber meet the road?   For groups like the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada, they want to hear the position all of the political parties on issues like uranium mining.  Gretchen Fitzgerald says the Conservatives had suggested there may be a lift on a ban on mining the radioactive element.  She says results from a 22 community tour by Natural Resources seemed to suggest a united public opinion against mining uranium anywhere in Nova Scotia.  Questionnaires have been given to all of the parties ahead of next month's election and Fitzgerald says they will be releasing the responses in the next few days.

Bay Side Beds

2009-05-19 06:07:10

A long-promised expansion to a Shelburne county nursing home is now a political plank.  N-D-P leader Darrell Dexter pledged this morning to get the additional 50 beds open for those who need them, as soon as possible, regardless of the result of next month's election.  The MacDonald Conservatives have delayed the long-promised opening of Bay Side’s expansion by another three years.  In 2006, former Minister of Health, Chris d’Entremont, announced that Bay Side’s new beds would open in the fall of 2007.  In 2007, the opening date was changed to 2010.  Dexter adds Shelburne residents can't afford to wait any longer. He says Rodney MacDonald had a chance to deliver these nursing home beds and failed.  He made the comments campaigning with Sterling Belliveau in Shelburne Friday morning.

Health Dollars

2009-05-14 06:22:39

South Shore Health is still waiting for specifics on a government anouncement on projects at the hospitals in Bridgewater and Liverpool.   C-E-O Kevin McNamara says it's abnormal for them to be told they are getting financial help but not the amount or when they can expect it.  But he says it is positive to know what projects the funding has been approved for.  He says another challenge is that the district is still waiting for budget figures from the province. McNamara says they may end up in a situation where they would have to make cuts or adjustments to their budget but in a shorter time span. While campaigning with Peter Zwicker and Carolyn Bollivar Getson Wednesday, Premier Rodney MacDonald told CKBW News the funding for the projects at South Shore Regional amounted to 12-million dollars.

Fire Tax Credit

2009-05-13 08:23:51

Rodney MacDonald is looking to increase the volunteer firefighter tax credit if he's returned to office next month.  The Premier announced this morning an increase in the tax credit from 375 to 500-dollars in 2009.  When it was introduced as part of the 2007 budget, the credit was $250 and was for volunteer firefighters. It was a campaign promise by the Tories in the 2006 campaign. It was increased to $375 last year, and expanded to include the ground search and rescue teams.   There are about 8000 volunteer firefighters in Nova Scotia and about 1700 members of ground search and rescue teams.   Both the Liberals and New Democrats have introduced similar measures in the Legislature over the past three years.

Queens Ballot

2009-05-12 06:15:20

It's now official - the ballot is set with all three candidates in place.   Kerry Morash is the Conservative party candidate in Queen's.  Morash - a lifelong Queens resident - was first elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.  He was acclaimed as candidate at a nomination meeting Monday night.    He has served as caucus chair and held two portfolios in cabinet and most recently was Rural Outreach Coordinator.  Morash was defeated by the NDP's Vicki Conrad in 2006 - the first time the Tories lost in Queens in fifty years.  Many said it was the lack of a Liberal candidate in the riding that allowed the NDP to take the seat by 55 ballots last time. The Grits have Wayne Henley on the ballot this time.  Conrad is fighting to hold onto the seat for the New Democrats heading into a very competitive campaign.

Leader's Tour

2009-05-11 11:41:07

Rodney MacDonald was the first.   Darrell Dexter wasn't too far behind.  And today, the Leader of the Liberal Party will be campaigning in Lunenburg county.  Stephen McNeil says the area is important to his party. McNeil will be in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay today and in Tantallon with the Chester St. Margaret's candidate this evening.  Darrell Dexter is in Lunenburg today where he will be taking a tour of video-game developer H-B Studios.  Premier MacDonald is spending the day in the Halifax area.

Tax Credit

2009-05-11 05:50:54

Lunenburg's NDP candidate says one of their party's campaign planks would be a help to companies like Composites Atlantic.  Pam Birdsall says the ten percent manufacturing and processing tax credit would help businesses grow and would create employment in Lunenburg.  Thursday, she took a tour of Composites with party leader Darrell Dexter adding their proposal would allow them to invest in new equipment.  She adds it's not just a tax break but an incentive for companies to upgrade and become more competitive.  Lunenburg's total manufacturing labour force accounted for just over 42-hundred jobs according to statistics from 2001.

Generous Enough

2009-05-08 06:23:36

A May 20th public meeting on the Queens Place recreational facility has been cancelled because of a lack of "information gaps".  One of those according to the Region's Rec department is a shortfall in funding. The group says the five-million dollars from the province doesn't quite come up to one third of the cost.  They were also hoping for additional money to develop the land around the construction site.  Premier Rodney MacDonald says his government has already given what it can to the project.  The group says a public meeting on Queens Place will be held, but not until they have all of the information they need to provide to residents of Queens.