Deposits no longer needed for nursing homes

Last week I joined my fellow MLAs at Province House as we took our places on both sides of the floor for the Spring Session of the Legislature. Over the coming weeks we will be working hard advocating for the needs of constituents. For our NDP government that means making the necessary changes to help make life better for all Nova Scotians in every region of the province. A key element of this goal is making it easier for seniors to remain active members of their communities longer.
I'm proud to say that our NDP government has banned charging seniors deposits to enter nursing homes. As an Opposition MLA, I regularly condemned the practice of requiring seniors to pay security deposits at long-term care facilities - in some cases over $2,000. In early February, our NDP government put an end to it, which has removed a large and unnecessary burden on seniors and their families.
In and around Sackville-Cobequid a pair of projects will keep seniors in close proximity to friends and family. One is the completion of the Sagewood long-term care facility scheduled to open this spring at 345 Cobequid Rd. The centre will be home to approximately 50 individuals who require either nursing care or residential support. Based on a community model the centre will provide necessary services while giving seniors plenty of freedom to pursue their interests. It is a great addition for Sackville.
If you've driven past Sackville Manor recently you've also probably noticed the sign outside announcing the construction of over 20 new apartments for seniors. As with the Sagewood facility, this project will make it easier for families to stay close to their aging loved ones during their most precious years.
As the current sitting of the House of Assembly unfolds I'm looking forward to additional changes that will benefit Nova Scotians of all ages. This begins with a major piece of legislation that was tabled the day after the Throne Speech to make MLA expenses more open and transparent. The bill calls for an all-party commission to oversee expenses, regular audits and for all MLA expenditures to be placed on-line. If passed, the legislation will create the toughest guidelines in Canada in regards to how MLAs spend money. Given the events of the past few months, the onus is on us to regain the public's confidence and this bill is an extremely important first step in the right direction.
To discuss these or any issue with me please call 864-0396.