Keith Doucette

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Keith Doucette.

Nova Scotia ministers silent on environmental racism report, to meet with authors

Nova Scotia ministers silent on environmental racism report, to meet with authors

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia government ministers say they will meet with a panel tasked with examining environmental racism in the province, although they remain tight-lipped on the panel's findings, which were submitted a year ago.

Nova Scotia mum on why it won't release findings from environmental racism panel

Nova Scotia mum on why it won't release findings from environmental racism panel

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is refusing to release recommendations from a panel tasked with examining environmental racism in the province, and the minister responsible isn't saying why.

Chiefs in Nova Scotia say province needs to improve consultation on natural resources

Chiefs in Nova Scotia say province needs to improve consultation on natural resources

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Assembly of Mi'kmaw Chiefs says the provincial government needs to do a better job of consultation as it pushes to develop the province's natural resources.

Tuition frozen, grants rise in two-year funding deals for Nova Scotia universities

Tuition frozen, grants rise in two-year funding deals for Nova Scotia universities

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's 10 universities have signed new two-year funding agreements with the provincial government that include an undergraduate tuition freeze and an increase in operating grants.

Nova Scotia moves forward with plan for municipalities to protect coastlines

Nova Scotia moves forward with plan for municipalities to protect coastlines

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is offering municipalities a blueprint on how they can protect the province's 13,000 kilometres of coastline.

Nova Scotia NDP urging public to weigh in on the government's 'overreaching' bills

Nova Scotia NDP urging public to weigh in on the government's 'overreaching' bills

HALIFAX -- A series of contentious Nova Scotia government bills -- including one that would lift a ban on fracking and uranium mining -- come before a legislature committee next week, and the province's Opposition leader is urging the public to make its voice heard.

Nova Scotia tells court that Ottawa is entirely responsible for Chignecto Isthmus

Nova Scotia tells court that Ottawa is entirely responsible for Chignecto Isthmus

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on whether the federal government is solely responsible for the dike system that protects the low-lying land corridor linking Nova Scotia with New Brunswick.

Walmart, Loblaw agree to identify Nova Scotia products in stores as U.S. tariffs hit

Walmart, Loblaw agree to identify Nova Scotia products in stores as U.S. tariffs hit

HALIFAX -- Two of Nova Scotia's largest retailers have signed on to a provincial program aimed at making it easier for shoppers to identify locally produced products amid the ongoing trade war with the United States.

Walmart, Loblaw agree to identity Nova Scotia products in stores as U.S. tariffs hit

Walmart, Loblaw agree to identity Nova Scotia products in stores as U.S. tariffs hit

HALIFAX -- Two of Nova Scotia's largest retailers have signed on to a provincial program aimed at making it easier for shoppers to identify locally produced products amid the ongoing trade war with the United States.

Nova Scotia tables bill aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers

Nova Scotia tables bill aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has followed through on his promise to introduce a bill aimed at reducing interprovincial trade barriers, in an effort to boost the economy amid tariff threats by the U.S. president.

Nova Scotia NDP wants 'robust' legislature session to deal with budget, tariff threat

Nova Scotia NDP wants 'robust' legislature session to deal with budget, tariff threat

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's NDP leader is cautioning the government against rushing through the upcoming sitting of the legislature as the province's economy faces economic threats from the United States.

Buoyed by election win, Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa

Buoyed by election win, Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa

HALIFAX -- On the heels of a resounding election victory one month ago, Nova Scotia's premier is adopting a more measured tone when it comes to assessing his province's relationship with the federal government.

Nova Scotia budget update reduces deficit by $220M, mostly due to higher tax revenue

Nova Scotia budget update reduces deficit by $220M, mostly due to higher tax revenue

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's budget deficit for the current fiscal year is now projected at $247.5 million -- almost $220 million less than estimated in last February's budget.

Nova Scotia premier signals openness to boosting politicians' pay

Nova Scotia premier signals openness to boosting politicians' pay

HALIFAX -- After moving to block a recommended pay raise in 2022, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston now appears open to increased salaries for members of the legislature.

Federal fisheries proposal would slash commercial elver quota in 2025

Federal fisheries proposal would slash commercial elver quota in 2025

HALIFAX -- The federal Fisheries Department is proposing new elver quotas for the 2025 season that would significantly cut the share of baby eels fished by existing commercial licence holders.

Judge grants recount in riding lost by Nova Scotia Liberal leader

Judge grants recount in riding lost by Nova Scotia Liberal leader

HALIFAX -- There will be judicial recounts in two Nova Scotia ridings after last week's provincial election, including in a district narrowly lost by Liberal Leader Zach Churchill during the Progressive Conservatives' landslide victory.

N.S. election: Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's combative style of politics

N.S. election: Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's combative style of politics

HALIFAX -- Tim Houston gambled that Nova Scotia voters would re-elect the Progressive Conservatives with another majority -- even though he ignored his government's fixed-election-date legislation.

N.S. election: a look at re-elected Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston

N.S. election: a look at re-elected Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston

HALIFAX -- Tim Houston gambled that Nova Scotia voters would re-elect the Progressive Conservatives with another majority -- even though he ignored his government's fixed-election-date legislation.

Nova Scotia Tories appear safe with close battle for second between Liberals and NDP

Nova Scotia Tories appear safe with close battle for second between Liberals and NDP

HALIFAX -- With two days left before Nova Scotians elect their next government, polls suggest Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston's decision to call an early vote will pay off and the real battle will be between the Liberals and NDP for second place.

Nova Scotia Tory leader Houston strives to balance combative and personable sides

Nova Scotia Tory leader Houston strives to balance combative and personable sides

HALIFAX -- Tim Houston was on his way to his big, blue campaign bus outside a Halifax hotel earlier this week when he spotted a small group of construction workers passing by on the sidewalk.

Nova Scotia's main party leaders spar in final televised debate of election campaign

Nova Scotia's main party leaders spar in final televised debate of election campaign

HALIFAX -- Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston asked Nova Scotians on Thursday to be patient, saying his government's plan for health care, housing, and affordability is working -- and that he needs a second term in office to see his vision through.

Nova Scotia Liberals highlight housing plan, NDP talks support for small business

Nova Scotia Liberals highlight housing plan, NDP talks support for small business

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's Liberal and NDP leaders highlighted platform pledges related to housing and support for small businesses Friday, as Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston campaigned outside of Halifax.

N.S. Progressive Conservative election platform includes cap on electricity rates

N.S. Progressive Conservative election platform includes cap on electricity rates

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's incumbent Progressive Conservatives released their election platform today, which includes a promise to cap electricity rate increases so that they don't exceed the national average.

Nova Scotia Liberals release four-year, $2.3-billion election platform

Nova Scotia Liberals release four-year, $2.3-billion election platform

HALIFAX -- An ambitious target for housing and a replacement for federal carbon pricing are among the major promises contained in the Nova Scotia Liberals' election platform, which commits to $2.3 billion in spending over four years.

Nova Scotia Liberals release four-year $2.3-billion election platform

Nova Scotia Liberals release four-year $2.3-billion election platform

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Liberals have presented a four-year $2.3-billion platform for the Nov. 26 provincial election.

N.S. election: NDP promises to end fixed-term leases, impose rent-control system

N.S. election: NDP promises to end fixed-term leases, impose rent-control system

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's temporary rent cap and a loophole that allows landlords to avoid it were the targets of the provincial New Democrats on Thursday, as they promised to protect tenants from evictions and excessive hikes if elected Nov. 26.

N.S. election: NDP promises to end fixed-term leases, impose rent control

N.S. election: NDP promises to end fixed-term leases, impose rent control

Nova Scotia's New Democrats are proposing measures they say would protect renters from excessive rent hikes and evictions if the party is elected Nov. 26.

Nova Scotia premier announces one point cut to HST, to 14 per cent, starting April 1

Nova Scotia premier announces one point cut to HST, to 14 per cent, starting April 1

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has announced a one percentage point cut to the harmonized sales tax starting April 1.

Nova Scotia Liberal Fred Tilley quits to join governing Progressive Conservatives

Nova Scotia Liberal Fred Tilley quits to join governing Progressive Conservatives

HALIFAX -- A member of Nova Scotia's Opposition Liberals is crossing the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservatives.

Foreign doctors' skills will be assessed while they care for Nova Scotia patients

Foreign doctors' skills will be assessed while they care for Nova Scotia patients

HALIFAX -- A new program to more quickly integrate internationally trained doctors into Nova Scotia's health system is set to begin in the new year.

Nova Scotia government defends funding offer rejected by wine industry

Nova Scotia government defends funding offer rejected by wine industry

HALIFAX -- An offer of additional financial aid to Nova Scotia's wine industry is still on the table despite being rejected by grape growers earlier this week, say provincial officials.

Nova Scotia wine growers walk away from government aid negotiations for industry

Nova Scotia wine growers walk away from government aid negotiations for industry

HALIFAX -- The working group examining support for Nova Scotia's wine industry has lost its co-chair, who resigned this week calling talks with the provincial government an "enormous disappointment."

Nova Scotia legislature wraps after quick 10-day sitting, acrimony with Ottawa

Nova Scotia legislature wraps after quick 10-day sitting, acrimony with Ottawa

HALIFAX -- The fall sitting of the Nova Scotia legislature concluded Friday after just 10 sitting days, but the government says that was enough time to get important work done.

Nova Scotia adopts bill declaring domestic violence in the province an epidemic

Nova Scotia adopts bill declaring domestic violence in the province an epidemic

HALIFAX -- Following an extraordinary reversal by Premier Tim Houston, the Nova Scotia legislature on Thursday adopted a bill declaring domestic violence an epidemic in the province.

Nova Scotia proposes two-year extension to five-per-cent rent cap until end of 2027

Nova Scotia proposes two-year extension to five-per-cent rent cap until end of 2027

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government wants to extend its five per cent cap on rent increases another two years, but the province won't create an enforcement unit to bolster its tenancy rules and regulations.

With expansion of phone app, Nova Scotia patients can access a suite of health info

With expansion of phone app, Nova Scotia patients can access a suite of health info

HALIFAX -- Information on hospital visits and other medical records is now available for Nova Scotians through the province's mobile phone application called YourHealthNS.

Nova Scotia municipalities urged to get creative to find new revenue streams: report

Nova Scotia municipalities urged to get creative to find new revenue streams: report

HALIFAX -- The tax base for municipalities across Nova Scotia isn't keeping up with the cost of services and programs, and local governments need to get creative in finding new revenue, including by asking Ottawa for a cut of personal income taxes.

Nova Scotia premier says election call could come before summer 2025 fixed date

Nova Scotia premier says election call could come before summer 2025 fixed date

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's premier is casting doubt on whether he will adhere to the fixed provincial election date his party passed into law soon after coming to power.