Brian Comer

My office has received a number of inquiries about the recently opened roundabout in Sydney River, the following link may be helpful for common questions and answers. https://novascotia.ca/tran/roundabout/roundabout.asp.

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Three New Cases of COVID-19 --------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 18, Nova Scotia has 24 active cases of COVID-19. Three new cases were identified Tuesday, Nov. 17. The new cases are in the Central Zone. All the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.

Time to be vigilant.

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Five New Cases of COVID-19 ---------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 17, Nova Scotia has 24 active cases of COVID-19. Five new cases were identified Monday, Nov. 16. The new cases are in the Central Zone. Two are the school-based cases announced yesterday. The other three are close contacts of previously reported cases.

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Eleven New Cases of COVID-19 ---------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 23, Nova Scotia has 51 active cases of COVID-19. Eleven new cases were identified Sunday, Nov. 22. All 11 new cases are in Central Zone. Eight are connected to previously reported cases; three are under investigation. One of the cases was detected Saturday, Nov. 21, in a pilot rapid COVID-19 screening program for bar staff and patrons in do...wntown Halifax. The recent rise in cases has led to new restrictions in metro Halifax Regional Municipality and parts of Hants County which came into effect today, Nov. 23. The restrictions can be found at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/ . Also today, the Atlantic premiers are calling on people in the region to limit their travel.

COVID-19/EDUCATION/EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT--Nova Scotia Reports Two School-based Cases of COVID-19 --------------------------------------------------------------- Nova Scotia is reporting two additional cases of COVID-19 today, the first cases associated with schools. One person at Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook and one person at Auburn Drive High in Cole Harbour tested positive for COVID-19. Neither attended school today and both are self-isolating at home.... Public health will be in touch with close contacts as part of their ongoing investigation and advise of next steps. Everyone in a class which a confirmed case attended is being tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Students will be supported to learn at home. Only members of the school community who are directed to stay home are required to do so. When a member of the school community tests positive for COVID-19, public health works with the school to let families know about the positive case and what happens next. Those decisions - including whether to keep a school open, close a classroom or close the entire school - are made by public health and the Regional Centre for Education/Conseil scolaire acadien provincial based on the level of risk to other members of the school community and the operational capacity to support in-class learning. "While not a surprise, these cases are a stark reminder that we need to be diligent about following public health measures," said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. "Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Keep your distance from others not in your household or close social circle. This is the only way we're going to get ahead of the curve."

In an effort to improve access to mental health and addictions programs, Nova Scotia Health is collaborating with the Mental Health Commission of Canada Commiss...ion de la santé mentale du Canada (MHCC) to launch Stepped Care 2.0. Stepped Care 2.0 offers high quality mental health and addiction support extending to online self-help programs, peer and coached programs, and links to community-based supports and virtual visits with care providers. Learn more: http://www.nshealth.ca//nova-scotia-health-partners-mental Health Promotion, Mental Health and Addictions

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Two New Cases of COVID-19 -------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 16, Nova Scotia has 23 active cases of COVID-19. Two new cases were identified Sunday, Nov. 15. The new cases are in the Central Zone. Both are connected to previously reported cases and are still under investigation.... Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 844 Nova Scotia tests on Nov. 15

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS-Eleven New Cases of COVID-19 ---------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 22, Nova Scotia has 44 active cases of COVID-19. Eleven new cases were identified Saturday, Nov. 21. All 11 new cases are in Central Zone. Six are connected to previously reported cases; five are under investigation.... This does not include a potential case that was detected last night, Nov. 21, in a pilot rapid COVID-19 screening program for bar staff and patrons in downtown Halifax.

After months of waiting to have this agenda item brought forth, the Standing Committee on Community Services met last Tuesday. The topic for discussion was the disproportionately high childhood poverty rates on Cape Breton Island. I put forth a motion for the committee to write a letter to the Premier and request an all party committee of Cape Breton MLA's be created to work together to tackle this problem head on. The motion was defeated by the Liberal committee members, w...ithout an explanation of any kind, none of whom are from Cape Breton. Please take a minute to listen to JoAnna's answer in explaining the "disconnect" in current government programs and what is actually happening on the ground. Unfortunately government policies cannot be scrutinized in the legislature because it will sit for only 14 days this calendar year.

COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Eight New Cases of COVID-19 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, Nov. 21, Nova Scotia has 33 active cases of COVID-19. Eight new cases were identified Friday, Nov. 20. All eight new cases are in Central Zone. Two are connected to previously reported cases; six are under investigation.

Nova Scotia Pandemic Halloween Guidelines: COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS--Guidance for Trick-or-Treating and Halloween Gatherings ------------------------------------------------------------- Government is reminding Nova Scotians of current public health guidelines and providing specific advice around Halloween as the holiday approaches....Continue reading

Liberals continue culture of secrecy, keep Public Accounts Committee restrained For immediate release October 14, 2020... HALIFAX, N.S. -- The McNeil Liberal government once again affirmed their culture of secrecy, by voting against a motion to restore the Public Accounts Committee to weekly meetings and to topics outside Auditor General reports. The Liberal government’s secretive approach to how taxpayers' dollars are spent is an insult to all Nova Scotians, says Tim Halman, MLA for Dartmouth East and member of the Public Accounts Committee. There are too many important issues to be discussed for the Liberals to continue to limit Public Accounts meetings to just twelve (or less) per year. Under every previous government, the Public Accounts Committee met 20 to 29 times per year. The McNeil Liberals slashed the Committee to just twelve meetings in 2019 after growing frustrated that the Opposition was able to use this committee to shed light on issues with costly government projects. Halman says that with Premier McNeil stepping down, the next Liberal Premier should restore Public Accounts and commit to leading a more open and transparent government. Three McNeil era Cabinet Ministers are competing for the job: Randy Delorey, Labi Kousoulis and Iain Rankin. I’m calling on the Liberals who want to be Premier do the right thing, commit to restoring Public Accounts to its weekly meetings, and lift the restrictions on government accountability, says Halman. Just this week, the McNeil Liberals refused to release the details for a project list that will cost $228 million dollars in COVID-19 stimulus spending. Halman says that with the increase in government spending, caused by the pandemic, it is imperative that committees like Public Accounts have the opportunity to examine this kind of spending. Nova Scotians are tired of the behind-closed-doors approach to governing and deserve a government that will be more transparent with how their money is spent, says Halman.

Three new cases in the Central Zone.

HEALTH/WELLNESS--Chief Medical Officer of Health Statement on Atlantic Bubble -------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The following is a statement from Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health -------------------------------------------------------------- We are monitoring the situation in New Brunswick and are in close contact with our counterparts in that province. There are no changes to our border policy at this time.... It is important that Nova Scotians follow the public health measures here in our province or when visiting our neighbouring provinces. The key measures of physical distancing, gathering limits, hand washing and using a non-medical mask will help keep us safe. We encourage Nova Scotians to monitor their health for symptoms of COVID-19 and use the self-screening tool at, https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en , to get a test if necessary.

The following is a statement from MLA Karla MacFarlane, PC Critic for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women marking the upcoming International Day of Girl on October 11th. October 11 marks the International Day of the Girl. This day brings much needed attention to the inequality girls face and the important work still required to remove the barriers that stand in the way of the next generation of leaders. I take immense pride that it was Canada, following the leadersh...ip of Rona Ambrose, that formally proposed International Day of the Girl as a resolution at the United Nations. At a time when education is recognized as the great equalizer and inspires girls to be in charge of their futures, over 130 millions girls around the world are still unable to access proper schooling. Globally, girls spend 160 million more hours on chores than boys. Many others are denied legal rights, nutrition, and medical care, or face discrimination, sex trafficking and forced marriage. We are not without fault. For too long, gender has played a role in defining the career choices available to our daughters. We must continue to provide girls the tools to excel in male-dominated fields. We are seeing a slow but important change. Across Canada, girls today can look up to more and more women entering S.T.E.M. fields, joining the trades, sitting on boards, serving as CEOs of companies, and entering politics to run our cities, our provinces and our country. I watched my daughter grow up with the freedom and possibilities that I believe all girls should know as their reality. When societies support girls, they grow up to be strong and ambitious leaders. This is shaped in the home, the classroom and in community by removing old-school obstacles that have for too long been placed on them. When girls are empowered they lead the next generation forward. The Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party wants to recognize this day and the important work done to lift girls up, and promote their human rights, everywhere. We all have a part to play in ensuring our daughters everywhere are afforded the right to live out their dreams, to break through the proverbial glass ceiling, and to become the fearless leaders of tomorrow.

The rain didn’t stop the generosity, a great cause, thanks to Emily for coming out with me today.