News release

Spring Sitting Advances Government’s New Path

Premier's Office

The Rankin government began to chart its path to a fair and prosperous future for Nova Scotians while managing the public health response to COVID-19 during the spring sitting of the legislature, which wrapped up Monday, April 19.

Having been in office for only eight weeks, the government advanced important elements of its plan, including passing legislation to support biodiversity, the land titles initiative and Emancipation Day, and a budget that prioritized a strong public health response and economic recovery.

“We’re making decisions that build a stronger economy and stronger future for Nova Scotians,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “When an economy supports business innovation and growth, we can invest more in our people and the priorities of Nova Scotians, especially those who have not had the same historic opportunities as others.”

To start this sitting, Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc delivered the speech from the throne, laying out government’s vision for improving the lives of Nova Scotians by ensuring a healthy environment, a robust economy and a more equitable society.

Budget 2021-22 focused on those priorities, with investments in the ongoing pandemic response and modernizing health care, enhancing education, taking action on climate change and making historic investments in the most vulnerable citizens and in infrastructure across the province. The government has set the stage for a balanced budget in four years.

Highlights of Budget 2021-22 include:

  • the single largest increase in income assistance in the province’s history of $35.2 million to add $100 more per month to the standard household rate for adult clients
  • $24.2 million to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to Nova Scotians
  • more than $30 million in additional funding to act on findings of the long-term care expert panel and to begin to replace or renovate seven nursing homes and add more than 230 beds across the province by 2025
  • $12.3 million increase for new mental health programming
  • $12.2 million to train more doctors
  • $2 million to open the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives
  • a new target to reduce regulatory burden on business by $10 million in 2021
  • $16.4 million for infrastructure projects to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting people from higher fuel and electricity costs

Additional Resources:

For a list of bills passed during the sitting, visit: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-63-session-3

For more budget highlights visit: https://novascotia.ca/budget/