CK

[julia kenney @juliakenney]

A year ago a bunch of my close friends and colleagues got together to get a vibe check on what Nova Scotians thought about @nspc and @TimHoustonNS.
The results? jaw dropping.
The most seats in the history of our cute little province.
Not too shabby, let’s keep it going.

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Today, I join Nova Scotians in every corner of our province in mourning the loss of Alfie MacLeod, a beloved and proud son of Cape Breton, a devoted family man and a dedicated public servant. His was a life well lived and his death will be deeply felt by many.

Alfie was a man of conviction. He had a big heart and thousands of Nova Scotians benefited from his compassion, his fierce loyalty and his willingness to stand up for the underdog. He was a steadfast friend and a true community leader.

Alfie was a committed Progressive Conservative who served in many roles over his decades of involvement, including party president from 1994-1996.

Alfie fought his battle with cancer the same way he lived his life - with courage, resilience and optimism. This was no more evident than when he addressed the crowd at the Progressive Conservative Party Annual Meeting last year.

First elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in a by-election in the constituency of Cape Breton West in 1995. He returned to provincial politics in 2006 and was re-elected in the 2009, 2013 and 2017 elections. His booming voice and jovial nature served him well when he was Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature.

Today, my thoughts and the thoughts of MLAs on all sides of the House, are with Alfie’s wife Shirley, their children Daniel, Jessica and Sandra and their families.

[Kelly Bennett @KellyBennettNS]

🆕 Abacus Nova Scotia Poll: Houston’s PCs maintain commanding lead as fall session opens.

Current vote:
🔵Houston’s PCs 52%
🟠Chender’s NDP 23%
🔴Mombourquette’s Liberals 16%

Change since May:
PCs -3
NDP +1
Liberals +1

https://t.co/A8ahmpkcmG

#nspoli @abacusdataca

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

As Premier, I have a responsibility to stand up for Nova Scotians who are concerned with ever-worsening traffic problems in Halifax. I won’t stand by as decisions are made that will make their lives worse.

If HRM Council proceeds with increasing congestion by making Morris a one-way street, the provincial government will be forced to act.

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Thank you to the proud men and women who serve our province and country. 🇨🇦

[CTV Power Play @CTV_PowerPlay]

WATCH: Nova Scotia Premier @TimHoustonNS says today's First Ministers' meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney is "certainly the most positive meeting I've had." #cdnpoli #ctvpp

More: https://t.co/xkmE3JKoli

[NS Education and Early Childhood Development @nseducation]

🎉It's Education Week in Nova Scotia! 📚✏
Here is a special message from The Honourable Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Join us in celebrating the exceptional education team members in our province!

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

People in Pictou County and across Nova Scotia are praying for a positive outcome for two missing children. During this time of worry, please know that our first responders and volunteers are working tirelessly during this 24/7 operation.

The operation is extensive including the RCMP,  ground search and rescue teams from across the province and tracking dog services from both, the local incident command team, the Nova Scotia Guard, Salvation Army,  Department of Emergency Management’s Public Safety Field Communications staff, Pictou County Regional Emergency Management Organization, Department of Natural Resources aviation helicopter crews, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association drones and the Alma Fire Department. 

This was the first assignment for the Nova Scotia Guard, who stepped up immediately following the call to action. Guard volunteers are working in shifts to help with food distribution, overnight protection of equipment and parking and directions assistance for first responders. 

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lily and Jack Sullivan is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333.

[RCMP Nova Scotia @RCMPNS]

Missing children: Help the RCMP find Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan - #Pictou County
https://t.co/lMJtWKCZDi

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

My name is Tim and I am Nova Scotian 🇨🇦

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Today, Roman Catholics around the world are mourning at the news that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.

He was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Western Hemisphere. He chose the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi because he was especially concerned about the poor. His 12-year papacy was marked by servant leadership and caring for those most in need.

Pope Francis will be remembered for addressing climate change and championing environmental stewardship. He worked to promote unity between Catholics, non-Catholics, and non-Christians, saying that members of the world’s different religions were “children of the same heaven.”

These are difficult days for the more than 200,000 Catholic Nova Scotians.

But I hope they will find comfort in their faith and the life and legacy of Pope Francis.

As Matthew said in the Beatitudes: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

[Nova Scotia PC Party @nspc]

Join us in wishing our Premier a happy birthday! 🥳🎂

[CityNews Halifax @CityNewsHFX]

Poll finds strong support for PC government in N.S.
https://t.co/sXWbrQmgVD

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

In the past few months, we’ve seen Canada’s relationship with the United States drastically evolve.

We’ve lived on pins and needles wondering if the U.S. would honour its trade agreements and respect our long-standing relationship as friends and allies.

But we didn’t sit idly by and wait. We came together as a country and province like never before.

We’ve seen entire industries raise their hands and offer to accept retaliatory tariffs, impacting them at their great expense, because they felt it right to put the country before self.

That is who we are as Canadians, and it will never change.

Today, some Canadians are taking a breath.

While it appears that Canada may not have been hit with the worst-case scenario in terms of tariffs, thousands of Nova Scotians will be impacted.

I also want to recognize the impact that the buildup to this moment has had on businesses and people. This entire experience has been a huge drain on the mental health of Canadians, and thousands of Nova Scotians are exhausted from the stress of dealing with this uncertainty and instability.

But please know that we are here for you.

We will do whatever it takes to protect you.

You did nothing wrong.

Moving forward, there will still be impacts from the trade direction of the U.S. administration. Our work to diversify markets will not change. In fact, they will ramp up. And, of course, we will work with those who remain impacted on both an individual basis and larger-scale programming basis, as needed.

This could mean loans, grants, support for diversification or whatever. We will work with you to find the best support for your circumstance.

During this period of uncertainty, the initial non-tariff retaliatory measures we put in place will remain.

This means we will continue to look for ways to put Nova Scotia and Canadian companies first as we review and cancel non-essential contracts with U.S. suppliers.

The increased tolls at the Cobequid Pass for commercial vehicles from the U.S. will remain.

American alcohol will remain off the shelves of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. stores.

The message from this experience remains and we have heard it loud and clear – putting too many eggs in one basket is never a good idea. This is why we will work hard to ensure that Nova Scotia becomes more and more self-reliant.

We will do this through developing our natural resources. We have tremendous resource wealth. By capitalizing on our natural resources, we can and must secure our province’s energy and economic security.

We will continue to lead the country on removing interprovincial trade barriers. We passed a first-of-its-kind law to help remove internal trade barriers and improve labour mobility. I expect you will see other provinces signing on over the coming weeks.

Finally, I want to thank Prime Minister Carney for his leadership. This is not an easy time for our country or our people. Canadians are patient people, but the “governor” references and “51st state” jokes grew old and angered Canadians. Your approach seems to be working as we have collectively noticed these derogatory messages have stopped. Thank you.

I remain committed to Team Canada and to the people of Nova Scotia. We will be ready no matter how this relationship evolves. But I believe that the strength of our longtime friendship with the U.S. will ultimately prevail. It has survived wars, recessions and pandemics, and it will survive this administration.

We are stronger as a nation when we stand together.

As always, I am committed to you and your family.

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

We’re making Nova Scotia stronger. 💪

✅ Free trade within Canada
✅ Unlocking our resource wealth
✅ Historic tax cuts
✅ Energy & economic security

Let’s keep building. 🚀

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/PIqzg1Q1P3

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Great to have my mom, Sharon and sister, Leanne in the legislature with me today.

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics are improving access to care for Nova Scotians—helping to reduce pressure on Emergency Departments by treating 10% of patients who would have otherwise gone there, and over 25% from walk-in clinics. More options mean shorter wait times and better care. It’s part of how we’re delivering more care, faster.

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

Donald Trump is a short-sighted man who wields his power just for the sake of it, not having any consideration for the destructive impact of his decisions on both Canadians and Americans. It is impossible to properly describe the uncertainty and chaos that President Trump’s threat of tariffs and now actually imposing tariffs has caused for Canadians.

And now, as President Trump proceeds with his illegal 25 per cent tariffs, Nova Scotia will respond.

We will immediately limit access to provincial procurement for American businesses. They can no longer bid on provincial business. We are also actively seeking options to cancel existing contracts and reject outright bids until President Trump removes his unlawful tariffs.

We will double the cost of tolls at the Cobequid Pass for commercial vehicles from the United States, effective immediately.

And, we will direct the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to once again remove all alcohol from the United States from their shelves, effective today. We know this was an effective response the first time and hurt American producers who rely on Canadian markets.

We will also take any step we can to support Nova Scotians through this incredibly difficult time.

As part of Budget 2025-26, we added a contingency fund to respond to U.S. tariffs. It is too early to determine exactly what specific funding is necessary, but we will communicate to Nova Scotians as we better understand the economic impacts and the federal government’s plans to support Nova Scotians.

We introduced legislation designed to break down barriers to interprovincial trade. We must be open for business in Canada. We hope all provinces and territories immediately endorse and pass corresponding legislation.

We are also working on a Trade Action Plan to help businesses engage in global trade, increase their global competitiveness and drive investment growth and have issued a call to action to develop our valuable natural resources.

I can tell you that we worked hard to avoid a repeat of Trump’s tax. We know tariffs are bad for people and businesses on both sides of the border.

Unfortunately, some people need to touch the hot stove to learn, and while we cannot control or predict their behaviour, we can control how we respond.

I want to thank Nova Scotians who have already responded with your wallet. You’re choosing to be Nova Scotia Loyal and support local and Canadian businesses. You’re choosing to travel in our beautiful province and country rather than south of the border. You’re cheering loudly and proudly for our Canadian teams and athletes.

These choices and actions are significant. It is important that we stand together, united and strong.

That’s why we will continue to work with the federal government as it designs and implements counter-tariffs.

We are a government of action, and I continue to stand with you. My focus is entirely on protecting the interest of hard-working Nova Scotians and their families—in these times of uncertainty, that is one constant you can continue to count on.

[Heidi Petracek @HeidiPGlobalTV]

Nova Scotia seeks reciprocity on internal trade #nspoli #canpoli https://t.co/c9mMiESSvk

[Tim Houston @TimHoustonNS]

I understand that the original proposed changes came out of a scan that looked to modernize the Office by looking at best practices around Canada. This scan identified a variety of practices used across the country. There was never any intention on my part to change the existing Auditor General.

After discussions with the Nova Scotia Auditor General and her team, I am no longer supporting the proposed amendments. This afternoon I asked the Legislature to withdraw them.

Sometimes things become something that they weren’t intended to be and I believe this is the case with the Auditor General related amendments.

I have nothing but respect for the Auditor General and look forward to continuing our working relationship. This is why we’ve increased funding for that office in this year’s budget. As always, we remain focused on what is in the best interests of Nova Scotians and believe an open and accountable government is part of that.