The last two weeks have been very busy. The legislature has been sitting late into each night. We've been considering the budget that was recently tabled, and asking questions about the things that matter to you, including affordability, the environment, housing, and COVID-19.
And we've been making headway! After weeks of tabling bills and pushing for a different relationship to Nova Scotia Power, the government recently tabled their own legislation amending the Electricity Act and the UARB Act. There are still gaps, but it's a start. After exposing the gaps in the Premier's repeated statements that we have all we need to keep ourselves healthy, this week he finally indicated he would revisit our push for a paid sick leave program, so people can actually stay home when they are unwell without financial consequences.
I have introduced five pieces of legislation so far including Bill 111 - Performance-based Regulation of Electrical Utilities Act, and The Non-Disclosure Agreements Act (Global News article here). I had a great chat with Todd Veinotte about NSP last week--listen here.
As always, you can see a full listing of the bills I've brought forward here, and find all my questions, member statements, and remarks here.
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Remember that part of my time in the legislature is used to officially recognize groups and individuals in our community who are doing exceptional work or meet significant milestones--like Juniper!
Get in touch if you know someone in Dartmouth South that should be recognized.
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COVID-19 Updates
The Province announced that long-term care residents and adults 70 and older in Nova Scotia will soon be able to book a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, based on updated guidelines released this week by the National Advisory Council on Immunization.
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COVID-19 rapid tests are now available at my office!
Drop by 33 Ochterloney St, Suite 360 from 9 am - 4 pm to pick up a box.
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Provincial Housing Task Force
Since my last newsletter, when the Province announced an agreement with Clayton Developments to expedite the Southdale/Mount Hope development project, I have received much correspondence--mostly against, but some for, the fast-tracking of this development.
Like many of you, I am concerned about the environmental issues that relate to development near a wetland and doubly so since the decisions around this development now happen in secret. We don't know what, if any environmental assessment will take place or how those concerns will be weighed. The city's process of public consultation was transparent, if slow. Our councillor, Sam Austin, wrote a couple of excellent posts about this issue that are available on his website.
This land was formerly held by the province and was quietly sold in 2020. I spoke out about it at the time and continue to be concerned about the process, and to raise this issue with my counterparts in government. I am advocating for more transparency and appropriate environmental review related to development in the Eisner Wetlands in particular.
The matter is now in the purview of the Provincial Housing Task Force. The panel is chaired by Geoff MacLellan and is under the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, John Lohr. I suggest that concerned constituents also reach out to the Minister's office. In the meantime, I will also continue to bring light to the concerns around this decision.
Another 6 units in Dartmouth South are facing renoviction from apartments under $700/month and these are just the ones I'm aware of. Even the three-months rent awarded to an evictee at this price point is not enough to cover a damage deposit and a month's rent when rents are now averaging $1200-$1800 in Dartmouth. We need truly affordable housing and we need it yesterday. We need a significant number of units that are non-market, where affordability is geared to income not market rents.
Between the Southdale/Mount Hope/Eisner lands and the Penhorn lands Dartmouth is slated for thousands of new units over the next few years. I will continue to push to ensure we have the planning protections, input, and associated infrastructure we need.
Have a safe weekend,
Claudia
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Black African Nova Scotian University Entrance Scholarship
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Black African Nova Scotian University Entrance Scholarship is open! The scholarship is valued at $4,500.
Deadline is: May 31, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
Barbara Roberts Memorial Fund
The Barbara Roberts Memorial Fund was established with the primary objective of continuing, promoting, and supporting work from a feminist perspective in
- peace issues,
- workplace/unions/radical social movements,
- social justice/human rights and,
- women’s studies education.
- The Fund is administered by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW-ICREF) in Ottawa, Canada.
Deadline: Monday, May 9, 2022. Learn more and apply here
Seniors Care Grant
The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services (like snow removal, grocery delivery, lawn care and small home repairs). Grants are up to $500 for each household. You can apply until 31 May 2022. This grant is not taxable. Please spread the word!
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Christ Church Food Bank & Community Fridge
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As the number of clients increases, Christ Church needs to expand its capacity to help our community. Financial contributions help them provide more food, specifically important protein for clients.
They are also looking for people to help pack food on Wednesdays from 8-10:30 am. There is no heavy lifting!
As well, COBS Bread has generously donated their overstock of weekly bread. They are working to establish a rotational crew to pick up at COBS Saturdays at 7 pm and stock the freezer with the bread. This takes approximately 1 hour.
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Next week, you will notice a new structure on the Christ Church property. This new structure will be the first-ever Community Fridge in Dartmouth. In the fall, Christ Church was approached by The Resident Roundtable, a group of Dartmouth citizens who will run the Dartmouth Community Fridge. Because of their central downtown location, their property seemed like a great fit. Through donations and grants, the Dartmouth Community Fridge is now a reality!
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2022 Community Spirit Award
The Lieutenant Governor's Community Spirit Award celebrates the power, strength and diversity of vibrant communities across Nova Scotia. It profiles their achievements and increases their visibility through a formal recognition program.
Up to four Nova Scotian communities are honoured each year. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee based on community applications that best fit the award’s criteria. Communities selected for the award promote citizen engagement, civic pride and a positive outlook on the future.
Successful communities are honoured through celebration and recognition. The Lieutenant Governor attends a community celebration, presents a hand-crafted award and unveils a sign to display in the community. There is province-wide public recognition through the media.
Deadline: May 20th, 2022.
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Job Alert
The Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission is currently accepting applications for three summer student positions:
 Marketing/Communications Assistant
Visitor Experience Coordinator
Summer Street Ambassador
Find full job descriptions and details on how to apply here. |
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Funny Pages--Canada’s only festival celebrating books that make kids laugh!
On Friday, April 22, Halifax Central Library will host hundreds of students from Grades 4 to 8 for a day of presentations, workshops and book-signings with some of Canada’s funniest authors. Tickets are free but space is limited so sign your class up today! www.funnypages.ca Tickets available here.
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Free Virtual Supplementary Funded Arts Programs for HRM Youth
Halifax Regional Arts is very excited to announce new Fine Arts HRCE-Wide Virtual Programming for Students starting April 11th and 12th!
Programs include Voice Acting (Gr 4-8), Comic Book Workshop (Gr 9-12) , Intro Dance Choreography (Gr 5-6), Improv Theatre (Gr 4-8) and a new Digital Music program for Grades 4-8. All programs are free. For more information please visit their website.
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Do you give unpaid care to a family member or friend? As a caregiver, you may feel overwhelmed by all of your responsibilities.
Our goal is to help you identify common stressors and address them before they become harmful to your health. We will focus on strategies to regain or maintain your life balance.
Caregivers Nova Social will be holding a free workshop in Eastern Passage on Caregiver Stress Management.
Friday, April 29, 2022, 1 – 3 pm at Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 164, 1341 Main Road, Eastern Passage.
This is a free workshop but seating is limited. Registration is required by Monday, April 25th.
Register by calling Catherine Parent at 902-402-0452.
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This is the constituency newsletter for Dartmouth South.
If you're looking for information about the leadership race, go here.
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