Susan Leblanc for Dartmouth North

Before the pandemic, people were struggling to access the mental health care they needed. Now, almost a year after the start of the pandemic, the need for increased investment in mental health care has become even more acute. As Gary Burrill has said: "People shouldn’t have to wait weeks or months to access mental health care they need in the moment. The NSNDP plan to create same-day, next-day clinics, staffed by mental health professionals, in communities across our province would give people a place to go when they need support. It’s a clear need with a clear solution. https://www.nsndp.ca/mental-health-can%E2%80%99t-be-ignored

I am really disappointed in this decision. Dartmouth North, home to many extremely vulnerable and marginalized people, will have less mental health services than before. We need more services in our community, not less! https://www.cbc.ca//downtown-dartmouth-addiction-mental-he

There is currently a COVID-19 assessment site in Burnside/ Dartmouth Crossing in the Former Bouclair at 72 Finnian Row. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day. Click the link below for directions.

Happy holidays Dartmouth North! Wishing you a safe and happy holiday and all the best in 2021!

Happy Holidays!

My October 2 e-newsletter: October 1 marked Treaty Day & the start of Mi'kmaq History Month, the province has introduced online COVID screening and relaxed some long-term care restrictions, municipal elections are coming and more! https://mailchi.mp/39ea2bcb37/covid-19-updates-march-825412

Today, on Treaty Day and at the start of Mi’kmaq History Month, we must recommit to honouring the treaties that define our relationships with Indigenous peoples of this land. In the two decades since the Marshall decision, which affirmed the Mi’kmaq’s treaty right to hunt, fish and gather for a moderate livelihood, the federal government has failed to work with Indigenous communities to implement a moderate livelihood fishery. The NSNDP supports the Mi’kmaq’s right to a moder...ate livelihood fishery and we condemn all acts of anti-Indigenous racism. The federal government, and all those involved, must ensure the safety of Mi’kmaw fishers exercising their rights. https://www.nsndp.ca/treaties-mikmaq-must-be-honoured

Tomorrow registration begins for all our programs taking place in October. Have a look at our calendar in the pinned post for all the offerings next month.

Today is Orange Shirt Day, a day to recognize the abuse, humiliation and cultural genocide inflicted on Indigenous people in the residential school system in Canada. On this day we honour the survivors of that system and the memory of those that didn’t survive. I was going to post a picture of my family in our orange shirts, getting ready for our school/work day, but after reading about the disgusting treatment of Joyce Echaquan, who suffered racist abuse until the moment of ...her death in a Montreal hospital this week, I couldn’t do it. Systemic racism is still very much alive across Turtle Island, and racist acts continue to be perpetrated against Indigenous people including right here in Mi’kma’ki. I am wearing an orange shirt today and am thinking a lot about how the work I do must always be informed by work to end systemic racism and injustice in our society. #orangeshirtday See more

So good to see the North Dartmouth Echo in print again!

Picked up our Nourish Your Roots food box today! A huge array of local fruits and veggies with money going to support local school food programs, including Dartmouth North’s École Shannon Park School! @nourish_ns

My constituency office gets regular calls/visits from seniors who are struggling to pay their rent, are on the long waitlist for public housing, are being evicted and having difficulty finding affordable housing, or are homeless and (in some cases) sleeping in their car or even outside. It's heartbreaking. As Lisa Roberts for Halifax Needham said "We need to have government policy that makes sure people are not pushed out of their communities by massive rental increases, and where the government supports community and non-profit affordable housing projects." https://www.nsndp.ca/seniors-need-more-affordable-housing-o

Nourish Your Roots is a fundraiser for healthy food programs in schools, including - this year - Shannon Park Elementary in Dartmouth North. When you buy a produce box (to keep or donate) you get choose what school to donate to. It's a great way to support kids and families in our community & local farmers! Nourish NS

My constituency office at 260 Wyse Road will be closed this morning due to the storm. We will re-asses at noon. Stay safe and warm Dartmouth North!

#lightuplive in #dartmouthnorth

Ross Creek Centre is beautiful in red tonight! #LightUpLive

Our office windows are lit up In red tonight as part of #LightUpLive. I am in solidarity with arts workers and live event workers across Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and all of Canada. #WeBuildEntertainment #DartmouthArtist

We are anticipating two potential peaks of the Hurricane, one on Tuesday evening and another on Wednesday. The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is reminding Nova Scotians to take steps to help minimize risk of property and personal damage from a hurricane or tropical storm. The basic hurricane preparedness checklist includes:... - monitoring local media outlets for updates - enough food and water for 72 hours - securing gates, doors, and windows - moving yard furniture and securing trash cans and anything that can be picked up by wind - checking radio batteries - filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees - keeping pets inside - checking on neighbours - if the power goes out, do not leave candles unattended Follow Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office or @nsemo on Twitter for up-to-date information. Power outages should be reported to Nova Scotia Power at 1-877-428-6004. Check for outages here: http://outagemap.nspower.ca/external/default.html See Nova Scotia Power's press release about Hurricane Teddy preparedness here: https://www.nspower.ca//nova-scotia-power-crews-ready-for- Find a emergency kit supplies checklist here: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/bsc-kt-en.aspx Halifax Regional Municipality service updates here: https://www.halifax.ca//hurricane-teddy-update-service-imp

Tonight I'll be lighting up my constituency office windows in red for the Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community. Performance venues, landmarks, and homes across Canada - including three in Dartmouth - will be lit up in red, referencing red stage curtains that have been closed for months, to bring attention to the impact COVID-19 has had on those who work in the live events industry. Join myself, Claudia Chender MLA, Alderney Landing and Dartmouth Players in ...Dartmouth The Bus Stop Theatre Co-op, Halifax Regional Municipality, Neptune Theatre, Shakespeare by the Sea and the Theatre Arts Guild in Halifax in showing some love to underemployed folks in the live events community. Decorate or light your window in red & post a picture using #LightUpLive #WeBuildEntertainment #DartmouthArtist. Dartmouthians RSVP to Light the Night Red Dartmouth. My office also still has red gels/transparencies that can be placed over lights if you are able/safe to venture out in the rain. View the map of participating venues here: https://lightuplive.ca/map