Nova Scotia spring legislative sitting ends following protests, debates over budget

The Nova Scotia Province House in Halifax is pictured. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)

The spring Nova Scotia legislative sitting, which was defined by heated protests over proposed budget cuts and the temporary closure of the building to the public, has concluded.

The spring sitting for the 65^th General Assembly wrapped up on Thursday. In a news release, the Progressive Conservative government, which has a supermajority, touted the passing of the 2026-2027 budget as a major accomplishment.

“We passed a budget that continues investing in healthcare, supports our seniors, gets more homes built, and positions Nova Scotia as an energy leader,” Premier Tim Houston said in a news release. “That’s what this government was elected to do, and that’s what we’re delivering.”

Last February, the government unveiled the projected budget with a $1.2-billion deficit and numerous cuts to services. Many of those cuts drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and the public, thousands of whom protested outside Province House in March.

Amid the backlash, the premier walked back $53.6 million in cuts for programs affecting seniors and people living with disabilities, as well as Indigenous and African Nova Scotian student support programming.

In late March, the Speaker of the House temporarily closed Province House to the public after protestors disrupted a vote on a spending bill. It reopened last week.

With files from The Canadian Press

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