Tag: Atlantic Canada

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Cottage Life

Cage diving with great white sharks coming to Nova Scotia this summer

Photo by Stefan Pircher/Shutterstock

Are you ready to swim with the sharks? Nova Scotia is getting its first-ever shark cage diving experience hosted by the new company Atlantic Shark Expeditions. 

Based out of Liverpool, N.S., the business will charge participants $395 per person ($355 for students) to cage dive with great white sharks from August 1 to the end of October. Boats depart daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The company aims to combine shark research and conservation with thrill-seeking adventure and family fun. 

The minimum age to cage dive with sharks is 10 years old and all patrons will be provided with proper gear and a wetsuit before diving. Staff will try to lure sharks to the boat with bait, although they do not guarantee shark sightings. 

Founder of Atlantic Shark Expeditions Neil Hammerschlag and boat captain Art Gaetan have developed strict policies to ensure the safety of participants. They have been working hard to ensure their boats meet Transport Canada standards and the diving cages are properly constructed. They modelled their business off of Apex Shark Expeditions in South Africa, where they both conducted research for many years.

“We care about the safety of not only the people but the sharks too,” says Hammerschlag. In as safe an environment as possible, the expeditions will “provide the opportunity for the public to learn about and help support the conservation of sharks through ecotourism and citizen science.” Ecotourism is essential to shark research because it helps fund the science, and the majority of profits will go toward advancing the research and educating the public. 

Hammerschlag stresses that cage diving is a crucial first step toward better understanding shark behaviour for both scientists and everyday people alike. Guests will have the opportunity to observe shark tagging and tracking, shark biopsies and anatomy, and other shark research in real-time. “We give people the opportunity to become a marine biologist for the day,” says Hammerschlag.

Some community members in South Shore are raising concerns about the presence of sharks near surfers and beachgoers. Other worries have centred on the ethics and sustainability of cage diving and the idea that sharks will associate humans with food. Cage diving will also not solve the problems of overfishing, depopulation, and habitat destruction that are adversely impacting shark populations. In addition, carelessness and recklessness while out on the water with sharks could have severe consequences. 

Hammerschlag says staff will be three kilometres from shore and far away from any beaches or surfing spots. Captain Gaetan will also survey new sites every day so that cage diving happens in a different location with each outing. The sharks will not actually be fed, and bait will only be used to lure them near the boat. Hammerschlag notes that because sharks have poor eyesight, they will not be able to see humans in the cages, so any association is unlikely. “You also have to realize that what we are doing pales in comparison to hundreds of seals off the coast of Nova Scotia that attract sharks far more than humans do,” says Hammerschlag. 

Despite concerns, the community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and many people are excited by the prospect of shark cage diving. If you want to swim with great white sharks, check out Atlantic Shark Expeditions. Too scary? You can find more ocean adventures in Nova Scotia here.

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Cottage Life

What cottagers need to know about Hurricane Fiona financial relief programs

Photo Courtesy of Catherine Simms/Facebook

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the creation of the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund. The fund includes $300 million that will be used over the next two years to aid those impacted by the post-tropical storm that hit Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec on September 24.

In a statement, Trudeau said that the fund will cover the costs of rebuilding businesses, fishing wharves, and other infrastructure not covered under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).

The DFAA covers 90 per cent of a province’s expenses following a disaster, including transportation, emergency food, shelter, and restoring or replacing uninsurable dwellings and items, such as books and furnishings. A province is eligible for the DFAA when its own disaster response and recovery program is spending over $1 per capita of the province’s population.

In the case of Hurricane Fiona, financial assistance through the DFAA is limited to those who have their primary residence in the affected province. This means cottagers and other secondary property owners aren’t eligible—unless they live in the province, and then the financial assistance would only apply to their primary residence.

Eligibility for the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is still being ironed out, but it’s likely it will follow the same criteria.

“That is pretty standard for these kinds of programs, in our experience,” said Dan Bedell, a spokesperson for the Red Cross, which is handling the distribution of financial aid to residents in Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador. “It is the case with these three [provinces] that we’re supporting…It’s for people who have been displaced from their primary residence, which means it’s the home that they live in either year-round or the most. It normally does not cover cottages, secondary homes, things like that.”

Nova Scotians whose primary residence is unlivable are eligible for $1,000 through the Red Cross. In Newfoundland and Labrador, households that were evacuated from their primary residence and returned by September 30 are eligible for $1,000, and households that were not able to return by September 30 are eligible for $10,000. In PEI, anyone with a primary residence in the province at the time of the storm is eligible for $250.

In Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, Bedell said you have to show proof of being impacted, but in PEI, “the only criteria [is] that you be a resident of Prince Edward Island at the time, and that you have some photo ID or something that confirms that you are who you say you are,” he said. “Just yesterday, for example, there were about 5,000 [PEI residents] that received an e-transfer. That was about $1.25 million just in one day.”

Each of the three provinces is also offering further financial assistance under the DFAA. Once again, only those with a primary residence in the province are eligible.

In Nova Scotia, the province’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program covers damage to a property owner’s primary residence, clean-up costs, and the loss of uninsurable items, such as appliances and furniture. Up to $200,000 per person is available for these repair and replacement costs. The province makes it clear, though, that insured or insurable items (even if insurance wasn’t purchased) aren’t eligible.

Newfoundland and Labrador has allocated $30 million to aid impacted residents and communities. It will follow similar criteria to Nova Scotia. And PEI has said that the amount allocated to impacted individuals will depend on each unique situation.

Those in need of serious financial assistance should document the damage with pictures and then apply for their province’s financial assistance program through their respective government’s website. Individuals have until January 31, 2023, to apply.

For those looking to apply for the funds being distributed by the Red Cross, Bedell said they can register online or call the Red Cross’ toll-free number at 1-800-863-6582. “As of this morning, we had registered through that process, and this is across the four Atlantic provinces, 30,729 households, which represented 65,613 people. And that number goes up every day as more and more people register,” he said.

As for cottagers, especially those whose primary residence is outside the Atlantic provinces, they’ll have to rely on insurance to cover any damages.

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Mobile Syrup

Carriers waiving fees, offering extra data in Atlantic Canada amid Hurricane Fiona

Canadian carriers have launched various initiatives to aid customers in Atlantic Canada as Hurricane Fiona hits the region with record intensity.

Many residents have been advised to stay home amid the deadly storm, and widespread outages have been reported across the provinces.

As Canadians are forced to hunker down and wait out the hurricane, here’s how the carriers that service this region are responding to the situation.

Bell

The Montreal-based telecom is giving Bell Mobility postpaid customers (consumer and small business) in Atlantic Canada and Îles-de-la-Madeleine an extra 50GB of data between September 24th and 28th.

The company has also pledged a $50,000 donation to Red Cross Canada to support relief efforts, and customers can also test FIONA to 20222 to donate $10.

Fido

The Rogers-owned carrier is giving Atlantic Canada customers (Consumer, Business or Employee accounts) an extra 50GB of mobile data to use between September 24th and 28th while waiving fees for long-distance calls within Canada.

Eastlink

The Halifax-based company is automatically applying free data overage and top-ups until September 28th. It adds that it will “reassess” at that time.

Koodo

The Telus flanker brand is waiving any Canada-wide data, calling, and pay-per-use overages for customers in Atlantic Canada beyond what’s included in their current Mobility rate plans and add-ons between September 24th and 30th. The company notes that you may still be charged during this billing cycle, but you will receive a credit to waive the fees on your next bill.

Rogers

The Toronto-based media giant is providing “eligible customers” with an extra 50GB of mobile data between September 24th and 28th and waiving long-distance call fees within Canada. The company hasn’t clarified who, exactly, counts as “eligible,” so we’ll update this story once we hear more.

Telus

The Vancouver-based company is waiving long-distance charges for calls, text and data overages for customers impacted in Atlantic Canada. Like the other carriers, Telus promises to donate $50,000 to relief efforts, although it simply says “local charities” instead of naming a particular one like Red Cross Canada. Customers can also donate $20 to the Telus Friendly Future Foundation by texting DONATE to 41010.

Virgin Plus

Postpaid members (not including Unlimited or Talk & Text plan subscribers) in Atlantic Canada and the Magdalen Islands will get an extra 50GB of mobile data to use from September 24th to 28th.

To anyone who is in Atlantic Canada or has family there, please stay safe!

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Mobile Syrup

Government of Canada shows financial support for new artificial intelligence program in New Brunswick

Peace Tower at the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa Framed in Arch

The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) has launched a new program focusing on artificial intelligence (AI).

Named the AI Fund, it offers programs that will increase AI research in New Brunswick. The program will also focus on building a pool of talent, and support companies looking to adopt AI technology.

Given the fast-growing nature of this technology, AI has the ability to create well-paying jobs and support future innovation. These factors have contributed to the federal government showing support for the project as well.

“This fund will accelerate the creation and adoption of artificial intelligence solutions for companies through strategic partnerships with New Brunswick research experts in our academic and research institutions. Additionally, it will support the training and development of experts who will be critical to delivering these solutions to industry,” Jeff White, CEO of NBIF, said in a statement.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), an agency run by the federal government, is providing $997,000 towards the program. The NBIF is investing $1.3 million. An additional $850,000 is coming from researchers and partners within the industry.

“Adopting AI technologies will increase the resiliency and competitiveness of New Brunswick companies facing ever-changing market conditions,” White said.

Image credit: ShutterStock

Source: ACOA

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers expands its pure fibre network to New Brunswick

Rogers is investing nearly $200 million to improve network access in New Brunswick.

The investment will improve fibre connection in 314,000 homes and businesses, allowing them to access all Rogers services. The communities of Dieppe, Moncton, Riverview, and Shediac will be the first to see improvements.

The broadband connection delivers a better online experience and supports more devices, including gaming and smart home technology. Customers will also be able to access internet services that have download and upload speeds up to 1.5GB per second.

“It is important that we continue to invest in our communities to ensure that customers have access to faster and more reliable service than ever, especially as technology continues to evolve and the world becomes more connected,” Matt MacLellan, president of the company’s Atlantic Region, said in a statement. “We are excited to bring 100 percent pure fibre to New Brunswick and give residents and business owners access to the network of the future.”

The announcement is part of a string of recent investments the company has made in Atlantic Canada. The company was the first to provide 5G services to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and currently provides the service across 16 communities.

Source: Rogers

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers expands 5G to Dartmouth and Bedford, Nova Scotia

Toronto-based national telecom company Rogers announced it expanded 5G coverage to more areas in Nova Scotia.

In an email release, the carrier said it expanded 5G in Dartmouth and Bedford, Nova Scotia. The expansion brings Rogers’ 5G to a total of 16 communities across the Atlantic region, including Halifax, Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, all part of a broader series of investments in Canada’s east coast.

Along with the 5G improvement, Rogers “enhanced” wireless networks across 32 communities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island over the last 20 months.

Rogers also boasted about its investment in wireline network upgrades, which the company says helped improve connections across 71 communities in Atlantic Canada.

“We’re proud to enhance connectivity in cities, towns, and rural communities across Atlantic Canada, especially during the pandemic when world-class connections have played a critical role in people’s lives,” said Matt MacLellan, president of the Atlantic region at Rogers.

Rogers says its ongoing investments have enabled enhanced connectivity to over 1,000 Canadian communities and will expedite plans to bring enhanced connectivity to an additional 750 communities by the end of 2021.