Today on the campaign trail in Nova Scotia, the three major parties made notable announcements. The Progressive Conservatives unveiled their full platform, drawing attention for its proposed changes, while the Liberals criticized the platform’s lack of detail.
The NDP focused on Cape Breton, highlighting their commitment to the region’s needs.
Progressive Conservatives
The PC Party revealed their full platform, with Leader Tim Houston emphasizing the importance of securing a second mandate to continue improving the province.
The platform titled, “Make it Happen” has three main pillars higher wages, lower taxes and more doctors.
Houston highlighted the progress already made in healthcare and presented several new initiatives for the future. “We have made great progress in healthcare and have taken important steps to building the foundation to establish Nova Scotia as a powerhouse for generations to come. Now it’s time for the second phase of the transformation,” said Houston.
The PCs’ platform includes the creation of an internal travel nursing team, a universal shingles vaccination program for seniors, and free parking at all Nova Scotia Health facilities. “By voting for your PC candidate on November 26th, we can continue to move the province forward by focusing on lower taxes, more doctors, and higher wages,” Houston added.
Other key proposals include cuts to the HST, a raised minimum wage, and tax relief for small businesses and skilled trades workers.
You can read the full platform online
Liberals
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill critiqued the PC platform, questioning its lack of concrete details and costing. “Tim Houston broke the first promise he made as Premier and called a snap election because he claimed he wanted a strong mandate to fight the carbon tax,” said Churchill. “Seeing the details of his un-costed platform today with no mention of his plan to get rid of the carbon tax, I continue to ask myself: Who is this campaign for? Sadly, the answer is that it’s for his political gain, not for Nova Scotians.”
Churchill continued by accusing Houston’s leadership of driving up the cost of living in the province. “His growth strategy has this province busting at the seams because, as usual, Mr. Houston doesn’t have the chops to lead Nova Scotia through anything complex,” Churchill said. “On the issues that matter, we’ve put together a vision that’s not only costed out but thought through.”
New Democrats
NDP Leader Claudia Chender focused on Cape Breton, vowing to restore equalization payments and boost funding to municipalities. “The Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the people it serves aren’t getting their fair share of funding from Tim Houston’s government,” said Chender. “Your hard-earned public dollars should be spent here improving the communities you love so that all Cape Bretoners can thrive.”
Chender promised to double the municipal finance grant from $15 million to $30 million in the first year of an NDP government, addressing concerns over healthcare, infrastructure, and social services in the region.
She also criticized the Houston government for neglecting Cape Breton, especially after the Cape Breton Regional Municipality faced significant budget shortfalls without provincial support. “New Democrats believe that the people of Cape Breton deserve better than the dismissive treatment they have received from the Houston government,” Chender added.
Following the release of the PC campaign platform the NDP is the last remaining major party that has yet to release its full platform.
