Amid 19 long-term care facilities voting to strike across the province, the government says they are demonstrating respect during the negotiating process, while ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

“What I want all Nova Scotians to know is that our government has made historic investments in the care of seniors, both in their home and in long-term care, from free tuition for over 2,700 CCAs to the building of 5,700 new nursing home [rooms],” said Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Barbara Adams.

She says there are certainly there are plans in place if a strike occurs.

“I can speak from experience when we were in the middle of COVID and staffing levels were at historic lows under the Liberal government. And I was working those nursing homes, and they have plans for when you are staffed at 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%,” expressed Adams.

“These are the essential services that you’re going to make sure that you maintain because the safety and security of all of our residents and our long-term care facilities, we’re going to ensure that that takes place.”

Adams added they’ve successfully negotiated hundreds of contracts and anticipates that this process will similarly be settled.