Alicia Draus

Digital Broadcast Journalist

Author Archives

• N.S. university students under pressure from rising cost of living

  Inflationary food, housing and gas prices are putting pressure on university students in Nova Scotia, on top of pre-existing school expenses.

  Economy

  Apr 28
• ‘They missed the mark’: N.S. nurse on medical leave for cancer doesn’t qualify for full retention bonus

  Instead of the full $10,000, Katie Doyle says she'll get a prorated amount for the time she worked during the last fiscal year, which was four months.

  Health

  Apr 20
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• Nova Scotia falling behind on QEII redevelopment project, auditor general says

  On Tuesday, auditor general Kim Adair released a report following up on past recommendations released in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

  Health

  Apr 18
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• Elver fishing season halted, Maritime fishers say Ottawa not doing enough to protect industry

  The order prohibiting fishing signed by the fisheries minister on Saturday says there's been a significant amount of people fishing for eel 'outside the authorized fishery.'

  Canada

  Apr 17
• N.S. parents call for fair school support staff wages to avoid potential strike

  Parents say they support the school staff going on strike, acknowledging that their jobs are very complex and they deserve to be respected, valued and fairly compensated.

  Education

  Apr 14
• In husband’s memory, N.S. woman calls for better sick-leave job protections

  Currently, Nova Scotians only get three unpaid sick days a year, after that, their employer can let them go. A Liberal bill would see those job protections extended to 26 weeks.

  Health

  Apr 6
• N.S. opposition parties call for legislation limiting NDAs for sexual assault, harassment cases

  The Nova Scotia NDP tabled a petition on Tuesday calling on the government to pass legislation banning the use of non-disclosure agreements for sexual assault victims. 

  Canada

  Mar 28
• Some N.S. retailers call for credit card payment fees to be lowered

  For every credit card transaction, retailers are charged a so-called interchange rate. It's a fee that's shared between credit card companies, payment processors and banks.

  Economy

  Feb 28
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• Tracking the data: Where we are with Nova Scotia’s Action for Health plan

  The goal is to have just five per cent of the population seeking a primary care provider, but currently 13 per cent of Nova Scotians are without. 

  Health

  Feb 27
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• Ukrainian store in Halifax at risk of closing if new location is not found

  Their current space is 4,000 square feet and they're hoping to find something similar that's on a bus route and has a storefront that can be driven up to.

  Canada

  Feb 24
• Halifax adopts framework to address growing homeless population

  As part of the framework for addressing homelessness the municipality also identified the provincial rent increase cap's expiry as a concern.

  Canada

  Feb 23
• Dalhousie University pilot project expands PrEP prescriptions to N.S. pharmacies

  Nova Scotia patients at high risk of HIV will be able to obtain PrEP medication from a pharmacist, who will also work the with Halifax Sexual Health Centre on bloodwork monitoring.

  Health

  Feb 21
• Nova Scotia Health says new technology will ‘modernize’ and improve cancer care

  The new Oncology Transformation Project (OTP) is bringing together key oncology information systems to create a single access point for cancer patients and their care teams.

  Health

  Feb 17
• Dartmouth bakery selling ‘Black Futures Cupcakes’ inspired by Nelson Whynder students

  Included in the half dozen is a 'Peace and Love' cupcake in honour of Lee Marion Cain, a student at Nelson Whynder who was killed in a brazen shooting in Dartmouth in 2021.

  Education

  Feb 16
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• Nova Scotia spending $45M on travel nurses to help in long-term care sector

  Unions in the province have been vocal against the use of travel nurses noting that the travel nurses make significantly more than nurses in the public care.

  Health

  Feb 14
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• N.S. family of Clayton Miller continues 33-year fight for answers, accountability

  A lawyer representing Clayton Miller's family says they have new evidence contradicting the official story about his supposed accidental death in 1990.

  Canada

  Feb 9
• ‘Still in a little shock’: Burst pipes from extreme cold causing big headaches in N.S.

  The freezing cold temperatures can wreak havoc on pipes, especially copper pipes which are less adaptable than polyethylene and can burst when they freeze and expand. 

  Weather

  Feb 6
• Retired doctor says Nova Scotia should incentivize doctors to reduce hours instead of retiring

  George Burden suggests the province do something like Newfoundland, which recently started waiving membership fees for currently retired physicians who opt to return to practice.

  Health

  Jan 30
• N.S. government has spent $684K on ‘buy local’ program that hasn’t launched yet

  The Department of Economic Development says the province has so far spent $684,000 on the program, which is yet to be rolled out. The bulk of spending has been on promotion.

  Economy

  Jan 26
• ‘Backwards immigration process’ creating red tape for future N.S. doctors, medical resident says

  A medical resident who came to Nova Scotia as an international student says the province is losing out on good doctors due to immigration challenges.

  Canada

  Jan 23
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• Residents say ongoing flooding on Shubenacadie, N.S. road is preventable

  In 2016 the Municipality of East Hants rezoned the residential area as a high-risk floodplain due to it's proximity to the Shubenacadie river.

  Traffic

  Jan 15
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• Halifax set to break record for least snowy winter, expert says

  Typically by this point in winter, Halifax would have seen about 90 cm of snow, but this winter there has been no more than six.

  Weather

  Jan 14
• Nova Scotia family’s Disney World trip grounded after Sunwing quietly reduces service

  A Nova Scotia family is upset after Sunwing cancelled their March break flight to Orlando. The airline has reduced some of its Maritime services but made no formal announcements.

  Canada

  Jan 14
• Nova Scotia Health Authority CEO promises to meet national surgical wait time benchmarks by 2025

  Nova Scotia health officials say there are 22,600 people waiting for various surgeries in the province, down from 26,000 in May this year.

  Canada

  Dec 13, 2022
• N.S. charities in need of more donations to support increased holiday demand

  The Salvation Army and Parker Street Food Bank say they are noticing about a 30 per cent increase in need this year, but so far donations are slightly down from last year.

  Economy

  Dec 12, 2022