Tim Houston Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Tim Houston
Office:30th Premier of Nova Scotia
Term Start:August 31, 2021[1]
Predecessor:Iain Rankin
Office1:Leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
Term Start1:October 27, 2018
Predecessor1:Karla MacFarlane (interim)
Assembly2:Nova Scotia House of
Constituency Am2:Pictou East
Term Start2:October 8, 2013
Predecessor2:Clarrie MacKinnon
Office3:Chair of the Council of the Federation
Term Start3:July 12, 2023
Term End3:August 1, 2024
Predecessor3:Heather Stefanson
Successor3:Doug Ford
Office4:Leader of the Opposition in Nova Scotia
Term Start4:October 27, 2018
Term End4:August 31, 2021[2]
Predecessor4:Karla MacFarlane
Successor4:Iain Rankin
Birth Name:Timothy Jerome Houston[3]
Birth Date:10 April 1970[4]
Birth Place:Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada[5]
Party:Progressive Conservative
Alma Mater:Saint Mary's University (BCom)
Spouse:Carol Houston
Children:2
Signature:Tim Houston signature.png

Timothy Jerome Houston (born April 10, 1970) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 30th premier of Nova Scotia since 2021, and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party (PC) since 2017. He was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election, and represents the electoral district of Pictou East. He was the leader of the opposition from 2018 to 2021.

Houston and the PC party won a majority government in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election, making him the first PC premier since 2009.[6] He called a snap election in 2024, increasing his party's majority.

Early life and education

Tim Houston was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and grew up in a military family on bases across Canada. He attended Halifax West High School.[7] [8]

Houston attended Saint Mary's University, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce. He went on to receive his Chartered Accountant designation in Halifax, before moving to Bermuda where he worked with Deloitte in the insurance industry.[8] In 2017, it came to light that Houston's name had been mentioned several times in the Paradise Papers,[9] due to him having held positions as director and vice-president of Inter-Ocean Holdings and several related Bermuda-based reinsurance companies while living and working in Bermuda.[9] [10]

On November 2, 2020, Houston was awarded the accounting profession's highest mark of distinction, the Fellow (FCPA) designation, by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia.[11]

Political career

On November 27, 2012, Houston won the Progressive Conservative nomination in the riding of Pictou East for the 2013 Nova Scotia general election.[12]

Houston was elected MLA of Pictou East on October 8, 2013, with 48.05% of the vote.[13] [14] He was re-elected on May 30, 2017 with 73.9% of the vote.[15]

On November 19, 2017, Houston announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.[16] [17] Houston was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party after the first ballot results were announced on October 27, 2018, at the party's leadership convention in Halifax. He earned 48.96% of the points on the first ballot, leaving other candidates no clear path to victory. The other candidates conceded after the first ballot.[18]

Houston has been publicly open to the option of fracking in Nova Scotia. During his time as finance critic in 2016, Houston criticized the Liberal government of the time for not permitting fracking, stating "You can't hold industry and people hostage to your own political wills. You have to, kind of, explain to people what you're doing and why you're doing it".[19] In 2025, Houston's majority government put forward legislation to lift the moratorium on fracking for onshore gas, as well as the ban on uranium exploration and mining.[20]

Houston has been critical of the Conservative Party of Canada's 2025 federal election campaign.[21]

2021 provincial election

The incumbent Liberals held a 75% approval rating in June 2021.[22] In an upset,[23] Houston and the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election, becoming the first Progressive Conservative premier since 2009. Houston ran on a Red Tory platform that promised more spending on health care.[24]

2024 provincial election

Houston's Progressive Conservatives won a supermajority in the 2024 election, with the New Democratic Party (NDP) forming the Official Opposition.[25]

Premier of Nova Scotia (2021–present)

Houston and his cabinet were sworn in on August 31, 2021.[26]

Healthcare system

One day after being sworn in, Houston fired the CEO and board of the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), the provincial healthcare provider. He stated that he "needed a clean slate at the helm of his leadership team" for the Progressive Conservatives' intended overhaul of the healthcare system. Houston appointed a new NSHA board as well as a new CEO, Karen Oldfield, who possessed no prior healthcare experience.[27]

The Houston government lifted Nova Scotia's COVID-19 measures in March 2022, including public health restrictions and mask requirements. Infectious disease experts questioned the move and predicted a rise in cases.[28] [29] In May 2022, the government lifted mask requirements in public schools.[30] In July 2022, the government ended the requirement for those infected with COVID-19 to isolate.[31] The number of cases (and associated deaths) increased thereafter, which some experts attributed to the government's lifting of pandemic precautions.[32] [33] [34]

Claudia Chender, leader of the opposition has called Premier Houston 'negligent' for failing to sign a Pharmacare agreement with the federal government.[35]

Natural resource development

In early 2025, Houston issued a memo to his caucus outlining his version for economic development in the province, with a focus on natural resource development.[36] This was followed by months later with legislation to lift a ban on hydraulic fracturing and uranium mining in Nova Scotia.[37]

Houston debuted "Wind West" in response to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to make Canada an "energy superpower".[38] The project would see enough turbines to generate 40 gigawatts of electricity erected offshore Nova Scotia.[38]

Houston reshuffled his Cabinet in October 2025, appointing himself as minister of energy.[39]

Housing

The Houston government increased the annual cap on rent increases from two percent to five percent.[40] They have been criticized by the Nova Scotia NDP for failing to close what is termed the 'fixed-term lease loophole' which allows landlords to get around rent cap limitations by simply evicting tenants at the end of a fixed-term lease and renting to new tenants.[40]

Crown corporations

Shortly after taking office, Houston launched a review of 20 provincial Crown corporations to "[ensure] the most efficient and accountable methodology for the undertaking of their respective tasks".[41]

In July 2022, the Houston government announced a reshuffle of several agencies. Nova Scotia Lands and Develop Nova Scotia would be merged to form a new corporation called Build Nova Scotia. Innovacorp, Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), and the Invest Nova Scotia Fund would be merged into the new Invest Nova Scotia. Decision-making power was removed from boards, with the organizations placed under direct government control: Invest Nova Scotia would now report directly to the minister of economic development, while Build Nova Scotia would be overseen by the minister for public works. Existing CEOs and boards were terminated from their positions.[42]

Opposition leaders accused Houston of nepotism after appointing "personal friends" as interim CEOs of the two new agencies; Tom Hickey would lead Invest Nova Scotia, while Wayne Crawley would head Build Nova Scotia.[43] Each will receive up to $18,000 a month in remuneration.[42] Nova Scotia NDP leader Claudia Chender criticized Houston for hiring friends rather than putting the posts to open competition. Houston defended the appointments, stating that Hickey and Crawley were the most qualified.[43] Hickey resigned two weeks into his appointment, citing an inability to commit enough time to the role.[44]

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency was established during Houston's premiership to administer the province's public housing, amalgamating several existing housing authorities.[45] In addition, the Joint Regional Transportation Agency was created "for the purpose of creating a master transportation plan" for the metropolitan Halifax region.[46]

Art gallery

Citing rising costs, Houston announced in July 2022 an indefinite "pause" to plans to construct a new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Construction had been slated to begin in late 2022 on a new gallery complex on the Halifax waterfront, designed by Halifax architect Omar Gandhi.[47]

Conservation lands

In 2022, the provincial government announced that Owls Head, a 266-hectare piece of land on the Eastern Shore, would be designated a provincial park. A controversial golf course development had previously been planned for the site. Houston had written of the proposal in 2021, "I will never allow this type of situation to happen under my watch and certainly wouldn't instigate it like [former premier [[Iain Rankin]]] did."[48] [49]

In a similar case, public concern had emerged over a proposed golf course conceived by a private developer, to be located at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park in Cape Breton. In late 2022, Houston said that the proposal would get due process and be subject to public consultation.[50] In April 2023, the government informed the developer it would not consider the proposal as there is no mechanism within the Provincial Parks Act to allow it to proceed.[51]

In December 2023, the province announced 23 new or expanded protected areas, protecting around 14,000 additional hectares of land.[52]

Nova Scotia Guard

On 28 March 2024, Houston personally put forward legislation in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to establish a new Department of Emergency Management and the Nova Scotia Guard.[53] [54] The act passed the legislature and received royal assent on 20 September 2024, following amendments made to allow for the creation of regional emergency operations centres within the province.[55] [56]

2025 wildfires

During the 2025 Nova Scotia wildfires,[57] citing extreme fire risk, the province instituted a ban on hiking, camping, fishing, and using vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles on all provincial Crown lands on August 5, which was set to last until October 15 or weather conditions improve.[58] Similar bans were imposed in 2001, 2006, and 2023, and the Department of Natural Resources stated that since almost all wildfires in the province are from human activity, the ban was justified.[58] The government faced some pushback on the ban as too onerous,[59] or being overly punitive rather than addressing the problems of climate change.[60] To challenge the ban in court, a former candidate for the People's Party of Canada recorded himself deliberately violating it by hiking in a forest in Cape Breton, and receiving a $28,872.50 fine.[60]

Auditor General

In 2025, Premier Houston's government brought forward legislation that would have given itself the power to fire the auditor general without cause and make reports from the office private.[61] Nova Scotia's Auditor General Kim Adair responded saying that she could no longer do her work as the legislature's fiscal watchdog if the Houston government gave itself the ability to fire her.[61] David Johnson, a professor of political science at Cape Breton University said that the bill was "An example of enormous and unwarranted executive overreach [...] It smacks of a control-mania."[62] After the proposed changes to the Auditor General Act were roundly criticized by the public and the opposition, they were ultimately withdrawn.[63]

Personal life

Houston lives in Pictou County with his wife Carol, and children Paget and Zachary.[8]

Houston had a cameo role in the 2023 Hallmark film The Secret Gift of Christmas, which was filmed in Nova Scotia. He also appeared in Sullivan's Crossing, season 3.[64]

Electoral record

|- |Progressive Conservative|Tim Houston|align="right"| 5,275|align="right"| 73.88|align="right"| +25.83|- |Liberal|John Fraser|align="right"| 1,301|align="right"| 18.22|align="right"| +2.33|- |New Democratic Party|Deborah Stiles|align="right"| 564|align="right"| 7.90|align="right"| -28.17|}|- |Progressive Conservative|Tim Houston|align="right"| 3,713|align="right"| 48.04|align="right"|+22.11|- |New Democratic Party|Clarrie MacKinnon|align="right"| 2,788|align="right"| 36.07|align="right"|-27.91|- |Liberal|Francois Rochon|align="right"| 1,228|align="right"| 15.89|align="right"|+7.50|}

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: N.S. Premier-designate Tim Houston, new cabinet to be sworn-in Aug. 31 . November 3, 2021 . CTV News Atlantic . August 20, 2021. Natasha. Pace. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404081202/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-designate-tim-houston-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in-aug-31-1.5555025. 2023-04-04.
  2. News: Nova Scotia's new premier, cabinet sworn in at a ceremony in Halifax. CBC News. August 31, 2021. Shaina. Luck. Michael. Gorman. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20241217185808/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-premier-cabinet-swearing-in-ceremony-1.6159449. 2024-12-17. 2025-03-20.
  3. Web site: District 40: Pictou East . . Nova Scotia . . April 23, 2013. March 10, 2019.
  4. News: A look at Tim Houston, leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives . October 27, 2024 . Toronto Star . The Canadian Press . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250320121242/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/nova-scotia/a-look-at-tim-houston-leader-of-the-nova-scotia-progressive-conservatives/article_4919718c-abcb-5bcb-9b96-640d2df4298d.html . 2025-03-20 . 2025-03-20.
  5. News: MacInnis . Adam . Adshade. Kevin . Pictou County's history of Tory leadership . March 10, 2019 . NG News . October 31, 2018.
  6. News: Gorman . Michael . August 17, 2021 . Progressive Conservatives surge to surprise majority win in Nova Scotia election . Nova Scotia . CBC News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250118110805/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/election-campaign-liberals-ndp-pc-1.6144162 . 2025-01-18 . 2025-03-20.
  7. News: DeMont . John . John DeMont . October 28, 2024 . Feeling the weight of re-election in Nova Scotia . PNI Atlantic . Postmedia Network . 2025-03-19.
  8. Web site: Honourable Tim Houston - Biography . premier.novascotia.ca . Government of Nova Scotia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250210222729/https://premier.novascotia.ca/ . 2025-02-10 . 2025-03-19.
  9. News: PC leadership candidate downplays Paradise Papers connection . The Coast . 2017-11-23 . 2019-04-24 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603091624/https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/updated-pc-leadership-candidate-downplays-paradise-papers-connection-11060090 . 2023-06-03.
  10. Web site: Houston, Timothy Jerome . Offshore Leaks Database/International Consortium of Investigative Journalists . en-CA . 2020-09-20 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404145501/https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/80078700 . 2023-04-04.
  11. Web site: CPA Nova Scotia Awards Prestigious Fellow Designation to Seven Professional Accountants. 2021-01-03. www.cpans.ca. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302104957/https://www.cpans.ca/web/cpans/News/CPA_Nova_Scotia_Awards_Prestigious_Fellow_Designation_to_Seven_Professional_Accountants_.aspx. 2021-03-02.
  12. Web site: Pictou East PC nominee wants riding to have voice in Halifax . March 10, 2019 . NG News . November 29, 2012. March 10, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011917/https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/local/pictou-east-pc-nominee-wants-riding-to-have-voice-in-halifax-76452/ . 2023-04-07.
  13. Web site: Tories take Pictou County ridings back from NDP. The Chronicle Herald. Saltwire Network. October 8, 2013. 2015-07-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180906150644/http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1159376-tories-take-pictou-county-ridings-back-from-ndp . 2018-09-06.
  14. Web site: December 2013 . https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Web_SOVColour_Final[1.pdf Statement of Votes and Statistics ]. Elections Nova Scotia . 18 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250125053445/https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Web_SOVColour_Final[1].pdf . 2025-01-25 . 2025-03-20.
  15. Web site: September 2017 . Statement of Votes and Statistics . Elections Nova Scotia . 12 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204190408/https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2017_SOVvolume1.pdf . 2024-02-04 . 2025-03-20.
  16. Web site: 'Time to win': Tim Houston running for PC Party leader. November 19, 2017. CBC News. 2017-11-22. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20241202180445/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-running-for-pc-party-leader-1.4409407. 2024-12-02.
  17. Web site: Tim Houston announces bid for PC leadership. November 20, 2017. The Chronicle Herald. Saltwire Network. Macdonald. Sam. 2021-03-31. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518110024/https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/local/tim-houston-announces-pc-leadership-candidacy-163182/. 2021-05-18.
  18. Web site: Gorman. Michael. Houston surges to victory in PC leadership race. CBC News. October 27, 2018. 2019-02-20. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20250101034017/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/progressive-conservative-party-halifax-1.4880750. 2025-01-01.
  19. News: Gorman. Michael. Delays on Nova Scotia fracking regulations could be political. CBC News. June 15, 2016. 2019-05-27. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20250202083028/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-fracking-government-1.3634956. 2025-02-02.
  20. News: Gorman . Michael . March 17, 2025 . Public pushes back against government bill that would lift N.S. ban on uranium mining, fracking . CBC News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250319141312/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fracking-uranium-mining-natural-resources-tim-houston-1.7486031 . 2025-03-19 . 2025-03-20.
  21. News: Lau . Rebecca . 30 April 2025 . Poilievre's Conservatives must do 'soul-searching' after election loss: N.S. premier . . 14 May 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250501225134/https://globalnews.ca/news/11157356/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-conservatives-federal-election/ . 1 May 2025.
  22. Web site: Tarrant . David . August 20, 2021 . Lessons from Nova Scotia's historic election . Toronto Sun . 2025-03-20 . live . 2024-11-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241130173443/https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/tarrant-lessons-from-nova-scotias-historic-election.
  23. Web site: Tories surge to upset majority win in N.S. Election with a campaign focused on health. 17 August 2021.
  24. Web site: N.B. Should be on 'alert' as new N.S. Premier promises more health care spending: Union. https://web.archive.org/web/20210819212111/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-should-be-on-alert-as-new-n-s-premier-promises-more-health-care-spending-union-1.5553881. dead. August 19, 2021. 19 August 2021.
  25. News: DeMaine . Clayton . 26 November 2024 . Tim Houston's PCs win second consecutive majority government in Nova Scotia . True North . 14 May 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250125092415/https://tnc.news/2024/11/26/tim-houstons-nova-scotia-win-majority/ . 25 January 2025.
  26. News: Stoodley . Chris . August 31, 2021 . Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, 18 ministers sworn into office . live . . Halifax, Nova Scotia . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116155243/https://halifax.citynews.ca/2021/08/31/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-18-ministers-sworn-into-office-4269347/ . January 16, 2024 . January 16, 2024.
  27. News: Gorman . Michael . N.S. premier, health minister fire provincial health authority CEO and board . CBC News . 1 September 2021. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250118083327/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/health-care-tim-houston-michelle-thompson-1.6160846 . 2025-01-18 . 2025-03-20.
  28. News: Patil . Anjuli . Nova Scotia to lift all COVID-19 restrictions by March 21 . CBC . 23 February 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250120072253/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/covid-19-update-wednesday-february-23-1.6361084 . 2025-01-20 . 2025-03-20.
  29. News: Laroche . Jean . Infectious disease expert sees no 'good scientific reason' for N.S. lifting mask mandate . CBC . 14 March 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406050203/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mask-mandate-public-health-covid-19-ns-government-1.6384567 . 2023-04-06 . 2025-03-20.
  30. News: Renić . Karla . 'Mixed emotions' among N.S. teachers as mask mandate in public schools ends . Global News . 24 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240908032606/https://globalnews.ca/news/8864835/mask-mandate-nova-scotia-schools-ends/ . 2024-09-08 . 2025-03-20.
  31. News: Chisholm . Cassidy . N.S. to end mandatory isolation for people with COVID-19 starting July 6 . CBC . 4 July 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250118075431/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/public-covid-restrictions-lifted-wednesday-1.6509666 . 2025-01-18 . 2025-03-20.
  32. News: Woodbury . Richard . Nova Scotia surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths . CBC . 22 December 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119183309/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-one-thousand-covid-deaths-1.7059463 . 2024-01-19 . 2025-03-20.
  33. News: Lurie . Shira . SHIRA LURIE: Nova Scotia's 'living with COVID' strategy backfires . SaltWire Network . 28 July 2022.
  34. News: Shaw . Kyle . Making sense of this nonsensical COVID year . The Coast . 28 December 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215042338/https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/making-sense-of-this-nonsensical-covid-year-29955473 . 2024-02-15 . 2025-03-20.
  35. News: Francis . Campbell . Houston government 'negligent' in not signing pharmacare deal, NDP says . the Chronicle Herald . 9 June 2025 .
  36. News: 2025-01-23 . Premier Houston seeks to make Nova Scotia more self-reliant in memo to caucus . https://web.archive.org/web/20251016111345/https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/premier-houston-seeks-to-make-nova-scotia-more-self-reliant-in-memo-to-caucus/ . 2025-10-16 . 2025-10-16 . CTVNews . en.
  37. News: Government bill to lift fracking moratorium, uranium mining ban in N.S. clears final reading CBC News . https://web.archive.org/web/20251016111813/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fracking-uranium-mining-natural-resources-development-1.7493139 . 2025-10-16 . 2025-10-16 . CBC . en-US.
  38. News: Houston pitches ambitious 'Wind West' offshore wind energy project CBC News . https://web.archive.org/web/20251016110216/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/premier-tim-houston-pitches-offshore-wind-energy-project-1.7553622 . 2025-10-16 . 2025-10-16 . CBC . en-US.
  39. News: Mott . Sean . 21 October 2025 . N.S. Premier Tim Houston takes over as Energy minister amid cabinet shuffle . . 10 December 2025.
  40. News: Campbell . Francis . N.S. government averse to curbing fixed-term lease abuse, minister implies . The Chronicle Herald . 15 May 2025 .
  41. Web site: Government Seeks Feedback on 20 Agencies, Boards and Crown Corporations . Province of Nova Scotia . 1 February 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404205729/https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220201003 . 2023-04-04 . 2025-03-20.
  42. News: Gorman . Michael . N.S. government cuts Crown corporations in quest for more efficient operations . CBC News . 26 July 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250308064352/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/crown-corporations-houston-government-streamlining-combining-1.6532376 . 2025-03-08 . 2025-03-20.
  43. News: Thomas . Jesse . N.S. premier defends appointing business friends as Crown executive chairs . CTV News . 29 July 2022. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220729235209/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-defends-appointing-business-friends-as-crown-executive-chairs-1.6007967 . 2022-07-29 . 2025-03-20.
  44. News: Head of new N.S. Crown corporation resigns 2 weeks after appointment . CBC . 10 August 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20250118095913/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/invest-nova-scotia-executive-chair-resigns-1.6546904. 2025-01-18. 2025-03-20.
  45. News: Gorman . Michael . 20 October 2022 . N.S. government unveils details of new housing agency . CBC News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241118051010/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-government-unveils-details-of-new-housing-agency-1.6623933 . 2024-11-18 . 2025-03-20.
  46. Web site: 2021-11-05 . Bill No. 61 - Joint Regional Transportation Agency Act . Nova Scotia Legislature . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250121004016/https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b061.htm . 2025-01-21 . 2025-03-20.
  47. News: Smith . Simon . Construction of new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia put on hold . CBC . 27 July 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20250223173908/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/province-puts-art-gallery-of-nova-scotia-build-on-hold-1.6533598. 2025-02-23.
  48. News: Palmater . Paul . Owls Head, once considered for controversial golf course, designated as provincial park . CBC . 14 June 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250118090305/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/0wls-head-land-new-provincial-park-golf-course-plan-withdrawn-1.6488350 . 2025-01-18 . 2025-03-20.
  49. News: Laroche . Jean . Environmentalist says 2021 e-mail shows Tim Houston supported protecting parks from golf developers . CBC . 5 December 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250320140953/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-email-neil-livingston-owl-s-head-protected-land-mabou-beach-1.6674480 . 2025-03-20 . 2025-03-20.
  50. News: Henderson . Jennifer . Houston says any request from Cabot to build golf course in Mabou park will get due process . . 25 October 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240126171555/https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/province-house-2/houston-says-any-request-from-cabot-to-build-golf-course-in-mabou-park-will-get-due-process/ . 2024-01-26 . 2025-03-20.
  51. News: Gorman . Michael . N.S. government says no to golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park . CBC News . 20 April 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225141447/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-cabot-golf-tory-rushton-1.6817243 . 2024-02-25 . 2025-03-20.
  52. News: Gorman . Michael . N.S. government announces more protected areas, strategy to reach 2030 target . CBC . 20 December 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231222201911/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/environment-forests-protection-tim-halman-mike-lancaster-1.7065561 . 2023-12-22 . 2025-03-20.
  53. News: . [{{Italics correction|''Global News''}}] . 28 March 2024 . Nova Scotia to create new volunteer 'guard' corps for emergencies . . . . 1 July 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529044803/https://globalnews.ca/news/10390412/nova-scotia-volunteer-guard-corps-weather-emergencies/ . 29 May 2024.
  54. News: . [Government of Nova Scotia] . 28 March 2024 . Nova Scotia Guard, New Department Will Improve Emergency Readiness . Premier's Office . Halifax, NS . . 1 July 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250512054942/https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/28/nova-scotia-guard-new-department-will-improve-emergency-readiness . 12 May 2025.
  55. News: Grant . Taryn . 18 September 2024 . Nova Scotia wants to set up regional centres to help during emergencies . . Nova Scotia . . 1 July 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241119205419/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/regional-emergency-operations-centres-1.7327127 . 19 November 2024.
  56. An Act to Establish a Department of Emergency Management and Authorize the Establishment of a Nova Scotia Guard . Bill No. 455 . . 2024 . . 1 July 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250701133216/https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/1st_read/b455.htm . 1 July 2025.
  57. News: Ahmadi . Ali Abbas. 13 August 2025 . Canadian province faces pushback after banning entry to woods over wildfire fears . . Toronto . . 31 August 2025.
  58. Web site: N.S. bans hiking and use of vehicles in woods as dry conditions raise wildfire fears . CBC . 2025-08-05 . 2025-08-12.
  59. Web site: Patil . Anjuli . Is Nova Scotia going too far by banning people from woods during dry weather? Some think so . CBC . 2025-08-09 . 2025-08-12.
  60. Web site: Macdonald . Ella . Callan . Isaac . N.S. man gets ticket on purpose for walking in woods to fight fire-safety ban . Global News . 2025-08-12 . 2025-08-12.
  61. News: Gorman . Michael . Nova Scotia government giving itself the power to fire the auditor general . CBC . 18 February 2025 .
  62. News: MacDonald . Michael . 'Control-mania': N.S. premier accused of executive overreach with new bill . Canadian Press . 21 February 2025 .
  63. News: Gorman . Michael . N.S. premier withdrawing changes that would have allowed auditor general to be fired without cause. CBC . 24 February 2025 .
  64. News: Spurr . Bill . December 14, 2023 . Film industry's focus on Nova Scotia continues to bring in the bucks . PNI Atlantic . Postmedia Network . 2025-03-19 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241202172328/https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/business/film-industrys-focus-on-nova-scotia-continues-to-bring-in-the-bucks-100921221/ . 2024-12-02.

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