CAMPIAGN LAUNCH -PUBLIC POLICY NOT CHARITY – NOVA SCOTIANS MUST ELECT POLITICIANS WHO HAVE THE COURAGE TO IMPLEMENT PROGRESSIVE PUBLIC POLICY TO END POVERTY

August 10^th, 2021

KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX, NS) – Today the Nova Scotia Action Coalition for Community Well-Being is launching a new video campaign. The Policy Not Charity Campaign calls on Nova Scotians to make different political choices and to elect politicians who have the courage to implement progressive public policy to end poverty.

The video campaign states that as Nova Scotians we pride ourselves on our kindness, compassion, and a strong sense of community, we look out for one another, but our political choices tell a much different story. Despite our strong values of caring and connection, our politicians have often made policy choices that have led to economic, social, and public health policy that has left over 100,000 Nova Scotians suffering in poverty. The video calls on Nova Scotians to vote for candidates who are committed to ending poverty in Nova Scotia.

“As this provincial election campaign winds up, Nova Scotians have heard from parties about the need for an inclusive, equitable economy, better health care, and a focus on climate justice. None of this is possible unless we focus on our 100,000 neighbours living in poverty” says Alec Stratford Executive Director/Registrar of Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.

Stella Lord from the Community Society to End Poverty Nova Scotia agrees, “If we really want a healthier province, our governments need to start addressing poverty, housing affordability, and social inclusion.”

CUPE President Nan McFadgan stresses this as well, “there comes a time when Nova Scotians need to decide at the ballot box what their neighbours well-being means to them. Covid has shown us like never before that this is the election to make core changes.”

“It continues to be fiscally reckless for any government to allow poverty to fester,” says Stratford “poverty costs the Nova Scotia economy 2 billion dollars in lost productivity and excessive government services.”

The campaign video is hosted on the website https://www.policynotcharity.ca/ and lists the progressive policy needed to end poverty in Nova Scotia. The campaign asks Nova Scotians to think critically about their values and to vote for the candidate with the courage to end poverty.

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For more information contact Alec Stratford, Alec.Stratford@NSCSW.org (902)410-2420

About us: NSACCW consists of community members dedicated to working strategically and collaboratively towards community well-being and a better quality of life for everyone.