Passage of the Nova Scotia government’s budget bill stalled late Tuesday night when a group of singing protesters shut down the final vote to approve the budget. Finance Minister John Lohr tabled the Appropriations Act, the bill that authorizes the government’s spending plan, around 11 p.m. The bill cleared the first two votes without issue. But as the final vote was about to begin, members of a crowd of about 45 people looking on from the gallery at Province House broke out in song.
“It’s OK to change your mind, show us your courage, leave this behind,” they sang. “It’s OK to change your mind. And you can join us – join us at any time.” After about 15 minutes of singing and some people yelling out to MLAs, and with the clock nearing midnight, Speaker Danielle Barkhouse adjourned the sitting.
At 11:35 p.m., the Justice Department called police and requested their presence at the legislature due to a demonstration, according to Halifax Regional Police. Police said as the legislative session ended for the night, demonstrators were blocking the exit, preventing vehicles from leaving. Officers explained to the crowd what their rights were and told them if they continued blocking the exit, they could be charged with mischief. One man who continued blocking the exit was arrested for mischief but later released without charges. Business is set to resume at the legislature on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
The government has closed Province House to the public for the remainder of the week as a result of the Tuesday night protest. A news release from the Speaker’s office on Wednesday says in light of the events in the gallery and “security incidents throughout this sitting,” the House, its grounds and the committee room in One Government Place would be closed to the public. The release said the House will remain open to MLAs and accredited media, as well as caucus, government, and House staff.
Despite Tuesday’s events, government House leader Brendan Maguire said plans for the budget would not change and the Appropriations Act would be called again for a final vote sometime this week. Maguire said the gallery protest was “democracy in action.”
“It’s the people’s House – they have a right to come here and voice their opinion. That’s what democracy is.” The Progressive Conservatives’ budget has proved controversial since it was tabled last month. It includes more than $300 million in cuts this year as the province confronts a $1.24-billion deficit. The province plans to make a total of $2.5 billion in cuts by 2030. Thousands have attended multiple rallies outside Province House to protest the cuts, particularly the $130-million reduction to grants for a wide variety of programs from mental health supports to funding for the arts sector. Premier Tim Houston responded to the outcry by reversing $53.6 million of the $300 million in cuts on March 10, including a cut to staff at nursing homes. Several grant cuts that would have affected services for seniors, people with disabilities, and education opportunities for African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaw learners were also reversed.
Maguire said while he understands there is frustration among some people with the budget, it also provides money for things such as health care, education, transportation, and other projects. “Should we stop that? Obviously not.”
But opposition leaders said a pause is exactly what’s required. NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the government needs to reconsider cuts “that don’t do anything to address their deficit,” and meet with representatives from the arts community, in particular. “Talk to people. Explain your budget, explain your choices. Without doing that it’s just deeply irresponsible governance,” she said.
Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin said it’s a good thing that the budget vote has been delayed. Both the Liberals and NDP have tried unsuccessfully in recent days to persuade the government to give things a second look. “We’ve been trying…
