Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Tuesday 24 March 2026
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly conducted routine proceedings largely centred on concerns over the 2026 budget's cuts to arts, culture, heritage, libraries, disability, and family service programs. Two petitions were tabled calling for reversal of culture funding cuts, the ADHD Strategy Act was introduced, and two government notices of motion honoured Carrie Cussons and the late Coach Mike Tanner. Members delivered numerous statements recognizing constituents and community matters, including Acadia University food service workers' union negotiation, NHL referee Matt MacPherson officiating 1,000 games, concerns over arts funding cuts affecting Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, a birthday tribute, and Hope House's grand reopening, alongside repeated opposition and Independent calls to reverse the budget cuts.
Members' Statements
Kimberly Charron - Volunteer of the Year
Adegoke Fadare
Congratulated Kimberly Charron, named Volunteer of the Year for the Clayton Park West EDA, recognizing her community work in the arts, meetups, and support to homeschool families.
reachAbility - 25 Years of Service
Lisa Lachance
Recognized reachAbility for 25 years of serving HRM residents facing barriers to inclusion through wellness programming, employment training, and emotional management programs.
Evelyn Strong - Bake-off Queen
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized Evelyn Strong, decorated baker and author, and highlighted her concern over government cuts to local publishing and the Nova Scotia Publishers Assistance Fund that made her book possible.
Coach Mike Tanner - Tribute
Hon. Brendan Maguire
Paid tribute to legendary high school football coach Mike Tanner, who died of cancer on March 18, detailing his 54-year coaching career, 30 provincial titles, and his profound influence on players; followed by a moment of silence.
Seaside A Cappella - Pride in Music
Hon. Becky Druhan
Celebrated Seaside A Cappella, a women's show chorus that won an International Gold Medal in Killarney, Ireland, highlighting its multigenerational membership and founder Judy Comeau.
reachAbility - Essential Services
Lina Hamid
Recognized reachAbility Association, located across from her constituency office, for over 20 years of empowering individuals facing employment barriers and training employers on inclusion.
Estimates - Changes to departmental budgets
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Raised concern that government introduced changes to departmental spending totals after several departments had already completed Estimates, questioning whether the House can properly scrutinize the budget.
Carino Confections - Local Business
Hon. Colton LeBlanc
Recognized Carino Confections and creator Louise 'Weez' Colburn on her retirement after 16 years at the Yarmouth farmers' market.
Cruel Cuts - Program funding not restored
Kendra Coombes
Argued that many disability-related cuts have not been reversed, listing the Arts Equity Funding Initiative, Diversity and Community Capacity Fund, Community and Business ACCESS-Ability Programs, Hearing Aid Assistance Program, and inclusive education funding.
Katie MacIntosh - Local Hydrographer
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized Katie MacIntosh, an international hydrographer from Antigonish who led a 24-day ocean science expedition to Antarctica and mentors women in STEM.
River Hills Golf & Country Club - Local Business
Hon. Nolan Young
Recognized the River Hills Golf & Country Club in Clyde River for its scenic 18-hole course and its hosting of tournaments including the Golf NS junior provincial championship.
Cruel Cuts - Affected programs and services
Suzy Hansen
Listed budget cuts that remain unexplained, including Hope Blooms, African Nova Scotian Affairs, Mi'kmaw services, the Summer STEM Project, Clean Energy, the Climate Change Fund, and the Tripartite Forum, arguing not all cuts were walked back.
Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society - Friend Levi
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Marked World Down Syndrome Day by recognizing his friend Levi, a 10-year-old in Grade 4 at Cusack Elementary, and the families of the Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society.
Meadow's Brothers' Farm - Local Business
Hon. Jill Balser
Recognized 14-year-old Thian Carman, the youngest registered farm owner in Nova Scotia, and his family's Meadow's Brothers' Farm in Digby County.
Bridgewater Curling Club - Stick Curling Championship
Hon. Becky Druhan
Recognized the Bridgewater Curling Club for hosting the 2026 Nova Scotia Stick Curling Association Mixed Provincial Championship, naming teams and organizers.
Sackville Rivers Association - Local Organization
Paul Wozney
Introduced guests from the Sackville Rivers Association and recognized the organization for protecting and restoring the Sackville River watershed and building popular trails since 1988.
Braeden Lines - Concerns over budget
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Read a letter from constituent Braeden Lines urging members to vote no on the budget, arguing that cuts to museums, arts, home care, and community services contradict conservative values of strengthening communities.
Cuts to Libraries
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Warned that the budget will devastate the Cape Breton Regional Library system and libraries across the province, with reductions in service days, emphasizing libraries as important community spaces.
Marie Walker - 100th Birthday
Damian Stoilov
In his first statement, congratulated Marie Walker on her upcoming 100th birthday on March 28, reflecting on her resilience and the century of change she has witnessed.
Family SOS - Essential Services
Lisa Lachance
Introduced Family SOS executive director Claire Halpern and recognized the organization's family support and food market services in Spryfield, urging government to reverse its 100 percent cut to the organization.
Bedford Basin Yacht Club - Local Accolades
Tim Outhit
Congratulated the Bedford Basin Yacht Club on receiving the 2025 Cobequid Community Health Board Wellness Fund to support its Adapted Sailing Program for people with disabilities.
Two Planks and a Passion Theatre - Effect of cuts
Susan Leblanc
Highlighted the impact of CCTH budget cuts on Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, which faces a $50,000 shortfall, the postponement of its summer season, and the loss of 15 jobs, quoting a letter urging MLAs to abstain from the budget vote.
Ian Morrison - 2025 Mobility Cup Sailor
Rick Burns
Recognized Ian Morrison of Hammonds Plains, who sailed in the 2025 Mobility Cup using 'sip and puff' technology through Sail Able Nova Scotia's Adaptive Sailing Program.
Jim Slade - Importance of Music
Kendra Coombes
Acknowledged what would have been the birthday of her late grandfather Jim Slade, a lover of music who instilled a love of Gaelic and fiddle music, emphasizing that arts and culture feed communities.
Amethyst Boutique - Local Business
Hon. Timothy Halman
Recognized Amethyst Boutique in Dartmouth East, founded by Doug Wilson in 1996, as Atlantic Canada's best crystal shop with locations in Dartmouth and Chester.
Constituent letter - Concerns about budget cuts
Suzy Hansen
Read a constituent letter expressing fear over the 2026-27 budget cuts, particularly the elimination of the Nova Scotia climate change fund and its impact on marginalized and African Nova Scotian communities facing environmental racism.
Ambiance - Local Business
Hon. Kim Masland
Welcomed Ambiance, a new retail shop in downtown Liverpool owned by Eryk Thomson, which offers curated goods and hosts a lending library.
12th Annual Snow Days Festival
Hon. Brad Johns
Congratulated the businesses, organizations, and volunteers behind the successful 12th Annual Sackville Snow Days Festival held February 13-16.
Acadia University - Food Services Collective Agreement
Paul Wozney
Recognized Acadia University food services workers for ratifying their first collective agreement, a bargaining unit of 55 members.
SEIU Local 2 workers at Acadia University
Unknown
A member commended Acadia University food service workers, employed by Chartwells, on their solidarity and successful negotiation of a deal including student unit inclusion, improved sick leave, night shift premiums, and wage increases after a strike vote.
Matt MacPherson: 1,000th NHL Game Officiated
Hon. Michelle Thompson
The member for Antigonish congratulated Matt MacPherson on officiating his 1,000th NHL game on January 11th, noting his rise from Antigonish minor hockey to the NHL with 125 playoff games and three Stanley Cup finals.
Two Planks and a Passion Theatre: Season in Turmoil
Susan LeBlanc
The member for Dartmouth North criticized government budget cuts to the arts, noting the theatre must raise $50,000 in two weeks, and called on government MLAs to abstain from the vote.
Brian Husband's 60th Birthday
Dianne Timmins
The member for Victoria-The Lakes wished her husband Brian a happy 60th birthday, praising him as a fisherman, father, and grandfather.
Hope House Grand Reopening
Hon. Fred Tilley
The member for Northside-Westmount recognized the grand reopening of Hope House, a community cornerstone offering support and assistance to those in need.
Routine Proceedings
Petition to reverse Arts, Culture and Heritage funding cuts
Paul Wozney
Tabled a petition with 440 signatures from the Annapolis Valley calling on government to reverse the decision to cut funding from Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage in the 2026 Budget, citing the sector's economic and social contributions.
Petition to restore culture program funding
Hon. Becky Druhan
Tabled a petition signed by 90 Nova Scotians from S.W. Nova Scotia calling on the Premier and House to restore funding for museums, arts, sports, Mi'kmaq cultural programs, seniors' programs, and long-term care assistance.
Tabling of letter re Ross Creek Centre for the Arts / Two Planks and a Passion
Susan Leblanc
Tabled a letter regarding the arts cuts; initially ruled unacceptable, then re-tabled later once appropriate.
Tabling of documents re arts and accessibility programs
Kendra Coombes
Tabled documents related to the Arts Equity Funding Initiative, Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program, Community ACCESS-Ability Grant Program, and the Diversity and Community Capacity Fund.
Tabling of constituent letter re budget
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Tabled a letter from constituent Braeden Lines about the budget.
Resolution No. 444 - Tribute to Carrie Cussons
Hon. Colton LeBlanc
Introduced guests Carrie Cussons and Suzanne Fougere and moved a resolution thanking outgoing Events East president/CEO Carrie Cussons for her leadership; passed by waiver without debate with a standing ovation.
Resolution No. 445 - Tribute to Coach Mike Tanner
Hon. Dave Ritcey
Moved a resolution honouring the late Coach Mike Tanner, a legendary coach at Queen Elizabeth and Citadel High Schools who won 30 provincial titles and passed away at 77; passed by waiver without debate.
Other business
Bill No. 246 - ADHD Strategy Act
Lisa Lachance
Introduced Bill No. 246, An Act Respecting A Provincial Framework on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ordered to be read a second time on a future day, after introducing guests from reachAbility Association.
Resolution No. 446 - Rules re Independent MLAs in Committees
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Gave notice of a motion to amend House rules to allow an Independent member to substitute for absent committee members with written permission of the relevant party House Leader; waiver of notice was requested but denied when several Noes were heard.
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.