Category: Sydney

Various investigations are underway into the tragedy in Upper Big Tracadie.  Lionel Desmond killed himself after killing his daughter, wife and mother.

Premier Stephen McNeil calls it an unspeakable loss.  While Lionel Desmond received some treatment for P-T-S-D from the federal goverment, the premier says it’s unclear what kind of care; if any, was provided by the province.

Lionel Desmond’s sister, Cassandra, told the C-B-C her brother didn’t get the help he needed.

Another relative says Desmond recently tried to check himself into the mental health unit at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, but was told there were no beds and they didn’t have his files.

The Teachers Union and the province are getting ready to go back to the bargaining table next week to try to settle their contract dispute.

Education Minister Karen Casey says conciliation talks are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, the work to rule campaign continues; and one of the effects could be on students seeking university scholarships.

The teachers union has directed its members not to write reference letters for those students. So, universities and colleges in the province are considering whether to drop the reference letter requirement.