Build a Better Nova Scotia:
Forget Defending Nova Scotia
Why an alternative budget?
Every budget is a reflection of values and priorities.
The Nova Scotia Alternative Budget (NSAB) 2026 challenges the status quo, offering a bold, evidence-based vision for a fairer, greener, and more inclusive province.
Developed by the Nova Scotia office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA-NS), this budget demonstrates how we can tax and spend differently to create a future where everyone thrives….not just the few.
For over two decades, the NSAB has sparked debate, raised public awareness, and provided a roadmap for equitable and sustainable public policy. This year’s budget tackles the affordability crisis, housing insecurity, systemic inequality, and climate inaction, while investing in public services that support all Nova Scotians.
This or That: Benefiting the Few or Supporting the Many?
The Nova Scotia government recently celebrated the largest tax cut in the province’s history, costing $500 million in foregone revenue.
But who does this tax cut really benefit? Analysis shows that the top 20% of income earners benefit the most, those who need it the least.
If that $500 million had instead been invested in:
Affordable Housing
It could build 1,100 public housing units or provide rent supplements for 30,000 households.
Child Poverty Reduction
It could lift thousands of children out of poverty with direct income supports.
Universal Public Services
It could expand access to child care, health care, and public transportation.
Key Investments in the 2026 Alternative Budget
Recommendations and solutions presented in the NS Alternative Budget could help build a more equitable, more just, more sustainable Nova Scotia for all. It is a budget for the many, not the few.
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The housing crisis in Nova Scotia is solvable, but it requires bold action. The Nova Scotia Alternative Budget (NSAB) outlines key solutions to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home:
Build 3,778 Non-Market Units: Invest in deeply affordable housing owned and operated by public, non-profit, and co-operative sectors.
Expand Rent Supplements: Provide immediate support to over 30,000 households at risk of losing their homes.
Enforce Tenant Protections: Establish a Compliance and Enforcement Unit (CEU) to investigate violations and ensure landlords meet their obligations.
Create a Rental Housing Registry and Licensing Program: Ensure all rental properties meet minimum safety and livability standards through proactive inspections.
End the Fixed-Term Lease Loophole: Protect tenants by standardizing lease terms and ensuring automatic renewals.
Implement Vacancy Control: Prevent significant rent increases when units are vacated.
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Rising food costs and unsustainable farming practices are leaving Nova Scotians hungry and farmers struggling. The NSAB proposes:
Non-Profit Grocery Stores: Offer affordable, fresh, local food while supporting small-scale farmers.
Community Food Hubs: Teach people how to grow and prepare their own food, fostering food security and sustainability.
Fair Prices for Farmers: Ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their work, creating a more resilient food system.
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Offshore wind power has the potential to transform Nova Scotia’s economy, but transparency and public benefit must come first. The NSAB recommends:
A Public Bid Process: Determine the true costs of developing offshore wind resources and ensure transparency in the bidding process.
Prioritize Local Benefits: Focus on economic development that benefits Nova Scotians, not foreign corporations.
Energy Security for Generations: Use offshore wind to provide affordable, renewable energy for the province.
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Nova Scotians pay some of the highest insurance rates in the country. The NSAB proposes the creation of a Public Insurance Company of Nova Scotia (PICNS) to offer affordable options for:
Auto Insurance: Reduce costs by removing corporate profits.
Home Insurance: Provide affordable coverage, especially as climate change drives up private insurance rates.
Pet Insurance: Offer better coverage at lower costs for pet owners.
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Nova Scotians deserve accessible, community-focused health care. The NSAB outlines key steps to improve the system:
Expand Community Health Centres: Transform “health homes” into democratically run Community Health Centres that prioritize patient needs.
Invest in Mental Health: Move toward the World Health Organization’s target of 12% of health spending on mental health services.
End Privatization: Bring privatized services, like virtual care, back into the public system.
Pharmacare for All: Secure a federal pharmacare deal and phase out seniors’ pharmacare premiums.
We need your voice to make this vision a reality.
Take Action:
Help Build a Better Nova Scotia
Download the full Nova Scotia Alternative Budget 2026 and share it with your networks.
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Together, We Can Build A Nova Scotia That Works for Everyone
The NSAB is more than a budget! it’s a movement for change. By investing in people, communities, and the environment, we can create a province where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.