By: Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament
I want to wish my constituents and all Nova Scotians a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this is a time of joy for you and your loved ones and an opportunity to share gratitude for all your blessings.
AFFORDABILITY UPDATE
Affordability is still top of mind for my constituents—and rightly so. I’m pleased to share that inflation cooled to 2% in August, as Canada returns to price stability. We’ve had wage growth outpace inflation for a year and a half now, and the Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate three times this year, with more cuts likely in the weeks ahead. This is good news, but we need to continue working to bring costs down for families. That’s something our government recently did when we used a federal loan guarantee to protect Nova Scotia Power customers from an anticipated 19% increase in energy bills.
HOUSING NEWS
Last month, I was deeply proud to announce significant federal funding for 38 new affordable, supportive housing units in Halifax for at-risk residents. This support will enable the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (whose volunteers have supported the most vulnerable Haligonians since 1853) to build homes in the heart of our city with on-site clinical support services. Our government has also supported some important changes to put home ownership back in reach. That includes allowing first-time buyers and anyone buying a newly built home to choose a 30-year mortgage, allowing for smaller monthly payments and more flexibility for the buyer. Our government also just released the blueprint for a Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights. Finally, to give everyone a chance to shop for the best rate mortgage, starting November 21, Canadians with uninsured mortgages will no longer need to re-pass the stress test when renewing their mortgage.
VETERANS WEEK
Veterans Week is a special time to honour the courage of our veterans. To mark it, I’m proud to be offering free learning resources to Halifax West residents. Principals, teachers, students, and community organizations are welcome to contact my office for Veterans Week posters, newspapers, recognition cards, and activity booklets.
CLIMATE ACTION
Last month, a report from the Canadian Climate Institute included some welcome news: Canada’s emissions dropped in 2023—at the same time as our population and economy grew. This is a signal that with political will, smart policy, and the deployment of clean innovations, we can make progress in our fight against climate change and grow our economy.
Thank you for your continued support!
