Nova Scotia weighs risks of online gambling as other provinces expand access

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Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 20:11:56.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]

The Nova Scotia government, through Finance Minister John Lohr, is evaluating whether to expand government-regulated online gambling after seeing Ontario and Alberta open up their markets in 2022 and July respectively, currently relying solely on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation for authorized platforms. Opposition leaders, including NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, have cautioned that the province must proceed very carefully and conduct public health risk assessments first. This comes as studies from institutions like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health highlight significant concerns regarding online gambling harms, noting that Ontario emergency department visits for gambling disorders doubled following expansion and high school youth participation rates rose from one per cent in 2019 to nine per cent.

N.S. premier’s office scolds professor over comments on AI data centre

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-28 18:24:41.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment]

The office of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston filed a formal complaint against Toronto Metropolitan University associate professor Sibo Chen after he publicly raised validity concerns regarding water usage and electricity rate hikes associated with Everwind Fuels' proposed $10-billion artificial intelligence data centre leased to Anthropic. William Burns, a communications adviser in the premier's office, criticized Chen's remarks as irresponsible and lacking local research, while Chen defended his statements as peer-reviewed analysis concerning the general environmental impacts of large-scale data centres. The controversy centers on the massive infrastructure project, which involves a 20-year lease for the U.S. AI company and has faced public scrutiny over its potential strain on provincial power rates and environmental resources.

Halifax council puts off decision on bike network alternatives

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 20:41:35.0
Tags: [Municipal, Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Transportation]

Halifax Regional Council voted to defer a decision on alternative routes for the all ages and abilities (AAA) bike network, opting to send the plans to transportation committees for further public feedback. The proposed network, part of the municipality’s Integrated Mobility Plan, has seen its projected cost climb from an initial $25 million to $85 million as of January. While Mayor Andy Fillmore expressed concern that committee reviews will introduce costly delays, cycling advocates and councillors argue that reviewing the seven staff-identified alternative routes is necessary to ensure the infrastructure achieves the intended mode shift toward sustainable transportation.

Only firm approved to explore for N.S. offshore oil and gas misses deposit deadline

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 15:34:46.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Resources, Economy, Industry]

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced that Inceptio Oil and Gas, led by James Edens, missed the Monday deposit deadline to put down $50 million for its approved $210-million offshore exploration bid. Inceptio required the deposit and a subsequent exploration licence before initiating activities like seismic testing and drilling. This marks a setback for Nova Scotia's offshore fossil fuel sector, which has seen no activity since the Sable and Deep Panuke gas projects shut down in 2018.

Nova Scotia committee to discuss $10B AI data centre planned for Cape Breton

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 12:36:41.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Environment]

Nova Scotia’s standing committee on natural resources and economic development is scheduled to discuss EverWind Fuels' controversial $10-billion artificial intelligence data centre project planned for Cape Breton. Announced on October 16, the project features a 20-year lease signed by U.S. artificial intelligence firm Anthropic for an 18,600-square-metre facility in Point Tupper that will draw 95 megawatts of electricity during its initial phase. Opposition parties and legislative witnesses—including Richmond County officials and provincial energy and environment deputy ministers—will examine potential environmental impacts, local water supply strain, and electricity rate implications. Premier Tim Houston’s government maintains that sufficient checks and balances will govern the project and has asserted that household power rates will not increase.

N.S. government announces funding to grow boatbuilding industry

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-26 19:55:08.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Economy, Industry, Trade, Defence, Fisheries]

The Nova Scotia government is investing over $350,000 from its Community Economic Development Fund into the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association to help local boatbuilders and repair businesses expand into new markets. The funding will be used to promote local companies at trade shows, in trade publications, and through online communications and strategic partnerships. Established in 1998, the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association aims to diversify the industry beyond the domestic fishing boat market, helping local firms compete internationally for naval contracts and meet national defence priorities.

High Liner Foods to be bought by Umios in deal valued at $804 million

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-26 15:40:21.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Economy, Industry, Trade, Fisheries]

Nova Scotia seafood processor High Liner Foods Inc. has signed an agreement to be acquired by Japanese company Umios Corp. in a transaction valued at $804 million, paying $27 per share in cash. Under the deal, which requires 75 per cent shareholder approval and a court-approved plan under the Nova Scotia Companies Act, Umios will establish High Liner Foods as the core platform for its North American business while maintaining its headquarters in Nova Scotia, its workforce, and operations. Thornridge Holdings Ltd., holding a 41.4 per cent stake in High Liner, has agreed to support the transaction, which is expected to close in early 2027 following a December shareholder vote.

Ex-N.S. PC interim leader endorses another former Tory for Liberal leadership

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-26 15:01:45.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance]

Karla MacFarlane, former interim leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives and former speaker of the house, has endorsed former PC cabinet colleague Becky Druhan for the Nova Scotia Liberal leadership race. Druhan, who left the Progressive Conservative party to sit as an Independent in the fall before joining the Liberals in the spring, is competing against Amanda Mombourquette to become the new provincial Liberal leader. The party leadership decision is scheduled to take place in late November.

Boon or boondoggle? N.S. weighs $10B data centre’s promised economic benefits

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-23 12:02:20.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Industry, Economy]

EverWind has announced a $10 billion private investment to build an 18,600-square-metre artificial intelligence data centre campus and associated wind projects in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia. The facility will be leased for 20 years to the American AI company Anthropic, starting with a 95-megawatt capacity in the first phase by late 2027 and a planned 325-megawatt expansion by mid-2028. The project is projected by EverWind to create 2,000 construction jobs and 215 permanent positions offering salaries ranging from $135,000 to $185,000 per year across the data centre and four power-generating wind farms.

Ottawa ‘not responsible’ for regulating AI data centre electricity use: minister

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 17:21:43.0
Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure]

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon stated before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology that the federal government is not responsible for regulating electricity usage by AI data centres, noting that power regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction. Solomon revealed that the federal government has received over 160 proposals for data centre developments and signed memorandums of understanding with approximately four companies. The discussion highlighted a specific $10-billion AI data centre project in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, being developed by EverWind Fuels with a 20-year lease signed by U.S. AI firm Anthropic, which is slated to draw 95 megawatts in its first phase and expand to 420 megawatts by mid-2028.

N.S. NDP remove party whip following post about France protests

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-21 22:41:28.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance, Labour, Justice]

The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party removed MLA Paul Wozney from his role as party whip following a social media post in which he called for France-style civil unrest to oppose government legislation. Wozney's comments were made in response to a legal remedy concerning Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act, which was previously ruled unconstitutional by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. NDP Leader Claudia Chender condemned the remarks as careless and affirmed that the party unequivocally denounces violence or suggestions of violence in civic life.

Halifax Forum meeting to be rescheduled, councillors raise concerns over project pause

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 20:03:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Infrastructure, Culture, Governance]

Halifax Regional Council voted unanimously to reschedule a public consultation meeting regarding the proposed demolition of the 98-year-old Halifax Forum municipal heritage property. The redevelopment project was previously paused by municipal staff after updated project costs exceeded the council-approved $126 million budget by 10 to 12 per cent. Councillors expressed frustration over the sudden project pause and lack of advance briefing, though a comprehensive staff report with third-party cost verification is scheduled for release in December.

Proposed remedy for workers affected by Bill 148 could cost N.S. $470 million

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 20:15:49.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Labour, Finance, Justice, Governance]

The Nova Scotia government has agreed to pay an estimated $470 million in compensation to roughly 81,000 public sector employees following a court ruling on Bill 148. Introduced in December 2015 by the former Liberal government and enacted in 2017, the legislation imposed four-year wage restrictions and eliminated long-term service awards. In February, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Ann Smith ruled that Bill 148 infringed upon public servants' Charter rights, ordering a legal remedy. Nova Scotia Minister of Finance John Lohr stated that the $470 million settlement cost is reflected in the 2025–26 provincial budget, though Justice Smith must still give final sign-off on the proposed remedy.

‘Just not acceptable’: Backlash grows over Nova Scotia AI data centre project

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 20:13:17.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Energy, Infrastructure, Technology, Environment]

Energy and infrastructure company EverWind announced a $10 billion private investment to build a large-scale data centre campus at its existing Point Tupper site near Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, with AI firm Anthropic signed on as a long-term tenant. The project is planned to begin with an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027, scaling up to a full development capacity of 420 megawatts by 2028, and includes a $2 billion investment to advance EverWind's onshore wind energy projects. Opposition parties and community advocates are pushing back, demanding an emergency sitting of the Nova Scotia Legislature due to concerns over public consultation, grid reliability, electricity rates, and water resource impacts.

‘They shouldn’t be surprised’: Nova Scotians take stand against major data centre project

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-17 19:56:27.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]

Energy and infrastructure company EverWind announced a $10 billion private investment to build a major data centre campus at its Point Tupper site in Nova Scotia, which will be leased and operated by AI development company Anthropic. The project is planned to launch with an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027, expand by 325 megawatts in 2028, and ultimately reach a 420-megawatt capacity, generating up to 2,000 construction jobs and 215 operational roles. However, local residents and protest organizers have expressed strong opposition due to potential impacts on local water supplies from Landry Lake, energy consumption, and lack of community consultation, prompting plans for further demonstrations.

EverWind announces $10B investment in N.S. data centre campus, wind projects

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 15:57:09.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Infrastructure, Energy, Technology, Economy]

Energy and infrastructure company EverWind has announced a $10 billion private investment to construct an AI data centre campus and associated onshore wind projects at its Point Tupper site near Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. The project includes $8 billion for the data centre and $2 billion for $2 billion in onshore wind development, aiming for an initial 95-megawatt phase in late 2027 and a full build-out capacity of 420 megawatts by 2028. EverWind has reached a long-term lease agreement with an artificial intelligence company and is negotiating a potential ownership stake with a First Nations consortium led by Membertou Development Corporation. The facility will employ a closed-loop cooling system—using an estimated 100,000 litres of water daily in phase one and 500,000 litres daily at full capacity—while EverWind funds all electricity infrastructure costs to prevent ratepayer impact and generates 2,000 construction jobs and 215 permanent operating roles.

Nova Scotia to host massive data centre to power Anthropic's AI assistant Claude

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 14:00:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Technology, Energy, Environment, Economy]

EverWind Fuels is developing a massive 420-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, designed to power Anthropic's AI assistant Claude under a 20-year lease agreement. The project involves $8 billion in private capital funding for the facility and an additional $2 billion for four planned onshore wind farms to supply renewable energy. The two-stage facility will feature a capacity of 95 megawatts in phase one (online by late 2027) and 325 megawatts in phase two (2028), utilizing a closed-loop water-glycol cooling system drawing an average of 100,000 to 500,000 litres of water per day from Landrie Lake. Additionally, a consortium of Mi’kmaw communities fronted by Membertou First Nation is negotiating a nine per cent equity stake in the project.

Nova Scotia to host massive data centre to power artificial intelligence

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-16 14:00:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Infrastructure, Energy, Technology, Industry, Indigenous]

EverWind Fuels is constructing a massive 420-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre campus in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, backed by $8 billion in private capital. The facility will be built in two phases—95 megawatts coming online by the end of 2027 and 325 megawatts in 2028—under a 20-year lease agreement with an unnamed AI tenant. To power the facility, EverWind is raising an additional $2 billion for four planned onshore wind farms, while utilizing existing provincial grid capacity for initial supply and employing a closed-loop water-glycol system drawing from Landrie Lake. Furthermore, a consortium of Mi'kmaw communities fronted by Membertou First Nation is negotiating a nine per cent equity stake in the project.

Market diversification added to focus of renewed Atlantic Fisheries Fund

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 20:43:09.0
Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Fisheries, Industry, Finance]

The federal government and the Atlantic provincial governments are replenishing the Atlantic Fisheries Fund with more than $300 million over the next five years, funded 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially, in response to ongoing trade disputes and tariffs with the U.S. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced that market diversification has been added as a new funding pillar alongside innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships to assist harvesters and processors such as Cooke Inc., the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, Scotia Harvest, and Icewater Seafoods in entering new international markets. Over the past nine years, the fund has previously distributed $370 million to more than 1,300 projects across Atlantic Canada.

‘A show of confidence’: Ottawa invests $100M in Nova Scotia offshore wind

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 20:27:39.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, National, Energy, Environment, Infrastructure, Resources]

The federal government, represented by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Minister of Justice Sean Fraser, announced a $100 million investment to advance the Wind West offshore wind development project in Nova Scotia alongside Premier Tim Houston. The funding will support collecting vital wind, ocean, and seafloor data—with $5 million allocated for wind and ocean measurement tools and nearly $3 million for transmission modelling and marine surveys. The initiative is tied to the Atlantic Energy Strategy, referred to the federal Major Projects Office in September 2025, and aims to support Nova Scotia's goal of licensing up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, with future potential phases generating up to 60 gigawatts.