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Lilly and Jack

Jack and Lilly: 1 year after disappearance, RCMP search for answers

Nearly one full year after two children disappeared from their home in Pictou County, RCMP are still searching for answers.

In a press conference, Thursday, Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon says at this point they need facts to prove the case may be criminal in nature.

“Once we have that, we make all of our decisions based on the evidence that we collect,” says McCamon. “Once we have that evidence, then we’ll move forward in those areas if that’s appropriate.”

It was about 10 a.m. on May 2, 2025, when the RCMP got the call. Six-year-old Lilly and four-year-old Jack reportedly wandered from their rural home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station.

They have not been seen since.

Dozens of search and rescue teams started scouring the area, with air support from helicopters, a water search team, and special RCMP teams.

A helicopter flies over Lansdowne Station in Pictou County, N.S., as part of the search and rescue operation to find Lilly and Jack Sullivan, two children who went missing on May 2. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)

McCamon says they want answers as much as everybody else.

“We haven’t stopped and we won’t. We’ve engaged units from across Canada. We continue to engage those units to support us where needed,” explains McCamon. 

He adds that it’s extremely rare for a brother and sister to disappear without a trace.

On May 3, the case was handed over to the major crimes unit for Northeast Nova RCMP under the Missing Persons Act. Police from across Canada are involved, along with the National Centre for Missing Persons, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

To date, the case is still considered a missing persons investigation, and police have maintained they do not yet believe it is criminal. But they have also repeatedly said “all possible scenarios remain under consideration.”

More to come…

-With files from Caitlin Snow 

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Nova Scotia and Ontario sign direct-to-consumer alcohol agreement

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Another interprovincial trade barrier has been reduced between Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Premiers Doug Ford and Tim Houston have signed a direct-to-consumer agreement that will allow alcohol producers in each province to sell directly to customers in the other.

Under the agreement, eligible wineries, breweries and distilleries will be able to ship products directly to consumers across provincial lines.

Both premiers said the move is part of a broader push to remove remaining interprovincial trade barriers and work toward freer trade within Canada.

Producers who want to participate will need to register with the appropriate liquor authority in each province. In Nova Scotia, that means registering with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation. In Ontario, producers must register with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

Applications for producers are set to open March 8.

Officials have not yet outlined how many producers are expected to participate in the initial phase of the program.

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Frankenstein production designer says Canada has great settings

A Canadian added her personal touch as the production designer on the Frankenstein movie.

Tamara Deverell worked alongside director Guillermo del Toro to creatively architect scenes such as the lab, the wooden boat, and an apartment in Scotland.

“It’s funny how connected you feel to Cape Breton in Scotland because there’s so many similar landscapes and, and just the feel of the wind and the sea,” explains Deverell.

As the supervising art director, she designs all the sets with a team of people by making architectural and construction drawings, picking the colours for the colour palette, and deciding how to light the sets.

She says Nova Scotia has a background setting ready for films.

“I’m hoping that in Cape Breton, there’s more films coming here and more film action because it is a fantastic place visually and I wouldn’t be surprised if more filmmakers find out about it,” expressed Deverell.

She recommends you check out Frankenstein that’s currently streaming on Netflix.

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Trailer Park Boys actor charged with sexual assault

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The actor who portrays Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys has been charged with sexual assault in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service told Acadia Broadcasting that Mike Smith is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. at Halifax provincial court.

Court documents provided to Acadia Broadcasting state the charge relates to an alleged incident on Dec. 30, 2017, at or near Dartmouth, N.S.

The documents state Smith was ordered to have no contact with the complainant nor attend her residence or any place of work or education. He signed an undertaking to that effect Oct. 2.

The prosecution service also said it will be seeking a publication ban on any information that could identify the victim. Such a ban is mandatory under the Criminal Code of Canada.

There is no indication if Smith will appear in-person or will be represented by his lawyer.

A statement from Trailer Park Boys, Inc., which produces the comedy show, was posted to Facebook. The statement said the company was aware of the allegation and that Smith had stepped away from his role as managing director of the company.

MP Chris d'Enrtremont

d’Entremont hopes supporters understand decision to cross floor

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A Nova Scotian MP hopes those who voted for him as a Conservative, can forgive him.

Chris d’Entremont of Acadie-Annapolis crossed the floor, and joined the Liberals Tuesday night after the budget was presented.

Reflecting on his decision, he says it took months of research and soul-searching.

“It wasn’t an easy choice, I know I’ve disappointed many people, but I’ve received very positive comments from many others. We’re going to continue to move forward and prove that this is the best move for Acadie-Annapolis,” said d’Entremont in a phone interview with Acadia News.

Floor crossing ‘shocking’ to many in Acadie-Annapolis

D’Entremont says many are ‘bewildered’ over his decision, and social media has taken on a life of its own.

But he’s looking forward to returning to Nova Scotia and having conversations.

“It’s going to take a while and a lot of talking, I’m looking forward to being back home and explaining this.

People trust in their MPs to make decisions on their behalf. I believe I did it for the right reasons, for the riding.”

For those who worked on his campaign, d’Entremont says he’s in the process of reaching out to them.

“I hope at some point they can forgive me, but they know that we heard from folks on doorsteps during the last election that wanted to vote for me, but couldn’t vote for Pierre Poilievre and the party. That resonated in my head. I could not continue to support his type of leadership and negativity that comes from that side of the house, it solidifies even more that I’ve made the right decision.”

Conservatives say move fueled by loss of Deputy Speaker vote

The Conservatives issued a statement Tuesday, saying d’Entremont let his own personal grievances of not being elected Deputy Speaker factor into his defection.

d’Entremont denied that claim, and says it’s about building his riding, and moving away from their leadership style.

“They (Conservatives) don’t have Canadians in mind. They have taken on such an American, negative, ‘MAGA’ feel, that I did not recognize my party.

I’ve always been a red Tory throughout my career, and I don’t feel they represent that anymore.”

The move gave Prime Minister Mark Carney another seat in the House, the Liberals are now two seats away from a majority.

When asked about others in the Conservative Party potentially following his lead:

“I know there are a number of Canadians that are not liking that style of leadership, but I’ll let other members, if that comes along, tell their stories. For me, it was time to decide whether to deliver for my riding, or to sit and complain.”

Click play below to hear reporter Kevin Northup’s full interview with Chris d’Entremont.

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Return of P.E.I.-N.S. ferry service pushed to Wednesday

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Another day with no ferry service between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Northumberland Ferries says due to ongoing recovery work sailings will not pick back up until Wednesday.

Crossings have been paused since a fire erupted on M.V. Holiday Island last Friday. The emergency forced the evacuation of nearly 200 passengers and 18 crew members.

The ship is now expected to be out of service for the rest of the season.

The goal is for M.V. Confederation to set sail again on Wednesday, offering four round trips per day:

  • Departing Wood Islands: 07:00, 10:00, 13:30, 17:00
  • Departing Caribou: 08:30, 11:45, 15:15, 18:30”

A further update will be provided on Tuesday afternoon.

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Lucki and Blair deny allegations of political interference in N.S. mass shooting investigation

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A strong denial on Monday of any political interference by the Liberal government in the Nova Scotia mass shooting investigation.

The House of Commons standing committee on public safety and national security heard from RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair on Monday.

Committee members are searching for answers regarding whether or not there was government pressure to release the details to the public on the guns used in the 13-hour rampage that began in Portapique on April 18th, 2020. Twenty-two lives were lost.

Bill Blair, a former police officer and chief, remained steadfast in his belief that at no time was there any political pressure.

“I’ll reiterate that at no time did I cross that line. I did not direct the commissioner of the RCMP and I did not have any private conversation with her in which that was done,” Blair says. “The commissioner did not promise me that she would do this. I think the commissioner understood her job, and her job was to serve the people of Canada and the people of Nova Scotia, to give them information that they desperately needed and wanted with respect to the terrible tragedy that had taken place there.”

Former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. (Source: CPAC)

The allegations surfaced last month when handwritten notes penned by RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell during an April 28th meeting with Lucki were released in a report published by the mass casualty commission.

The notes indicated Lucki was upset the details were not included in a press conference citing a “promise” made to the Prime Minister’s Office and Blair, ahead of the Liberal government’s impending gun control legislation.

Cumberland/Colchester MP Dr. Stephen Ellis, who is the Conservative shadow minister for public safety and member of the committee, says the goal of today’s meeting is to get answers.

“All of this leads us to believe that there are back-room deals, and a lack of political integrity from the Liberal government on how they deal with the RCMP,” says Ellis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also denied the allegations. Blair was moved to the Emergency Preparedness portfolio last October.

“I want to be very clear. I did not direct the RCMP. I did not direct them in their operations or in their communications,” Blair says.

RCMP cruisers parked in front of Portapique Beach Road during the NS mass shooting that claimed 22 lives in April 2020.

Meantime, Lucki says there was, of course, pressure given it was the worst mass shooting in Canada’s history. She says there was also frustration over the media reporting details before police regarding the number of fatalities and even the background of the perpetrator, for example.

She explained that did not mean there was interference on a political level.

“First of all, there was pressure for every single bit of information related to this incident, the number of deceased, where the deceased were located, who the deceased were, the background of the deceased, the perpetrator, the background of the perpetrator, the perpetrator’s common-law spouse … it went on and on,” Lucki says. “It was relentless, especially from the media.”

She was questioned on why in the days after the mass shooting she pivoted from not wanting details on the firearms to be released due to the active nature of the investigation to calling for the information to be made public. Lucki says it was due to the fact that the details were changing rapidly, even hourly, when it came to the investigation.

She says at every press conference new information would be released.

Lucki believes the allegations stem from miscommunication, adding she’s a calm person who at no time got upset that the details were not given out.

“There were a lot of issues we were having with the flow of communication. Whether or not it was released was not my concern. Somebody asked me if it was going to be a part of it. I asked them, and they said yes, and it wasn’t,” Lucki says. “We were getting criticized by the media at every angle for the lack of timely information.”

**With files from Kevin Northup.**
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Tips To Help Save Money As Gas Prices Soar

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As gas prices soar, the Canadian Automobile Association has some tips to help ease the burden on your wallet.

CAA says there are ways to save hundreds of dollars at the fuel pumps each year even if you can’t control prices.

It recommends not pushing the pedal to the metal, saying softer and slower acceleration and coasting to slow down rather than braking hard will help gas last.

Another trick is to not let your car idle.

“You waste 1 litre of gas every 20 minutes you idle,” CAA says. “If you are going to be stopped for 60 seconds or more, try to turn off the engine.”

It also advises you to keep up on car maintenance, even underinflated tires can drive up your gas consumption.

Other ways to save include refraining from speeding, using cruise control when it’s safe to do so, and avoiding pothole-ridden roads. Driving at lower and consistent speeds can greatly reduce fuel consumption.

CAA also recommends combining your trips as several short commutes with a cold engine can use twice as much gas.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been fueling the recent spike in fuel prices. The national average price of gas is $1.81 per litre.

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Canada’s Premiers Renew Calls For Increase In Health Transfers

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Canada’s premiers have renewed calls for an increase in federal health care transfer payments.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan serves as chair of the Council of the Federation, which comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers.

“Of course, the global pandemic has tested us all. It has strained our public health care systems right across the country,” Horgan said at a virtual news conference on Friday.

“All 13 premiers agree we need a significant long-term increase in funding from the federal government to meet the challenges of coming out of the pandemic and ensuring that the services that people expect and deserve in Canada are uniformed from coast to coast to coast.”

Federal funding has been eroded over the last 50 years, now only covering about 22 per cent of the total funds needed to provide services in some jurisdictions, said Horgan.

Premiers are looking for a First Ministers meeting to ensure a boost in these transfers will cover 35 per cent of provincial-territorial health care costs.

“Through the pandemic, the federal government has been an outstanding partner, ensuring that we’re supporting businesses, workers and communities so we can all weather COVID-19, and now provinces and territories are coming together once again to call on the federal government to join with us and renew the partnership for public health care in Canada,” Horgan remarked.

Larger health transfers would be expected to improve services, wait times, human resources in the health care system. Additionally, Horgan said this would ensure they can provide high-quality diagnostics to address diseases like COVID-19 and cancer.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not made a statement on the Council of the Federation’s latest announcement.

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House Of Commons To Add 4 Seats

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Elections Canada says four more seats will be added to the House of Commons over the coming years.

The number of seats is recalculated after each 10-year census to account for population changes.

Alberta will get three of the new seats, bringing its total number of seats to 37.

Ontario and British Columbia will each get one new seat. They will have 122 and 43 seats, respectively.

Quebec, meanwhile, will lose one seat, bringing its total down to 77,

Nova Scotia will continue to have 11 seats, New Brunswick will maintain its 10 seats, Newfoundland and Labrador will keep its seven seats, and Prince Edward Island will continue to have four seats.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan will keep each of their 14 seats, while there will continue to be one seat each in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

The new seat allocation serves as a basis for redrawing the federal electoral district boundaries within each province.

The process, which will be led by independent and non-partisan commissions established in each province, should begin in February.

Elections Canada says the new electoral map is expected to be done in late 2023, but the changes will not take effect until at least 2024.

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