News

June 17th/2010- Hants West MLA Chuck Porter is 100% supportive of a recent statement from The Nova Scotia Securities Commission when they urged Nova Scotians to be aware of and report financial abuse involving seniors.
 
The commission is among many organizations, including financial regulators, recognizing and supporting the international effort against senior abuse in all of its forms, including the under-recognized and under-reported form of senior abuse -- financial fraud.
 
Senior abuse involving investments or securities can occur in a number of ways:
-- a senior is targeted with a fraudulent investment
-- a senior is sold investment products that are unsuitable for their risk tolerance or personal circumstances;
-- recommended to invest in a product that may benefit the seller more than the senior;
-- theft of funds by someone in a position of trust
 
Whether you are a senior, a family member or a caregiver, you can take action and prevent financial elder abuse. They include learning to recognize and avoid investment scams, talking to family and friends about your finances and getting a second opinion if unsure about a product or salesperson.
 
For information and helpful resources about investing and fraud prevention visit the commission's website www.beforeyouinvest.ca .
 
The commission also reminds the public of the importance of reporting known or suspected scams. Reporting potential scams may help prevent other seniors from becoming victims of investment fraud.
 
The Nova Scotia Securities Commission is the provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities in the province. The commission, as a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, provides fraud prevention resources for seniors.

May 5/2010 Windsor–Hants West MLA Chuck Porter has confirmed tenders have been signed for the completion of much needed repairs to Route 236 and the Walton Woods Road. On Wednesday, Porter said the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will be starting the work within the next couple of weeks, and expects to have it completed by summer. "This is great news, as Hants West residents have been anticipating these repairs for some time," Porter said. "Once they are complete, the result will be improved travel and road safety in our communities."

Repairs to Route 236 involve a 7 km stretch of road that extends from Scotch Village Road to the county line. Work along the Walton Woods Road will be take place along a 1.20 km stretch ending at the Hants Landfill.

Windsor based Company Builds on 40-Year History in Nova Scotia

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said recently A Nova Scotia company with a 40-year history in the province is expanding its contact centre operations with a new location opening in Windsor. IMP Customer Care, a division of IMP Group International Inc., plans to create up to 100 jobs over the next six years. Nova Scotia Business Inc., is supporting the growth with a six-year payroll rebate up to a maximum of $708,400. IMP is a Nova Scotia success story and is not only well-known around the world, it's also a major employer in Nova Scotia through its various divisions." IMP Group International employs 3,500 worldwide, with more than 2,000 employees in Nova Scotia. Since 2000, the customer care division has been providing bilingual customer contact services to consumers and businesses in the travel, financial, and information technology sectors.
 
"We are pleased to continue building on our presence here by setting up operations in Windsor through our customer care division," said Darrell Taylor, senior vice-president and chief information officer of IMP Group International. "Our confidence in Nova Scotia is rooted in a 40-year history of successful business growth, and despite economic challenges, we are committed to this province and the highly skilled people we employ here." "This expansion reinforces our competitive strengths as a province," said Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. "IMP is confidently growing and expanding its contact centre operations by growing existing contracts and accommodating new lines of business."
 
"This is a good news story for Hants County," said Ryan MacNeil, former executive director of the Hants County Regional Development Authority. "In partnership with NSBI, we are pleased to welcome IMP to the community and to see new job opportunities created for our skilled workers." IMP Group International Inc. is focused on global, sustainable growth, with 3,500 experienced people delivering service, quality and value to customers across diverse sectors such as aerospace, aviation, airline, healthcare, industrial marine, information technology, hospitality and property development. Nova Scotia Business Inc. is Nova Scotia's private-sector-led business development agency. NSBI is the investment attraction arm of the province and helps businesses in Nova Scotia meet growth potential through advisory services, trade development, financing and venture capital. Go to www.novascotiabusiness.com for more details.
 

Dr. Arthur Hines Schoolyard Teaches Students to Grow Vegetables, Eat Vegetables
Parents and children may well call a truce at dinner tables across the province, as kids learn it's fun to eat your vegetables when you grow them yourself.
The Edible Schoolyard, a new DVD produced by Slow Food Nova Scotia, explores this journey. It is now available at public libraries across the province.
 A Hants Shore Health Centre initiative, The Edible Schoolyard shares the inspirational story of the students, staff and friends of Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School and their community garden. It documents the school yard's transition from pavement to green space, and the gradual change from bagged lunches to healthier, freshly-picked options. Slow Food Nova is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to counteract fast food. Led by chef Michael Howell, it teaches the importance of eating healthy food that's grown close to home.
 
"Food that's good for you, that's produced with no harm to the environment and that farmers are paid a fair price for, helps make dining a celebratory event," said Mr. Howell.
 Each fall, Mr. Howell travels to Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary to help students prepare a meal from the crops they harvest. With the chef's assistance, they host a feast for the community, with food travelling from field to plate in less than three hours. "When students grow their own vegetables and see where they come from, they're not afraid to eat them," said Mr. Howell. "The garden project has helped to make the healthy choice the more popular choice." Copies of The Edible Schoolyard are on loan in all 77 public library locations. To learn more about Slow Food Nova Scotia and the Slow Motion Film Festival visit www.slowfoodns.ca or www.slowmotionfilmfest.ca