Halifax, NS Public Property is now officially a No Smoking zone.

Halifax, NS Public Property is now officially a No Smoking zone.

Halifax has rolled out some major changes to By-Law N-300, also known as the Nuissance By-Law. These changes are in the form of a city-wide smoking ban. The By-Law amendments, also known as the “Respecting Smoking” amendments are in effect as October 15, 2018.  They cover all smoking and vaping, including both tobacco and cannabis.

Read More

Thinking about buying a vacation home in Nova Scotia? What you should know first:

Thinking about buying a vacation home in Nova Scotia? What you should know first:

We are lucky to live in a place with a wealth of cottages and vacation homes. Many Nova Scotians are able to make the dream of having a cottage come true. This blog reviews some of the things to look out for to avoid your dream becoming a nightmare.

Read More

Brush Up on Local ATV Operator Laws

Brush Up on Local ATV Operator Laws

As a parent of young children, I was horrified to hear the story of a 5-year-old Nova Scotian boy who died from being pinned under a ‘Youth Model’ ATV recently.  Rural Nova Scotia has a strong culture of ATV use – and why not, it’s a fun and, in a lot of cases, practical way to get around.  However, though the machines can provide endless hours of outdoor entertainment it’s critical to remember that they are not toys, but rather powerful and heavy machines that can have deadly consequences if not used properly.

Read More

Laws Restricting the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children are on the Horizon

Laws Restricting the Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children are on the Horizon

 As the father of a four-year-old who has always been a “good eater” I am lucky that I do not have many struggles with her eating unhealthy foods. But as she gets older and exposed to more advertising, her requests for the three Cs (cookies, candy, and cake) have started to get a little louder. As a parent, I am happy for any help I can get to try to combat the slick marketing directed at her to consume foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.

Health Canada has opened public consultations about restricting advertising of unhealthy foods to young people. The goal is to decrease strain on the health care system by helping children develop healthy food habits that will continue throughout their lives.

Read More