WELLINGTON: Politics is in Christina McCarron’s blood.
That, combined with her passion to make a difference and a natural curiosity to figure out what is working and what isn’t, is why she’s thrown her name into the political sphere as the NDP candidate for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank for the next provincial election.
McCarron said she became interested in seeking the nomination in the riding after calling it home for the past 22 years, which she has also worked and volunteered in this community.
“I was drawn to this area for it’s natural beauty, close proximity to scenic, clean lakes and parks and I have stayed here because I love the safe, friendly community spirit,” she said.
She comes from a political family and grew up immersed in current and public affairs.
“My mother ran for the NDP in the 1984 federal election in Cumberland Colchester and my interest was piqued during her campaign journey,” said McCarron. “I have voted NDP since that time because they are a party that cares about people, the economy and the environment.”
In addition to that, her mom’s sister also ran for the NDP in Labrador; two of their brothers were municipal councillors in Cumberland County, their father was a municipal councillor.
“I guess you could say it’s in my blood and it’s something I’ve always had in the back of my mind to do one day,” she said.
McCarron said she sees many issues affecting the community that are important, top of which is for everyone to be mentally and physically active.
“We will live a longer, healthier, more productive life if we just keep moving,” she said. “Children who participate in extracurricular activities are much less likely to become involved in destructive habits.
“The end result of a healthier community is one that will not need to lean on the already stressed health care system.”
She said COVID19 has hit the provincial—and Canadian and world economies—hard during the past 10 months.
“Contract workers, travel and hospitality employees, musicians, small business owners and the self employed are some of the many who are still out of work and may be for some time,” she said. “Assisting the unemployed to find gainful employment or upgrading their education should be a top priority.
“The increasing number of homeless Nova Scotians will quickly multiply if we don’t address this most pressing issue.”
McCarron then spoke about the clear-cutting of forests and how that is destroying the territories of the endangered mainland moose, but also threatens the future of the forest industry.
“The mandate in the Lahey report written two years ago intended to balance environmental, social, and economic values by using forest practices that give priority to protecting and enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity,” said McCarron. “Unfortunately, the clear-cutting is going ahead at a steady pace ahead of possible restrictions.”
Both her parents were journalists who met while working at the Chronicle Herald in the 1950’s. Employment opportunities took them to Toronto in the early 60’s and she was born there, the middle of five children.
When McCarron was eight her family moved back to Nova Scotia, where they started their own newspaper called the Strait News in Wallace.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 9)McCarron worked in the admin capacity for 10 years; marketing, payroll, insurance, and property management (during that time she moved to Toronto twice but always returned to the East Coast). She opened her first daycare in Halifax and with husband Dana started their family. Daughter Delia was born in 1997. In 1998 they moved to Wellington and had two more children, Elijah in 1999 and Isabella in 2001.
Some of her volunteering included organizing and running Fall River Playgroup; Holland Road school librarian and being a leader with the 2nd Wellington Cub and Scouts.
McCarron continued speaking about items of importance that she sees and would like to address if she were elected. One of those topics is domestic violence in N.S.
“The health and safety of women and children has to be a top priority for the government,” she said. “Many of the services that were available for them have been shuttered during the pandemic. Mental health issues and safety concerns have been increasing in recent months since shelters had to cut capacity to keep residents safe.
“We need to focus attention on assisting Nova Scotians with addiction counselling, therapy, drug rehabilitation programs and safety shelters for women and children.”
She said the isolation of our seniors in long-term and assisted living facilities has been a deeply troubling chapter in our province during this pandemic and we need to do better.
“More staffing and volunteers are needed to assist our older generations,” she said. “It is essential for our long-term facilities to have single rooms for residents and adequate staff who are paid a fair wage with benefits.
“They shouldn’t have to travel from care home to care home to make a decent living.”
McCarron said one topic of great importance to her is the need for affordable housing in Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.
“Many seniors have to leave this community to find rental housing in other areas,” she said.
She realizes it’s a difficult time in the history of the province but believes Nova Scotians are strong.
“My hope is that if we all care about our neighbours and listen to their stories, we can make positive changes,” said McCarron.
