Rising cost of living a main concern for Nova Scotians: poll

A new poll ranks inflation just behind health care when it comes to which issues are most important

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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A new poll indicates the rising cost of living is a main concern for Nova Scotians.

In an online survey, Angus Reid asked which issues were most important. Respondents were allowed to pick up to three options from a list provided by the polling company.

Health care came in on top with 62 per cent, just one point above rising inflation. Housing affordability placed third at 38 per cent. Poverty/homelessness was sixth with 19 per cent saying the issue was in their top three.

When asked about the provincial government’s response to those issues, 67 per cent believed it was doing a poor or very poor job when it comes to health care.

Dissatisfaction was even higher for the response to poverty and homelessness (75 per cent), cost of living/inflation (79 per cent) and housing affordability (82 per cent).

Nova Scotians were most satisfied with the Tim Houston’s team’s response to COVID-19, with 64 per cent saying the Progressive Conservatives are doing a good or very good job on that issue.

Despite the criticism of its handling of top issues, overall, the provincial government continues to have a lot of support.

If an election was held today, 46 per cent of decided voters said they’d cast their ballots for the PCs. That’s 19 points ahead of the second place NDP, which had 27 per cent of the decided vote. And it appears the newly elected leader of the Liberals has his work cut out for him, as only 21 per cent said they’d support Zach Churchill’s party.

The online survey sas conducted from June 7 to 13 among a representative randomized sample of 330 Nova Scotian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

“For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20,” the polling company said.