FALL SITTING: McNeil Liberals rushing out of the Legislature

McNeil government mired in Richmond expense scandal and overwhelmed by teacher impasse

legislature

HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says the McNeil Liberals are rushing out of the Legislature to avoid scrutiny over mishandling the teachers’ dispute and the Richmond Liberal expense scandal, meanwhile important issues go unaddressed.

Today, the fall sitting of the Legislature came to a close. Baillie says the McNeil government’s record for this sitting is:

Refusing to accept any reasonable opportunities to get back to the table with teachers in order to avoid our province’s first-ever teachers’ strike
Declining to provide support for the craft brewing industry
Continuing to deny there is a crisis in mental healthcare
Doubling-down on not paying back money given to the Richmond Liberal association that was obtained illegally from Richmond County taxpayers;
Approving cuts to long-term care facilities, which is forcing some seniors to eat on less than $6 a day.
Failing to address the ongoing doctor shortage
Breaking its promise to the mining industry to provide a motive fuel tax rebate

“It’s getting harder and more expensive to live and work in Nova Scotia,” said Baillie. “People are increasingly frustrated with Premier McNeil for refusing to listen to common sense ideas to make our province better and more prosperous.”

The McNeil government had an incredibly light agenda with only 11 bills, most considered to be housekeeping. The government’s signature accessibility bill had to be sent back to the drawing board because of poor consultation. The PCs tried to make sure the Halifax Water Commission meetings are held in public but McNeil Liberals refused. Stephen McNeil’s government, mired in the Richmond Liberal expense scandal, also rejected a PC amendment to include municipalities in the bill that extended whistle-blower protection to school boards, agencies, boards, commissions.

“The McNeil government is just stumbling from one issue or one scandal to the next,” said Baillie. “The Premier is not listening to people. This is what happens when there is no plan and no vision for the province.”

Baillie and the PCs introduced 30 pieces of Legislation:

Tax-free Zone for Small Business Act

Education Fund Protection Act

Economic Growth in Nova Scotia, An Act to Ensure

Public Utilities Act (service standards)

School Supplies Tax Credit Act

Healthier Schools Act

Respectful Workplace Week Act

Psychologist Services Tax Credit Act

Strengthening and Preservation of Community Buildings Act

Cayley’s Law

Lyme Disease Strategy Act