Burrill announces NDP priorities for fall session

Caucus will introduce bills for $15 minimum wage, repeal of Bill 148

HALIFAX –NDP Leader Gary Burrill and NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson, Tammy Martin held a press conference today outlining the NDP’s goals for the fall sitting.

“Most of the calls I have received since being elected in May have been about health care. People are worried that the services they need won’t be there for them,” said Martin, MLA for Cape Breton Centre. “The NDP will make sure health care is the main topic of discussion during the fall sitting.”

There are 106,000 people in the province without a family doctor, 2000 fewer nurses than when the Liberals took office, ongoing cuts to nursing homes, and growing wait lists for mental health and addiction services. Despite these disturbing statistics, Stephen McNeil has repeatedly refused to admit that health care is in crisis.

“After the election, we had hoped Stephen McNeil would take a moment to pause for reflection, to listen to the calls for change from voters,” said Burrill. “Just a few months later, it is already clear that this will be the same-old Liberals. Premier McNeil is celebrating putting $150 million in the bank, while thousands of people struggle to pay their rent, afford post-secondary education, and find jobs.”

Burrill also announced several pieces of legislation that the NDP Caucus will introduce this fall, including:

• A Social Inclusion Act, which will require the government to set targets and timelines to reduce and eliminate poverty
• A ban on tire burning in Nova Scotia
• The introduction of a $15 minimum wage, as is being done in BC, Alberta and Ontario
• The repeal of Bill 148, to restore collective bargaining rights for 75,000 front-line workers
• An Environmental Bill of Rights, to give citizens a voice in the environmental approval process

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