A Recent Interview with the Halifax Armdale MLA

By Kendall Worth

 

Regular readers may remember my recent post where I interviewed Krista Gallagher. In this post I will introduce you to Rod Wilson who got elected as the MLA in Halifax Armdale at the same time as Krista Gallagher in the fall of 2024. . 

My interview with Rod Wilson turned out to be a very engaging conversation that was more then an interview.  I asked Rod the following Questions:

 #1 – So you are a brand new MLA in the House, who was elected in the 2024 Provincial Election. Is there anything you would like to say about your experience of being an MLA has been like, so far? What has the transition from being a family doctor at the North End Community Health Centre, to being an elected MLA been like? Accord to people in my community you are an advocate for Basic Guaranteed Income. Can you you talk about the transferable skills that lead to you success as an elected official?

#2 – When you read my blog, I write about why the government is not held to account for their part in why we have so many people, in N.S., suffering from mental health issues and poverty. What are your views on this? According to sources in my Community, you are the Health and Wellness Critic for the NDP. Do you believe the Health Care system needs to be held accountable our crisis in the Health system in Nova Scotia?

#3 – The “standard Household Rate” of Income Assistance in Nova Scotia is currently $1005.00 a month, and some clients are getting less than that amount , depending on circumstances. Do you agree that this kind of money is not enough money for people to live on ? For example it is known you have been supporter of increasing Income Assistance. Can tyu confirm that support Basic Guaranteed Income as the Solution,? If yes, sand the current Income Assistance system, was called a Basic Guaranteed Income, how do you picture that system being different?

#4 – What do you believe needs to change about Mental Health services in Nova Scotia?

#5 – Is there anything-else you feel you would like me to report on?

Rod answered all of the questions with a lot to say. So instead I am going to provide a link where you can listen to the audio recording of this interview. I Invite you to listen.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17K8vlAiP1PX2Cf1WG8R25mDKAykW2mLw/view?usp=sharing

I will say it was real pleasure having the opportunity to interview Rod Wilson. When you listen to the recording, you will find that Rod has an interest in all of the topics I report on. He is a strong supporter of Basic Income, improving Mental Health, services, and reducing poverty. During this interview, he expressed strong interest in the Social Determinant's of Health. Rod Wilson has also agreed to meet with me a second time to discuss more about my idea for bringing a Social Prescription Program / a Social Prescribing Organization to Halifax. 

From everything I have learned about Rod Wilson, I believe he will make a great addition to Province House.