Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Thursday 26 March 2026
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the House opened its daily routine with petitions on hearing-aid funding for low-income seniors and reinstatement of the Cumberland Regional pain clinic, several tablings including the Finance Minister's document restoring $53.592 million in grants, government notices of motion on Nova Scotia's defence sector, the Canso spaceport, and provincial parks bookings, and the introduction of two bills. Members delivered extensive statements marking defence and NATO spending, Purple Day epilepsy awareness, and community tributes to local businesses, farms, organizations, students, volunteers, and events, along with pointed exchanges over workplace safety, unanswered ministerial correspondence, and budget cuts. Additional statements raised concerns over school library staffing and criticized arts, culture, and tourism budget cuts. The day also included tabled Notices of Questions for Written Answers from L. Lachance to the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change and of Addictions and Mental Health, and a Notice of Motion recognizing Val Burtsell's service to L'Arche.
Members' Statements
Charles Lawrence Yorke: Medical resiliency
C. Chender
Claudia Chender recognized 12-year-old Charles Yorke of Kentville, a sports fan being treated at the IWK for Perthes' disease, and wished him a full recovery.
NATO defence targets: strength and support
Hon. I. Rankin
Iain Rankin recognized Canada reaching NATO's 2 percent GDP defence target and its impact in Nova Scotia, thanking Prime Minister Carney for the investment announcement in Halifax.
Epilepsy Awareness Day / Purple Day
N. Hilton
Nick Hilton acknowledged Epilepsy Awareness Day (Purple Day), founded by Nova Scotia's Cassidy Megan in 2008, and asked members to support the epilepsy community.
History of provincial governance: People's House
C. Chender
Chender recounted Nova Scotia's governance history and criticized the closure of the People's House for more than a single day, prompting an interruption over her reference to 'ambulance drivers' and a point of order from Hon. C. LeBlanc that was ruled out of order.
Purple Day: global movement
Hon. I. Rankin
Rankin recognized Purple Day's roots in Timberlea-Prospect through Cassidy Megan and thanked her for her leadership and advocacy.
Tribute: Evelyn 'Evie' Borden
Hon. D. Ritcey
Dave Ritcey honoured the life of Evelyn 'Evie' Borden of Truro, who passed away at age 97, a devoted family matriarch and community volunteer.
Purple Day: Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes
R. Wilson
Rod Wilson marked International Purple Day, recognized the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, and remembered the late neurologist Dr. Mark Sadler.
Sydney Curling Club: N.S. Women's Curling Championship
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Derek Mombourquette recognized the Sydney Curling Club hosting the Nova Scotia Women's Curling Championships and wished participants well.
Tribute: Roderick 'Rod' Dickie
Hon. J.A. MacDonald
John A. MacDonald honoured the memory of Rod Dickie of Enfield, who passed away at age 67, a devoted family man and community figure.
Conservation Easements Act: constituent actions against
Hon. B. Druhan
Becky Druhan thanked Mayor McLean-Wile and others for opposing proposed amendments to the Conservation Easements Act, warning they would weaken conservation protections, and called on government to stop the amendments.
Zya Quarmyne-Langdon: local artist
K. Gallagher
Krista Gallagher recognized 17-year-old constituent Zya Quarmyne-Langdon for her theatre work and congratulated her on graduating high school.
NDP Caucus: safe workplaces
Hon. C. LeBlanc
Colton LeBlanc raised concerns about workplace safety, accusing an NDP member of revealing MLAs' addresses and calling on the NDP Leader and caucus to stand against intimidating behaviour.
Members of Legislature: serving the people (disrupted statement)
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin responded to the previous statement, referencing being bullied by the Premier; the Speaker repeatedly ruled her out of order for naming a member and asked her to retract before moving on.
Nerds with Needles: Theresa Tipert and Alexis Mahar-Dove
Hon. B. Adams
Barbara Adams recognized Theresa Tipert and Alexis Mahar-Dove, owners of the local fibre craft business Nerds with Needles.
Loraine Reinhardt: 100th birthday
Hon. B. Druhan
Becky Druhan celebrated constituent Loraine Reinhardt's 100th birthday, noting his WWII service, lobster fishing career until age 90, and independent living until age 99.
Darty Brewing: local business
S. Leblanc
Susan Leblanc congratulated Poet Comeau and the team behind Lake City Cider on opening sister brewery Darty Brewing Co. in downtown Dartmouth.
Members of Legislature: serving the people
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin spoke about MLAs' duty to represent constituents and criticized the Minister of Health and Wellness for leaving 15 letters from Cumberland North unanswered since July 2025, arguing outcomes not spending measure success.
Todd MacKinnon: local pharmacist
T. Taggart
Tom Taggart recognized pharmacist Todd MacKinnon of Guardian Pharmacy in Bass River for going above and beyond, including delivering medications to patients on weekends.
Endometriosis Awareness Month: expand services
L. Lachance
Lisa Lachance marked Endometriosis Awareness Month, called for expanded services given limited clinic capacity, and recognized advocate Maggie Archibald.
Public Bills: committee submissions
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Derek Mombourquette thanked the hundreds of Nova Scotians who presented in person or virtually during the Public Bills process as part of the democratic process.
Dana Nash: belly flop champion
Hon. N. Young
Nolan Young recognized Dana Nash as the long-reigning belly flop champion at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Shelburne.
U.N. resolution on slavery
S. Hansen
Suzy Hansen noted the U.N. passing a resolution condemning the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity and asked members to honour her ancestors and support conversations on repair and justice.
Anne Murray: Please Don't Sell Nova Scotia
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin quoted Anne Murray's song lyrics to urge PC MLAs not to let their leader gamble away the province's future.
Bobby Best: local agriculture icon
C. Palmer
Chris Palmer recognized Bobby Best of Kings West for his agriculture community leadership, fundraising work on the Apple Dome, and 4-H involvement.
Jeff McNeil statement on environmental cuts: reverse
K. Coombes
Kendra Coombes read a statement from Jeff McNeil, president of the Port Morien Wildlife Association, criticizing government cuts to the Wildlife Division made without stakeholder consultation.
Edna White: Forever Young Seniors Club
Hon. B. Maguire
Brendan Maguire recognized Edna White, longtime member and past president of the Forever Young Seniors Club and founder of its annual craft fair.
Fairview Variety Kwik-Way: local business
L. Hamid
Lina Hamid recognized the Fairview Variety Kwik-Way ('Joe's Store') on Main Avenue, temporarily closed for renovations after hosting a community barbecue with over 300 guests.
Fairview Variety / Joe Sukkar recognition
Unknown
A member congratulated Joe Sukkar, owner of Fairview Variety for 36 years, on his upcoming expansion and thanked him for his service to the neighbourhood.
Barteaux Farms recognition
David Bowlby
The member for Annapolis recognized Barteaux Farms in Moschelle, a six-generation family farm known for apples, cattle, crops, and sustainable forestry stewardship.
HRCE library staff concerns
Paul Wozney
The member for Sackville-Cobequid raised concerns that HRCE library support specialists across 136 schools face job loss after supplemental education funding was cut, and urged the province, HRM, and HRCE to work together rather than finger-point.
Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society recognition
Trevor Boudreau
The member for Richmond honoured the Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society for its programs promoting healthy eating and community connections.
Merritt Awards / local theatre support
Susan LeBlanc
The member for Dartmouth North celebrated the upcoming Merritt Awards and highlighted two Dartmouth North nominees, lighting designer Jess Lewis and actor Burgandy Code.
Creignish Recreation Center recognition
Kyle MacQuarrie
The member for Inverness acknowledged the volunteer-run Creignish Recreation Center for its activities, fitness classes, and community events along Route 19.
Rob Horgan and The November Project recognition
Lisa Lachance
The member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island recognized constituent Rob Horgan for The November Project, a WWII-based radio drama heading to the Banff World Media Festival, noting he receives no provincial funding and questioning support for arts.
R&B Kitchen recognition
Twila Grosse
The member for Preston recognized R&B Kitchen, a Black-owned, family-run restaurant near Preston Township, for its community nourishment, partnership with the school lunch program, and repeated award as Nova Scotia's Best Caribbean Restaurant.
Public engagement in democratic process
Suzy Hansen
The member for Halifax Needham thanked the many visitors to the House and those who shared experiences at the Public Bills Committee, offering a message of hope.
Pink in the Rink fundraiser
Adegoke Fadare
The member for Clayton Park West congratulated organizers of the Pink in the Rink hockey fundraiser for breast cancer research and the Lodge Halifax support centre.
Budget 2026-27 arts and culture cuts
Kendra Coombes
The member for Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier condemned the government's passing of budget cuts to the arts, culture, and tourism sector, calling March 25 a devastating day and standing in solidarity with constituents.
Prisha Popli recognition
Damian Stoilov
The member for Bedford South recognized student Prisha Popli for innovation and leadership in accessibility technology, wishing her success.
Routine Proceedings
Petition: Funding for low-income seniors' hearing aids
K. Gallagher
Krista Gallagher tabled a petition with approximately 150 signatures calling on the House to pass legislation to fund hearing aids for low-income seniors.
Petition: Reinstate Cumberland Regional pain clinic
E. Smith-McCrossin
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin tabled an additional petition with 87 signatures calling on the Minister of Health and Wellness to reinstate interventional pain clinic services at Cumberland Regional Healthcare Center.
Tabling: Documents relative to member statement
K. Coombes
Kendra Coombes tabled documents relative to her member statement (from the Port Morien Wildlife Association).
Tabling: Amended appropriations document
Hon. J. Lohr
The Minister of Finance tabled a document answering questions on amended appropriations, confirming accuracy and the addition of $53.592 million, and clarifying that $1.8 million for Autism Nova Scotia is distributed across three departments.
Tabling: Constituent letter to Premier on budget
L. Hamid
Lina Hamid tabled a letter from a constituent to the Premier regarding the budget.
Tabling: Unanswered constituent correspondence and Anne Murray quotes
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin tabled 15 letters sent to the Minister of Health and Wellness on behalf of constituents that had gone unanswered since July, and separately tabled quotes from singer Anne Murray.
Resolution No. 449: Nova Scotia as Canada's defence leader
Hon. C. LeBlanc
The Minister of Growth and Development moved a resolution recognizing Nova Scotia's defence leadership and Canada meeting its NATO spending commitment, including approximately $2 billion in federal investments; it passed on waiver of notice with a standing ovation.
Resolution No. 450: Maritime Launch Services spaceport
Hon. C. LeBlanc
LeBlanc moved a resolution recognizing Maritime Launch Services building Canada's first commercial spaceport in Canso and the federal government's historic $200 million investment; it passed on waiver of notice with a standing ovation.
Resolution No. 451: Provincial parks bookings open April 8
Hon. K. Masland
The Minister of Natural Resources moved a resolution marking April 8-9 for provincial park campsite bookings and highlighting park investments; it passed on waiver of notice with a standing ovation.
Introduction of Bills No. 249 and No. 250
Multiple
Suzy Hansen introduced Bill No. 249, amending the Intimate Images and Cyber-protection Act to address artificially generated intimate images, and Hon. Iain Rankin introduced Bill No. 250 to expand the Colon Cancer Prevention Program; both ordered read a second time on a future day.
Resolution No. 452 - recognition of Val Burtsell
Julie Vanexan
The member for Kings South gave notice of a resolution recognizing Val Burtsell for 30 years of service to L'Arche and her career in education, asking members to congratulate her on the milestone.
Other business
Notice of Questions for Written Answers - Environment and Climate Change
L. Lachance
L. Lachance submitted Question No. 1 to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change covering the 25 percent departmental budget cut, elimination of the Climate Change Fund and various grants, coastal protection, protected areas strategy, the Ward's Brook enforcement situation, and groundwater tracking.
Notice of Questions for Written Answers - Addictions and Mental Health
Lisa Lachance
Lisa Lachance submitted Question No. 2 to the Minister of Addictions and Mental Health covering budget cuts to disability, recovery, and Mass Casualty support, non-urgent mental health wait times, substance use and detox services, child and youth mental health, universal mental health, indicators, and Desmond Inquiry implementation.
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.