The campaign trail in Nova Scotia saw each of the major parties address different issues today, with both the Liberals and NDP unveiling significant policy plans, while the PCs focused on their response to the Liberals’ drug decriminalization proposals.
Liberal Party
Today, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill unveiled a new set of policies focused on improving conditions for renters in the province.
Churchill criticized PC Leader Tim Houston’s handling of rent protections and introduced a plan with five key measures.
The Liberals’ approach includes a regional rent control system tied to inflation, market conditions, and vacancy rates, a provincial rent bank to provide zero-interest loans to renters, and the establishment of a Residential Tenancies Enforcement Unit to address disputes. The policy also targets closing loopholes related to fixed-term leases.
New Democratic Party (NDP)
The NDP focused heavily on healthcare, with Leader Claudia Chender announcing plans to open 15 new doctor clinics across the province in the first year of an NDP government. The move is intended to address the growing waitlist for primary care, which has swelled to over 145,000 Nova Scotians.
Chender emphasized that the NDP would not rely on private tech partnerships but instead focus on creating reliable, local healthcare teams for Nova Scotians.
In an emotional reaction to the recent U.S. election results, Chender expressed solidarity with those feeling disillusioned by the political climate, particularly in regard to issues like reproductive rights. She called on Nova Scotians to remain united in their commitment to caring for one another, reinforcing the province’s spirit of resilience.
Progressive Conservative Party
In Brookfield, PC candidate Scott Armstrong strongly criticized the Liberals’ drug decriminalization policy, claiming it would lead to increased addiction, homelessness, and crime.
He pointed to challenges faced by Portugal, where the decriminalization of all drugs, including cocaine and heroin, has reportedly led to increased drug use, rising crime rates, and social issues.
Armstrong’s comments focus on the dangers he perceives in the Liberal plan, which includes less policing for drug users and dealers and the promotion of educational efforts in schools.
However there are no plans to decriminalize in the Liberals current platform, instead, Armstrong was referencing old Liberal legislation that was discussed but never tabled.
