Former Progressive Conservative justice minister joins the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
HALIFAX -- Becky Druhan, Nova Scotia's former justice minister and Independent member of the legislature, is joining the provincial Liberals.
Lyndsay Armstrong
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N.S. government, long-term care union remain in a stalemate as strike drags on
HALIFAX -- The union representing long-term care workers in Nova Scotia and the provincial government remain in a stalemate as a strike extends into the 27th day.
N.S. advocates say province has failed to consult as it overhauls disability support
HALIFAX -- Advocates for Nova Scotians with disabilities say the provincial government has failed to consult with people affected by an overhaul of housing support and other services.
Mounties say there's no evidence supporting some new N.S. government cannabis claims
HALIFAX -- The RCMP are dismissing recent claims made by the Nova Scotia government that unregulated cannabis dispensaries are selling guns and women.
Despite court ruling, N.S. premier says he would ban people from entering woods again
HALIFAX -- The premier of Nova Scotia says if there were a repeat of last year's damaging wildfire season, he would consider banning access to the woods again -- despite a court decision saying his government's restriction last year was unreasonable.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says fracking opponents are drowning out other voices
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says some anti-fracking protesters at a consultation session on the province's onshore gas exploration plans drowned out voices of those who wanted to learn more about fossil fuel production.
Nova Scotia legislature wraps sitting marked by protests over budget cuts
HALIFAX -- The spring session of the Nova Scotia legislature did not work out quite as Premier Tim Houston had hoped, according to opposition parties and a political scientist.
First Nation protest over cannabis crackdown blocks highways in Nova Scotia
TRURO -- Traffic on two Nova Scotia highways came to a standstill on Thursday after a police raid on unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in an Indigenous community triggered blockades in an escalation of tensions over the provincial government's crackdown on unregulated marijuana.
N.S. legislature closed to the public after singing protesters delay budget vote
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia legislature has been closed to the public after singing protesters disrupted a budget vote Tuesday night.
N.S. premier popularity drops amid controversial budget cuts, partial reversal
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia premier's popularity appears to have taken a significant hit following controversial budget cuts that he partially walked back amid public outcry and protests.
New Brunswick budget has historic $1.4B deficit, plans for highway toll into N.S.
FREDERICTON -- The New Brunswick government says health-care spending helped push the budget for the next fiscal year into a record deficit, and the province plans to raise revenue with a new toll on a highway into Nova Scotia.
N.B. Liberals table budget with historic $1.4B deficit, rise in health spending
FREDERICTON -- The New Brunswick government says its investments in health care have helped push the budget into a record deficit.
CP NewsAlert: N.B. tables budget with historic $1.4B deficit, rise in health spending
FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's government has tabled a $15.6-billion budget driven deep into deficit by health spending.
N.B. tables budget with historic $1.4B deficit, rise in health spending
FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's government has tabled a $15.6-billion budget driven deep into deficit by health spending.
N.S. grant cuts will harm Mi'kmaq programs that address historic inequities: chiefs
HALIFAX -- The partial reversal of some of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston's controversial budget cuts will still result in the loss of Mi'kmaq programs that were built to address systemic and historic racism, says the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston apologizes and reverses some budget cuts amid outcry
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says weeks of pointed feedback forced him to recognize his government made some mistakes when it announced $130 million in cuts in his government's last budget.
Halifax teens lament the loss of government program offering free bus passes
HALIFAX -- Halifax high school student Teddie Rofe says the Nova Scotia government has just made a decision that will strip away some of her independence.
N.S. premier will not waive confidentiality so former minister can talk police probes
HALIFAX -- The premier of Nova Scotia says he won't allow his former justice minister to reveal cabinet secrets, after she pressed his government about whether there was political interference with the police.
New bill would increase fines, enforcement powers for illegal cannabis in Nova Scotia
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's former justice minister and a legal expert are raising concerns about legislation tabled Wednesday to strengthen enforcement of cannabis rules amid a crackdown on illegal dispensaries.
Ottawa incentivizes electric vehicle purchases; Nova Scotia makes them more expensive
HALIFAX -- As Ottawa incentivizes Canadians to buy electric vehicles or hybrids, Nova Scotia is making it more expensive to drive them.
Nova Scotia budget has $1.2-billion deficit, cuts to public service
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's finance minister has tabled a budget with a $1.2-billion deficit and cuts to the public service.
N.S. opposition challenges government to sit in legislature for more than eight days
HALIFAX -- Becky Druhan, Nova Scotia's former justice minister who quit the governing Progressive Conservatives in the fall over differences with party leadership, hopes the session of the legislature that begins Monday is longer than the last one, which was only eight days.
African Nova Scotian community, church leaders mourn Rev. Jesse Jackson
HALIFAX -- Rev. Jesse Jackson left a lasting impact on Nova Scotia, say leaders of the African Nova Scotian community, and was considered like an extended family member to those he met during a visit to the province in 2009.
N.S. government appoints premier's two-time campaign co-chair as new judge
HALIFAX -- A political scientist says he's concerned the Nova Scotia government has appointed the premier's two-time campaign co-chair as a new provincial court judge, saying Tim Houston appears to be becoming more bold in his partisanship.
Fact File: Police unaware of any link between human trafficking, N.S. cannabis shops
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government has said its crackdown on illegal cannabis shops was motivated in part by a desire to rein in human trafficking and ensure cannabis sold in the province is not contaminated with fentanyl. The federal justice minister and local police say they have not received reports of human trafficking linked to contraband cannabis, and police...
N.S. premier ran on taxes and health care, but pivoted in 2025 to focus on energy
HALIFAX -- In the year since the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives under Premier Tim Houston won a resounding second mandate, the government's focus has largely been on a topic that didn't get much attention during the 2024 election campaign.
N.S. RCMP says it was already tackling illegal cannabis before minister's directive
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia RCMP say they have no plans to change their approach to tackling illegal cannabis in the province, despite a new provincial government directive calling for a police crackdown.
Nova Scotia wants crackdown on illegal cannabis, asks Mi'kmaq chiefs for support
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis stores and wants help from Mi'kmaq chiefs to shut down on-reserve sales.
N.S. premier wants crackdown on illegal cannabis, asks Mi'kmaq chiefs for support
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis stores and wants help from Mi'kmaq chiefs to shut down on-reserve sales.
N.S. open to conversations about projects on protected land, minister says
HALIFAX -- A Nova Scotia minister says she has no interest in allowing a world-renowned golf developer to build a course in a Cape Breton provincial park, but remains open to discussing other projects on protected land.
Nova Scotia approves Halifax bylaw restricting Dartmouth Cove infilling
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government says it has approved changes submitted by Halifax to restrict infilling along a strip of shoreline in Dartmouth.
Video shows Halifax city truck almost run over pedestrian
HALIFAX -- Halifax city officials say they are conducting an internal review after dashcam video shows a municipal vehicle nearly backing into a pedestrian.
Transgender Day of Remembrance marked in Halifax with flag raising
HALIFAX -- A crowd of about 50 people gathered in front of the Nova Scotia legislature in Halifax on Thursday for a flag-raising ceremony to recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance.
N.S. still failing to consult on law blocking protests on Crown land: Mi'kmaq leaders
HALIFAX -- A Mi'kmaq leader in Nova Scotia says the provincial government continues to ignore First Nations' concerns on a new law they say targets their community's ability to protect its territory.
Halifax student union leaders call on N.S. to address high cost of student housing
HALIFAX -- Halifax university student union leaders are calling on the Nova Scotia government to address the high cost of housing they say is making it harder for students to study and live in the province.
N.S. government weakening democracy by packing bills with many changes: opposition
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is weakening democracy by packing bills with an unreasonable number of legislative changes, say opposition parties and political scientists.
Watchdog says N.S. government bill would remove key sections of transparency law
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government has tabled legislation that could weaken a key section of the province's transparency law.
N.S. government says newly introduced bill will reduce red tape, encourage business
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government is introducing a bill it says would eliminate red tape and encourage business activity, particularly in the natural resources sector.
Federal 'clerical error' puts N.S. mom and daughter's legal status at risk
HALIFAX -- Since the school year began, Diana Calderon has spent most weekday afternoons driving her 14-year-old daughter to the Halifax junior high school she should be attending, timing their visits with recess so the teenager can spend a few minutes with her classmates.
Who bears responsibility to prevent wildfire disasters: government or individuals?
HALIFAX -- As climate change continues to raise the risk of extreme wildfires, a debate has arisen over who bears the responsibility to prevent disasters: government or individuals?
Ottawa says it wants to improve income assistance program on First Nation reserves
The federal government says it is committed to working with Mi'kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia to improve the income assistance program -- though Ottawa has yet to provide details on the progress of negotiations.
Nova Scotia premier warned to be cautious before granting mayors more power
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government should be cautious as it considers giving mayors more power -- authority that could create a "mini American presidency" in communities across the province -- says a political scientist.
N.S. premier wishes $1.35M home-sharing program had resulted in more than 60 leases
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he wishes his government's $1.35 million partnership with home-sharing platform Happipad had resulted in more than just 60 leases over two years.
Some N.S. municipalities who voted for pause on uranium get letters from premier
HALIFAX -- After at least two Nova Scotia municipalities voted in favour of asking the provincial government to slow down on its uranium exploration plans, their offices received several-page-long letters from Premier Tim Houston saying the province needs the industry to keep funding municipalities.
Rallies held to stir up support for Canada Post workers across the country
HALIFAX -- Canada Post employees gathered at rallies in 13 cities across the country on Saturday to highlight the ongoing labour dispute between their union and employer and stir up support for the workers at the centre of the dispute.
N.S. legislature sitting marked by moves to consolidate power: political scientist
HALIFAX -- With the Nova Scotia legislature expected to adjourn late today, a political scientist says the winter sitting was marked by government moves aimed at increasing cabinet's authority and shrinking the legislature's ability to provide oversight.
N.B. Pride group invites LGBTQ+ Americans dealing with the 'scary' reality of Trump
When Saint John, N.B., holds its annual Pride celebration in August, it's expecting a new group of participants -- Americans seeking a safe haven from the "scary" reality of living under President Donald Trump's administration.
Nova Scotia cleanup plan further delays the removal of toxic sludge from First Nation
HALIFAX -- A councillor with Pictou Landing First Nation in Nova Scotia says a cleanup plan approved by Ottawa further delays the removal of contaminated sludge that his community has been living next to for decades.
Nova Scotia sees 35 per cent drop in ER closures, but some rural hospitals struggle
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is reporting a 35 per cent drop in the number of hours emergency departments were closed across the province, though many rural ERs continue to struggle with chronic closures.
Halifax mayor says city is past the worst of its housing crisis, advocates disagree
HALIFAX -- The worst of Halifax's homeless crisis is over, says the city's new mayor, who wants to see encampments closed as quickly as possible -- even as homelessness advocates vigorously disagree that the situation is improving.
N.S. Tories seek 'fresh' mandate in Tuesday's election to negotiate with Ottawa
HALIFAX -- Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston says if he's given a second mandate in Tuesday's election, it will strengthen his position to fight Ottawa on key issues impacting the province, including carbon pricing.
Liberals, NDP to blame for Nova Scotia housing crisis, says Tory Leader Houston
HALIFAX -- Previous Liberal and NDP governments are to blame for Nova Scotia's housing crisis, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston said Wednesday on the campaign trail, boasting that his party's plan to build more homes is bearing fruit.
N.S. NDP Leader Claudia Chender says she has integrity-or-bust approach to politics
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender doesn't make a habit of getting kicked out of the legislature -- it's happened once in her seven-year political career.
Politics with integrity: A look at Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender doesn't make a habit of getting kicked out of the legislature -- it's happened once in her seven-year political career.
N.S. election: party leaders spar over immigration, housing and health
HALIFAX -- The leaders of Nova Scotia's NDP and Liberal parties are taking aim at the Progressive Conservatives' immigration policies, which they say are outpacing the province's health care and housing capacity.
Double-double trouble: N.S. Tories accused of vote-buying with Tim Hortons gift cards
HALIFAX -- A Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative constituency campaign manager has resigned amid accusations of "vote-buying" with Tim Hortons gift cards.
Affordability or bust: Nova Scotia election campaign all about cost of living
HALIFAX -- A lot has changed in Nova Scotia since the Progressive Conservatives won a dominant electoral majority in the 2021 election with a targeted focus on health care.
Candidates vying to be Halifax's next mayor combat apathy and lack of awareness
HALIFAX -- Candidates running to be Halifax's next mayor are fighting apathy and a lack of public engagement with municipal politics, experts and candidates say.
How many Nova Scotians are on the doctor wait-list? Number hit 160,000 in June
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government says it could be months before it reveals how many people are on the wait-list for a family doctor.
From school boards to dog adoption, N.S. Tories have pulled back from 2021 promises
HALIFAX -- Campaign promises to fund mental health care, reinstate public school boards and give tax breaks for dog adoptions are among the pledges that, nearly three years into his mandate, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has either tossed aside or been slow to enact.