Nova Scotia Budget Bill Stalled by Protests in Legislature
Passage of Nova Scotia’s budget bill was temporarily halted late Tuesday night as singing protesters disrupted the final vote to approve the government’s spending plan. Finance Minister John Lohr had tabled the Appropriations Act, the bill authorizing the government’s spending, around 11 p.m.
The bill had successfully passed the first two readings without issue. However, as the final vote approached, approximately 45 people in the public gallery at Province House began to sing, chanting, “It’s OK to change your mind, display us your courage, leave this behind,” and “It’s OK to change your mind. And you can join us — join us at any time.”
After roughly 15 minutes of protest, with the clock nearing midnight, Speaker Danielle Barkhouse adjourned the sitting. Business is scheduled to resume at the legislature on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and Government House leader Brendan Maguire stated the Appropriations Act will be called for a final vote sometime this week. CBC News reports that Maguire characterized the protest as “democracy in action,” asserting the public’s right to voice their opinions.
Budget Cuts Fuel Opposition
The Progressive Conservative budget has faced significant criticism since its initial presentation last month. The plan includes over $300 million in cuts this year to address a $1.24-billion deficit, with a goal of $2.5 billion in total cuts by 2030. CBC News detailed that thousands have participated in rallies outside Province House to protest these cuts, particularly the $130 million reduction in grants for programs supporting mental health, the arts, and other sectors.
Premier Tim Houston responded to public outcry on March 10, reversing $53.6 million of the initial $300 million in cuts. These reversals included funding for nursing home staff, as well as grants affecting services for seniors, people with disabilities, and educational opportunities for African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq learners.
Opposition Calls for Reconsideration
Opposition leaders are calling for a pause in the budget process. NDP Leader Claudia Chender believes the government should reconsider cuts that do not contribute to deficit reduction and engage in dialogue with representatives from the arts community. Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin welcomed the delay in the vote, stating both the Liberals and NDP have previously attempted to persuade the government to revisit the budget.
Premier Houston is currently in Texas attending an energy conference and is expected to return on Thursday. CBC News reported that Rankin emphasized the public’s strong voice during Tuesday’s events.
Arts Community Expresses Concerns
The cuts to the arts and culture sector remain a significant concern for many protesters. Colleen Arcturus MacIsaac, who attended the legislature Tuesday night, expressed concern that cuts targeting marginalized communities were disproportionate to the effort to address the deficit. Stephanie Domet, a member of the Nova Scotia Arts Coalition and co-founder of the Afterwards Literary Festival, stated she attended Province House to directly convey the impact of the budget on Nova Scotians.
Domet, a former CBC radio host, noted the unprecedented level of public engagement surrounding the legislature during this session. CBC News reported that she and others continued to sing in protest.
Province House was last shut down by a protest in 1994, when construction workers opposed legislation regarding unionized and non-unionized workers on job sites.
Appropriations Act Details
The Appropriations Act, 2025, was introduced on March 25, 2025, by Finance Minister John Lohr. The Nova Scotia Legislature details the following allocations within the bill:
- Department of Advanced Education: $732,171,000
- Department of Agriculture: $47,946,000
- Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage: $168,120,000
- Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions: $283,921,000
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: $2,225,951,000
- Department of Health and Wellness: $5,976,833,000
- Debt Servicing Costs: $908,509,000
The complete list of departmental allocations is available on the Nova Scotia Legislature website.
Keep reading