The Liberals
Liberal Leader Iain Rankin is promising to get the province off coal 10 years earlier than planned.
Rankin made the announcement at a stop in Halifax Tuesday, where he unveiled his party’s full environmental platform.
“Nova Scotia is at an important point – one that calls for action on the environment while posing great opportunities for businesses and communities,” he said. “A strong government with vision can guide our green transition, fight climate change and see Nova Scotians benefit from innovation and adaptation.”
He also committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to be net-zero, with 80 per cent of energy from renewable sources, by 2050.
Rankin said the Liberals would spend $20 million over two years to expand the Small Business Energy Solutions Program to non-electric customers, $20 million in each of the next two years for energy efficient home retrofits, and increase the protected lands target to 17 per cent.
He also announced a plan for $15 million to upgrade provincial parks, and to create at least one accessible beach in each region.
Rankin said a Liberal government will spend $2 million to create a Clean Energy Growth Hub for green technology research, $2 million over four years for green tech training through the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program, and $12 million over three years for the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund for projects to upgrade energy efficiency in municipal buildings.
The Progressive Conservatives
Tim Houston and the Tories have released a plan to rebuild rural rinks.
Houston made the announcement in front of a rink in Brookfield Tuesday morning.
“I’ve had the pleasure of touring this province in my current job, but also as a hockey dad,” he said. “I know exactly how important these rinks are and the family memories that are made in them across the province.”
Houston said a PC government would put forward a plan to fix old rinks, including a Rink Sustainability Fund to help with repairs and maintenance.
He also promised to introduce a $500 per child, Kids Activity Tax Credit.
The New Democratic Party
The NDP are promising more affordable housing.
Leader Gary Burrill was in Halifax Tuesday.
“Real people need action on affordable housing immediately,” he said. “They cannot afford to wait months or years for Iain Rankin to take the housing crisis seriously. Rent control is the best solution to ensure people can stay in their homes while supply increases.”
Burrill said an NDP government will spend $39.6 million per year for the next four years to build 1000 new affordable housing units.
