During the fall Legislative session our Liberal Caucus introduced many bills that underscore our commitment to enhancing the well-being of all Nova Scotians like the Highway Cellular Coverage Act, The Affordable Heat Act, The Expansion of Breast Screening for High Breast Density Patients Act, and the Heating Rebate Program Expansion Act.
After many days of late nights and lengthy debates, our Liberal team was able to pass a resolution with all-party support to help bring job-protected leave to Nova Scotians suffering from serious illnesses, like cancer. Job-protected leave for illness is currently only three days. Our policy will expand protected leave to up to 26 weeks, so no Nova Scotian will have to worry if they have a job to return to after they undergo treatment such as chemotherapy. If you think Nova Scotians battling serious illness deserve job protection, please sign our petition.
Two bills I would like to highlight are the School Lunch Program Act which is critical to address food insecurity in our schools and our communities. Nearly one in four households in Nova Scotia are touched by this issue. This is the second time we have introduced this bill in the hopes that the provincial government would take action. Our proposal aims to establish a universal school lunch program in all public schools, ensuring that every child has access to a nutritious meal.
Additionally, our Working Families Power Bill Reduction Act is designed to empower working families to make their homes more energy-efficient while prioritizing health and safety. This initiative would offer grants of up to $5,000, enabling families to install heat pumps and radon detectors, among other improvements. We recognize the importance of energy efficiency in reducing utility bills and enhancing the quality of life for Nova Scotians. It’s important to note that this is one of the only grants which would be available to single people living either alone or together. Far too often the struggles of those who are unmarried or without dependents are ignored.
We will continue to advocate for these crucial changes to ensure Nova Scotians can continue to afford to live, work, and excel in our Province.