{"id":64184,"date":"2026-05-04T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaker.ca\/?p=64184"},"modified":"2026-05-04T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:30:00","slug":"clark-reflects-first-year-mp-housing-affordability-as-challenges-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/?p=64184","title":{"rendered":"Clark reflects on first year as MP, points to housing, affordability as challenges ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56506\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56506 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Mini Header 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56506\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56506\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-63688 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-04-08 10:35:32\" data-filename=\"Creative-Minds-Ad-780-x-2501-e1775655291224-600x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100090386733545\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Creative-Minds-Ad-780-x-2501-e1775655291224-600x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-63688 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Creative Minds Ad 780 x 250(1)\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56517 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:19:19\" data-filename=\"steve-mac-new-ad-laker-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefinancialengineer.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/steve-mac-new-ad-laker-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-56517 msDefaultImage\" title=\"steve-mac-new-ad-laker\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-62054 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-01-31 20:53:23\" data-filename=\"The-breath-Factory-600x200-1.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebreathfactory.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-breath-Factory-600x200-1.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56506 slide-62054 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The breath Factory 600x200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>LOWER SACKVILLE:<\/strong> One year into his first term as MP, Braedon Clark said the role has been equal parts \u201chumbling\u201d and \u201cexciting,\u201d as he works to balance national challenges like housing and cost of living with the needs of residents in his riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking in an interview with <em>The Laker News<\/em> on a rainy Friday at the Pink Piano caf\u00e9 in Lower Sackville, Clark reflected on his first year in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible\u2026 amazing, humbling, difficult, exciting,\u201d the Sackville-Bedford-Preston representative said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s only 343 people in the country that get to be MPs, and for me to be one of them and to represent the area I live in and grew up in is a real honour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56526\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56526 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"In Story Ad 1\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56526\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56526\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56529 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:50:06\" data-filename=\"Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/brianwongmla\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56529 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Brian-Wong-Advert-780-x-250\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56527 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:45:43\" data-filename=\"fr-animal-hospital-1.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fallriveranimalhospital.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fr-animal-hospital-1.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56527 msDefaultImage\" title=\"fr animal hospital 1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56528 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:46:57\" data-filename=\"FR-Law-mini-header-1-600x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FR-Law-mini-header-1-600x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56526 slide-56528 msDefaultImage\" title=\"FR-Law-mini-header (1)\" \/><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56501\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56501 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Mini Header 1\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56501\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56501\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-63456 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-30 13:24:56\" data-filename=\"Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.royallepage.ca\/en\/agent\/nova-scotia\/enfield\/amy-seymour\/56178\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-63456 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Mini Header_Amy Seymour200x600\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-61393 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-12-31 14:34:23\" data-filename=\"Banner-Ad-Lightworks-2-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lightworksbookkeeping.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Banner-Ad-Lightworks-2-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-61393 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Banner Ad Lightworks 2\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56502 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 03:55:38\" data-filename=\"Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barracudamechanical.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56501 slide-56502 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Laker Ad 2025 (600 x 200 px)\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Housing continues to be a top concern, an issue Clark says he has focused on since his time as an MLA. While acknowledging affordability remains a major challenge, he pointed to signs conditions are beginning to stabilize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHousing is still too expensive\u2014there\u2019s no question about that,\u201d he said. \u201cBut rents in Canada are down\u2026 and in Halifax they\u2019re slowing down as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not where we need to be, but we\u2019re trending in a better direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cost of living pressures remain another major issue, particularly when it comes to rising fuel prices. Clark said global factors continue to limit what governments can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really hard,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll control what we can control\u2026 we removed the excise tax, so without that it would be over $2 (per litre). But we can\u2019t control what\u2019s happening globally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56179\" style=\"max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56179 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Biz Card\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"500\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56179\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56179\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56190 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:16:30\" data-filename=\"Billy-councillor-ad-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halifax.ca\/city-hall\/districts-councillors\/district-15\/councillor-billy-gillis\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Billy-councillor-ad-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56190 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Billy-councillor-ad\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56180 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:53:39\" data-filename=\"Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maritimecarwash.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56180 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Maritime-Car-Wash-Biz-Card-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56184 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:59:09\" data-filename=\"Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefourthlock.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56184 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Fourth-lock-biz-card-300-by-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56183 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:57:24\" data-filename=\"KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jerryandannettemurphy.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56183 msDefaultImage\" title=\"KW-Realty-Biz-card-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56187 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:03:34\" data-filename=\"Cathy-ad-Laker-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.halifax.ca\/city-hall\/districts-councillors\/district-1\/deputy-mayor-cathy-deagle-gammon\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cathy-ad-Laker-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56187 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Cathy-ad-Laker\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56185 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 16:00:31\" data-filename=\"Fall-River-Health-biz-card-1000x400.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fallriverhealth.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fall-River-Health-biz-card-1000x400.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56185 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Fall-River-Health-biz-card\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56181 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 15:55:00\" data-filename=\"FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200-1-1000x400.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guardian-ida-remedysrx.ca\/en\/nova-scotia\/fall-river\/fall-river-guardian-7001327?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=maps&amp;utm_campaign=local_presence\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200-1-1000x400.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56179 slide-56181 msDefaultImage\" title=\"FR-Guardian-Biz-card-with-phone-300-x-200\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Fuel prices in Nova Scotia have climbed sharply\u2014by nearly 30 cents in recent weeks\u2014despite federal measures such as the 11.5-cent excise tax reduction and the earlier removal of the carbon tax. Clark acknowledged the frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI totally understand why it\u2019s frustrating for people\u2026 you take it off and then prices go up the next day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not going to see gas prices get back to a reasonable level until the war in Iran is over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clark also pointed to expanded federal supports, including grocery and essentials benefits, as part of ongoing efforts to ease financial pressure on Canadians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On immigration, Clark said the federal government has had to adjust after several years of rapid population growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think we all generally agree that over the last three- or four-years immigration was too high,\u201d he said. \u201cThat caused problems with housing and traffic and all the things we know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, he cautioned against overcorrecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t want to go too high and then overcorrect in the other direction,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cgenerally speaking, I think we\u2019re moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56530\" style=\"max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56530 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"In Story Ad 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56530\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56530\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-62340 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-02-12 23:09:57\" data-filename=\"Eye-Exams-e1770937786634.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sackvilleoptometry.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Eye-Exams-e1770937786634.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-62340 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Eye Exams\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56531 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:52:27\" data-filename=\"BLONDE_780x250-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninelocksbrewing.ca\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLONDE_780x250-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-56531 msDefaultImage\" title=\"BLONDE_780x250\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-60758 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-12-02 17:37:33\" data-filename=\"The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578-1-e1769907115378-600x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelaker.ca\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578-1-e1769907115378-600x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56530 slide-60758 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The-laker-ad-Banner-advertize-1436x578\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, Clark said infrastructure projects\u2014including community facilities and the proposed Bedford ferry\u2014will be key priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think infrastructure is the one where we can make the most significant difference in the next little while,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also stressed the importance of collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d rather get everybody around the table and say, \u2018Let\u2019s figure this out together,\u2019 rather than cause problems that can linger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clark said some of the most meaningful work over the past year has come from helping residents behind the scenes, particularly with immigration cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople who maybe would have had to leave the country\u2026 or spent years waiting for family members to get here,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s really, really rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he looks ahead, Clark said he remains motivated by the people he represents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m super grateful to have this job,\u201d he said. \u201cThe people I represent are awesome\u2026 and I\u2019m really proud of the work we\u2019ve done so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"alignnormal\"><div id=\"metaslider-id-56376\" style=\"max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56376 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"East Hants Biz Card\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"500\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56376\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56376\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56377 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-02 11:06:46\" data-filename=\"Cup-of-Soul-Cafe-2-500x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/The-Cup-of-Soul-Cafe-100063475783366\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cup-of-Soul-Cafe-2-500x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56376 slide-56377 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Cup of Soul Cafe\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56495 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 03:44:40\" data-filename=\"john-a-ad-500x200.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/john-a-ad-500x200.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56376 slide-56495 msDefaultImage\" title=\"john a ad\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56496 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 03:45:09\" data-filename=\"Brannens-Biz-Card-ad-500x200.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Brannens-Biz-Card-ad-500x200.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56376 slide-56496 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Brannens-Biz-Card-ad\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-58095 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-08-28 12:50:18\" data-filename=\"Stacey-Ingram-Mortgage-Specialist.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mortgage.rbc.com\/stacey.ingraham\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Stacey-Ingram-Mortgage-Specialist.png\" height=\"200\" width=\"500\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56376 slide-58095 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Stacey Ingram Mortgage Specialist\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; 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margin: 0 auto;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-108-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-56514 ml-slider ms-theme-default-base nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"EH Mini Header 2\" data-height=\"200\" data-width=\"600\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_56514\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_56514\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56515 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-06 10:09:25\" data-filename=\"The-McCooeye-Group-Laker-News-Ad-February-2026.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/themccooeyegroup.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-McCooeye-Group-Laker-News-Ad-February-2026.jpg\" height=\"200\" width=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56514 slide-56515 msDefaultImage\" title=\"The McCooeye Group - Laker News Ad - February 2026\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; 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width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56198 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 18:06:40\" data-filename=\"Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px-1436x578.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/barracudamechanical.com\/category\/your-home-heating\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Laker-Ad-2025-600-x-200-px-1436x578.png\" height=\"289\" width=\"718\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56191 slide-56198 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Laker Ad 2025 (600 x 200 px)\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-57365 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-07-30 20:19:19\" data-filename=\"Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600-1436x578.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/royallepageatlantic.com\/contact-us\/agent-profile\/amy-seymour\/12487\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Mini-Header_Amy-Seymour200x600-1436x578.jpg\" height=\"289\" width=\"718\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56191 slide-57365 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Mini Header_Amy Seymour200x600\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; 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width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-60461 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-11-21 22:48:49\" data-filename=\"Senior-Penguins-Laker-News-Ad-1436x578.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61576976667957\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"East Hants Senior Penguins\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Senior-Penguins-Laker-News-Ad-1436x578.png\" height=\"289\" width=\"718\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56191 slide-60461 msDefaultImage\" title=\"Senior Penguins Laker News Ad\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56194 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 18:04:44\" data-filename=\"BLONDE_780x250-1436x578.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninelocksbrewing.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLONDE_780x250-1436x578.jpg\" height=\"289\" width=\"718\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56191 slide-56194 msDefaultImage\" title=\"BLONDE_780x250\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-56201 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-06-26 18:08:21\" data-filename=\"fr-animal-hospital-1-1436x578.png\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fallriveranimalhospital.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fr-animal-hospital-1-1436x578.png\" height=\"289\" width=\"718\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-56191 slide-56201 msDefaultImage\" title=\"fr animal hospital 1\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LOWER SACKVILLE: One year into his first term as MP, Braedon Clark said the role has been equal parts \u201chumbling\u201d and \u201cexciting,\u201d as he works to balance national challenges like housing and cost of living with the needs of residents in his riding. Speaking in an interview with The Laker News on a rainy Friday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":62023,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,957],"tags":[3935,4587,3391,1637,13,9284,1077,836,6524,10907],"class_list":["post-64184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-affordability","tag-braedon-clark","tag-cost-of-living","tag-housing","tag-lower-sackville","tag-mp-braedon-clark","tag-nova-scotia","tag-ottawa","tag-sackville-bedford-preston","tag-the-pink-piano-cafe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=64184"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64184\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/62023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging-z.thelaker.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}