Minister’s response to government’s housing plan ‘concerning’: NSNDP

HALIFAX –Following media reports that only 9,000 of the Houston government’s promised 80,000 new housing units are built or under construction, on Friday morning Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender questioned the PC Housing Minister on the results of his plan.

The Minister’s response didn’t reference any metrics, progress or explanation about why – five years into his government’s mandate – only 10 per cent of the housing units are completed or under way.

“You have to go back 70 years to match the number of houses that are being built right now,” White said during Question Period. “Seventy years ago, the most popular song in Canada was ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ by Elvis Presley. You know what, Madam Speaker, that party doesn’t know that because they weren’t even a party at that time. They weren’t even a Party 70 years ago. So Madam Speaker, I’m sorry to be chirping at the birds on the fence over there, but this government is making decisions and we’re clearing a path because that’s what Nova Scotia needs: a clear pathway.”

“The response is concerning,” said Chender. “Thousands of Nova Scotians are worried about purchasing their first home, seniors are worried about whether or not they can downsize to a smaller, affordable home and I hear from young Nova Scotians who are working hard but worried that they’ll never be able to afford a home in their community. Paying rent or a mortgage is the biggest monthly expense that people have and they deserve a government who takes that seriously.

“Clearly, the minister doesn’t understand how his government’s lack of progress is harming people in our province, and there doesn’t seem to be any plan to change their approach.”

Following the minister’s comments, Chender pointed out that, for the sixth consecutive month in a row, the rate of inflation – driven by rent costs – is the highest in the country, and asked why this government refuses to implement changes that could help Nova Scotians immediately, at no cost to the taxpayer.

Minister White’s response did not provide a rationale for not building more non-profit housing, refusing to close the fixed-term lease loophole, protect renters with real, effective rent control, or deliver a student housing strategy.

The questions and answers are available here.

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