People are Hurting: Pharmacare, Rent Control, and Childcare Highlighted at Affordability Town Hall
- NL NDP
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2025
Affordability is the top concern for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) says that that was very clear from the stories he heard at his affordability town hall.
Dinn says the room was filled with powerful stories and real frustration. From unfair wages to skyrocketing rent, the urgent need for affordable childcare, and repeated calls for government to finally sign on to the federal pharmacare plan, the message was loud and clear: people need real action, not more delays.“Statistic are one thing, but it’s the stories we hear at these town halls that are essential to understanding how to best support people facing the affordability crisis across this province,” said Dinn. “What was abundantly clear last night is that people are hurting. More and more are being pushed to the brink, forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. We cannot allow this crisis to worsen.
“People echoed what the NDP has been saying for years: we need real rent control, a ban on renovictions, and strong regulations to rein in large real estate investment trusts (REITs) that are exploiting renters,” said Dinn. “Seniors on fixed incomes, families with young children, they’re being priced out of their homes by unjustified rent hikes, and this government is letting it happen.
“We also heard deep frustration from residents over the provincial government’s failure to sign on to the federal pharmacare program,” said Dinn. “This program, championed by the federal NDP, provides free contraceptives and diabetes medications, things that so many people in Newfoundland and Labrador urgently need. The delay in negotiating a deal for this province shows just how out of touch this Liberal government really is.
“People also spoke about the urgent need for affordable childcare, not just so parents can return to work, but to support the workers, early childhood educators, who deserve fair wages, pensions, and benefits,” Dinn continued. “We also heard how income thresholds for many government programs are too low and must be raised to reflect today’s economic reality, so support actually reaches those who need it.
“People living through this crisis know what needs to change. They have solutions. What they need is a government that not only listens, but acts.
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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