Government must address cost-of-living increases, commit to eliminating poverty

HALIFAX – Today, the NSNDP will table legislation that would create a framework for Nova Scotia to eliminate poverty in the province.

“In a province that has some of the highest child poverty rates in the country we can’t continue to ignore the serious issues that are fueled by poverty,” said NDP Community Services spokesperson Kendra Coombes. “The Houston government can boast all they want about their budget but if it doesn’t lead to fewer hungry children, and more people with a home they can afford, there’s not much to be bragging about.”

The NSNDP bill would require the government to report annually on the process to eliminate poverty and direct the Minimum Wage Review Committee to bring forward recommendations to implement a living wage by March 31, 2023. Other provisions would increase social assistance rates, reduce food insecurity and eliminate homelessness.

“If the government wishes to fix health care, then the only way to realistically achieve this goal is to eradicate poverty. At the root of individual and community health and well-being is the capacity to meet the social determinants of health. It is not a mystery to anyone providing services to marginalized individuals, families and communities that while Nova Scotia has the highest rate of poverty in Canada we also have some of the poorest health outcomes,” said Alec Stratford, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. “It is imperative that government work across silos to generate the fiscal and social policy that eradicates poverty. It is also fiscally reckless to allow poverty to fester in Nova Scotia, the estimated costs of poverty is $2 billion."

The NSNDP will also table legislation today to provide a tuition waiver for all former children in care, as well as legislation making tuition free at the Nova Scotia Community College.

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