Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Thursday 2 April 2026
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly conducted routine proceedings ahead of the Easter weekend, tabling several articles and letters, adopting Resolution No. 475 recognizing Adult Learners Week (honouring Amherst's Ivy Stright), and considering Cumberland North's Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin's Resolution No. 476 seeking a review of Opposition Day debate procedures, which was denied waiver and tabled. The bulk of the sitting consisted of members' statements marking Easter observances and recognizing local businesses, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, community organizations, volunteers, hockey championships, and constituents, as well as notable appointments such as Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury. Several NDP members criticized the government's budget cuts to arts and public sector jobs.
Members' Statements
Good Friday recognition
Hon. Twila Grosse
Recognized Good Friday as a day of solemn reflection and invited members to reflect on values of kindness, resilience, and community.
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Kendra Coombes
Recognized April as Parkinson's Awareness Month and highlighted Parkinson Canada's call for equitable, coordinated care regardless of where people live.
Joyce Carter - Top Women in Defence 2026
Hon. Iain Rankin
Congratulated Joyce Carter, president and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority, on being named one of the Top Women in Defence for 2026.
Holy Saturday recognition
Chris Palmer
Recognized Holy Saturday as a day of quiet reflection and hope and wished Christians a blessed Easter.
Introduction and birthday wishes for Sijora Hansen
Suzy Hansen
Introduced her two youngest children in the gallery and wished her daughter Sijora Aylena Hansen a happy 12th birthday.
Katerina Bakolias - local artist
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized Greek-Canadian actor, writer and producer Katerina Bakolias, noting her upcoming play and screen work and emphasizing the importance of public support for the arts.
Easter / Holy Week recognition
Hon. John Lohr
Recognized Holy Week and wished Christians across Nova Scotia a blessed Holy Week and happy Easter Sunday.
Thanks to constituency staff
Lina Hamid
Thanked her constituency staff Alanna Harper and Charlotte McConkey for their work supporting Fairview-Clayton Park and Halifax Chebucto offices.
Easter Sunday recognition
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Wished everyone a happy Easter weekend and thanked House staff for their upcoming break.
Bedford Lions Club Speak Out Competition
Tim Outhit
Congratulated the Bedford Lions Club and participants in the Lions Speak Out public speaking competition, with first prize going to Topsy Olatunji.
Morgan Toney - JUNO Award
Susan Leblanc
Congratulated Mi'kmaw fiddler and singer Morgan Toney of Wagmatcook on winning the JUNO for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year for his album Heal The Divide.
Tribute to Bill Cruickshank
Damian Stoilov
Paid tribute to Bill Cruickshank, VP and GM of the RBC Centre and Greenfoot Energy Centre, who passed away suddenly, and extended condolences to his family.
Jessie Everill - local musician
Lisa Lachance
Recognized NSCC music student and musician Jessie Everill and cited her concerns that government cuts to arts and culture threaten her ability to tour.
Thanks to constituency coordinator Carolann Milligan
Hon. Kent Smith
Thanked Eastern Shore constituency coordinator Carolann Milligan for her dedication and empathy in serving constituents.
April 1st cruel cuts - call to reverse
Kendra Coombes
Criticized the government's cuts that came into effect April 1, saying Nova Scotians are losing jobs and workers in arts, culture and non-profit sectors are fearful for their livelihoods.
Easter Monday recognition
Kyle MacQuarrie
Celebrated the upcoming Easter Monday (Bright Monday) as a time of jubilation, hospitality, and family gatherings.
Birthday wishes for Sage Hansen
Suzy Hansen
Recognized her daughter Sage Ava Hansen and wished her an early happy birthday.
Jennifer Collins Classic hockey tournament
Hon. Susan Corkum-Greek
Recognized the organizers of the Jennifer Collins Classic hockey tournament in Lunenburg, which has raised over half a million dollars for local families.
International Children's Book Day
Lina Hamid
Recognized International Children's Book Day and thanked librarians and staff at Keshen Goodman Library and public libraries across Nova Scotia.
Sophia - hockey dreams
Nick Hilton
Shared the story of a young Yarmouth girl named Sophia whose community, corporations, and the Utah Mammoth supported her hockey dreams.
Jillian Wagner - One in Eight Podcast
Lisa Lachance
Recognized community builder Jillian Wagner for her advocacy and her One in Eight Podcast about breast cancer, noting delays in her own diagnosis.
Channel Wine Bar - local restaurant
Hon. Kim Masland
Welcomed the Channel Wine Bar, a new business opening in May in Liverpool by owners Stephanie and Peter Doggett.
Duke the Pen Guy - local icon
Hon. John White
Recognized Duke the Pen Guy of Glace Bay-Dominion, who brings joy by handing out personalized motivational pens to local workplaces.
Washing the Feet - Christian tradition
Susan Leblanc
Recognized the Christian tradition of washing the feet and encouraged members to practice radical compassion, peace and justice this Easter season.
Red Cross Digby County volunteers
Hon. Jill Balser
Recognized volunteers Jeannie-Ann and Bryan Underwood and Donna Bentham for their four years of service delivering health equipment through the Red Cross in Digby County.
JACKS Skate Sharpening Shop
Rick Burns
Recognized young Hammonds Plains entrepreneur Jack Steeneveld, founder of JACKS Skate Sharpening Shop.
Abundance Store - local business
Hon. Timothy Halman
Recognized the Abundance Store, a second-hand clothing boutique run by the Elizabeth Fry Society that empowers women involved in the justice system.
Provincial hockey champions Jax Ginnish and Gavin Sudds
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Congratulated Cape Breton hockey players Jax Ginnish and Gavin Sudds of Sydney, playing for the Halifax McDonalds, on winning the provincial championship.
Cobequid Speed Skating Club
Hon. Dave Ritcey
Recognized the Cobequid Speed Skating Club and highlighted an April 19 Medals on Tour event bringing Canada's Olympic speed skating medalists to Truro.
East Preston Easter Classic basketball tournament
Claudia Chender
Marked the East Preston Easter Classic basketball tournament, noting three NDP caucus families have children participating.
Balamore Farms - local farm
Tom Taggart
Congratulated Balamore Farms in Great Village, owned by the Cooper family, noting its strawberry production and $1.1 million bull and heifer sale.
Gordon Jackson - local farmer
David Bowlby
Recognized lifelong farmer Gordie Jackson of Annapolis County for his community contributions and involvement in 4-H raising future farmers.
Birthday wishes for member's father
Krista Gallagher
Wished her father a happy 63rd birthday.
Paul Higgins - local icon
Hon. Brendan Maguire
Thanked Paul Higgins for donating thousands of toys to organizations and families, bringing joy to many children.
Richard Gardner - Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Julie Vanexan
The member for Kings South congratulated Richard Gardner, owner of Caribbean Pot Jamaican Cuisine, on receiving the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Skye Glen & Centreville Community Hall
Kyle MacQuarrie
The member for Inverness recognized the Skye Glen & Centreville Community Hall, a former schoolhouse turned community gathering place that hosts events and preserves Gaelic traditions such as a monthly milling frolic.
CBU Kehoe Forum Reopening
Hon. Brian Comer
The member for Cape Breton East recognized the grand opening of the revitalized Kehoe Forum at Cape Breton University, which hosted the IIHF U18 Women's World Championship and stands as a home for women's hockey.
Bailey Oake - Play Group Creation
Dianne Timmins
The member for Victoria-The Lakes thanked Bailey Oake for creating a parent, baby, and tot play group at the Big Bras d'Or Community Hall, fostering connections among young families.
Dame Sarah Mullally - Archbishop of Canterbury Appointment
Hon. Michelle Thompson
The member for Antigonish congratulated Dame Sarah Mullally, a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, on becoming the first woman installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
Jean-Claude Comeau - Local Businessman
Ryan Robichaud
The member for Clare acknowledged Jean-Claude Comeau, owner of JC's Precision Machine Works in Meteghan, for his service to the commercial fishing fleet of southwest Nova Scotia.
Ainslee Connolly and Carrie Doiron - Provincial Championship
Hon. Greg Morrow
The member for Guysborough-Tracadie congratulated hockey players Ainslee Connolly and Carrie Doiron on winning the Nova Scotia U18 AAA Female Hockey Championship with the Northern Selects, who advance to the Atlantic Championship.
COBS Bread - Local Business
Hon. Timothy Halman
The member for Dartmouth East recognized COBS Bread for its fresh baking and its month-long 'Doughnation' fundraiser, which raised more than $5,000 for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Molly Palmer - Daughter Recognition
Chris Palmer
The member for Kings West spoke with pride about his daughter Molly, who is finishing a psychology degree at Saint Mary's University and works in youth ministry, reflecting on the importance of family.
DermaEnvy Skincare - 10 Years in Business
Tim Outhit
The member for Bedford Basin congratulated DermaEnvy Skincare on 10 years of service, highlighting its free laser removal of radiation tattoo markers for breast cancer survivors and discounted gender-affirming care.
Cape Breton Charitable Association of Halifax - 75th Anniversary
Rick Burns
The member for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville recognized the Cape Breton Charitable Association of Halifax on its 75th anniversary, noting its dances and hosting of world-class musicians under President Tony Mombourquette.
Baddeck Nordic Club - Local Organization
Dianne Timmins
The member for Victoria-The Lakes recognized the Baddeck Nordic Club, formed in 2022, for promoting cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and maintaining trails in the Baddeck area.
Routine Proceedings
Tabling of articles by L. Lachance
Lisa Lachance
Tabled two articles in support of her member statements: a Dalhousie Gazette piece on idialedyournumber and a Glamour article on a young breast cancer patient.
Tabling of Gorsebrook Junior High letters
Claudia Chender
Tabled letters written by the Grade 9 Citizenship class at Gorsebrook Junior High detailing challenges budget cuts would present to students.
Resolution No. 475 - Adult Learners Week
Hon. Nolan Young
The Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration moved a resolution recognizing Adult Learners Week (March 29-April 4) and honouring Amherst resident Ivy Stright; waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Resolution No. 476 - Opposition Day procedure review
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
The member for Cumberland North gave notice of a resolution to refer to the Standing Committee on Assembly Matters a review of rules for recognizing members during Opposition Day debates, examining practices in other Westminster legislatures; waiver was refused 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.