Spring Newsletter from MLA Rafah DiCostanzo

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Photo Credit: Timothy Richard Photography

I would like to wish all my constituents a Happy Spring!

Spring is a beautiful time of year when the flowers start blooming and the sun starts to shine. This time of year also allows us to enjoy the outdoors. Here in Clayton Park West, we are so fortunate to have Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes to enjoy the wilderness in our backyards.

Our province has been hit with the third wave of COVID-19. The variants are strong, and we have seen high numbers.

Thousands of people are turning up to do their part and get tested across the province. Our labs have been breaking records with the number of tests processed upwards of 15,000 per day!

Our government and public health have continued to work together, side by side, to ensure that we stop the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve. Constituents in Clayton Park West and Nova Scotians across this province continue to amaze me with how they are stepping up and coming out in incredible numbers to get tested, to volunteer at testing sites and are listening to public health protocols; stay at home, social distance, wash your hands, wear a mask, and get tested regularly.

I volunteered at the Halifax Convention Centre and Keshen Goodman Library rapid testing site and was so pleased to see constituents doing their part and getting tested. Thank you for doing your part, together we will come out of this wave stronger.

I would also like to wish all of the mothers and maternal figures a Happy Belated Mother's Day! Thank you to all the moms and maternal figures for all the hard work and sacrifices you make for your children, especially over the last year.

As well, Eid Mubarak to all of my Muslim constituents and Muslim friends! I wish you all peace, health and happiness.

I hope you take time to read all the latest updates since our last e-newsletter! We have wonderful information for you – there is so much local information for you to read! We hope you appreciate it. Once you reach the bottom, please make sure to click: view entire message, to see the full edition.
My MLA office is currently closed to in person meetings; however, we are always happy to schedule appointments virtually or by telephone!

And remember, even when my office door isn’t open, we are always here to help:

EMAIL: rafah@rafahdicostanzo.com
PHONE : 902-443-8318

Warm regards,
Rafah

2021-2022 BUDGET

Our Spring sitting of the Legislature wrapped up on the 19 of April, and as the Liberal Caucus Chair and Whip, it was a busy and productive sitting!

There was a lot of important work done this sitting, and I am proud of my Liberal team to continue to work hard for Nova Scotians under Premier Rankin.

I am also immensely proud of our 2021-22 Budget. This budget saw huge increases in key areas such as health and education.

Key Investments in the Budget include:

Help for Low-Income Seniors – including a $1.1 million increase for the Property Tax Rebate Program
$178.2 Million in Modern Healthcare Infrastructure investments – including the Bayers Lake Outpatient Centre.
A $112 Million Increase in Education – including more than 260 new staff positions across the province
$100 per month increase to Standard Household Rate for adults who receive Income Assistance, with $35.2 million in additional funds
$1.02 Billion for Long Term Care and Home Care this year
$12.3 Million increase for new Mental Health Programming
$252,000 to expand the Office of Immigration and Population Growth to attract and retain more newcomers to the province

And so much more!

To find out more about the budget, go to https://novascotia.ca/budget/

VACCINE ROLLOUT

"To my surprise, the nurse turned out to be a friend who also vaccinated my in-laws!"

Our Vaccine Roll out continues to be successful – I am happy to report as of May 13, 2021, over 400,000 doses have been administered. If federal supply continues, everyone who is eligible will be able to get their first shot by June!

Nova Scotia continues to follow an age-based vaccine rollout plan because of the efficiency of the strategy.

If you are 35-years-old and/or above, you are eligible to have either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine! For the most up to date and accurate information on the vaccine rollout plan, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/.

I am beyond thankful that I was able to get my first shot of the vaccine. At the IWK where I was vaccinated, the whole experience was seamless. There were 11 stations and over 400 people being inoculated everyday. The staff managed an efficient and effective system.

AN UPDATE ON THE BAYERS LAKE QEII OUTPATIENT CENTRE

Photo Credit: EllisDon

Significant progress continues on the Bayers Lake QEII Community Outpatient Centre. This outpatient centre will be a vital centre and a giant step forward in modernizing our health care system.

This new centre will include:

*   Primary care services

*   Examination rooms

*   Dialysis stations

*   Diagnostic Imaging

*   Medical/Surgical Clinics

* QEII Eye Care Centre

In the summer of 2020, EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare was awarded the contract. Since that time, there has been a great amount of progress. It is slated to be largely completed by 2023 and open and operating in 2024!

The QEII New Generation Project is an exciting, once-in-a-generation, opportunity to modernize and rebuild health care and infrastructure. We are so lucky in Clayton Park West to have this new, innovative, facility be built in our community.

To find out more about the Bayer Lake QEII Community Outpatient Centre, and all the new health care infrastructure around the province, please check out: https://healthredevelopment.novascotia.ca

ENVIRONMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

"With the intended creation of 61 new protected areas in Nova Scotia, this is an important milestone for the protection of nature. The proposed expansion to Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area is particularly exciting, as it provides a key public access point to enjoy this near-urban wilderness." - Chris Miller, executive director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Nova Scotia Chapter

On Earth Day, April 22, I was thrilled to be a part of an extremely exciting announcement in Clayton Park West. Our government announcement 61 pieces of land – wilderness areas, nature reserves and parks – that are being protected. The 35 acres behind Maskwa is part of these 61 pieces of land! This addition will act as a key access point to Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) Wilderness Area.

Since becoming an MLA in 2017, I have advocated for this protection. I would like to extend thanks to the many groups that have been educating and advocating with me; thank you to CPAWS Nova Scotia, the Friends of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lake’s Society, the Halifax Northwest Trails Association, and the Maskwa Aquatic Club who joined us at the announcement. I was so honoured to have the Premier, Iain Rankin and Minister of Environment, Keith Irving, join me prior to the current Covid-19 restrictions to make this announcement.

Since 2013, over 150 sites have been protected!

In February of this year, the government announced that not only will we achieve our 13% land protection goal – we will surpass it to hit our new 14% target with the 61 additional protected sites.

This is great news for Clayton Park West. My focus now is on better trails at BMBCL so more people can go out and enjoy this treasure in our backyard - safely. I hope you all get out to Belchers Marsh, the Linear Trail and for experienced hikers - Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes.

PARK WEST SCHOOL AND GROSVENOR-WENTWORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT

Photo Credit: Zeina Klayme

“Pictured with me is Federal Minister Jordan, MP Geoff Regan, Minister Arab, Minister Mombourquette, and Principal Derek Carter outside of Park West School on the day we made our exciting announcement!”

At the end of March, I was overjoyed to attend an exciting announcement at Park West School. I was accompanied by my federal colleagues, Minister of Fisheries Bernadette Jordan, and Halifax West MP Geoff Regan. I was also joined by my provincial colleagues; Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Derek Mombourquette, and Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, Patricia Arab.

As well, Park West’s schools dedicated and hardworking principal, Derek Carter joined us. We announced that the Province of Nova Scotia is investing over $4 million dollars and the Federal Government is investing more than $20 million dollars to purchase modular classrooms at schools across the Halifax region.

Modular classrooms are a flexible way to respond to the population growth in our community as well as the space pressures in our schools. 47 in total will be purchased for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education in addition to Park West School 12 classes and washroom facilities. As well, another school in my riding, Grosvenor-Wentworth Park which is gaining 10 classes and washroom facilities. These modular classrooms will be a welcome replacement to the current portable classrooms that are already in use.

Modular classrooms are different than portable classrooms because they can be connected to the school via a hallway and have washrooms. Having washrooms is key to ensuring the safety of students during the pandemic!

If all goes accordingly, the new modular classrooms will be in place for the 2021-2022 school year!

Park West School is a special school that is dear to my heart and I have been working and waiting on this important announcement. This announcement will benefit the lives of our children and the staff, giving our children more room to learn!

CLAYTON PARK WEST - CONNECTING SENIORS

The Seniors Committee continues to meet bi-monthly via Zoom and have special guests every meeting discussing helpful and important topics for seniors in our community.

It is a difficult time to get out and socialize, so this initiative has been so important over the last year to keep seniors in our riding connected! Especially in this lockdown, it is more important than ever to check in on our seniors, to make sure that their physical, mental, and social wellbeing is addressed.

We want to connect with more seniors! We need your help – please connect us with more seniors in Clayton Park West who would benefit from the information and social networking.

Our guests have included: Giselle Davis from the Community Health Team and Katie Vaughan from Dalhousie presenting her Spaces that Work for Me project.

Our next meeting is May 18th at 7 p.m.

If you or someone you know would like to be a part of this initiative, or if you would like to be a special guest at one of these meetings, please reach out to our office or email claytonparkwesthelpforseniors@gmail.com!

LITTER PREVENTION COMMITTEE

"Kimberley, Michele, Shawna and myself all went out individually to clean up trash in Clayton Park West!"

Our Litter Prevention Committee continues to meet virtually to discuss issues concerning Clayton Park West.

Unfortunately, due to the rise in cases, we were unable to have our first Clayton Park West clean-up of the season.

However, I was so pleased to see so many constituents go out on their own and pick up garbage! On Facebook, many constituents shared photos of the garbage they collected around the community.

Send us your pictures of you cleaning up in Clayton Park West and we will add it to our Facebook post from April 24^th.

If you have areas in Clayton Park West that require cleaning, please email us.
However, as soon as cases decrease, we will eagerly plan another clean up! I remain dedicated to making Clayton Park West the cleanest riding in Nova Scotia!

Our office supplied trash-pickers to a few constituents. If you and your family would like a trash-picker to safely clean up our neighbourhood, please reach out to us!

If you want to join the Litter Prevention Committee, please email Jayne at litterpreventioncommittee@gmail.com

***Photo taken prior to April Lockdown***
Photo Credit: Zeina Klayme

"It is the highlight of my month!" - Rafah DiCostanzo, MLA

Even during the rise in cases, my office continues to host monthly “Coffee & Conversation”.

Usually, it is the first Monday of every month and constituents and I meet in the café at the Basin Café and Bistro, next to my office!

This month, we met both virtually and via the telephone with constituents and business owners. I love to hear from all my constituents on your concerns and your ideas for our community and province.

Our next Coffee & Conversation is scheduled for June 7^th. Each appointment is 20-30 minutes long.

If you would like to join us next month, please reach out to my office at 902-443-8318 or at rafah@rafahdicostanzo.com! We would love to hear from you.

Continue to check my social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – for up-to-date information on what is happening in Clayton Park West!

And remember, we are always here to help!:

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Email: rafah@rafahdicostanzo.com
Phone: 902-443-8318

Copyright © 2021 Rafah DiCostanzo, MLA Clayton Park West, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
Rafah DiCostanzo, MLA Clayton Park West
397 Bedford Highway
Suite 201
Halifax, NS B3M 2L3
Canada

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Rafah DiCostanzo, MLA Clayton Park West · 397 Bedford Highway · Suite 201 · Halifax, NS B3M 2L3 · Canada