Burrill in Cape Breton, focused on COVID-19 Recovery

HALIFAX-- NDP Leader Gary Burrill is in Cape Breton this week discussing the impact of COVID-19 in the region and what economic recovery could look like.

“We have a situation where there will need to be massive effort put towards recovery from COVID-19. We want to make sure that recovery includes everyone and makes life better for the people of Nova Scotia,” said Burrill. “We know that government investments will be essential. Long-term care, housing, health care, and child care are the types of public programs that create good jobs and build up an economy that works for everyone.”

The NDP caucus continues to call for a recovery that will strengthen communities across Cape Breton, invest in public services, and tackle the climate emergency. More than 9000 people were unemployed across Cape Breton last month, and thousands more are working two or three jobs or contracts to make ends meet. Unemployment is 5.6 percentage points higher in Cape Breton than in Halifax.

“People are struggling, even more than before COVID-19 was part of our everyday life,” said Kendra Coombes, NDP MLA for Cape Breton Centre. “People need to know that the government is working for them, not just big corporations. Many people have lost their jobs or gone into debt during the pandemic. We need the Liberal government to be focused on solutions that will make a difference for people.”

The NDP has called for an economic recovery task force that would come up with innovative ways to invest in our economy, and continues to push for an economic stimulus plan specific to Cape Breton.

Burrill will be in CBRM Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week.

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