NDP leader says party fighting to increase quality of life across Nova Scotia
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She said the NDP has been calling for an increase to minimum wage and a permanent paid sick day program to help put money in people’s pockets. Chender said this would help address the inflationary environment and, more importantly, help keep people afloat. That’s what is important now.
With gasoline prices remaining higher than $1.50 per litre, something that was perhaps unthinkable a year ago, the provincial government is bringing in more tax revenue. Chender said the NDP is not advocating that the tax be waived, but for that money to be put into the pockets of those who need it, in any of the ways she has mentioned.
She said these issues are intertwined with other challenges and opportunities facing Nova Scotians. The energy transition is a huge endeavour as the province moves away from coal.
She said this can be positive in terms of the net benefit of good jobs. The opportunity to caretake communities and the environment “can’t be understated” but there will be challenges in that transition.
“We feel like we need to have a government that is willing to take on Nova Scotia Power, that’s willing to make sure that people can afford their energy and that it’s reliable, and that it’s green,” Chender said.
She said the NDP has been talking about housing for a long time, an issue they were laughed at for bringing up as recently as 18 months ago. The housing crisis looks different in various parts of the province, but Chender said it’s an issue in the Annapolis Valley like everywhere else.
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