Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Tuesday 8 September 2026
On the opening day of the First Session, the Speaker welcomed newly elected member Claude Bourgeois, and members presented petitions on uranium mining, rent control, and hydraulic fracking, delivered statements recognizing community figures, local businesses, health awareness initiatives, and the Cape Breton flooding, and paid tribute to three deceased Nova Scotians. The government tabled its fifth annual climate progress report, passed a motion appointing deputy speakers, and introduced ten bills. Much of the sitting consisted of written questions and tabled answers submitted to the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, covering road maintenance, transit, school construction, Boat Harbour remediation, and housing, health, employment, and land title concerns for African Nova Scotians.
Members' Statements
Tribute to Dr. Nouman Ali
Lina Hamid
Hamid honoured the memory of Dr. Nouman Ali, a Dalhousie civil engineering professor, Muslim community leader, and passionate cyclist whose death has rallied calls for improved cycling infrastructure.
Cape Breton flooding - loss of life and rescue efforts
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Mombourquette acknowledged the death of a 46-year-old woman from Cleveland, Richmond County in the flooding and recognized first responders, volunteers, and crews responding to washed-out roads and damaged infrastructure across Cape Breton.
Cape Breton flooding - community support
Dianne Timmins
Timmins recognized the devastating storm that dropped over 250 mm of rain, thanked Public Works staff, the Nova Scotia Guard, RCMP, fire departments, and search and rescue volunteers, and offered condolences for the woman who lost her life.
50th anniversary of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia
Lisa Lachance
On International Literacy Day, Lachance recognized the 50th anniversary of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, established in 1976, for its workshops, prizes, and programs supporting writers.
Author Michelle Wamboldt's novel Birth Road
Hon. Becky Druhan
Druhan recognized Nova Scotian author Michelle Wamboldt, whose debut novel Birth Road won the 2024 Margaret and John Savage First Book Award and was selected for the province's Gender-Based Violence Prevention curriculum, available in every Nova Scotia high school.
ZEMÎ Technologies new initiatives
Tim Outhit
Outhit recognized the co-founders of ZEMÎ Technologies, a Nova Scotia AI company providing mineral prospectivity mapping, accepted into Invest Nova Scotia's Accelerate program, and introduced its representatives in the gallery.
Local artist Callum Moscovitch
Susan Leblanc
Leblanc congratulated Dartmouth North illustrator Callum Moscovitch, one of five artists selected for the InterCHANGE project, for his collection 'Surrounding' exploring the relationship between infrastructure and wild space, influenced by his life with schizophrenia and activism.
New Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Trail board and funding
Hon. Iain Rankin
Rankin recognized the newly formed Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Trail Association and its board members, and thanked the Department of Natural Resources for funding trail work on the 13-kilometre multi-use trail.
Heart and Stroke Foundation heart screening and health management
Hon. Brendan Maguire
Maguire introduced Heart and Stroke Foundation representatives in the gallery and began a statement encouraging residents to understand their personal risk factors and take action.
Heart and Stroke Foundation Risk Screen and heart disease awareness
Unknown
A member highlighted that most heart disease and stroke are preventable through healthy behaviours and knowing personal risks, recognized SCAD survivor Kate Dunworth Casey (present in the gallery), and thanked the Heart and Stroke Foundation for its free Risk Screen tool and awareness work.
Extreme flooding in Cape Breton - loss of life and rescue efforts
Kendra Coombes
The member offered condolences to the family of a woman from Cleveland in Richmond County who died in a devastating storm, and thanked first responders, public works staff, and volunteers involved in the ongoing cleanup.
New Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Community Centre
Iain Rankin
The member celebrated the spring grand opening of the new community centre, a project more than 10 years in the making, describing its gymnasium, community kitchen, meeting rooms, and popular splash pad, and thanked all who advocated for it.
Worry Free Food and Free From Co-Packing local business
David Bowlby
After introducing Anthony Winston III and Erin Winston in the gallery, the member recognized their allergen-free and celiac-safe food manufacturing business in Middleton, inspired by their daughters' food allergies, for creating local jobs and supporting the rural economy.
Addiction rehabilitation facilities improvement
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
The member noted there are no publicly funded in-person addiction rehabilitation facilities in Nova Scotia and urged government to consider repurposing vacant residential centres and experienced staff to open publicly funded rehabs.
Ploughman's Luncheonette local restaurant
Becky Druhan
The member recognized Ploughman's Luncheonette in West Dublin, run by Lou Sheppard and Pamela Hart in a preserved 1860s general store, as an inclusive gathering space and economic anchor showcasing local producers.
Andrew Jollimore's 36th birthday
Paul Wozney
The member celebrated Andrew Jollimore of Sackville, who lives with autism and epilepsy, on his 36th birthday, noting the flood of cards from around the world following a viral Facebook post by his mom, and led a standing ovation.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of new member for Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay
The Premier
The Premier presented newly elected member Claude Bourgeois, who had taken the oath and signed the rolls, to take his seat in the Chamber.
Petition to cease uranium mining / reinstate ban
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Mombourquette tabled a petition (approx. 1,061 signatures) representing 80% of postal codes and over 10,000 total signatures, calling to halt the RFP for uranium exploration, reinstate the moratorium, and institute a permanent legislative ban; he also introduced organizers in the gallery.
Petition to reinstate uranium ban
Kendra Coombes
Coombes tabled an Opposition petition of 1,026 signatures (2,052 total; 10,652 since October 2025) calling for reinstatement of the uranium ban, and introduced her summer staffer Raven Googoo and father Darren Googoo.
Petition to support Bill No. 49 (anti-scab labour)
Lisa Lachance
Lachance tabled a petition of 98 signatures collected at the Annapolis Valley Labour Council's picnic calling on the Legislature to pass the NSNDP's Bill 49 banning scab labour.
Petitions on affordable housing and rent control
Susan Leblanc
Leblanc tabled two petitions on the high cost of rent in Dartmouth North—one (28 signatures) calling for affordable housing and permanent rent control tied to CPI applied to units, and another (21 signatures) calling for permanent legislated rent control.
Petition to reintroduce hydraulic fracking moratorium
Lisa Lachance
Lachance tabled a petition of 22 signatures calling on the government to reintroduce the 2014 moratorium on hydraulic fracking, which was cancelled in 2025 without public engagement.
Tabling of climate change progress report
Hon. Timothy Halman
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change tabled the government's fifth annual progress report, 'Powering the Transition: The Annual Progress Report on the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act and Nova Scotia's Climate Change Action Plan.'
Resolution No. 502 - Appointment of Deputy Speakers
Hon. Brendan Maguire
Maguire moved a resolution appointing the members for Clare, Colchester North (deputy speaker), and Kings South as chairs of committees and deputy speakers; waiver of notice was granted and the motion carried.
Introduction of Bills Nos. 253-262
Multiple
Ten bills were introduced for second reading on a future day, including the Service Efficiency Act, Affordable Housing Land Trust, Increased Grocery Competition Act, Labour Standards Code amendments, Residential Addiction Treatment Act, Renter's Rights Act, Clear Grocery Pricing Act, Bradley's Law (income assistance for unhoused), Country of Origin Labelling (Buy Canadian), and Helping Workers Get Ahead Act.
Other business
Tribute to Dr. John Hamm
Multiple
The Premier, Claudia Chender, and Hon. Iain Rankin paid tribute to former Premier Dr. John Hamm, who died July 12 at age 88, recognizing his career as a Pictou County physician and 25th Premier, his offshore accord, NSCC expansion, French-language Services Act, Order of Nova Scotia, and reputation for decency and cross-party respect.
Tribute to Elmer MacKay
Multiple
The Premier, Claudia Chender, and Hon. Becky Druhan paid tribute to former MP Elmer MacKay, who died at age 89, recognizing his six elections in Central Nova, senior Cabinet roles under Clark and Mulroney, his decision to step aside for Brian Mulroney, and his Pictou County roots.
Tribute to Roland Thornhill
Multiple
Hon. Timothy Halman, Claudia Chender, and Hon. Derek Mombourquette paid tribute to Roland 'Rollie' Thornhill, who died July 16 at age 90, recognizing his roles as Dartmouth alderman, mayor, MLA for 19 years, deputy premier, and Cabinet minister; a moment of silence was observed for all three honourees.
Tabled answers on gravel roads, potholes, and road maintenance (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Written answers addressed the $150 million Gravel Road Program, Grand Lake Road repairs, cancelled Cape Breton MLA meetings, pothole tracking (nearly $14 million spent on surface maintenance in 2024-25), the 14-day repair standard, road patrols (about 74 supervisors in non-winter), and public reporting via the Operation Contact Centre.
Tabled answers on road upgrades, tenders, road paint, and safety (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Answers covered assessment criteria for upgrading local roads, cancelled tenders (one for no bids, six for high bids), that 134 of 151 tenders in 2025-26 went to Nova Scotia companies (none to U.S. companies), the switch to latex-based road paint, fatal collision data, the new Traffic Safety Act, MELT training, and twinning projects.
Tabled answers to Question No. 16 on grant funding cuts and cycling (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Kendra Coombes's questions on eliminated grants (bicycle safety, Road Builders Association, Blue Route, Transit Research Incentive Program) received answers explaining the grants were discretionary, some were reinstated after public concern, 101 bicycle collisions occurred in 2025, and road condition and spending figures were provided.
Tabled answers to Question No. 17 on Bill No. 24 ministerial override powers (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Answers to Kendra Coombes addressed the Regional Transportation Plan, the Joint Regional Transportation Agency Act amendments creating Link Nova Scotia and the minister's power to order municipalities, the active transportation review process with HRM, and consultation with municipalities on the budget.
Tabled answers to Question No. 18 on Link Nova Scotia budget and rebrand (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Answers stated the Link NS brand cost $16,350, the budget doubled from $2.3 million to $5.1 million mainly for salaries and a $1 million HRM grant for adaptive signal technology, and outlined RTP actions including the Highway 102 design, passenger rail feasibility study, and inter-municipal transit RFI.
Tabled answers to Question No. 19 on bridge tolls and bridge inspections (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Answers noted a 40 percent reduction in collisions since toll removal, ongoing studies on replacing the A. Murray MacKay Bridge, completion of Auditor General recommendations, implementation of a structures asset management system (SAMS), and warranty repair processes.
Tabled answers to Question No. 20 on school construction (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
Answers gave a December 2029 substantial performance date for the Reserve Mines (Tompkins Memorial) school, listed four schools with shovels in the ground, addressed blasting compensation, land purchases for fall 2024 announced schools, and use of portables and modular classrooms to manage enrolment.
Tabled answers to Question No. 21 on Boat Harbour remediation (Public Works)
Hon. Fred Tilley
The answer noted the Boat Harbour liability reached $405 million in 2025, that the federal Impact Assessment Agency approved the project on January 24, 2025, and that remediation timing is uncertain pending a judicial review filed by Pictou Landing First Nation.
Tabled answers to Question No. 34 on African Nova Scotian homelessness and housing need
Hon. Twila Grosse
Answers to Suzy Hansen addressed the overrepresentation of African Nova Scotians among the homeless (16 percent in Halifax versus 2.3 percent of the population), cultural appropriateness of supports, and higher rates of core housing need (nearly double the provincial average) per the Prosperity and Well-Being Index.
Housing outcomes for Black Nova Scotians
Suzy Hansen
Question to the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs on budget investments to improve housing for Black Nova Scotians and how success is measured; answer noted investments span multiple departments with ANSA providing an equity lens and progress assessed through ongoing evaluation.
Land Titles Initiative (Question No. 35)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on spending, number of titles established, community breakdown, and community navigators; answer stated $1,254,379 was spent last fiscal year, 25 certificates of title were established, provided a community-by-community breakdown, and confirmed three community navigators.
Climate change, environmental racism and Upper Hammonds Plains (Question No. 36)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on climate preparedness, fire hydrant water flow, and the Environmental Racism Panel recommendations; answer said ANSA works collaboratively with departments and stakeholders and that updates on panels/reports are led by responsible departments.
African Nova Scotian health outcomes and mental health (Question No. 37)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on health outcome tracking, the Health Equity Framework, and culturally appropriate mental health services; answer described targeted investments in community-led initiatives, a toll-free line, rural outreach, Mental Health First Aid training, and Afrocentric approaches.
Recognition of African Nova Scotians as a distinct people (Question No. 38)
Suzy Hansen
Asked whether the minister agrees African Nova Scotians deserve recognition as a distinct people; answer emphasized recognizing their longstanding history, addressing systemic inequities, and supporting communities.
Employment, unemployment and income gap (Question No. 39)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on recruitment programs, unemployment, and income gaps for African Nova Scotians; answer cited support for employment and skills programs including the PREP Academy partnership.
Funding for International Decade for People of African Descent (Question No. 40)
Suzy Hansen
Asked about budget funding for the coalition; answer stated $80,000 has been identified in the current fiscal year through the ANSA budget.
Africville Museum and reparations (Question No. 41)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on continued funding for the Africville Heritage Trust and reparations discussions; answer said funding is administered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and that ANSA works to support recognition of Africville's legacy.
Community Benefit Agreements (Question No. 42)
Suzy Hansen
Questions on legislation enabling Community Benefit Agreements and the government's position; answer said such agreements are led by other departments and ANSA works to ensure community perspectives are reflected.
Upper Hammonds Plains fire protection and reparations (Question No. 43)
Suzy Hansen
Asked whether the minister has met with residents over unusable fire hydrants and calls for reparations; answer said ANSA continues to work with partners to address concerns through appropriate channels.
Marble Mountain Road conditions (Question No. 53)
Kendra Coombes
Question to the Minister of Public Works about a gravel section of Marble Mountain Road affecting emergency access, asking how roads are prioritized and when it will be repaired; answer noted planned culvert replacement and gravel resurfacing, that funding is based on condition, operational and safety factors, and that it is not departmental practice to pave gravel roads.
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.