Houston government’s Nova Scotia Loyal program misses the mark

HALIFAX – The Houston government’s new Nova Scotia Loyal program launched today and will do little to encourage residents to shop local and help small businesses.

The $6-million program will provide Scene+ and Air Miles points to shoppers buying local products at Sobeys and the NSLC. Shoppers won’t be able to collect points at other businesses.

“This is another Tim Houston program that gets a headline but does little to help Nova Scotians directly,” said NSNDP leader Claudia Chender. “People are struggling to afford groceries, and our farmers are struggling to stay afloat. We need a government that addresses these basic issues, and this government falls short.”

In May, the Houston government awarded Sobeys a $950,000 sole-source contract to participate in the Nova Scotia Loyal program.

Members of the Sobey family donated a collective $17,000 to Tim Houston’s 2018 leadership campaign and donated $14,000 to the Progressive Conservative party in 2020. The family has continued to make donations in recent years.

“It took the government three years and $6 million to launch this points program. The details of Nova Scotia Loyal do not justify the time spent, nor its price tag,” said NSNDP Economic Development spokesperson Lisa Lachance. “It’s unclear how exactly this program will help businesses other than Sobeys, the NSLC, Cineplex and BMO.”

According to the Houston government, Nova Scotia Loyal branding will be available to retailers who don’t offer reward points.

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