Photo L to R: Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston, NDP Leader Claudia Chender
Nova Scotia’s three main parties marked the first full day of the election campaign by outlining plans on affordability, accountability, and healthcare as well as with criticisms of each other.
Houston pledges increase to minimum wage
PC Leader Tim Houston emphasized affordability, announcing his plan to raise the minimum wage to $16.50 as a key part of his platform to help Nova Scotians cope with rising costs. Houston also pledged a 1% cut to the HST and an increase in the basic personal income tax exemption, which he claims will put “more money back in your hands.”
Criticizing Liberal Leader Zach Churchill’s support for the federal carbon tax, Houston said, “You can support a lower cost of living, or you can support a carbon tax—but you cannot support both.”
Houston added that his party’s approach will “help workers catch up” while avoiding measures like the carbon tax, which he argues would drive up the cost of essential items.
Liberals plan to increase government accountability
Zach Churchill first day on the campaign trail focused on accountability.
The provincial Liberal leader questioned Houston’s decision to call a snap election as prioritizing “political advantage over people.” He outlined his vision for a more transparent government, promising to establish an Ethics Commissioner with order-making powers to oversee government practices and restore public trust. “Tim Houston has no problems breaking his word to Nova Scotians, and I take issue with that,” Churchill stated, pointing to the election’s $13 million cost, which he said could have been directed to healthcare or housing.
He also proposed fines for any party that breaks fixed election dates, committing to a government that he says will “bring back transparency and honesty” for Nova Scotians.
NDP take aim at government track record on healthcare
Nova Scotia’s NDP Leader Claudia Chender directed her focus toward healthcare, accusing Houston’s government of misusing funds that she says could have been invested in direct services.
Chender criticized what she described as Houston’s reliance on “quick Band-Aid solutions” and pointed to costly tech deals and contracts she argues haven’t improved care access. “Instead of fixing health care Tim Houston is relying on quick Band-Aid solutions and pouring millions of public dollars into apps, tech deals, and shady contracts,” Chender said, singling out the Hogan Court project as a “boondoggle” that failed to deliver tangible results.
She emphasized the need for healthcare investments that will “help Nova Scotians in their communities” rather than benefit private developers and corporations.
