Achi news desk-
HALIFAX –
Nova Scotia’s NDP leader announced a program aimed at easing the cost of housing during a stirring campaign-style speech ahead of the party’s annual convention in Halifax today.
Claudia Chender later told reporters that her proposal could be considered a major part of her party’s platform ahead of a provincial election, which can be held by July 15 next year at the latest.
The NDPs proposal would prioritize the use of prefabricated housing to expand the stock, increase home down payment assistance under an existing provincial program and establish rent control while also providing a tax credit to renters from low and middle income households.
Chender says the New Democrats are indicating they are ready for an election whenever it is called by the governing Progressive Conservatives.
The third-place New Democrats currently hold six seats in the 55-seat legislature and are preparing for a by-election to be held in the rural West Pictou riding on May 21.
Chender says the NDP has a strong candidate in the riding, but is not viewing the result as a barometer for its rural rebuilding efforts because the byelection was called quickly following an unexpected retirement. She says the hasty call put the opposition at a disadvantage.
Following her election as party leader in June 2022, Chender said her party needed to focus on doing “truth” outside the major urban centers of Halifax and Sydney, NS, where it currently holds seats.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on May 4, 2024.
