NSNDP leader Claudia Chender touring northern Nova Scotia

AMHERST - NSNDP leader Claudia Chender is in Cumberland and Colchester counties this week to discuss health care, housing, climate change, and other issues affecting the region.

“Like most places in Nova Scotia, Cumberland and Colchester are dealing with the need for better health care and rising housing costs,” said Chender. “In speaking with community members, it’s clear that much more is needed to address the challenges within the health care system and affordability in the region.”

More than a fifth of Amherst’s population and more than a third of the South Cumberland area are on the Need a Family Practice Wait List. The tragic death of Allison Holthoff at the Cumberland Regional Health Centre last year has also brought awareness to long emergency room and ambulance wait times in the area.

“We need system-wide improvements to everything from primary care, to emergency care, to mental health care,” said Chender.

During the trip, Chender will tour the Chignecto Isthmus, the narrow strip of land connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

“This vital link is at risk of being destroyed due to rising sea levels, and the Houston government is fighting with the federal government about money instead of taking action to protect Nova Scotians from the impacts of climate change,” said Chender. “The NSNDP urges the Premier to get to work on protecting the Isthmus, now.”

Chender is making stops in Bible Hill, Amherst, Masstown and Pugwash.

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