Nova Scotia Invests $1 Million Annually to Standardize Meals in Emergency Shelters
The Government of Nova Scotia has announced a $1-million annual investment to ensure emergency shelters across the province provide two nutritious meals per day to residents, enabling approximately 142,850 additional meals each year.
Emergency shelters across Nova Scotia are now providing two meals a day following a new provincial funding commitment. The Government of Nova Scotia announced an additional $1-million annual investment to standardize meal provision for people experiencing homelessness.
The new funding allows service providers to offer about 142,850 more meals each year. The investment provides $14 per shelter client, per day, aligning with Canada’s Food Price Report. This ensures access to nutritious meals for people experiencing homelessness across the province.
There are 19 emergency shelters across Nova Scotia managed by 15 service providers with a total of 585 beds. In 2025-26, the Province provided $1 million to retroactively compensate providers who supplied two meals per day while only being funded for one.
Barbara Adams, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, commented on the investment. Cherry Laxton, Chief Operating Officer at Souls Harbour, was also noted in connection with the announcement.
The initiative aims to shift shelter environments from crisis response toward stabilization. By standardizing meal provisions, the funding creates better conditions for long-term outcomes such as housing placement and recovery.