Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Thursday 5 March 2026
The Nova Scotia House of Assembly (labelled here as the NL briefing but this is the Nova Scotia Legislature) conducted routine proceedings on March 5, 2026, including the tabling of petitions on Bill 86, NS Power costs, and energy poverty recommendations, along with various documents such as 285 emails on budget cuts and a response letter from Mi'kmaw Chiefs. Government notices of motion recognized the NS Emergency Alert app, Anchor Youth Space sites, the Nova Scotia Loyal program milestone, and Paralympian Emma Archibald. Three bills were introduced on environmental racism, trade infrastructure, and provincial parks, and members delivered numerous statements recognizing local businesses, community organizations, volunteers, and paying tribute to deceased community members.
Members' Statements
Robert Smith - NS Wildlife Carvers and Artists Association
Hon. L. Martin
Leah Martin recognized Robert Smith, a 30-year Cole Harbour resident and long-serving president of the Nova Scotia Wildlife Carvers and Artists Association, and highlighted the association's upcoming 34th annual competition and show.
Margaret Skabar - Titans Gymnastics and Trampoline Club
C. Chender
Claudia Chender recognized gymnastics coach Margaret Skabar of Titans Gymnastics and Trampoline Club, noting her years of coaching and her free specialized seniors' program for individuals over 55.
Community Bible Church - BLT Food Pantry
Hon. I. Rankin
Iain Rankin thanked the Community Bible Church in Timberlea for facilitating the third BLT Community Pantry, providing storage space and volunteers to support families facing food insecurity.
Crystal Chaulk - Chaulk's Family Pharmasave
A. Fadare
Adegoke Fadare recognized Crystal Chaulk, owner of Chaulk's Family Pharmasave in Clayton Park West, praising her team's care and its recognition as a Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic.
Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department 150th Anniversary
Hon. B. Druhan
Becky Druhan recognized the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department's 150th anniversary, tracing its history since 1876 and honouring long-serving members and Fire Chief Michael Nauss.
Esinam Counselling - 5 years in business
P. Wozney
Paul Wozney congratulated Esinam Counselling and owner Stacy Darku on five years of service, highlighting their multicultural, trauma-informed mental health care in Sackville and Dartmouth North.
Tribute to David Robert Bowlby
D. Bowlby
David Bowlby paid tribute to his late father, David Robert Bowlby, an Aylesford farmer, longtime school bus driver, and community-minded Lions Club member who encouraged his son's political involvement.
Wildcat Crew - Clayton Park Junior High
L. Hamid
Lina Hamid recognized the Wildcat Crew, a welcoming drop-in student group at Clayton Park Junior High that ran a successful holiday donation drive collecting 40 boxes of food and toys for three campaigns.
Michelle Wilson - Book, The Power of Just One
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Derek Mombourquette congratulated Cape Breton's Michelle Wilson on launching her book, The Power of Just One, noting her positive contributions to the CBRM.
Tribute to Mabel Viola McCarthy
Hon. B. Johns
Brad Johns paid tribute to Mabel Viola McCarthy of Mount Uniacke, a beloved educator, longtime Legion Branch 165 president, and recipient of Jubilee awards, who passed away March 1, 2026.
Breaking Challah / Building Bridges initiative
L. Lachance
Lisa Lachance recognized Breaking Challah / Building Bridges, a Halifax community program using shared meals and dialogue to foster connection and combat antisemitism, and its leadership at Shaar Shalom Synagogue.
BLT Community Market initiative
Hon. I. Rankin
Iain Rankin recognized the new BLT Community Market at the Lakeside Legion, noting it showcases local artisans and donates up to 70 percent of entry fees to the BLT Community Food Pantry.
Fight League Atlantic - 24th MMA event
M. MacLeod
Marco MacLeod recognized Fight League Atlantic, an MMA promotion with Pictou West roots founded by Derek Clarke and Jon Foster, congratulating them on their UFC deal and 24th major event.
U13B Heritage Classic Hockey - community event
K. Coombes
Kendra Coombes recognized the sportsmanship shown at the February 16th U13B Heritage Classic Final, when the eliminated New Waterford Sharks wore Islander jerseys to cheer on their rivals.
Van Vulpen Farms - local dairy farmers
E. Smith-McCrossin
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin recognized Van Vulpen Farms in Cumberland County and discussed pressures on dairy farmers, including U.S. trade uncertainty affecting supply management and the underused School Milk Program.
Horizon Achievement Centre - local organization
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Derek Mombourquette recognized Horizon Achievement Centre in Sydney for supporting workforce transitions, while noting concern about a 12.5 percent funding cut affecting its programs.
Retirement of Deputy Fire Chief John MacPherson
Hon. F. Tilley
Fred Tilley recognized the retirement of Sydney Mines Deputy Fire Chief John MacPherson, thanking him for years of dedicated, professional service and leadership.
Endometriosis Awareness Month
S. Leblanc
Susan Leblanc marked Endometriosis Awareness Month, highlighting the under-treated disease's impacts and thanking activists working on awareness and advocacy, and asking the House to commit to raising awareness and improving care.
Lauren Fraser - Dairy Farmers of NS
Hon. J. A. MacDonald
John A. MacDonald recognized Lauren Fraser, a Hants East dairy farmer, Mi'kmaw beadwork artist, and licensed funeral director, whose contributions were highlighted by Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia.
Act to end racial discrimination
S. Hansen
Suzy Hansen spoke about the right to be free from racial discrimination, describing what constitutes discrimination and stating that racism remains a persistent reality that must be acknowledged by leaders.
Marble Mountain Community Centre - volunteer efforts
K. MacQuarrie
Kyle MacQuarrie recognized the volunteer-run Marble Mountain Community Centre, built in 1907, as a vital gathering place hosting events, a library, and heritage displays for the rural community.
La Casetta - local restaurant
Hon. B. Druhan
Becky Druhan recognized Joey Richard on the reopening of La Casetta, an Italian restaurant in Bridgewater's historic former post office, contributing to the town centre's vibrancy.
Look Ho Ho - local restaurant
K. Gallagher
The member for Halifax Chebucto (K. Gallagher) began recognition of the local restaurant Look Ho Ho.
Routine Proceedings
Petition to pass Bill 86 (Auditor General recommendations)
L. Lachance
Lisa Lachance tabled a petition from Halifax Citadel-Sable Island calling on the Legislature to pass Bill 86, which would enact Auditor General recommendations and align the additional appropriations process with national accountability standards.
Petitions on NS Power costs and energy poverty
S. Leblanc
Susan Leblanc tabled two petitions from Dartmouth North: one to lower power costs, rein in NS Power, and reverse cuts to the Home Heating Assistance Rebate Program, and another to lower energy bills, support local clean energy, and implement the energy poverty task force recommendations.
Tabling of documents (Mi'kmaw Chiefs letter, budget cut emails, photos)
Multiple
Lisa Lachance tabled 'Chiefs Respond to Letter from Nova Scotia Attorney General,' Suzy Hansen tabled 285 emails about provincial cuts, Kendra Coombes tabled a photo relative to her member's statement, and the Premier tabled a document about the 'raise your taxes' rally organized by the NDP.
Government Notice of Motion No. 397 - NS Emergency Alert App
Hon. K. Masland
Minister Masland moved a resolution recognizing the Nova Scotia Emergency Alert app as an important tool for keeping Nova Scotians informed during emergencies, passed without debate.
Government Notice of Motion No. 398 - Anchor Youth Space
Hon. B. Comer
Minister Comer, after introducing guests from Anchor Youth Space sites, moved a congratulatory resolution applauding organizations providing mental health support to youth across the province; passed without debate.
Government Notice of Motion No. 399 - NS Loyal milestone
Hon. C. LeBlanc
Minister LeBlanc introduced Nova Scotia Loyal businesses in the gallery and moved a resolution acknowledging the program reaching over 2,000 registered businesses; passed without debate.
Government Notice of Motion No. 400 - Paralympian Emma Archibald
Hon. D. Ritcey
Minister Ritcey moved a resolution congratulating Fall River's Emma Archibald, competing in Para cross-country skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games; passed without debate.
Introduction of Bills 228, 229, and 230
Multiple
Three bills were introduced: Bill 228 (Environmental Racism Act) by Suzy Hansen, Bill 229 (Improving Nova Scotia's Trade Infrastructure Act) by Hon. Derek Mombourquette, and Bill 230 (Protecting Nature and Provincial Parks Act) by Kendra Coombes.
Tabling of Hansard excerpt (Resolution 376)
Hon. B. Wong
Brian Wong tabled a document relating to his comments on Resolution No. 376 regarding the Official Opposition referring to the government as racist.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search Nova Scotia Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.