July 23, 2026
The Nova Scotia Liberals say today’s cabinet availability is the latest example of the Houston Conservatives asking taxpayers to pay more for government while delivering less accountability.
Under Premier Houston, Nova Scotians are now funding the largest cabinet in the province’s history, while every backbench government MLA serves as a ministerial assistant with additional compensation. Despite this, seven ministers and the Premier will be unavailable during the province’s regular cabinet availability, with no acting ministers or ministerial assistants made available to answer questions in their place.
“This government is telling Nova Scotians there is no money for libraries, arts and culture, and other community organizations that make our province stronger, yet they have found room to expand government and increase compensation for their own MLAs,” said Interim Leader Iain Rankin. “At a time when families are being asked to do more with less, it’s hard to understand why this government’s priority is making government bigger instead of delivering better results for the people who pay for it.”
The Liberals say the lack of ministerial availability comes as Nova Scotians are looking for answers about the province’s massive deficit and affordability crisis. A recent Urban Stress Index report highlighted these growing pressures, ranking Halifax as “extreme” for unaffordability and the least affordable Canadian city among those assessed.
“Today’s cabinet availability should have been an opportunity to hear directly from the ministers responsible for addressing these challenges,” said Rankin. “Instead, with the Premier, Deputy Premier, and several ministers absent, Nova Scotians are left waiting for answers on the issues that matter most. When taxpayers are being asked to fund the largest cabinet in our province’s history, they should expect a government that is available and accountable.”