Session wraps without addressing Nova Scotians’ key priorities in health, housing

HALIFAX – Today, New Democrats called on Nova Scotians to continue speaking out and making their voices heard about the Houston government’s secret agenda as the spring sitting of the legislature comes to a close.

Rather than addressing what Nova Scotians really care about, Tim Houston has focused on consolidating control and pushing through changes, giving him the power to fire civil servants without cause, lift mining and fracking bans without consultation and threaten academic independence at universities.

“Nova Scotians have stood up and made their voices heard. They want a government that unites people and is working to ensure they have better healthcare, homes they can afford, and a government they can trust,” said NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender. “While we’ve heard from hundreds of people who are frustrated by the government’s priorities, the story of this session is also one of hope. Nova Scotians didn’t take this Conservative government’s surprise agenda lying down: they spoke out, they fought back, and they forced change.”

The Houston government was forced to back down on some of their most serious overreaching policies, like giving themselves the power to fire the Auditor General and refusing to answer Freedom of Information requests.

“The last six weeks could have been spent getting people the help they need. But instead, this government spent this session pushing a secret agenda to consolidate their own power,” said Chender. “There can be no doubt that there is a lot of work left to do. But New Democrats are listening, and we’re with you. By working together, we can take better care of each other and build a better province for everyone.”

New Democrats brought forward numerous ideas to improve the lives of Nova Scotians this sitting, including rent-to-own starter homes and stronger renter protections, a plan to attach Nova Scotians to primary care, better access to pharmacare, and help with their power bills.

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