Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture

Stablecoins are rapidly transforming digital finance by enabling fast, low-cost transactions, cross-border payments, and greater financial inclusion in remittance-dependent Commonwealth economies. However, their pseudonymous nature, integration with decentralised finance, and global accessibility introduce significant vulnerabilities to money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. Illicit actors increasingly exploit stablecoins to bypass traditional financial controls, sanctions, and oversight. This chapter evaluates these emerging risks and advances a coherent regulatory response anchored in the Commonwealth Model Law. It recommends risk-based supervision, stronger licensing and enforcement for issuers and intermediaries, Travel Rule compliance, enhanced due diligence, and mandatory transparency in reserves and governance. It also calls for improved data sharing, cyber-resilience standards, and capacity building for smaller jurisdictions. Case studies from across the Commonwealth illustrate both challenges and successful approaches.

Abstract Following the Dignity of Risk (DoR) adult participatory education workshops with healthcare staff, post workshop surveys were completed by over 200 participants (response rate ∼30%). The aims were: 1. To measure effectiveness of in person education with healthcare staff regarding the application of a DoR approach in the care of older adults living with frailty. 2. Use key findings and lessons learned to further inform education methods and implications to healthcare policy and quality improvement. Results showed an increase in staff confidence in applying DoR into practice and having DoR and risk management conversations with caregivers. Several main themes emerged as “takeaways”: staff perceived older adults often value autonomy over safety, risk can be included as a part of a supportive care plan, and the importance of a balanced, broadened and strength-based approach to risk management in care planning. Additionally, staff identified further learning needs to enhance skills in risk management care planning and conversations. There were notable lessons learned that continue to guide DoR initiatives, including an inpatientpilot with DoR/Frailty experts embedded onsite and supporting staff. Knowledge translation and staff behaviour change were measured via the Behaviour Change Wheel methods, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. In terms of behaviour change in practice that leads to measurable outcomes for older adults, engaged leadership (managers and team leads) is required to support and reinforce this culture shift. Additionally, enhanced interprofessional collaboration that focuses on a united approach to prioritize autonomy of the older adult first, followed closely by risk management. Policies (i.e. Falls Prevention) and guidelines need to incorporate human rights language and strength-based risk management considerations. Only when healthcare staff feel competent and empowered to support positive risk with older adults, will those older adults likely be able to return home from hospital or remain home longer despite living with frailty and changing abilities.

Introduction: The PIECES approach has been utilized for over 25 years across various Canadian healthcare settings, including long-term care (LTC). PIECES fosters a team-based, person-centred approach to addressing responsive behaviors—such as yelling and restlessness—often linked to unmet personal needs. Objective: This study aimed to explore, with implementation of the virtual version of PIECES: (a) the experiences of LTC staff, focusing on challenges, facilitators, and recommendations; and (b) resilience and interprofessional collaboration among LTC staff. Methods: A convergent mixed method approach used focus groups with registered practical nurses (RPNs), managers, PIECES-trained RPN champions and PIECES mentors to gather their experiences. Surveys at baseline and post-intervention assessed individual and workplace resilience, and team collaboration. Results: Themes identified through reflexive thematic analysis included increased team collaboration and efficacy to manage responsive behaviors through PIECES care planning. Formalized processes supported by leadership with input from family/care partners enhanced nurses’ ability to provide the needed care for responsive behaviors. Primary challenges to PIECES implementation were unfamiliarity with technology and staff shortage. Recommendations included embedding technology in usual care, ongoing support with referral process and continued virtual PIECES training. Standard outcome measures revealed reduced personal and workplace resilience, and team collaboration. Discussion and Conclusion: The RPN-led referral algorithm for the virtual PIECES approach invested the LTC staff together during the difficult COVID period and challenged their existing skills and knowledge of technology.

Abstract Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are a leading cause of global loss of biodiversity. However, the relationships between AIS and vulnerable species (e.g. species at risk and endemic species) are not well‐documented and few studies have combined risk of AIS invasion with species distribution modelling of vulnerable species. An integrated management approach was developed and applied to assess the effects and risks of AIS on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada. A semi‐quantitative risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of introduction, establishment and ecological impact of eight AIS currently found across NS. A suitable habitat for Atlantic salmon was predicted using a random forest model and identified watersheds of high conservation value. A vector‐based screening‐level risk assessment was developed to determine the relative risk of potential vectors introducing AIS into each primary watershed in NS, alongside other anthropogenic pressures. Finally, a matrix was developed to provide recommendations to AIS managers based on species invasion stage and invasion risk score. Results from this study showed that ecosystem engineer species (e.g. crayfish and invasive plants) were more likely to affect invaded ecosystems, but were less widely reported in NS While invasive piscivores (e.g. chain pickerel [Esox niger], smallmouth bass [Micropterus dolomieu]) had less potential ecosystem impacts, they were more widely reported in the assessment area. Hitchhiking on watercraft and fishing gear were the riskiest vectors for continued spread of AIS in NS. The AIS Management Matrix supports recommendations of scenarios in which AIS could be eradicated or where response plans may be developed to control, contain and respond to new introductions. The Herring Cove Medway and the Salmon Mira were the top two watersheds recommended for Atlantic salmon conservation and AIS control or prevention based on habitat conservation value. Water temperature and physical changes to freshwater habitat (especially adjacent land use) were the model variables that were most important to predict Atlantic salmon habitat suitability. At a time of heightened global biodiversity loss, but limited dedicated conservation resources, the integrated management approach developed in this study can be applied to recommend geographically specific actions to managers for strategic vulnerable species conservation planning and AIS management.

A nucleotide-rich yeast-derived product (Maxi-Gen™; CBS Bio Platforms, Inc., Calgary AB, Canada), was fed to rainbow trout fry housed at 10 or 16 °C to determine its effect on weight gain and feed intake. Rainbow trout fry housed in 40 16 L tanks (25 fish/tank) were fed commercial-type or synthetic diets with or without the nucleotide-rich yeast product added (0% or 0.5% inclusion) until they reached 60 days of age (5 tanks/4 diets/2 temperatures). Fish housed at 16 °C consumed significantly more feed and gained significantly more weight than fish housed at 10 °C. Trout fed the commercial-type diet gained significantly more weight than those fed the synthetic diet without the nucleotide-rich yeast product added. There was no significant difference in weight gain or feed intake among fish fed either commercial-type diet and the fish fed the synthetic diets with the nucleotide-rich yeast product added, although fish fed the commercial-type diets had significantly better feed conversion efficiencies than those fed the synthetic diets. The nucleotide-rich yeast product could be used in low fish meal, low fish oil first feeding diets, as the aquaculture industry decreases fish meal and oil use in aquafeeds in response to their increasing cost and decreasing availability.

Salvelinus namaycush (Lake Trout) occur in the Canadian Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and are absent in Prince Edward Island. Lake Trout are assumed to be native in parts of New Brunswick, but their ancestry in Nova Scotia is unknown. Starting in 1886, stocking was used to spread Lake Trout across lakes in the Maritime Provinces to bolster existing populations and to create new fishing opportunities. The success of most stocking efforts was not well documented, and it is presumed that many of these efforts failed. After the early stocking from which some populations persist, little effort has been made to understand the distribution, stock structure, or ancestry of Lake Trout in this region. This review is a synthesis of Lake Trout distribution in the Canadian Maritime Provinces, including a comprehensive account of stocking history, proposed native population occurrence, and identification of populations with variable ancestry. At present, Lake Trout occur in 20 lakes in New Brunswick (19 confirmed and 1 potential), and 4 lakes in Nova Scotia (2 confirmed and 2 potential). Native Lake Trout may persist in 12 of 15 New Brunswick lakes and 3 of 9 Nova Scotia lakes that historically contained ancestral Lake Trout populations. Of these lakes with historical populations that persist to this day, 10 in New Brunswick and 1 in Nova Scotia were supplemented with introduced stock; therefore, only 2 lakes in New Brunswick and 2 in Nova Scotia are likely to still contain purely native Lake Trout. By improving the understanding of population structure and origins, this synthesis provides information that is critical for the effective management and conservation of native Lake Trout in the eastern Maritime region.