QP: Who is making the decisions when it comes to this budget?
CLAUDIA CHENDER : For weeks we have watched this government's ministers blame staff for cuts, express surprise at their own budget, and dodge questions. We are still hearing a public outcry about the continued harm this government's deep cuts will cause - job losses, programs and services folks count on scrapped, everything from rural museums to funding for women's health care at the IWK. As late as last night the Finance Minister said he couldn't predict what would change.
Did the Finance Minister know and not tell us? If he didn't know, who is making these choices?
HON JOHN LOHR : The reality is that every member in our caucus gets feedback from their constituents, from every group. We are constantly evaluating that feedback and listening. We listen, we are listening to Nova Scotians. We'll continue to do that.
We know that the cuts have caused real anxiety and stress in the lives of Nova Scotians and we care about them so we will continue to look at that. We are reinstating funding for some of the groups where this had a real impact on daily lives and we'll make no apologies for that, Speaker.
CLAUDIA CHENDER : Speaker, maybe my question wasn't clear. It is, Who is driving the bus? I didn't get an answer. Cabinet ministers and government MLAs took to social media over the weekend to defend many of the cuts that seem to have been reversed today. We saw them blame federal funding, we saw them blame the Human Rights Remedy that they are court-ordered to follow, and we saw them deny that disability funding been cut at all.
This makes no sense to Nova Scotians who believe that this government was working on their behalf. The changes today came from public pressure, not from thoughtful work of government. This isn't a change of heart or direction, it's damage control.
Why is this government more concerned about their political future than doing what's best for Nova Scotians?
JOHN LOHR : Speaker, the reality is these are team decisions. We work together as a team and it takes a team to run a province. That's the reality.
The other reality is we care deeply about the future of this province. We care deeply about every Nova Scotian. We care deeply about the arts. That's why we've increased funding since 2021 by some $15 million, $16 million.
We'll continue to support them. When we can do more we will do more. The reality is we have a plan. I believe in the future of this province. We have a plan for economic development. I think we have a bright future in Nova Scotia and I reject the assumption of doom and gloom from the Opposition every day of the week.