NDP Leader Jim Dinn is asking the provincial government to put federal equalization payments to be received in the coming year toward housing, affordability and health.

For the first time since 2008, the province will receive federal equalization next year, to the tune of $218 million.

Dinn says government “has been given a blank cheque from Ottawa” and it must use the money to help address the current difficulties in housing, affordability and health.

He suggests building non-market housing, removing the tax from all forms of home heating, addressing the vacancies in social work and nursing and implementing a “balanced housing plan that expands non-market community-based housing.”