In the bustling realm of Nova Scotia politics, promises of ambitious targets for housing and a novel carbon pricing solution have taken center stage in the Liberals’ election platform. Leader Zach Churchill unveiled a comprehensive plan promising $2.3 billion in spending over four years, described as a fully costed "contract with Nova Scotians."
Here are the key points from the Liberal platform:
- Building New Homes: A pledge to construct 80,000 new homes by 2032 to tackle the pressing housing shortage in the province. The plan involves setting provincewide zoning standards and reducing bureaucratic red tape to achieve this target.
- Increasing Skilled Trades Opportunities for Women: To address the labor shortage in the housing sector, the Liberals propose investing $20 million over four years to enhance skilled trades opportunities for women, who currently represent less than nine percent of the skilled labor workforce in Nova Scotia.
- Investment in Non-Profit and Co-operative Housing: Setting aside $37.5 million annually to build more non-profit housing, and an additional $20 million over four years to develop and support co-operative housing projects.
- Replacing Federal Carbon Price: A pledge to replace the federal carbon price with a regional cap-and-trade model for large industrial greenhouse gas emitters. The aim is to align with federal targets and potentially reduce gasoline prices by 10 cents per liter.
- Fiscal Management: The Liberals plan to run budget deficits in the initial three years post-election, with a projected surplus in the fourth year. This financial strategy is hinged on revenue growth and population management.
In contrast, the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP have also focused on housing-related announcements in Halifax:
Progressive Conservatives:
Leader Tim Houston introduced a measure to assist first-time homebuyers by reducing the minimum down payment requirements for homes valued up to $500,000 from five percent to two percent under a loan program facilitated by local credit unions.
NDP:
Leader Claudia Chender proposed a novel affordable homes rebate aimed at households earning less than $70,000 annually. The rebate could help save an average of $900 per year on rent or mortgage payments, addressing the housing affordability crisis in the province.
As the campaign trail heats up in Nova Scotia, housing emerges as a critical issue. The Liberals’ plan, alongside the proposals from the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP, underscores the urgency and depth of the housing crisis in the province. It is clear that addressing this issue is a top priority for all major parties vying for power.
