Nova Scotia First
THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader for the Official Opposition.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Nova Scotians are living with traumatic uncertainty, and they deserve a comprehensive plan laid out for them in an open and transparent way. When the stakes are this high, people have the right to know what their government is doing to protect them from financial hardship. Telling people that you have a plan is not the same thing as having a real, viable path forward, and talking about protecting Nova Scotians from the special interests within as a response to tariffs is Orwellian. The looming threat of tariffs and the uncertainty they cause for Nova Scotians is real. Surveys and backroom meetings are not going to cut it.
Other provinces have launched task forces where industry leaders and labour have a seat at the table, where meaningful collaboration is taking place, but this government has yet to demonstrate a similar approach. This government has yet to reach out to Unifor, the largest private sector labour union, whose thousands of workers are left in the cold not knowing what comes with a tariff. The Premier can't just call the same people he always speaks to and pretend to be collaborating.
Nova Scotia is a unique province with our own economy and our own specific challenges. We cannot rely on other premiers and the federal government to have our people's best interests informing their approach. While we need to be part of Team Canada, we need a Team Nova Scotia plan.
The Nova Scotians I talk with are worried about their jobs and yet another potential spike to their cost of living. They want to do their part. That includes buying local. We've heard the government announce incentive plans for Nova Scotians to buy local that turn out to be million-dollar giveaways to grocers.
I know all members of this House want to see Nova Scotians thrive. The best way to do that is to come forward with a Nova Scotia First proposal. We want to see the government do everything in its power to protect the Nova Scotians - the workers - who will struggle with the cost of living, and that approach must be given with openness, transparency, and collaboration.