Accessibility to the NS Legislature, Law Amendments - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. On October 7th, the Premier was asked by a journalist if the option for virtual presentations for members to the Law Amendments Committee would continue. At that time, the Premier - much to our enjoyment and happiness - said yes, they would continue. He said that people who couldn’t get to Halifax would have their voices heard by the committee.

Yesterday, after his caucus voted down our motion for virtual presentations, when he was asked again, the Premier said that if people have something to say, they can just come here and say it.

My question is: Will the Premier explain why he’s already walked back his promise to make the Law Amendments Committee more accessible to the many - most - Nova Scotians who don’t live in Halifax?

THE PREMIER: The Law Amendments Committee is a very unique part of the law-making process here in this province. Certainly, we’re doing a lot to make sure that this government is held accountable by the Opposition - changes to the Public Accounts Committee back to what it should be - and by the people.

We’re open to the idea. I think there are some questions around the ability to flip back to in-person and the technology on the virtual stuff. We’ll have those discussions.

What I would say is this: I haven’t heard from a whole series of people who were not able to make their voices heard on Bill No. 1 or other bills in this province.

This government is moving forward on a number of initiatives. The people of this province will have plenty of ways to have their say on the legislation before this House. That’s what we’re committed to.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: We’d be happy to forward the correspondence we’ve received to the Premier’s Office. We’ll be doing that. I want to make clear that when I say, “adding the virtual capability,” in fact what this government has done is removed the virtual capability that existed throughout the pandemic. We have taken a step backwards.

Mr. Speaker, this is important because in 2017, this House passed landmark accessibility legislation, legislation which came about in no small part because of the Law Amendments Committee and which established the Accessibility Directorate, which then launched a series of consultations toward the goal of making Nova Scotia completely accessible by 2030.

Last session, after several requests and motions, the Law Amendments Committee finally introduced CART services . . .

THE SPEAKER: Your question, please.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: . . . and real-time video. The ability to make presentations virtually is a way to make the people’s House accessible to all people. I will ask the Premier again: Why did your caucus vote against a motion to keep the Law Amendments Committee accessible to all people?

THE PREMIER: I think what we saw was a return to normal of the Law Amendments Committee with people actually having their say in a society where we’re trying to return to normal.

So, look, we had a Law Amendments Committee. It was very well . . . (Interruption)

THE SPEAKER: Order, please. The Premier has the floor.

THE PREMIER: It was very well attended. We heard the voices of Nova Scotians on the issues they wanted to raise.

We’re concerned about making sure that this province and this House is accessible. We’re going to continue to look at what’s possible to make sure that it’s truly accessible to Nova Scotians. Nova Scotians should know, despite the efforts of the Opposition to whip a frenzy up another way, that they have every opportunity to be heard by this government. Every single opportunity.

THE SPEAKER: Order, please.