Bypassing the Media and Fearmongering - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER: This government owes Nova Scotians an explanation about their plan to bypass the media. Those are the PC Party's own words from a recent email. We know what happens when governments attempt to paint journalists and the media as the enemy. All we have to do is look across the border. My question is: Does the Premier approve of using this specific language and of attacking journalists to solicit donations?

THE SPEAKER « » : Your question is specifically about a PC email. I would like you to reframe it about government.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Listen, this government has an obsession with choosing enemies and blaming them for the woes of this province. First, it was Justin Trudeau. Next, on the floor of this House and everywhere else, it was unnamed special interests, and now it's the media. Over and over again, we have seen this government attempt to divide Nova Scotians rather than work with them, and this is a slippery slope. My question to the Premier » : Is bypassing the media official government policy?

HON. TIM HOUSTON (Premier): Listen, if you look at just yesterday alone - I'm just talking about just one day, and this would be representative of pretty much every day:- two separate media availabilities, plus I went on with CTV. I don't think that can be considered in any world avoiding the media.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Yet this government fundraises - the letter has been tabled - "bypass the media when necessary." They are actively suppressing information from the public when they choose this tactic. Bypassing the media means not letting the media know what is happening, and it's in large part thanks to the media that the changes to the Auditor General are safe from government interference and that we know about so many issues facing Nova Scotians in this province. The depths of the housing crisis, issues with primary care - that's not something that's being put out by this government; it's something the media is reporting to serve the public. That's what the government should be doing, so I'll ask in a different way: Which issues do you need to bypass?

THE PREMIER « » : I don't particularly think fundraising letters from political parties are a new thing. Perhaps I should table some of the stuff that the NDP send out in their fundraising letters. What I would say to Nova Scotians is, look, this is a stressful time in the world, and the fearmongering that we see happening in our society from certain leaders - elected leaders and stuff - it's not helpful to Nova Scotians.

As a government, we will continue to focus on what matters. We're the only people in this Chamber talking about health care. We're the only people in this Chamber talking about housing. We're the only people who are talking about supporting Nova Scotians. I have yet to hear a question from the Opposition . . .

THE SPEAKER « » : Order.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition with her final question.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: I was under the impression that "fearmongering" was an unparliamentary word, but since it isn't, let's talk about who's fearmongering. Fearmongering is telling people that they are problem-solvers or problem-stretchers and implying they'll lose their job if they're stretching a problem. Fearmonger means that you get to decide what the problem is, you get to decide what the solution is, and the media doesn't get to have an opinion, and neither does the Opposition. Fearmongering is when you call anyone who disagrees with you a special interest. So I'm going to ask the question again: Which specific topics does the media need to be bypassed on?

THE SPEAKER « » : Order. Before I recognize the Premier - it gets a little hot and heavy in here - you are speaking to me, through me, to the members opposite. At the end of Question Period, if someone would like to stand up on a point of order, please do, but my ears are wide open and I am playing close attention. Yes, I'm done.

The honourable Premier.

THE PREMIER « » : It is true, in my opinion, that there really are only two types of people in the world. There are problem-solvers and there are problem-stretchers and in this Chamber, we know who the problem-solvers are because they just tabled a budget that supports Nova Scotians across . . . (Applause) We know who the problem-stretchers are. We just have to look at their social media where they bypass the media and use social media. I look for problem-solvers. I love problem-solvers and fortunately, despite what you might see sometimes, this province is full of problem-solvers and I love them.