NDP leader says N.S. deficit is ‘problem of the premier’s own making’

Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender discusses the province’s budget cuts.

Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender says the province’s looming $1.24-billion deficit is a “problem of the premier’s own making.”

Earlier this week, the provincial government walked back part of its cuts in the 2026-2027 budget, reinstating $53.6 million in grants and funding for seniors, people with disabilities and education initiatives. The reversal came after extensive protests featuring thousands of people outside the Province House in Halifax.

“Nova Scotians have spoken. We listened,” Premier Tim Houston said in a news release.

In an interview with CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis, Chender said she was relieved to see the government change course on the cuts, but noted many cuts are still on the table.

“The premier has a tendency to walk things back,” she said. “I think the first couple of times people found that refreshing, but I think we’re now in a place where we have to ask real questions about how this government comes to it decisions.

“We’re really working overtime to understand the impact of what is in this budget because it’s really not clear yet.”

Chender was also critical of the government’s out-of-budget spending. Last year, Auditor General Kim Adair called for more accountability on government spending after she found $1.38 billion in over-budget spending was not approved in the legislature.

“There’s no oversight on spending in this province,” Chender said. “We need to rein in spending. That starts with accountability.

“This is a problem of the premier’s own making. He came in with a balanced budget and now he’s staring down a $1.2-billion deficit and he’s going to have to do something he’s never done, which is make some decisions.”

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