Nova Scotians heading to the polls Nov. 26 after early election call
CBC
Sun, October 27, 2024
PC Leader Tim Houston arrives at the home of the lieutenant-governor on Sunday with his wife, Carol, and son, Zachary. Nova Scotians will go to the polls in November.
(Kayla Hounsell/CBC - image credit)
Tim Houston has called a snap election to be held Nov. 26.
The Progressive Conservative leader is trying to win a second term, despite legislation he personally introduced three years ago that gave Nova Scotia a fixed election date of July 15, 2025.
Houston visited the lieutenant-governor Sunday to dissolve the current House.
Breaking from tradition, he did not take questions from reporters as he left the lieutenant-governor's residence. Houston then entered a blue bus with the message "Vote PC" on it.
Why Houston called an early election
At a rally Sunday afternoon in Bedford, Houston spoke about why an election needs to be held in advance of the fixed election date.
He said there are two reasons, one being the high cost of living. Houston said his party is ready to make significant investments to improve affordability and the housing crisis.
"But before we enact that plan, I feel it only right that Nova Scotians should have their say," said Houston.
He said the second reason to hold an election now is to ensure it won't conflict with a federal election.
NDP, Liberal, Green reaction
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Houston has broken promise after promise.
"What people need is for health care to actually improve, what people need is to be able to afford their homes, what people need is to be able to afford their lives and the premier has delivered on none of that, despite his big election promises," Chender said at a rally in Dartmouth.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says the party has filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over a 21-page brochure the PC have mailed out to Nova Scotians.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says the party has filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over a 21-page brochure the PCs have mailed out to Nova Scotians. (Hanny Banny/CBC)
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill criticized Houston's decision to call an early election, as well as a 21-page brochure the government sent out to Nova Scotians highlighting the party's work on health care.
Earlier this week, a Health Department spokesperson said the booklets were ordered in July as a way to better inform the public about the government's Action for Health plan. The cost to make them and mail them to 480,000 households was $158,000.
"Tim Houston cannot be allowed to continue to spend Nova Scotians' hard-earned money on his partisan playbook," Churchill said at a Liberal event.
"It certainly shows a lack of respect for voters, for taxpayers, and I do think it shows that he will do unethical things as long as he thinks he can get away with it."
Earlier Sunday, the party filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over the brochure.
Green Party Leader Anthony Edmonds said he was disappointed Houston broke his promise of a fixed election date.
"Elections Nova Scotia has reported that an early election call will increase their costs," he wrote in an email to CBC News. "I fear that a snap election will see many voters stay home, which is disheartening in this era of record low turnouts at the polls."
The party was not holding events Sunday.
Early election call could be issue, says political scientist
Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak expects the early election call to dominate the debate during the first few days of the campaign but suggested it may lose ground to other issues.
But Urbaniak warned it could linger as an issue, if the opposition parties are able to make the case Nova Scotians cannot rely on Houston to keep his word.
"There is a chance that this question can seep into other discussions," he said. "If voters are having a tough time trusting the incumbent government, that becomes part of the narrative.
"It feeds into a credibility issue. If that starts to dominate the discussion then … the broken promise around Bill 1 [setting July 15, 2025, as the fixed election date] will become part of the larger conversation."
An Elections Nova Scotia worker is shown Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, moving a pallet of election materials that will be transported to one of the province's 55 constituencies.
An Elections Nova Scotia worker is shown Friday moving a pallet of election materials that will be transported to one of the province's 55 constituencies. (Submitted by Elections Nova Scotia)
When Houston spoke on Oct. 14, 2021, during the House debate about a fixed election date, he said it would ensure fairness by not allowing the governing party to call elections at times that would be beneficial for them.
"Nova Scotians want to have confidence in their electoral system," he said. "Parties in opposition want a level playing field, and Elections Nova Scotia, Mr. Speaker, they want to be able to prepare as effectively and efficiently as they possibly can for general elections."
The PCs go into this campaign having held 34 seats, three more than the party won in the 2021 general election. That's because of byelection wins and two defections from the Liberal ranks.
The Liberals held 14 seats at dissolution, the NDP had six and there was one independent.
Changes already
Five PCs are not re-offering, including Allan MacMaster, who was finance minister and deputy premier.
There are also four Liberals and a New Democrat not re-offering. Two former Liberal MLAs — Brendan Maguire and Fred Tilley — are now running as PC candidates.
In anticipation of an election call, Elections Nova Scotia shipped campaign supplies to all 55 electoral districts. Nova Scotians who want to cast their ballots early will, for the first time, be able to vote electronically at early voting sites.
Unlike the most recent municipal election where voters in many municipalities were able to cast their ballots on a secure internet site, e-voting will happen on tablets at returning offices across the province. That will allow for those results to be counted and reported on just after the polls close on voting day.
In the 2021 election, those 176,793 early votes were on paper ballots that had to be counted by hand. In some constituencies that made the manual count a two-day process.
In all, 421,001 Nova Scotians voted in the last election, 42 per cent of them before the Aug. 17 election day.
Tim Houston has called a snap election to be held Nov. 26.
The Progressive Conservative leader is trying to win a second term, despite legislation he personally introduced three years ago that gave Nova Scotia a fixed election date of July 15, 2025.
Houston visited the lieutenant-governor Sunday to dissolve the current House.
Breaking from tradition, he did not take questions from reporters as he left the lieutenant-governor's residence. Houston then entered a blue bus with the message "Vote PC" on it.
Why Houston called an early election
At a rally Sunday afternoon in Bedford, Houston spoke about why an election needs to be held in advance of the fixed election date.
He said there are two reasons, one being the high cost of living. Houston said his party is ready to make significant investments to improve affordability and the housing crisis.
"But before we enact that plan, I feel it only right that Nova Scotians should have their say," said Houston.
He said the second reason to hold an election now is to ensure it won't conflict with a federal election.
NDP, Liberal, Green reaction
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Houston has broken promise after promise.
"What people need is for health care to actually improve, what people need is to be able to afford their homes, what people need is to be able to afford their lives and the premier has delivered on none of that, despite his big election promises," Chender said at a rally in Dartmouth.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says the party has filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over a 21-page brochure the PC have mailed out to Nova Scotians.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill says the party has filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over a 21-page brochure the PCs have mailed out to Nova Scotians. (Hanny Banny/CBC)
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill criticized Houston's decision to call an early election, as well as a 21-page brochure the government sent out to Nova Scotians highlighting the party's work on health care.
Earlier this week, a Health Department spokesperson said the booklets were ordered in July as a way to better inform the public about the government's Action for Health plan. The cost to make them and mail them to 480,000 households was $158,000.
"Tim Houston cannot be allowed to continue to spend Nova Scotians' hard-earned money on his partisan playbook," Churchill said at a Liberal event.
"It certainly shows a lack of respect for voters, for taxpayers, and I do think it shows that he will do unethical things as long as he thinks he can get away with it."
Earlier Sunday, the party filed a complaint with the province's chief electoral officer over the brochure.
Green Party Leader Anthony Edmonds said he was disappointed Houston broke his promise of a fixed election date.
"Elections Nova Scotia has reported that an early election call will increase their costs," he wrote in an email to CBC News. "I fear that a snap election will see many voters stay home, which is disheartening in this era of record low turnouts at the polls."
The party was not holding events Sunday.
Early election call could be issue, says political scientist
Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak expects the early election call to dominate the debate during the first few days of the campaign but suggested it may lose ground to other issues.
But Urbaniak warned it could linger as an issue, if the opposition parties are able to make the case Nova Scotians cannot rely on Houston to keep his word.
"There is a chance that this question can seep into other discussions," he said. "If voters are having a tough time trusting the incumbent government, that becomes part of the narrative.
"It feeds into a credibility issue. If that starts to dominate the discussion then … the broken promise around Bill 1 [setting July 15, 2025, as the fixed election date] will become part of the larger conversation."
An Elections Nova Scotia worker is shown Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, moving a pallet of election materials that will be transported to one of the province's 55 constituencies.
An Elections Nova Scotia worker is shown Friday moving a pallet of election materials that will be transported to one of the province's 55 constituencies. (Submitted by Elections Nova Scotia)
When Houston spoke on Oct. 14, 2021, during the House debate about a fixed election date, he said it would ensure fairness by not allowing the governing party to call elections at times that would be beneficial for them.
"Nova Scotians want to have confidence in their electoral system," he said. "Parties in opposition want a level playing field, and Elections Nova Scotia, Mr. Speaker, they want to be able to prepare as effectively and efficiently as they possibly can for general elections."
The PCs go into this campaign having held 34 seats, three more than the party won in the 2021 general election. That's because of byelection wins and two defections from the Liberal ranks.
The Liberals held 14 seats at dissolution, the NDP had six and there was one independent.
Changes already
Five PCs are not re-offering, including Allan MacMaster, who was finance minister and deputy premier.
There are also four Liberals and a New Democrat not re-offering. Two former Liberal MLAs — Brendan Maguire and Fred Tilley — are now running as PC candidates.
In anticipation of an election call, Elections Nova Scotia shipped campaign supplies to all 55 electoral districts. Nova Scotians who want to cast their ballots early will, for the first time, be able to vote electronically at early voting sites.
Unlike the most recent municipal election where voters in many municipalities were able to cast their ballots on a secure internet site, e-voting will happen on tablets at returning offices across the province. That will allow for those results to be counted and reported on just after the polls close on voting day.
In the 2021 election, those 176,793 early votes were on paper ballots that had to be counted by hand. In some constituencies that made the manual count a two-day process.
In all, 421,001 Nova Scotians voted in the last election, 42 per cent of them before the Aug. 17 election day.
Five key issues as Nova Scotia heads into a provincial election campaign
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Nova Scotians are set to go to the polls in a provincial election called for Nov. 26. Here are five key issues the Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and NDP are expected to highlight during the campaign:
Health care
The Progressive Conservatives were elected in 2021 on a pledge to “fix” the province’s ailing system. The Tories say they have made inroads in recruiting doctors and nurses and in providing more resources for emergency medical care, while the Liberals and NDP will highlight the 145,000 Nova Scotians who still don’t have access to a family doctor.
Affordable housing
Homelessness has become a growing problem in the province, with 1,287 people in the Halifax Regional Municipality alone reporting they were without housing as of early October. The Tories have extended a five per cent rent cap and plan to build 273 new public housing units, but the Liberals and NDP say the use of fixed-term leases undermines the rent cap and the government has only scratched the surface of what’s needed to create affordable homes.
Cost of living
The Tories are promising to lower the province’s harmonized sales tax by one percentage point to 14 per cent from 15 on April 1, while they have also brought in a province-wide school lunch program. The Liberals have advocated for a two percentage point cut in the HST and free public transit, while the NDP says it would establish rent control and provide a tax credit for renters from low- and middle-income households.
Climate change
The province has endured a number of severe weather events that damaged infrastructure and claimed lives over the last three years. The Tories have pledged to get the province off coal-fired electrical generation by 2030 and to kickstart an offshore wind industry. The Liberals and NDP will highlight the government’s controversial decision to scrap the Coastal Protection Act, which was passed in the legislature with all-party support in 2019, but was never proclaimed as law.
Ottawa
The Tories have made it clear that they plan to make Nova Scotia’s relationship with the federal government an issue. They are opposed to Ottawa’s carbon pricing scheme and want the federal government to pay the entire cost of work needed to protect the Chignecto Isthmus between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from flooding. However, the Liberals and NDP say the Tories are simply trying to divert the public’s attention away from their own lack of action in tackling climate-related issues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Nova Scotians are set to go to the polls in a provincial election called for Nov. 26. Here are five key issues the Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and NDP are expected to highlight during the campaign:
Health care
The Progressive Conservatives were elected in 2021 on a pledge to “fix” the province’s ailing system. The Tories say they have made inroads in recruiting doctors and nurses and in providing more resources for emergency medical care, while the Liberals and NDP will highlight the 145,000 Nova Scotians who still don’t have access to a family doctor.
Affordable housing
Homelessness has become a growing problem in the province, with 1,287 people in the Halifax Regional Municipality alone reporting they were without housing as of early October. The Tories have extended a five per cent rent cap and plan to build 273 new public housing units, but the Liberals and NDP say the use of fixed-term leases undermines the rent cap and the government has only scratched the surface of what’s needed to create affordable homes.
Cost of living
The Tories are promising to lower the province’s harmonized sales tax by one percentage point to 14 per cent from 15 on April 1, while they have also brought in a province-wide school lunch program. The Liberals have advocated for a two percentage point cut in the HST and free public transit, while the NDP says it would establish rent control and provide a tax credit for renters from low- and middle-income households.
Climate change
The province has endured a number of severe weather events that damaged infrastructure and claimed lives over the last three years. The Tories have pledged to get the province off coal-fired electrical generation by 2030 and to kickstart an offshore wind industry. The Liberals and NDP will highlight the government’s controversial decision to scrap the Coastal Protection Act, which was passed in the legislature with all-party support in 2019, but was never proclaimed as law.
Ottawa
The Tories have made it clear that they plan to make Nova Scotia’s relationship with the federal government an issue. They are opposed to Ottawa’s carbon pricing scheme and want the federal government to pay the entire cost of work needed to protect the Chignecto Isthmus between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from flooding. However, the Liberals and NDP say the Tories are simply trying to divert the public’s attention away from their own lack of action in tackling climate-related issues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
A look at Tim Houston, leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Tim Houston, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, is seeking a second mandate as premier.
Born: April 10, 1970.
Early years: Born in Halifax and raised in a military family, he grew up on military bases in Prince Edward Island, Ontario and British Columbia before returning to live in Halifax.
Education: A chartered accountant, he graduated with a bachelor of commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 1992.
Family: He and his wife Carol have two children, Paget and Zachary.
Before politics: Worked as an accountant for Deloitte and in the reinsurance industry in Bermuda before returning to Nova Scotia in 2007.
Politics: Successfully sought the PC nomination in 2012 for the provincial riding of Pictou East and was elected to the legislature in 2013. He was re-elected in 2017 and in 2018 won the party leadership. He was sworn in as premier after the August 2021 provincial election.
Quote: When asked this week whether an election was imminent. “It could be that we need to send a message to the federal government that Nova Scotians are united on what matters … and we need to take a strong position when we are negotiating with them on different issues.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
A look at Zach Churchill, leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal party
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Zach Churchill will be taking the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia into its first provincial election since he became leader.
Born: May 25, 1984.
Early years: He was raised in Yarmouth, N.S., where his mother was a teacher and entrepreneur. He is a descendant of Lebanese immigrants.
Education: He graduated with a bachelor of arts from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 2007.
Family: He and his wife Katie have two young daughters, Cecelia and Eva.
Before politics: He was a leader in student politics and after graduation was national director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.
Politics: He was first elected to the provincial legislature in a 2010 byelection at the age of 26, representing the riding of Yarmouth. He was re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021. During the Liberals’ time in power after the 2013 election he held cabinet portfolios including health, education, natural resources and municipal affairs. He was elected party leader in July 2022.
Quote: When asked this week whether there is a legitimate reason for Premier Tim Houston to call an election. “I don’t think there is one right now. He has a majority government and he set a fixed election date in law … and we have to highlight that he’s willing to break that promise.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Tim Houston, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, is seeking a second mandate as premier.
Born: April 10, 1970.
Early years: Born in Halifax and raised in a military family, he grew up on military bases in Prince Edward Island, Ontario and British Columbia before returning to live in Halifax.
Education: A chartered accountant, he graduated with a bachelor of commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 1992.
Family: He and his wife Carol have two children, Paget and Zachary.
Before politics: Worked as an accountant for Deloitte and in the reinsurance industry in Bermuda before returning to Nova Scotia in 2007.
Politics: Successfully sought the PC nomination in 2012 for the provincial riding of Pictou East and was elected to the legislature in 2013. He was re-elected in 2017 and in 2018 won the party leadership. He was sworn in as premier after the August 2021 provincial election.
Quote: When asked this week whether an election was imminent. “It could be that we need to send a message to the federal government that Nova Scotians are united on what matters … and we need to take a strong position when we are negotiating with them on different issues.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
A look at Zach Churchill, leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal party
The Canadian Press
Sun, October 27, 2024
HALIFAX — Zach Churchill will be taking the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia into its first provincial election since he became leader.
Born: May 25, 1984.
Early years: He was raised in Yarmouth, N.S., where his mother was a teacher and entrepreneur. He is a descendant of Lebanese immigrants.
Education: He graduated with a bachelor of arts from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 2007.
Family: He and his wife Katie have two young daughters, Cecelia and Eva.
Before politics: He was a leader in student politics and after graduation was national director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.
Politics: He was first elected to the provincial legislature in a 2010 byelection at the age of 26, representing the riding of Yarmouth. He was re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021. During the Liberals’ time in power after the 2013 election he held cabinet portfolios including health, education, natural resources and municipal affairs. He was elected party leader in July 2022.
Quote: When asked this week whether there is a legitimate reason for Premier Tim Houston to call an election. “I don’t think there is one right now. He has a majority government and he set a fixed election date in law … and we have to highlight that he’s willing to break that promise.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
The Canadian Press
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