Happy first week of Spring, Fairview-Clayton Park!
As we dive into the third week of the Spring session of the Legislature, it's been a whirlwind of activity. I'm thrilled to share some of the key initiatives and bills I have been championing on behalf of our community.
First and foremost, I'm proud to announce the addition of the universal school lunch program in the spring budget. This initiative, which I introduced as Legislation in March of 2023 and have been advocating for years, will provide essential support to our children, alleviate some stresses felt by parents, and tackle rising poverty and food insecurity in our province.
Additionally, I'm honored to support MLA Rafah DiCostanzo's "Find It Early Act", introduced after her courageous cancer journey. This act aims to address barriers to supplementary breast cancer screening for people with dense breasts, ensuring that no other woman in Nova Scotia has to face unnecessary medical interventions.
I have been pushing for vital measures like the HST Reduction Act that aims to reverse the tax increase brought in by the NDP and lower the HST from 15% to 13%. This reduction would make Nova Scotia's sales tax the lowest in Atlantic Canada and save Nova Scotians money on basic necessities like household items, phone bills, and school supplies.
I have also been advocating for expanded leave provisions under Nova Scotia's labor law. Currently, Nova Scotia labor law only guarantees employees working in provincially regulated industries a maximum of three days unpaid leave due to illness. My caucus introduced a bill in the Fall of 2023 that would expand this type of leave to up to 26 weeks, aligning with the federal EI program. This change is crucial to ensure that Nova Scotians have the support they need during times of illness or personal crisis. Your support and engagement are crucial as we navigate these important issues together.
I have also loved being able to celebrate Women's History Month by recognizing various female entrepreneurs in our community. You can see videos featuring some of these women on my Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts. Take a moment to watch and help cheer them on.
The highlight this month has to have been a visit I was able to have with our former Municipal Counsellor Russell Walker, who in spite of being “retired” is still completely dedicated to our community. His love for our community is as strong as ever.
Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of this office, and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Together, let's continue to make our community a better place for all.
Sincerely,
