Nova Scotia graduates will no longer need to reapply each year to keep their provincial student loans interest-free, following a new change aimed at reducing paperwork and improving access to support.

The PC government has streamlined its zero per cent interest program so that all new graduates who qualify will automatically continue receiving the benefit throughout their repayment period. The update removes the previous requirement for borrowers to submit annual applications to confirm eligibility.

We’re making it easier for Nova Scotia graduates to get ahead.

Our government has removed the need to reapply each year to keep provincial student loans interest-free. That means less paperwork and no risk of losing support.

✔️ 0% interest continues automatically
✔️ Fewer… pic.twitter.com/0wRbD5ZPbM

— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 14, 2026

“Graduates should be able to focus on the new, exciting stage they are starting – not worrying about whether they have filled out the paperwork to keep loan repayment affordable,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education. “By removing the need to reapply each year, we’re making the zero per cent interest program simpler and more reliable for the Nova Scotians who depend on it.”

The program is designed to support graduates who choose to stay in Nova Scotia after completing their studies. Until now, participants were required to reapply annually to verify they still met the criteria, creating an added administrative step that could interrupt support if missed.

With the new approach, eligible borrowers will experience uninterrupted access to interest-free repayment, helping them stay focused on paying down their loans. The Province has already notified individuals currently repaying provincial student loans of the change via email.

Officials say the update is part of a broader effort to cut red tape and improve service delivery across government programs, making it easier for Nova Scotians to access the support they need.

Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia has received approval to begin new work at the Touquoy gold mine site in Moose River, Halifax County, allowing the company to process previously stockpiled ore.

The industrial approval, issued April 10 by the PC government’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, permits the processing of approximately three million tonnes of gold-bearing ore that has remained on site since operations ceased in 2023. No new mining or extraction will take place, and all work will be limited to the site’s existing disturbed footprint.

Processing is expected to take between 10 and 14 months. As part of the plan, all resulting waste material will be returned to the site’s existing open pit.

The project is expected to deliver economic benefits to the province, including the creation of about 197 jobs and an estimated $151 million contribution to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product.

Last week our government announced that industrial approval has been granted to process existing gold ore at the Touquoy site in HRM.

This work will support nearly 200 jobs and add $151 million to Nova Scotia’s economy.

There is no new mining or expanded footprint. This project… pic.twitter.com/BNpifoctP9

— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 14, 2026

Reclamation of the Touquoy site began in 2024 and will continue during this phase of work. While activity in the mill area will be temporarily paused to allow for processing, cleanup efforts will proceed in other parts of the site.

To ensure the site is fully restored, the Province continues to hold a $79.9-million bond from Atlantic Mining. The bond is in place to guarantee that reclamation is completed in accordance with the Environment Act.

The approval allows previously extracted resources to be processed while maintaining environmental safeguards and ongoing site rehabilitation.

A major renewable energy project in northeastern Nova Scotia is moving forward after receiving environmental assessment approval from the province.

The Eigg Mountain wind energy project, located in Antigonish County, was officially approved on April 9, clearing the way for construction to begin later this year.

Developed by Eigg Mountain Wind Inc., the project will feature 22 wind turbines and is expected to generate approximately 154 megawatts of clean electricity—enough to power the equivalent of nearly 50,000 homes. Once operational in 2028, the wind farm will play a significant role in reducing Nova Scotia’s reliance on fossil fuels while supporting long-term economic growth in the region.

Construction of the facility is projected to create between 200 and 250 jobs, providing a substantial boost to the local workforce. Over its anticipated 35-year lifespan, the project will maintain a smaller operational team of four to 12 employees while generating an estimated $1.3 million in annual tax revenue for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.

Our PC government is unlocking Nova Scotia’s clean energy potential with the approval of the Eigg Mountain Wind Project in Antigonish County. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/NBCL2mFM0Y

— Nova Scotia PC Party (@nspc) April 13, 2026

Beyond its economic impact, the project is expected to deliver meaningful environmental benefits. It will reduce Nova Scotia’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 271,000 tonnes annually—the equivalent of removing more than 58,800 gas-powered vehicles from the road.

As part of its approval, the project must adhere to 57 terms and conditions aimed at protecting the environment and safeguarding public health throughout construction and operation.

As The Regulator, I have approved The Eigg Mountain wind energy project in Antigonish County. It received its environmental assessment approval today, April 9. Since September 2021, I have approved the construction of 17 wind farms as Minister of Environment and Climate Change.… pic.twitter.com/zwZCHDWu1Y

— Timothy Halman (@TimothyHalman) April 9, 2026

The Eigg Mountain development is part of Nova Scotia’s Green Choice Program, an initiative outlined in Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth. The program is designed to expand clean energy generation, attract green investment, create sustainable jobs, stabilize electricity rates, and reduce emissions across the province.

With approval now in place, the Eigg Mountain wind project represents a significant milestone in Nova Scotia’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.