January 1, 2010
For immediate release

Petroleum Pricing

Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission approved the following petroleum pricing decisions, effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, January 1, 2010:

Gasoline prices will increase by 5.0 cents per litre (cpl);

Furnace and stove oil prices will increase by 3.5 cpl;

Diesel prices will increase by 4.3 cpl; and

Propane prices will increase by 4.0 cpl for Superior Propane, by 4.2 cpl for Irving Energy Distribution and Marketing and by 4.6 cpl for Kenmac Energy Inc.

Including taxes, pump prices for regular unleaded gasoline at self-serve outlets will now range from 99.2 cpl to 101.3 cpl.

Significant escalation of wholesale market pricing of all refined products since the Commissions last adjustment necessitates the petroleum product price increases announced today.

The Commission’s next scheduled price adjustment will be on January 15, 2010.

Media Contact: Allison MacEwen

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NOTE: The Get Ready for Winter – Take the Challenge, 10 tips to keep your family safer this winter, is available at emo.gov.ns.ca/content/take-ten-tip-challenge .

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Winter has arrived, and the Emergency Management Office and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal are reminding Nova Scotians that now is the time to prepare your family for winter storms and challenging driving conditions.

“Severe winter weather can strike without notice. That is why it is critical that all Nova Scotians are ready,” said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Emergency Management. “As the new year approaches, I encourage all families to make a resolution to be better prepared to deal with the dangers that winter weather and other emergencies can bring.”

Blizzards and winter storms can bring bitter cold, high winds, heavy snowfall, freezing rain, poor visibility and slippery roads. They may last for a few hours or several days.

An emergency kit at home and in the car will help ensure that Nova Scotia families are ready for whatever winter has in store. Emergency kits should include items needed for people to be self-sufficient for up to 72-hours after a storm, including extra water and food, a radio and a flashlight powered by batteries or crank.

Nova Scotians should ensure their civic address is easily visible to first responders, and stock up on supplies including road salt or sand, a snow shovel and other snow removal equipment, and enough clothing and blankets to keep everyone warm.

When travelling, winter weather conditions can make driving difficult. Drivers should monitor local weather forecasts for road conditions, and exercise caution at all times.

“If conditions are not good, the decision to stay home until they improve is the safest choice,” added Ms. Jennex.

More information on preparing an emergency kit for homes or vehicles is available on the Emergency Management Office website at www.gov.ns.ca/emo . More information and tips on winter driving are available at www.gov.ns.ca/Tran .

Information on road conditions is available by dialing 511 for provincial highway conditions, or 1-888-432-3233 for local road information.

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FOR BROADCAST USE:

     Emergency Management Minister Ramona Jennex is encouraging

all Nova Scotians to make a resolution to be better prepared for

severe winter weather and other emergencies.

     She says winter storms can strike without notice. That is

why it is critical that everyone be ready.

     An emergency kit at home and in the

car will help ensure that Nova Scotian families are ready for

whatever winter has in store.

     For more information on emergency kits, and ten tips for

winter safety visit W-W-W dot gov dot N-S dot C-A slash E-M-O.

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Media Contact: Donna Hooper
              Emergency Management Office
              902-424-1906
              E-mail: hoopermd@gov.ns.ca

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La Nouvelle-Écosse continue de connaître une diminution de l’activité grippale H1N1 partout dans la province.

Pendant la semaine du 20 au 26 décembre, il y a eu :
– un nouveau cas confirmé de H1N1,
– une nouvelle hospitalisation due au H1N1.

Voici d’autres faits saillants :
– Le pourcentage de visites aux services des urgences pour des symptômes grippaux demeure à 5 pour 100, le même pourcentage que pour la semaine du 13 au 19 décembre.
– Le pourcentage de patients qui présentent des symptômes grippaux demeure inférieur à 1 pour 100, selon les données fournies par les médecins de la province.

La Province publie un rapport sur les maladies respiratoires, y compris le H1N1, tous les mercredis. Vous pouvez le consulter (en anglais seulement) à l’adresse www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/flu-activity_fr.asp .

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Personne-ressource : Ligne médias
                     Promotion et Protection de la santé
                 902-424-0499

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Nova Scotia continues to experience decreased H1N1 activity across the province.

For the reporting period of Dec. 20 to Dec. 26, there has been:
– One new lab-confirmed H1N1 case.
– One new hospitalization of people with lab-confirmed H1N1.

Other highlights include:
– The percentage of emergency room visits with influenza-like illness remains at five per cent, the same as the week of Dec. 13 to Dec. 19.
– The percentage of patients with influenza-like illness remains at less than one per cent, as reported by physicians around the province.

The province publishes a report on respiratory illnesses, including H1N1, every Wednesday. It can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/flu-activity.asp .

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Media Contact: Media Line
              Health Promotion and Protection
              902-424-0499