Today, Nova Scotia’s Liberals will table bills to address the province’s labour shortage and help Nova Scotians facing unprecedented financial pressures.

 

From skilled trades to healthcare, it’s clear that Nova Scotia is facing a labour shortage in many sectors. Today, the Liberals will table a bill that will broaden the eligibility requirements for the M.O.S.T. program, allowing workers to benefit from the program for the first 10 years of employment rather than restrict applicants based on age. The bill also adds paramedics to the list of eligible professions.

 

“The labour shortage is one of the key challenges in today’s crises in housing and healthcare. With a low uptake in the province’s M.O.S.T. program, it’s clear that we need to expand eligibility to benefit more Nova Scotians,” said Opposition Leader Zach Churchill. “These changes will also help recruit and retain workers in crucial sectors.”

 

The Working Families Power Bill Reduction Act would provide a grant of up to $5,000 to assist middle-class households in increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety, such as installing heat pumps or radon detectors. This bill would remove barriers to existing efficiency programs and provide a whole-home solution to meeting our net-zero emissions targets.

 

The Liberals will also re-introduce the School Lunch Program Act to bring a universal school lunch program to all public school students in grades primary to nine. With nearly one in four households in Nova Scotia experiencing food insecurity, the Houston government needs to immediately act on a school lunch program to help families ensure no child is hungry at school.

 

“With the highest inflation rates in the country, many Nova Scotians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living,” said Churchill. “Today’s bills from our Liberal caucus will support working families who have consistently been ignored by the Houston government.”