Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Wednesday 25 March 2026
The Nova Scotia House of Assembly resumed and passed Bill No. 247, the Appropriations Act, 2026, by a recorded vote of 37-12, after which the Speaker announced enhanced security measures and the closure of the gallery and precinct following incidents targeting MLAs; the sitting was briefly recessed when protesters threw objects at the building. Routine proceedings included the tabling of constituent letters and documents, a government resolution recognizing the UNESCO listing of Black Loyalists in Canada, the introduction of a private member's bill on House of Assembly reform, a resolution congratulating the Windsor Elms Village on its 60th anniversary, and a Notice of Motion under Rule 32(3). Members' statements addressed community recognitions and concerns about budget cuts to arts, culture, and disability programs, while debate and exchanges focused on affordability, power rates, program cuts, and health care, with the Finance Minister defending the budget as a spending budget with tax cuts and record health care investment.
Members' Statements
Ossie Wyse: Local Icon
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized Ossie Wyse of Beechville, the oldest living resident, for his role in community life and founding the Beechville Rockets, Nova Scotia's first all-Black baseball league, wishing him a happy early birthday.
Salty Dog Brewery: 1st Anniversary
Tom Taggart
Congratulated Salty Dog Brewing Company in Debert on its first anniversary and its brand celebrating Nova Scotia's maritime identity.
Quotes of Conscience - Solidarity
Hon. Becky Druhan
Shared a series of collected quotes about power, conscience, and principle, urging members to be judged by what they choose to do with their knowledge.
StFX University 2026 Climate Change Innovation Winners
Lisa Lachance
Congratulated StFX students Robert Fox, Cameron Preyra, Charles Ritacca, and Thomas Bean for winning the 2026 climate change innovation challenge with a plan to reduce coastal storm surge damage.
Mark Brooks: Local Volunteer
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized Brookside resident Mark Brooks for founding the community choir Noteworthy, thanking him for his leadership and generosity.
Windsor Oxen Hockey Club: Community Spirit
Melissa Sheehy-Richard
Recognized Windsor's Junior B hockey team, the Windsor Oxen, for their community fundraising and role modeling for minor hockey players.
World Down Syndrome Day: Brother
Kendra Coombes
Celebrated her brother in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day while expressing sadness about budget cuts to disability programs affecting the community.
Isaac Hashem: Housing Trust Leadership
Dianne Timmins
Recognized Isaac Hashem, founding board member and treasurer of the Housing Trust of Nova Scotia, for over 15 years of dedication to affordable housing.
Serve Community: Stand in Power
Hon. Becky Druhan
Addressed PC MLAs facing difficult choices, urging them that voting against a government bill on principle does not mean standing alone and that they would be welcomed by colleagues.
The Armview: Lost Disco Spaceship
Krista Gallagher
Humorously reported that the Armview Restaurant's beloved disco ball spaceship décor has gone missing and asked members to watch out for it, having tabled a photo.
Sheldon Patriquin: MS Research Advocate
Danny MacGillivray
Recognized Sheldon Patriquin for raising over $200,000 for MS research in honour of his late wife Shirley and for his community volunteerism in Pictou County.
Letter from Constituent: Concerns About Cuts to Arts
Suzy Hansen
Read a constituent letter opposing the budget's 50 percent reduction to the Arts Equity Funding Initiative and other cuts to arts, culture, and heritage.
Charlie Rhindress: Local Artist
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Shared the voice of Amherst artist Charlie Rhindress warning that the budget would decimate the arts and culture sector, calling the cuts short-sighted and harmful.
Centre Communautaire D'La Baie Sainte-Marie: Community Contributions
Ryan Robicheau
Thanked the volunteers of the Centre Communautaire D'La Baie Sainte-Marie for their community support, including medical equipment, funding, and free community lunches.
Introduction of guests / Building Futures: 50 Years of Community Service
Paul Wozney
Introduced (in absentia due to the precinct closure) representatives of Building Futures and honoured the Sackville non-profit for over 50 years empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Karen Neary: Concerns About Budget
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Shared the words of Amherst artist Karen Neary about the impact of cuts to Nova Scotia Books, emphasizing arts and culture as central to the province's identity.
107.9 Go Rock: Sound of Success Award Winner
Hon. Susan Corkum-Greek
Congratulated Lunenburg County's 107.9 Go Rock radio station and owner Scott Clements for winning national radio awards and its Go Canada 25 campaign supporting local businesses.
The Khyber: 2SLGBTQIA+ History
Lisa Lachance
Recounted the Khyber building's 2SLGBTQIA+ history and supported the community effort to save it as the Turret Arts Space, a national queer and trans heritage site.
Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex: 50th Anniversary
Hon. Scott Armstrong
Congratulated the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex in Brookfield on its 50th anniversary, recognizing the founding members and a $750,000 investment.
Friends of Cape Breton Midwifery: Local Midwife Advocacy
Kendra Coombes
Recognized the Friends of Cape Breton Midwifery advocacy group and highlighted the lack of access to midwifery services in Cape Breton amid health care strain.
Undercurrent Youth Society: Community Efforts
Hon. John White
Thanked the staff and volunteers of the Undercurrent Youth Society in Glace Bay for their dedication in creating a safe and supportive space for young people.
SJAM Community Social: Bids and Bites Fundraiser
Suzy Hansen
Recognized SJAM's annual Bids and Bites community social fundraiser at the curling club on April 17th and encouraged participation.
Joe Cogswell: Eco-Crust Company
Hon. John Lohr
Congratulated Chipman Brook resident Joe Cogswell on winning Best Retail and Specialty Shop for his Eco-Crust Company, which bakes bird pies distributed across Canada.
The Stock Room: Local Business
Paul Wozney
Recognized The Stock Room, a new discount bin retail shop in Sackville, congratulating owners Darcy Gogan, Stephanie Gogan, and Karn Kalra.
Amber Hart: Devoted to Diversity
Hon. Greg Morrow
Recognized Amber Hart, founder of Devoted to Diversity Guysborough, for her inclusion work and receipt of a Recreation Nova Scotia EDIA award.
Caucus Staff: Work and Efforts
Chris Palmer
Thanked caucus staff (Finn, Taiwo, Lauren, Brian, and Julie) on behalf of the parties for their support.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling constituent letters on budget/arts cuts
E. Smith-McCrossin
The member tabled letters from constituents Charlie Rhindress and Karen Neary regarding concerns about the budget, to be referenced in her member statements.
Tabling documents relative to members' statements
Multiple
K. Gallagher tabled a document (a photo of the Armview disco spaceship) and K. Coombes tabled a document relative to her member's statement on midwifery.
Resolution No. 447 - Black Loyalists in Canada UNESCO Recognition
Hon. T. Grosse
The Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs moved a resolution congratulating those involved in adding the Black Loyalists in Canada archival collection to the Canada Memory of the World Register; notice was waived and the motion carried.
Bill No. 248 - House of Assembly Reform and Healthy Workplaces Act
E. Smith-McCrossin
Introduction of a bill to amend the House of Assembly Act respecting reform and healthy workplaces; ordered read a second time on a future day.
Resolution No. 448 - Windsor Elms Village 60th Anniversary
Melissa Sheehy-Richard
Gave notice of a resolution recognizing and congratulating the Windsor Elms Village on its 60th anniversary, honouring its six decades of service, dedicated care, and commitment to a welcoming and inclusive environment for residents.
Orders of the Day
Bill No. 247, Appropriations Act, 2026 - Third Reading
The Speaker
A recorded vote was conducted on Bill No. 247, which passed 37 to 12; the bill was ordered to pass, be titled as read, and engrossed.
Other business
Speaker's Statement on Workplace Safety
The Speaker
The Speaker addressed recent incidents at Province House where MLAs and staff were targeted to frighten or intimidate, announcing closure of the gallery and precinct that day, increased police and legislative security, and a forthcoming review of Province House security.
House Recess due to Protesters
The Speaker
During members' statements the House recessed briefly after protesters were throwing objects at the windows and buildings, before reconvening to carry on business.
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.