Strait Talk Episode 26

The episode kicks off with the official election results from the Municipality of the County of Richmond.

In District 1, incumbent Shawn Samson secured a decisive victory, capturing 74% of the vote. He earned a 431-vote majority with 657 votes to former Richmond Warden and long-time councillor James Goyetche’s 226. Voter turnout was an impressive 67% in this district, which includes Alderney Point, Little Anse, Boudreauville, Petit de Grat, Cap Auguet, and most of Arichat.

In District 2, newcomer Lois Landry ousted incumbent Michael Diggdon by a substantial 310 votes, tallying 558 to Diggdon’s 248. This district, encompassing parts of Arichat, West Arichat, Port Royal, Janvrins Island, Martinique, Poulamon, D'Escousse, Poirierville, and Rocky Bay, saw a 57% voter turnout.

District 4 saw Warden Amanda Mombourquette fend off former councillor Gilbert Boucher. Mombourquette garnered 624 votes to Boucher’s 364, winning by 260 votes. In this district, which includes River Bourgeois, River Tillard, St. Peter’s, Sampsonville, and Grand Greve, voter turnout stood at 54%.

In Port Hawkesbury, where all voting was electronic or via phone, incumbent Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton narrowly held her seat with a 30-vote lead. She secured 723 votes, compared to Archie MacLachlan’s 693 and Town Councillor Jason Aucoin’s 314.

For Port Hawkesbury Town Council, Iaian Langley topped the polls with 1,229 votes. Todd Barrett followed with 1,027, Paula Hart secured third place with 943, and Blaine MacQuarrie took the final spot with 835 votes. Others in the race included Mark MacIver (820 votes), Donald MacDonald (718 votes), and Mike Currie (191 votes). Although Terence Matthews appeared on the ballot, his withdrawal resulted in spoiled ballots for him.

In a plebiscite asking residents if Reeves Street should return to its 2019 four-lane configuration, 1,018 voted yes, while 673 voted no.

Next, Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot provided an update on Pondville Beach Provincial Park, with insights from Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau. Delays have hampered the relocation of the parking lot due to an archaeological find. Erin Lynch from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables confirmed that an archaeological assessment, a standard procedure, had caused the delay. Planning and design continue, with next year’s focus on capping the wharf with armour stone.

The episode wrapped with an interview with Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier MLA Kendra Coombes. She criticized Premier Tim Houston's handling of healthcare, citing rising wait times and a lack of primary care providers. The NDP claims that since Houston's election in 2021, the number of Nova Scotians on the "Need a Family Practice Registry" has more than doubled.

Coombes also highlighted concerns over the province's use of agency nurses, which the NDP argues drains public funds without long-term solutions. They advocate for a public travel nursing program akin to Manitoba’s.

On affordability, the NDP pointed to high poverty and food insecurity rates, as well as the housing crisis, which has made home ownership increasingly out of reach. They also called for legislative action to reinstate school boards and enforce the Coastal Protection Act by 2025.