Category: Provincial Updates

Government is enhancing the Graduate to Opportunity program to encourage more businesses to hire women, people with disabilities and other diverse graduates. Employers will now receive an additional 10 per cent subsidy in the first year for diverse and international hires.

Wildfire risk season is now underway until October 15 and burning restrictions apply. People should check the BurnSafe website at novascotia.ca/BurnSafe for counties where burning domestic brush or campfires is permitted or restricted. The BurnSafe map is updated daily at 2 p.m. to show if burning of domestic brush and campfires is permitted that day.

Government will work to enhance and better coordinate mental health supports offered to children and youth, through school facilities like youth health centres. This is one of four recommendations put forward by the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions. The province will implement all four recommendations.

Nova Scotia is adopting changes to the National Building Code, which include increasing the maximum height of wooden residential buildings from four to six storeys. The Fire Safety Act and Regulations will also be changed to enhance safety requirements for the taller wood buildings.

Improvements to the Employment Support and Income Assistance Program will help those Nova Scotians who need it most get support to become more independent and help youth as they become adults.