We have a gender neutral bathroom in the Legislature, the website has been updated, I was introduced as Mx.Deputy Speaker, and I made a member’s statement on pronouns. All in all, a good day in
#queerpoli
#nspoli
#2SLGBTQ
+
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
It’s been seven months, and I’ve yet to hear the words, “gay,” “queer,” or “trans,” come out of the Premier of Nova Scotia’s mouth. What’s the issue? We make up ~10% of the population, and he can’t/won’t address us?
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
This is a sad day in Halifax Citadel Sable Island. I spoke to thousands of our community members during the election. EVERYONE wants all community members housed safely, no one said clear them out. Not a single person.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Stopped on way home to help someone. Wasn’t clear if naxolone was needed or not, but relied on the advice of my wonderful pharmacist and a dear friend family doc that I couldn’t do harm by administering. Going to tomorrow to get a new kit for my backpack and you should too.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
#PhDTwitter
#PhDLife
I successfully defended my PhD yesterday. I have had so much fun connecting with the PhD community on Twitter (some days that was the only fun part of the process amirite?).
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
As hostile legislation continues popping up around the country, I’m proud to stand in support of trans and gender diverse youth in Nova Scotia.
#transrightsarehumanrights
🏳️⚧️
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
My daughter K has asthma & had a sudden crisis last night (1st time in years). Called 811, spoke to an assistant, who got a nurse immediately, who advised IWK ER that we were on the way. Treated and home w/in 3 hrs. The whole system worked like it's supposed to!
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Usually Facebook is where I do my social media parenting but this deserves a Tweet - my son’s first post-secondary acceptance! We are all thrilled!(note adorable sealskin Santa hat)
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Today the
@NSNDP
introduced a number of important bills. I introduced changes to the Vital Statistic Act… sound boring? Look below for the kind of language we propose changing.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
It's perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed or distressed in the face of hateful acts and events; these resources are specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks who need support.
#NovaScotia
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Lisa Lachance of the Faculty of Health will be defending their PhD thesis today at 9:00 a.m. Best of luck, Lisa!
#DalDefender
@DalHealth
You can join virtually here:
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
The real issue is homelessness and a housing crisis. I know everyone is working on it but the reality is that people need shelter. I worry about the people we don’t see, that are in unsafe settings. Of course, I don’t want anybody hurt. Blaming any one org isn’t productive.
Statement on the assault at Mutual Aid's Starr Park shelter. MA's reckless approach has resulted in serious injuries and criminal charges. Allowing an anonymous group to install shelters that don't meet code with no supporting services must end
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Always grateful and happy to support my friends and family across the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially downtown today. I will continue to defend trans folks’ rights at every opportunity both inside and outside the Legislature.
#NSpoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Today MLAs of all political stripes came down to Province House to raise the trans pride flag and recognize the upcoming
#TransDayOfVisibility
. MLAs don't agree on everything. But today in the courtyard, the message was universal - we need to uplift queer and trans Nova Scotians.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
From a recent
@globeandmail
report: $78,000 is the income you now need to afford an avg 1-bedroom in Halifax.
Yes, $78,000.
For years, the Liberals allowed this problem to fester and now Houston's PCs appear to be intent on doing the same.
Housing is a right, not a commodity.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
We want a world where ALL trans kids are supported and loved unconditionally by their parents and in their communities - but this is still the world we are working for. But for too many trans kids, they are vulnerable at home, school and in the community.
Parents should be as involved as possible in the lives of their children. 1000%.
BUT that doesn’t mean overriding the privacy and autonomy of young people.
Mandating parental consent for trans students will harm the most vulnerable trans kids: those without supportive parents.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Gender-affirming care is life-saving care.
I have repeatedly expressed the importance of timely and accessible GAC to Tim Houston and his Health Minister. However, things continue to get worse. 🧵
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Mr. Premier, I appreciate the sentiment, but:
❌ The 2SLGBTQ+ community is in none of your ministers’ mandate letters.
❌ No policy or funding to date for our community.
❌ You’ve ignored calls to expand Gender-Affirming Care under MSI.
Let’s move beyond words and into action.
Today, March 31st, is Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to shine the light on the challenges and discrimination faced by transgender and gender-diverse Nova Scotians.
#TransDayOfVisibility
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Happy to report the Trans flag will be raised outside of the legislature tomorrow and its colours displayed on Province House to mark
#TransDayOfVisibility
—a day to celebrate the lives & contributions of Trans and gender-diverse members of our community. 🏳️⚧️
#TDOV2022
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Nova Scotians are paying for two Ministers of community services this month and yet neither of them would offer accountability and transparency.
#nspoli
“The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services declined an interview with CBC for this story and did not provide a reason. There are currently two cabinet ministers working on that portfolio.”
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
We are living the effects of climate change in
#NovaScotia
. Our premier picks fights with the federal govt and municipalities, appoints friends to important roles, while doing nothing to move us forward. I guess all the fighting takes too much time. read more here:
In the past 12 months, our province has seen first-hand the terrifying effects of climate change.
Hurricane Fiona, then the wildfires that raged in many parts of the province, and of course the recent flooding we have seen from Bridgewater to Bedford and many points between. 🧵
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
It’s an honour to be the first genderqueer MLA in Nova Scotia and on this
#IWD2022
, I encourage all to
#BreakTheBias
by calling out gender stereotypes, discrimination and bias – today and everyday.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
This is a HUGE victory for community advocates who fought for gender affirming care. This wouldn't have happened without the efforts of so many folks over the years - to be clear, the Houston government wasn't planning on making changes until there was mobilization.
#nspoli
NS has the highest tuition in the country. We’ve seen the value of a tuition waiver for students that were once children in care at schools with this policy. Nova Scotia should go a step further and support any student that grew up in care
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Happy
#NationalComingOutDay
. This year, I came out over and over again in so many ways as I explained myself to voters. Now headed into the
#NovaScotia
#Legislature
tomorrow rocking out as Mx.Deputy Speaker. Stay tuned for how it goes!
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
(1/3) We've gotten terrible news that a family care practice in the South End is closing and we are losing FOUR doctors. This will leave 4,000 people without critical access to primary care, with the health care system is in crisis. It will have a big impact on our community.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Children's rights matter. Today I introduced legislation to implement a Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) for the development of provincial government programs. This would put Nova Scotia in line with Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
#NSpoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Looks like a panicked video made after Question Period! We don’t have the data; people are without paid sick leave; & all of us see the “let’s get out there” ads. But most of all, don’t gaslight Nova Scotians who want more info and guidance as “not being ready yet”.
#nspoli
I wish it were more complicated but it's not. Thousands of Nova Scotians and NS municipalities showed their support for the Coastal Protection Act over and over but the PCs listened to developers. This is who has access and influence in
#nspoli
.
Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. A day to call attention to the violence and discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people around the world.
#IDAHOTB2022
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
In Nova Scotia, we want to take care of each other. That's why we want answers on how the Houston govt is responding now to the monkeypox worldwide outbreak. I asked the Premier on August 2 for the plan:
Community is still asking:
Last week, I hosted a
#Pride
Tea Party at Province House and was thrilled to host dozens of community members and many of my colleague from the Legislature.
@NSLiberals
@NSNDP
@nspc
#nspoli
(some faces missing - it takes a lot of non partisan coordination to get a group photo!)
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
NS has the highest % of trans and non-binary people in 🇨🇦🎉
This news underscores the immediate need for:
✅ A minister responsible for 2SLGBTQ+ issues,
✅ Expanded coverage of Gender-Affirming Care under MSI,
✅ An action plan to address systemic government shortcomings.
Thank you to everyone who reached out as we mourn David Gass. David explored people's narratives to create health pathways and there are many photos of Grandad reading to his grandchildren. We welcome stories you may have about David DavidGassMemories
@gmail
.com.
#MedTwitter
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Parents in NS with kids aged 14-17 years old, we are launching a new program for youth that provides training & support for activities that promote healthy relationships and address dating violence. If your young person is interested, let me know!
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
The
@NSNDP
and I will not hesitate to stand behind the trans community in Nova Scotia.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
- despite some Canadian politicians saying otherwise.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
@bmaguirens
@LisaRobertsHfx
This week we will mark one year since we lost my father in law in a completely avoidable tragedy. We miss him every moment of every day.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
For a govt that wants to increase NS population and says they are working towards more immigration, this is an odd thing take. I am really concerned about the impact of racist dog whistles.
#nspoli
#AdvancedEducation
Recognized Erin Casey and Dr. Wendy Carroll in the Legislature today for
#InternationalWomensDay
for their advocacy work on stopping the use of NDAs for sexual assault and harassment cases.
#NovaScotia
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
We've seen an increase in local examples of hatred, violence, homophobia and transphobia in our communities + schools.
@NSNDP
has sent a letter to MLAs calling on them to show clear, public support for the 2SLGBTQI+ community this Pride Season and beyond. Link in my bio.
#NSPoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
We want our neighbours to be safe and need to know how those unhoused will be taken care of - in advance of the storm turns out to be this weekend (
#Fiona
) and also on an ongoing basis (
#winter
). Respectful, transparent and predictable emergency shelter.
#Halifax
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
I wish I could get to Hamilton to repay
@MatthewGreenNDP
on the doorsteps. This MP speaks truth to power, sees the needs of now, and plans actions for our collective future.
@HamCentreNDP
There comes a time when we must confront the things that hold us back from building a more caring and compassionate Canada. That time is now.
I invite everyone
#ReadyForBetter
this
#elxn44
to visit to support our
@hamcentreNDP
re-election campaign today.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Happy
#TDOV
! I’m so thrilled to see the Trans flag hanging over Province House. Today we celebrate our Trans & gender-diverse friends & neighbours and commit to building a NS that’s fully inclusive of gender diversity.
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
#GenderAffirmingCareSavesLives
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
@TimHoustonNS
we absolutely need supply. But we also need protection and support for renters now. Let me know if you want a tour of rental properties where people are at their last increase, from low to high end. Also 40 years of rent control in ON didn’t stopped builders.
Tim Houston had a chance to stand up and denounce transphobia and hate in Nova Scotia. I respectfully invited him to do so and he sat silently. You are responsible for the NS Human Rights Act Mr. Premier. Would you like another chance to clarify where you stand?
#nspoli
#TDOV2023
ICYMI: Read our open letter to all levels of government in Canada to take action both to counter the rise in anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQI hate as well as to protect the safety, rights, and freedoms of 2SLGBTQI people and communities.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
@BernJordanMP
Mi'kmaw fishers aren't doing anything wrong and do not need to be summoned to meet w/ Government and those that oppose their rights. You need to make a strong statement condemning violence, racism and intimidation.
#cdnpoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
@AirCanada
@StephVDBG
Is that it
@AirCanada
? Maybe a plan to remind all staff of this policy? Maybe a plan to speak to the specific attendant in question?
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
I think this is going to be it folks. Clearly improving the healthcare is one good, back of the envelope, idea away. Also of course, who needs funding?
#nspoli
If there is one thing the pandemic has made abundantly clear, it’s that paid sick days are a necessity, not a privilege.
Tim Houston has yet to commit to a permanent paid sick leave program. We are calling on the Premier to implement one now:
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
I’m proud to support my friend
@ChenderClaudia
in her campaign to become Leader of
@NSNDP
. Claudia has the compassion, astuteness, and vision to move our province toward a more green, equitable, and prosperous future:
I am grateful once again for my colleague
@ChenderClaudia
& her analytic prowess that combined with compassion and passion offers an important note on what we ALL need and need to do.
Feeling reflective on this icy morning. It’s been a week of upsetting news, and I’ve digested it isolating with family like so many others due to successive Covid infections. Here are some thoughts on the moment we find ourselves in. 🧵
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Also this week in the
@NSLeg
– The PC promise for better, faster healthcare. I guess except for trans and queer folks. Still refusing to implement
@wpath
standards.Let me be clear - Not extending GAC in NS to the best available medical evidence is discrimination and exclusion.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Ventilation, smaller cohorts, good masking - we have literally known all of this for almost 2 years yet lack all of it in
#nsed
. Why is there money in the bank and almost 2 years of experience and still none of this
With $50m in 🇨🇦 funding & a significant provincial surplus in hand, it's time to fund & enact real protections in
#nsed
schools that will enable them to support students in person for the remainder of the year.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Today
@DartmouthSue
rose to recognize
#TDOV
and was impeded by
@TimHoustonNS
who chose to talk loudly throughout. On this day–meant to celebrate the Trans community & highlight discrimination faced by Trans people–we’re disappointed by his disrespect & have asked for an apology.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
In Nova Scotia, post-secondary students pay over 35% more in tuition than elsewhere in Canada...and this isn't counting exorbitant, unregulated international student fees. Student Assistance rates from the provincial government need to keep up with these figures.
#NSPoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Questions like “how big are classrooms anyway” and “can we do social distancing” would have been great March questions. As August questions, they are appalling. There was lots of time to do this well.
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
We are back
@NSLeg
ready to work and so are Nova Scotians - folks are here demanding fairness for ECEs now as well as environmental protection in NS.
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Conservatives have set aside more money for new buildings at universities, but NO support for post-secondary students. Who do they expect will fill those buildings? How will they afford to live and study here?
#studentsupport
#nspoli
#NSbudget22
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Folks from across NS gathered at Province House this Friday to protest the lack of protections for renters in our current laws. We need more affordable housing and pet-friendly housing as well as enforcement of tenancy laws to EVERYONE's benefit.
#NSpoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
NS university students pay the highest tuition in the country and struggle to afford food and rent (when they can find a place. Shame on the Houston govt for engaging folks to no end - N.S. govt has no timeline for completing its student housing strategy
@brittlestar
is a public health communications genius. BTW if you come up with a few more examples, it could be another Canadian great song (isn't that ironic, don't you think, "it's the third waaavvve")
I echo this call - contact your MLA on this (I have never received so many notes so quickly) and other issues that you are concerned about. Please don’t worry about form or style - just reach out. Also, phone calls, zoom etc are also good!
#nspoli
PLUS they are proposing a 10% rate increase all round PLUS the right to impose storm related rate increases as they deem necessary. Write to you MLA - tell them they do not have your support to approve this insane proposal. Divest from
#EMERA
and
#NSPower
.
#nspoli
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
This month the UARB will hold hearings on payday loans in NS. Our Caucus has sent our comments to the Board & will continue to fight for more fair credit options & against exploitative corporations trying to make big bucks off people’s credit problems.
#nspoli
Read the letter:👇
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
So many people are on the verge of losing shelter. So many folks are staying in situations with “shelter” but no safety. Homelessness is a policy and systems failure not a personal failure. Where is our Conservative govt- not standing up for us at our most vulnerable.
#nspoli
Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home. New Democrats are against any action that criminalizes people living in tents & shelters. Tim Houston has the power to work with the people at Meagher park, the organizations that support people living rough and the city.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
WATCH: We speak with NSNDP MLA Lisa Lachance to find out more about the protests and counter-protests held in Halifax over LGBTQ rights and education policies in schools.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Nothing for the
#2SLGBTQ
community in today’s budget either. Stay tuned for my speech on Thursday, March 31, where I will talk about what could have been in a “Rainbow Budget”
#nspoli
#NSBudget22
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
This government is willing to table health legislation without talking to any of the 22 regulatory bodies in health care in this province, not even the network of these bodies.But for issues like NDAs and Gender Affirming Care we can’t quite gather enough information and research
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Let’s work together
@IainTRankin
to combat homophobia and transphobia - support
@NSNDP
call for a Minister, an Action, and Gender Affirming care!
#nspoli
I've learned that one of my constituents and one of Nova Scotia's fiercest activists has died. Jen Powley was an amazing author, speaker, and disability rights advocate. Sending all my love to her many, many friends and family today.
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Dr. Lisa Lachance MLA Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
As usual, the amazing
@razorfemme
breaks down the real issues - where violence is our society, how inequity and injustice perpetuate it, and more.
Opinion: The moral panic over trans rights is a distraction from society’s real issues /via
@globeandmail