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This week began with some very good news about housing in Nova Scotia.
The Province has released a housing plan (see below) that includes extending rent control until Dec. 31, 2023. With winter looming, my colleagues and I have been bracing for the worst. We field weekly if not daily calls from constituents whose housing rate increases are essentially eviction notices with no truly affordable or supported housing alternatives. Thank you to every individual who wrote to support this issue and to the tireless efforts of organizations such as ACORN and Mutual Aid Halifax who pressured hard for this change.
The inclusionary zoning measures that we have joined the HRM in calling for over the past several years been are also being adopted into the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter and the Municipal Government Act.
More specific to Dartmouth, a student residence for the NSCC Waterfront Campus will be built as part of the announcement.
These measures make sense. Housing is a necessity for everyone. We know that there is an official count of 1,000 homeless in Nova Scotia but the real number of people with no or precarious housing is much much higher. The measures announced are a good first step, and we will continue to fight to make sure that housing is recognized as a human right.
Read the housing plan announcements:
School Closures
Recently, a number of schools in Nova Scotia have closed due to COVID-19 including Dartmouth South Academy. I have heard from many concerned parents about their frustrations around how long it took for the schools to make the decision to close.
The communication around COVID-19 cases in schools in this fourth wave is more complicated than it was previously as decisions around quarantine and closure now take into account a number of factors including the location of the exposure and age of students. The criteria used to close a school is also different and more stringent than previously. I have been in touch with both the Minister of Health and the HRCE on this issue and will continue to push for clearer communication to parents. School exposures can be monitored here.
Third Doses
Third doses are available for Nova Scotians who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, who are taking medications that substantially suppress their immune system, or who have to travel for work.
More information about who qualifies is available at novascotia.ca/vaccineplan. People 12 and older who qualify will be able to book a third dose online or by phone, 28 days after they have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.
The Province will also make third doses available to people who need to travel for work to meet entry requirements or avoid isolation in a country that does not recognize mixed doses. For example, first dose AstraZeneca and second dose Pfizer.
To become eligible for a third dose for work-related travel, people must:
- be a Nova Scotia resident
- provide an official copy of proof of vaccination for each of the two doses received
- provide written confirmation from their employer that they are required to travel to a country as part of their job and that country does not accept a mixed-vaccine series
- provide official confirmation or documentation from the country or location of travel that a mixed-vaccine series does not permit entry or requires isolation upon entry.
- Work-related third doses cannot be booked online or by phone. Applicants must send the required information by email to AdminINS@novascotia.ca where requests will be reviewed. Applicants will hear back within seven business days if they are approved, and receive details on scheduling an appointment.
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POV-QR Code
Digital vaccination verification launched today. The VaxcheckNS App will be used by businesses to scan your Nova Scotia COVID-19 proof of vaccination QR code, it will not show your personal medical details. Instead, it will give a green “confirmed” or a red “sorry” response.
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Wishing you and your family an (early) happy and safe Hallowe'en!
--Claudia
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It's been an eventful first two weeks of the Fall 2021 legislative sitting.
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Fixed Election Dates
The Province proposed July 15th for a fixed election date in the initial draft of legislation that would finally introduce certainty on the timing of future provincial elections. Nova Scotia is the only province without a fixed election date. Having one will make it much easier for Elections Nova Scotia and for current and prospective MLAs to prepare.
The summer date, however, has been met with general condemnation. We heard from Nova Scotians for six hours at the Law Amendments Committee who opposed a summer election mainly on grounds that it would depress voter turnout, make it difficult for resident university students to vote, and dissuade younger students from participating in mock elections and civic education. We continue to debate this bill in legislature, here are my thoughts on second reading earlier this week:
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Owls Head
The sale of Owls Head is an issue near and dear to many, but if lawn signs are any indication, Dartmouth has a special interest in the issue. The Province announced in the legislature this week that the public will be permitted to submit input on this issue, and that it will ensure that "the lands are protected on an ecological and biological will of the land, not the political will of the land." The have not passed our legislation which would immediately protect Owl's Head and other proposed provincial parks. Stay tuned.
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Have Your Say
I am always happy to hear from you about your Provincial concerns and I bring them to the legislature and caucus. However, if you hear about a piece of legislation in the news or catch it being introduced on Leg TV, you are welcome to present your own thoughts at the Law Amendments Committee on which I sit.
Law Amendments Committee is the stage at which interested parties are able to respond to a bill as it moves through the House after the first reading of the bill and (theoretically) into law.
If you are interested in presenting on a particular bill, you should advise the Legislative Counsel Office as soon as possible after the bill is introduced so your name can be added to the list of presenters. See bills that have been introduced here. Note that the Law Amendments Committee meets after the second reading of a bill.
It is usually held on Monday evenings at 5 pm at Province House. You can book your timeslot by calling the Legislative Counsel's office at 902-424-8941. You don't have to wait until a bill is called to the committee. As soon as it is introduced you can express your interest in presenting.
Note: At this time you are only able to present in person. I have raised a motion in the House to allow for virtual attendance at the Law Amendments Committee. |
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Following up on the meeting Susan Leblanc and I had with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and members of the department, we received a letter from the Minister which you can read on my website.
"[O]ne of our immediate priorities is to introduce new environmental legislation to guide Nova Scotia towards a cleaner and healthier environment in the coming years, while also promoting growth of a sustainable and green economy, along with the sustainability of our traditional industries as well. This legislation can provide a framework for transformational change in how we better protect lakes."
This bill has yet to be introduced.
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Join an agency, board, or commission
With over 150 ways to volunteer, joining an agency, board, or commission allows you to help shape our province while supporting what matters to you. Applications are now open. See the listing of openings here. The deadline for some applications is November 16, 2021. To learn more and apply, visit novascotia.ca/abc or call 1-866-206-6844.
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Red Bear Healing Home Society
is a registered non-profit providing education and services for, by and about people who are economically and socially disadvantaged in Nova Scotia.
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Red Bear Connects provides free voice mail, information, resources, referrals, friendly listening, peer support, navigation and other services for people in need mostly by phone and in person when requested. Free used cell phones and essential household necessities are also distributed when available.
People wanting the service can sign up by phone (902 448-4744) or via pay phone using 1 (855) 466-4994 or 211. It takes less than 10 minutes to sign up.
We are currently requesting assistance in collecting used cell phones, if you can assist contact us for our address. For further information, please contact us at 902 448-4744. Our office hours - 10am to 9pm daily
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Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) 2021-2022
HARP offers an annual rebate of up to $200. The program is already accepting online applications at www.novascotia.ca/heatinghelp. Applying online is safe, secure and the fastest way to receive the rebate. Further information about the program is also available on the website.
To qualify for HARP, applicants must pay to heat their home and meet the income thresholds.
Single households with an annual net income of $29,000 or less, and households of two or more people with an annual net income of $44,000 or less can qualify.
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Applicants who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) administered by Service Canada or receive Income Assistance from the Department of Community Services can also qualify.
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Disability Atlantic Arts Symposium
The inaugural Disability Atlantic Arts Symposium will bring together disability-
identified artists from across Atlantic Canada for a three-day online conference.
Taking place on October 22, 23 and 24, DAAS will consist of three panel discussions:
“Funding Access: Where’s the Money?”
“A Conversation with Funders”
“Strange Avenues”
DAAS will close the event with an exciting Cabaret line-up of drag, burlesque, spoken word, poetry, performance art, comedy and a circus act! DAAS promises a thoughtful setting to discover new artists and opportunities, share insights and stories, all with the goal of unifying an undeniable Disability arts community in Atlantic Canada.
The Disability Atlantic Arts Symposium will have ASL interpreting, closed captioning,
transcripts and a mix of visual descriptions and integrated audio descriptions.
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Last Chance!
"In Solidarity" by artists Violet Rosengarten and Pat Louks has been on display on the Christ Church Cemetary grounds since September and will be taken down at the end of October. Christ Church will have a small ceremony at the art site on Sunday, October 24th. People who wish to attend should meet outside the church at 11:15 am and walk to the site with rector Kyle Wagner.
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Dartmouth Handcrafters Guild
Join us for the Dartmouth Handcrafters Guild's 2021 Craft Show at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth. The 2021 show will proudly feature a wide selection of handmade products from over 100 talented local makers. Admission for adults is $6.00. Children under 12 are free. Admission includes a weekend pass bracelet. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Spay Day HRM.
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