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.
Nova Scotia is walking back some of the $130 million in planned budget cuts.
They’re restoring over $53 million in three areas: disability support, seniors and funding for African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students.
Premier Tim Houston says they were honest about the financial situation of the province, and admit some decisions were wrong.
“For that, I’m sorry.” said the Premier during a news conference on Tuesday.
“I never want Nova Scotians to feel that the government is working against them. We did not do enough ahead of time to explain the seriousness of the challenges we’re facing, we moved too quickly.”
He says after listening to the public outcry and concrete examples brought forward, they decided to restore some funding.
Houston says this will increase Nova Scotia’s $1.19 billion deficit, but these programs make a difference, and it was the right decision.
Arts and culture cuts not restored
The cuts to the arts, culture and tourism sector will remain.
Houston says the arts community is valued.
“Arts and culture is a big part of what makes us special. Even though the adjustments remain, I do wish we could do more today.”
A rally is planned outside Province House Tuesday, hundreds attended one last week, and several smaller rallies across the province.
Rally for arts and culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Chender calls cuts ‘total mismanagement’
The leader of the NDP slammed the government on how they handled the cuts, saying it was “chaos” and “total mismanagement.”
Claudia Chender tells reporters that the situation raises questions about how the decisions were communicated and how government spending is managed.
“I think what we see is total mismanagement,” Chender says. “Again, we have ministers of departments with cuts who cannot speak to those cuts or who say one thing and then say another thing the next day.”
She also pointed to what she described as issues with oversight and budgeting practices.
“Well, I think for one thing we need to know that Nova Scotians are getting value for money,” she says.
Rally for arts and culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
‘We chose Nova Scotia’
Artists employed with the Gale Force Theatre say as far as they know their funding has been completely cut.
Lily Falk works as an artist at the theatre, and she says she’s, “really devastated at the cruelty of the cuts.” As an artist who’s in a collaboration, who has a theater company that specifically moved here to this province to make work together, we chose this as our home.”
Franziska Glen says losing the program will affect youth on the Eastern Shore and in Halifax and Dartmouth.
“All of these things are going to be so deeply affected and are also affecting the people that we serve which are kids and families all across the province,” Glen explains.
Glen says some students have told her the improv group she helps run was the only reason they finished high school, and she worries losing it could also harm kids’ mental health.
Thousands of people from across Nova Scotia gathered to protest the Houston government’s recent cuts to arts, heritage, and culture. Creatives from every corner of the province made their stance clear, with demonstrations taking place in Halifax, Yarmouth, Truro, and Windsor.
During the rally, advocates led cheers, chants, and songs as the crowd raised its voice outside the House of Assembly during Question Period, determined to make sure they were heard.
Rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
MLA for Dartmouth North, Suzanne LeBlanc, spoke passionately about the heartfelt letters she’s received over the past week from Nova Scotians feeling the impact of these cuts.
“A mom who is devastated that their daughter was not going to have performances at their school anymore. I had someone write me to just say they live in a small town, and they understand how important the little museum is,” LeBlanc said, her voice shaking as she shared real people’s stories. “I heard from a young dancer who has been volunteering with Dancers with Disabilities every Saturday, and she is devastated that she doesn’t get to do that anymore.”
Artistic Director at Live Art Dance, Liliona Quarmyne, speaking at a rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
As the demonstration grew louder, protesters demanded the Premier come outside and address them, chanting “bring him out” so powerfully that it could be heard for blocks.
Rally for Arts, Heritage, and Culture in Halifax. PHOTO BY NATALIE CHIASSON /Acadia Broadcasting
Rallies held in southwestern N.S.
About 75 people rallied outside Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton’s office.
Signs read: ‘art saves lives,’ ‘support the arts,’ and ‘get in tune with Nova Scotians.’
Organizer Kathryn Davidson says the cuts slam the door on our ancestors.
“It disrespects everything that makes our beloved province so special to thousands of yearly tourists, and so many of us that are proud to call Nova Scotia home,” Davidson said.
NSGEU members were also in attendance, and say the cuts will hurt their members.
“It’s just a sad situation all around,” said local NSGEU member Lynette Hayward-Byrd.
“A lot of these cuts will hurt families, who live right here in this community. We want the Houston government to reverse this decision.”
Protestors plan to write letters to the Premier, Minister and MLAs.
Hilton responds via open letter on social media letter
Meanwhile, Yarmouth MLA Nick Hilton said he would address concerns directly in person, if he could.
In a statement on social media, he says he’s required to be in Halifax at the Legislature, representing the people of Yarmouth.
Hilton pointed to $100 million in the budget for Yarmouth, on things like the emergency department, Mariners Centre, housing, and renovations at the Th’YARC.
He adds the impact of job losses are not lost on him, but they will continue to support tourism as they push for long-term sustainability of the Yarmouth ferry.
Hilton promised to listen and make sure the community’s voice is heard.
Shelburne rally hosts over 100
In Shelburne, a rally was held in front of a museum that’s slated for closure.
Protestors gathered in front of the Ross-Thomson House and Store Museum, which was affected by the budget cuts.
Linda McNichol organized the event, and says people have worked hard to promote tourism.
“It’s going to really affect tourism. Places like restaurants, B&B’s, everything. Along with our spirit and culture, who we are as a community,” said McNichol.
The group also marched to MLA Nolan Young’s office, and will write letters to him and government officials.
Solidarity rally in Antigonish
In the northeastern part of the province, a solidarity rally is planned in Antigonish.
Andrea Boyd, Artistic Director for Theatre Antigonish and Festival Antigonish told us they planned it for later in the day so more residents could attend.
Boyd says hearing about the shocks was shocking, devastating, sort of unbelievable and everybody is feeling it.
“If it’s not a direct impact, because maybe you don’t directly receive those funds. It’s demoralizing,” said Boyd.
She added, the arts sector contributes $989 million to Nova Scotia’s GDP and supports more than 14,000 jobs.
Houston says difficult decisions need to be made
While chants were heard loudly in Province House, Premier Tim Houston said difficult decisions need to be made and times are tough.
“We are focusing on protecting health care, we are focusing on protecting school lunch programs, protecting students. We are focusing on the core services of Nova Scotians,” said Houston.
He stressed they are doing those things while keeping taxes down.
It asks 200-plus questions on your well-being, the last survey was done in 2019.
Chief engagement officer Danny Graham says there’s been a downturn in life satisfaction, and they want to know why.
“The pandemic has created a hit, but so has affordability. We want to be able to understand what the drivers of those changes are, so we can better prioritize the choices that governments make,” said Graham.
He says the survey dives into confidence in government, job satisfaction, and even your connection to nature.
“It also talks about experiencing loneliness, and the declining trust in institutions, which is also concerning.”
“The hope we have is that people will have their say on what’s on their mind, to help improve their lives. We think this will make a better future for us all.”
Over 13,000 people completed the questionnaire seven years ago.
The survey is confidential.
The deadline is April 19 to submit, you’ll find a code on a postcard in the mail to enter online.
Congrats to alternate captain @katbt617, head coach @TroyRyanHockey, assistant coach @KoriCheverie, and athletic therapist Danielle McNally who represented our province so proudly on the Olympic stage.
Millions of Canadians tuned in coast-to-coast, in what is sure to be one of the most watched hockey games in history.
One of them at ‘Big Leagues’ in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, just minutes from where Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon grew up playing.
Cole Harbour MLA Leah Martin was also in attendance, and said it was a celebration.
“We are so excited to be here, with our whole community coming out to celebrate. We could not be more proud to be from Cole Harbour. We’re gritty, tough and resilient,” said Martin during the game.
Big Leagues in Cole Harbour during the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. (Caitlin Snow photo)
It’s looking like 15-25 centimetres of snow will blow into Nova Scotia on Monday.
Environment Canada meteorologist Jim Prime says a low pressure system is expected to hang east of the province.
“It looks like most of Nova Scotia will see snow out of this, starting around Monday mid-day and the afternoon, continuing overnight into Tuesday morning,” said Prime.
A special weather statement is in effect for the entire province.
“Right now, we’re on the cold side of this system. If it moves west a bit, there could be less snow. We’ll have to see how the track pans out.”
Prime says snowfall amounts in January were around normal, but it’s been below average through February.
