The 31-page document released today promises 80,000 new homes by 2032 to help alleviate the province's housing shortage.

There is also a pledge to replace the federal carbon price with an Atlantic region cap-and-trade model for large industrial greenhouse gas emitters.

The platform contains previously announced big ticket items such as a two percentage point reduction in the harmonized sales tax, free public transit, and a pledge to build 20 new collaborative health care clinics.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says to implement the plan, his party would run budget deficits in the first three years if elected, with a surplus planned for the fourth year.

The Liberals are the first of the three main parties to release a full platform.

Meanwhile, housing was the focus today of the Progressive Conservatives and NDP, with both parties making announcements in Halifax.

Tory Leader Tim Houston announced a measure aimed at first-time homebuyers, pledging to reduce the minimum required down payment on a home costing up to $500,000 from five per cent to two per cent under a loan program administered by local credit unions.

Houston says the goal is to enable more young families to buy their first homes.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender announced a new affordable homes rebate that would help households with incomes of less than $70,000 save an average of $900 per year on their rent or mortgage.

Chender said the rebate, along with other promises such as rent control, cutting the provincial rent cap from five per cent to 2.5 per cent, and banning fixed-term leases, will give the average Nova Scotian more "wiggle room" in their budgets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.