Nova Scotia House of Assembly, Thursday 17 September 2026
During this sitting of the House of Assembly, members conducted routine proceedings including the tabling of five petitions and three government reports, five government notices of motion (four passed by waiver), the introduction of seven bills, and two notices of motion by Becky Druhan concerning security services legislation and a mental health/addictions committee study (both denied waiver). Following a 15-minute extension of Statements by Members, members delivered a series of statements recognizing constituents and community organizations across the province, including birthday tributes, local artists, farmers' markets, businesses, and volunteers, along with a statement on political tactics in the Legislature. MLA Lina Hamid also gave notice of several Rule 32(3) resolutions honouring constituents and community members.
Members' Statements
Délynn Jacquard – Wedgeport Tuna Tournament record breaker
Hon. C. LeBlanc
LeBlanc introduced guests Délynn Jacquard and Falon LeBlanc and congratulated 13-year-old Délynn for landing a 711-pound bluefin tuna, setting a pending world junior female angler record.
Tyler Somerton – U13 Pirates championship
Hon. B. Adams
Adams introduced constituents Sandra Somerton and her 11-year-old grandson Tyler Somerton, whose baseball team the U13 Pirates won gold at their league championship.
Bela Oliveira – Dartmouth street outreach navigator
C. Chender
Chender introduced and recognized Bela Oliveira, the Downtown Dartmouth street navigator, for her work supporting unhoused and vulnerable individuals and youth leadership.
Rick Chezenko – The Steel Eagle
Hon. D. Mombourquette
Mombourquette recognized his college friend Rick Chezenko, a Cape Breton pro wrestler known as the Steel Eagle, celebrating his wrestling career and his journey overcoming alcohol.
Aylesford & District Lions Club
C. Palmer
Palmer introduced four Lions Club volunteers and thanked the Aylesford & District Lions Club for nearly 60 years of community service including bingos, banquets, Christmas hampers, and monthly community dinners.
Gabriel Enxuga – local icon
L. Lachance
Lachance introduced Gabriel Enxuga and family and recognized Gabriel as a community leader and health care professional serving 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through advocacy and their prideHealth navigator role.
Ken Hubley – Autograph of Heroes program
Hon. I. Rankin
Rankin recognized Ken Hubley of Timberlea for developing the Autograph of Heroes program, which helps children build positive relationships with first responders and safe helpers.
CBU Master of Healthcare Leadership students introduction
Hon. B. Wong
Wong introduced Barbara Sintim and Adetayo Adegbesan, students in the first cohort of Cape Breton University's Master of Healthcare Leadership and Innovation program.
Hollow Mountain Community Park – Municipality of the County of Annapolis
D. Bowlby
Bowlby introduced Lynn Longmire and recognized the Municipality of the County of Annapolis for transforming a former ballpark into the inclusive Hollow Mountain Community Park in Port Royal, with accessibility features and environmental stewardship.
County of Annapolis welcoming space
Unknown
A member commended the County of Annapolis and Councillor Lynn Longmire for creating a welcoming space to serve residents for generations.
Florence Munroe 85th Birthday
Suzy Hansen
Recognized Mrs. Florence Munroe on celebrating her 85th birthday, praising her kindness, baking, and community involvement.
Ceramist Elise Dufour
Hon. Becky Druhan
Recognized Nova Scotian ceramist Elise Dufour, who after a corporate career began creating one-of-a-kind ceramics inspired by wabi-sabi and revived a nearly 200-year-old former general store in Pentz.
Lake Echo Farmers' Market
Hon. Twila Grosse
Recognized the Lake Echo Farmers' Market and owner/operator Ashley Boone for creating a vibrant, volunteer-run community space supporting local growers and food security.
Amanda Campbell / The Way I See It blog
Lina Hamid
Recognized constituent Amanda Campbell, writer of theatre and arts blog The Way I See It, one of Canada's first theatre blogs, for celebrating Nova Scotia's theatre scene.
Mel Crowe 80th Birthday
Hon. Derek Mombourquette
Recognized Mel Crowe of Sydney on his upcoming 80th birthday, highlighting his leadership in the Ashby Legion and advocacy for veterans.
Introduction of guest Bruce Holland
Brendan Maguire
Introduced former councillor, MLA, and president of the Spryfield Business Commission, Bruce Holland, in the East Gallery.
Stephen Kimber Atlantic Legacy Award
Krista Gallagher
Congratulated writer and journalist Stephen Kimber on winning the Atlantic Legacy Award, noting his decades-long career, teaching at King's College, and impactful books.
Emma Howell Canada Cord Award
Dianne Timmins
Recognized Emma Howell of Boularderie Island for earning the Canada Cord, the highest Pathfinder award in Girl Guides of Canada, and her Community Service Award.
Beth and Sharon Radford / Simply Sweet and Savoury Bakery
Hon. Iain Rankin
Recognized mother-daughter team Beth and Sharon Radford for their home-based bakery and their partnership with the Prospect Road Community Centre to provide community meals.
Phillip Hong and Angel Wong retirement
Paul Wozney
Congratulated Phillip Hong and Angel Wong, proprietors of Hong's Kitchen, on retiring after 25 years of serving authentic Chinese meals in Sackville.
Just Us! Coffee Roasters 30th Anniversary
Julie Vanexan
Congratulated Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-Operative on 30 years of fair-trade, community-focused business connecting Nova Scotians with global coffee and tea producers.
Backshift Supply Co.
Kendra Coombes
Recognized Kris Campbell for creating Backshift Supply Company, recreating DEVCO memorabilia to fund the Brian Campbell 'Rapped Up' Memorial Award for trade students in memory of his father.
Rusted Plow Farm
Hon. Becky Druhan
Recognized Jillian MacPherson and David Leeson of Rusted Plow Farm in Camperdown for their eco-conscious, self-sufficient farming and diverse crops.
Political tactics in the Legislature
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Expressed disappointment over political tactics played out in the Legislature in front of women who attended to advocate for better health care, and tabled a first-hand account.
Routine Proceedings
Petition on phone-free schools
P. Wozney
Wozney tabled a petition with 303 signatures from Phone-Free Schools/Unplugged Canada calling for bell-to-bell phone-free school days, exceptions for medical needs, stronger digital literacy, and prohibiting social media for school communications. He also introduced guests Jenna Poste, Marcy Martin, and Councillor Billy Gillis.
Petition on Cobequid Community Health Centre expansion
P. Wozney
Wozney tabled a petition with 206 additional signatures calling on government to immediately expand capacity at the Cobequid Community Health Centre, which faces record overcapacity and unfulfilled 2022 expansion commitments.
Petition to pass Bill 40, Agriculture and Food Security Secretariat Act
L. Hamid
Hamid tabled a petition with 53 signatures calling on the Legislature to pass Bill 40 to reduce food costs and increase food security amid rising food bank use.
Petition to lower power costs
L. Hamid
Hamid tabled a petition with 114 signatures calling for legislation to lower power costs, rein in NS Power, and reverse cuts to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program; she was required to retract part of the preamble.
Petition for a committee on Basic Income Guarantee
S. Hansen
Hansen tabled a petition asking the House to form an all-party committee to study and recommend implementation of a Basic Income Guarantee for Nova Scotia.
Tabling of Progress Report on French-language Services
Hon. C. LeBlanc
The Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie tabled the 2025-2026 Progress Report on French-language Services provided by the Government of Nova Scotia.
Tabling of Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act Review Board Annual Report
Hon. B. Comer
The Minister of Addictions and Mental Health tabled the Review Board under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act Annual Report for April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
Tabling of Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy 2026-2029
Hon. K. Smith
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture tabled the Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy 2026-2029.
Tabling of email from Cairista MacIsaac
E. Smith-McCrossin
Smith-McCrossin tabled an email written by Cairista MacIsaac, granddaughter of former MLA Alexander 'Tando' MacIsaac and niece of former MLA Angus MacIsaac.
Resolution No. 588 – thanks to WCB Chair Saeed El-Darahali
Hon. N. Young
Young introduced guest Saeed El-Darahali and gave notice of a resolution thanking him for his service as chair of the Workers' Compensation Board; waiver was requested but denied, so the notice was tabled.
Resolution No. 589 – Municipal Awareness Week
Hon. J.A. MacDonald
The Minister of Municipal Affairs moved a resolution recognizing Municipal Awareness Week (November 1-7); waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Resolution No. 590 – 43rd Anniversary of Black Cultural Centre
Hon. T. Grosse
The Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs moved a resolution recognizing the 43rd anniversary of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia; waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Resolution No. 591 – Mi'kmaw History Month
Hon. L. Martin
The Minister of L'nu Affairs moved a resolution recognizing Mi'kmaw History Month with the theme 'Healing and Wellness Through Understanding'; waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Resolution No. 592 – Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy
Hon. K. Smith
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture introduced departmental staff and moved a resolution recognizing the Seafood Sector Strategy and its co-leads Michelle Blinn and Dr. Simone Le Gendre; waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Resolution No. 593 – IDEA Program
Hon. G. Morrow
The Minister of Agriculture introduced guest Rebecca Tran and moved a resolution recognizing the Station Food Hub, West River Meats, and Button Brook Farm for their success through the IDEA Program; waiver was granted and the motion carried.
Introduction of Bills Nos. 299-305
Multiple
Seven bills were introduced for second reading: Bill 299 (technology use in schools, Druhan), Bill 300 (energy efficiency, Chender for Leblanc), Bill 301 (water resources valuation, Lachance), Bill 302 (scrap metal/copper theft, Smith-McCrossin), Bill 303 (intellectual property bank, Gallagher), Bill 304 (drought/water strategy, Coombes), and Bill 305 (Nova Scotia jobs agreements, Wozney).
Notice of Motion No. 594 – Security and Investigative Services Act
Hon. B. Druhan
Druhan introduced guest Lee Sawyer and gave notice of a resolution that the unproclaimed Security and Investigative Services Act not be repealed pending a policing/public safety review; waiver was requested but denied and the notice was tabled.
Notice of Motion No. 595 – Mental health and addictions study
Hon. B. Druhan
Druhan introduced guest Mallory Zwicker and gave notice of a resolution directing the Standing Committee on Health to study mental health and addictions care with public consultations and a report to the House; waiver was requested but denied and the notice was tabled.
Extension of Statements by Members
Hon. B. Maguire
The Government House Leader sought and received unanimous consent to extend Statements by Members by 15 minutes.
Resolution No. 596 - Ali Dullovi
Lina Hamid
Gave notice of a resolution celebrating Ali Dullovi, a Fairview business owner and refugee from Kosovo, for his selfless community service.
Resolution No. 597 - Chloe Higginbotham rhythmic gymnastics team
Lina Hamid
Gave notice of a resolution congratulating Chloe Higginbotham and her Illusions Rhythmic Gymnastics team for winning bronze at the Canadian Championships.
Resolution No. 598/599 - Hadayat Rahimi and Nadine Parsons
Lina Hamid
Gave notice of resolutions thanking Hadayat Rahimi for running a volleyball program for Afghan newcomers, and congratulating Nadine Parsons, founder of the Single Snowflake Myasthenia Gravis Advocacy Association, on her Humanitarian Award.
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.