It’s budget season in Nova Scotia and my job is to bring your concerns to the floor of the Legislature. This week my focus was on healthcare. I pressed the Premier to support primary care clinics that are losing doctors and commit to keeping primary care clinics open so that Dartmouth and Nova Scotia don’t see another clinic close like we did in Halifax this past month. Unfortunately, while the budget has big spending for healthcare, there is nothing significant for expanding access to primary care, no new affordable housing units, and no increases to or even indexing of income assistance for the most vulnerable Nova Scotians.
Many anxious renters are breathing a sigh of relief this week as the Province tabled legislation to extend the rent cap through to 2025 with a cap increase to 5% starting January 1st, 2024. This Bill (the Interim Residential Rental Increase Cap Act (amended) - Bill 262) has not yet passed, but, given we are in a majority government, we expect it will. However, it’s important to note that this bill does not close the fixed-term lease issue that has forced so many renters out of their homes, nor does it help landlords who are struggling to keep up with inflation. We were disheartened to see that nothing in the Provincial Budget addressed this issue by offering investment in non-market, truly affordable housing, or an enforcement branch for Residential Tenancies.
If you would like to speak at the Law Amendments Committee which will meet beginning at 10:00 am on Monday to let MLAs know how this cap will affect you, you can register here.
There is much more to come this session. You can watch live or catch my work on my YouTube channel or website.
Remember that part of my time in the legislature is used to officially recognize Dartmouth South groups and individuals in our community who are doing exceptional work or meet significant milestones like the two below. Nominate someone here! | | Recognizing the $3m kickstarter donation to the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. |
| Recognizing Human Rights Award-winning journalist, Michael Tutton. |
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| VaccinesThe vaccine rollout for Spring 2023 is underway. The following people at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should get a spring dose if their last dose was more than 6 months ago (168 days): People aged 80 years and older People 18 years and older living in long-term care or nursing homes, seniors congregate living settings, or residential care facilities People aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised People aged 65-79 years, without a known history of COVID-19 infection People of African descent and First Nations people aged 50-79 years and older, without a known history of COVID-19 infection
All people of African descent and First Nations people ages 50-79, and all people ages 65-79, can consider getting a spring dose 6 months after their last dose, especially those who haven’t yet had COVID-19. Those who have had COVID-19 and have already been vaccinated may have stronger, longer lasting protection against COVID-19.
Those who are eligible can receive the spring dose until June 30, 2023. If you do not receive the spring dose before the end of June, you will need to wait until the fall for your next dose so you have better protection during respiratory illness season.
Book here. If you need help booking your appointment, or reside in Nova Scotia but do not have a health card, call 1-833-797-7772.
NSCC Student HousingThe piling installation is now complete for the Student Housing Project at Ivany Campus. By all accounts, this was a very noisy part of the process and neighbours have been extremely patient. For more fulsome update on this project visit the NSCC construction update page. | | NSCC Ivany Student Housing - View from Mawiomi |
| NSCC Ivany Student Housing - Waterside |
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| As always, if you need assistance, please reach out to my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachendermla@gmail.com.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Claudia
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Community Organization: Legal Information Society | The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia is dedicated to providing easy-to-access legal information for all Nova Scotians. Their website is packed with excellent legal background and resources on topics from housing, to wills and estates to employment and so much more. They also offer webinars, videos, and guides to many aspects of the law.
Hot off the presses is their newest publication We Have Power: A Guide to Engaging with YourMLA and Using Your Voice fro Change. If you’re following the legislative session and want to get involved, this guide will help! |  | This project was made possible through collaboration between the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. With aligned values and a desire for a just world that respects the democratic rule of law, we are pleased to offer this resource to the community.
www.legalinfo.org/wehavepower | | Combat Sports Authority Act Proclaimed
The Province has proclaimed the Combat Sports Authority Act and updated regulations to ensure combat sports are safe in Nova Scotia on March 8th. The act modernizes and renames the Boxing Authority Act and its regulations to govern more sports including boxing, mixed martial arts, and kickboxing. The regulations also designate sanctioning bodies for amateur combat sports in Nova Scotia, including boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. The Nova Scotia Combat Sports Authority sanctions professional combat sports events in the province. Amateur combat sports are overseen by organizations such as Boxing Nova Scotia, Judo Nova Scotia, and Karate Nova Scotia. |
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| | Open House!You are cordially invited to our Evergreen Open House on Friday, March 31st! We have some brand new panels for our Red Parlour, expanding on the story of Evergreen and its connection to Victorian Dartmouth. The Open House is from 1pm to 4pm in the afternoon, and we will have a selection of tea, coffee, and water available. Our lovely staff will also be there to welcome you and answer questions! |
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| |  | Plain Language Form Filling Clinic: Fridays from 1pm - 5pm at the Alderney Gate Library. In partnership with reachAbility, a team of volunteer students from Pro Bono Dalhousie Law are available to assist in filling out a variety of forms including:
Please note: They cannot help with forms that are being filed with the Courts.
For more information, please contact reachAbility at 782-414-4137 or legal@reachability.org. | |  | Need help doing your taxes? Filing your annual income tax return, even if you have no income to report or your income is tax exempt, is the key to receiving qualifying benefits and credits. Free tax help clinic:
NSCC Akerley Campus, 21 Woodlawn Rd, Dartmouth March 27th from 2pm - 7pm
Services at this Super Clinic include: Free tax AND benefit return completion, for those with a modest-to-no income and a simple tax situation through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Be sure to bring your tax slips and receipts! Issuance of Social Insurance Number through Service Canada with government-issued primary and secondary identification. Visit canada.ca/social-insurance-number or call 1-800-622-6232 for details.
For more information, visit Canada.ca/taxes-help or call 1-855-516-4405. | | Housing First: A First Step to End Homelessness
This forum will be held at Christ Church in Dartmouth on Tuesday March 28, 2023 at 7 pm. All are welcome.
The panel will include Housing First specialists from the North End Community Health Centre who are the providers of support services at Overlook, the new residence for those persons who are homeless in the north end of Dartmouth. It is anticipated a housing specialist from the Canadian Mental Health Association and other organizations providing services to people who are homeless will participate in the panel. |
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‘Housing First’ is an approach to ending homelessness that centres on moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing as a first step. The approach affirms that stable housing is a primary need, and that issues, such as addictions or mental health, can be better addressed once this need is fulfilled. |
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| Independent Living Nova Scotia’s Community Access Program
The next Community Access Program (CAP) starts May 16, 2023, at Independent Living Nova Scotia (ILNS). CAP is a 9-week pre-employment program perfect for anyone who is: 18-24 years old Living in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Wanting to connect with their community Looking to develop life and employment skills
Those interested can apply for CAP at the following link: https://ilns.ca/cap/ or get in touch with program staff at cap@ilns.ca or 902-453-0004.
CAP is also a great stepping stone to ILNS’ RISE Program. Many CAP participants successfully move into RISE, which is a paid program for youth with disabilities to transition to employment. | | Dartmouth Food CalendarEvery month Carla Foxe from the Halifax Public Libraries puts together the Dartmouth Food calendar. Please share this resource with anyone who could use it. |  | | | | | | Follow Claudia | |
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