-- Atlantic Update --

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(NS-Right-Whale)

Oceana says the remains of a critically endangered North Atlantic whale have been found off southwestern Nova Scotia.

The environmental advocacy group says an adult right whale’s tail and part of its lower body were recently spotted.

No cause of death has been determined because the remains haven’t yet been recovered.

Kim Elmslie, the group’s campaign director, says the discovery is another devastating loss for a species that has suffered at least five reported deaths this past winter.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NS-RCMP-Apology)

The commander of the Nova Scotia R-C-M-P has confirmed the police force will deliver a formal apology to the province's Black community on September 7th.

Assistant commissioner Dennis Daley issued a statement yesterday saying he will apologize for the use of street checks, which are now banned in the province.

Street checks typically involved officers stopping people on the street to record their personal information, and they were used to target Black people.

In November 2019, a formal apology was offered to the Black community by the chief of Halifax Regional Police, but the R-C-M-P decided instead to consult 13 African Nova Scotian communities to "inform" their apology.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NB-Boy-Rescue)

New Brunswick R-C-M-P say a dog that’s part of its specialized services team played a role this week in locating a missing four-year-old boy in the Memramcook area.

Police say they received a report on Monday that a young boy had wandered away from his home.

A search began with the assistance of the Tri County Search and Rescue Team.

The Mounties say about an hour after receiving the initial call for help, police service dog “Reba” located the boy safe in a wooded area near his home.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NS-Black-Prosperity-Index)

Statistics tracking the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia’s Black community have been gathered in a first-of-its kind report.

The African Nova Scotian Prosperity and well-being Index compiles data covering six broad areas, including population, labour, income, education, housing and well-being.

Drawing on a number of sources, including the 2021 Census, the index highlights areas in which economic and social gaps need to be closed, such as income disparity.

Irvine Carvery, co-chair of the report’s advisory council, says the index is a measuring tool that advocacy and community groups can use to bring about change.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NS-Medical-School)

Some physicians in Cape Breton say there are not enough doctors on the island to staff the new medical school that is set to begin teaching students in fall 2025.

Dr. Stacy MacDonald says family doctors on Cape Breton are already stretched thin and most do not have the capacity to teach new medical school students.

MacDonald has been training medical school students from Dalhousie University at her family practice in Cape Breton for many years, and she says Cape Breton University has failed to adequately consult with physicians about what’s needed to set up the new school.

The physician says she's in favour of having a medical school in Cape Breton, but the university seems to be rushing the process and she’s worried about its ability to become accredited as a medical school.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NL-Unknown-Soldier)

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and other government representatives are on their way to France to begin the repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier.

The remains will be brought home on Saturday.

Once back in the province, a hearse will take the casket past several historic landmarks.

The remains will lie in state from June 28th to the 30th, before being interred at the National War Memorial in St. John’s on Memorial Day, July 1st.

(VOCM)

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(Atlantic Update by The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press