The Premier has introduced a number of Bills and Amendments that will seriously restrict the public’s access to information and our ability to take part in the law-making process.

The Premier has changed direction from healthcare, affordable housing and transportation issues (that were his election platform) to reducing “red tape” for development, particularly the extraction industries like mining, drilling and fracking, and rolling back environmental protection. He is pitting “special interest groups” against “jobs and economic prosperity” amidst Trump’s threats of trade tariffs. Since when is working to ensure our grandchildren have clean water to drink and clean air to breath “special interest”?

PLEASE take a few minutes to write or call your MLA and make your voice heard!

Read Minister John Lohr’s letter to the Municipalities and Councillors and write your councillor

Who to write to:

Find your MLA contact information here

Find your Councillor and Mayor’s information here.

Below are highlights from the Bills that will have the most impact on our democratic rights and environmental protection:

Bill #1: Government Organization and Administration, An Act Respecting

• The changes give the Premier power to remove (fire) the Audit General without cause provided 2/3 of the Legislature agree. Given the size of this government’s majority, that is not a problem during this present term. (Tim Houston has just reversed this amendment on February 24, 2025)
• This Act removes Chapter 5 Sec 29A of the Elections Act so that there is no fixed lection date. ( a short-lived promise made and broken)
• This Act will now restrict the public’s access to government information by changing the rules governing Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy and the submission of information requests (FOIPOP)
• The changes diminishes the amount of time the opposition may use in the Legislature for debates and question period

Bill #6: Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources, An Act Respecting

• This Act, among other things, lifts the moratorium on uranium mining in Nova Scotia and the ban on fracking. Interesting enough, the Premier is on record promising that he would respect the fracking ban as Premier of Nova Scotia. See pages 681-682 of this debate recorded by Hansard

Bill #12 Advanced Education and Research, An Act Respecting

• will remove the guardrails that limit government influence over research and education in Nova Scotia’s higher education institutions.

Bill #24 Temporary Access to Land Act and Joint Regional Transportation Agency Act (amended)

• This Act will change the Joint Regional Transportation Agency to Link Nova Scotia.
• Gives the Minister of Public Works sole control over Link Nova Scotia
• The Act allows the Minister and Deputy Minister to completely override municipal planning strategies as they pertain to transportation and transportation infrastructure, including the expropriation of private lands to comply with Link Nova Scotia plans.

In addition, Tim Houston has:

• Disbanded Communications Nova Scotia, bringing all government communications under his office. This essentially destroys the arms length and relatively objective information exchange between the government, the media and the public, leaving news open to partisan propaganda.
• Given a $3billion contract without a tender process, to a private developer to build and operate the new Infirmary expansion
• Awarded Shannex $1billion to operate Hogan Court transitional care without a tender process
• Removed the annual report on ER closures that has existed since 2010, designed to keep the government accountable
• Changed the rules so he can fire non-union civil servants, leaving government employees open to unjustified dismissal and introducing an environment of fear in the workplace.

Lindsay Lee Facebook post: a summary of public presentations to the Public Bills Committee

Mach 17, 2025

Doctors. Concerned citizens. Environmental advocates. Faith groups. A geologist. Grandmothers.
These are some of the people who spoke out this week against Bill 6, which will open the door to fracking and uranium mining in Nova Scotia.

Thank you for raising awareness, getting your opposition on the record, and engaging with the democratic process in such a thoughtful way. Even though the government isn’t interested in listening, it’s important to get these messages out to the public and the media. You did that.

For what it’s worth, no one came forward in favour of lifting the ban on fracking, and the only presenter who advocated for uranium mining is Sean Kirby, whose job it is to promote mining in NS. I’ve included his presentation below, too.

11. Margaret Matchum
    Earth Spirit Action Team of St. Matthew’s United Church
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…

12. Barbara Gallagher
    Citizen Action to Protect the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…

13. Diane Doucet-Kenny
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…

14. Susan Pirie
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…

15. Brenna Thibodeau
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…

16. Megan Krempa
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…

17. Gretchen Fitzgerald
    Sierra Club Canada Foundation
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…

18. Marnie Reynolds
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…

19. Brad Redden
    A geologist who worked in uranium exploration
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…

21. Laura Dunn
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…
22. Dr. Cathy Cervin
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…

Check out the Canadian petition rules here

Federal Parlimentarry petition initiated by Charlie Angus to declare Donald Trump a persona non grata in Canada. Open until March 22, 2025

Federal Parlimentary petition initiated by Charlie Angus to revoke Elon Musk’s dual citizenship. Open until June 20, 2025

Federal Parlimentary petition initiated by Charlie Angus to ban Twitter/X in Canada for elction interference. Open until May 21, 2025

Change.org petition calling for the office of the NS Auditor General to remain independent. Initiated by Tracy Webb. Open until undetermined date.

Letter to Saltwire written by Nina Newington

Letter to Masthead written by Helga Guderley

Here is the 6-page memo that Tim Houston sent to his Caucus instead of individual mandate letters

This is the letter Tim Houston addressed to Nova Scotians

This is the recent letter sent by John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs asking municipalities and councillors for their support in pushing the mineral extraction agenda.

Tim Houston believes Nova Scotia could compete in the uranium business. There is no possible way our little province could compete with Saskatchewan. But we would destroy our own economy and province trying.

Op-Ed: We need to begin building our economic future today

Check out the news stories below: