Nova Scotia slashed its home heating rebate, cutting funding and eligibility amid rising costs and a growing deficit.

Nova Scotia has cut its home heating rebate program, reducing eligibility from 118,287 households last year to an estimated 72,000 this year, with funding cut to $32 million from $71 million. The changes, effective October 1, 2025, tighten income limits to $45,000 for households and $30,000 for singles, excluding 46,000 previously eligible families. The NDP leader Claudia Chender criticizes the move amid rising energy costs and a projected $1.2-billion deficit. Meanwhile, the province raised its minimum wage to $16.50 per hour, affecting about 40,000 workers, as part of efforts to address the cost of living.