Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Thursday 12 March 2026
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (labelled Newfoundland and Labrador) opened with the tabling of constituent correspondence opposing budget cuts to arts, culture, heritage, and elderly care, passed four government resolutions by waiver, tabled a denied NDP notice of motion on a ratepayers' bill of rights, and introduced two bills on small business support and technology sector growth, alongside numerous members' statements. The remainder of the sitting was dominated by second reading debate on Bill No. 198, the Financial Measures (2026) Act, a 20-bill omnibus measure, with members including Derek Mombourquette, Fred Tilley, Suzy Hansen, Susan LeBlanc, and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin raising concerns about revenue loss from removing bridge tolls, EV/hybrid levies, income tax cuts, Crown land and mineral/gypsum provisions, the casino deed transfer tax exemption, and the omnibus bill's amendments to unrelated statutes. Government ministers Colton LeBlanc defended the budget as tough but necessary and moved to advance and limit debate, and after further procedural motions changing sitting hours, debate was adjourned and the House rose to meet again on Friday, March 13th.
Members' Statements
Le Marché Parisien local restaurant recognition
T. Outhit
The member for Bedford Basin congratulated Fatima Selini and Hichem Mefaredj on opening Le Marché Parisien, a French bakery and café in Bedford that has created 13 jobs.
Haire family Esinam fundraiser recognition
P. Wozney
The member for Sackville-Cobequid recognized the Haire family, who lost their son Cam to suicide in 2023 and partnered with Esinam Counselling on the 'Together We Rise' fundraiser that raised over $6,000 for local charities.
Birthday wishes to Constituency Coordinator Janice
Hon. D. Mombourquette
The member for Sydney-Membertou recognized his Constituency Coordinator Janice on her birthday, noting her long career serving people across the province.
Coldbrook and District Lions Club 45th anniversary
J. Vanexan
The member for Kings South congratulated the Coldbrook & District Lions Club on 45 years of community service, including making a free skating rink, bingos, dances, and breakfasts.
Birthday wishes to Constituency Coordinator Cailen Pygott
S. Leblanc
The member for Dartmouth North recognized her interim Constituency Coordinator Cailen Pygott on his birthday, noting his service to the community and his work as a musician and labour organizer.
Agamani 'Mani' Chakrabarty and ASBB Consulting recognition
N. Hilton
The member for Yarmouth recognized Mani Chakrabarty, founder of ASBB Consulting, an economic advisory firm, for her community involvement in rural Nova Scotia.
Gorsebrook Junior High Girls Basketball Team championship
L. Lachance
The member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island congratulated the Gorsebrook Junior High girls basketball team on winning the 2025-26 HRM regional championship.
25th wedding anniversary tribute to wife Marlene
Hon. B. Wong
The member for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary and expressed love for his wife Marlene.
Tompkins Memorial Elementary Red Team Sweethearts Tournament
K. Coombes
The member for Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier congratulated the Tompkins Red Team on winning gold at the Second Annual Sweetheart Tournament, and the White Team on their win.
Lebanese and Syrian Heritage Hockey Game recognition
Hon. D. Mombourquette
The member for Sydney-Membertou recognized the annual Lebanese and Syrian Hockey Heritage game in Sydney and thanked its organizers.
Captain Phil Watson Alastair and Frances Campbell Award
Hon. S. Corkum-Greek
The member for Lunenburg congratulated Captain Phil Watson, skipper of the Bluenose II, on receiving the Alastair & Frances Campbell Tourism Achievement Award.
Constituent letter on budget cuts to arts, culture and heritage
S. Hansen
The member for Halifax Needham read a constituent letter expressing concern that budget cuts to arts, culture, heritage and elderly care will harm Maritime identity and the economy.
Author Michelle Hébert novel recognition
Hon. I. Rankin
The member for Timberlea-Prospect recognized author Michelle Hébert's memoir and warned that proposed government cuts to arts and culture threaten the publication of such works and the creative community.
12 Wing Shearwater change of command recognition
Hon. B. Adams
The member for Eastern Passage recognized Colonel Tara Willis and Chief Warrant Officer J.R. McCarron in their new roles at 12 Wing Shearwater following a change of command.
Bowl More Lanes bowling alley recognition
Hon. B. Druhan
The member for Lunenburg West recognized Nadine and Jacob Robar, new owners of Bowl More Lanes in Bridgewater, for carrying forward the community bowling alley's legacy.
Constituent letter from Edward Enman on budget cuts
L. Hamid
The member for Fairview-Clayton Park read a letter from constituent Edward Enman, a pianist and composer, opposing austerity budget cuts to arts, culture, and heritage.
Support for Melissa Ellsworth failed by medical system
E. Smith-McCrossin
The member for Cumberland North recognized a nurse injured on the job who has chosen MAID after being failed by the system, and thanked Minister Young for arranging a staff meeting; the Speaker reminded members not to state people's names.
Thanks to UN Peacekeepers for service and integrity
C. Palmer
The member for Kings West recognized a ceremony at CFB Greenwood honouring 22 UN Peacekeeping veterans with provincial certificates of thanks.
Constituent letter from Christine Wu on budget cuts
P. Wozney
The member for Sackville-Cobequid read a letter from constituent and writer Christine Wu opposing proposed budget cuts to arts, heritage, and culture, describing how ArtsNS funding made her writing career more attainable.
Royal Canadian Legions 100 years of service
Hon. S. Armstrong
The member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley recognized the 100th anniversary of Royal Canadian Legions, highlighting the Stewiacke and Upper Musquodoboit branches and their offer of free membership.
Dr. Noni MacDonald contributions to children's health
L. Lachance
The member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island recognized Dr. Noni MacDonald's extensive contributions to children's health, including founding divisions and centres, her WHO work, and numerous honours.
Constable Ava George police appointment
Hon. J. White
The member for Glace Bay-Dominion congratulated Ava George on her appointment as a Police Constable with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service.
Bridgewater Shell station 10 years of local ownership
Hon. B. Druhan
The member for Lunenburg West recognized Jerry Power and Sarah Youssef, franchisees of the Bridgewater Shell station, for 10 years of ownership and their prioritization of full-service assistance for seniors and those with mobility challenges.
Whitney Pier Historical Society
Kendra Coombes
Coombes acknowledged the work of the Whitney Pier Historical Society museum and raised concerns that it may be threatened by cuts to the communities, culture, tourism and heritage sector, asking government to reverse the cuts.
Sam's Grocery 20th Anniversary
John Lohr
Lohr congratulated Sam and Rita Elias on the 20th anniversary of Sam's Grocery in Canning and its recognition as the Annapolis Valley's top grocer.
Constituent letter re: budget cuts (Em Black)
Suzy Hansen
Hansen read a letter from constituent and working artist Em Black expressing deep concern that the proposed austerity budget's cuts to arts, culture and heritage would devastate the sector and the community that drew her to Halifax.
Mother's 82nd birthday
Fred Tilley
Tilley wished his mother a happy 82nd birthday and thanked his father for looking after things at home.
Apology to Jesse Friend
Brendan Maguire
Maguire apologized for mispronouncing the last name of his friend Jesse the previous day and thanked him for his advocacy.
Tatamagouche Regional Academy basketball champions
Scott Armstrong
Armstrong congratulated the Tatamagouche Regional Academy Junior High Boys basketball team on winning their first Tier 1 Junior Regional Basketball Championship and wished them well at provincials.
Realms and Roses Bookstore
Rick Burns
Burns recognized Erica Hamm of Realms and Roses bookstore in Hammonds Plains as a cherished independent bookstore focused on romance and fantasy literature and community events.
Dartmouth Whalers U15C Orcas Hockey
Susan Leblanc
Leblanc gave a shout-out to the Dartmouth Whalers U15-C Orcas hockey team for their overtime comeback win.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of constituent emails on cuts to arts, culture and heritage
S. Hansen
The member for Halifax Needham tabled emails from constituents across the province asking government to reverse cuts to arts, culture, and heritage.
Tabling of emails objecting to budget cuts
P. Wozney
The member for Sackville-Cobequid tabled hundreds of emails from constituents expressing objections and concern to cuts in the budget.
Tabling of constituent documents on budget concerns
L. Lachance
The member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island tabled a document from constituent Noni MacDonald and other documents about concerns over cuts to programs like Prescott House Museum and Club Inclusion.
Introduction of aerospace, defence and Defence Leadership Table representatives
Hon. C. LeBlanc
The Minister of Growth and Development introduced representatives of four defence and aerospace companies (Nautel, Enginuity, Hawboldt Industries, Irving Shipbuilding) and Defence Leadership Table members from the Halifax Port Authority and NATO DIANA.
Resolution No. 433 - Importance of the Defence and Aerospace Sector
Hon. T. Houston (The Premier)
The Premier moved a resolution recognizing the $2.6 billion defence and aerospace industry and its importance to the province; it passed by waiver without debate.
Resolution No. 434 - Defence Leadership Table
Hon. C. LeBlanc
The Minister of Growth and Development moved a resolution recognizing the work of the Nova Scotia Defence Leadership Table in supporting growth of the defence and aerospace sector; it passed by waiver.
Resolution No. 435 - UN Peacekeeper Initiative 80th Anniversary
Hon. B. Adams
The Minister of Military Relations moved a resolution recognizing Nova Scotian peacekeepers and Wilfred LeBlanc for the certificate of recognition initiative marking the UN's 80th anniversary; it passed by waiver.
Resolution No. 436 - Emergency Preparedness Personal Readiness
Hon. K. Masland
The Minister of Emergency Management moved a resolution recognizing the importance of personal emergency preparedness year-round given record-breaking natural disasters; it passed by waiver.
Introduction of Bill No. 244 - Supporting Small Business Act
K. Gallagher
The member for Halifax Chebucto introduced a bill to provide support for small businesses, after introducing the owners of Obladee wine bar who drove the bill.
Introduction of Bill No. 245 - Technology Sector Growth and Talent Development Strategy Act
Hon. I. Rankin
A bill to establish a technology sector growth and talent development strategy for Nova Scotia was introduced and ordered read a second time on a future day.
Notice of Motion No. 437 - Select Committee on Ratepayer Rights
Hon. B. Druhan
The member for Lunenburg West gave notice of a motion to establish a select committee on a Nova Scotia ratepayers' bill of rights covering billing accuracy, rate fairness, complaint processes, outage compensation, disconnection protections, and transparency; the request for waiver was refused and the notice was tabled.
Orders of the Day
Financial Measures (2026) Act - objection to putting the question
Kendra Coombes
Coombes spoke against West Mabou development on provincial lands and criticized the process on the Financial Measures Act, arguing that a fulsome debate had not occurred over the three chaotic days of second reading and that the question should not be put.
Financial Measures (2026) Act - second reading debate
Derek Mombourquette
Mombourquette delivered a lengthy speech focused on revenue, arguing the government made a mistake removing Halifax bridge tolls (roughly $40 million annually plus $300 million in transferred debt) and dissolving the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, and criticizing the EV/hybrid levy as punitive; he also flagged concerns about the Forests Act, Conservation Easements Act, Mineral Resources Act, Non-resident Deed Transfer Tax, and other sections, and urged the government to allow all who wish to present at Public Bills Committee.
Financial Measures (2026) Act - government response
Fred Tilley
Tilley rebutted Mombourquette, defending the removal of tolls and hospital parking fees as affordability measures, arguing the Liberals are the 'party of tolls' and the NDP the 'party of taxes,' and praising the indexing of tax brackets and personal exemption in the Income Tax Act changes.
Financial Measures (2026) Act - NDP response
Suzy Hansen
Hansen criticized ministers for offering no information about the bill, and argued the debate is about power, priorities and who pays the price, contending the government could have avoided cuts by not overspending on items like Happipad and by balancing the budget over its five years in office.
Bill No. 198, Financial Measures (2026) Act — debate on motion to end debate
Suzy Hansen
The member for Halifax Needham spoke at length opposing the 'question be now put' motion, arguing it silences Nova Scotians' voices, and criticized the omnibus bill (20 Acts, 137 clauses) for lacking consultation and clarity. She detailed concerns over the new $500/$250 EV and hybrid vehicle taxes, the harbour casino deed transfer tax exemption, increased financial institution capital tax, dissolution of the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, and changes to community and conservation easements that would remove notification to municipalities, First Nations bands, and non-profits.
Bill No. 198 — Crown Lands, Mineral Resources and gypsum/uranium concerns
Suzy Hansen
The member questioned provisions allowing conservation officers to impound vehicles on Crown lands, arguing it targets Indigenous communities, and examined the Mineral Resources Act amendments vesting all gypsum on Crown lands in the Crown while barring expropriation compensation claims. She linked gypsum deposits to uranium and warned of environmental risks and lack of consultation, and reiterated calls to send the bill back for more community and equity-lens consultation.
Speaker's call for order during debate
The Speaker
The Speaker interrupted to call for order and asked the member to speak through the Chair before recognizing the member for Halifax Needham to continue.
Bill No. 198 — government response
Hon. Colton LeBlanc
The Minister/member for Argyle rose to respond, criticizing the NDP and Liberals as parties that 'want to keep the No in Nova Scotia' and recalling the NDP's HST increase, while defending the government's budget decisions as difficult but necessary given global instability, rising gas prices, and fiscal challenges facing all provinces.
Bill No. 198 - Financial Measures (2026) Act (second reading - government remarks)
Colton LeBlanc
The Minister of Growth and Development defended the government's economic vision under the Premier, emphasizing seizing future opportunities in natural resources, gypsum mining, AI, energy and other sectors, tabling material on gypsum's history and value, then moved to adjourn debate on Bill No. 198, which was carried.
Change of sitting hours for Friday, March 13
HON. BRENDAN MAGUIRE
The Government House Leader moved pursuant to Rule 5(C) to change Friday's hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. rather than to 11:59 p.m.; the motion was carried, and he then called second reading of Bill No. 198.
Bill No. 198 - Financial Measures (2026) Act (second reading - Opposition debate)
Susan LeBlanc
The member for Dartmouth North criticized the 20-bill, 137-clause omnibus bill and the government's motion to limit debate, questioning Clause 58 (impoundment of vehicles on Crown land, tied to concerns about Mi'kmaw land protectors), Clause 60 (carbon sequestration reporting), Clause 64 (Bridge Commission dissolution and deficit impact), Clause 65 (income tax cuts benefiting higher earners), Clause 93 (gypsum vesting and expropriation), and the new electric/hybrid vehicle levy, arguing it disincentivizes clean vehicles while the government pursues resource extraction; she also decried harmful cuts to arts, culture, museums and tourism.
Bill No. 198 - Financial Measures (2026) Act (second reading - continued Opposition debate)
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
The member for Cumberland North objected to the government's motion that 'the question be now put' as an anti-democratic move silencing the Opposition, noting record protests and public engagement, and argued the omnibus bill centralizes power into ministers and the Premier's Office, weakening transparency, accountability and democracy.
Second Reading of Bill No. 198, Financial Measures (2026) Act
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
The member for Cumberland North delivered lengthy remarks urging the government to pause the omnibus bill and have responsible ministers explain each of its 20 amendments, arguing the lack of transparency erodes public trust and centralizes power in the Premier's Office. She raised specific concerns about the Crown Lands Act licence extensions, the Forests Act and possible woodlot taxation, carbon sequestration land, casino tax exemptions, the capital investment tax credit, the Meat Inspection Act's weakening of inspection oversight, the Community and Conservation Easements Acts, the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act, the Non-residential Deed Transfer Tax, and levies on electric/hybrid vehicles, tying several changes to the government's energy projects such as EverWind.
Adjournment of debate on Bill No. 198
Chris Palmer
The member for Kings West moved to adjourn debate on Bill No. 198; the motion was carried.
Adjournment of the House
Melissa Sheehy-Richard
The Deputy Government House Leader concluded Government Business and moved that the House rise to meet again on Friday, March 13th between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., outlining upcoming business including second reading of Bill No. 198, Committee of the Whole on several bills, and third reading of Bill Nos. 205, 186, and 96; the motion was carried and the House rose at 9:43 p.m.
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.