By: Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West
To families across Halifax West, I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! I hope you take time to spend with your loved ones, reflect on all your blessings, and share with those who are in need in our community.
September 18 was the start of the House of Commons’ fall sitting. I want you to know that as your representative, I am working hard to advocate for the priorities that you shared with me over the past few months; from housing and affordability, to creating jobs and tackling climate change.
I’m pleased to share that our government has announced several new initiatives to tackle the affordability challenges we’re facing as a country, including:
• Removing the GST on construction of new rental housing—such as apartments, student housing, and senior residences—and unlocking an additional $20 billion in lowcost financing for builders to get thousands of new rental units built each year. We are also helping fund the construction of 222 new units of public housing in Nova Scotia.
• Calling on the CEOs of Canada’s five largest grocery chains to work together, and within their industry, on meaningful action to stabilize food prices. These companies represent 80% of Canada’s grocery sector, and they need to be part of the solution. Inaction on price increases is not an option. We need measurable results for Canadians.
• Tabling measures in Parliament to enhance competition in the Canadian grocery sector and across the economy by empowering the Competition Bureau and preventing mergers that hurt consumers’ pocketbooks. By fostering more competition, we can help bring prices down for your family.
• Providing additional flexibility to hard-working small business owners who hold Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans.
Friends, we all know the impact that climate-linked disasters have caused in our area. That’s why we need to continue fighting climate change. We have tabled bill C-49 to unlock the potential of renewable offshore energy for Nova Scotia. Making it easier to attract private investment and get wind and hydrogen projects going is common sense; it creates good jobs in our province, while helping to reduce emissions. Though Conservatives have signalled they are opposed to this work, we are forging ahead to lay the groundwork for a cleaner energy future and a more prosperous Nova Scotia.
Thank you for your support. I’m looking forward to reading more of your replies to my September community survey, and I encourage you to send yours in soon!
