Don’t Leave Patients Stranded: Protect Transportation to Health Care!
The Issue
Petition to: Premier Tim Houston, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health, and Nova Scotia Health
On November 5, 2026, Nova Scotia Health announced that the Northern Zone Transportation Pilot will end on December 1, 2026.
Since August 2023, this program has helped people in East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties get to non-urgent health care appointments. For many of them, it was the only way to get there. They include seniors, people with disabilities, people without a vehicle, and people on low incomes who need regular appointments to stay well.
In rural Nova Scotia, there is often no bus, no taxi they can afford, and no family nearby to drive them. When transportation disappears, missed appointments follow. Missed appointments can mean untreated illness, preventable emergency visits and hospital admissions, which are harder on patients and more costly for the system.
The program also supported local transportation providers, including small businesses in East Hants. Many rely on these rides for most of their income. Without a replacement, providers will have to cut services and lay off staff, which reduces the transportation available to everyone in the community.
We understand the pilot was funded by the federal and provincial governments and that the province has announced new community transportation investment in Colchester and Cumberland counties. But there is currently no announced plan to protect East Hants patients on December 1.
We are asking the Government of Nova Scotia to:
Delay the end of the pilot until a replacement service is in place for every affected community, including East Hants.
Provide sustainable, long-term funding for patient transportation in rural Nova Scotia, not another short-term program.
Work with local transportation providers on a clear transition plan so that patients are not left without a ride and trained local drivers and staff are not lost.
Health care is not accessible if people can’t get there.
******Please note do not donate only hit the share button!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***************************
643
The Issue
Petition to: Premier Tim Houston, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health, and Nova Scotia Health
On November 5, 2026, Nova Scotia Health announced that the Northern Zone Transportation Pilot will end on December 1, 2026.
Since August 2023, this program has helped people in East Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties get to non-urgent health care appointments. For many of them, it was the only way to get there. They include seniors, people with disabilities, people without a vehicle, and people on low incomes who need regular appointments to stay well.
In rural Nova Scotia, there is often no bus, no taxi they can afford, and no family nearby to drive them. When transportation disappears, missed appointments follow. Missed appointments can mean untreated illness, preventable emergency visits and hospital admissions, which are harder on patients and more costly for the system.
The program also supported local transportation providers, including small businesses in East Hants. Many rely on these rides for most of their income. Without a replacement, providers will have to cut services and lay off staff, which reduces the transportation available to everyone in the community.
We understand the pilot was funded by the federal and provincial governments and that the province has announced new community transportation investment in Colchester and Cumberland counties. But there is currently no announced plan to protect East Hants patients on December 1.
We are asking the Government of Nova Scotia to:
Delay the end of the pilot until a replacement service is in place for every affected community, including East Hants.
Provide sustainable, long-term funding for patient transportation in rural Nova Scotia, not another short-term program.
Work with local transportation providers on a clear transition plan so that patients are not left without a ride and trained local drivers and staff are not lost.
Health care is not accessible if people can’t get there.
******Please note do not donate only hit the share button!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***************************
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Petition created on November 6, 2026