Photo: NS NDP Party.
Nova Scotia NDP Leader and Official Opposition head Claudia Chender spent time in Bridgewater and Queens this week, where she hosted a town hall and met with residents and business leaders.
She says the conversations reflected concerns she’s hearing across the province, with uranium exploration, childcare, housing affordability, and wildfire readiness all front of mind.
Uranium
Chender says uranium exploration has become one of the most pressing issues raised by residents.
She criticized the Houston government for moving forward without consultation. “That should be a conversation. It shouldn’t happen as a unilateral action from the government when they haven’t talked to anyone,” she said.
She added that people are concerned about more than just environmental impacts. “Some people are concerned about the environment, but lots of people are concerned about their well water. Lots of people are concerned about their property rights and what powers the government has around exploration.”
Chender says she expects petitions and protests to continue and anticipates the issue will be a key point of debate in the legislature this fall.
Childcare
On childcare, Chender said families on the South Shore — and across the province — are being forced to make difficult choices because spaces are limited.
“We need much more action and we need to make sure that no matter where you live in this province you have access to things like childcare,” she said.
She framed it not only as a family issue, but as an economic one. “This is an economic development issue. This is a gender equity issue. But it’s a really important community issue.”
Chender added that provincial investment must go beyond expansions to existing facilities, noting that new centres and more incentives for not-for-profit providers are required to meet the demand.
Housing
Housing also remains a top concern. Chender said loopholes in fixed-term leases are leaving renters vulnerable to sharp rent increases despite the province’s rent cap. “A third of people in this province rent, and the reality is rental costs are exploding. We need affordable rental stock, and we need rent control that actually works,” she said.
She added that affordability impacts the broader economy, pointing to feedback she heard from the local Chamber of Commerce. “We have a big labour force issue, we have businesses that can’t fill their jobs, and a lot of that is because people can’t find a place to live that they can afford.”
Chender argued the province should be prioritizing co-ops, non-market housing, and affordable rentals, not just high-cost condo developments.
Wildfire Readiness
Reflecting on the Long Lake fire and the recent season of emergencies, Chender said Nova Scotia is not fully prepared for the reality of hotter, drier summers.
“This is the new reality. We need to make sure our volunteer firefighters are supported, that we have the professional resources we need, and that the infrastructure is there to keep people safe,” she said.
She added that the province’s mutual aid system, where provinces share equipment and resources, is increasingly under strain as wildfires burn across the country at the same time.
Chender said a full review will be necessary to ensure Nova Scotia has the resources to manage future wildfire seasons.
Looking Ahead
Chender said her caucus will take these concerns into the legislature this fall, pressing the Houston government for clear answers while also proposing legislation she believes will strengthen affordability and better prepare communities.
“This government needs to hear about the things that concern people, about the ways in which they are making decisions that aren’t benefiting Nova Scotians,” she said.
