Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
It could be "days or weeks" before things get back to normal in flood-ravaged parts of Cape Breton following the rain and wind storm that swept across Nova Scotia, according to a provincial transportation official. Jamie Chisholm, the Department of Transportation's eastern district director, said Wednesday the hardest hit areas were Inverness and Victoria counties. "We've had multiple bridges compromised, some washed out completely, several roads that are impassable right now," he said.
Residents of Whycocomagh and We’koqma’q First Nation in Inverness County will have their wastewater infrastructure replaced thanks to a $5.87 million investment from the three levels of government and in partnership with the First Nation. “The province is pleased to be working with the federal government, the municipality and the First Nation to fund this much-needed wastewater treatment facility,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Brendan Maguire. “Due to the age and condition of the current facility, the system is a priority for replacement. The new facility will help keep Whycocomagh safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable for many years to come.”
