Nova Scotia weighs risks of online gambling as other provinces expand access

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Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 20:11:56.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]

The Nova Scotia government, through Finance Minister John Lohr, is evaluating whether to expand government-regulated online gambling after seeing Ontario and Alberta open up their markets in 2022 and July respectively, currently relying solely on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation for authorized platforms. Opposition leaders, including NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, have cautioned that the province must proceed very carefully and conduct public health risk assessments first. This comes as studies from institutions like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health highlight significant concerns regarding online gambling harms, noting that Ontario emergency department visits for gambling disorders doubled following expansion and high school youth participation rates rose from one per cent in 2019 to nine per cent.

Ex-N.S. PC interim leader endorses another former Tory for Liberal leadership

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-26 15:01:45.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance]

Karla MacFarlane, former interim leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives and former speaker of the house, has endorsed former PC cabinet colleague Becky Druhan for the Nova Scotia Liberal leadership race. Druhan, who left the Progressive Conservative party to sit as an Independent in the fall before joining the Liberals in the spring, is competing against Amanda Mombourquette to become the new provincial Liberal leader. The party leadership decision is scheduled to take place in late November.

N.S. NDP remove party whip following post about France protests

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-21 22:41:28.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance, Labour, Justice]

The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party removed MLA Paul Wozney from his role as party whip following a social media post in which he called for France-style civil unrest to oppose government legislation. Wozney's comments were made in response to a legal remedy concerning Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act, which was previously ruled unconstitutional by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. NDP Leader Claudia Chender condemned the remarks as careless and affirmed that the party unequivocally denounces violence or suggestions of violence in civic life.

Halifax Forum meeting to be rescheduled, councillors raise concerns over project pause

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 20:03:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Infrastructure, Culture, Governance]

Halifax Regional Council voted unanimously to reschedule a public consultation meeting regarding the proposed demolition of the 98-year-old Halifax Forum municipal heritage property. The redevelopment project was previously paused by municipal staff after updated project costs exceeded the council-approved $126 million budget by 10 to 12 per cent. Councillors expressed frustration over the sudden project pause and lack of advance briefing, though a comprehensive staff report with third-party cost verification is scheduled for release in December.

Proposed remedy for workers affected by Bill 148 could cost N.S. $470 million

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-19 20:15:49.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Labour, Finance, Justice, Governance]

The Nova Scotia government has agreed to pay an estimated $470 million in compensation to roughly 81,000 public sector employees following a court ruling on Bill 148. Introduced in December 2015 by the former Liberal government and enacted in 2017, the legislation imposed four-year wage restrictions and eliminated long-term service awards. In February, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Ann Smith ruled that Bill 148 infringed upon public servants' Charter rights, ordering a legal remedy. Nova Scotia Minister of Finance John Lohr stated that the $470 million settlement cost is reflected in the 2025–26 provincial budget, though Justice Smith must still give final sign-off on the proposed remedy.

Nova Scotia premier defends changing his stance on welcoming data centre proposals

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-15 18:08:28.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance]

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has defended his policy reversal regarding the approval of data centre operations in the province. In June, Premier Houston stated that data centres would not be approved until major energy generation projects—such as the Wind West offshore wind farms—were completed to handle their high electricity demands. However, in late September, the premier softened his position, citing the federal government's new rules and focus on data sovereignty as the primary catalyst for becoming more open to considering high-tech data centre proposals.

Child safety advocate says N.S. changes to car seat rules makes province ‘leader’ in country

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-07 18:27:25.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Transportation, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

The Government of Nova Scotia has released the first set of regulations under its new Traffic Safety Act, replacing the 1920s-era Motor Vehicle Act, effective October 19. The updated rules establish Canada's first age-based minimums for children's car seats, requiring children to remain in rear-facing car seats until at least age two and harnessed car seats until age four. Additionally, the regulatory framework modernizes distracted driving rules, creates inclusive cyclist rules, and establishes clearer guidelines for emerging vehicle types such as electric scooters.

N.S. privacy commissioner questions transparency around cabinet records

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-02 15:59:06.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance, Justice]

Nova Scotia Information and Privacy Commissioner David Nurse criticized upcoming provincial legislative changes taking effect in April that will completely shield all provincial cabinet records from freedom of information requests. Nurse stated in his annual report that the new rules represent a significant reduction in transparency compared to current provisions, which already limit public access to the substance of cabinet deliberations while allowing background information to be released. He noted that Nova Scotia's approach diverges from practices in other provinces like British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and asserted there was no valid policy justification for the dramatic restrictions.

Questions raised as audit finds Nova Scotia not making full use of student test data

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-29 19:04:38.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Education, Governance]

A report released by Nova Scotia Auditor General Kim Adair revealed that the provincial Department of Education spent $700,000 in the 2024-25 school year to administer and mark standardized assessments for Grades 3, 6, and 8, but failed to utilize the data to set measurable performance targets or action plans. The audit highlighted persistent declines in writing and math outcomes, noting that only 43 per cent of Grade 3 students and 49 per cent of Grade 6 students met expectations in writing, while math performance dropped to 54 per cent by Grade 8. The auditor general made 11 recommendations focused on linking regional assessment results to targeted interventions across Regional Centres for Education, with the Department of Education agreeing to implement the recommendations between January 2027 and September 2028.

Time to end the time change? P.E.I.'s premier wants to hear your thoughts about it

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-28 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Governance, Transportation]

Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz has initiated discussions with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick counterparts regarding the potential elimination of the biannual time change, conditioned on a unified tri-provincial approach across the Maritimes. The provincial government intends to survey residents to gauge public opinion following a decision by Canada's western provinces and territories to adopt permanent daylight time. Stakeholders, including the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation, have raised safety concerns regarding potential darker morning school bus pick-up times under permanent daylight time models.

Could a single Maritime power grid make electricity more reliable?

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-27 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Energy, Infrastructure, Governance]

The premiers of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding in July to explore a regional road map for electricity transmission and the creation of a Maritime-wide Independent System Operator (ISO). The proposed non-profit entity would operate at arm's length from provincial governments and private utilities such as Nova Scotia Power, N.B. Power, and Maritime Electric to optimize cross-border resource sharing, renewable energy integration, and grid reliability by 2050. This regional cooperation follows Nova Scotia's establishment of its own provincial ISO last year and is supported by federal funding initiatives aimed at constructing new underwater transmission cables between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia to mark 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities with new signs

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-18 18:56:57.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Culture, Governance]

Nova Scotia NDP MLA Suzy Hansen brought forward a legislative motion to mark 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities across the province with new signs, which unanimously passed the Nova Scotia legislature without debate. The initiative highlights Black heritage and communities such as Shelburne, Africville, Cherry Brook, Sydney, and East and North Preston. This recognizes the historical presence of Black settlers in Nova Scotia, beginning with approximately 3,500 Black Loyalists who fled the United States in 1783 at the end of the American Revolution.

Diana Fox Carney appointed as Canada's ocean envoy, chair of Our Ocean Conference

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-16 21:20:08.0
Tags: [National, Nova Scotia, Environment, Fisheries, Governance]

Diana Fox Carney has been appointed as Canada's ocean envoy and chair of the 12th annual Our Ocean Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Halifax in 2027. In her unpaid role, announced by Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson, Fox Carney will coordinate efforts connecting ocean conservation, climate action, Indigenous leadership, economic resilience, and maritime security. The appointment supports Ottawa's target to protect 30 per cent of Canada's marine and coastal areas by 2030.

New poll: Nova Scotia government’s approval rating has recovered from recent plunge

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-16 15:43:07.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Finance, Governance]

A new Abacus Data poll indicates that Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's government approval rating has partially recovered to 35 per cent in August/September 2026, up from a low of 31 per cent in May following the February provincial budget that cut over $300 million in spending. Following public protests, the government previously reinstated $53 million in grant reductions primarily impacting people with disabilities, seniors, African Nova Scotians, and Indigenous students. The online survey of 600 Nova Scotians also found that voting intentions for the Progressive Conservatives remained steady at 40 per cent, while the Opposition New Democrats rose to 33 per cent and the Liberals stayed at 22 per cent.

Patients face challenges when seeking medical care not offered in Nova Scotia: audit

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-15 16:19:33.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Healthcare, Governance]

Nova Scotia Auditor General Kim Adair released a report detailing systemic challenges and inefficiencies within the province's out-of-province and out-of-country medical claims program. The audit found that administrative duplication between the Nova Scotia Health Department and program administrators slowed response times for patients seeking necessary specialized treatments not offered locally, such as care for eye cancer, lymphedema, gender dysphoria, and lung transplants. The review also revealed that program information was not readily accessible to the public or physicians. Health Minister Michelle Thompson accepted the report's eight recommendations and indicated they will be implemented over the coming year.

Lawyer says new bill could cause ramped up surveillance of vulnerable Nova Scotians

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-14 19:16:15.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

The Nova Scotia provincial government is facing criticism from Dalhousie Legal Aid over proposed amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act introduced in an omnibus bill. The legislative changes would permit individuals who do not live in a specific area to submit anonymous property complaints regarding suspected criminal activity, while also expanding the act's scope to encompass organized crime and human trafficking. Legal aid lawyer Nadia Shivji warned that the changes could increase surveillance and be weaponized against vulnerable populations, including Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Justice Minister Scott Armstrong defended the proposed legislation, stating it is necessary to assist police in tackling higher-level crime and expressing his belief that it will not disproportionately affect marginalized people.

N.S. premier invites the public to build and submit their own provincial budgets

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-11 17:17:45.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Finance, Governance, Healthcare]

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Public Service Commission Minister Twila Grosse launched a new public budget consultation process allowing Nova Scotians to build and submit their own provincial budget versions via a dedicated website. The interactive tool prohibits users from raising taxes and fees, increasing the deficit, or cutting funding from the Health and Wellness Department, but permits a five per cent increase or decrease to all other departmental budgets and individual program funding. Provincial officials will host online and in-person public meetings across Nova Scotia, after which an independent committee will review submissions and present a report to the finance minister for consideration in the next fiscal plan.

N.S. government tables bill to review new regulation system for Nova Scotia Power

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-09 20:24:12.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Environment, Governance, Affordability]

The Government of Nova Scotia, led by Premier and Minister of Energy Tim Houston, tabled a bill requiring the Nova Scotia Energy Board to review the regulation system for Nova Scotia Power Inc. The proposed legislation examines implementing a performance-based regulation that would link a portion of the utility's revenues, earnings, incentives, or penalties to measurable outcomes such as reliability, emissions reduction, and customer service. The review is mandated to begin 30 days after the law takes effect, with a final report to be published publicly.

N.S. mother vows to finish late son’s fight for improved income support for tent residents

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-09 20:16:42.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Housing, Social Services, Justice, Governance]

Following an August 5, 2026 Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruling establishing that a tent qualifies as accommodation for income assistance, the Nova Scotia provincial government updated its legislation and disability supplement regulations to exclude people living in tents from accessing enhanced financial support. In response, the provincial NDP introduced a private member's bill titled Bradley’s Law—named after Bradley Lowe, a 30-year-old who died at a Halifax encampment in 2023 during a legal challenge over income assistance rates—to mandate that financial support be provided regardless of housing status. Human rights lawyer Vince Calderhead has petitioned the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission to investigate the provincial policy change as a human rights violation.

Tariff fight looms over Nova Scotia legislature’s return

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-08 22:14:40.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Economy, Trade, Labour, Governance, Mining]

As the Nova Scotia legislature convened for its fall sitting at Province House, the economy, U.S. trade tariffs, and workers' rights dominated legislative debate. Premier Tim Houston's government faced questioning regarding retaliatory Canadian tariffs on American goods, with Finance Minister John Lohr confirming that the province's $50 million tariff relief contingency fund has not yet been tapped despite ongoing consultations with affected supply chains. Concurrently, the provincial government tabled legislation to lower the overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours a week, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who noted it lags behind other jurisdictions. Outside Province House, demonstrators gathered to protest unilateral policy decisions, specifically demanding the reinstatement of the provincial uranium mining ban following a petition containing over 10,000 signatures.