The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is literally taking their message to the streets. The organization is rolling around Nova Scotia in a van with a digital display that shows the growing debt in real time. “We’re sending a message to Premier Tim Houston to get government debt under control here in Nova Scotia,” says Atlantic director Devin Drover. The van is driving across Canada. The debt numbers change when they cross provincial borders. In Nova Scotia, Drover says the debt will reach $28 billion by the end of the fiscal year. “Under the Houston government, total government debt will double from what it was prior to Houston being elected and Nova Scotians are going to be paying for that,” Drover says. “This year alone Nova Scotians will pay $1 billion in interest charges.” Finance Minister John Lohr says looking soley at the debt doesn’t tell the whole story. The province tends to consider the ratio of debt-to-GDP as the more accurate metric. “That’s important to us,” Lohr says. “We’re working hard as a government to meet the needs. We’re spending money on roads, we’re spending money on health care, on hospitals.” When asked about the province’s financial roadmap Lohr insists they’re on the right path. “We have a fiscal stability plan, we’re working hard on that, too,” he says. But that’s not good enough according to Drover, who gives the province’s handling of its finances a failing grade. “I would say on government overspending, this provincial government would deserve an F,” he says. The van is heading across the Confederation Bridge for an event in Charlottetown on Friday. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
