Premier says growing Nova Scotia economy, protecting paycheques his job
Skip to ContentHomeFilter by regionNova ScotiaHalifaxLocal SportsLocal BusinessLocal OpinionAnnapolis ValleyTruroTri-CountyNew GlasgowSouth ShoreAntigonishCape BretonPrince Edward IslandSummersideNewfoundland. . .
Skip to ContentHomeFilter by regionNova ScotiaHalifaxLocal SportsLocal BusinessLocal OpinionAnnapolis ValleyTruroTri-CountyNew GlasgowSouth ShoreAntigonishCape BretonPrince Edward IslandSummersideNewfoundland & LabradorNewsCanadaHealthWorldOpinionEditorial CartoonsBusinessLocal BusinessSportsLocal SportsBaseballBasketballFootballHockeyEntertainment & LifeFoodHomesSavingsSpecial SectionsLives ToldTails ToldShopping EssentialsDealsEntertainment & HobbiesGift GuideHome LivingKitchen & DiningOutdoor LivingPersonal CareStyle & BeautyTechTravel GuidePNI Atlantic StoreePaperPuzzmoNewslettersTravelBusiness AdsObituariesClassifiedsJobsAdvertisingAdvertising With UsAdvertising SolutionsPostmedia Ad ManagerSponsorship RequestsProfileSettingsMy SubscriptionsNewslettersCustomer ServiceFAQNewsOpinionBusinessSportsEntertainment & LifeSpecial SectionsShopping EssentialsePaperPuzzmoNewslettersTravelBusiness AdsObituariesClassifiedsJobsHomeAtlantic CanadaBusinessNova ScotiaAnnapolis ValleyPremier says growing Nova Scotia economy, protecting paycheques his jobHouston addresses Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce as state of the province tour begins in WolfvilleLast updated 17 minutes agoNova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, left, answers questions from Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce members posed by past chairperson Jake Rideout as part of a state of the povince event July 15 in Wolfville. Photo by Kirk Starratt/Valley Journal-AdvertiserNova Scotia is meant to lead, and that means beginning a new chapter building one of Canada’s strongest economies. Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSubscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience. Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsCreate an account or sign in to continue your reading experience. Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorPremier Tim Houston gave that message to a business audience as he began a state of the province tour July 15 in Wolfville. Houston said the province and Annapolis Valley region are moving forward together. There have been investments in housing, agriculture, child care, and a nursing school at Acadia. He said these investments happened because Nova Scotians gave the government “a clear job to do. ”“When you elected our government back in 2021, you weren’t looking for speeches,” Houston said. “You were looking for results. You wanted action. ”He told those gathered for the luncheon, organized by the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce at Acadia University, that Nova Scotians wanted health care fixed and for government to get things done, “and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing during our time in government. ” Houston said the job isn’t close to being finished, but “absolutely the plan is working. ”Despite facing down billion-dollar deficits, Houston said he is “incredibly optimistic about the future of our province. ”He said it has proven something important over the last five years: that when Nova Scotians come together for a common goal, “we can solve problems that once felt impossible. ”Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says voters gave his government “a clear job to do. ”Photo by Kirk Starratt/Valley Journal-AdvertiserThe premier said there are more doctors practising in the province than ever before. He said the rest of the country is looking at what Nova Scotia has done to improve health care, and “they want to know how, and they want to follow it. ”Houston said Nova Scotia can, and must, do big things as a focus is placed on rebuilding the economy. He said this is “the way that we can protect your paycheque. ”He said families are under pressure and feel it every time they buy groceries, pay the mortgage, or open a power bill. People are working harder than ever and have a right to expect to get ahead, not fall behind. Houston said the world feels very different today than just a few years ago. The Trump administration in the United States has thrown global trade into chaos, “and I refuse to let Nova Scotians pay the price for Washington’s politics. ”“We can’t let Washington dictate what happens in Nova Scotia. That’s why we, as a government, have taken action to defend our industries and send a clear message that Nova Scotia will not be bullied. ”The premier said Nova Scotia can’t control what happens in Washington or global conflicts, but can control how prepared the province is to respond. “At the end of the day, my job is very clear. My job is to protect your paycheque from forces that are beyond your control. That means building an economy that is strong enough to reduce the pressure that families are feeling. ”He said that if families can’t afford to live in Nova Scotia, then nothing else matters. Houston said Nova Scotia has always played an important role in protecting Canada, with roughly 40 per cent of the country’s defence assets located in the province. Canada is making one of the largest defence investments in generations with new ships, subs, technology, and manufacturing. As they’re looking at those opportunities, “they are turning to Nova Scotia. ”He said young people are now realizing they can build a career and future in the province without leaving home. Houston said the reality is that no successful economy has ever been built without reliable, affordable energy. Today, almost every unit of natural gas used in Nova Scotia comes through the United States. When policies change in Washington, Nova Scotians pay. “We have given someone else control over your power bill, and that is a massive, massive vulnerability,” Houston said. “Protecting our energy security is one of the strongest ways to protect your paycheque. ”He said Nova Scotians are sitting on enough resources to power the province, stabilize costs, and keep more of the province’s money here. Houston said the province has enough natural gas to power the Maritimes for decades, “a remarkable advantage that others would dream to have. ”He said people have questions and concerns about fracking, but responsible government relies on science and protects the environment. Responsible government doesn’t ignore opportunities either. Houston said the Wind West project, a multi-phased offshore wind and transmission strategy, could represent up to $60 billion in investment. Today, the province’s total economy is worth $60 billion. He said these projects are about generating power, but also prosperity. For the first time, Nova Scotia could become one of Canada’s energy leaders. Houston said that to build everything, raw materials are needed. Nova Scotia could import those materials from jurisdictions with weaker environmental records, or “we can mine them safely and responsibly here at home. ”He said his biggest reason to be confident about the future is “that Bluenoser spirit that is in each of us to get things done. ”“Moments of great uncertainty often become moments of great possibility. This is such a moment for our province. ”The event included a Q&A session moderated by past Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce chairperson Jake Rideout. Questions were submitted online in advance. There were several messages directed at Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston as he kicked off his state of the province tour at an Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce event at Acadia University in Wolfville July 15. They included respect for Mi’kmaq treaty rights; increased funding support for libraries, arts, culture, heritage, and universities; and anti-clearcutting, anti-uranium mining, and anti-fracking demonstrations. Photo by Kirk Starratt/Valley Journal-AdvertiserOne question related to arts, culture, and regional library funding. Rideout said public libraries and community art spaces function as critical economic anchors. He asked the premier, given Houston’s statement on his commitment to long-term rural vitality, “members are wondering what specific fiscal indicators or timelines are you looking for to modernize these regional funding models and restore the stable, predictable investment needed to protect our rural economies. ”Houston said supporting arts and culture is “who we are as Nova Scotians” but the budget is “dealing with certain realities, like we only have so much money. ” The decisions the government must make about where money should be invested aren’t easy. He said he takes responsibility for the budget rollout, as “nobody should read about changes to their funding in the newspaper before somebody looked them in the eye and told them. ” Houston said that didn’t happen, and he “feels very bad about that. ”He said his government inherited a situation where there had been funding freezes for 17 years through successive governments. “When we had more, we did more, like pretty significant increases across the sector. Even today, after the budget changes that were deemed necessary, even after those, the investments that our government is making in the sector are 30 per cent higher than they were in 2023,” Houston said. He said it was “a higher water point, but we are where we are. ” The government wants to invest more. As the economy grows and there is “a bigger pie,” then there’s more for everyone. “That is the day that I am looking forward to, and I think we can get there. ”The premier pointed out that provincial regional library funding wasn’t cut and “was one of the things that we held the line on. ” Houston said he isn’t against libraries. “We believe in the sector, we want to do more,” he said. “In terms of a specific financial indicator, I don’t have that number for you, but what I will say is after the chamber tour, we’ll do a budget consultation tour. That’s a lesson learned. ”Houston said some things aren’t negotiable, such as raising taxes, but there are things the government can have “adult discussions” with Nova Scotians about. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more aboutcookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy.