NDP calls for COVID-19 economic recovery task force

HALIFAX-- The NDP is calling on the McNeil government to form an economic task force to build a broad-based economic recovery plan from COVID-19.

“Re-opening businesses is the beginning, not the end, of economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “COVID-19 has exposed deep weaknesses in our economy that have to be addressed. Truly recovering from the impacts of COVID-19 will require broad changes -- including that we have to move away from an economy where the vast majority of people are living under crushing debt and facing precarious employment.”

A broad-based task force on recovering from COVID-19 should include representatives from industry (including fishers, agriculture, energy, construction, telecommunications, forestry, small business, cooperatives), labour unions, environmental organizations, non-profits, African Nova Scotian communities, Mi’kmaq communities, municipalities, education and early childhood development experts, colleges and universities, and economic experts. As well, the task force should be an all-party effort and include an MLA from all three parties.

“Despite the serious economic impacts being felt by Nova Scotians, we have heard almost nothing from the Liberal government about a plan for economic recovery. A piecemeal approach is not the path to a stronger, post-COVID-19 economy,” said Claudia Chender, NDP spokesperson for Finance. “Our recovery from COVID-19 is going to require more than expedited government investment in construction or a handful of tax incentives. Going forward, we need to be talking about the role of child care and elder care in our economy and increasing our capacity to rely on food, energy, goods and services that are produced locally."

Earlier this week, the Liberal cabinet approved some new spending. Without the Legislature or its committees meeting, there has been no public oversight over recent government decisions.

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