Protesters gather outside Province House in Halifax for ‘special interests’ rally

Hundreds of people held a “special interests” rally against outside the Nova Scotia legislature on Wednesday.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Nova Scotia’s Province House in Halifax Wednesday afternoon for a “special interests” rally.

Organizers said the goal of the event was to rally against the provincial government’s “attacks” on democratic processes, freedom of the press and environmental regulations, among other topics.

Last month, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston faced accusations he was curtailing press freedom after he ended the long-standing tradition of government ministers having informal exchanges with media -- known as scrums -- outside the legislative chamber. That decision was later reversed.

The Ecology Action Centre, CUPE Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour were among the groups taking part in the rally.

The protesters allege the Progressive Conservative government is trying to dismantle accountability and transparency and labels those who oppose their actions as “special interests.”

News emerged last month that a PC member’s fundraising letter had asked Nova Scotians to help the party thwart “special interests” and “bypass the media when we need to.”

Just before 1 p.m., police said they were at the scene of the protest.

Both lanes of traffic on Hollis Street between George Street and Prince Street were closed for a few hours during the protest. They reopened to traffic before 3 p.m.

With files from The Canadian Press

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