News Archive for March 2004
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Week 4

Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2004

No fanfare from university students over federal budget
It was Paul Martin's first budget as Prime Minister and one that might well set the stage for a spring election. The federal Liberals are promising a small surplus and greater government accountability. However, for thousands of college and university students in our province already burdened by debts, there is little relief in the federal budget. Ottawa will invest more than $200 million in post-secondary education by providing grants and tax breaks to students, primarily those from low income families. But as Craig Paisley reports, many students say what's needed is a complete overhaul of the student loan system. (runs 1:35)

Budget frustrates Hamm
There was some good news for Nova Scotia in the budget. The province is getting a one-time rebate of up to $30 million. Ottawa had taken that money as its share of offshore royalties. But it decided to change the date it started collecting those royalties. The bad news is that Nova Scotia is not getting the extra $90 million it wanted for health care. Canada Now host Linda Kelly spoke with Premier John Hamm. (runs 3:09)

Mayor Kelly not enthralled by budget, either
Canada's mayors were expecting a lot from the budget, but it didn't go as far as many had hoped. Paul Martin promised a new deal for municipalities. The budget delivers on an already promised GST exemption, but it does not include one of the key demands from the mayors: a share of the $4.5-billion gasoline tax. Canada Now host Linda Kelly spoke with Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly. (runs 1:41)

Another 325 jobs for Port Hawkesbury
It's been called the new economy. And nowhere is that more evident than in Cape Breton. An American company says it will create another 325 jobs at its Port Hawkesbury call centre. That would make EDS the largest private sector employer in Cape Breton. As Frank King reports, the new economy is creating something of an economic boom for the town of Port Hawkesbury. (runs 2:08)

NS racing community mourns Scott Fraser's death
Police are still investigating the death of one of Nova Scotia's best known race car drivers. Scott Fraser, 33, died when two snowmobiles collided on a ski hill at Wentworth early Saturday morning. As Hance Colburne tells us, the accident happened in an area where snowmobiles are banned. (runs 1:52)

Peter and John's budget wishlists
Prime Minister Paul Martin will bring down what's expected to be a pre-election budget on Tuesday. Here in Nova Scotia, the Hamm government has been ratcheting up the stakes for weeks with a campaign for more health care money. As Paul Withers reports, the city of Halifax also is looking for a federal boost. (runs 1:54)

Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2004

Tar ponds' neighbours demand millions in compensation
It could be a $1-billion lawsuit. Some of the people living near the Sydney tar ponds have launched legal action against Ottawa, the province and several private companies. They want compensation for decades of exposure to one of Canada's most toxic sites. As Kathryn Morse reports, it's the first step in what they hope will be a class action suit involving thousands of people. (runs 2:07)

Indian Brook says no to fishing deal
The Indian Brook First Nation has rejected a deal to settle a longstanding fishing dispute with Ottawa. The agreement would have given the band millions of dollars for boats and training. But as Tom Murphy tells us, band members say they aren't prepared to sign away their treaty rights. (runs 1:49)

Knowledge House suit at a standstill
A court case into the Knowledge House financial scandal has ground to a halt. It was sidelined by ethical and legal questions surrounding 87,000 e-mails. As Paul Withers reports, the e-mails were obtained by a brokerage house that is suing many of the people who used to run Knowledge House. (runs 2:05)

Dangerous dialing: cracking down on wasted 911 calls
The province is cracking down on accidental calls to 911. Wrong number calls are tying up precious time, resources and money. And, as Hance Colburne reports, if the mistake is because the emergency number is programmed into your phone's speed-dial, you're also breaking the law. (runs 1:34)

Eating healthily on a starvation budget? Absolutely not!
For too many Nova Scotians, healthy eating is just not an option. As Craig Paisley reports, a study just released shows a growing number of people simply can't afford nutritious food. (runs 1:44)

Cape Breton appears to be a community in crisis
Prescription drug abuse in Cape Breton has fueled a crime wave and domestic violence is on the rise. What's wrong? And what can be done about it? To look at those questions, Canada Now host Linda Kelly spoke with the chief of the Cape Breton regional police force, Edgar MacLeod. (runs 4:01)

A call for a CB methadone clinic
People trying to deal with Cape Breton's prescription drug abuse problem say a methadone clinic could be part of the answer. As Frank King reports, methadone is a drug that addicts can use to reduce the craving for harder, more powerful drugs. (runs 2:05)

Thursday, Mar. 25, 2004

Hamm hints at private health care
A dramatic warning about the spiralling cost of health care. Premier John Hamm says unless checked, within a generation health care will consume the entire provincial budget. Hamm says all options, including some form of privatization, should be looked at to control costs. But as Paul Withers reports, Hamm's opponents say it has less to do with the future and more to do with preparing Nova Scotians for a bad news budget that's right around the corner. (runs 1:32)

Private vs public health care debate heightens
For some, the combination of a public-private health care system is controversial. But in a small way, it already exists in Nova Scotia. Halifax has a private MRI clinic. Its owners say the clinic is helping to lessen the burden on the public system. But, as Tom Murphy tells us, while wait times for public MRIs are shorter, public health providers aren't ready to credit the private clinic. (runs 1:50)

Fight in elementary school lands one boy in hospital
A 12-year-old boy from Eastern Passage is in stable condition in hospital after an apparent fight in school. The boy was attacked in a classroom which was supervised by a teacher at Seaside Elementary. As Dan O'Connell reports, the RCMP have been called in to investigate. (runs 1:26)

Sewage spreading spreads debate
It's a familiar refrain in the debate over waste disposal: not in my backyard. The latest people making that demand are from Colchester County. People living in Old Barn are worried about a proposal to spread treated sewage on farmers' fields in the area. As Hance Colburne tells us, the county council is now getting involved. (runs 1:36)

Some insurers shy away from some dogs
One of the world's largest insurance companies is raising the hackles of some dog owners. As Jim Nunn reports, Allstate Insurance is refusing to sell new homeowners' policies to people who own certain breeds of dogs, dogs with a reputation for being aggressive. (runs 1:50)

Friday, Mar. 26, 2004

Passing marks for elementary literacy
It seems Johnny and Jane can read after all. Province-wide literacy tests just released show the majority of grade six students passed. That's good news after a series of province-wide tests in other subjects produced much lower grades. But, as Kathryn Morse reports, even with these literacy tests, some schools got an "F". (runs 1:59)

Printer sends jobs to Halifax from Yarmouth and New Minas
One of the largest commericial printers in North America is closing two plants in Nova Scotia. Transcontinental Publishing, owner of the Halifax Daily News, is shutting down its operations in Yarmouth and New Minas. As Sophia Harris tells us, that news came as an unwelcome surprise to the workers. (runs 1:41)

Community rallies behind the Mabe boys
People in one Halifax suburb are banding together this weekend to help a couple of their own. As Dan O'Connell reports, neighbours, politicians and classmates of Ryan and Steven Mabe are all helping the two boys in need. (runs 1:38)

Two veterans finally reunited
Thelma Young has moved into Camp Hill Veterans' Hospital. Thelma, you may remember, is the wife of 80-year-old Clifford Young, who requires full-time care at the hospital. Thelma wasn't allowed to live at the Veterans' hospital because she hadn't served overseas. But when the federal government learned of the Youngs' plight, it promised to reunite the couple. It took a few weeks to find a bed in Camp Hill, but the reunion is now complete.

Swede female hockey players making sweet impressions
Halifax will be at centre ice next week for the best women hockey players in the world. The World Women's Hockey Championships start on Tuesday with nine teams looking to leave Nova Scotia as champions. But before the first puck drops, some small rural communities around the province are getting a taste of the tournament to come. Hance Colburne went to one practice in Lantz. (runs 1:40)

Peek preview at Point Pleasant Park
It's been six months since Hurricane Juan carved a swath through the province, knocking over tens of thousands of trees. This weekend, for only the second time since Juan struck, people will get a glimpse of the damage in Point Pleasant Park. Here's Colleen Jones with a look at what's in store for this weekend's visitors. (runs 1:52)

Juan-blown hemlocks get special assignment
Hemlock Ravine in Halifax is another park that was devestated by Juan. It hasn't gotten as much attention as Point Pleasant, but now as Tom Murphy tells us, the trees there are in for some special attention. (runs 1:55)

Drug addiction: Understanding the problem with opiates
Oxycontin has been called hillbilly heroin and it seems to be the drug of choice for a growing number of hard drug users in Cape Breton. Police there describe it as a crisis. What is it about Oxycontin that has made it such a dangerous commodity? To talk about street drugs and the problems associated with them, Canada Now host Linda Kelly spoke with Dr. John Fraser, an addictions expert with the North End Community Clinic in Halifax. (runs 4:35)