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91% of Nova Scotians believe all long term care workers deserve a living wage, new poll finds

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New polling confirms that most Nova Scotians believe long term care workers deserve to earn a living wage, and that the government’s refusal to return to the bargaining table is putting both residents and workers at risk.

“Despite Minister Adams’ continuous efforts to force long term care workers to settle for less than they deserve, Nova Scotians see the truth: long term care workers deserve a living wage,” said CUPE Long Term and Community Care Chair Christa Sweeney.

The poll, conducted by Viewpoints Research, confirms that the majority of Nova Scotians are closely following the strike.

  • 91% agree that long term care workers deserve a living wage.
  • 79% say the province’s refusal to bargain puts residents and workers at risk.
  • 71% support the workers in the strike.
  • 85% say the government should settle the strike before a resident is harmed.

Minister Adams’ continues to claim in the media that the current offer is “strong and competitive,” but most Nova Scotians do not agree.

  • 63% say low wages are fueling a staffing crisis that puts seniors at risk and workers deserve better.
  • Only 22% believe the government’s offer is fair and Nova Scotia cannot afford to pay more than what was offered.
  • 94% agree the Province and CUPE should go back to bargaining to negotiate a fair deal.

“We are among the 94% of Nova Scotians who say we need to get back to the table. We want to get back to bargaining to hammer out a deal that actually works for our members,” finished Sweeney. “The government continues to refuse to negotiate and that’s why this strike will continue.”

The government’s refusal to get back to bargaining and end the ongoing strike is yet another in a long line of decisions that have negatively impacted the Houston government since they won their supermajority last year.

  • 17% say Senior Care Minister Barbara Adams is trustworthy.
  • 21% say Premier Houston is trustworthy.

This survey was conducted online with over 800 Nova Scotia residents aged 18 or older from April 24 - 26, 2026. Read more here https://bit.ly/4mZj8Ny .

:bw/cope-491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Taylor Johnston
CUPE Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Taylor Johnston
CUPE Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca

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