Nova Scotians deserve stability and relief amid Trump tariffs

HALIFAX –With the Trump tariffs now in effect, many Nova Scotians are concerned about the future – yet the Houston government is doing little to ease those fears.

The Houston government is refusing to help Nova Scotians in precarious living situations by failing to close the fixed-term lease loophole and making it easier for renters to be evicted. On Wednesday, the NSNDP will force debate in the provincial legislature on their proposals to immediately support renters in Nova Scotia.

“Nova Scotians are already struggling with an affordability crisis. Now, with tariffs in effect, economic instability will only make things worse. Renters need to know someone has their backs – not policies that will make it easier to begin evicting them just three days after rent was due,” said NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender. “This is a callous policy; the Houston government should be doing everything in its power to ensure Nova Scotians stay housed.”

In the fall, the Houston government passed a law that would cut the non-payment grace period for renters from 15 days to just three.

Legal experts and housing advocates have warned that this change, which has yet to be proclaimed, will have devastating impacts on renters who run into unexpected expenses or emergencies.

“This is a crisis in the making, and we need action now,” said Chender. “The government must reverse this harmful policy, ensure landlords can’t use fixed-term lease loopholes to jack up prices, ban unfair eviction tactics, and invest in affordable housing. Nova Scotians can’t afford to wait.”

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