Nova Scotia Deploys AI to Shield Hospitals from Rising Violence

TORONTO, ON – December 02, 2025 – In a decisive move to combat the escalating crisis of violence in healthcare settings, Nova Scotia Health has announced a province-wide deployment of AI-powered weapons detection systems from Xtract One Technologies (TSX: XTRA). The partnership, which begins with an initial order of 25 SmartGateway systems, signals a significant strategic investment in protecting patients and frontline staff, reflecting a growing trend across Canada to leverage advanced technology for public safety.

This initiative is not a preventative measure for a distant threat, but a direct response to a clear and present danger. Healthcare workers in Nova Scotia have long been at disproportionate risk, with unions like the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) consistently raising alarms about inadequate security. The situation reached a breaking point in January 2025, when three employees at the Halifax Infirmary emergency department were attacked, leaving two with stab wounds. This incident served as a catalyst, accelerating the push for a modern, effective security overhaul.

“Our goal is to deliver first class healthcare, and ensuring the safety of all who enter our facilities is a critical step in providing that service,” said Dean Stienburg, Director of Security for Nova Scotia Health. “With SmartGateway, we’re making tangible strides in bolstering our overall approach to security.”

A Proactive Shield Against Workplace Violence

The decision to adopt Xtract One’s technology was solidified after a successful 12-day trial at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro. During the trial, the SmartGateway system scanned 7,400 individuals and detected 49 prohibited items, primarily pocket knives and box cutters. This real-world performance demonstrated the system's efficacy in a live hospital environment, validating its potential to significantly reduce the number of weapons entering facilities.

According to Nova Scotia Health officials, the trial not only proved the system's detection capabilities but also its operational efficiency, reducing the need for secondary searches by approximately 25% compared to traditional methods. This efficiency is crucial in a hospital setting, where patient flow and access to care cannot be compromised. The mere presence of the system also appeared to have a deterrent effect, with some individuals reportedly turning back upon seeing the screening checkpoint, presumably to store prohibited items elsewhere.

For frontline workers, this represents a meaningful step toward a safer workplace. The Nova Scotia Nurses' Union (NSNU), which has been working in tandem with the health authority on this issue, has highlighted that violence is a leading cause of injury for its members. Data from the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions indicates that two-thirds of nurses in Nova Scotia experienced violence in the past year alone. This deployment addresses those concerns directly.

“Violence against healthcare workers is a challenge that persists and demands addressing,” noted Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One. “By deploying SmartGateway, Nova Scotia Health is setting an important example for what it means to take meaningful action to protect frontline healthcare workers, patients, and visitors.”

Beyond the Metal Detector: Discreet Tech and Privacy

Xtract One’s SmartGateway represents a significant technological leap from the intimidating, high-friction metal detectors of the past. The system utilizes AI-powered sensors to create a seamless, “Walk-right-In” experience. Visitors and staff do not need to empty their pockets of keys, wallets, or cell phones, as the AI is trained to differentiate between common personal items and genuine threats like knives and firearms. This dramatically reduces false alarms and avoids creating bottlenecks at entrances, preserving a welcoming atmosphere.

Critically, the system is designed to address modern privacy concerns. In an era of heightened sensitivity around data collection, Nova Scotia Health has confirmed that the SmartGateway does not collect any personal data during scans. When a potential threat is detected, the system displays a generic human outline on a screen visible only to security staff, indicating the object's location. This allows for targeted, respectful secondary screening without capturing or storing personal information, a key consideration for deployment in a sensitive public space like a hospital.

The technology’s credibility is further bolstered by rigorous third-party vetting. It has successfully completed operational testing and evaluation by the National Safe Skies Alliance at Oakland International Airport and is included on the TSA's approved product list, following testing by Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory.

Xtract One’s Expanding Healthcare Footprint

The Nova Scotia Health contract is a significant win for Xtract One and a key indicator of the company's strategic traction in the burgeoning healthcare security market. This deployment follows a similar installation in Manitoba earlier in the year and is part of a national trend. Hospitals in Windsor and London, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, are also implementing AI-powered detection systems as they grapple with similar security challenges.

For investors tracking Xtract One (TSX: XTRA; OTCQX: XTRAF), this deal reinforces the company's growth narrative. Despite a recent revenue dip in fiscal 2025, attributed to customer-initiated installation delays, the company's fundamentals point toward strong future performance. It closed fiscal 2025 with a record $38.0 million in new bookings, up 28% year-over-year. The company began fiscal 2026 with a contractual backlog of nearly $50 million and a qualified sales pipeline of approximately $100 million.

This demand is prompting the company to double its manufacturing capacity for its Gateway products. While education remains its largest market, the expansion into healthcare represents a critical diversification and growth vector. Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus "Buy" rating and an average price target suggesting significant upside. While the company's current financials show a net loss, investors appear to be focused on the strong backlog and market penetration, betting that these contracts will convert into substantial revenue and pave a path to profitability.

The partnership between a public health authority and a specialized technology provider illustrates a powerful new model for addressing complex societal issues. As institutions seek to enhance safety without compromising public trust or accessibility, companies like Xtract One are finding a robust market for intelligent, data-conscious solutions. This proactive integration of AI-driven security may well become the new blueprint for safeguarding critical public infrastructure across the country.