As a resident of Halifax Atlantic, I have seen the struggles and opportunities that our community faces daily. My goal as an MLA is to bring proactive, transparent, and effective governance to address these issues head-on. Here are the critical areas I intend to focus on:
1 Housing
Housing remains one of the most pressing issues in our community. With a vacancy rate of around 1%, the scarcity of available rental units is causing significant stress for residents. We need a comprehensive housing strategy that includes:
- Increasing Affordable Housing: Collaborating with developers and non-profits to create more affordable housing units.
- Supporting Renters: Implementing fair tenancy laws that protect both tenants and landlords, ensuring stability and fairness in the housing market.
2 Healthcare
Healthcare in Nova Scotia is in crisis. The waiting list for family doctors continues to grow, and our emergency services are overwhelmed. Here are my key priorities:
- Increasing Access to Family Doctors: Implementing incentives to attract and retain family doctors in our province.
- Transparency on Healthcare Projects: Demanding clear timelines, plans, and costs for major projects like the QEII redevelopment. It’s been over three years without a concrete plan, and this is unacceptable.
- Improving Emergency Services: Addressing long wait times in emergency rooms to ensure residents receive timely and effective care.
3 Accountability
Government transparency and accountability are fundamental to a functioning democracy. Unfortunately, our current FOIPOP system is ineffective. Here’s what I propose:
- Reforming FOIPOP: Implementing a system similar to Newfoundland’s, ensuring greater transparency and ease of access to information.
- Honoring Promises: Holding the government accountable to their promises, such as the order-giving powers Tim Houston promised but has yet to deliver.
- Fixed Election Dates: Respecting fixed election dates rather than manipulating them based on favorable polling conditions.
4 Schools
Our education system needs urgent attention. Violence in schools is alarmingly high, and the secrecy surrounding the construction of new schools is concerning. My focus will be on:
- Addressing School Violence: Implementing programs and policies to ensure the safety of students and staff.
- Transparency in School Construction: Providing clear timelines and locations for the new schools promised in HRCE, ensuring community involvement and accountability.
- Restoring Elected School Boards: Bringing back elected school boards to give parents a seat at the table and a voice in the education system and services.
5 Governance and Leadership
The past 30 years have shown that the current approach to governance in Nova Scotia is not working. The issues we face include:
- Secrecy and Waste: Too many decisions are made behind closed doors, leading to inefficiencies and mistrust among citizens.
- Healthcare Infrastructure: Despite significant spending, our healthcare infrastructure is falling apart, and we have yet to see tangible results.
- High-Paying Jobs: There are not enough high-paying jobs in Nova Scotia, leading to economic stagnation and outmigration.
- Poverty Rates: The poverty rate remains unacceptably high, and current policies are not effectively addressing this issue.
- Good-Old-Boy Networks: The prevalence of insider networks undermines fairness and transparency in government operations.
6 Community Infrastructure Needs
I propose creating a comprehensive list of community centers, schools, clubs, and civic infrastructure that need updating or fixing across all communities in Halifax Atlantic. This list would include:
- Title and Description of the Issue: Clear and concise identification of each issue.
- Project Details: Pros and cons of the project, when it was first brought up, and how many people it affects.
- Cost Estimates: Necessary funding required to address the issue and potential sources of this funding.
- Timeline: Reasonable timeframes for addressing and completing each project.
- Ongoing Public Consultations: Monthly updates on the status of these projects to ensure transparency and public involvement.
This comprehensive approach will ensure that all community needs are addressed transparently and efficiently, with continuous input from residents.
7 Proven Problem Solver
For over 30 years, I have dedicated myself to solving problems and making tangible improvements in both my professional and personal life. From building a successful bike accessory company from the ground up to developing cutting-edge AI camera systems at FilzerTech, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to turn challenges into opportunities. My extensive experience in fixing and building things, along with my 10+ patents, showcases my practical problem-solving skills. I am committed to bringing this same determination and innovative thinking to address the issues facing Halifax Atlantic. I don’t just talk about solutions—I implement them.
Conclusion
Nova Scotia needs new leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and effective governance. We must address critical issues such as housing, healthcare, education, and economic development with innovative and practical solutions. My commitment is to serve the people of Halifax Atlantic with integrity, determination, and a clear vision for a better future. Together, we can make a real difference and build a prosperous, inclusive, and thriving community.
I urge you to support me in the upcoming EDA meeting and vote to nominate me as your Liberal MLA candidate for Halifax Atlantic. Let’s work together to create the change we need.
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed plans on how we can address these issues and improve our community. Your involvement and support are crucial to our success. Thank you!
This blog post outlines my commitment to addressing the pressing issues in our community and highlights the need for new leadership in Nova Scotia. By focusing on these key areas, we can create a brighter future for all residents.