Alec Stratford
@alstratford.bsky.social
Passionate social worker & advocate committed to economic, social and environmental justice.
Tim Houston & co. roam unceded Mi’kmaq territory as if they hold the deed, ignoring the need for collaboration & partnership. This approach guarantees stalled progress for Nova Scotia. 🤔 #UncededLand #NovaScotia www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Sipekne’katik First Nation bans Houston, cabinet ministers | CBC News
Sipekne’katik First Nation is once again chastising the Houston government and says that the premier and two of his cabinet ministers are not welcome on reserve lands. The premier's office says it tak...
www.cbc.ca
December 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Tim Houston & co. roam unceded Mi’kmaq territory as if they hold the deed, ignoring the need for collaboration & partnership. This approach guarantees stalled progress for Nova Scotia. 🤔 #UncededLand #NovaScotia www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alec Stratford
Yesterday #NSACORN was out on the bridge near Dartmouth Crossing, with a very simple demand: Ban fixed term leases.
FTLs fuel the housing crisis by allowing landlords to screw tenants & evade the rent cap. If the Houston gov wants to show up for tenants, they need to close this loophole. #Halisky
FTLs fuel the housing crisis by allowing landlords to screw tenants & evade the rent cap. If the Houston gov wants to show up for tenants, they need to close this loophole. #Halisky
December 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The Premier says natural resources are our biggest economic opportunity but ignores our greatest resource: Our people. Childcare isn’t just social policy—it’s economic strategy. Every $1 invested returns $2. Families thrive, we all win. #NSPoli #Childcare #EconomicGrowth www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.S. child-care system still struggling to meet targets in federal agreement, new report says | CBC News
Families are still "desperate" for child-care spaces and some are still paying much more than the target of $10 a day laid out in the 2021 agreement with Ottawa.
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Premier says natural resources are our biggest economic opportunity but ignores our greatest resource: Our people. Childcare isn’t just social policy—it’s economic strategy. Every $1 invested returns $2. Families thrive, we all win. #NSPoli #Childcare #EconomicGrowth www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alec Stratford
More proof in today's strong Canadian jobs report that Trump's trade war is utterly backfiring for U.S. workers: manufacturing employment is falling there, but still (despite tariff chaos) higher in Canada year/year. This proves Trump is no friend of American workers. #canlab #cdnecon
December 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
It's great that minimum wage will be tied to inflation next year, but the problem is this change comes 40 years too late. And even now, Nova Scotia's wage floor is still nearly $10/hour short of a living wage. #NSpoli #LivingWage #FairPay www.cbc.ca/news/canada/....
Minimum wage workers in NS will be paid $17 an hour in 2026 | CBC News
The increase will take place in two steps, with the first raising it to $16.75 an hour on April 1 and the second elevating it to $17 an hour on Oct. 1.
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It's great that minimum wage will be tied to inflation next year, but the problem is this change comes 40 years too late. And even now, Nova Scotia's wage floor is still nearly $10/hour short of a living wage. #NSpoli #LivingWage #FairPay www.cbc.ca/news/canada/....
It's shocking that the department says $2 billion is 'too much' to invest in eliminating poverty, when the estimated cost of letting poverty persist is also $2 billion, due to lost productivity and excess services. #NSpoli #EndPoverty #InvestInPeople #SocialJustice www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.S. government has no plans to consider guaranteed basic income | CBC News
The deputy minister for the Social Development Department said the potential cost and questions about federal support are the key reasons why the Nova Scotia government is not prepared to consider the...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
It's shocking that the department says $2 billion is 'too much' to invest in eliminating poverty, when the estimated cost of letting poverty persist is also $2 billion, due to lost productivity and excess services. #NSpoli #EndPoverty #InvestInPeople #SocialJustice www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Three years, no Cobequid update. Tim Houston broke healthcare promises, created a $1.2B deficit by giving tax cuts to the rich, and stacking profits for developers and corporations. The result: patients pay the price for electioneering. #NSPoli #HealthcareCrisis www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Health minister says committment to improve system stands, but how that happens could change | CBC News
Almost three years since her government made a massive health-care infrastructure announcement anchored by a promise of more beds, Health Minister Michelle Thompson says there could be other ways to m...
www.cbc.ca
November 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Three years, no Cobequid update. Tim Houston broke healthcare promises, created a $1.2B deficit by giving tax cuts to the rich, and stacking profits for developers and corporations. The result: patients pay the price for electioneering. #NSPoli #HealthcareCrisis www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alec Stratford
Impressive resilience from Canada's economy in 3Q: not just avoiding a recession with a 2.6% annualized bounce, but more than erasing the 2Q drop. Would have been even stronger but for reduction in fed govt current spending. Lesson: austerity is not helpful as we deal with Trump. #cdnecon
November 28, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Impressive resilience from Canada's economy in 3Q: not just avoiding a recession with a 2.6% annualized bounce, but more than erasing the 2Q drop. Would have been even stronger but for reduction in fed govt current spending. Lesson: austerity is not helpful as we deal with Trump. #cdnecon
Tim Houston’s resource development dreams are built on the foundation of environmental racism. Unresolved trauma creates instability, and investors will see no stability in such a climate. His inaction on environmental racism will cost all Nova Scotians. #justice #economy www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Report calls on N.S. to apologize to Mi’kmaw, Black communities for environmental racism | CBC News
A report by a provincially legislated panel on environmental racism contains 14 recommendations — including a call for a formal apology by the Nova Scotia government — and suggests reparations should ...
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Tim Houston’s resource development dreams are built on the foundation of environmental racism. Unresolved trauma creates instability, and investors will see no stability in such a climate. His inaction on environmental racism will cost all Nova Scotians. #justice #economy www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with land defenders. We Are All Treaty People Rally. We're opposing the Protecting Nova Scotians Act, a bill that stifles democracy & infringes on treaty rights. Honoured to join our voices with Mi’kmaw protectors
#WeAreAllTreatyPeople #ProtectOurForests #nspoli
#WeAreAllTreatyPeople #ProtectOurForests #nspoli
November 15, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with land defenders. We Are All Treaty People Rally. We're opposing the Protecting Nova Scotians Act, a bill that stifles democracy & infringes on treaty rights. Honoured to join our voices with Mi’kmaw protectors
#WeAreAllTreatyPeople #ProtectOurForests #nspoli
#WeAreAllTreatyPeople #ProtectOurForests #nspoli
Let me get this straight: The government overspends on untendered contracts for their friends, hands out a $500M tax cut favouring the wealthy, and now considers cutting services for the vulnerable during a cost-of-living crisis? This is peak incompetence. #nspoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.S. government departments told to examine potential impact of 10% cut to program grants | CBC News
In the face of a projected record deficit, Finance Minister John Lohr has asked provincial government officials to look at the potential impacts of a 10 per cent cut to discretionary spending and prog...
www.cbc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Let me get this straight: The government overspends on untendered contracts for their friends, hands out a $500M tax cut favouring the wealthy, and now considers cutting services for the vulnerable during a cost-of-living crisis? This is peak incompetence. #nspoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Cabot Cape Breton shows the flaw in our economic system. Companies can exploit natural resources for shareholder wealth, while their taxes barely fund the services they use. The result workers see there quality of life dissolve. It doesn't have to be this way #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Cabot golf properties contribute $1.2M in taxes to Inverness County | CBC News
A critic of the economic benefit claims by Cabot Cape Breton says golf course lands generate less than $150,000 in municipal taxes, but Inverness County records show that all told, the developer's res...
www.cbc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Cabot Cape Breton shows the flaw in our economic system. Companies can exploit natural resources for shareholder wealth, while their taxes barely fund the services they use. The result workers see there quality of life dissolve. It doesn't have to be this way #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Halifax's living wage is now higher than Vancouver's? With 50% of Nova Scotians earning less than what's needed to get by, the affordability crisis is real. But there are solutions.
Read more in our latest blog post.
#NSpoli #AffordabilityCrisis
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Read more in our latest blog post.
#NSpoli #AffordabilityCrisis
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Halifax Is Now More Expensive Than Vancouver—But We Can Turn Things Around
How Nova Scotia can reclaim affordability and build a brighter future for all
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Halifax's living wage is now higher than Vancouver's? With 50% of Nova Scotians earning less than what's needed to get by, the affordability crisis is real. But there are solutions.
Read more in our latest blog post.
#NSpoli #AffordabilityCrisis
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Read more in our latest blog post.
#NSpoli #AffordabilityCrisis
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Under this PC government and their failed housing policy, Halifax’s living wage is $29—higher than Vancouver’s $27. Shockingly, 50% of Nova Scotians earn less than that. It doesn’t have to be this way. #FairWages #HousingCrisis"
cheknews.ca/living-wage-...
cheknews.ca/living-wage-...
Living Wage across Vancouver Island climbs, up to $27.40 in Victoria
The living wage in B.C. continues to climb, including in six communities on Vancouver Island that were part of the annual report by Living Wage BC.
cheknews.ca
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Under this PC government and their failed housing policy, Halifax’s living wage is $29—higher than Vancouver’s $27. Shockingly, 50% of Nova Scotians earn less than that. It doesn’t have to be this way. #FairWages #HousingCrisis"
cheknews.ca/living-wage-...
cheknews.ca/living-wage-...
In Spryfield, Halifax, 39% of affordable single-person rentals disappeared in just a few years. This is the cost of a housing system built on profit. But with bold, policies, we can ensure every Nova Scotian has a safe home. 🏠✊#HousingIsAHumanRight #PeopleOverProfit open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Building Hope for Housing in Nova Scotia’s Future
A Hopeful Path to Real and Lasting Housing Solutions
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 AM
In Spryfield, Halifax, 39% of affordable single-person rentals disappeared in just a few years. This is the cost of a housing system built on profit. But with bold, policies, we can ensure every Nova Scotian has a safe home. 🏠✊#HousingIsAHumanRight #PeopleOverProfit open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Food costs are soaring because governments prioritize corporate interests over people. Nova Scotia could follow Manitoba's NDP in banning restrictive covenants, ensuring fair competition and affordable groceries. It's time to put people first. 🍎 #FoodSecurity #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Federal investigation probes grocery store competition in Halifax | CBC News
Since last year, an investigation into the ability of new grocers to set up in the Halifax Regional Municipality has been quietly ticking along under Competition Bureau Canada.
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Food costs are soaring because governments prioritize corporate interests over people. Nova Scotia could follow Manitoba's NDP in banning restrictive covenants, ensuring fair competition and affordable groceries. It's time to put people first. 🍎 #FoodSecurity #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Nova Scotia’s top 0.1% earn 29x more than the average person. Tax cuts for the rich, privatized healthcare, & housing policies that reward profits over people are fueling inequality. It’s time to demand equity, not excuses. #NSpoli #Inequality #SocialJustice" www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Here's how much money you needed to make to be among the top N.S. earners | CBC News
New numbers from Statistics Canada reveal how much the highest-income Nova Scotians make. The information is based on tax filings for 2023.
www.cbc.ca
November 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Nova Scotia’s top 0.1% earn 29x more than the average person. Tax cuts for the rich, privatized healthcare, & housing policies that reward profits over people are fueling inequality. It’s time to demand equity, not excuses. #NSpoli #Inequality #SocialJustice" www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
5 ministers in 4 years. The Dept. of Opportunities & Social Development, a lifeline for vulnerable people, is stuck in a revolving door of leadership. This instability shows a government failing to prioritize those who need it most. #LeadershipMatters #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.S. Premier Tim Houston shuffles cabinet | CBC News
In a surprise move, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shook up his cabinet Tuesday, moving out three people, bringing in two new members and reassigning other roles.
www.cbc.ca
October 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
5 ministers in 4 years. The Dept. of Opportunities & Social Development, a lifeline for vulnerable people, is stuck in a revolving door of leadership. This instability shows a government failing to prioritize those who need it most. #LeadershipMatters #NSpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tim Houston’s $500M tax break mostly makes the wealthy more wealthy, while his $1.2B deficit leads to clawing back home heating rebates. He’s literally taking from the poor to give to the rich. This isn’t fixing affordability, it’s making it worse. #NSPoli www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
NDP leader slams cuts to Nova Scotia home heating rebate program
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender says the Progressive Conservative government’s changes to eligibility for an annual heating rebate program are making life harder for families struggling with th...
www.ctvnews.ca
October 1, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Tim Houston’s $500M tax break mostly makes the wealthy more wealthy, while his $1.2B deficit leads to clawing back home heating rebates. He’s literally taking from the poor to give to the rich. This isn’t fixing affordability, it’s making it worse. #NSPoli www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
Nova Scotia's government has FAILED to address the living wage crisis. Their timid legislative agenda isn't cutting it.
We need BOLD, transformative action, not safe bets. It's time to demand better leadership.
#NSpoli open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
We need BOLD, transformative action, not safe bets. It's time to demand better leadership.
#NSpoli open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Living Wage Crisis: Nova Scotia Deserves Bold Leadership
A Legislative Agenda that Fails: Inaction and Missed Opportunities on the Living Wage Crisis and Beyond
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Nova Scotia's government has FAILED to address the living wage crisis. Their timid legislative agenda isn't cutting it.
We need BOLD, transformative action, not safe bets. It's time to demand better leadership.
#NSpoli open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
We need BOLD, transformative action, not safe bets. It's time to demand better leadership.
#NSpoli open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
We “can’t afford” to fund water infrastructure to tackle the climate crisis and growth, but banks rake in $32.5B off workers and oil & gas (the climate crisis culprits) make record profits. Tax excess wealth. Hike corporate taxes. Make them pay for damage done. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Halifax Water says it didn't consider impact of rate hikes on low-income residents | CBC News
Representatives from Halifax's water utility admitted on Monday that they didn't consider how their proposal to raise rates by 36 per cent over two years would affect low-income residents.
www.cbc.ca
September 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We “can’t afford” to fund water infrastructure to tackle the climate crisis and growth, but banks rake in $32.5B off workers and oil & gas (the climate crisis culprits) make record profits. Tax excess wealth. Hike corporate taxes. Make them pay for damage done. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Nova Scotia's Wind West is a chance to empower workers. Be cool to create a crown corporation to harness this resource, ensuring revenues build up our communities, not private profits that won’t trickle down. 🌬️💼 #NovaScotia #CleanEnergy www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
Ottawa commits to working with Nova Scotia to develop Wind West offshore wind farms
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa is prepared to work with Nova Scotia to ramp up its offshore wind energy industry.
www.ctvnews.ca
September 12, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Nova Scotia's Wind West is a chance to empower workers. Be cool to create a crown corporation to harness this resource, ensuring revenues build up our communities, not private profits that won’t trickle down. 🌬️💼 #NovaScotia #CleanEnergy www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
An economic storm is brewing in Canada, and Nova Scotia is feeling it hard. 🌪️ With a shrinking workforce and families struggling, "trickle-down" solutions aren't enough. It's time to invest in people, not just businesses. Read more here
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
Storm Clouds Over Canada: Why Our Economy Needs a Worker-First Fix
GDP is shrinking, workers are struggling, and outdated strategies aren’t cutting it. It’s time to rebuild from the ground up.
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:06 PM
An economic storm is brewing in Canada, and Nova Scotia is feeling it hard. 🌪️ With a shrinking workforce and families struggling, "trickle-down" solutions aren't enough. It's time to invest in people, not just businesses. Read more here
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
open.substack.com/pub/alecstra...
The public housing waitlist in Nova Scotia has grown to 8,267 people, with a huge demand for one-bedroom units. This isn't just a market issue—it's a crisis rooted in Tim Houston’s policy failure. This must change. #NSHousingCrisis #AffordableHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Nova Scotia public housing waitlist hits 8,200 people | CBC News
New figures show a total of 8,267 people across the province waiting for a public housing unit as of June 27, an increase of more than 1,200 since last October.
www.cbc.ca
September 5, 2025 at 12:25 AM
The public housing waitlist in Nova Scotia has grown to 8,267 people, with a huge demand for one-bedroom units. This isn't just a market issue—it's a crisis rooted in Tim Houston’s policy failure. This must change. #NSHousingCrisis #AffordableHousing www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
🛒 Non-profit grocery stores could transform how we shop, but they can't compete when corporate giants hold all the cards. We need to check there power like Manitoba's Bill 31 anti-competitive practices. To make it so that we these smaller options can compete #FoodJustice www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Can a non-corporate grocery chain work across Canada? | CBC News
Building a nationwide chain of non-corporate grocers that could compete with the giants would be difficult, experts say.
www.cbc.ca
September 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🛒 Non-profit grocery stores could transform how we shop, but they can't compete when corporate giants hold all the cards. We need to check there power like Manitoba's Bill 31 anti-competitive practices. To make it so that we these smaller options can compete #FoodJustice www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...