SPRINGHILL, N.S. — In the 19 months since he was elected in a by-election, Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton has been busy – very busy.
The Oxford resident, who was elected in June 2018, has worked to develop strong relationships with the provincial cabinet – something he said has helped him address several issues in his riding including the ongoing sinkhole issue in Oxford, the wait for a new elementary school in Springhill and three consecutive weather-related closures of the Cobequid Pass in November.
“When I entered the legislature, I had one goal and that was to develop relationships with the ministers and learn a bit about where they’re coming from,” he said. “I’m very comfortable I have those relationships with the ministers.”
Rushton said it’s unfortunate that geotechnical testing has determined the Oxford Lions Club will never be able to return to its parkland due to uncertainty over the sinkhole that developed there in late summer 2018.
The MLA worked with the Lions Club, the Town of Oxford and Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey to lobby the provincial government to do additional testing for potential sinkhole development at the site of a depression in the westbound lane of the Trans-Canada Highway just outside the town.
That testing was conducted this fall and Rushton said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Lloyd Hines told him the results of that testing will be known in early 2020.
“The minister has indicated that I will be briefed as soon as those results are known and I have already spoken to Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal about what remediation programs are out there,” Rushton said.
Another issue that’s very prevalent in Cumberland South is the ongoing shortage of physicians that’s leading to continues closures of emergency rooms in Springhill, Parrsboro and Pugwash. While Pugwash’s ER is in Cumberland North, a lot of Cumberland South residents have doctors in Pugwash and rely on its ER.
He’s hoping there will be action on the new health-care centre for Pugwash, but as important as a new centre is so too is having enough physicians to staff it.
“It’s disappointing to see that Halifax has shortened its physician wait list, but everywhere else in Nova Scotia is getting bigger. Our zone, in northern Nova Scotia, is actually the biggest,” Rushton said. “That’s one of the biggest complaints I get is the lack of primary health care. It’s a big issue, especially along the shore from Parrsboro to Advocate.”
He’s also concerned with the province’s reluctance to fill open beds at the nursing home in Advocate, saying that it’s more than a health-care issue, it’s also an economic development issue because people’s jobs are at stake.
Another major priority for Rushton is holding Education Minister Zach Churchill to his promise to have Springhill’s new elementary school open by September 2021.
“The minister and I had a lengthy discussion and he has told me he’s committed to 2021 and TIR has told me it’s committed to 2021. I’m willing to work with both departments and both ministers to make this happen and I’m going to keep calling them reminding of their promise,” he said. “We need to have shovels in the ground by April 1 or 2021 is not going to happen.”
He’s concerned the date on the capital plan is still 2023-24. He said there has to be a sense of urgency behind the project and doesn't want to see it become an election issue again.
The MLA is concerned about the population decline in Cumberland South and the impact it’s having on jobs. Contrary to what many believe, Rushton said, there are numerous jobs around.
“I’m hearing from businesses on a regular basis they can’t find enough people to meet their needs,” said Rushton, adding he is hoping the development of the green industry will lead to higher paying jobs and help retain people and attract new residents.
He also sees great potential in tourism with a spring announcement expected on the proposed Cliffs of Fundy Aspiring Geopark project that will benefit the Fundy shore from Joggins through to Debert in Colchester.
Rushton is concerned with early winter closures of the Cobequid Pass.
“There have been three Novembers in a row the pass has been closed. I remember in 2008 as fire chief a response plan was put in place. I’ve heard from local emergency services and snowplow drivers that there’s something wrong. We need to have a plan to evacuate people off that highway,” Rushton said. “Eight to 12 hours is too long to leave people stranded on that highway.”
He believes opening the winter season for TIR plow operators should begin in November instead of December.
