Decision Reversals Explanation - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER: In the last week, the public outcry from Nova Scotians has forced this Premier to walk back changes he proposed that could limit information for the public. He's had to reverse the changes to undermine the Auditor General and now he's backtracking on access to information. These aren't the only issues. The government is limiting Nova Scotians from sharing their concerns and amendments at the Law Amendments Committee, which has existed for over 200 years. Why is this Premier so unwilling to listen to Nova Scotians who want to make their voices heard?
THE PREMIER « » : What a statement to make. Tomorrow the member will say the Premier made changes by listening to people he never listens to. We have the confidence in this government to listen to Nova Scotians. We show that time and time again - we are not afraid. When a Nova Scotian, whether it's the Auditor General or the Commissioner, puts forward a good idea, we see that that makes sense and will make the public policy better, we do it. The committee will stand for people to come and speak on bills. That will happen. We'll listen to feedback that comes. I think the member is just upset that they haven't put actually forward a good idea for us to follow, but maybe they will some day.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: The Premier is willing to listen to the voices of the people after he tries to silence them because they get too upset. Got it. Instead of helping Nova Scotians get attached to primary care, providing protections for renters, this government has spent this sitting on other priorities, undermining the independence of the Auditor General, dropping bans on fracking and uranium with no consultation, trying to take powers away from the Information and Privacy Commissioner, vilifying anyone they label as a special interest group, fundraising to bypass the media, and putting public servants on notice that they could be fired without cause. My question is: Why didn't the Premier tell Nova Scotians about this plan during the election?
THE PREMIER « » : We love talking about health care and attaching people to health care. We've attached over 100,000 Nova Scotians by today. We love talking about our investments in the School Lunch Program and how it is helping students and families. We love talking about the housing starts in this province and all the things that are happening. We love talking about this province and the potential and it is not us who are not talking about that. We will talk about that every single day and I look forward to having those discussions about what is possible in this province because this is a wonderful province. There is a lot good happening in this province. I know there are those who try to scare people and create fear, but that's not us.