2021 Nova Scotia provincial election

The Canadian Cancer Society is calling on all political parties to adopt meaningful and actionable platform commitments to address significant gaps in cancer prevention and support for those living with cancer. You can encourage party leaders and local candidates across Nova Scotia to make cancer a priority by supporting our recommendations.

To find your candidate and where to vote visit Elections Nova Scotia.

Subject: Show your commitment to cancer control this election

Dear Leader,

With nearly half of Canadians expected to develop cancer in their lifetime, we need to ensure cancer issues stay top-of-mind for the party that forms the next Government of Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Cancer Society has identified four key issues that are vital to preventing cancer and supporting those living with it:

Access to quality palliative care
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that all parties commit to updating the provincial palliative care strategy and improving access to quality palliative care for the people of Nova Scotia.

COVID-19 and cancer care
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that all parties commit to working with the cancer system on a fully-funded plan to address all backlogs in cancer care from COVID-19 and the influx of new or late-stage cancer diagnoses forthcoming.

Tobacco settlement negotiations
The Nova Scotia Government is currently negotiating with the tobacco industry to settle a lawsuit regarding health care costs associated with tobacco use.  The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that all parties commit to the inclusion of significant public health measures in any settlement agreement.

Expand job protected illness leave
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that all parties commit to extend the length of sickness leave job protection from the current 3 days to at least 26 weeks to align with Employment Insurance sickness benefit. This will help to ensure that those who are facing a life-threatening disease such as cancer can take critical time off work to receive treatment and heal.

I strongly support the above recommendations. If implemented, they could have a significant impact in reducing the cancer burden and supporting those living with cancer and beyond.

I am asking you to publicly support and adopt the recommendations of the Canadian Cancer Society that will help prevent cancer and improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with cancer.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,