News
CPRA Green Jobs 2025 Now Open
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CPRA is thrilled to announce that grant applications for the Green Jobs Initiative, a program that empowers youth by creating meaningful job placements, is now open!
The program will provide direct financial support (via 50% wage subsidies) to local governments (municipalities, Indigenous communities, etc.) and other sector organizations to support nearly 140 jobs focusing on green career-related activities.
By empowering youth with job opportunities and fostering environmental stewardship, we contribute to their personal growth, advance community priorities, and create a sustainable future for our communities and our planet.
All 2025 applications are due Friday, April 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
To learn more about the program, please visit http://greenjobsinitiative.ca or contact your regional project manager.
Or fill out your application if you are ready to apply.
Organizations will be notified of their application status on Friday, May 2, 2025.
This program is funded by the Government of Canada.
Anti- Racism Summit
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ANTI-RACISM CHARTER SIGNATORIES MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Recreation Nova Scotia is excited to announce our first-ever Anti-Racism Summit.
This summit is a free opportunity for signatories of the Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation, helping us move from commitment to action.
Date: May 15, 2025
Location: Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Truro
Stay tuned for more details and registration
Not a signatory but want to be involved?
We’re looking for passionate individuals to help make this groundbreaking event successful. Whether you want to present, set up an informational kiosk, or contribute as a sponsor, your involvement fosters meaningful dialogue and action against racism in our communities.
Please complete this form by March 21, 2025, to let us know how you'd like to be involved!
EDIA Highlight: Municipality of the District of Chester Becomes Rainbow Registered
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Kerri Jack
This month, Recreation Nova Scotia proudly celebrates the Municipality of the District of Chester for achieving the 2SLGBTI+ Chamber of Commerce Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program in January 2025. As one of only 65 registered organizations in Nova Scotia, the Municipality is the first government body to complete this significant program. Among them are other accredited organizations such as Scotiabank Centre, Discovery Centre, the Kentville Visitor Centre, Africville Heritage Trust, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, all contributing to a diverse and inclusive community.
The 2SLGBTI+ Chamber of Commerce is a national organization that passionately advocates, educates and empowers the 2SLGBTQI+ business community to grow. With core values rooted in community, collaboration, diversity, equity, integrity, bravery, and boldness, they are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. The Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program for 2SLGBTI+ Friendly Spaces, a partnership between Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada, honours businesses and organizations that adhere to high-quality standards. By earning and displaying the Rainbow Registered symbol, these businesses proudly demonstrate their commitment to making 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel welcomed and accepted.
Shelley Rafuse, Founding Director of Lunenburg County Pride, says, "It signifies that a business, organization, or Municipality has met rigorous standards for being inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals through the recognitions of safe spaces, the encouragement of diversity within the community, support for queer economic growth, and building trust, visibility, and allyship. Overall, this is progress forward, which is always a welcome change."
Accreditation is a four-step process that includes reviewing program requirements, completing an application, undergoing an assessment stage, and finalizing a report and next steps. The Municipality of the District of Chester has proudly demonstrated its commitment to meeting the standards for accreditation through its thoughtful policies, dedicated training, and community participation. Chester Community Economic Development Officer Ashley Marlin highlights the significance of this initiative, stating, "It was important for us to clearly show that our Municipal organization, staff, and buildings are safe and welcoming." As a testament to this commitment, the Municipality proudly displays the Rainbow Registered logo and information at all municipal building entrances, inviting everyone to experience a culture of inclusion and safety.
Ashley Marlin, the Chester Community Economic Development Officer, expresses her admiration for the 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, highlighting their steadfast commitment to empowering others, saying, "They want you to succeed. They will walk you through the process and have fantastic resources to share with you." This support and guidance from the Chamber make the accreditation journey achievable and inspiring.
"As a queer individual within the municipality, on a personal level, my hope is it will foster more support, educational opportunities, local engagement in inclusive partnerships and events and advocacy/awareness for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights," adds Rafuse
To discover more about the 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program, visit their website at https://cglcc.ca/.
Remembering Robin Norrie
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On February 12, the Nova Scotia recreation sector lost a dear friend, colleague and advocate. Robin Norrie worked for almost 40 years, serving the people of Nova Scotia at all three levels of government.
We remember Robin as a constant champion of our sector's power and potential. Robin often led from the back, engaging in quiet conversations, elevating her colleagues, and working hard behind closed doors to create movement and recognition for recreation in our province. As an NSCC Instructor, Robin loved teaching her students about the fundamentals of recreation, encouraging them to shine brightly and step into the sector with excitement.
Often described as humble, kind, caring and passionate, it was an easy decision for the RNS Board of Directors to honour Robin as last year’s Lifetime Membership recipient. In her acceptance speech, Robin talked about the many relationships she had made throughout her time as a recreation professional and spoke with joy and gratitude, inspiring us all to continue serving our communities with pride knowing we are making a difference.
We will continue to remember Robin’s strength and friendship and work to honour the legacy she has left for us. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Robin’s loved ones; we share her loss with you.
Introducing the Recreation Equipment Marketplace
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Introducing Recreation Equipment Marketplace, an online resource for organizations to buy, sell, trade or giveaway recreation equipment.
Organizations can send us their equipment to be posted or the kind of equipment they are looking for by filling out this form. RNS will add your information to the Marketplace listing page. Organizations can use the information to exchange equipment throughout the province.
If you have equipment that you no longer need, consider recycling it by listing it on Recreation Nova Scotia's Recreation Equipment Marketplace. Find a new home for your equipment, or find something new today!
RNS Meets With CCTH Minister Ritcey
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Last week, Recreation Nova Scotia met with Minister Ritcey and staff from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) to discuss Recreation Nova Scotia and the vital role of the recreation sector in Nova Scotia.
RNS discussed the recreation sector in Nova Scotia including the changing pull of our sector, national and provincial trends, and emphasised the important work taken on by recreation professionals and volunteers responding to community needs. In addition, we highlighted some of the work of RNS and the recreation sector in supporting government priorities around equity and anti-racism, accessibility, and physical activity.
We heard from our members at the RNS Conference in October 2024 on a range of topics important to the sector and how important it is to be the voice with decision makers. Based on input at the RNS Conference and ongoing member communication we presented three recommendations to the Minister. These recommendations will enable us to continue strengthening the recreation sector in Nova Scotia. We had a great discussion and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners at CCTH and the Province of Nova Scotia as we work together to build healthier and more resilient communities through recreation.
Recommendations:
- Investment in training development and youth employment opportunities
Investment in a training program for leaders, ensuring high-quality recreation experiences across the province. As well as further support for youth employment supporting opportunities that develop leaders, support community capacity building and contribute to local economic development.
- Improved access to community schools
Committee formed to examine and address the inaccessibility of community access to schools
- Increased core funding to Recreation Nova Scotia
Core-funding increase to RNS to allow the organization to better serve the growing needs of our members, and all those who live in NS as well as allowing for continued and improved support for provincial government priorities and mandates