September 12, 2024

Just this week, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia denied that a report from Davis Pier recommended a residential tenancies enforcement unit in Nova Scotia. Now that the report has been made public, it’s clear the Minister wasn’t telling the truth.

On page 10 of the report, there’s a clear recommendation to implement a residential tenancies enforcement unit – something the Nova Scotia Liberals have been pushing for since 2022 that would support both tenants and landlords dealing with lengthy disputes. The report indicates that an enforcement unit could be set up quickly and affordably, would be more fair to tenants, and provide “teeth” to deal with contentious issues, repeated non-compliance, and serious events. Despite receiving wide-ranging support, the Houston Conservatives have refused to act.

“It’s extremely disappointing to see that this government continues to lie about their motives behind a residential tenancies enforcement unit,” said Liberal Leader Zach Churchill. “This report could not be any more clear: the status quo is not working and an enforcement unit is needed in Nova Scotia.”

The government repeatedly says they feel a residential tenancies enforcement unit would add more red tape, but thanks to a similar unit in British Columbia, their residential tenancies cases backlog has been cut in half.

“It’s clear this government had their mind made up on an enforcement unit before they even conducted the report,” said Housing critic Braedon Clark. “Despite repeated questions from our caucus, the Premier still can’t explain the discrepancy between the report and his Minister. It’s time this government is honest with Nova Scotians and follows the clear recommendation to stand up a residential tenancies enforcement unit in Nova Scotia.”

August 22, 2024

Kris MacFarlane has been nominated as the Nova Scotia Liberal Party candidate for Pictou Centre.

A lifelong resident of Pictou County, Kris grew up in Westville and now lives in New Glasgow with his wife, Sara. They are proud parents of two grown sons, Evan and Brady. 

With a music career spanning over three decades, Kris has supported artists like Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea, and Jimmy Rankin. His passion for encouraging the next generation of musicians has recently led Kris to teach at a summer music program at Pictou Landing First Nations School.

Inspired by his late mother’s quiet and personal community service, Kris has organized winter coat drives for Viola’s Place and often helps those in tough situations with sudden home repairs and maintenance. “As I watch more people in Pictou County struggle to access healthcare and find an affordable place to call home, I know now is the time to put my name on the ballot to advocate for better in my community,” said MacFarlane.

Since 2018, Kris has been a member of the board at Local 571 of the American Federation of Musicians (NS & PEI). Now serving as the board’s Vice President, Kris has been part of an amazing team assisting members in creating a better working environment for musicians.

“I’m thrilled to have Kris on our team to represent the people of Pictou Centre in the next provincial election,” said Liberal Leader Zach Churchill. “One in four people in Pictou County are without a family doctor and far too many are struggling to keep up with the cost of living. I know that Kris will be a strong voice and work towards tangible improvements for his riding.”

As the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers meeting begins today in Charlottetown, Southwestern Nova Scotia MLAs Zach Churchill and Ronnie LeBlanc are calling for DFO and the provincial fisheries department to strike a joint task force with industry leaders to address rising tensions in Nova Scotia.

Inadequate enforcement from both the federal and provincial governments have created a troubling situation across the province, particularly in Yarmouth and Digby counties. Earlier this year, the Nova Scotia Liberals successfully advocated for an increase in the maximum fine for illegal fishing to $1 million, but without a minimum fine and more enforcement officers, this policy change alone is not enough to curb illegal fishing across the province.

“The Houston government needs to come out of this meeting with real solutions for our province’s fishing industry,” said Opposition Leader and Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill. “This sector is the lifeblood of our rural economy in Southwestern Nova Scotia. We can’t afford to allow this problem to get any worse.”

The lobster fishery is a key economic driver for many parts of the province, underscoring the importance of strengthening conservation efforts in Nova Scotian waters.

“Our lobster industry is the backbone of our local economy and everything must be done to protect it,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Critic and Clare MLA Ronnie LeBlanc. “Both levels of government have tools at their disposal they could use to address this serious issue, they are just refusing to use them.”

To hear Leader Zach Churchill talk about the rising tensions in Southwestern Nova Scotia on the Todd Veinotte Show, listen here.