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It’s time to stand together and hold the Houston government accountable for their abuse of power! After campaigning on healthcare and jobs, Premier Houston is instead using his “super-majority" to push through authoritarian legislation that erodes our democratic processes and sweeps away crucial environmental protections without consultation.
What’s more, he is disrespecting Nova Scotians by labeling everyone who disagrees with his agenda as a “special interest group.” We know this is a false narrative designed to pit Nova Scotians against each other. We say, enough is enough!
So, what’s YOUR “special interest”? Clean water? Freedom of information? Proper democratic process? A government that is accountable to their people?
We all have a special interest: whether you’re a senior, a parent, a healthcare worker, a teacher, a student, a young person, or someone who cares about a healthy environment. It is the Premier’s job to listen to the people’s interests – NOT to ignore us and do whatever he wants with no consultation.
Come tell the Houston government what you think of their behaviour, and demand that they withdraw Bill 1, Bill 6, Bill 12 and Bill 24.
Bring signs, costumes, noisemakers, or anything else that represents YOUR “special interest” in a province based on democracy and respect for our communities.
“SPECIAL INTERESTS” FOR DEMOCRACY
Rally at Province House
Wednesday, March 5th @ Noon
1726 Hollis Street, Halifax
This demonstration is being co-hosted by:
South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians
HRM Chapter of the Council of Canadians
Ecology Action Centre
North Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians
CUPE Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives NS
Sustainable Northern Nova Scotia (SuNNS)
Green Nova Scotia First (GNSF)
Sierra Club Atlantic
Extinction Rebellion NS
Save Our Old Forests (SOOF)
EcoJustice United Church
Friends of Halifax Common
The Dirt Gang
Healthy Bays Network
Nature Nova Scotia
Anglican Diocesan Environmental Network
Action Against Canso Spaceport
Annapolis Waterkeepers
Background:
In the past month, Houston’s government has:
- Given themselves the power to fire civil servants without cause, keep government information hidden from the public, fire the auditor general, and keep auditor general reports private (Bill 1)
- Limited the amount of time that Opposition MLA’s are allowed to speak in the Legislature
- Shut out the media at Province House, changing the way the media are allowed to question them and stating their intention to “bypass” the media
- Revoked the moratorium on fracking without consultation (Bill 6), in spite of thorough public consultations and solid scientific evidence on the dangers of fracking that led to the moratorium
- Revoked the ban on uranium exploration without consultation (Bill 6), in spite of thorough public consultations leading to the ban due to the overwhelming majority of Nova Scotians being against uranium mining
- Shut down Communications Nova Scotia, ending non-partisan communications from the government to its people
- Ended annual reports of emergency room services
- Given themselves power to override municipalities decision-making about infrastructure (Bill 24)
- Given themselves more control over universities and research (Bill 12)
These are all government overreach and abuse of power, and all of this is being done without a mandate from Nova Scotians – NONE of this was mentioned in Houston's election campaign, and Nova Scotians have not been consulted.
When confronted with intense pushback on the ability to fire the auditor general, Tim Houston changed this part of Bill 1 and then lied about his original intentions about it. He has also signaled that he may change his tune on the Freedom of Information clause. But the other damaging clauses remain, and must be changed.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Province House, 1726 Hollis St, Halifax, NS B3J 1V9, Canada,Halifax, Nova Scotia
