Premier Houton’s second term:

Spring session 2026: A continuing assault on democracy

The Nova Scotia 2026-2027 budget, titled Defending Nova Scotia: Planning for the Long Term , was tabled on February 23, 2026 by PC-Minister of Finance and Treasury Board John Lohr. The budget cut $306 miilion from education, public and health services, community and environmental programs. The full 13-page list of programs cut can be found here on the Halifax Examiner’s website. 

The Financial Measures Act (Bill 198) was introduced on February 25. This complicated omnibus bill, as introduced, would have amended 20 different – and in many cases, unrelated – pieces of legislation.

We’ve linked all the Public Bills Committee proceedings that were held from March 23-26 in this section. If you are looking for specific presentors, we have divided all the videos into presentor-specific links. Click on the day you want and a new page will open with the individual names and link to their presentation. The full video of each day’s proceedings are also linked here. Just click on one of the video icons below.

March 26 Part 1 full video

March 26 Part 2 full video

Joan Baxter of the Halifax Examiner broke the news on February 19, 2026; Tim Houston has gutted the Wildlife Division of the Department of Natural Resources! Scientists and researchers, responsible for the on-going studies into species at risk, especially on crown land, have been laid off. The division has been replaced with “integrated resource planning” inside a new “Land Strategy and Planning Branch”. The assistant deputy minister’s office gains a new “advance strategic priorities” function. The almost immediate accolades from the Mining Association of Nova Scotia certainly gives the impression of collusion.

A rally will be held on March 3rd in front of the Legislature in Halifax from 12 noon to 1pm. Please join us, bring a poster or a sign. Bring you voice and stand shoulder to shoulder with your fellow Nova Scotians and the Mi’kmaw nation.

Write to or call your MLA and demand accountability. This decision will affect every corner of this province.

Joan Baxter’s article can be found here.