Kevin Northup has been a reporter and news anchor for more than 15 years. He is based in Yarmouth and covers stories locally and across Nova Scotia. Contact Kevin at northupk@radioabl.ca.
The spring sitting of the Nova Scotia Legislature has wrapped.
The session ended Thursday afternoon after 27 days, it was the longest under Premier Tim Houston.
A controversial budget with millions in cuts to arts and culture programs caused protests outside and inside the House, leading to restrictions on public access.
Finance minister John Lohr says every budget contains difficult decisions.
“We are well aware that we’re nearly $1.3 billion in debt, and we still need to borrow money. We’re doing a massive infrastructure build of things that were deferred maintenance, and continuing to invest in affordability, healthcare and housing,” said Lohr.
Lohr says he doesn’t know what next year’s budget will look like.
He says the world is changing, and they’re meeting needs where they can.
Opposition say trust in Premier is low
Meanwhile, NDP leader Claudia Chender said trust in government is at an all-time low.
She criticized cuts and out of budget spending, and Premier Tim Houston for missing time in the House due to meetings in Texas and Alberta.
“By our calculations, he’s missed over 40 percent of this session. We’ve heard from Nova Scotians across this province that question what the Premier’s job is, and demanding that he come back and stand up for the decisions that he’s made,” said Chender.
Houston is currently in Calgary attending meetings on natural gas with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette says the public engagement during the session was encouraging to see.
He says it likely helped the cause on government walking back some of the planned cuts earlier in the session.
Yarmouth Recreation wants to hear about volunteerism.
Nominations are open for their 52nd annual Volunteer Awards.
Community Engagement Officer Jillian Comeau says they’re looking to recognize people who make the community better.
“There are so many groups and individuals in the area that really work hard at getting jobs done and volunteering in the community, so we want to hear about them,” said Comeau.
One volunteer from the town and one from the municipality will be chosen as provincial volunteer award recipients.
The rest will be honoured at a ceremony in the fall.
“There are a lot of things that can’t happen without volunteers, so getting together on one night a year is a small way to celebrate all of their accomplishments.”
Nominations close April 26, at the end of Volunteer Week.
The province says the door is open for discussions with First Nations leaders on cannabis.
Last Thursday, April 2, members of First Nations communities blocked key highways for several hours.
The protests were over RCMP raids of cannabis storefronts on First Nations.
Tensions are high, First Nations say it’s their Treaty right to sell cannabis on their lands.
Justice minister Scott Armstrong says they’re always open to meeting, but there are policies in place.
“We have a policy where First Nations can actively participate in cannabis sales at NSLC locations, with proceeds going back to the bands. We’re willing to have discussions on that, and other policies,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong says the province strongly supports the RCMP and their actions on illegal cannabis.
“The Cannabis Control Act is the law of the land in Nova Scotia. The Cannabis Act is the law of the land across Canada. Health Canada produced cannabis products are the only legal ones across the country.”
Armstrong was asked what it will take to resolve tensions.
“We’ll have to work on that together. I think the onus is on all leadership to work together to try and find a solution to all of these issues. The issue of public health and safety for young people is a priority.”
Premier Houston issued a lengthy statement over Easter weekend, saying blocking a highway or road is never acceptable.
He said they are ready to work together to address the drug crisis, but they are not prepared to accept the status quo.
Several RCMP cars are parked outside of a cannabis store along Highway 4 in Potlotek First Nation on Thursday. PHOTO: ACADIA BROADCASTING
3 arrested after RCMP vehicles damaged
Meanwhile, RCMP say two men, aged 33 and 30 from Potlotek and a 19-year-old man from River Bourgeois were arrested in relation to mischief Thursday.
This was after several police vehicles were damaged during the protests in Potlotek, RCMP say seven vehicles had damage of some kind, including broken windows and flat tires.
Police say no charges have been laid.
Potlotek First Nation released a statement condemning the vandalism, and asked anyone with information to come forward.
The First Nation said the raid Thursday caused fear, and what followed was a powerful demonstration of unity and solidarity across the community.
