N.S. NDP say they will make birth control free, Liberals announce plan to support seniors

The leaders of Nova Scotia’s political parties made a series of announcements in Halifax Wednesday on housing, pharmacare and seniors, with less than one week to go until election day.

PC plan to make housing ‘more affordable’

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston made an affordable housing announcement.

He said, if re-elected, his government would make homes more affordable by selling surplus land to participating municipalities for $1, on the condition that it be used for affordable housing.

“Our housing plan sought to increase housing starts by 41,200 new units by 2028,” Houston added. “And we are already more than halfway there, with over 26,000 new starts in progress. Our plan will lead to over 17,000 affordable housing starts by 2028.”

NDP say they will make birth control free

NDP Leader Claudia Chender made a pharmacare announcement, saying she would make birth control free, if elected. She says the move would save Nova Scotians hundreds of dollars a year.

"Access Now Nova Scotia recently estimated that birth control costs Nova Scotians on average $500 annually," said Chender. 

"Women and gender diverse people will no longer have to worry about paying to preserve their reproductive freedom."

The NDP would also plan on expanding surgical abortion and midwifery services across the province.

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“Many Nova Scotians who use birth control are paying hundreds of dollars every year. When you’re already spending more than you can afford on housing, groceries, and other essentials, this is an unnecessary and unjustified barrier to health care,” Chender said. “New Democrats have always championed fair, equitable access to reproductive health.”

Chender says an NDP government would also sign a bilateral agreement with the federal government for universal coverage of contraception.

Liberals plan to deliver a ‘better deal’ for seniors

Liberal Party Leader Zach Churchill announced his party's plan to support seniors.

Churchill plans to double the Seniors Care Grant to $1,500 each year, increase programs that support upgrading seniors’ homes, and work with seniors to develop specific housing plans to meet their needs.

“Our seniors have spent their lives contributing to our province. Now, it’s our turn to make sure they’re taken care of,” he said. “A better deal for seniors ensures health, housing, and affordability supports are available where they’re needed most.”

"Those that want to stay in their homes can adapt their homes to do that and those that are looking at downsizing actually have affordable housing options to move to, and that they’re not penalized with the deed transfer tax if they choose to do that."

Narrative Research poll shows PCs in the lead

New polling from Halifax-based Narrative Research shows the PCs are on track and poised to secure another majority government this election.

The poll shows the NDP has jumped ahead of the Liberals in the race for second place however, margins are still too small to determine a clear frontrunner for the official opposition.

Among decided voters, Narrative Research says 44 per cent support the PCs – which is down from 53 per cent in a summer survey.

Twenty-eight per cent support the NDP – up from 19 per cent in August, while 24 per cent are sticking with the Liberals – with that number not changing since the last poll.

Narrative Research says these figures come from a phone survey that sampled 800 Nova Scotians between Nov. 4 and 7.

Election day is Nov. 26. 

For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.