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In a recent interview on Community Update, Vishal Bhard-Waj, the Liberal candidate for the Cole Harbour-Dartmouth riding, outlined the pressing issues facing Nova Scotians, focusing on housing and healthcare. With over 22 years of residency in the area, Bhard-Waj drew attention to the rising cost of living and its impact on families, especially regarding housing. He remarked, "Soaring housing costs are the biggest issue here because that's where most of the hard-earned income goes,” underscoring his commitment to increasing the housing stock to make homes more affordable for residents, particularly younger families striving to establish themselves.

Bhard-Waj also zeroed in on healthcare and mental health, describing mental health issues as "a pandemic-level crisis that’s worsening by the day." He discussed the severe strain on mental health resources, including the extensive waiting times for critical services like psychological support. “There are challenges—if someone needs help, there’s a long wait. Even to get to a psychologist, there’s strain everywhere,” he explained. His remarks highlighted the gap in accessible mental health services across the province and the need for swift intervention.

Bhard-Waj emphasized that these issues require a collaborative, multi-government approach, shaped by his extensive experience with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. He highlighted that effective policymaking should be deeply community-focused and responsive to the specific needs of local residents. "We are here to serve Nova Scotians, so it’s important we listen to them and have a plan to address their needs," he noted, stressing that meaningful change comes from truly understanding the community's concerns.

The interview wrapped up with Bhard-Waj passionately encouraging all eligible Nova Scotians to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections on November 26. “I want to encourage everyone to please vote on November 26th,” he said, underlining the importance of civic participation as a means to influence positive change and advocate for the community's best interests.

 — Gbenga Akintokun, Local Journalism Initiative