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Happy Halloween! For everyone who is participating in giving or collecting candy this weekend, you are encouraged to so safely! Take a moment and check out the recommendations from Public Health to make sure we can all trick-or-treat as safely as possible.
As the weather gets colder, the main topic I have been hearing about in my office this fall concerns the state of affordable housing. This is not a new issue and we have been vocal on the need for action for years now. My colleagues and I have been advocating for the hundreds of people who come into our offices—people of all ages and various income levels who cannot find housing. Every week here in Dartmouth South we speak with people in precarious housing situations. Worryingly, we have also heard from several seniors on fixed incomes who can no longer afford their apartments due to rent increases. We have no idea where they will go.
We have also introduced legislation to regulate skyrocketing rents and renovictions and asked countless questions in the Legislature. Unfortunately, the government response of funding-limited rent supplements and housing support workers hasn’t fixed the problem. They are providing money and people to find apartments that don’t exist. It is not enough. We need investment in public, co-op, and non-profit housing. We need rent control. The recently announced federal housing funds are a start but are not sufficient.
We were pleased to see the Provincial government announce a tax relief program for tourism operators after a long wait. We know that there are so many other businesses out there who have taken a licking but somehow keep on ticking—we continue to advocate for additional relief for small local businesses. Meanwhile, the tenacity and ingenuity of Dartmouth’s business community never ceases to amaze!
On that note, congratulations are in order. Two beloved businesses, the Portland Street Crêperie and New Scotland Yard Emporium, just celebrated five years in business. Congratulations! Especially given the times we are going through, we are so lucky to have these wonderful Dartmouth-owned-and-operated small businesses.
I spent a wonderful afternoon this week knocking on doors and speaking with constituents. I'm glad to hear that many of you are faring relatively well through this tough period. I heard about isolation, concerns about the environment, and a number of municipal issues. I'm glad to be able to refer you back to Sam Austin who returned as the councillor for Dartmouth Centre. Congratulations, Sam!
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Best,
Claudia
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