Premier Houston seeks to make Nova Scotia more self-reliant in memo to caucus

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston speaks with reporters during a cabinet session at the Nova Scotia government media centre. (Source: Jesse Thomas/CTV News Atlantic)

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shared his plan for economic prosperity and the road ahead for his newly elected government.

Houston outlined his government’s priorities in a six-page memo he issued Wednesday to his caucus, charting what he sees as opportunities and challenges ahead for the Progressive Conservative government, which secured a historic majority in the November election.

Last week Houston said he was going to break away from the government tradition of issuing mandate letters to each of his ministers, like he did in 2021 when the PCs first came to power.

Mandate letters are usually written to outline goals and priorities for the minister and each government department, but this time Houston used the memo to share his broader vision for the province.

He opened the letter by acknowledging the turbulent state of politics his government is facing both federally and internationally.

Houston pointed to the economic threats from the newly elected Donald Trump administration in the U.S., which is threatening to hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on certain goods.

“The United States is our largest trading partner and President Trump’s policies will impact us in dramatic and sometimes unforeseen ways,” Houston wrote. “In particular, the ‘Trump tax’ will not only make Nova Scotia products more expensive and less attractive to American consumers, they will make all Canadian products more expensive and less attractive.”

In Canada Houston spoke of the uncertainty surrounding the federal government as the Liberals seek a new leader in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement he will resign. Houston noted the likelihood of Canada seeing two new prime ministers in a short period of time.

Given the political volatility and economic uncertainty, Houston said Nova Scotia has to act now on opportunities to make the provincial economy more self-reliant.

While Houston said his government will work to protect traditional industries like fishing, farming and forestry, he emphasized the importance for pursing untapped and emerging natural resources like hydrogen, wind and lithium.

Houston said these three resources could lead to great economic opportunities and jobs, and the three resources alone could create $16 billion annually in economic growth.

“As it becomes more and more obvious that Canada as a country has to do more in the energy and critical minerals sectors, other jurisdictions would long for these opportunities,” said Houston, who believes Nova Scotia can be a leader in energy development and the mining of critical minerals like lithium.

“The potential to grow our resource economy and create a more sustainable Nova Scotia is remarkable and we must send the message that we can do resource projects and get shovels in the ground.”

Houston said the Trump tariffs have the potential to push Canada into a prolonged recession and could reduce the amount of federal transfer payments the provinces receive.

Houston called for bold action on transportation, advocating for the advancement of commuter rail to connect communities to Halifax and improve what he says is the livability of the province.

Houston said the development of rapid transportation in and out of Halifax “is a game changer” and “if they don’t act now, it will never be done.”

Houston closed the memo by encouraging his team to think big and act decisively. He said they made the most of their first mandate and included a list of accomplishments but stressed, “that is all in the past and now only tomorrow matters.”

Houston closed out the memo with a list of what he considers to be PC values and those of everyday Nova Scotians:

-Take responsibility - provide good government that spends tax dollars as if it were their own

-Be accountable - always be quick to answer for the decisions we make

-Encourage entrepreneurship – provide a climate where our best and brightest can succeed through hard work and initiative

-Promote self-reliance – support people and do what you can to help them become independent

-Lead with compassion – care for those in society who, through no fault of their own, need support

-Be a good steward – strive to pass on a natural environment to future generations that is the same or better than the one we inherited

-Show patriotism – take pride in our cultures, our communities and our province as part of a strong, united Canada

-Always be respectful – treat all citizens equally, regardless of ability, race, gender, religion, language or sexual orientation.

-Ground yourself in these core values as you assess the ideas and opportunities before you. We can change our policies but we should never change our principles.

The first legislative session of the new provincial government will sit on Feb. 14 when the new Lieutenant-Governor Mike Savage delivers the Speech from the Throne.

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