Alerts
Town of New Glasgow joins forces with Operation Lifesaver to raise awareness about crossing safety.
- Details
- Published: Thursday, 21 September 2023 15:38
TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW JOINS FORCES WITH OPERATION LIFESAVER TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT CROSSING SAFETY
September 21, 2023
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia – Every year, dozens of Canadians are killed or seriously injured in collisions at railway crossings. In fact, there were 159 such incidents in Canada in 2022, which killed 14 people and seriously injured another 27. Sadly, virtually all these tragedies were preventable.
Today, Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada, in partnership with HUB Surface Systems and the Town of New Glasgow, unveiled 2 new rail safety decals at the High Street, New Glasgow Crossing as part of OL’s Look. Listen. Live. Community Safety Partnership Program.
Through the program, OL works with municipalities to identify locations where rail-safety decals can be installed to remind people to be situationally aware around crossings. Each bright yellow decal features a black silhouette of a train, as well as the words “Look. Listen. Live.”—OL’s important rail-safety message. The goal of the decals is simple: to prevent tragic crossing incidents by making pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers more aware of the need to be vigilant around railway crossings.
“We appreciate the extra diligence taken by Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway with the installation of Look Listen Live decals at these important rail crossings within our Town. Our country continues to experience incidents at crossings and safety measures such as these make a difference in reducing the accidents while increasing safety awareness.” Mayor Dicks
“Incidents at railway crossings are tragically common across this country, and each one affects the victim’s family and friends, as well as railway employees, first responders and broader communities,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. "This program aims to make the public more aware of the hazards around rail crossings, which will hopefully save lives. We want people to slow down, look in both directions, listen for approaching trains, and obey all railway warning signs and signals.”
Vancouver, B.C., and London, Ont., became the first Canadian cities to sign onto the Community Safety Partnership Program in 2018, and as of 2022 there were 80 municipalities participating in the program. This year, another 20 municipalities will be joining the program for a total of 100.
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re pleased that so many communities have recognized that and chosen to join forces with us through the Community Safety Partnership Program,” said Mayes. “We hope to build on the program’s momentum, and work with even more municipalities to spread the rail-safety message and save lives.”
Municipalities can obtain more information about the Community Safety Partnership Program by visiting OL’s website. OL also recently unveiled a free toolkit for communities to use in promoting rail safety to their residents; it’s available at www.operationlifesaver.ca.
For more information:
Catherine HenryOperation Lifesaver 613-564-8100
About Operation Lifesaver Canada
Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca.
Seniors Care Grant Program
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- Published: Monday, 11 September 2023 10:28
Starting Friday, September 1st, seniors can apply to the annual Seniors Care Grant program, which helps with expenses that allow them to stay in their homes longer and improve their quality of life.
The grant has been increased to $750 and now includes home heating as an eligible service. To qualify, Nova Scotians must be 65 years or older by March 31st, 2024, live in a home they own or rent, and have an annual household income of $37,500 or less.
"We heard from many seniors that last year's home heating grant made a big difference," said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. "We know that the cost of home heating can be hard, especially for seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes, so we've increased the grant and included home heating as an eligible expense, allowing seniors more flexibility to use the grant in whichever way best suits their needs."
The grant helps seniors cover the costs of a range of healthcare and household services, including physiotherapy, medication and grocery delivery, phone services and home repairs. The grant may also be used for home heating costs, such as oil, natural gas, and electricity. More information about the grant, including how to apply, who is eligible and eligible services is available:
~ at the program website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-help-household-costs-seniors-care-grant
~ by email:
~ by phone: 1-800-670-4357
Print applications are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres and MLA offices.
Another change this year is direct deposit for seniors who are signed up for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency. All other eligible applicants will continue to receive their payment by cheque.
Seniors who previously opted in to receive the seniors care grant when applying for the property tax rebate for seniors will need to submit a separate application for the grant beginning this year.
Application closes on March 31st.
Quick Facts:
~ people who received a seniors care grant between December 1, 2021, and May 31, 2023, are eligible to apply for a new grant
~ applicants must keep receipts for work or services provided, live in a home or apartment they own or rent, and have an annual net household income of $37,500 or less -- more than 37,000 seniors received a seniors care grant last year
~ the government is investing up to $30.5 million in the seniors care grant this year
Additional Resources:
Financial assistance and grant programs for homeowners:
https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/financial-assistance-and-grant-programs-homeowners
Action for Health, the government's plan to improve healthcare:
https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/
Mandate letter of the Minister of Seniors and Longterm Care:
https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf
New Glasgow Fire Department: Safe Outdoor Fires in the Town of New Glasgow
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- Published: Thursday, 13 April 2023 14:12
A Message from Fire Chief Ross White:
With spring in the air, longer daylight, and people wanting to go outside and enjoy their property we must be safe.
If you are still cleaning up from the storm damage of Fiona this material must be hauled away. When it comes to outdoor fires, they must be in a Recreational Outdoor Burning Appliance and the manufacturer’s operating instructions are followed. You can only burn seasoned dry wood no brush or leaves are allowed.
The size of the fire cannot be any larger than 60 centimeters in width and no higher than 45 centimeters. There must be someone always present while the fire is burning, and this person must be a minimum of 19 years of age. You must have your fire pit at least 4.75m (15feet) from any structure or property line. You must also have a means to put out the fire close by. If you are going to have a small backyard fire inform your neighbors to make sure it will not bother them. If a complaint comes in you will be asked to put the fire out.
Check the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables from March 15th to October 15th to see if there are any Burning Restrictions for Pictou County.
Read the full Town of New Glasgow Fires and Burning of Materials By-Law here.
2021-2025 Integrated Development Plan
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- Published: Tuesday, 19 April 2022 10:08
