SYDNEY, N.S. — Cape Breton University will add 62 new seats in its nursing program this fall, with a focus on First Nations and African communities, Premier Stephen McNeil announced Tuesday.
McNeil made the announcement during a “state of the province” ticketed event held by the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
McNeil told reporters the government recognized it needed to expand the number of opportunities for potential nurses and CBU had capacity to accommodate that increase.
“They’ve done a tremendous job of connecting to community and (that’s) what we want from our institutions, to become not only the great educational facilities they are but they’re economic drivers and when we see a need, how do we support the public services that we’re providing, we support them,” he said.
CBU president David Dingwall said the additional cohort of students will begin studies this fall.
“Any time that you can increase that professional component of the university is very, very significant,” he said.
Dingwall noted healthcare has three components – physical structures which the province has plans to address in the redevelopment; technology and professional development.
“I think in excess of 85 per cent (of the new students) will stay in Cape Breton in order to take up meaningful jobs in the health-care system,” he said.
The African and First Nations communities in Nova Scotia have traditionally been underserviced, Dingwall added.
Outside of the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in advance of McNeil’s appearance, protesters gathered, raising concerns about issues including health care and equalization. Some were upset that the event was not open to the general public.
“I realized when I came in, you can’t buy love - $700 million and they’re still protesting,” McNeil said to laughter, referring to projects including the planned CBRM hospital redevelopment and the Marconi Campus move downtown.
McNeil later told reporters people have the right to protest, but his government will continue to make the investments it believes are right for the province.
Chamber CEO Kathleen Yurchesyn put to the premier wide-ranging questions that had been submitted by chamber members on topics including immigration, the future of Cape Breton’s railway, CBRM commercial tax rates, immigration, a pending increase to the minimum wage and health care.
One recurring theme was child poverty, with Nova Scotia the only province to see its rates increase between 2015-17, according to a recently released study.
McNeil said while the province is faring well financially, not everyone is feeling the benefits and the coming provincial budget will feature initiatives to try to better provide for those in need.
“Not everyone has felt the success of this growth – the child poverty rate is too high in this province, we have not been able to move the needle even though we have made major investments around it,” he said. “We’re going to work toward trying to address as we continue to grow the province.”
As for equalization – critics have said CBRM is not receiving its fair share – McNeil said he’s not “wasting” his time thinking about it, noting the municipality receives half of the $30 million in equalization the province gets from Ottawa.
Chester Borden of the Whitney Pier Youth Club – who McNeil referenced from the stage – was positive about what he heard from the premier.
“Poverty is not a quick fix … it’s a long-term game, and he did mention that,” Borden said. “They made some promises today, they’re working on some programs, some projects toward addressing the poverty issue and let’s see where it goes from there.”
Wesley Colford of the Highland Arts Theatre said he’s always hopeful that there will be measures to assist the arts in the budget.
“I’m always in favour of more funding for arts organizations,” he said. “That’s something that’s been very controversial in this province, particularly with the film credit over the last several years. I don’t know if that’s something we can expect, I definitely am aware of how many things we need, especially in Cape Breton, from health care all the way through to education.”
by Nancy King
Chronicle Herald
https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/provincial/mcneil-announces-new-nursing-seats-for-cape-breton-university-412520/
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McNeil announces new nursing seats for Cape Breton University
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
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Business Truth & Reconciliation
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce takes proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework.
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
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