Help Offered For Affected Patients After Unexpected Clinic Closure

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The provincial Health Authority says it’s offering support for patients of a doctor whose Sydney clinic closed unexpectedly.

It says patients of Dr. Daya Kodagoda will be getting short-term and immediate support until February.

It goes on to say patients who need follow-up for outstanding medical tests will be contacted throughout this month for a virtual or in-person appointment with a doctor at Kodagoda’s clinic.

Patients with urgent care needs can contact the clinic to request an appointment but the Health Authority says appointments will be limited.

The clinic will be open most Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon until the end of February.

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Boil Water Advisory For Marconi System

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for areas served by the Community College’s Marconi Campus Sydney Water Treatment System.

The community college says a water sample taken yesterday tested positive for total coliform bacteria.

The affected area includes the Marconi Campus, Cape Breton University and the Cape Breton Health and Recreation Complex.

The college says it’s investigating the cause of the contamination and the advisory will be lifted as soon as they get two clear reports in a row and approval from the Environment Department.

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NS Announces New Child Care Programs

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The province has announced two new child-care programs it says will help create more child-care spaces in licensed not-for-profit centres and family homes across Nova Scotia.

It says the programs will help new or existing not-for-profit centres complete minor renovations that will allow them to create new child-care spaces, as well as help those interested in becoming family home providers with startup costs.

Under the Minor Infrastructure Program, existing or new licensed not-for-profit child-care providers can get up to $250,000 for minor renovations that will increase child-care spaces and up to another $25,000 for administrative expenses.

The Family Home Start-Up Program will offer up to $7,500 to help people open a regulated site.

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Governing PC’s Increase Lead In New Poll

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The governing Progressive Conservatives have increased their lead in a new provincial poll.

The Narrative Research survey gives the Tories 52% support among decided voters.

That’s up from 47% in August.

The NDP sit in second place at 22%, compared with 24% in August while the Liberals have 21% support compared with 23% in the last poll.

400 people were surveyed by phone for the poll that has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

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Auditor General Says Extra Appropriations Should Be Debated In Legislature

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Auditor General Kim Adair says the province needs to improve accountability and transparency of budget overspending.

Adair says $1.7 billion in extra appropriations were made on a budget of $14 billion in 2022-23.

She says that’s the largest amount approved since the current Finance Act was introduced in 2010.

The Auditor General says it’s not unusual for governments to increase spending to address unanticipated needs from time to time. 

However, she says Nova Scotia’s Finance Act is not typical because it doesn’t require the legislature to review, vote on, or approve additional appropriations.

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