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I'm very glad to be able to end the year on a hopeful note.
The recent healthcare announcement this week is looking like a restart to the long-awaited but paused QEII development project initiated years ago. The new plans include a new emergency room and additional patient beds at the Dartmouth General, as well as the acquisition of the medical building adjacent to the hospital by Nova Scotia Health.
This is welcome and exciting news for current residents as well as a necessary move ahead of the influx of new residents with all the development happening in this area. We have neither a budget nor firm timelines so the new year will bring lots of questions to make sure this gets done and done in the way that best serves our community.
We've also seen that Halifax ReTales is reporting that a No Frills will open in North Woodside next summer. As we anticipate thousands of new residents in Dartmouth South over the next few years, these are welcome announcements. We now need to ensure that our schools and other infrastructure are up to the task.
Energy Costs
After months of advocacy by myself and my colleagues, we were pleased to finally see the expansion of the HARP Program. Starting 30 January 2023, you can receive $1,000 if you qualify for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program. To qualify for the rebate, you need to pay for your own home (residential) heat and have a 2021 household income of $85,000 or less. You can apply from 30 January to 31 March 2023. You don’t need to apply for the rebate again if you have already applied.
More welcome news is this week's investment in helping Nova Scotians transition off oil heating systems to heat pumps and more energy-efficient means of heating their homes over the next four years. Low income Nova Scotians can apply now for free heat pumps and electrical panel upgrades at homewarming.ca. Not sure if you're considered low income? Find out here. Support for middle-income Nova Scotians will be offered though the Home Energy Assessment program.
Education
At the end of November, the Province announced that beginning December 31st, 2022, most families in Nova Scotia should see a reduction in childcare fees. information can be found here. We are also told that about 1,100 new child-care spaces are expected to have been created in licensed child-care centres and family child-care homes, and in the before and after school program by that time. However, I am hearing from parents that care centres are closing and that finding child care options is more and more difficult. There continue to be serious labour force issues in early childhood education as in other areas and we have pressed the government to ensure that these daycare spots are actually available and that ECEs are paid a living wage to ensure that we have sufficient staff. This issue remains a top priority and I will be keeping a close eye on these changes as the roll out.
Post Secondary
Post Secondary students will now be eligible for a $550 grant to help with the rising cost of living. The grant does not have to be repaid. Post-secondary students must be Nova Scotia residents, qualify for and receive Nova Scotia student assistance during the 2022-23 academic year and attend university, Nova Scotia Community College or a private career college. Students do not have to apply. The grant will be deposited automatically into the bank accounts of most eligible students in January.
With the holidays just on the horizon, remember that buying from a local shop, service provider, or artisan, is buying directly from your neighbours. The Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission has put together an excellent shopping guide. Check it out.
My physical office will be closed as of today and we will return on January 3rd at 9 am. We will be monitoring the email and phone during that time. If you find yourself in an emergency during that time, please call 911. Otherwise, check out my extensive resources page or call 211 for assistance.
Happy holidays!
Claudia
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