With just one week remaining until the Nova Scotia provincial election, the hustle and bustle of the campaign trail is palpable as party leaders ramp up their efforts to sway voters.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston has pledged substantial investment, aiming to kickstart major improvements across the province’s infrastructure if re-elected. His plan focuses heavily on highways and roads, with Houston announcing a proposed $810 million for new projects within the Halifax Regional Municipality, backed by critics claiming it’s the largest investment of its kind for roadways.
Houston, outlining his vision, stated, "When combined with our 2024-2025 capital plan, our PC government will invest over $1.3 billion on roads and highways over the next five years. This historic investment shows how we feel about Nova Scotia's future: we're a province engaged with growth, action, and meeting challenges head-on."
On the flip side, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, sensing the urgency of momentous rent costs and housing issues, aims to capture the attention of constituents struggling to afford their homes. He asserts, "The housing crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing Nova Scotians today. Our goal is to make sure no Nova Scotian pays more than 30 percent of their income on housing." Churchill's promise includes the establishment of renter protections and initiatives to bring down soaring rental costs.
His plan comprises several key components: establishing what he calls a rent bank, which would offer zero-interest loans to renters who find themselves unable to meet monthly payments, and implementing caps where rental increases would reflect inflation, local market conditions, and vacancy rates—until supply levels out to achieve adequate availability. Churchill also pointed fingers at Houston for what he views as negligence to the plight of renters, saying, "Tim Houston has ignored renters, leaving families to fend for themselves in an overheated market."
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Claudia Chender is also picking up momentum. Having cast her ballot at one of the early polling stations this past Tuesday, Chender emphasizes the importance of voter participation, remarking, "We are very lucky to have the opportunity to choose who will represent us." Growing anxious about voter turnout rates, she noted, "It happens once every few years, and we are certainly doing our best to make sure everyone knows the election is happening and we encourage everyone to get out and vote."
The early voting numbers reveal some troubling trends; Elections Nova Scotia has indicated participation is down nearly 15 percent from the last election, with just 64,000 early votes cast compared to 75,000 during the previous electoral race. Churchill sees this decline as possible evidence of election fatigue exacerbated by the proximity of recent municipal and international elections.
"We tend to see ebbs and flows when election fatigue sets it, and we’re also contending with postal strikes which have hindered mail communications," he mentioned, alluding to difficulties such as lack of confirmation cards sent to voters detailing their polling stations.
Turning the spotlight back on housing, Chender has criticized the ruling PC government for its handling of the housing crisis, pointing out the average cost of renting even modest properties has reached staggering heights. She claims, "The average one-bedroom apartment costs $2,000, and rents overall have soared by 18 percent over the last year." Taking aim at Houston once more, she believes his initiatives fall short of truly addressing the housing crisis at large.
Both Churchill and Chender have been vocal recently, expressing concern about the impact of social media on voter information accessibility. Churchill warned, "We’ve got really good journalists here, but their reach is suddenly limited online, which is going to be an issue for informing voters." Chender echoed similar worries, lamenting the challenges posed by misinformation and restrictive policies promoting political discourse.
Special attention has been directed at the importance of encouraging participation from all eligible voters. The politicians have undertaken strategies to rally support and urge their base to get to the polls.
Some upcoming highlights include Houston's steadfast commitment to plans benefiting commuters and residents reliant on infrastructure. He claimed past investments have already crossed the $500 million mark, utilized for maintenance, bridge replacements, repaving, and improving overall travel conditions across Nova Scotia.
Reflecting on the full sweep of the campaign, the decision by Houston to trigger the snap election and forego the initially scheduled voting headwinds is bound to make waves. He has defended this choice by stating the need for a new mandate to combat rising affordability concerns hiking the pressure on Nova Scotians.
The stage is set for Nova Scotians to head to the polls on November 26, with elections anticipating lively discussions surrounding key issues like housing, infrastructure, and the revitalization of democratic engagement following lukewarm early voting.
