Leading up the to the 2025 Federal Election, RNS has written to candidates across Nova Scotia, emphasising the importance of recreation and parks.
Along with out partners at Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) at the federal level, we aim to be a voice for the recreation sector and provide leadership to support our members in the recreation sector.
Elections invite us to imagine the kind of country we want to build together—and the legacy we hope to leave to the next generation. Amidst our evolving social and economic landscape, the recreation and parks sector is a powerful yet often overlooked contributor to that vision. Too often seen as a discretionary expense, recreation and parks are, in fact, vital to creating the country in which we want to live, work, and play—driving economic development, improving wellbeing, reducing crime, and strengthening communities. The sector is vital to building healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities, from green spaces, trails, and recreation facilities to the professionals and programs that bring them to life. It promotes mental and physical wellbeing, contributes significantly to our economy by providing high-quality jobs and supporting local businesses. It increasingly plays a vital role in strengthening community resilience during emergencies such as wildfires, hurricanes, or extreme rain and flooding.
Canada cannot afford to overlook this vital sector any longer, and here is how we suggest fixing it.
- Federal plan for recreation and parks infrastructure
- Recreation as a smart economic choice
- A commitment to stronger, healthier communities (such as youth employment programs to develop leaders of the future).
Recreation and parks touch the lives of everyone in Nova Scotia—whether through a walk on a local trail, a visit to a neighbourhood park, or time spent in a community pool, arena, or recreation centre.
We urged candidates to commit to policies and programs that recognize recreation and parks as vital services and infrastructure, integral to the wellbeing and resilience of our communities.
Here's what we heard...
(last updated: Monday 28th April)
NDP: Ingrid Deon (Acadie Annapolis)
The NDP recognizes that access to quality recreation spaces contributions to both physical and mental wellbeing. NDP strongly believes in investing in services that improve quality of life and support community wellbeing. Interested in learning more about how federal support for recreation and parks could complement our commitments to strengthen public healthcare, improve working conditions for healthcare professionals and ensure better care for our elders.
Liberal: Jaime Battiste (Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish)
Jaime and the Liberal Party of Canada have made announcements for parks for review:
Protecting Canada's Nature, Biodiversity and Water here
New Canada Strong Pass here.
Thanks to the below candidates for their response and willingness to discuss further:
Shannon Miedema (Liberal - Halifax)
Allan MacMaster (Conservative - Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish)
Sean Fraser (Liberal - Central Nova)
Joel Hirtle (Conservative - Kings-Hants)
We look forward to working with all levels of government to help realize the potential of recreation and parks for communities across Nova Scotia.