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Opposition MLAs used a procedural move to slow debate Monday night as they called on members of the Nova Scotia government to take some time and reconsider cuts in the budget that’s before the legislature.
During second reading of the Financial Measures Act, the NDP moved what’s called a reasoned amendment. Subsequent debate was on the amendment and not part of second reading.
“We are saying stop the train, this is a bad budget, it’s hurting people,” NDP Leader Claudia Chender said in an interview.
“We’re hearing every day about more sectors and communities and organizations and Nova Scotians that are being hurt by this budget.”
The budget includes $130 million in cuts to grants and programs that cross a wide spectrum of government, including arts and culture, programs for people with disabilities, scholarships for students from marginalized communities and the closure of some provincial museums.
Chender said that with ongoing concerns that some cabinet ministers cannot explain the rationale for the cuts and their potential impacts, while other government members appeared surprised to learn about the extent of the cuts, it would also be a chance for everyone to get on the same page “and bring back something else, something better.”
Speaking to the amendment, Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette called on members of the government and PC caucus to take the time to talk about the bill and assess what it is they’re trying to achieve.
“We shouldn’t even be having this conversation right now. Because it’s $130 million in a $17-billion budget. But this is where you went to cut. Go back and take a look.”
Finance minister ‘can’t predict’ if changes will come
Mombourquette called on government members to “think about that adult day centre, think about that theatre, think about that museum,” as well as volunteers, diverse communities and artists.
Deputy government House leader Melissa Sheehy-Richard adjourned debate on the amendment, meaning debate will resume on another day. The government’s majority in the House means the amendment will not pass, but if it did it would have the effect of defeating the bill and the bill would be struck from the order paper.
Finance Minister John Lohr said he and members of his government are always listening to the public and they’ve demonstrated in the past a willingness to sometimes change course.
“We’re not averse to doing that under certain circumstances,” he said in an interview.
“Whether we will do that this time or not, I can’t predict. But I think the reality is we’re always listening.”
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