Happy New Year!
I hope this finds you well in the first month of 2026.
I felt and heard from many that 2025 was a challenging year. The cost of food, utilities, and housing continued to climb. Many struggled to pay bills and felt they were living paycheck to paycheck. Accessing and navigating healthcare when you need it remains a challenge. Travelling within Halifax Armdale and the HRM is a constant stressor. World politics, particularly south of the border, often felt like a dark storm cloud hanging overhead.
Those are the challenges I heard when I was knocking on doors during the election of November 2024. While progress and improvements have been made in some areas during 2025, I know from chatting with you at your doorsteps that many people feel no further ahead as we enter 2026.
My commitment for 2026 is to keep talking with you at your doorsteps and in the community, to listen, and to advocate—yell, if necessary—to push for change for everyone’s benefit. I am learning as an MLA that getting there takes patience, participating in difficult conversations, and collaborating where possible with all levels of government. Most importantly, it means being accessible and accountable to the constituents of Halifax Armdale.
Here are my ideas on how to do this.
Universal Mental Healthcare
“Universal Mental Healthcare” was announced by the Houston government in February 2025 as a plan to provide MSI coverage for mental health counselling in the community outside of NS Health offices. This refers to services provided by counsellors or psychologists in private practice that currently require out-of-pocket payment or insurance plan coverage. At that announcement, I asked why we are not developing the capacity within NS Health to provide more mental health services rather than outsourcing them. I also asked if Nova Scotia psychologists in private practice have the capacity to take on new people. I had dozens of other
questions about the potential challenges and impacts of this program.
The need for more mental health services in the community is large; the question remains how to do this in a way that serves Nova Scotians with evidence-based services in a timely manner. The initial results the NS NDP received through a FOIPOP request are disappointing. The program has served less than 400 people in a year, and the wait time to be assessed and receive counselling can be over 100 days depending on where you live in Nova Scotia. This further illustrates my frustration and concern: access to health care in Nova Scotia depends on your postal code.
For a more detailed analysis of the first year of the Universal Mental Health Program, I am including the opinion of my colleague, MLA Lisa Lachance, the NDP Mental Health Critic. Please see their thoughts here: Universal Mental Health
Community Canvassing
Knocking on doors to introduce myself and hear people’s thoughts, concerns, and ideas is my favourite part of being an MLA. From May to the first week of December 2025, I knocked several thousand doors in the riding. Now that winter is here, I am focusing on apartment buildings. I have scheduled Friday afternoons from 2-4PM to visit apartment buildings throughout the riding.
I started last Friday afternoon at 41 Osborne St and managed to contact the top four floors. I will be back to finish the building this Friday. By request, we are visiting a building on Crown Drive this week.
If you would like me to visit your building or to set up a meeting with you and fellow residents, please contact Robert at 902-943-0221. I can also meet during the evenings and on weekends, time permitting.
Community Conversations
Given the interest and turnout for our “Town Hall” events in the fall of 2025, I am planning to host a monthly meeting to discuss community topics on your mind. I plan to bring forward questions and concerns I hear at your doors and find the best people to answer your questions.
So far, people have told me they want to learn more about:
1. Uranium Mining: How is it done? What are the risks to Nova Scotians? I will be booking this topic for a Community Conversation in the coming months and will let you know the details ASAP.
2. Housing Development: Where is it planned for in Halifax Armdale, and what is the impact on my neighbourhood? I am learning the development process is complicated, and there are a lot of rumours and myths. I am planning a conversation to learn: What is the HRM and provincial development process, and what is actually happening?
Once we have speakers confirmed, we will post the details for these Community Conversations. I will be inviting your questions on the topics in advance of the meetings to try to ensure we have the right people in the room to answer them. Please stay tuned for details.
Weekly Coffee Corner
In 2025, I started holding weekly conversations at Tim Hortons on 390 Osborne St from 1-2PM to meet people and hear what’s on their mind. These can be quiet conversations or very robust, depending on who is there and the topic. We have made a great friend, Dorothy, who is often there each Friday and has her finger on what’s happening. If you have time on a Friday, please join us for coffee.
If we cannot make it, we post an update by 11AM the day of. If you would like me to meet with you or your friends, family, neighbours, or community group to hear your thoughts and concerns, please contact the office. I will try to make it and bring coffee!
Community Support
Each month we like to highlight a group in Halifax Armdale that is making an impact. This month we are happy to highlight the Air Cadets. I met a few of the Air Cadets at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Spryfield Legion and wanted to learn more about their work with youth. Please see our profile on the Air Cadets, who have been active in the community for decades. After learning more about their great work, if you would like to support their endeavours, there is a link in the profile.
The 529 Spryfield Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron provides a free, fun and structured youth program for over 100 young people in our community. They teach leadership skills, discipline, and valuable life lessons. Celebrating their remarkable 75th anniversary this year, the squadron offers a diverse range of activities including drill and ceremonial training, aviation studies, effective speaking, physical fitness, and community volunteer service. Through this engaging program, cadets develop confidence, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Beyond the core curriculum, cadets have access to unique opportunities such as summer training camps, marksmanship, survival skills, and even hands-on flying experiences. Their visible participation in community events, like the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Spryfield Legion, highlight their dedication to service and respect. For 75 years, the 529 Squadron has been a cornerstone youth organization in Halifax Armdale, empowering the next generation with skills for success in any career path they choose.
Nova Scotia Legislature
The government must provide all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature with thirty days’ notice of the next sitting. As of 9AM, January 21, 2026, I have not received notice. In anticipation of a spring session, the NS NDP caucus and I are preparing to represent and voice your concerns in the next sitting. Once I have a date, I will welcome your thoughts, in addition to what you have told me since the previous 8-day sitting.
Looking Ahead
2026, I expect—as many of you may be thinking—will be another year of challenges for everyday issues: affordability, housing, and health care, along with the dark cloud to the south of us. For me, that means putting my head down, meeting with you, and finding the right people to help us push for better in the short- and long-term. I appreciate the responsibility to be accessible and accountable to the people of Halifax Armdale.
Office Update
Regrettably, Sarrah Putwas has left our office. Sarrah provided most of our support and advice to community members in need of help with issues ranging from housing to immigration. We are lucky to have Rowan join us on a part-time basis to provide ongoing community support. She can be reached at our office: 902-943-0221.
Until I get to meet you, please stay in touch, and I wish you and those important to you a safe and prosperous 2026.
Gratefully,
Rod
