Are Nova Scotia's funding announcements the sign of an election coming? Premier Rankin says no
For the second straight day, Nova Scotia’s Premier was in Cape Breton making a government-funded announcement. While some might think this means an election is imminent, Premier Iain Rankin says it’s not.
“So we're in the reopening plan right now. We're only in phase one and my main priority to be clear is the safety of Nova Scotians,” says Rankin. “But, at the same time we need to invest in communities and I’m investing in Cape Breton as I said I would be.”
Rankin began his trip to the island in Port Hawkesbury Friday and announced spending for active transportation routes in the area. He also provided funding for school capital projects in Mabou.
Saturday morning in Englishtown, N.S., the province announced it is removing fees from all intra-provincial ferries permanently.
“We waived fees during COVID for health reasons and we looked at the marginal revenue that was brought in was only 10 percent of the cost of $11 million,” says Rankin. “We thought we could even the playing field and make transportation more accessible to rural Nova Scotians.”
Saturday afternoon, the spending announcements continued, with Rankin committing money to Sydney’s downtown revitalization project. The redesign will upgrade Charlotte Street in hopes of creating a welcoming, accessible and environmentally-friendly destination.
“We know that a strong dynamic downtown core is imperative to offering social and economic growth that reaches all of CBRM,” says Amanda McDougall, mayor of the CBRM.
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party Leader Tim Houston feels the election campaign certainly seems to be underway, but he says now is not the right time, and the focus should be on the pandemic and vaccines.
“I think Nova Scotians want to get through COVID, they want the focus to be on vaccines and getting their second dose,” says Houston. “We saw last time, the premier lost focus and he started talking about dogs on patios and electric cars, when he should’ve been focused on vaccines.”
Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University says now is not the right time to call an election.
“I would say it's in the public interest to wait a while longer,” Says Urbaniak. “Let's actually get past the COVID-19 crisis, let's actually say we can open a new chapter and start talking about other public policy issues.”
Urbaniak says if Rankin calls an election soon, it would be an opportunistic move.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Whooping cough outbreak declared in Newfoundland
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.