We're paying nearly a nickle more today for gas in Nova Scotia. Prices went up 4.9 cents a litre at midnight, hiking the price to $1.43. Ouch! There was a similar increase in New Brunswick twenty-four hours earlier and PEI's regulated system adjusts its prices tomorrow. But while our regulated provinces jack up the cost of gas, in unregulated markets prices are expected to significantly fall today with another decrease tomorrow and likely a third the day after. WTF! Our gas regulatory system is costing Nova Scotian motorists over $20 million more a year and is out of step with the realities of the world markets. It's time to bring it to an end.
Good to see musician Dave Gunning win a little victory in a fight with the Royal Canadian Mint. The mint will now allow Gunning to use a photo of a penny on the cover of his new CD, No More Pennies. Up until then the mint was demanding Gunning pay it a $1200 fee. He was planning a penny drive to pay it and went to the media with his story. It wasn't too long after that, the mint relented and in fact has admitted its intellectual property policy may be somewhat out of touch.
The first in a number of mayoral debates was a bit of a snooze-fest last evening at Pier 21. It was a relaxed setting, the three main candidates sat in nice chairs and were involved more in a one on one situation as they answered questions rather than debated issues. Too bad Peter Kelly opted not to re-offer. It would have added a little zest to the forum. There will be a more lively mayoral debate I'm sure on my News 95.7 radio show in early October.
Sparks did fly yesterday as the Utility and Review Board begin its hearing on Nova Scotia Power's proposed 3% rate hike in each of the next two years. The board adjourned for the day to give the parties involved, the power corp, its biggest customers and the consumer advocates an opportunity to work out a deal to present today when it reconvenes. PC leader Jamie Baillie objected, saying the arrangement lacks transparency, that it's "the old way of doing things...the process that Nova Scotians have lost faith in." UARB chairman Peter Gurnham shot back, saying there is "nothing nefarious here." He said any negotiated settlement will undergo a full and complete review. We'll see. The negotiated deal will be presented to the board today.
Talk about slow justice. MLA Trevor Zinck will not go to trail on his expenses scandal charges until next June. There could very well be an election before then and he's already indicated he plans to run. Charges were laid against Zinck in the winter of 2011. The year before, auditor general Jacques Lapointe released his report that resulted in the police probe. Charges were subsequently laid against Zinck, Dave Wilson, Richard Hurlburt and Russell MacKinnon. Wilson's already served his jail time and is out on parole and Hurlburt was sentenced this summer to a year's house arrrest. The two pleaded guilty to their charges. Both MacKinnon and Zinck won't go to trial until 2013. MacKinnon in March and Zinck in June.
Have a great weekend. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
