Chender: Restrictive covenants should be removed for stores that sell food and medicine

Dartmouth-- Claudia Chender, NDP Business Spokesperson and MLA for Dartmouth South, made the following statement about the need to regulate restrictive covenants on commercial properties that sell food and medicine:

“The bill I tabled last fall would ensure that communities like Woodside don’t turn into food deserts when big box retailers decide to close up shop. This community in Dartmouth South has a 20-year restriction on a grocery store moving into the former Sobeys’ location. This is simply unfair to the residents a store would serve. Bill 60 has gone through first reading and could still be passed at the government’s earliest opportunity. The NDP will continue to push for this change in the legislature.”

Bill 60 would void restrictive covenants that prohibit the use of land for a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store that sells fresh produce, a pharmacy or drug store, or medical clinic.

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