Less than one week into the fall sitting, things got tense at the Nova Scotia legislature on Thursday when Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender accused the premier of lying – twice – and launching a “smear campaign” against her, before getting up and leaving. Chender took issue with a newsletter sent Wednesday by the Progressive Conservatives, accusing her of protesting the Mount Hope development – which is in her riding – several years ago, only to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. “Despite Claudia’s long-opposition to these new housing projects in her constituency of Dartmouth South, including tabling a petition opposing their construction, Chender attended the ribbon cutting ceremony to be included in photo opportunities on September 2,” the PC Party said. During Question Period on Thursday, Chender asked Premier Tim Houston about housing costs. Houston reiterated his government’s plan to build more housing before going on to highlight Chender’s attendance at a protest “to stop affordable housing” at Mount Hope and her tabling of a petition to “stop those houses being built.” “But despite opposing those homes every single step of the way, the leader of the opposition showed up for the ribbon cutting to get her photo taken,” Houston said. “There are people living in that area right now that if Claudia Chender had earned her way, would not be living in that area,” the premier said after Question Period. Speaking to reporters, Chender maintained her support and advocacy for affordable housing. “My colleagues and I come here every day fighting for [affordable housing] because we hear from the tens of thousands of Nova Scotians who really don’t always know how they’re going to pay their rent next month.” Chender was ordered by Speaker of the House of Assembly Danielle Barkhouse to apologize and retract her words for accusing the premier of lying the first time. The second time, she got up on her own and left. Speaking to reporters, Chender said she was “honoured” to be invited to attend the opening of the development last week. “I think it’s really upsetting in this moment in the world to see these kind of smear campaigns and misinformation,” she said. “Every once in a while, as someone in elected life, things are said that just can’t stand. “It’s an absurdity, this is a smear campaign. It is the role of MLAs to table petitions brought to them by their constituents.” “There are people living in that area right now that, if Claudia Chender had her way, would not be living in that area,” Houston said. “Those who object to and protest against and submit petitions saying this housing shouldn’t happen are just against housing.” Chender explained she has to sign petitions that are tabled in the House, but will “of course” raise issues that she hears about. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
