US EditionNova Scotia Spring Legislative Sitting Ends Following Protests, Debates over Budget
Weeks of protests forced the government to reinstate $53.6 million in cuts after a budget with a nearly $1.4 billion deficit drew sharp backlash.
- Facing public backlash, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston apologized and reinstated $53.6 million of the more than $300 million in budget cuts his government had tabled.
- Budget measures included $304.9 million in cuts, featuring a $130.4 million rollback in funding for arts, culture, and services for people with disabilities as the province faced slowing population growth.
- Following a March 24 protest involving singing and blocked parking lot access, House Speaker Danielle Barkhouse closed the legislature to the public for more than one week with new restrictions.
- Opposition NDP leader Claudia Chender criticized the premier for missing more than 40 per cent of the 27-day sitting due to travel, saying, "It's the first time I've seen a premier not vote for his own budget."
- As the legislature adjourned Thursday, Progressive Conservative house leader Brendan Maguire defended the session, stating, "Everybody can walk out of here with their heads held high.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Lessons learned from tumultuous N.S. budget session
The Nova Scotia Legislature sitting wrapped on Thursday after 27 days. It was marked by public protests and pushback over the Houston government's budget. Government House leader Brendan Maguire shares his takeaways from the session.
The Toronto Star
Nova Scotia legislature wraps sitting marked by protests over budget cuts
HALIFAX - The spring session of the Nova Scotia legislature did not work out quite as Premier Tim Houston had hoped, according to opposition parties and a political scientist.
Legislative sitting concludes with budget, powering the economy act passed » The Laker News
HALIFAX: The spring legislative sitting concluded April 9. This session’s highlights included passing a budget with billions of dollars in new investments and the passage of the Powering the Economy Act. Together, these measures deliver major investments in healthcare, long-term care, housing and energy development that will benefit Nova Scotians for years to come.“This session was about putting Nova Scotians first,” said Premier Tim Houston. “W…
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