Media Scan Monday August 16, 2021

Vaccine passport a 'good idea,' says Restaurants Canada VP COVID-19 vaccine passports have been a hotly debated topic as of late, but a leader in the food service industry says the system is a "good idea" that could help save many local businesses from shuttering. "The vaccine passport is one more tool in a tool chest that could be used to keep the industry open," Luc Erjavec, Restaurant Canada's Atlantic vice president, says. "What we're absolutely sure about is we do not want to see another shutdown. We have been devastated by the shutdown and we're struggling to recover. If we're shut down again, I don't know how many more restaurants would close. "If it's something that can help us stay up and stay open, we'd like to see it." Vaccine passports getting mixed reaction across the Maritimes Within days of Nova Scotia Liberal leader proposing a vaccine passport system if elected, protests were arranged – including one Saturday morning in downtown Halifax. Protestors saying they weren’t necessarily against the vaccine – but “a taxpayer funded form of social coercion,” according to Atlantica Party leader Jonathan Dean. “Letting people know this is a step too far and we won’t allow it,” he said. Rankin said Monday that the so-called "ScotiaPass" would not be mandatory, but it could be a tool for businesses, like restaurants and bars, to help keep staff and customers safe. The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is surveying its membership to see if they would be in favour of something similar. NDP rolls on with rent control, Liberals and Tories talk health care It's Day 30 of Nova Scotia's 31-day provincial election. The varied views on rent control. In the final days of the election, NDP Leader is sticking with the issue his party believes is resonating the most with voters: affordable housing and rent control. Burrill made an appearance on the Dartmouth waterfront on Sunday with candidate Claudia Chender and Dartmouth resident Mike Sangster. Sangster has lived in the same Dartmouth apartment building for 25 years. But he's preparing to move out after receiving notice in the spring that his rent will increase by $850 a month to $1,850 on Sept. 1 if rent control is no longer in place, or in the month following whenever it is lifted. Sangster's landlord also plans to increase the monthly parking fee to $150. When Stephen McNeil's Liberal government introduced rent control last fall in the face of a housing crisis, its shelf life was tied to the removal of the COVID-19 provincial state of emergency or Feb. 1, 2022, whichever came first. Glace Bay’s mini-boom: New businesses, renovated buildings, widespread construction spearheading wave of positivity The transformation of Senator’s Corner in the heart of downtown Glace Bay is symbolic of an increasing positivity in the economically-beleaguered former coal mining town, says a longtime community booster. The landmark intersection, located where Main, Union and Commercial streets meet in front of the legendary Savoy Theatre, is also home to the new East Division home of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, the 56,000-square-foot Senator’s Place office building and the north end of the now one-way Commercial St. 'Great stuff' “There’s lots of great stuff going on in Glace, lots of great stuff,” said David MacKeigan, vice-chair of the Bay It Forward community development group. Cape Breton Highlands National Park lakes now allow people with mobility issues back to the beach People with mobility issues can now fully enjoy two lakes in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Municipality of Victoria County recently donated two specially designed mats and two floating chairs to Parks Canada so more people can spend time with family and friends on the sand and in the water at Warren Lake and Freshwater Lake. Lydia Kerr, the active living co-ordinator for Victoria County, said the municipality was able to purchase the equipment through a Nova Scotia Department of Seniors program. They reached out to Parks Canada because many of the most popular beaches are located in the national park. Mother nurturer: Why Hope Swinimer dedicated her life to wild animals As Hope Swinimer scoops a pine marten pierced with porcupine quills from a cardboard box, she gasps and appears to choke back tears. It's only the third time she's ever seen the endangered weasel-like mammal at Hope for Wildlife, her charitable facility in Seaforth, N.S., despite having worked in wildlife rehabilitation for more than 25 years. "My whole life, I've had a passion for these critters," said Swinimer, noting there are only about 100 female American martens left in the province after being trapped to near extinction in the 1940s and 50s. "They're so agile and quick and they run through the treetops … but never, ever in my life have I seen one in the wild." Cool new experiences to check out this summer in Nova Scotia There’s plenty of summer left in Nova Scotia, and hundreds of potential adventures are just waiting to be discovered — on land, water, even in the air! The famous Bay of Fundy has the world’s highest tides, and it’s the perfect backdrop for many unique experiences — like the Bay of Fundy Lobster Tour in Tiverton, captained by veterans of the lobster fishing industry, Tamara Frost and Kyle Redden. Another way to experience the Bay of Fundy is by horseback. The Spirit Reins Ranch Horseback Tidal Floor and Fossil Tour allows you to trot along the Minas Basin at low tide to see everything from clams and crabs to seabirds. Further along, at Wasson Bluff, you might see geologists and palaeontologists hard at work in an area where ancient dinosaur fossils have been discovered. Canada is headed for a federal election on Sept. 20 Canadians will head to the polls on Sept. 20. Following a meeting with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau this morning, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon approved his request to dissolve Parliament, triggering the issuing of the election writs and formally beginning Canada's 44th federal election. The campaign will last 36 days — the minimum campaign length permitted by law. Opposition parties have argued against an early election call. Canada's next fixed-date election was set for October 2023. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh went so far as to urge Simon to refuse Trudeau's request. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said Monday he was concerned about holding a campaign during a fourth wave of the pandemic and accused Trudeau of pursuing an election in his own political "self-interest." Back to business: N.B. tourism industry reporting boost from U.S. border reopening After a difficult year and a half, tourism operators in New Brunswick say they are finally seeing a much-needed boost in business. The project lifted all border restrictions just over two weeks ago, and is now being flooded with both national and international travellers. The boardwalk in Moncton was full of visitors on Sunday, a welcomed change of pace for both tourists, and tourism operators in the region. “We’ve gone to the zoo, we went down by the wharf, and up the mountain today,” says Staci Murphy, visiting New Brunswick from Maine. “On Friday we drove down to Peggy’s Cove, because it’s only three hours. It’s so nice that all the provinces in the Maritimes are close together, like a two hour, three hour drive, which is nice,” adds Alex Liota, an Ontario resident. New initiative puts Indigenous food on the tourism table Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, ON – The first of its kind in the world, FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario (FEAST), launched Aug. 10 with a vision to establish Indigenous foods and foodways as integral parts of Ontario’s identity. Over a two-year period, Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) worked with partners across the province to develop FEAST, a five-year plan to strategically advance the Indigenous food tourism sector. Visitors from near and far are looking to form connections, experience Taste of Place and learn about Culture through food and beverage. With Ontario being home to many diverse Indigenous cultures and unique foodways, Indigenous food tourism experiences can not only meet these demands but also serve as a catalyst for increased dialogue and cultural exchange, support Indigenous-owned businesses, and contribute to community development.