QP NS Power Bills & Data

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Nova Scotia Power hasn't been fixed, Speaker. Power bills have risen by $400 for the average family since this government was elected. Thousands of Nova Scotians have had their personal information stolen. They don't have the capacity to request a free credit freeze or to sue Nova Scotia Power for damages.

Last weekend, my colleagues and I were knocking on doorsteps, and we heard from hundreds of Nova Scotians who are deeply frustrated that Nova Scotia Power is not being held accountable.

After one of the province's largest data breaches, why won't this Premier give Nova Scotians the protections they need?

HON. JILL BALSER » : Speaker, this gives me the opportunity to be able to speak in my capacity as the Minister of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions. I just want to make sure that folks know that I am the second minister - there was one before me - but this is the first time a designated department is looking at cyber threats. The first time ever. To be able to say to Nova Scotians that we are looking at every possible way to make sure that their information online is protected, we are. We made sure to go out and speak to credit lenders and Nova Scotians because we know the impacts of that cyber breach.

We want to make sure that Nova Scotians have the tools that they need, but we also have to make sure that we're engaging in a national conversation around cyber threats so that we can protect Nova Scotians the best way that we can.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : This department predated this breach, and it didn't protect Nova Scotians.

Let's recap. What we hear from experts and on the doorsteps is that people want a utility that works for Nova Scotians. They want to look at the structure of Nova Scotia Power. They want a low-income power rate so they know everyone can keep the lights on, an arrears management program so they're not in debt to NSP for the rest of their lives, and expanded efficiency supports, and they want bills they can actually afford to pay.

My question to the Premier is: Why won't this government listen to Nova Scotians, protect them from identity theft, and lower their power bills?

JILL BALSER « » : I think it's really important that we acknowledge that no one is immune to cyber threats. Yes, the government has seen a threat under the movement - and then also Nova Scotia Power being the most recent breach. No one is immune, but in the department, there are designated personnel who are making sure that Nova Scotians' information is protected in the best possible way.

We have to make sure that we're engaging with our provincial and territorial colleagues and our federal colleagues on what a national defence around cybersecurity can look like. We know as threat actors continue, we have to make sure that our defence is ready. That is what the team is doing over at Cyber Security and Digital Solutions - we're making sure that we have the tools for Nova Scotians to make sure that their information is protected.