Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Tuesday 10 March 2026
The Nova Scotia House of Assembly conducted routine proceedings including petitions on heritage protection and arts/culture funding cuts, committee reports referring Bills 200 and 212, and several tablings related to budget concerns and fire department funding. Government introduced Bill No. 241 (Grocery Price Study and Food Affordability Act) and passed five resolutions recognizing community organizations and individuals, while two opposition notices of motion (Nos. 424 and 425) calling for Estimates to be restarted following the Premier's announced budget changes were denied waiver. A recurring theme was opposition to the 2026-27 budget, with numerous members' statements protesting arts, culture, and social program cuts, alongside statements recognizing constituents and community achievements, including a health care advocacy story, a local cookbook publication, and athletic contributions.
Members' Statements
Chisholm Services for Children: New Building
P. Wozney
Wozney recognized Chisholm Services for Children, a non-profit dating to the 1890s, which is opening a new six-acre facility in Sackville with two four-bedroom homes for children in care, a programming hub, and outdoor therapeutic recreation.
Sonya Demone: Easter Seals
Hon. I. Rankin
Rankin recognized Sonya Demone, a published children's author who lives with cerebral palsy and is a proud Easter Seals member, and highlighted the importance of programs the government had proposed to cut.
Natalie Frederick-Wilson: Book, Adventure is for Everyone
Hon. T. Grosse
Grosse recognized Natalie Frederick-Wilson, author of Adventure Is for Everyone and creator of The Wandering Wilsons, an advocate for women entrepreneurs who leads the SPICE program at the Centre for Women in Business.
Aster Café: Local Business
L. Hamid
Hamid celebrated the Debele family, owners of Aster Café in Fairview serving Ethiopian food, and thanked Tsehaye for helping newcomers feel welcome and fostering community.
Roland LeBlanc: Rural Community Initiatives
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Mombourquette recognized Roland LeBlanc of Wedgeport for his extensive volunteerism with organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Wedgeport Legion, Tuna Tournament and Museum, and community health board.
Dr. Ngenegbo Ejim: ANYANWU Honorary Award
Hon. L. Martin
Martin congratulated Cole Harbour resident Dr. Ejim Ngenegbo, recipient of the ANYANWU Honorary Award from the Ndi Igbo Cultural Association, for his volunteerism, financial literacy teaching, and advocacy for diversity and Indigenous inclusion.
Arts and Culture Rally: Lifeblood of N.S.
Hon. B. Druhan
Druhan noted protesters gathered outside the Legislature for a second week against budget cuts to arts, culture, and heritage, listing affected publishers and museums, and called on members to vote no on the budget.
Marie Webb: Lemonade Stand Designs
L. Lachance
Lachance recognized Marie Webb, a Halifax fashion designer behind Lemonade Stand Designs and NSCAD's first artist-in-residence in the Sow to Sew Project, who lives with Down syndrome and has shown work at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.
Carrie Smith: Speak Truth to Power
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin recognized Nova Scotians who spoke truth to power, particularly Carrie Smith, thanking them for their courage and determination in the face of intimidation.
Government: Manufactured Deficit Affecting Nova Scotians
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Mombourquette welcomed the reversal of some cuts but argued the deficit was manufactured by the government, that families were unnecessarily stressed, and that many Nova Scotians remain impacted by cuts in this first year of a multi-year plan.
Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie: 50th Anniversary
R. Robicheau
Robicheau congratulated the Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie on its 50th anniversary, recognizing its role in promoting and protecting the French language and Acadian culture.
The Unified Games: Competitive Sportsmanship
K. Coombes
Coombes recognized the Unified Games held during Coal Bowl at the BEC gym, sponsored by Special Olympics, where players of many abilities played competitive basketball while cheering each other on, and thanked the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic board.
Multiple Myeloma Month: Blood Disease Awareness
Hon. S. Armstrong
Armstrong recognized March as Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, noting advances in treatment and encouraging support and optimism for those living with the disease.
Coastal Protections: Marine Debris Clean-up Program
Hon. B. Druhan
Druhan criticized government for finding nearly $4 million for fishing and aquaculture but not $20,000 to continue the Marine Debris Clean-up Program, praising organizations like Scotian Shores that have removed over 1.5 million pounds of debris since 2020.
Halifax Needham Constituency: Reinstate Key Sectors
S. Hansen
Hansen summarized constituent letters expressing concern about budget cuts to higher education, domestic violence courts, mental health, Mi'kmaw programs, Disability Support Program, and other services, and called for reinstatement of funding to education, arts, and EDIA initiatives.
Alexander Graham Bell: 150th Anniversary of First Call
D. Timmins
Timmins celebrated the 150th anniversary of the world's first telephone call on March 10, 1876, and Nova Scotia's connection to Bell through his home in Baddeck and the national historic site there.
Team Pembleton: U18 Girls Provincial Curling Champions
K. Gallagher
Gallagher congratulated Team Pembleton, U18 Girls Provincial Champions, who represented Nova Scotia nationally in Timmins, Ontario, winning four of six games.
Alfie MacLeod: Happy Heavenly Birthday
Hon. B. Comer
Comer wished a happy heavenly birthday to former colleague the late Alfie MacLeod and sent love and prayers to his wife Shirley and family.
Feathers Brow & Beauty Studio: Local Business
P. Wozney
Wozney congratulated Feathers Brow & Beauty Studio, owned by Prachi Nakrani, which opened a Sackville location last fall and has grown to four locations in four years.
Inez Forbes: Death Tribute
Hon. M. Thompson
Thompson honoured the late Inez Forbes, former president of the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce and community leader, noting the inaugural Inez Forbes Community Builder Award and extending condolences to her family and community.
Community Concerns: Support the Arts
L. Lachance
Lachance read excerpts from a constituent letter from Noni MacDonald urging the government to abandon cuts to arts, culture, and heritage, citing Neptune Theatre and Symphony Nova Scotia; the Speaker noted quoting is not allowed during Statements by Members unless the document is tabled.
Jen Melvin and spinal fluid leak health care advocacy
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Shared the story of Jen Melvin, a 42-year-old who suffered 17 years from a spontaneous spinal fluid leak, describing failures of the fragmented health care system and urging reforms for health efficiency and dignity for Nova Scotians.
Evelyn Strong's cookbook 'Baking Queen of the County Fair'
Hon. John Lohr
Congratulated Woodville resident Evelyn Strong, Nova Scotia's most decorated baker at the Hants County Exhibition since 1965, on the publication of her new cookbook.
Robert Burchill and 50 years of athleticism
Kendra Coombes
Praised the Coal Bowl Classic board of directors and congratulated Robert Burchill in recognition of his athletic contributions.
Routine Proceedings
Correction of Hansard record
The Speaker
The House agreed that certain words be stricken from Hansard and Legislative Television recordings for Friday, March 6, 2026.
Petition: Heritage and Conservation Plan for Baie Sainte-Marie
R. Robicheau
Robicheau tabled a petition with over 750 signatures calling on the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to preserve Sainte-Marie's protected heritage status and implement a heritage conservation and management plan.
Petition: Reverse Arts, Culture, and Heritage Sector Cuts
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin tabled a petition with 147 signatures calling on the government to reverse the decision to cut funding from Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage in the 2026 Budget.
Committee on Public Bills report
Hon. S. Armstrong
As Chair of the Committee on Public Bills, Armstrong reported the committee considered Bill No. 200 (Cannabis Control Act amended) and Bill No. 212 (An Act Respecting Administrative Measures for Housing), which were referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
Tabling: Greenfield and District Fire Department funding letter
Hon. K. Masland
Masland tabled a letter regarding funding to the Greenfield and District Volunteer Fire Department and a list of other fire departments funded through the Emergency Services Provider Fund; Druhan raised a point of order about commentary during tabling, which the Speaker ruled was not a point of order.
Tabling: Budget 2026-27 concerns from community members
S. Hansen
Hansen tabled documents containing letters from concerned citizens about the impacts of the 2026 budget across the province.
Tabling: Articles on housing affordability re Bill No. 212
L. Hamid
Hamid tabled articles referenced in Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 212 regarding the lack of accessible affordable housing and a CMHC report on vacancy rates and their lack of impact on rent.
Resolution No. 419: Leading Leaders Society - Empowering Youth
Hon. S. Armstrong
Armstrong introduced guests from the Leading Leaders Society of Nova Scotia and moved a resolution commending the organization for its youth leadership, mentorship, and community engagement work; passed on waiver.
Resolution No. 420: Cape Breton Medical Campus first cohort
Hon. B. Maguire
Maguire moved a resolution congratulating the first cohort of students at the new Cape Breton Medical Campus in Sydney, which welcomed its first students in September 2025; passed on waiver.
Resolution No. 421: Nutrition Month - Healthy Eating in Schools
Hon. B. Maguire
Maguire moved a resolution recognizing March as Nutrition Month and encouraging healthy eating and support for school nutrition initiatives, noting the school lunch program has served almost 10 million lunches; passed on waiver.
Resolution No. 422: Captain Nichola Goddard - Bravery and Sacrifice
Hon. B. Adams
Adams moved a resolution remembering Captain Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat, and applauding her family and the True Patriot Love Foundation; passed on waiver.
Resolution No. 423: Public Safety Field Communications Team - Wildfire Season
Hon. K. Masland
Masland moved a resolution recognizing the Public Safety Field Communications team for their dedication during emergencies, including 64 days of straight activation during last summer's wildfire responses; passed on waiver.
Introduction of Bill No. 241: Grocery Price Study and Food Affordability Act
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Mombourquette introduced Bill No. 241, An Act Respecting a Grocery Price Study and Food Affordability in Nova Scotia, ordered to be read a second time on a future day.
Notice of Motion No. 424: Withdraw and Re-table Estimates
Hon. B. Druhan
Druhan gave notice of a resolution calling for the current Estimates to be withdrawn and re-tabled and the process restarted to reflect budget changes announced by the Premier; waiver was denied due to several Noes and the notice was tabled.
Notice of Motion No. 425: Restart Estimates Process on Adjusted Budget
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin gave notice of a resolution calling for the Estimates process in the Committee of the Whole House on Supply to be restarted on the revised budget; waiver was denied due to several Noes and the notice was tabled.
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.