Response to the Speech from the Throne

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: I am honoured to rise and reply to the Speech from the Throne. Congratulations to His Honour on becoming the Lieutenant Governor of this province, and Her Honour, and congratulations to the Premier and the PC caucus on your successful re-election campaign. To all the new members, welcome to the People's House. Welcome to the seats that represent 55 communities across our province, seats that you will have the honour to occupy on behalf of our constituents. Your role, and our role, is to represent them here.

In this moment of political uncertainty, of polarization, and of genuine economic instability, we must work together. We must be united, not divided. We must listen, not just wait to speak in this room, and that's a challenge. In that spirit, as His Majesty's Official Opposition, we will do our best today and every day to bring the concerns, the hopes, and the dreams of Nova Scotians into this Chamber, to highlight the issues, the ideas, the policies that require our debate and discussion, our consultation, and our conversation.

In our system of government, to oppose is to show loyalty - loyalty to Nova Scotians and loyalty to this Assembly. In our system, this makes a better government, a more effective government, and most of all, a more responsible government.

We are all here to address the challenges before us on behalf of and in service to all Nova Scotians - fishers and foresters, environmentalists and entrepreneurs, seniors and those just starting out - all Nova Scotians deserve to see themselves in the words and actions of their government.

This session is an opportunity for us to all work together on legislation that will make a difference for those Nova Scotians. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we do that work together. Collaboration, co-operation, and a shared commitment to progress must guide our decisions. It is through unity, not division, that we will tackle the challenges ahead and forge a brighter future.

Right now, we stand at a crossroads in the history of our province. Nova Scotians, as was mentioned in the Throne Speech, continue to face rising costs, a housing shortage, and a health care system stretched beyond its limits. These are not simply issues of policy; they are matters of dignity, of fairness, and of the basic right to live a decent life.

Nova Scotia is rich in culture, in heritage and most of all, in opportunity. This should not be a place where families need to decide between heating their homes and putting food on the table; but unfortunately, for too many Nova Scotians, it is. These issues are exacerbated, as we heard, by the serious threats to our economy from across the border. Recent developments remind us all that our economy, while resilient, is not immune to these external pressures. Trade policies, tariffs, geopolitical shifts; these can shake the foundations of our traditional injuries. The ripple effect will be felt across all sectors - manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture, forestry, and the vital small businesses that form the backbone of our communities. The question that we are all asking ourselves is: How will we respond?

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We know that our economy is the engine that sustains our communities, and the livelihood of the workers who run that engine and bring life to those communities is in peril. We need forward-thinking solutions to address the many unknowns we will face in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. We need leadership that doesn't shy away from tough questions, tough conversations, and tough decisions.

We need policies that are proactive rather than reactive - that anticipate challenges rather than responding to crises as they emerge. As we carry out our work in the Legislature in this very small room, we must remember that every policy decision that we make affects real people - families trying to build a future, young people striving for opportunity, and seniors hoping to age with dignity.

With a new President to the south and the possibility of a federal election on the horizon, we will need to have a lot of important discussions and to follow those discussions with clear, united action that puts Nova Scotians first. Change is inevitable, but how we respond to that change must be guided by the principles of fairness, sustainability, and respect for all Nova Scotians.

We cannot be complacent. We don't know what will happen next month or the month after that or the month after that or even tomorrow. We need to be ready at a moment's notice for the situation to change drastically - as it is every day - and we must expect the unexpected. Our resilience will be tested, but so will our ingenuity, our creativity, and our ability to adapt in the face of adversity.

With the threat of tariffs, it's more important than ever that we secure the future of our economy. This means not only protecting jobs but fostering an environment where new and innovative industries can take root and grow. We have the talent, the resources, and the spirit to diversify our economy and strengthen it against external shocks.

It's essential that we support the workers who keep our industries strong and who provide the essential goods and services to their fellow Nova Scotians. That means not only fair wages and safe working conditions, but the dignity and respect that all workers deserve. From the fishers in our coastal communities, to the farmers in our fields, to the loggers in our forests, to health care workers in our hospitals and clinics, to the tech innovators in our cities - every worker deserves recognition and support.

We have to create good, local jobs to sustain our vibrant communities and our amazing people. To do this, we need to bring the most important players together: key stakeholders from affected industries and sectors currently under threat, labour unions, Indigenous organizations. These are the folks who will be the most affected by potential tariffs, and they must have a seat at the table.

Collaborative leadership now is not just beneficial; it is necessary for us to stand firm against those who threaten the livelihoods of Nova Scotians. What I've outlined are some steps that we as MLAs can take, but all Nova Scotians have a role in strengthening our economy.

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It has never been more important to buy local. Here in Nova Scotia, we are truly spoiled by the incredible producers, dynamic businesses, skilled artisans, and dedicated entrepreneurs who bring our communities to life. They don't just sell goods and services; they tell our stories, they preserve our traditions, and they fuel our economy.

Every dollar spent locally supports our friends, our families, and our neighbours. By choosing local, we are investing in our shared future and celebrating the bounty, craftsmanship, and culture that makes Nova Scotia such a wonderful place to live.

Despite the internal and external challenges we face, we cannot lose sight of our most important job here in the Legislature: making sure that Nova Scotians can find good jobs, access the health care they need, live in a home they can actually afford, and be able to pay for the basics. These are the building blocks of a fair, just, stable, and prosperous society.

We're lucky to live in a province so rich with potential and yet, for many Nova Scotians, their hard work is not enough. The cost of living is rising, wages are not keeping pace, and local businesses are struggling under the weight of inflation and economic uncertainty. Nova Scotians reach out to us every day: working families struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise, young people unable to find a place to call home, seniors waiting too long for the health care they need and deserve. These stories are not just heart-wrenching and sporadic; they are common. We must address the root cause of these challenges, not just the symptoms.

The issues facing Nova Scotians were not created in a vacuum. They are the result of inaction and a failure to prioritize the well-being of our citizens. Nova Scotians deserve better - better opportunities and better outcomes. It's time for policies that put people first, that invest in public services, that support small businesses, and that prioritize sustainable growth over short-term and short-sighted profit.

We're pleased to hear in this Throne Speech that the government intends to take economic development seriously in Nova Scotia. In fact, it's the first time we've heard about economic development in four years, including on the campaign trail. We are deeply worried about this government's desire to overturn long-held bans on fracking and uranium mining against the advice of Nova Scotians and the industries that the government purports to represent: science and consultation.

In the Throne Speech, it says that government will reverse bans to allow for meaningful discussion. I don't think I need to table it, as it was just tabled. I would submit that that's the wrong way around. Meaningful discussion is welcome and important. We do that before we reverse the will of the people and scientific study.

The government also refers in this Throne Speech to a veto held by special interests. I think that some of the special interests whom this government is seeking to demonize so early in their term would be thrilled to know that they have a veto on this majority government's attempt to do whatever it is that they want to do. I assure you that is not the case. The only body with a veto over policy in this province is this government. We certainly hope that they use it wisely, thoughtfully, with regard to science, with consultation, with meaningful consultation with the Mi'kmaq, and in a way that benefits all Nova Scotians.

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Those bans were put in place for a reason: to protect our environment, our drinking water, our forests, our fisheries, our health, and our province. We're ready for meaningful conversation. We have yet to have ever had it with this government.

The Premier has presented no specifics about how lifting the bans would benefit Nova Scotians now. We don't know which projects would go forward, where they would be, or how Indigenous communities, municipalities, and industry would be consulted. We don't know who would benefit. With weak royalty regimes and signals of reduced environmental assessments, there are questions that must be asked and answered before we move forward.

Lest I be painted as a special interest, I wonder if there is anyone else in this Chamber who has worked professionally in the field of mining economics. I have. My grandfather was a copper trader. My father owned a mining consultancy. I am very aware about the economics of mining and drilling deposits. We haven't seen those economics make sense yet. It's not to say they won't, but pounding the drums and making enemies does not make mining more attractive. Reducing environmental regulations, and companies seeing a windfall in a weak royalty regime like Nova Scotia, might.

So my request, and my warning, is that as we go forward down this path, we look at the evidence. We make sure that this is something that is beneficial to Nova Scotians and that is beneficial to Nova Scotia and our economy, and that this government has the bravery, the thoughtfulness, and the leadership to actually engage with the people who understand this issue and are trying to have the conversation. Painting them as "special interests" is the lazy way out.

Safeguarding our environment is not a fringe issue. It is central to the collective well-being of all Nova Scotians and to the legacy we will leave for future generations. It is also an economic driver of community development, tourism, recreation, and responsible natural resource development. This is a time to look to the future, not to return to the past - the future for our children, for our environment, for our province, and for our economic stability. We must continue to invest in the industries of today and the industries of tomorrow: science, ocean technology, clean energy construction, tourism, e-commerce, and the list goes on.

We must create an economic environment where local businesses can thrive and where workers receive fair wages for their labour. Nova Scotians deserve a government that will act decisively to ensure that prosperity is shared by all, not just by a few.

We are living in challenging times. Let us come together as people who may be on different sides of a political aisle but are bound by shared values, common goals, and a love for the people of our province. Together, we can create a Nova Scotia where everyone has a fair shot at success, where communities are strengthened, and where our future is secure for generations to come.

With those few words, I move to adjourn debate on Address in Reply.