Swift fall Nova Scotia legislative session wraps in 8 days

The Nova Scotia legislature wrapped up its fall sitting after eight days.

Nova Scotia MLAs are heading back to their ridings after a short eight-day fall sitting of the legislature.

The Progressive Conservative government passed 10 bills, including five omnibus bills that bundled changes to laws and regulations across multiple government departments.

Opposition leader Claudia Chender says the sweeping bills short-circuit the legislative process and stifle debate.

“Because we had this premier package these omnibus bills that contained provisions that had nothing to do with each other, with no notice and no real ability for engagement with the public, we now have a lot of upset, and I’m sure further protest and division and potentially lawsuits to come,” said Chender.

In total, more than 45 changes to laws and regulations, including new pieces of legislation, cleared the house in just eight days.

Premier Tim Houston insists there was no rush.

“Government puts their bills forward, they work through their bills, and we worked through ours and we did it very efficiently and I am proud of what we accomplished,” said Houston.

Interim Liberal leader Derek Mombourquette says the swift session has led to confusion and too many unanswered questions.

“These omnibus bills that are coming forward and as I said before, these sessions are getting shorter,” said Mombourquette. “This was probably one of the shortest in history and I think it’s more of what’s to come.”

Outside the chamber, opponents of uranium mining pressed the premier to reinstate the province’s ban.

“If there is no interest in uranium mining, than just put the ban back in place,” said Sarah Trask Duggan, who helped launch a petition with more than 7,000 signatures.

She says the premier’s response was: “I know you don’t like it but the ban is lifted.”

Houston said he understands the concern but noted there are no uranium projects on the horizon.

“But if there is a potential project there will be a fulsome consultation at that time with the public and the scientific reviews and the environmental reviews,” said Houston. “But we’re just not there right now.”

Opposition leaders also criticized Houston for missing two days of the sitting, saying he skipped crucial debates and votes.

The premier defended the absence, saying he was in Ottawa to meet with the prime minister.

“Any time you get a chance to meet with the prime minister, you take it and that’s what I did,” said Houston.