Proposed legislation puts quality of life on table: N.S. Liberals

Nova Scotia’s Liberal Party is tabling legislation that puts well-being on equal footing with the economy when it comes to policymaking.

Interim Liberal leader Iain Rankin is scheduled to forward a motion in Province House on Wednesday establishing a well-being budget framework aimed at refocusing government priorities. In a release, the Liberal Party says it is similar to a framework that exists in New Zealand and puts quality of life at the centre of policymaking.

The move comes less than two months after the provincial government’s controversial budget was released, which included sweeping cuts to arts, culture and heritage grants as well as programs for Indigenous groups, African Nova Scotians and seniors, with little clarity from cabinet ministers on how those decisions were made.

The Liberals say a well-being framework would ensure the government clearly assesses how spending decisions impact people’s lives so that taxpayer dollars strengthen communities and support long-term sustainability.

According to the Liberals, it would shift how the provincial government “evaluates spending, moving beyond traditional economic indicators like GDP to include the real-life impacts policies have on Nova Scotians.”

Rankin says a strong economy is important, but it’s not the full picture and government decisions should be focused on improving people’s lives as well.

“Wellbeing should not be viewed as at odds with economic growth, it is foundational to it,” says Rankin in the release. “When people are healthy, supported, and able to participate fully in their communities, our economy is stronger. This is about building a province where success is measured not just in dollars, but in the lives people are able to live.”