Liberals want investigation into attempts by premier to force out Speaker of the House
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NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the premier's actions are the latest in a pattern of behaviour by Houston and his office that manifests as "silencing anyone, by any means that they have at their disposal, who will dare speak in a contrary manner to their policies.
"And I think that's very, very troubling in a democracy," she told reporters.
"This is the 175th anniversary of responsible government in Nova Scotia and it may be on the decline here."
In announcing Bain's pending departure on Thursday, the Tories also announced that they would be adding three new deputy speakers — all from their caucus — to join the current two deputies who represent the Liberals and NDP.
Churchill said the premier's actions extend beyond the legislature and send a chilling effect across government.
Since coming to power, Houston has fired the CEO of the health authority and its board. He also dismissed the three heads of the province's economic development Crown corporations in a step to reorganize the entities. In doing so, Houston appointed people he called personal friends as the interim heads of those new bodies.
The message the premier is sending is that if people cross him, they'll be gone, said Chender.
"It demonstrates a vindictiveness and a desire to consolidate power and do his will."
Chender said MLAs need to push back and remind the premier that, "as of today, we're still in a democracy."
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