Spring 2026: Renewal, Growth and Community Progress
- MLA Twila Grosse
- Apr 26
- 13 min read
Newsletter from Preston MLA, Twila Grosse
Lake Echo, Mineville, East Preston, North Preston, Ross Road, Cherry Brook, Lake Loon, Humber Park, Montague Gold Mines, Westphal, Sunset Acres and parts of Dartmouth.
Table of Contents
From the MLA’s Desk
Message from MLA Twila Grosse
Greetings Dear Constituents and Friends,
As we welcome spring across Nova Scotia, I’m mindful of the journey we’ve just travelled together. This past winter brought its share of challenges from rising costs to unpredictable weather to the everyday pressures families continue to navigate. Yet through it all, the strength of our communities never wavered. In every corner of the Preston Electoral District from Lake Echo, Mineville, East Preston, North Preston, Cherry Brook/Lake Loon, Westphal, Montague Gold Mines, and the Dartmouth communities, I proudly serve. I’ve seen resilience, generosity, and a deep commitment to one another.
Spring arrives as a reminder that even after the hardest seasons, renewal always comes. The longer days, the sounds of birds singing, and the first signs of green pushing through the soil invite us to pause, reflect, and look ahead with hope. The first quarter of 2026 has shown what we can accomplish when we move forward together with purpose and patience. Whether through community initiatives, local leadership, or the quiet acts of kindness that strengthen our neighbourhoods, your efforts continue to shape our shared momentum.
We also know there is more work ahead. Families are still feeling the weight of affordability pressures. Communities are advocating for better access to services, safer roads, and stronger supports. And across our district, people are calling for continued investment in housing, healthcare, and opportunities for our youth. These challenges are real but so is our determination to meet them.
Spring reminds us that progress often begins with small steps. As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” That spirit lives here in our perseverance, our unity, and our belief that better is always within reach.
With gratitude and best wishes,
Twila Grosse
Member of the Legislative Assembly, Preston
Legislative Highlights and Advocacy
Important Updates in our Province and Community
Nova Scotia Legislature - Spring Sitting
The Spring Session of the Nova Scotia Legislature concluded on April 9, following 27 sitting days and strong public engagement across multiple sectors.
Over the course of the session, 10 bills received Royal Assent, including the Appropriations Act (Budget 2026–27), the Financial Measures Act, and the Powering the Economy Act. Together, these bills formed the backbone of the fiscal and economic agenda for the year. The Appropriations Act set out nearly $19 billion in spending for the upcoming fiscal year, while the Financial Measures Act implemented the tax and revenue changes required to operationalize the budget. The Powering the Economy Act advanced the province’s energy and economic development priorities, positioning Nova Scotia to pursue new opportunities in emerging sectors.
Additional Bills Receiving Royal Assent
These bills further shaped the legislative agenda for communities, governance, and public services:
Administrative Measures for Housing Act Introduced updates to support housing delivery, streamline processes, and strengthen administrative tools related to housing development.
Community Colleges Act (Amended) Modernized provisions related to Nova Scotia Community College operations, governance, and program delivery.
Support for Fire Protection Services Act Provided updated measures to support fire departments and enhance community safety across the province.
Cannabis Control Act Updated regulatory and administrative frameworks related to cannabis oversight and enforcement.
Justice and Social Services Act Consolidated or updated provisions related to justice, social supports, and service delivery.
House of Assembly Act Included updates related to the functioning and administration of the Legislature.
Elections Act (Amended) Introduced changes to electoral processes, administration, or compliance measures and House of Assembly Act (Amended) A second set of amendments addressing additional governance or procedural updates.
Advocacy Work
Advocacy is action. It’s standing with families, challenging barriers, and pushing for change that strengthens every household in our district. When we advocate together, we move our community forward.
Supporting Families Through Rising Costs
Across our district, I hear the same truth from neighbours, parents, seniors, and young people finding their way: the cost of living continues to stretch households in ways that are real and deeply felt. Groceries, rent, transportation, heating — these pressures don’t arrive in isolation. They land on real families, real stories, and real lives.
That’s why the 2026 increase to Income Assistance and Disability Support Program rates matters. The province raised both by 1.6% in January, continuing the commitment to index these supports to inflation so they rise alongside the cost of essentials. It’s not a luxury, it’s stability. It’s dignity. It’s ensuring that those who rely on these programs aren’t left behind as prices climb.
This year’s increase builds on the progress made in 2024 and 2025, including the larger 3.1% adjustment last year and the improvements to the standard household rate. Today, more than 38,000 Nova Scotians depend on Income Assistance, and over 14,000 receive the disability supplement. These are our neighbours, our family members, our community elders, and our young adults building their futures.
For many, this adjustment won’t solve every challenge, but it does help keep the ground steady beneath their feet. And as your MLA, I remain committed to advocating for supports that reflect the real cost of living and honour the resilience of the people who make our communities strong.
Because when one household is supported, our whole community stands a little taller.
Nova Scotia Minimum Wage Increase
Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is rising again this year, with two scheduled increases designed to help workers keep pace with the rising cost of living. On April 1, 2026, the minimum wage increased from $16.50 to $16.75 per hour. A second increase will take effect on October 1, 2026, bringing the minimum wage to $17.00 per hour.
These adjustments follow the annual formula recommended by the Minimum Wage Review Committee, which considers inflation and economic conditions across the province. The goal is to provide stability for employers while ensuring that wages reflect the realities facing workers and families.
Thousands of Nova Scotians—particularly those working in retail, food service, accommodations, and care sectors—will benefit from these increases. As affordability continues to be a major concern for households, these changes represent an important step in supporting workers and strengthening local economies.
Strengthening Food Security
Access to healthy, affordable food remains a priority for families across the Preston Constituency. This spring, our district is receiving $60,250 through the Feeding Communities Fund to strengthen the work of local organizations that have been feeding our neighbours with care, consistency, and compassion.
Funding is being provided to:
Preston Area Food Network
Boys & Girls Club of Preston
East Preston United Baptist Church
It Takes a Village Community Outreach and Advocacy Society
Preston and Area Family Resource Centre
These organizations are on the front lines every day offering meals, groceries, after-school snacks, emergency hampers, and community food programs that make a real difference for families. This investment supports the work already happening on the ground and helps ensure that households across our community have access to the food and support they need.
Province-wide, this funding is part of a $5.3 million investment to help people access safe, nutritious food close to home. It is supported by proceeds from the sale of U.S. alcohol products, with those dollars being reinvested directly into communities.
In Preston, we know that food is more than nourishment it is dignity, connection, and community. These investments help strengthen that foundation.
Making Home Ownership More Accessible
The Province has launched the First-time Homebuyers Program, a new pilot designed to help Nova Scotians purchase their first home with a reduced 2% down payment, which is less than half of the usual minimum.
Delivered in partnership with Atlantic Central and participating credit unions, the program aims to remove one of the biggest barriers facing first-time buyers: saving for a large down payment while managing rising rents and living costs. Eligible Nova Scotians can access a mortgage with:
Only 2% down
No mortgage insurance premium
Competitive credit union rates
Provincial support that reduces lender risk
Residents interested in applying should contact their local participating credit union. Full program details and the list of participating credit unions are available at: novascotia.ca/first-time-home-buyers-program-pilot
Strengthening Skilled Trades Pathways for African Nova Scotians
On April 21, the Province launched a new Skilled Trades Strategy for African Nova Scotians, a focused investment designed to open more doors for our youth and adults interested in trades careers. Backed by $480,000 over two years, the strategy strengthens pathways into apprenticeship, expands culturally grounded supports, and builds on partnerships with community organizations already doing this work. This is an important step toward ensuring African Nova Scotians have equitable access to high-quality training, mentorship, and long-term career opportunities in the skilled trades.
This partnership grows from the leadership and dedication of PREP Academy, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, and our colleagues at Labour, Skills and Immigration, who remain committed to supporting African Nova Scotian learners and families.
Community News Roundup
Community News & Highlights
Across the Preston constituency from Lake Echo to Mineville, East Preston, North Preston, Cherry Brook, Lake Loon, Lake Echo, Mineville, Montague Gold Mines, Westphal, and Dartmouth our community continues to shine. Month after month, we see examples of resilience, leadership, and unity that remind us why this constituency is so special. These highlights reflect the heart of our district and the people who make it home.
Nova Scotia Delegation Marks Black Heritage Month on Parliament Hill
On February 3rd, Nova Scotia’s delegation joined leaders from across the country on Parliament Hill to honour Black Heritage Month. It was a moment that placed our province’s deep African Nova Scotian history on the national stage.
I was honoured to speak on behalf of Nova Scotia, reflecting on how unity gives us purpose, purpose leads to prosperity, prosperity creates power, and shared power brings real progress. These principles echo the lived experiences of African Nova Scotian communities whose leadership continues to shape our province.
A standout moment came from Cherry Brook’s own Jeremiah Sparks, whose stirring performance of A Change Is Gonna Come moved the entire room. His voice carried our stories, our history, and our hope.
My heartfelt thanks to Russell Grosse, Chief Executive Officer of the Black Cultural Centre, and his team for curating an evening that uplifted our heritage and strengthened our collective commitment to a Deep Roots, Powerful Future.
Working Together for Our Communities - Preston
MP Braedon Clarke, Councillor Trish Purdy, and I gathered for our second Working Together for Our Communities – Preston meeting, continuing the collaborative work that helps move our constituency forward. These meetings are becoming an important touchpoint — a space where we can speak openly about what residents are experiencing and where services can be strengthened.
At this meeting we discussed community infrastructure, youth supports, access to services, and the everyday realities that shape life across our communities. What grounds this work is our shared commitment to ensuring that local voices guide local decisions. I remain grateful for the spirit of collaboration that keeps community at the centre of everything we do.
Honouring Leadership at the Unstoppable Conference
In February, I joined more than 200 leaders, professionals, and community members at the Unstoppable Conference at Mount Saint Vincent University. The Rosaria Centre was alive with energy, celebration, learning, and truth-telling.
The conference honoured the leadership and legacy of Black women and women of colour who continue to build families, institutions, and movements across our province. Their wisdom, courage, and lived experiences were front and centre, reminding us of the strength that comes from unity across generations and sectors.
Aligned with this year’s African Heritage Month theme (“Strength In Unity”), the gathering offered a powerful picture of unity — unity that strengthens, unity that propels, unity that makes us unstoppable. It was more than an event; it was a testament to our brilliance and the collective strength that continues to move our communities forward.
A Visit That Touched My Heart - A Faith Reflection
In March, I welcomed Gary and Bev to my office, where they shared a story that left a deep impression on me, a story of faith, perseverance, and love that carried them through one of life’s hardest seasons.
After Bev suffered a devastating stroke on July 29th, her family was told to prepare for long-term care. The future was uncertain. Yet Gary held on to hope. He prayed, he believed, and he trusted that God was still at work even when the path ahead was unclear.
Against every prediction, Bev continued to fight. Step by step, prayer by prayer, she found her way back returning home in December. Sitting with her, hearing her voice, seeing her smile, and witnessing her strength was profoundly moving.
Their journey is a testament to what faith can carry us through and to the power of a community that surrounds one another with love and prayer. I am thankful for the privilege to serve a constituency where compassion and care run so deep.
Kiwanis Club of Dartmouth - Pancake Brunch
On April 11th, the Kiwanis Club of Dartmouth hosted their annual Pancake Brunch, a tradition that brings neighbours, families, and long-time supporters together in the spirit of service. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, and the kind of community connection that makes Dartmouth feel like home.
The Kiwanis Club continues to be a steady presence, investing in young people, supporting local programs, and demonstrating what service looks like in action. Their dedication is a reminder that acts of kindness, done consistently, strengthen the fabric of our communities.
Final Thoughts
Together, these moments reflect the heart of the Preston Constituency - a community grounded in service, strengthened by unity, and guided by hope. As we continue moving forward, may we keep lifting one another up, celebrating our shared victories, and building a future rooted in purpose and possibility.
When we move with unity and purpose, there is no limit to what our community can build.
Community Pulse: Your Voice Matters
Fun & Important Polls
Dear Preston Constituent,
Spring is here, and with it comes a wonderful opportunity to check in with you — the heart of everything we do. Your voice shapes our work. Tell us what matters most to you: your priorities, your ideas, and the events you want to see in our community. It only takes a moment, and your input makes a real difference. Every response matters — because YOU matter.
Thank you for sharing your voice.
Twila Grosse, MLA — Preston
What Matters Most to You This Spring?
Help us focus on what’s most important to your family and neighbourhood. Select your top priorities:
Affordable Housing & Community Development
Youth Programs & Mentorship Opportunities
Senior Care & Aging-In-Place Supports
Road Infrastructure & Public Transit Improvements
What Spring Events Would You Love to See?
Preston has so much to celebrate! Let us know which events and gatherings would bring your family and neighbours together this season.
Community BBQ & Family Fun Day
Youth talent showcase or open mic night
Seniors’ appreciation luncheon
Local business spotlight & marketplace
Newsletter, Your Way...
What Do You Want to Read About? This newsletter is for YOU. Help us make it even better by telling us what content you’d like to see more of.
Legislative Updates
Community Spotlight Stories (Local Heroes, Businesses, etc.)
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Resources & Program Announcements
Thank you for taking the time to share your voice. Every response helps us build a stronger, more connected Preston together.
-MLA Twila Grosse
Spotlight Corner: Making A Difference
Across our community, individuals and local businesses are stepping forward in ways that strengthen our shared future. Whether through mentorship, creativity, entrepreneurship, or everyday acts of service, these changemakers help build a community where everyone can thrive. Their efforts remind us that progress grows when we lift one another up and invest in the well-being of those around us.
Celebrating Keonté Beals at Province House
On Thursday, February 26th, I had the privilege of welcoming Keonté Beals to the Nova Scotia Legislature and honouring him with a Member’s Statement. It was a proud moment for our community and a meaningful opportunity to recognize a young leader from the community of North Preston whose work continues to inspire across our province.
Keonté’s impact reaches far beyond his music. Through his “I AM” book series and his powerful message of confidence, identity, and self-worth, he has become a guiding voice for youth and a champion for those seeking to see themselves reflected in stories of strength and possibility. His work reminds young people — and all of us — that embracing who we are is a source of power.
In every space he enters, Keonté brings authenticity, joy, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. His leadership is rooted in community, grounded in purpose, and carried with humility and heart.
I was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this amazing individual at Province House and to acknowledge the gifts, light, and leadership he continues to share with our communities.
Recognizing Complete Care Hospital for Pets
I was proud to recognize Dr. Kyra Larkin Sladek and Mr. Tom Sladek, owners of Complete Care Hospital for Pets in Lake Echo, at the Nova Scotia Legislature on March 3rd, a well-deserved moment of appreciation for their community-centred veterinary care.
Since opening in 2009, Dr. Larkin Sladek and Mr. Sladek have provided exceptional care to families across Lake Echo and Porters Lake. Their practice is built on compassion, teamwork, and a deep respect for the bond between pets and the people who love them.
As an independently owned hospital, they offer both in-clinic and house-call services, ensuring care remains accessible, personal, and rooted in the community they call home. Their philosophy is simple and powerful: it takes a village - not only to raise a child, but to care for our animals as well.
Complete Care continues to be a trusted source of comfort and support for pet owners throughout our area. We celebrate their outstanding service and unwavering dedication to the well-being of pets and families alike.
Together, these stories remind us that leadership takes many forms — from creative expression to compassionate service to the everyday choices that strengthen our communities. I am grateful for the individuals and organizations who continue to shine their light, lift others up, and help build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our community is stronger because of you.
Recipe Corner: Lemon-Herb Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
Hope You Enjoy! 😊
Mark Your Calendar!
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Connect With MLA Grosse
Reach Out Anytime
Serving Preston with Heart & Purpose
“My commitment is to listen, to serve, and to stand with the people of Preston. Together, we build stronger communities—one conversation, one connection at a time.”
— Twila Grosse, MLA for Preston
Constituency Office
MLA Twila Grosse
Constituency of Preston
18 Wilfred Jackson Way, Suite #210
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Z 1A8
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact Information
Email: mlatwilagrosse@gmail.com
Phone: 902-377-3299
Fax: 902-377-3307
Stay Connected Online
Website: twilagrosse.ca
Facebook: www.facebookcom/mlatwilagrosse
Invite MLA Twila Grosse to Your Event
Planning a community celebration, school function, or local initiative? MLA Grosse welcomes invitations to connect with constituents and support local events. Reach out anytime to extend an invitation!
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