Houston government wasted budget sitting, failed to help Nova Scotians with soaring costs: NDP

HALIFAX – Today, the Houston government ended the spring budget session without taking meaningful action to lower people’s bills.

The Premier missed nearly half of the spring sitting, travelling to Texas, Alberta, and Ontario instead and didn’t even have the courage to vote for his own budget cuts.

“After cruel budget cuts and secretive spending, Nova Scotians are losing trust in how the Houston government makes decisions that impact the province,” said Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender. “Five years into this government and all people have to show for it is a pattern of decisions made in secret, including $6.7 billion in spending through background deals. Costs are up, health care still isn’t reliable, and housing is out of reach. People have been patient, and it’s not too much for them to expect better than this.”

The PCs' budget made cuts to tourism, arts and culture, African Nova Scotian Affairs, L’nu Affairs, research and innovation and to the rural jobs that keep our province going. Entire sectors that support thousands of jobs have been hit, and the Premier and Finance Minister can’t explain or defend those choices.

“Too many decisions are still being made in secret, through backroom deals, with no way for people to see them, question them, or know who they’re really helping,” said Chender. “Government spending should be decided in the open, because Nova Scotians deserve more than headlines about spending. They deserve results they can actually see and feel, so they can afford the basics for their families, have reliable health care, and have a chance at a bright future. New Democrats will keep fighting to bring decisions into the open and make sure government spends your hard-earned money to make your life better.”

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