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We've made it to the end of the first full week since the state of emergency was lifted in Nova Scotia. Although most restrictions have been lifted, public health is encouraging everyone to keep using the tools we have to manage COVID-19 in our communities: vaccination, masking, distancing, small social groups, and regular hand washing are all just as important as they have been over the last few years. Variants continue to emerge and though it may be expressed as a mild cold in some, for vulnerable Nova Scotians, it can be deadly.
Masks continue to be worn in schools until April 15th. Support people and visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask when entering Nova Scotia Health facilities. More guidance is available here.
Legislature Opens
Last week the House resumed for the spring legislative session. The Budget is expected to be tabled tomorrow, Tuesday. Thank you to everyone who wrote to me with their priorities over the last few months. This session promises to be busy. Yesterday the Speaker announced that the legislative precinct (including the gallery) will be closed to guests after someone who was there last week tested positive for COVID-19.
Nova Scotia Power
I began my work this session by introducing a bill that would change the mandate of the UARB, Equity and Sustainability in Electrical Utilities Act.
Power bills are rising and so is corporate and shareholder profit, yet sustainability and equity aren't part of the regulatory framework. Meagre performance penalties don't make a dent and the URAB has refused to consider altering shareholder return.
This bill would allow the UARB to address energy poverty and to create a universal service program that would provide relief to tens of thousands of families in our province and prevent people from having their power disconnected. It will also require the UARB to consider sustainability and the province's environmental targets when it's dealing with Nova Scotia Power's upcoming application. These two changes would begin to address some of the problems with the UARB and the lack of faith that Nova Scotians have in this process.
When questioned about whether the Province has these same priorities, the response was encouraging. Stay tuned.
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You can keep up with my work on my website and, as always, get in touch if you know someone I should recognize in the legislature. Guests are now allowed back to the gallery for these member statements and just to come to watch the proceedings. You can get more information about visiting the legislature here.
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Renovictions in Dartmouth South
Within 24-hours of the so-called "renoviction ban" lifting, 8 households in Dartmouth South were given notice to vacate for renovations. These are families and seniors, some of whom have lived there for over 30 years. These affordable units have had upgrades over the years and are in good condition. The tenants are good tenants. If these folks are forced to leave their homes, the rent will no longer be subject to the 2% rent cap and, like so many others, they will be forced into an unaffordable living situation or possibly to move outside the city away from their work and community.
So many Nova Scotians are facing this situation right now that the usual legal support provided by Dalhousie Legal Aid is not available. There are far more people seeking aid than non-profit legal agencies can support. Because of this, it is important that renters know their rights around this issue:
A verbal notice to quit your unit is not a legal eviction notice. A landlord must serve an official, written Notice to Quit or, in the case of a renoviction, you will receive a Notice of Hearing.
Receiving a Notice of Hearing tells you that the landlord applied for and was granted a hearing with Residential Tenancies and will give you the date and time. You can go to this hearing but you don't have to. At the hearing, the landlord will have to provide evidence that the renovations are needed and that they have obtained the relevant permits.
If the eviction is upheld, you will be compensated based on the number of units in your building (1 month of rent for a building with 4 or fewer units; 3 months of rent for a building with 5 units or more). You will also be given 3 months to vacate from the date of the hearing. You can appeal the 3 months and ask for more time if you have a valid reason such as not being able to find an accessible unit, having kids who need to finish the school year, etc.
You may be presented with a DR5 form. This is an agreement between the landlord and the tenant to mutually terminate the lease under the terms laid out. You do not have to sign or agree to these terms. You can refuse them and the landlord will have to apply for an eviction order from the director of Residential Tenancies as outlined above.
While a renoviciton can be terrifying, it's important to understand the realistic timelines involved. You have time:
- 8-10 weeks to process an application to the director for an eviction hearing.
- 0-14 days for the tenancy board to make a decision regarding your hearing.
- 3 months minimum from the day of the decision to when you must legally vacate.
If you or someone you know is faced with finding housing, please reach out to the housing support clinics across the city:
MONDAY:
Shelter Nova Scotia, 1pm-4pm, 5506 Cunard St, Suite 101, No appt necessary
TUESDAY:
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 9am-12pm, 2158 Gottingen, Drop in or via phone-902-420-0576, No appointment necessary
WEDNESDAY:
North Grove Family Resource Centre, 9am-12pm, 6 Primrose St, In-person or over the phone. Appointment necessary call: 902-464-8234 ext 0
THURSDAY:
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 9-12 2158 Gottingen. 9am-12pm drop-in, no appointment required.
Drop-in with Welcome Housing:
- Alderney Landing Library 9:30am-12pm
- Captain William Spryfield Public Library 11am-2pm
FRIDAY:
MOSH Housing & ADSUM 10am-2pm, 107 Albro Lake Dartmouth. Pre-book appointment for in person or over the phone 902-423-1687
YWCA, 1pm-3pm, 114 Ochterloney Street. In person/phone/virtual appointment required 902-410-8766
New Housing Developments in Dartmouth
Against this backdrop, on Friday the Province announced nine special planning areas in HRM for as many as 22,600 new residential units. Two of these proposed developments are in Dartmouth South: 950 units at the former Penhorn Mall lands, and 1,200 units at the Southdale/Mount Hope development.
Today, the Province announced an agreement with Clayton Developments for new energy-efficient townhouses, fourplexes, and multi-unit buildings in the Southdale/Mount Hope area. The Province will give Clayton Developments a $21.8 million forgivable loan to create 373 "affordable" units, included as part of a larger development of 875 homes, townhomes, and apartments.
We were told that rents for affordable housing units in the development will range from 60 to 80% of average market rents. The rents for the affordable units will be finalized just before construction begins. The units must be kept affordable for 20 years.
Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the first affordable housing units becoming available about a year later.
Our caucus has continued to press for definitions of affordability to be tied to incomes, not market rates. We would also like to see government 'investment' come with equity. We will be watching closely as this project moves ahead.
Firefighters
Last week, the Province finally announced it is will include 13 types of cancer to the worker's compensation board coverage for firefighters. My colleagues and I have been fighting for this for a long time and we are thrilled to see this move forward. Those firefighters who have cancer can now focus on recovery rather than spending their time and limited energy fighting to prove that their cancer is due to their work.
Funding for Paddling
Last week, the Province announced $10.1 million in funding for sport and recreation organizations "to promote healthy living, improve their infrastructure, and provide more inclusive and accessible programming." This includes a $3-million investment in the Banook Canoe Club, which will assist with significant infrastructure upgrades at the facility.
Canoe '22 Society will use its $1.5-million investment to upgrade the finish line tower at Lake Banook, elevating the racecourse ahead of international competitions like the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Para canoe World Championships and 2023 North American Indigenous Games.
With crocuses and garlic scapes pushing up through the soil this week, I am truly looking forward to spring in Dartmouth. Take good care!
Best,
Claudia
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Province Seeking Input on Child Care Transformation
The Province is creating a new engagement table on child care and inviting interested Nova Scotians to apply to be members.
The Early Learning and Child Care Engagement Table will provide input and advice to Nova Scotia’s Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development around implementing the Canada Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The table will have 10 to 18 members and include people who work in the sector, operators, parents and others.
Those interested in being a member of the engagement table are encouraged to submit an application by April 8, using the online form at: www.ednet.ns.ca/childcare
Table members will be announced in May. Other people who would like to be involved will still have opportunities to provide input, including through working groups on specific topics, focus groups and surveys.
As announced in January, through the Canada Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, families in Nova Scotia will see a 25% reduction, on average, in child-care fees as of April 1, retroactive to January 1, 2022, for children in regulated child-care spaces. This reduction means a savings, on average, of $200 per month for parents with a toddler in child care. This is an initial step in reducing 2019 child-care fees for Nova Scotian families by 50%, on average, by the end of 2022, and in achieving an average of $10-a-day care by March 31, 2026.
Coastal Protection Act Feedback
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The Coastal Protection Act was passed in 2019. The act will take effect once the accompanying regulations are fully developed and approved. The regulations will create protections for sensitive coastal ecosystems and make sure construction is at a safer height and distance from coastal shorelines.
The Province consulted with Nova Scotians about how exactly the legislation should work. You can read the results of the consultation in the What We Heard report.
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Get your taxes done at a free tax clinic
Tax clinics with volunteers who do taxes for free in Dartmouth are listed below, but you can search for one near you by clicking here. Volunteers with help do taxes from current and/or past years for free for general public, either in-person, walk-ins, or virtually depending on the clinic.
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A message from the Dartmouth High School Student Council
Dartmouth High School is partaking in a friendly food drive competition along with 8 other schools in the HRM to fundraise for Feed Nova Scotia. DHS recognizes that rising food costs have been causing higher food insecurity in our communities and we want to do what we can to help. So far, the DHS Student Council has raised $1,171 and received 184 food item donations over the course of a week, making us the top fundraising school in the HRM.
But we still need your help! The last day of the food drive competition is April 1st, meaning you still have the rest of the week to donate to a great cause. The DHS Student Council accepts donations of cash, cheques, and non-perishable food items. All donations can be brought to the school during school hours. If you have any questions about donating, they can be directed to the Student Council Co-President at kaihollett@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for the support so far, Dartmouth!
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Racism in the Recreation Sector
If you live in the HRM, and would like to talk about racism within the recreation sector we invite you to join our focus group on April 6th at the Zatzman Sportsplex. Snacks & refreshments provided!
Focus group for service providers: 1pm-3pm
Focus group for BIPOC: 5pm-7pm
Register now: https://bit.ly/36apJBR
If you’re unable to attend the focus group please complete the survey: http://ow.ly/q5Qf50IqiI7
Learn more about the Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation: http://ow.ly/U0J050IqiUK
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters One-to-One mentoring program provides young people with positive role models. Through consistent outings, a relationship is developed between the Big and the Little, built on trust and common interests, and supported by our experienced Mentoring Coordinators. The result is a life-changing experience for both the adult and the child.
A Mentoring Coordinator will work with you and your child to review your situation and determine how a mentor would be of benefit. Factors that would be considered regarding your child’s needs include:
- Parent or guardian support
- Adult involvement other than the parent(s) or guardian(s)
- Peer relationships
- School performance
- Involvement in community activity
- Living environment
- Ability to form and maintain a healthy, safe relationship
- Ability to perform self-care
More info on halifax.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
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PAANS 2022 Scholarship Applications
The Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia (PAANS) is pleased to announce the scholarship applications are open and will be accepted until April 29th, 2022.
The purpose of these scholarships is to assist Nova Scotians with disabilities in their pursuit of their post-secondary education and training.
Two scholarships in the amount of $1,500.00, and eight in the amount of $2,000.00, are anticipated to be available for the academic year beginning September 2022.
To be considered, scholarship applicants must:
- Be a person with a permanent disability. 'Permanent Disability' means a limitation that restricts the ability of a person to perform the activities necessary to participate in educational activities or in the labour force within the range considered normal. This limitation is expected to remain with the person for life;
- Be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia;
- Be entering or continuing studies, at the undergraduate level, in a Canadian post-secondary institution that is recognized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; and
- Not be involved in the selection process or be a close family member of any scholarship selection committee member.
The scholarship application & guidelines are attached in plain text, PDF, and Word format and can be found at www.nsleo.com
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Community Garden Development Opportunity at Dartmouth Cove
Opportunity is in full bloom along the Dartmouth waterfront. Develop Nova Scotia is seeking to partner with a local non-profit group to set up, maintain, and manage an urban garden at Dartmouth Cove.
The Dartmouth Urban Garden pilot (DUG) is a sustainable initiative intended to promote food security, education, and community connection while making better use of currently utilized land. Potential partners would oversee a site of approximately 750 m2 of land adjacent to the Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail, with unobstructed sun exposure from morning to evening and views of Dartmouth Cove and the Halifax Harbour.
Partnering groups will be responsible for maintenance of the garden (including watering, weeding, repair, etc.) as well as leading harvest, distribution, and winter preparation. DUG is proposed as a 1-year pilot project that will help inform decisions in future redevelopment projects within Dartmouth Cove.
Closing date on opportunity: April 14, 2022, 2:00PM ADT
At least 1 site visit will be scheduled for late March/early April 2022, with other scheduled site visits available by appointment depending on interest and number of groups. For more information, contact Develop Nova Scotia Senior Planner, Terry Drisdelle (terry.drisdelle@developns.ca).
To learn more about this opportunity and the application process, read the full Community Development Opportunity here.
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The Dartmouth Seniors Service Center is seeking a choir director, piano player, and singers to get their choir back up and running. Choir takes place at the centre at 45 Ochterloney Street on Thursdays from 1p to 3pm. Call 902-456-5578 x 215 for more information.
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This is the constituency newsletter for Dartmouth South.
If you're looking for information on the leadership race, go here.
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