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This first couple of weeks in the legislature have been demanding, but I have been pushing for answers to your questions around access to primary healthcare and the cost of living. Importantly, my colleague, Suzy Hansen, who is the critic for Housing and Municipal Affairs, asked the Minister to address the failures experienced in the wake of Fiona across many of Dartmouth’s seniors' residences.
As always, you can follow my work in the legislature on my website.
Nova Scotia Power
This week, after we discovered that the real cost of NSP’s rate increases over the next couple of years could be 25% or more, the Houston government finally responded to our calls to step in on behalf of Nova Scotians and the planet and address the skyrocketing price of power in the context of Nova Scotia Power and parent company Emera’s massive profits.
The timing of this legislation is not ideal, but it should offer people some measure of protection against rising bills. We will continue to press for an overhaul of how Nova Scotia Power is regulated so that we can be protected going forward. Especially in the wake of Fiona, we know that we need power that is affordable, reliable, and green and we need to pass legislation so that this is how they are regulated.
My colleagues and I have been proposing solutions for performance-based regulation and a universal service program so everyone can afford power, and we will continue to press in the face of government inaction.
Influenza Vaccine Now Available
The influenza vaccine will be available for free to all Nova Scotians over six months old from most pharmacies, family doctors, nurse practitioners, and family practice nurses across the province.
It can take up to two weeks for the influenza vaccination to provide protection. Nova Scotians should get vaccinated in the coming weeks to see the full benefit before influenza season starts, which is usually late December to early January, but there have been a few influenza cases in the province already.
Appointments at pharmacies can be booked online or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Vaccine scheduling by phone is available Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
High-dose influenza vaccine
Long-term care residents and patients in hospital awaiting placement in a long-term care facility who are 65 and older will all get the high-dose influenza vaccine for free. Other Nova Scotians 65 and older can choose to pay for the high-dose influenza vaccine at a pharmacy. Or they can get the regular influenza vaccine for free. More information here.
Heating Assistance Rebate Program now open
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