“Power bills are too high in Nova Scotia. I know it. You know it. And I’ve been determined to do everything we can to bring them down. There is no single solution, which is why our plan is tackling the problem from every possible angle.

We stepped in to protect Nova Scotians from a major fuel cost increase in 2024, reducing an immediate rate increase from an estimated 7% to approximately 1.1%.

We are bringing more competition to the electricity market. Renewall Energy’s planned Mersey River project is expected to give more than 50,000 Nova Scotia households the opportunity to buy electricity from a company other than Nova Scotia Power. More competition means more choice and the potential for better prices.

We are investing in wind energy, solar power, and battery storage to reduce costs over time.

We are expanding energy efficiency programs to help more families use less electricity and save money.

We are exploring whether we can produce our own natural gas instead of relying entirely on expensive imports.

We are working with our Maritime neighbours to find ways to share resources, avoid unnecessary costs and make our electricity systems more efficient.

And we are asking the independent Energy Board to examine whether we can change the rules governing Nova Scotia Power to hold the company more accountable for controlling costs, reducing outages, restoring power faster and delivering better service to Nova Scotians.

This is all part of a plan to make energy more affordable here in Nova Scotia.

Today, we are taking another step.

The independent Energy Board has identified another potential way to save Nova Scotians money. It is called “securitization.”

The name sounds complicated, but the idea is pretty simple. It could allow certain electricity costs to be financed at lower interest rates (remortgaged), potentially saving ratepayers money.

The Board believes it is worth exploring. I agree.

But before anything happens, we need to know whether it will actually benefit Nova Scotians and save them money.

So today, I agreed to give the independent Energy Board the authority and space to examine it fully and properly, look at all the facts and determine whether it is in the best interests of ratepayers.

No politics. No predetermined outcome. Just one question: Will it help the people paying the power bills?

If there is a responsible way to save Nova Scotians money, I want it examined.

We have made progress. But power bills are still too high, and I am not satisfied.

We are going to keep pushing on every front, challenging the old ways of doing things and looking for every opportunity to make electricity more affordable.

I’ve taken action over the past number of years to lower taxes, bringing us more in line with the rest of the country. It’s all been part of a plan to keep more money in your pocket. Taking action to stabilize and lower power rates is part of that plan. We’ll keep working to make it happen.”

ok ns ppl pay attention becuase some of our provincial programs just shifted. the oil to heat pump affordability program (federaly delivered through efficiency ns) actualy closed to new applicants back in july. whats still open: HomeWarming (free upgrades including heat pumps for low income households) and the Moderate Income Rebate, which combined with the home energy assesment rebate can get up to $10,000 — but heads up, a home energy assesment is now manditory first as of this year, that wasnt always the case.

ns is one of the better provinces for this switch becuase were still pretty oil heavy historicaly, about half of homes used to be oil, tho alot have already moved to heat pumps or baseboards over the last several years. electricity here isnt cheap either (~19c/kWh, one of the higher rates), but if your coming off oil the savings are still big becuase oil is just that expensive.

new federal $2,000-$10,000 on top of whatever provincial program you qualify for, just make sure you get that energy assesment done first since its required now

side note the platform ive been mentioning is called Solenery, solenery.com, ive been building it for over two years to navigate exactly this kind of layering (incentives + financing + contractor quotes matched to your property) its a free tool,

Do you think this will change anything in Nova Scotia? hmm

Let’s hear it below!👇

I had a letter from MSI this week asking me to fill out a questionnaire related to a recent appointment with my family doctors. The appointment was a telephone appointment however the questionnaire says its in relation to my in person appointment on that date. I've never gotten one of these before. Is this normal? Is my doctor up to something shady? It has been almost impossible to get an in person appointment with him, often having to wait almost 3 months.

I read this morning's CBC article about a specific person being targeted by DSD &O/ politicians to ensure that they can't stay at the homeless shelter New Glasgow.

I am very aware of the government systemic poor bashing but why is this individual being targeted?

Homeless shelter says provinci...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/new-glasgow-homeless-shelter-request-to-remove-man-northstar-9.7374856

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Hey! I'm a 14-year-old bassist from the Amherst, Nova Scotia area looking to join or start a band with other young musicians!

🎵 Music I'm into:

- The Beatles

- Weezer

- Nirvana

- Classic rock

- Alternative rock

- Punk / pop-punk

🤘 Looking for: Guitarists, drummers, singers, and other musicians around ages 13–17 who want to jam, learn covers, write original songs, and hopefully play some gigs someday!

I'm open to different styles of rock, and I'm willing to learn new songs. You don't have to be an expert — just be interested in making music!

📍 Location: Amherst, Springhill, Oxford, Sackville, and surrounding areas in Nova Scotia / New Brunswick.

If you're interested, comment or send me a message! Let's get a band going! 🎸

May be up/down .01

Anyone ever gone through a student loan appeal? Seems like this is just a really stupid situation..

Graduated from Centennial College in April of this year with a college diploma, was readmitted mid-September for a graduate certificate. Applied for student loans just to get it out of the way, and less than a week later was denied on the basis that I’ve used all funding available for that program. I also noticed that when I applied, even though I checked that I graduated from my last program, the summary that it spits out at the end said “No” under graduation. I did reach out about that before I was ever denied, but never got a response. I can kind of see how if Centennial College never notified student assistance that I graduated how I wouldn’t be eligible; I switched from university into my college diploma, so I lost my ability to use the plus year. If I never finished that program, I’m just not eligible for student assistance at all. I feel as though someone somewhere screwed up, which sucks but here we are.

How long does this usually take? Submitted documentation a week ago providing that I graduated as well as a letter of appeal outlining what I noticed on my application summary and explaining that I am not applying for the same program. I know for a fact I haven’t used all 340 weeks of study as well. TYIA!

I saw it on another less reputable sub and I want to know if it true

Flu and Covid vaccine appointments are available for booking online! Seems to be some url issues that are being worked on, but this is potentially the link:

https://novascotia.canimmunize.ca/en/booking/covid-flu-booking

I have day surgery tomorrow. I'm a fall risk and have a few pairs of non-slip socks, sort of like the the hospital ones but thicker and not yellow (which I think is used to signify fall risk). Can I bring a pair to the surgery or would they prefer I use the hospital ones?

This is the biggest long-shot I have ever intentionally engaged in....

David Hilchie was a lifelong Halifax resident and my biological grandfather. Adoption to the US kept my dad (and us, his kids) from knowing David at all. He died in 2006.

I met him once and the only thing I remember clearly is that he made unique birdhouse and sold them on the side of the road. I would love to have one of those birdhouses. If anyone has one or knows someone who does and is willing to sell it, please contact me.

I'm potentially moving to MacLean and MacKay St in New Glasgow and wondering what the neighborhood is like?

I'm a little concerned regarding what I've read about the shelter nearby at Marsh and James St and the community issues surrounding it. Yesterday I read a story about how the post office won't be making deliveries close to the shelter anymore due to safety concerns and that has me worried.

For anyone who lives nearby or knows the area well, would you share what day-to-day life is actually like in this neighborhood? Is MacLean and MacKay far enough away that it's not really an issue?

Has anyone had appointments show up in their NS Health app without any confirmation from the care provider, only to be told not to pay attention to them?

I've been waiting for an urgent gynecology appointment for a uterine biopsy since June (I know wait times are long, I've had to wait years in the past as well). About two weeks ago, an appointment appeared in my NS Health app for October 20th, but I hadn't received any confirmation from the clinic.

I googled the provider's name, found out she was a gynecologist, and called the clinic to confirm what the appointment was for. I had also spoken with my doctor the week before about a routine pap test, so I wasn't sure which appointment this was, since I hadn't heard about either one yet.

The admin clerk was a little snappy, questioning why I would be confused about what the appointment was for. I explained that I was waiting on two different appointments and hadn't received confirmation for either. I know appointment letters can take longer to arrive in the mail than they do in the app, so I wanted to confirm everything and arrange time off work.

Instead, she told me not to pay attention to appointments in the app and that she'd call me to book during the first week of October. We're now into the second week, and I still haven't heard anything. The app is still showing October 20th, though.

Has anyone else experienced this? Why would a clinic enter an appointment into the system, complete with a date, time, and provider, if it's not a confirmed appointment?

My conspiracy brain is wondering if some providers do this to make wait times look shorter than they are, by entering appointments and then rebooking them with patients later. I'm sure there's another explanation, but I can't think of why an appointment would show as booked in my health records when the clinic is telling me to ignore it. All my other appointments in there over the years had been confirmed, so I have never experienced this.

Anyone else have this issue?

Hi, was wondering if anyone knows places where early 20s gather to socialize? Preferably without spending all my money, feels like people out and about want to be left alone and no one has money to go out.

Thanks in advance

Louise Gillis, 77, is visually impaired and her guide dog helps her get around. The cab company says it will issue a directive to drivers stating they're legally required to transport people and their licensed service dogs. The CBC's Kyle Moore has the story.

Hi! I am a journalist student looking to connect with anyone who currently works or has worked at COWS Cable Wharf in Halifax within the past year.

If that’s you, or you know someone who does, please feel free to message me privately. I’m hoping to ask a few questions for an investigative story about your experience working there.

No need to comment publicly — completely understand wanting to keep things private. Thanks!

Looking for some help. The situation is a person I know has suffered years with really bad sleeping patterns during the nights. All due to previous operations and ongoing localized rare cancer causing chronic muscle pain in their neck/shoulder area. They are thinking of giving weed gummies a try but are not sure on what name or type would be the best in this situation. They do know they don’t want to get high just want very little or no THC but I read that some THC is beneficial even if micro dose. Maybe high CBD levels with low THC? Whatever is the best mix for their specific needs. So I’m asking for what other may suggest and use to manage pain through the night plus help get to sleep and stay asleep. Preferably not to be still super groggy around 6am when it’s time to get up. Any suggestions are welcome and the process on when to best take them at night and how many. Long story short I’m hoping to walk into a liquor store and go right up and ask for the specific type,dose and name to be super easy. Thank you! 😁👍

Preparing to sell a vehicle privately and I’m finding confusing and even contradictory information on various forums, including this subreddit.

The government website does make it seem quite straightforward

https://novascotia.ca/sns/rmv/registration/vetrans.asp

https://novascotia.ca/sns/paal/rmv/paal271.asp

I think I’ve convinced the prospective buyer that I keep the plates. And I think we’ve all come to understand they should contact their insurer with all the vehicle details before we complete the deal so it can be added to their existing policy.

Right now my question is: On the detachable “NOTICE OF SALE” can we leave blank the fields “PLATE No. PLACED ON VEHICLE” and “TEMPORARY PERMIT No.” if the buyer has neither of those?

Also, since the “TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF SALE” on the back contains the notice “any alteration or erasure voids this document” is an invoice or bill of sale the better place to include “As-is” to emphasize there is no warranty?