John A MacDonald MLA for Hants East

08/27/2026

PREMIERS OFFICE/NATURAL RESOURCES--Premier Statement on Northern Pulp
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The following is a statement from Premier Tim Houston.
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As I took office as a Premier in 2021, I knew I would be inheriting the Northern Pulp file – one of the largest, most complex and highly sensitive legal and economic files this Province has faced.
For many years, the pulp mill in Pictou County was a major exporter, an important employer and an integral part of the forestry industry. Its environmental record and impacts on surrounding people and communities were also part of its well documented history.
In 2020, the mill went idle when the Boat Harbour Act came into force, and the company went into creditor protection. On top of the lost jobs and economic activity, there was a $450-million lawsuit against the Province, outstanding loans owed to taxpayers, and—something that was very concerning to me—the pensions of former mill employees in deficit.
With the fate of the mill sealed, our government negotiated the best possible outcome for Nova Scotians, reaching a settlement agreement with the company in May 2024.
As a direct result of the settlement agreement:
-the $450-million lawsuit initiated by Northern Pulp related to the Boat Harbour Act was dismissed
-the company conducted a feasibility study of building a new kraft mill in Nova Scotia
-the court-appointed monitor oversaw a transparent sales process of the timberlands, which resulted in a Nova Scotia-owned company buying these important lands and keeping the woodlands operation working
-revenues from the sale paid for the pension deficit in full, provided $15 million toward closure plan activities on the mill site, and fully covered the amount owing on the provincial loans
We were not guaranteed full payment of what was owed to taxpayers. However, I am pleased to report that, based on the final sale price, the Province has received $102.3 million, which fully repays the debt. The final payment was received this week.
I am also pleased that the purchaser of the lands is a respected Nova Scotian that cares about the province and has always shown a commitment to doing the right thing.
In the coming weeks, the company will begin closure plan activities on the mill site, including removing hazardous materials and demolition of buildings and other structures. The Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible to monitor those activities as the environmental regulator.
While Northern Pulp remains in creditor protection, we anticipate the court process coming to an end soon. We recognize this has been a long process, more than six years in the making. I am proud that the Province, as a secured creditor in the court proceedings, has accomplished the best result possible for Nova Scotians

08/26/2026

Upcoming Public Health Mobile Unit at Findley Park on September 5, 2026

08/25/2026

July 25, 2026 the Miller Family Memorial was unveiled.

https://www.johnamacdonald.ca/post/rededication-of-plaque-for-miller-memorial

08/18/2026

The Local Food Security Initiatives Program application deadline is Monday, August 31, 2026.

This program supports projects that improve access to healthy, locally produced food for vulnerable Nova Scotians. Eligible applicants include registered non-profits, charities, community groups and Nova Scotian Mi'kmaw bands. Funding is available from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the project and funding tier.

You can find more information here: https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-help-communities-address-food-insecurity-local-food-security-initiatives

08/17/2026

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT--Funding to Help Communities Prepare for Emergencies
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The Province is providing more than $800,000 to regional emergency management organizations to help communities better prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

Funding for 12 organizations across Nova Scotia from the Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) Capacity Grant Program will support projects such as:
- improving emergency communications systems
- hiring emergency management staff
- renting office spaces
- emergency preparedness training
- developing emergency management plans

“Funding emergency response is an investment in safety, resilience and lives,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. “Every dollar spent through this grant strengthens the capacity of an entire region in Nova Scotia. It means building relationships, joint planning, supporting our neighbours during emergencies, sharing knowledge and resources – all things that ensure we are better prepared and can respond the most effectively.”

A regional emergency management organization brings neighbouring municipalities together to co-ordinate emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery across a region. This means 37 municipalities in Nova Scotia will benefit from the projects receiving funding.

The funding is for projects spanning one to four years. The organizations receiving funding in 2026-27 are in: Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Halifax Regional Municipality, and Digby, Queens, Antigonish, Colchester, Guysborough, Lunenburg, Pictou, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Victoria, Inverness and Richmond counties.

Regional emergency management organizations play a crucial role in emergency planning and providing prompt, co-ordinated responses in their area. They are activated to provide centralized co-ordination when emergencies become too large for local agencies to handle alone.

Quotes:
“The Pictou County Regional Emergency Management Organization, which consists of all six municipalities in Pictou County, welcomes the Province of Nova Scotia's investment through the REMO Capacity Grant Program. This grant represents the Province's continued commitment to strengthening emergency management in municipalities across Nova Scotia. The funding has enabled the municipalities to hire a full-time emergency management co-ordinator who provides dedicated support to the six municipal units within Pictou County. By providing long-term, sustainable funding, the Province is helping us build emergency management capacity today while ensuring our communities are better prepared, more resilient, and ready to respond to emergencies in the future.”
— Brian Cullen, CAO, Municipality of Pictou County

“As we continue to see more frequent and complex emergencies, investing in preparedness has never been more important. This funding helps strengthen emergency management capacity across Lunenburg County through enhanced training, equipment and regional co-ordination. We’re grateful for the Province’s support and for the strong partnerships that help keep our communities safe.”
— Elspeth McLean-Wile, Mayor, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg

“We appreciate the support provided through the Department of Emergency Management. As a recipient of this grant, our region has established a regional emergency management organization framework that will support comprehensive risk and hazard identification, as well as the development of a regional emergency management plan. Collaboration with our regional partners, which include the Town of Port Hawkesbury, Richmond County and Victoria County, combined with the ongoing support of the Department of Emergency Management, is essential to strengthening our preparedness and ensuring that when an emergency happens, we are ready.”
— Bonny MacIsaac, Warden, Municipality of Inverness County

Quick Facts:
- the Department of Emergency Management sets the standards these organizations must achieve; this funding will help them meet and surpass these standards
- In 2025, the Department of Emergency Management awarded about $1 million in grants to seven regional emergency management organizations across Nova Scotia
- the Department also administers the Emergency Services Provider Fund, which provides grants for equipment to first responder organizations, hazardous materials units and ground search and rescue crews; it has individual organization and regional streams of funding

08/14/2026

Update on Bridge and Detour in Enfield.

Public works has confirmed the road is expected to be open by end of day on Monday August 17. Bridge in Enfield replacement is on going, however is reduced to 1 lane until further notice. New bridge is expected to be completed next summer.

08/08/2026

Are you under 30 and working in a skilled trade, nursing, or film occupation? You could be eligible for the More Opportunity for Skilled Trades and Occupations (MOST) Tax Refund.

This program can provide a refund of provincial income tax paid on your first $50,000 of income if you meet the eligibility requirements.

🔹 Available to eligible workers in skilled trades, nursing and film occupations
🔹 Refund on provincial income tax paid on the first $50,000 of income
🔹 Apply online

If you’re under 30 or you know someone who is, take a few minutes to see if you qualify. You may be leaving money on the table simply because you didn’t know about the program!

Learn more and apply online:
https://www.novascotia.ca/more-opportunity-skilled-trades-and-occupations-tax-refund

The deadline is the lastest to appy, I know many that applied as soon as they got their assessment from CRA. So if you filed your 2025 taxes and qualify, I would apply ASAP.

Please share this post! Let’s make sure more young Nova Scotians know about the opportunities available to them.

The More Opportunity for Skilled Trades and Occupations Tax Refund helps attract and retain youth to work in Nova Scotia in industries experiencing labour shortages.

08/02/2026

Culvert Replacement on Route 202 East Gore this week.

Route 202 in east gore will be closed between civic 2898 and 2920 for a culvert replacement. Work will begin this Monday and is expected to last 72 hours.

07/29/2026

Update on Detour, will be close for another 3 weeks.

Received notice today the detour will stay in place until week of August 17. Update:There is a significant amount of work remaining, including subgrade construction, gravel subbase placement, asphalt paving, and guardrail installation, all of which must be completed to safely reopen Old Enfield Road...

07/27/2026

Reminder of the East Hants Family Resource Centre the Public Helath Vaccine Clinic, details in link below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14jTQANtgof/

Just a reminder that Public Health will be back on Wednesday, July 29th for their regular monthly vaccine clinic.

Please note- come through the back entrance of the building and they will be set up in Room 100.
Thank you!