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Can you have a home without community? One the principles of Housing First is social and community integration. Four panelists will present their approaches to ending homelessness within community in this webinar by our coalition members Face of Poverty. The panel features Marcel LeBrun, Al Smith, Cheyenne Labrador and Aiden Kivisto.

The recent Preston riding by-election on August 8, 2023, highlighted the immediate concerns of citizens. One of the primary election issue was the carbon levy, which, while crucial for long-term climate stability, poses an immediate affordability threat. The carbon levy is a levy on the carbon content of fuels. It’s intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making it more expensive to emit carbon dioxide, in order to nudge industry business and individuals towards choices that are less carbon intensive. The seldom mentioned rebate, is designed to make these choices more accessible. However, the immediate impact of this policy can be a higher cost of living, as it increases the price of goods and services that rely on carbon-intensive energy sources, that we have yet to transition away from. The indisputable fact is that our economy must transition away from its current dependency on carbon. This inevitable shift will indeed cause discomfort, particularly for the middle class and the poor who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. It is incumbent upon our political leaders to implement policies that reduce this burden and offer necessary support. To truly tackle the climate crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a strategy that centers vulnerable people is needed. This includes a comprehensive housing strategy that eradicates homelessness, a commitment to living wages, and an introduction to next-generation social programs. These programs should encompass universal public eldercare, childcare, public pharmacare, dental care, tuition-free post-secondary education, and free robust public transit programs.

The increased use of fixed-term leases during a housing crisis has had a harmful impact on the hundreds of thousand Nova Scotians who rent. This type of lease has become a “loophole” for landlords to exploit tenants by circumventing the current interim rent control cap. Many are concerned about the lack of tenant protection associated with these types of tenancies. It is important to remember that housing is not a commodity but a basic human right that should never be exploited or denied due to financial constraints or any other factor. It is high time that we prioritize people more than profit in Nova Scotia. All residents should be granted the right to adequate housing, and we must demand that the government strengthens the Residential Tenancy Act accordingly. NSACCW is calling 6 crucial changes to the Residential Tenancy Act. Read more about them and support our campaign. We can’t “fix” health, without “fixing” housing. Join our campaign 

We must recognize that millions of Canadians are living in poverty without adequate support or a way out. Existing social assistance programs are often insufficient, demeaning, and punitive, leaving many individuals trapped in deep poverty. The ongoing crises of inflation, lack of affordable housing, and intersectional barriers of exclusion and inequity only exacerbate these challenges. A guaranteed livable basic income has the potential to change lives. Experiences from those who transitioned from social assistance to OAS and GIS or participated in Ontario’s short-lived basic income pilot demonstrate the life-changing impact of having a reliable income source. Many return to school or become more engaged in their communities, ultimately leading to a better quality of life. We encourage you to join the conversation and advocate for a guaranteed livable basic income by supporting Bill C-223. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of Canadians.

Join our new campaign and help us build momentum towards the eradication of poverty. The launch featured health and social service providers, first voice participants and policy researchers who demonstrated that poverty has been legislated into existence through chosen policy approaches to social welfare followed by a refusal to fix social programs we know are inadequate to bring families and people above the poverty line. Ending poverty in this province will have a considerable return on investment and improve all areas of services that Nova Scotians count on. Watch the campaign launch presentation. Join the campaign here.

In the provincial legislature the Premier said “Inflation is certainly putting a lot of pressure on families. There’s no question about that. On this side of the House, we know, and we have a fear – we try to control what we can, but some things we can’t control. This was echoed by the Minister of Community Services who said “we are absolutely aware of what is happening in Nova Scotia. Again, I will say that it has been very difficult knowing that a lot of this is out of control.” We recognize that not everything is within the government’s power to change however, it is irresponsible for the government to ignore the many ways in which poverty is a political choice. The government is sitting on a $351 million projected surplus and has ample capacity to ensure the most vulnerable can meet their basic needs in these difficult times. Most of these actions can be taken immediately through an Order in Council and are well within the provincial government’s control. Read the complete press release.

About Us

Nova Scotia Action Coalition for Community Well-Being

We’re a coalition of community members dedicated to working strategically and collaboratively towards community wellbeing a better quality of life for everyone.

Our Vision

A Nova Scotia where no one lives in poverty.

We Value

Community Wellbeing

We will actively resist and work to remove, the attitudinal, social, environmental, economic and policy barriers that maintain systemic poverty.

Equity

We will work to ensure that the coalition is representative of the diverse identities of Nova Scotians and for more diverse representation in all aspects of Nova Scotia’s social, economic and political systems.

Human Rights

We will work to uphold and further the realization of human rights.