lazy

Nova Scotia’s premier said they are not going to reinstate the ban on uranium exploration any time soon.

Tim Houston made the remarks, Wednesday, when speaking to reporters at Province House on day two of the fall sitting of the provincial legislature.

“I think blanket bans like that are lazy,” said Houston.

It was in March 2025 when the moratorium on uranium exploration was lifted. A move met with criticism from environmental experts.

A petition with more than 10,000 signatures pushing to reinstate the ban was tabled in the legislature, Tuesday, marking the third time it’s been brought Province House.

Houston said he respects Nova Scotians who raise their voice but lifting the ban was to allow discussions to take place.

“I think that’s the appropriate decision,” said Houston. “The ban was holding back mining across the spectrum of this province.”

At a Public Bills Committee in March 2025, the Mining Association of Nova Scotia said uranium mining can be done safely, pointing to studies that suggest the use of modern equipment reducing cancer risks.

A request for proposals for uranium exploration issued in 2025 did not get any bids. Houston was uncertain whether or not they will try again.

“I know people have concerns about [it], but uranium saved lives too,” explained Houston. “It has a lot of really important uses in medical devices.”

Houston said they will look at things project by project and do environmental assessments.