News release

Legislative Session Wraps With Focus on Helping Those Who Need It Most

Premier's Office

Government is squarely focused on helping those Nova Scotians who need it most.

During the sitting of the legislature that wrapped up today, March 10, government tabled its fifth consecutive balanced budget, with a focus on reducing child poverty by improving the Nova Scotia Child Benefit, providing safe and affordable housing, supporting youth with complex needs and combatting human trafficking.

The budget also ensures the next and final phase of the pre-primary program will be implemented, which means every four-year-old across Nova Scotia will have access to the program this fall.

All parties voted to support the government’s legislation to enable couples to remain together when it comes time for them to enter long-term care.

Government also passed bills to discourage young people from vaping and to address the wage gap between women and men.

“We are always better together. I am proud of the way Nova Scotians, the business and academic communities and government have worked together to get the finances of the province on stable ground so more investments can be made in Nova Scotians’ priorities,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Our government will keep working with Nova Scotians to build our province, grow our population, create opportunities for young people and support those who need our help.”

Quick Facts:

Highlights of Budget 2020-21 include:

  • $18.7 million increase for the second year of initiatives to provide safe, suitable and affordable housing under the Nova Scotia Action Plan for Affordable Housing
  • $17.5 million increase for the rollout of 48 additional pre-primary school communities in 2020–21 for a total budget of $51.4 million
  • $154.4 million to support the largest health-care redevelopment projects in the province’s history — the QEII New Generation project and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Health Care Redevelopment
  • $54.3 million for construction, repair and renewal of hospitals and medical facilities across the province
  • $265.6 million increase in capital investments this year to build and renovate 16 schools and for the purchase of 30 P-3 schools
  • $85.3 million more, for a total of $385.3 million, for Nova Scotia’s roads, highways and bridges, with continued work on multi-year projects to twin 100-series highways

Additional Resources:

For a list of bills passed during the sitting, visit: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-63-session-2?field_bill_type_value_i18n=government&field_status_key_value=3&field_political_affiliation_value_i18n=All

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