Nova Scotia’s Speaker of the House of Assembly has rescinded the temporary bans issued in the spring following a protest. Danielle Barkhouse released a statement Friday afternoon saying she remains concerned about what happened on March 24, when protesters sang and yelled from the gallery to delay a vote related to the new budget. “While protests are a natural and healthy part of our democracy, there is a time and place for everything. Engaging in protests in the gallery of the House and preventing the House and its members from discharging their duties is a contempt of the House and a breach of parliamentary privilege. It is unlawful,” reads the statement. “If disruptions of the House are permitted to occur unfettered, the House will be paralyzed and the work of elected MLAs stymied. There is nothing democratic about this. The actions of the disruptors must not be condoned.” Barkhouse says she has been speaking with constituents, a representative of the Nova Scotia Arts Coalition, and the opposition caucuses, all of whom have offered their opinions on the ban. “I have decided to rescind the bans unconditionally and allow the formerly banned persons full access to Province House, including the gallery. This rescission takes effect immediately,” said Barkhouse. In her statement, Barkhouse issued a reminder to “follow gallery rules and not engage in any demonstrations or other disruptive behaviour in the gallery or within the legislative precinct.” However, she emphasized Nova Scotians are welcome to demonstrate on the sidewalks surrounding Province House. “I hope that this rescission will allow everyone to move forward respectfully and in good faith,” she said. “If there are disruptions in the gallery during this sitting, the disruptors will be removed from the gallery. If they persist in being disruptive outside of the gallery, they will be removed from the precinct. In the unlikely event that there are recurring or persistent disruptions, I will again consider bans from the gallery or, if necessary, the legislative precinct.” Barkhouse says the gallery rules have been updated and align with best practices from the Parliament of Canada. Each visitor will receive a copy of the rules, which are also posted inside and outside the gallery. “I will not tolerate disruptions of the House and breaches of the gallery rules,” said Barkhouse. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
