Summer is off to another very hot start. On one hand, the warm weather is a welcome reprieve from the long winter we just came through. Being outside in the sunshine feels good.
That said, we’ve had several evenings where the temperature hasn’t cooled in the way we expect in Nova Scotia, making a good night’s sleep a challenge for folks. We’ve also had a couple days where the temperature and humidity have made it very difficult to find comfort, especially for those who don’t have air conditioning in our homes.
Heat can be a health risk for many, and I want to share some places folks can go on days when conditions approach the extreme and cool environments help us stay safe and well.
Our public libraries are a phenomenal spot to get out of the heat and get a cool drink of water to help stay hydrated. The Sackville branch on Sackville Drive sits in the heart of our community. Closed on Sunday, it offers hours the rest of the week during the day, and evenings until 8 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. It sits next to Acadia Park, a true gem that offers walking paths and plenty of shade on sunny days. Accessible by several Halifax Transit routes, both the library and the park are free options for relief from extreme heat.
The splash pad at Kinsmen Park on First Lake is free to the public and a great way to beat the heat outdoors. It’s open daily between 9 am and 9 pm. Kinsmen Park offers shaded areas to put down your lawn chairs or beach blanket, and walking trails offer shaded opportunities to stretch your legs near the water. Fair warning – the beach at this location continues to experience higher than safe bacteria levels and is not supervised.
For those able to travel by car or bus, the Bedford Public Library on Dartmouth Road (closed Sunday and Monday) is close by. It’s another close to home, no cost option to stay cool, access programs and find some great reading material.The Bedford Outdoor Pool on Shore Road offers very affordable open swims ($2 per person) daily, which are supervised by certified lifeguards. Folks interested can find the open swim schedules online.
I’d also like to take this time to address the political temperature with you. On July 15, Premier Houston spoke at an event in Wolfville. What began as a peaceful protest outside that event escalated into violence, with the Premier’s vehicle surrounded and attacked. The windshield of his vehicle was smashed while he was inside.
Thankfully, the Premier was safe and unharmed. It highlighted that feelings about the state of our province are running high. Still, it’s troubling that some crossed the line of peaceful protest into aggression and violence.
You will know from reading my updates that I often disagree with the Premier on the direction he has set out for our province, and our community. I have been openly critical and posed pointed questions as part of that process. My opposition on many issues has been loud and strong. Nonetheless, it remains important that our resistance and disagreement remain civil at all times.
Elected leaders must listen to the public, even when their decisions spark strong criticism or dissent. However, no elected official should have to endure threats or violence.
I recognize the growing frustration with the current provincial leadership. The challenges many face are real and deeply personal, and the Premier and Ministers need to hear these stories and be held accountable.
I urge everyone to express their concerns constructively and peacefully. Sharing your story through letters or emails is a powerful step. You can find contact information for every MLA, including phone numbers and office addresses, on the Nova Scotia Legislature website.
While we all have the right to protest publicly, I encourage those exercising this right to focus on the issues rather than personal attacks. Please respect the safety of elected officials, their staff, and their property. Protests are most impactful when they convey powerful messages without resorting to fear or intimidation.
Thank you for reading and for your commitment to keeping our community safe and respectful, both in our daily lives and in our political discourse. Let’s look out for one another and enjoy the rest of the summer. That’s the Sackville Scoop for July—see you next month!
