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ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
CCPA Nova Scotia
@ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
1.4K followers 370 following 94 posts
Your source for progressive economic & social policy research in Nova Scotia, providing public commentary & opinion on alternative policy positions.
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ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Organizations and community members across the globe are working to ensure that employers pay workers a living wage. Check out the Living Wage Foundation’s recent blog for a snapshot of these efforts: www.livingwage.org.uk/news/around-...

#nspoli #LivingWageWeek
Organizations and community members across the globe are working to ensure that employers pay workers a living wage. Check out the Living Wage Foundation’s recent blog for a snapshot of these efforts. Around the World in 10 Living wage Movements 12 Nov 2025 This Living Wage Week, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible progress being made across the world to ensure that work genuinely pays wherever you are. The global living wage movement is growing stronger every year — transforming workplaces, supporting communities, and reshaping what it means to build a fair economy. A real living wage does more than cover basic needs. It provides dignity, security, stability and a way out of poverty. It creates businesses that thrive on loyalty and quality, and societies built on fairness and opportunity. This week, we’re shining a light on the difference it makes — for workers, employers, and communities everywhere.
November 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
This Living Wage Week, we celebrate the impact of our Living Wages Report, which is an essential tool for fair wage advocates. This annual report provides regionally-specific data proving what many of us already know — wages are not keeping up with the cost of living.
#LivingWageWeek #NSpoli
Our annual Living Wages Report is an essential tool for those advocating for fair wages. It provides regionally-specific data proving what many of us already know — wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. "As a union negotiator it is invaluable to me and to the members I work for to be able to come to the bargaining table with evidence-based calculations of the wages workers need in order to be able to keep up with the cost of living. Workers know that they are feeling squeezed by high rents and increasing grocery bills. The living wage calculations allow me to talk about that, not just in terms of anecdotes, but as fact. The living wage work done by CCPA-NS helps me to make a credible argument for wage increases based on the specific costs facing cleaners working in Labrador or transition house workers on the South Shore of Nova Scotia." — Joanne Hussey, Atlantic Regional Negotiator, Public Service Alliance of Canada
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Let's celebrate Living Wage Week by acknowledging that
paying a living wage benefits everyone – employees, employers, and communities. Read our 2025 Living Wages Report to learn more:
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

#NSpoli #NLpoli #PEIpoli #LivingWageWeek
Paying a living wage benefits everyone. It’s Living Wage Week in Canada. Let’s celebrate by acknowledging that paying a living wage benefits everyone – employees, employers, and communities. Read our 2025 Living Wages Report to learn more. Benefits of paying a living wage: Employers: Higher employee loyalty and productivity Lower absenteeism Decreased employee turnover Cost saving for staff hiring and training Employees: Lifted out of poverty and food secure Fairer compensation Better health outcomes Improved standard of living and quality of life Higher worker bargaining power Reduces need to work multiple jobs Allows adults to spend more time with family and in the community Communities: More social participation Larger taxpayer base Increased consumer purchasing power Reduced costs of health care and social services Increased local investment
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Tonight's Gala will feature a silent auction with some amazing items up for grabs! Thank you to the organizations who donated:

- Chain Yard Cider
- Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours
- Cape Smokey Ski
- The Wine Spa
- Hydrostone Market
- Good Robot Brewery

#nspoli
Thank you to the organizations who donated items to tonight’s Gala Silent Auction: Chain Yard Cider Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours Cape Smokey Ski The Wine Spa Hydrostone Market Good Robot Brewery
November 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
A heartfelt thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2025 CCPA-NS Gala Dinner Fundraiser. Your support allows us to continue working toward an economically, socially, and environmentally just Nova Scotia.

#nspoli
Thank you to our gold sponsors: CUPE Atlantic CUPE Nova Scotia Thank you to our silver sponsors: Fernwood Publishing Halifax Dartmouth & District Labour Council Nova Scotia Legal Aid Nova Scotia College of Social Workers Thank you to our bronze sponsors: Acadia University Faculty Association Feed Nova Scotia New Dawn Enterprises Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Nova Scotia Union of Public & Private Employees
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
In-person gala tickets are officially sold out! We’ve had an incredible response from our sponsors and community, and it’s shaping up to be a great night. Virtual tickets are available if you'd like to be part of this amazing event: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebL...
#nspoli
CCPA-NS Gala In-person tickets are sold out!
October 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
VENUE CHANGE: In solidarity with CUPE 3912’s strike action at MSVU, the CCPA-NS Gala Dinner Fundraiser will be moved from MSVU to the NSGEU conference space located at 255 John Savage Avenue in Dartmouth.

#nspoli
Join us for the 17th annual CCPA-NS Gala Dinner fundraiser WHEN: nov. 6th | Doors open at 6 pm WHERE: nsgeu | 255 John Savage Ave, Dartmouth In solidarity with CUPE 3912’s strike action at MSVU, the CCPA-NS Gala Dinner Fundraiser will be moved from MSVU to the NSGEU conference space located at 255 John Savage Avenue in Dartmouth. Guest speaker: Leilani Farha, Global Director, The Shift Musical Guest: The Women Next Door MC: Maggie Rahr, award-winning investigative journalist.
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
We're at NS Federation of Labour's 2025 Convention at the Westin in Halifax. Come say hi 👋
#nspoli
October 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
The CCPA-NS Gala is 3 wks away! This year's event will be MC'd by nationally recognized, award-winning journalist @maggierahr.bsky.social. Come support progressive research while enjoying a night of delicious food, live music, & compelling company: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
#NSpoli
October 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
“[Contract instructors], much like their counterparts in other precarious sectors, are severely undercompensated, with few or no benefits, limited advancement opportunities, and very little job security.” - Dr. Larissa Atkison

Learn more: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

#NSpoli
No one benefits from a two-tiered university professoriate. The professional and economic conditions of full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty and contracted instructors are drastically different. These contract workers, much like their counterparts in other precarious sectors, are severely undercompensated, with few or no benefits, limited advancement opportunities, and very little job security. They are the “just-in-time” workforce of universities. – Dr. Larissa Atkison
October 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Nearly 10 million Canadians — 1 in 4 — faced food insecurity in 2024, a 15% jump from the year before. 🍽️ Join the national dialogue on poverty & solutions.

🗓️ Oct 17 | 12–2 PM ET
🔗 Register:
tinyurl.com/4bfasm4s

#IDEP
#IDEP2025
#EndPoverty
#EndChildPoverty
#SDGs
#CdnPoli
A Future Without Poverty: National Dialogue 2025 October 17, 2025 - Webinar - 12:00 - 2:00 PM EST Join us on the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in exploring poverty and inequality in Canada, spotlighting solutions, and building momentum for lasting change.
October 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Join the CCPA-Nova Scotia office for our 17th Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner on Thurs., Nov. 6th at Mount Saint Vincent University. The evening will include a delicious dinner, good company, & a live musical performance.

Get your tickets online: policyalternatives.ca/NSgala

#nspoli
Join the CCPA-Nova Scotia office for our 17th Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner Join us and guest speaker Leilani Farha for a night of inspiring discussion, delicious food, and good company. With a live performance from The Women Next Door. Thursday, Nov. 6 | Doors open at 6 pm |Mount Saint Vincent University GUEST SPEAKER Leilani Farha, Global Director, The Shift Musical guest The Women Next Door Get your TICKETS online: policyalternatives.ca/NSgala Tickets on sale now! GUEST SPEAKER Leilani Farha, Global Director, The Shift Leilani Farha is the Global Director of The Shift, an international human rights organization focused on the right to housing. She is a legal practitioner and holds a BA (Hons), LLB and MSW from the University of Toronto. Ms. Farha served as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing between 2014 and 2020. She is recognized by governments and grassroots movements alike for her human rights expertise and is a leading voice globally on international human rights law. She is the author of the first UN Guidelines for the implementation of the right to housing. She has spearheaded and co-authored standards on homelessness and the financialization of housing and has produced the first human rights guidelines for investors in residential real estate. She has worked with cities and national governments across the globe to assist them in the implementation of human rights. Ms. Farha is a regular contributor to news outlets including The Guardian, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, CBC Canada, DW, and elsewhere. She currently co-hosts a podcast called PUSHBACK Talks and is the protagonist in the documentary film, PUSH, about the financialization of housing. Leilani also serves as a Commissioner at the International Commission of Jurists and is the former Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Canada Without Poverty. Get your tickets online: policyalternatives.ca/NSgala MUSICAL GUEST The Women Next Door The Women Next Door is a feminist and queer identified a cappella choir based in Halifax that has been singing together for over 30 years. They sing to make a statement, effect change, support like-minded community organizations and events, and for the pure love of it. They believe song and harmony can deliver a powerful message. Get your tickets online: policyalternatives.ca/NSgala
October 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
NS’s new min. wage brings NS to the middle of the pack compared to the rest of Canada, but let’s remember that NS has some of the lowest average wages in the country & the gap between the min. & the living wage is growing. Read our 2025 Living Wages Report to learn more: bit.ly/4h0nqBt
#NSpoli
There’s still a big gap between Nova Scotia’s minimum wage and living wage. Nova Scotia’s new minimum wage brings the province to the middle of the pack compared to the rest of Canada. While this is an improvement, let’s not forget that Nova Scotia has some of the lowest average wages in the country and the gap between the minimum and the living wage continues to grow. Read our 2025 Living Wages Report to learn more. not everyone is even entitled to minimum wage. All or certain classifications of the following employees are excluded: Farm workers  Apprentices  Playground or summer camp staff Sales and agents  Fishing boat employees Logging and Forestry workers  Construction workers  Property Maintenance Domestic workers  Supported employment Athletes while engaged in activities related to their athletic endeavour Self-employed and federally-regulated employees Nova Scotia Living Wage Gap The new $16.50/hour minimum wage is $11.10/hour short of what workers need to make ends meet.
October 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Join us and the Halifax WAC for a conference, From Broken to Better: Fighting for Workplace Justice

📆 Saturday, September 27, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

REGISTER FREE ONLINE: www.halifaxwac.ca/fall-confere...

#NSpoli
From Broken to Better: Fighting for workplace justice. Hosted with support from the Innis Christie Chair in Employment Law, CCPA-Ns, and the CLC Atlantic Sep. 27, 9:30 - 4 Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University Nova Scotia has some of the weakest labour standards in Canada. Too many workers face low wages, unsafe jobs, unpaid work, or unfair treatment; and the laws aren't keeping up. This one-day conference will bring together workers, unions, and community organizations to talk about how we can change that. Halifax Workers' Action Center - Register Free online www.Halifaxwac.ca / info@halifaxwac.ca
September 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
P.E.I's legal minimum wage needs to increase. The province's minimum wage is currently $16 per hour, which is 30% short of the $22.77 per hour workers need to make ends meet: bit.ly/48cInGP

#peipoli
P.E.I.’s legal minimum wage is only $16 per hour. That’s 30% short of the $22.77 per hour workers need to make ends meet. "That’s a huge gap to the minimum wage. It is telling you that more needs to be done… Costs are not coming down. I don’t see the evidence or reasoning for stalling another small increase to the minimum wage." – The Guardian quoting Christine Saulnier, CCPA-NS Director
September 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
The @dalfaculty.bsky.social is still locked out. This lockout is unwanted by faculty & students, goes against fair & reasonable bargaining practices & is the latest example of the neoliberal push to make post-secondary more corporate & less equitable: bit.ly/4n40pQ8

#nspoli
The Dal faculty is still locked out. Classes were supposed to start last Tuesday, but the lockout continues. This lockout, which is unwanted by faculty and students, goes against fair and reasonable bargaining practices and is the latest example of the neoliberal push in the Canadian academy toward a more corporate and less equitable post-secondary system.
September 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
“We have the mechanisms to help working families and governments just really need to ensure that they use what they have. It all fits together..." @csaulnier.bsky.social tells the Guysborough Journal. Read the article here: bit.ly/3JFFcxs

#NSpoli
Governments have the tools to address the affordability crisis in nova scotia. They just have to use them. We have the mechanisms to help working families and governments just really need to ensure that they use what they have. It all fits together. It’s both higher wages, higher income supports, more affordable housing, expanding public services, making sure that taxation is fair and progressive. – Guysborough Journal quoting Christine Saulnier, Director, CCPA-NS
September 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Join us next Wed., Sept. 10th, 4-6pm for an event recognizing the importance of ensuring that the voices of women and gender-diverse people are heard and exert influence.

RSVP to ccpans@policyalternatives.ca

#nspoli
September 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Despite recent increases, the minimum wage in Atlantic Canada is $6 to $12 short of what people need to cover basic living costs. The gap between what people need to earn & what the minimum wage has almost doubled since 2018. Learn more: bit.ly/2025livingwa...

#NLpoli #NSpoli #PEIpoli
There’s a big gap between minimum wages and living wages in N.L., N.s., and P.E.I. The gap for NL is -$9.31 The gap for NS is -$11.90 The gap for PEI is -$6.77 Learn more: policyalternatives.ca/regions/nova-scotia/
August 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
PEI’s living wage stays the same this year, but housing & food costs continue to hit low-income households hard. While the govt has done some good work around public transportation, child care, taxation & a new child benefit, there’s much more to be done.
#PEIpoli
Prince Edward Island Living Wage Rates The living wage shows us not only what families need to survive, but also how public policy and employer action can close the affordability gap. PEI’s living wage has not increased this year, showing that even small changes can make a difference. – Christine Saulnier, Director, CCPA-NS and co-author REGION RATES 2025 RATES 2024 % ANNUAL CHANGE Charlottetown $23.30 $23.30 0.00% Summerside $22.20 $22.20 0.00% Provincial Weighted Average (working population): $22.77 in 2025; $22.77 in 2024 (annual increase: 0.00%).
August 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
NL's living wage increased again. While some govt programs have blunted this increase, many fail to account for yrs of high inflation on essentials. There’s a need to increase eligibility cut-offs of govt programs so working people can qualify for much-needed supports.

#NLpoli
Newfoundland and Labrador Living Wage Rates Of course, employers need to take note of what is going on – their struggles to find workers are directly tied to the fact that people simply cannot afford to live on low wages. Employers need to recognize this reality, and governments need to act. – Russell Williams, co-author and associate professor of political science at Memorial University REGION RATES 2025 RATES 2024 % ANNUAL CHANGE Central $24.40 $24.10 1.24% Eastern $25.40 $24.70 2.83% Western $24.40 $24.10 1.24% Labrador-Northern Peninsula $28.30 $27.30 3.64% Provincial Weighted Average (working population): $25.31 in 2025; $24.70 in 2024 (annual increase: 2.45%). LEARN MORE: policyalternatives.ca/regions/nova-scotia/
August 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
NS's living wage increased again, at a rate similar to last yr. Inflation has generally slowed, but many workers in NS struggle to afford essentials. There is a need for improved working conditions, redistributive income supports, fair taxation, & to regulate the costs of essentials.
#NSpoli
Nova Scotia Living Wage Rates These rates reflect what workers are experiencing in our communities: it remains a struggle to make ends meet... Workers are having to go on picket lines to get what should already be theirs: decent wages that keep food on the table, rent paid, and the lights kept on. – Suzanne MacNeil, with Justice for Workers Nova Scotia REGION RATES 2025 RATES 2024 % ANNUAL CHANGE Annapolis Valley $27.20 $26.20 3.82% Cape Breton $24.50 $24.00 2.08% Halifax $29.40 $28.30 3.89% Northern $25.50 $24.90 2.41% Southern $26.60 $25.20 5.56%
August 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
Just released: 2025 Living Wages Report for NL, NS, & PEI. Too many households in Atlantic Canada struggle to make ends meet - their earnings don't cover basic living expenses. Govts & employers must act to address the affordability crisis. Learn more: bit.ly/2025livingwa...
#NSpoli #NLpoli #PEIpoli
August 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
On Monday we're releasing the 2025 Living Wages Report for NL, NS and PEI. This report details regionally-specific living wages and highlights the significant challenges workers and families face as housing, food, and other essential costs continue to rise.

#NSpoli #NLpoli #peipoli
NEW REPORT COMING OUT! This Monday, a week ahead of Labour Day, we’re releasing our 2025 Living Wages Report
August 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
ccpanovascotia.bsky.social
We cannot take human rights or democracy for granted. Join us on Wed., Sept. 10th, 4-6pm for an event recognizing the importance of ensuring that the voices of women and gender-diverse people are heard and exert influence.

RSVP to ccpans@policyalternatives.ca

#Nspoli
Informed opinions | Perspectives plurielles (formerly Informed Opinions) Join us in building a more equitable, democratic Canada Save the Date - Wednesday, September 10th Help us celebrate 16 years of advocacy to create better public conversations and join a community committed to action. Place: McCain Centre Atrium at Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm RSVP to ccpans@policyalternatives.ca We’re delighted to collaborate on this event with: Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender & Social Justice CCPA Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Nova Scotia Office
August 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM