QP: When will the Premier defend Nova Scotian renters?

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : While this government makes cruel cuts to programs across the board, Nova Scotians' costs are going up. According to a report Nova Scotia renters are spending more of their paycheques on rent than in any other province and Nova Scotia is the least affordable rental market in the country.

When will the Premier defend Nova Scotian renters so people can actually afford to stay and build their lives here at home?

THE SPEAKER : The honourable Minister of Housing.

HON. JOHN WHITE : After years of neglect from the previous two governments, Nova Scotians finally needed leadership on the housing front. This government not only studied it, we actually took action on it.

What we did is we made a plan that removed barriers while trading on supply. We also supported our people while we were building and reactivating our construction trades unit. Strong results - 68,000 housing units have been committed. Two homebuyer programs are available for Nova Scotians right now, and a 36 percent increase in housing starts.

The vacancy rate has more than doubled, the affordable vacancy rate has doubled, and housing prices are finally stabilizing.

THE SPEAKER  : Order.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

CLAUDIA CHENDER  : I'd like the minister to table the information that affordable vacancies have doubled. While Nova Scotians' rents are rising, rents actually went down in almost every other province last year. People here are spending $5,700 more a year on rent than when this government was elected, and most of them just can't afford it.

If this Premier were serious about making homes more affordable, people would be feeling the results. They would actually be affordable. My question to the Premier is, when can renters expect their costs to go down, like they have for other Canadians?

JOHN WHITE  : In a province with a $1.7 billion housing plan, we are three years into a five-year plan. We've met and exceeded every outcome. We've activated a construction trade sector that has been all but halted under previous governments. Why any member would stand in this House and ask the government to turn their back on a program that is actually showing results is questionable, to say the least.

But Nova Scotians know why they're saying that. We know why they're saying that. And we have the courage to stand strong and continue. You know why? Because Nova Scotians deserve better.