Devin Stevens

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Devin Stevens.

Champagne says energy investments set the stage for Canada's future economic growth

Champagne says energy investments set the stage for Canada's future economic growth

HALIFAX -- Canada's finance minister says Ottawa is investing in energy infrastructure to create a foundational base for the new technologies that will power the 21st century economy.

Amazon breaks ground on 200,000-square metre warehouse in the Halifax area

Amazon breaks ground on 200,000-square metre warehouse in the Halifax area

DARTMOUTH -- American e-commerce giant Amazon held a groundbreaking ceremony in the Halifax area Wednesday for a massive new warehouse that will use robots and more than 1,000 full-time employees to fulfil orders.

Boon or boondoggle? N.S. weighs $10B data centre's promised economic benefits

Boon or boondoggle? N.S. weighs $10B data centre's promised economic benefits

HALIFAX -- Living more than 200 kilometres from the site of a major artificial intelligence data centre proposal isn't stopping Michael McCluskey from voicing his opposition to the project.

Power bills in Nova Scotia may spike as utility looks to refinance $1B in assets

Power bills in Nova Scotia may spike as utility looks to refinance $1B in assets

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Power Inc. is applying for permission to refinance nearly $1-billion worth of assets, including several coal plants scheduled to close by 2030.

Nova Scotia says new road rules will better protect pedestrians, cyclists and others

Nova Scotia says new road rules will better protect pedestrians, cyclists and others

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is replacing its century-old traffic legislation with new rules that it says will better protect vulnerable road users.

Nova Scotia privacy commissioner questions transparency around cabinet records

Nova Scotia privacy commissioner questions transparency around cabinet records

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's information and privacy commissioner says new rules regarding public access to provincial cabinet records will result in less transparency.

N.S. privacy commissioner questions transparency around cabinet records

N.S. privacy commissioner questions transparency around cabinet records

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's information and privacy commissioner says new rules regarding public access to provincial cabinet records will result in less transparency.

New poll: Nova Scotia government's approval rating has recovered from recent plunge

New poll: Nova Scotia government's approval rating has recovered from recent plunge

HALIFAX -- A new poll suggests the approval rating for Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's government has partially recovered from the plunge it took following a round of big budget cuts in February.

N.S. premier invites the public to build and submit their own provincial budgets

N.S. premier invites the public to build and submit their own provincial budgets

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is launching a new budget consultation process inviting the public to build and submit their own plans for the province's finances.

Case against Halifax man accused of threatening U.S. consulate delayed until October

Case against Halifax man accused of threatening U.S. consulate delayed until October

HALIFAX -- The case against a man accused of threatening to bomb the U.S. consulate in Halifax has been delayed until next month.

More Nova Scotians add their names to petition calling for return of uranium ban

More Nova Scotians add their names to petition calling for return of uranium ban

HALIFAX -- More than 10,000 people have now signed a petition asking the Nova Scotia government to reinstate a ban on uranium mining in the province.

N.S. Speaker scraps planned legislature bans just days before fall sitting begins

N.S. Speaker scraps planned legislature bans just days before fall sitting begins

HALIFAX -- The Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature says she is rescinding a decision to temporarily ban 36 people from the premises for allegedly causing a disruption in the gallery during the spring sitting.

Halifax's free student bus pass program to return despite March budget cut

Halifax's free student bus pass program to return despite March budget cut

HALIFAX -- Eligible students at five Halifax schools will continue to receive free city bus passes this year despite uncertainty over the provincial government's support for the program.

Sean Fraser applauds exclusion of U.S. suppliers as he announces N.S. tariff relief

Sean Fraser applauds exclusion of U.S. suppliers as he announces N.S. tariff relief

DARTMOUTH -- When Ace Machining Ltd. president Ron Wallace needed a new piece of equipment for his Dartmouth, N.S., shop, he knew for certain it wouldn't be coming from the United States.

N.S. energy minister apologizes after 'harmful' rap lyrics prompt resignation call

N.S. energy minister apologizes after 'harmful' rap lyrics prompt resignation call

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's energy minister has offered an emotional apology after misogynistic rap lyrics he wrote before his time in politics prompted a women's organization to call for his resignation.

Nova Scotia Power can't explain why hacked customer data was not deleted as planned

Nova Scotia Power can't explain why hacked customer data was not deleted as planned

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Power officials say they don't know why a digital copy of almost three decades worth of customer information that was later stolen in a cyberattack was not automatically deleted as intended.

Nova Scotia teachers group fears government control over university programs

Nova Scotia teachers group fears government control over university programs

HALIFAX -- A group representing Nova Scotia's university teachers says it's concerned the government is taking more control over which academic programs get funded.

Canada's new East Coast navy commander says people and training are his priority

Canada's new East Coast navy commander says people and training are his priority

HALIFAX -- The new commander of the Royal Canadian Navy on the East Coast says training and taking care of his people are among his top priorities.

N.S. attorney general wants answers after innocent man serves 18 months in prison

N.S. attorney general wants answers after innocent man serves 18 months in prison

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's attorney general says he wants answers on how an innocent man served 18 months in prison for child exploitation charges after investigators mixed up his online username.

N.S. Liberal hopefuls ready to rebuild during party's leadership campaign

N.S. Liberal hopefuls ready to rebuild during party's leadership campaign

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's Liberals will elect their first woman leader this fall, and while the two challengers say that's a good thing, it's more about picking the right person for the job.

Foster parent advocacy group says Nova Scotia plans to cut all its funding next year

Foster parent advocacy group says Nova Scotia plans to cut all its funding next year

HALIFAX -- The organization that has trained and advocated on behalf of Nova Scotia foster parents for five decades says the provincial government plans to cut all its funding next year.

Man appeals conviction for allegedly impersonating N.S. government employee

Man appeals conviction for allegedly impersonating N.S. government employee

HALIFAX -- A man convicted of hacking into a Nova Scotia government employee's social media account and posting an antisemitic message that led to her firing has launched an appeal.

Ottawa commits $1.4 million to help community groups fight human trafficking

Ottawa commits $1.4 million to help community groups fight human trafficking

HALIFAX -- The federal government is funding six organizations across the country in an effort to combat human trafficking and support survivors.

Ottawa offers provinces $2 billion to help train more skilled trades workers

Ottawa offers provinces $2 billion to help train more skilled trades workers

HALIFAX -- The federal government says it will spend $2 billion to recruit and train up to 100,000 more Red Seal trade workers through bilateral deals it plans to strike with the provinces and territories.

Premier says N.S. ready to meet likely infrastructure demands of Canada's new subs

Premier says N.S. ready to meet likely infrastructure demands of Canada's new subs

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier says the province has the infrastructure and people needed to meet the expected demands of hosting a new submarine fleet, but critics say more should be done to address clogged roads and hospitals and increased housing prices.

Halifax shipyard workers lay backbone for first of Canada's 15 River-class destroyers

Halifax shipyard workers lay backbone for first of Canada's 15 River-class destroyers

HALIFAX -- Irving Shipbuilding officially began the construction of the first of Canada's 15 new River-class destroyers in Halifax today.

One person dead after fire in Bridgewater, N.S., burns two residential buildings

One person dead after fire in Bridgewater, N.S., burns two residential buildings

HALIFAX -- Bridgewater, N.S. Mayor David Mitchell says first responders in his town were taking action against a fatal fire Wednesday even before the 911 call came in.

N.S. says it's on schedule to move people with disabilities out of institutions

N.S. says it's on schedule to move people with disabilities out of institutions

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government says it's on track to move all people with disabilities out of institutions by the 2028 deadline.

Halifax neighbourhood evacuation ends after unstable crane repaired overnight

Halifax neighbourhood evacuation ends after unstable crane repaired overnight

HALIFAX -- Residents of a Halifax neighbourhood have been cleared to return home after concerns over the stability of a construction crane led to an evacuation Thursday night.

Talks with province break down in Nova Scotia long-term care strike, says union

Talks with province break down in Nova Scotia long-term care strike, says union

HALIFAX -- A union representing striking long-term care workers in Nova Scotia says talks with the government have broken down and there are no other dates scheduled.

N.S. families hope for a deal as talks resume with striking long-term care workers

N.S. families hope for a deal as talks resume with striking long-term care workers

HALIFAX -- Families of long-term care residents were hopeful Wednesday that a deal could be reached as the union representing Nova Scotian long-term care workers met with government officials after more than six weeks on strike.

N.S. Premier Tim Houston grows his cabinet with four new members

N.S. Premier Tim Houston grows his cabinet with four new members

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is shuffling his cabinet and giving up the energy portfolio.

N.S. premier says he's pleased with interest from companies after end of fracking ban

N.S. premier says he's pleased with interest from companies after end of fracking ban

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier says his government is about to start negotiations with the first company that could frack for natural gas since the province lifted a decade-long ban on the practice.

N.S. premier says province is in talks with onshore natural gas proponent

N.S. premier says province is in talks with onshore natural gas proponent

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier says his government is about to start negotiations with a company that could frack for natural gas in the province.

Canadian wineries say scrapping provincial trade barriers would add billions to GDP

Canadian wineries say scrapping provincial trade barriers would add billions to GDP

HALIFAX -- Canada's wine sector is worth more than $10 billion a year and the industry says a few tweaks -- like scrapping domestic trade barriers -- could add billions of dollars more to the national economy.

Families plugging gaps as renewed talks fail to end Nova Scotia long-term care strike

Families plugging gaps as renewed talks fail to end Nova Scotia long-term care strike

HALIFAX -- Family of long-term care residents in Nova Scotia say the nearly month-long strike in the sector has meant fewer baths, more falls and dietary adjustments for their loved ones.

N.S. premier says Mark Carney's leadership is a boon to N.S. oil and gas exploration

N.S. premier says Mark Carney's leadership is a boon to N.S. oil and gas exploration

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia’s premier is crediting a change in federal leadership for renewed traction in the province’s pursuit of offshore oil and gas development.

Five things to know about Nova Scotia's plans to develop onshore natural gas

Five things to know about Nova Scotia's plans to develop onshore natural gas

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is kicking off public consultations on its controversial plan to allow natural gas exploration more than a decade after fracking was first banned in the province.

Businesses welcome federal fuel tax relief as Iran war uncertainty lingers

Businesses welcome federal fuel tax relief as Iran war uncertainty lingers

HALIFAX -- An eastern Canadian logistics, trucking and courier company with a fleet of more than 200 vehicles says Monday's federal tax break on fuel should provide relief to hard-hit customers.

Additional workers join Nova Scotia long-term care strike, with more on the way

Additional workers join Nova Scotia long-term care strike, with more on the way

HALIFAX -- Workers at another Nova Scotia long-term care home have joined a strike, bringing the number of homes facing labour action to 25.

Chiefs call for moratorium on N.S. cannabis raids after last week's highway protests

Chiefs call for moratorium on N.S. cannabis raids after last week's highway protests

HALIFAX -- Mi'kmaw chiefs in Nova Scotia are demanding a moratorium on RCMP raids on cannabis stores in their communities.

Arrest of armed masked man in N.S. a case of intimate partner violence: police

Arrest of armed masked man in N.S. a case of intimate partner violence: police

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia police say they have arrested an 18-year-old man in a case related to intimate partner violence after he allegedly showed up to a workplace masked and carrying a loaded rifle.

Fisheries Minister won't allow Dartmouth Cove infilling project to move forward

Fisheries Minister won't allow Dartmouth Cove infilling project to move forward

HALIFAX -- The federal government says it will not approve a controversial proposal to infill part of Halifax Harbour in order to facilitate a private development project.

Atlantic Canada's biggest cities are growing more than the national average

Atlantic Canada's biggest cities are growing more than the national average

HALIFAX -- International immigration to Canada is slowing but newcomers still helped six Atlantic cities grow more than the national average last year.

Police say hacker wanted bitcoin payment from blackmailed N.S. legislator

Police say hacker wanted bitcoin payment from blackmailed N.S. legislator

HALIFAX -- RCMP say a hacker behind a blackmail attempt on a member of the Nova Scotia legislature was trying to extort bitcoin.

N.S. Oscar winner Tamara Deverell says province's cuts to arts will hurt the economy

N.S. Oscar winner Tamara Deverell says province's cuts to arts will hurt the economy

HALIFAX -- One of Nova Scotia's newest Oscar winners says the provincial government's decision to cut funding for arts and culture will not only impact the development of young talent, but will also hurt the economy.

Hundreds gather for First Nations-led protest in Nova Scotia over budget cuts
Nova Scotia's $20-million subsidy for Maine ferry is a good value, says new study

Nova Scotia's $20-million subsidy for Maine ferry is a good value, says new study

HALIFAX -- A long-awaited economic study of the ferry service between Nova Scotia and Maine says the province's annual subsidy of about $20 million is worth the cost.

Most Atlantic provinces recorded first population decline in years at the end of 2025

Most Atlantic provinces recorded first population decline in years at the end of 2025

HALIFAX -- Atlantic Canada's population boom has ended, with each of the four provinces losing residents at the end of 2025, and economic experts say that's going to make it harder for provincial governments awash in red ink to balance the books.

Five things to know as New Brunswick prepares for cuts in next month's budget

Five things to know as New Brunswick prepares for cuts in next month's budget

Staring down a record deficit of $1.3 billion, the New Brunswick government has warned that virtually every service and program risks facing cuts in next month's budget.

N.S. reaches agreement that could send offshore wind power to Massachusetts

N.S. reaches agreement that could send offshore wind power to Massachusetts

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia has found an energy-hungry potential buyer for the electricity the province hopes to produce from a major offshore wind project that is still in the early stages.

N.S. pilot program cuts down payment requirements for first-time homebuyers

N.S. pilot program cuts down payment requirements for first-time homebuyers

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government says it's the first province in Canada to slash the minimum down payment buyers are required to save in order to purchase their first home.

Trump's latest tariff threats will hurt U.S. just as much as Canada, experts say

Trump's latest tariff threats will hurt U.S. just as much as Canada, experts say

HALIFAX -- International trade experts say U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canada will hurt his own economy just as much, if not more, than Canada's.

A timeline of events involving New Brunswick's alleged mysterious brain disease cases

A timeline of events involving New Brunswick's alleged mysterious brain disease cases

New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Yves Leger, has delivered a new report on a cluster of almost 400 patients who had reported symptoms allegedly connected to a mystery brain disease over the past five years.

No evidence of mystery brain disease in New Brunswick, says government report

No evidence of mystery brain disease in New Brunswick, says government report

A new report from New Brunswick's top doctor has found no evidence of a mysterious brain disease that has allegedly been impacting hundreds of patients across the province.

N.B. government opens new anti-racism office in response to 2022 report

N.B. government opens new anti-racism office in response to 2022 report

More than three years after a report on systemic racism made dozens of recommendations to the government, officials in New Brunswick say it has become the fifth province in Canada to create an anti-racism office.

Sydney, N.S., selected as the preferred base for new Arctic icebreakers

Sydney, N.S., selected as the preferred base for new Arctic icebreakers

SYDNEY -- Federal officials say Sydney, N.S., has the inside track on becoming the base for the Canadian Coast Guard's upcoming polar icebreakers as the country continues the push to assert its sovereignty in the Arctic.

N.S. lobster exports outside China are picking up as tariffs soften demand

N.S. lobster exports outside China are picking up as tariffs soften demand

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's lobster sector is feeling the pinch from Chinese tariffs this year, but officials say exporters are starting to crack other international markets.

Some N.S. towns have tried to ban 'dangerous' dog breeds without much success

Some N.S. towns have tried to ban 'dangerous' dog breeds without much success

HALIFAX -- At least two Nova Scotia municipalities have tried to ban certain dog breeds in recent years, but neither local government was able to enforce its bylaw.

N.S. finance minister says spending cuts are coming, but rules out tax increases

N.S. finance minister says spending cuts are coming, but rules out tax increases

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's finance minister says spending cuts are coming next year but there won't be any tax or fee increases as the province struggles with its worsening finances.