Category: Sydney

Remembrance Day bill

Colin Fraser, the MP for West Nova; is behind a bill that would make Remembrance Day a federal legal holiday.

Private Members Bill C-311, officially titled “An Act to Amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day),” was passed in Ottawa by a vote of 205 to 76.

Prior to that, Remembrance Day was a recognized holiday in every province except Nova Scotia; Manitoba, Ontario; and Quebec.

The bill is now heading to the Senate, where it will once again be deliberated.

North Sydney Fire Hall meeting

The North Sydney Fire Hall was packed last night for an informational meeting on suicides and bullying.

The issue of cyberbullying was a strong theme with parents being urged to get the passwords to their children’s devices and to check them regularly.  Paul Ratchford, a police officer and head of the Clifford Street Youth Center also said children who are too young have cellphones and parents should rethink that.

Youth mental health expert Dr. Stan Kutcher also spoke to the crowd saying technologies are not in charge of us, we are in charge of our technologies.  He is also meeting privately with families who have lost teens as well as school staffs, community partners on what can help address mental health concerns.