The first full week of the legislative session has been a busy one. We are debating a number of controversial bills about housing and Municipal affairs, as well as health regulation and others. As usual, we have no advance view of this legislation and only days from introduction of the bill to the final vote. It’s a frustrating process but I am glad to advocate on behalf of my constituents to ensure your voice is heard in these debates.
You may have seen in the news that I was ejected from the Chamber for refusing to retract a statement calling a statement made by the Minister of Education (in which she said that every child who needs food, gets food in Nova Scotia schools) a lie. While I did apologize for using the word lie, it simply isn’t true. The teachers and librarians I speak with regularly are feeding children out of their own pay cheques. Many children who may need food don’t identify themselves at all and therefore don’t eat.
We are the province with the highest rate of child food insecurity. 1 in 6 families are food insecure and the numbers, according to Feed Nova Scotia, are rising rapidly. This is unacceptable. My colleagues and I are calling for a universal school food program that would ensure our kids get the most out of school each and every day.
I’d also like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Benjamin Clattenberg, who was tragically stabbed and killed on Portland Street earlier this year. So many of you have written to express your concerns about community safety. I hear you. I have been working with provincial and municipal colleagues to ensure that we have the right services and supports available, especially downtown.
As I have been since 2017, I continue to fight for affordable housing, access to healthcare and services, and safety in our community.
HARP Open
The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-and moderate-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates are $600 for each household. You can apply until 31 March 2024.
To qualify for the rebate, you need to pay for your own home (residential) heat and meet 1 of the following criteria:
have a 2022 net income of $55,000 or less and live alone with no kids or dependents
have a combined 2022 net household income of $75,000 or less and live with kids, dependents or other adults
receive Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services
receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada
