Community Strategy

The Green Party is founded on the principles of ecological wisdom; social justice; participatory democracy; nonviolence; sustainability; and respect for diversity, all of which are relevant to an holistic view of society and sense of community. In thriving communities the social, economic and environmental realities are inextricably linked. The Green Party supports holistic measurement of our true wealth, and that includes living standards, population health, education, time use, community vitality, and environmental quality.

The Green Party of Nova Scotia understands that in order to build and sustain a self-reliant and prosperous province, the basic needs of every Nova Scotian must first be met in their own communities in equitable and inclusive ways.

The Green Party recognizes that the prosperity of complex communities needs to be considered beyond simple measurements of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Nova Scotia has renewable resources, creative entrepreneurs, and an educated and capable workforce. A prosperous and bright green future for Nova Scotia is well within our reach.

We need to rapidly increase our production of renewable energy, strengthen the local farming sector, and build our green industries. While we grow our green economy, we must also move to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce our consumption, and reduce our waste.

1. The Green Party will
   1. start a dialogue with Nova Scotians to formulate a comprehensive social strategy which
      1. ensures that their basic health, education, and economic needs are met within or near their home communities
      2. considers the geography, population, and natural resource base of their communities
      3. incorporates successful non-governmental programs and recommendations from grassroots community organizations
      4. uses full-cost accounting in setting and evaluating policy
   2. work toward affordable adequate housing and poverty reduction,
   3. work to secure local health care and education systems as well as centralized health services and educational institutions
   4. work to increase initiatives for job creation and opportunities to invest in local businesses
      1. work to bring green businesses and industries to Nova Scotia
      2. promote existing green businesses to create local jobs and wealth
      3. encourage intitiatives to provide secure sources of energy to Nova Scotians
      4. support sustainable transportation initiatives
      5. support family farms and other primary producers for an increasing local food supply.
   5. work cooperatively with municipalities to improve the infrastructure of the province
   6. promote volunteerism and leadership in local communities
   7. collaborate with federal and municipal governments on issues which cut across all three levels of governance
      1. reduce government duplication of services and work toward a more effective and efficient delivery of social services.

2. The Green Party will work to ensure that:
   1. the province’s social strategy recognizes that before we can achieve sustainable prosperity, the basic needs of the citizens must be met and secured
   2. Nova Scotians have secure access to affordable shelter, dependable energy supply, nutritious food, clean water and air, and a fair wage.
   3. cultural diversity is respected and included in the principles that guide decisions in community development
   4. social services and resources are delivered equitably to rural communities
   5. the wage gap between men and women is closed and a guaranteed annual income system is established
   6. Nova Scotians who receive post-secondary education have relevant employment opportunities within Nova Scotia.
   7. research from the Nova Scotia Genuine Progress Index (GPI) is utilized in planning and policy assessments