Nova Scotians struggling to afford food, Houston government must act

HALIFAX – New Democrats are renewing the call for the Houston government to address the affordability crisis facing Nova Scotians after a recent Feed Nova Scotia report shows that food bank usage has risen almost 70 per cent since 2021 and the vast majority of food bank users are renters.

“Because the Houston government refused to close the fixed-term lease loophole or create real rent control, more and more Nova Scotian renters are relying on food banks to feed their families. The Houston government must take immediate and urgent action to make housing more affordable, and permanently remove taxes from all grocery items to ensure Nova Scotians can afford to eat,” said New Democrat Leader Claudia Chender. “Over and over again, the Houston government has left Nova Scotians behind while the cost of living grows out of control. Being able to afford groceries shouldn’t be a luxury. Nova Scotians need a break.”

Fast Facts

• According to Feed Nova Scotia, food bank usage has increased by 68 per cent since 2021.
• Between July and September of 2024, food banks assisted at least 36,227 Nova Scotians – 3.4 per cent of the province’s population.
• More than 71 per cent of food bank users are renters.
• 89 per cent of the reasons given for accessing food support is the cost of living, with 58 per cent saying the cost of food specifically.
• According to the 2025 Canada’s Food Price Report, a household of four will spend $800 more on food in 2025 than they did in 2024.
• Nova Scotia has the highest rate of food insecurity among Canadian provinces at 28.9 per cent.

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