REALITY CHECK: Houston government’s budget cuts for Nova Scotians, spends on themselves

HALIFAX – The Houston government is asking Nova Scotians to accept deep cuts to public services while expanding their own ministerial budgets.

Tim Houston’s budget includes $305 million in public services and program cuts, including deep cuts in core civil services, environment and climate change, arts and culture, and wildlife conservation.

While Nova Scotians lose services they depend on, the Houston government is making big increases to ministerial office budgets to hire more political and public relations staff.

Dramatic increases to ministers’ and deputy ministers’ offices include a:

• 67 per cent increase to Advanced Education
• 66 per cent increase to Natural Resources
• 59 per cent increase to Energy

“Nova Scotians do not deserve to pay for the mistakes that this government has made. We’re seeing massive cuts to sectors that Nova Scotians value, our traditional industries, arts and culture, science, and social services, with no explanation of where we will get back to balance,” said Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender. “Rural communities and coastal communities will be hit by this budget. We are going to see job losses, and we're going to see significant losses to community programs, all while the government significantly expands their own Ministerial budgets to hire political and Public Relations staff. We need a government that is willing to be honest and transparent, not one that prioritizes managing messaging.”

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