Latest news with #KentSmith
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Nova Scotia creates more child-care spaces for Eastern Shore
A group of children are pictured playing outside. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) The government of Nova Scotia will spend approximately $1.9 million to help create 72 new child-care spaces in the Lake Charlotte area of the Halifax Regional Municipality. 'It supports parents in the workforce, strengthens our communities and gives children the best possible start in life,' said Kent Smith, minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. 'That's why we're committed to expanding access to childcare options close to home.' The spaces will be at a new centre on Highway 7 that will be operated by the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, said a Thursday news release. This is the 12th project announced under the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's major infrastructure program. Funding is provided through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Nova Scotia signed a five-year extension to child-care agreements worth more than $1 billion, said the release. With more than 2,500 spaces in 41 communities, the president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth said they are the largest provider of licensed, non-profit childcare in the province. 'Opening a new YMCA child-care centre in Lake Charlotte is part of our commitment to supporting families close to home,' said Brian Posavad. 'Since 2021, with support from the Province, the YMCA has created 1,056 new child-care spaces, representing 20 per cent of all new childcare in Nova Scotia.' The province has created almost 7,000 new child-care spaces since 2021, said the release. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
YMCA to open new daycare for 72 children on Eastern Shore
In about 10 months and with about $2 million, the YMCA plans to turn an old hardware store into a much-needed daycare on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. Brian Posavad, president and CEO of the YMCA for Halifax and Dartmouth, said design work is underway for the space, which is in the rural community of Lake Charlotte on the outskirts of the Halifax Regional Municipality. "We're really excited to say that 72 families now can have child care close to home, which is a critical part of any community building, which is what we like to do," Posavad said at an announcement outside the space Thursday. The province is contributing $1.9 million through a grant program that targets the creation of new daycare spaces, particularly in communities "with the highest need for child care," according to the program's guidelines. Response to community demand Kent Smith, the MLA for the area, said the need was made clear to him by a recent petition signed by more than 300 people. The petition said there's a lack of safe, affordable, quality child care for families on the Eastern Shore, especially east of Porters Lake, and that the issue is a growing concern. Smith said he received over 100 pieces of correspondence as a result of the petition, including some from people who couldn't return to work because they had no child-care options. He added that it's the result of a demographic shift that's taken place over the past 10 to 20 years. "We're seeing a lot more younger families joining the Eastern Shore, so those young families need places for their children to go each day," said Smith. The YMCA also received the petition, and subsequently did a survey of its own. Close to 100 people responded, with more than 90 per cent saying they would enrol in a daycare in the Lake Charlotte area if the YMCA opened one. The daycare will be in the lower level of a log building, where the upper level is home to a general store called Webber's. Smith described the building as an icon of the Eastern Shore. "I'm just thrilled that we get to announce this here today," he said. The daycare is expected to open next March or April with 72 spaces for children aged 18 months to four years. Posavad said families will be able to register about six months before opening. He said the YMCA will need to hire between 15 and 20 staff members. More than 2,500 additional spaces needed by 2026 Since 2021, the province has been working toward opening 9,500 additional daycare spaces by March 2026 as part of its federal child-care agreement. Pam Aucoin, executive director of early childhood education for the province, said just shy of 7,000 spaces have opened since the agreement was signed. She said the province remains on track to hit the target for new spaces, as well as a target for bringing prices down to an average of $10 per day, also by March 2026.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nova Scotia funding coastal cleanup projects
The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is once again offering funding to members of the seafood industry, community groups and other organizations to support shoreline cleanup projects. Funding is available through the Marine Debris Clean-up Program for: shoreline cleanups – up to a maximum of $2,000 per event; applications will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2026, or until all available funds are allocated litter prevention projects – up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $3,000 per project; applications are open until June 30 marine debris recycling – up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per project; applications are open until June 30 'Clean coastlines benefit local communities and enhance the reputation of our seafood industry as a provider of top-quality products,' said Kent Smith, minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. 'Our goal is to limit the amount of debris that reaches the shore and increase recycling from cleanup initiatives.' Kelly Mackarous the coastal and marine program manager at Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation said the program inspires more collaborative efforts dedicated to clean coastlines. 'Through continued support from the Marine Debris Clean-up Program, Coastal Action has been able to continue a range of projects that not only target persistent marine debris on Nova Scotia's shorelines but also strengthen our relationships with local partners,' Mackarous said. June 8 is World Ocean Day, with events taking place throughout Nova Scotia, a province with 13,000 kilometres of coastline. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Good deal' budget bill offers smart tax policy and relief for Ohio families
As the state's operating budget works its way through the General Assembly, I want to bring to your attention legislation that I've reintroduced with my colleague from Cleveland, Sen. Kent Smith. Senate Bill 190 is a mini-budget bill entitled "A Good Deal for Ohio." It's named in honor of two past presidents and the work they did while in office: Theodore Roosevelt and the "Square Deal"; and Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the "New Deal." This effort is bipartisan and reflects what we believe would be a great budget. The bill is roughly $2 billion in revenues and expenditures and is, of course, balanced. It raises revenue by revising our tax code to close some overly generous tax loopholes and align other taxes with those of similar states. For example, the business income deduction has been in place for well over a decade. The first $250,000 of business income is tax-free, and it is taxed at a flat 3% above that level. For reference, Ohio's top income tax rate is 3.5%. This tax policy costs the state about $1.2 billion every year. The change we've made is to simply say that to receive this benefit, you need to materially participate in the business and employ at least one non-owner employee. In other words, you have to create jobs and not be a passive investor. This saves the state hundreds of millions per year and is consistent with many Ohio tax incentives that have a job creation requirement. Alaska, North Dakota and Texas have either no income tax or a very low income tax. They also have some of the highest severance taxes in the country − a severance tax is a tax on oil and gas extraction. Ohio's severance tax is one of the lowest in the country, and we have a thriving oil and gas industry. These high taxes haven't hampered Alaska, North Dakota and Texas; they're all red states, and their tax regimes exist with at least the tacit approval of Republicans. Moreover, John Kasich tried to increase the severance tax to underwrite an income tax cut. To simply do what these three states are doing will not destroy the oil and gas industry, and it would raise $500 million per year. There are many other changes on the revenue side, but let's talk about the expenditure side. Consistent with what we've heard from the electorate, the bill would deliver $900 million per year in property tax relief. It would do this by paying for the entirety of bipartisan, property tax "circuit-breaker" legislation: SB 22. It is means-tested, and goes to renters and homeowners alike, irrespective of age. It holds local political subdivisions harmless and is the only property tax relief legislation to earn the support of OASBO, which represents school treasurers. You should make up your mind on the proposal, but briefly here are the other elements: a refundable earned income tax credit (EITC); universal school breakfast and lunch; a major boost to the Ohio Housing Trust Fund; increases to the local government and public library funds; and an increase to 200% of FPL for initial eligibility for publicly funded childcare. What has made America and Ohio truly exceptional, and what this legislation supports, is a large and vibrant middle class combined with world-class social mobility. Though the chances of this legislation passing in its entirety are slim, that's not the point. It is to demonstrate what you could have, and serve as a blueprint for the future. To show that this makes better economic sense, as it will drive demand from the poor and middle classes, which will in turn drive business activity to meet that demand, all while strengthening our social safety net. And, finally, to restore faith in our public institutions that, while imperfect, are often the only entities in our corner when we fall on tough times. Louis W. Blessing III, R-Colerain Township, is serving his second term in the Ohio Senate. He currently represents Ohio's 8th Senate District, which encompasses a portion of Hamilton County. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio's budget can be balanced and bold | Opinion
CBC
30-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Doctors at rural hospital say new payment model hurts inpatient care
Musquodoboit Harbour residents are raising concerns about inpatient care at Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital amid a pay dispute between the province and five doctors at the hospital. However both the province and the MLA for the area are seeking to reassure the community that hospital services will continue as usual. In a letter to the province dated May 9, the doctors said they would resign on June 14 in protest over a change to how they are paid for inpatient care. However the doctors rescinded their resignations on May 24 and will now stay on the job for at least another six months as they continue discussions with the province. "We rescinded our resignations despite the lack of flexibility from [the health department] basically to keep the hospital open," one of the doctors, Dr. David Brandon, told CBC News in an interview. The local MLA, Kent Smith, said he was contacted by several constituents about the status of inpatient care. "The doctors are in ongoing discussions with respect to their coverage of inpatients. I am cautiously optimistic for a favourable outcome," he wrote in a Facebook post on May 22. "The most important thing to understand is that this issue of inpatient coverage has absolutely no impact on any other services offered at Twin Oaks. We are all working hard to ensure continued excellent care for our community." The payment model the five doctors have criticized is part of the most recent contract between physicians and the provincial government. The previous payment model paid doctors for each service. Longitudinal Family Medicine (LFM) is a payment model that offers physicians higher compensation if they take on more responsibility, such as taking on more patients or providing additional services or working longer hours. The five doctors say the change will negatively impact how they are paid for inpatient care at Twin Oaks. They say the model doesn't fit the unique needs of small communities. The rural hospital has 15 inpatient beds in addition to an emergency department that is open 12 hours per day. Dr. Gehad Gobran is the president of Doctors Nova Scotia, which negotiated the contract on behalf of the province's 3,300 physicians. "We're educating physicians about the new model and trying to support any necessary solution-minded service delivery changes, within the existing remuneration structure, that will sustain services, while not disadvantaging the physicians financially or increasing practice burden," he said in a statement to CBC News. CBC News requested an interview with the Nova Scotia Health Authority but received a statement instead. The statement says steps are being taken to ensure patients continue to receive medical care and the emergency services will operate normally. "The emergency department will remain fully operational, with no changes to its services," it says. "Virtual urgent care, which is already available at the hospital and underutilized, will continue to support patient needs." Brandon says the hospital should have six physicians on staff, but they currently only have five. As part of a temporary agreement, the province has allowed them to hire an additional physician. "The one thing that [health department] has made possible is that they've allowed us to bring in another doctor if we can find one using locum funding until a new doctor can be hired." For now, Brandon says, the doctors remain, but they will submit their resignations again if the conflict persists and communication with the province does not improve. "The hospital is going to stay open. The hospital is not going to close. We are going to do our best to provide the best care that we can within the limitations of the system, which is what we always do."
