**** CNS Media Release
Province to Build Four More Student Housing Projects
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The Province is building new student housing at four Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses to provide students with more affordable options and ease pressure on the local housing supply.
About 270 more beds in total will be built at the NSCC Cumberland campus in Springhill, Kingstec campus in Kentville, Lunenburg campus in Bridgewater and the Institute of Technology in Halifax. Combined with three other projects under construction now, these projects bring the total number of new NSCC student housing spaces announced since 2021 to 620.
“Taking action to deliver more housing options will help students study in their community of choice,” said Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education. “We are delighted to partner with NSCC to create hundreds more spaces for students on campus and open up more housing options in these communities. With more options available, students will choose to study, build a life and a career in communities all across Nova Scotia.”
The new facilities will be built on government-owned land at or near existing facilities at each campus. More information about each project, including cost and design, will be announced in the coming months as details are finalized.
The Cumberland and Lunenburg campuses are expected to have about 40 beds each, Kingstec will have about 90 beds and the Institute of Technology will have about 100 beds.
Building more on-campus housing is one of the actions identified in Our Homes, Action for Housing. The plan invests more than $1 billion to work with partners and municipalities to create the conditions for more than 40,000 new housing units from one end of the province to the other.
Quotes:
“We’re so grateful for this substantial investment that will result in 270 new student housing spots at the college. The creation of four new NSCC student housing facilities – on top of the three units already under construction – will mean increased accessibility for applicants to the college and, in turn, help alleviate pressure on the community housing inventory in Springhill, Kentville, Bridgewater and Halifax.”
– Don Bureaux, President, Nova Scotia Community College
“Housing is an especially serious issue for students today. I am happy to see new student housing facilities coming to four NSCC campuses that will support the great need and alleviate the stress for future students who require affordable housing options to support them as they pursue their education.”
– Eirik Larsen, President, Institute of Technology Campus Student Association
Quick Facts:
— there are about 2,250 students currently enrolled at these four campuses
— construction is underway on student housing projects at NSCC’s Akerley and Ivany campuses in Dartmouth and the Pictou campus in Stellarton, which will include a total of 350 new spaces
— the new housing at the Akerley and Pictou campuses is expected to open in September 2024; Ivany’s is expected to open in September 2025
— in October, the Province announced a plan to accelerate growth in the skilled trades, adding up to 5,000 more new apprentices in the next three years and increasing the number of journeypersons and trades qualifiers by 1,000 a year
Additional Resources:
News release – More Housing in Dartmouth, Stellarton for Community College Students: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20221107004
News release – Actions to Accelerate Skilled Trades Growth:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20231019001
NSCC construction updates:
https://www.nscc.ca/about/news/stories/construction-updates.asp
The government’s five-year housing plan – Our Homes, Action for Housing: https://novascotia.ca/action-for-housing/docs/strategic-plan-action-for-housing.pdf
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Fresh Food Carts Bring Local Food to More Schools
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More students can enjoy fresh, local food at lunchtime with the arrival of fresh food carts at their schools.
A provincial pilot project that supports farmers by promoting locally grown or produced foods has started at eight schools in the Strait Regional Centre for Education.
“We’re promoting local foods, and part of that is helping some of the biggest kitchens in our province find ways to get more local foods on the menu,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “Fresh food carts at our schools help our farmers get their local products on more plates while giving students more healthy options.”
The food carts are large, portable salad bars offering Nova Scotia-grown carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, apples and other seasonal produce.
Schools participating in the three-month, $200,000 pilot project at the Strait Regional Centre for Education are:
— Dalbrae Academy, Southwest Mabou (grades 9-12)
— Inverness Education Centre/Academy (grades Primary-12)
— Tamarac Education Centre, Port Hawkesbury (grades Primary-8)
— Antigonish Education Centre (grades Primary-4)
— Chedabucto Education Centre/Guysborough Academy (grades Primary-12)
— Richmond Education Centre/Academy, Louisdale (grades 5-12)
— East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, Monastery (grades Primary-12)
— Saint Mary’s Education Centre/Academy, Sherbrooke (grades Primary-12).
The first food cart pilot project was launched in April at participating schools in the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education.
The pilot projects are supported by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Nova Scotia Health.
Quotes:
“I’m so excited that we are continuing to expand access to local food in schools and that this innovative fresh food pilot program will now be reaching more Nova Scotian students in more schools. It’s so important to give our kids these first-hand opportunities to learn about nutrition and understand where their food comes from.”
– Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Child Development
“Nova Scotia farmers are proud to contribute to the health of our communities by providing nutritious, locally grown foods. Our farm families place significant value on ensuring that children and youth can access fresh, local produce, while connecting to where it is grown. We are encouraged by this project and look forward to the government’s increased efforts to ensure more local food in our institutions. We know it will foster the health, economic well-being and vitality of our communities and future generations.”
– Allan Melvin, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
“Healthy food carts are important for the schools because they promote good nutrients and overall health. These food carts help ensure that children have access to balanced meals during the school day, or they might not receive that at home.”
– Nicole Googoo, Grade 11 student, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
“I think it’s great. Fresh for four dollars – it’s a great deal.”
– Calum Powers, Grade 9 student, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
“I think it’s amazing. I absolutely love the salad, many varieties, and very delicious.”
– Danika Lafford-Desmond, Grade 10 student, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
“It’s good and cheap, and it tastes good.”
– Keenan Allain, Grade 7 student, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy
Quick Facts:
— the Department of Agriculture is working to get more locally grown and produced foods in schools, hospitals and in long-term care and correctional facilities
— the Department has a mandate to ensure that at least 20 per cent of food purchased by Nova Scotians is locally grown by 2030
Additional Resources:
News release – Fresh, Local Food Pilot Launches in Schools: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230411001
News release – Government Funding Supports Local Food Production: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20221216001
News release – More Local Food Coming to Northwood: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20221209003
Buy Local directory: https://buylocal.novascotia.ca/
