December 8, 2025

Effective today, Iain Rankin will take over as Interim Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. As planned following last year’s election, Rankin and Derek Mombourquette have been sharing the responsibility of rebuilding the Party, and it is now Rankin’s turn to assume the leadership role. Mombourquette will take on the duties of House Leader.

Over the past year, both Liberal MLAs have worked to renew the Party and offer Nova Scotians a centrist, solutions-focused alternative. Rankin says he’s looking forward to carrying that momentum into the months ahead and being constructive in opposition.

“Nova Scotians need to see public money spent more responsibly, with legislative oversight,” said Rankin.

In his first act as Interim Leader, Rankin is calling for a comprehensive economic strategy in response to the Houston government’s record $1.2 billion deficit.

“This government has been spending without any coherent plan, and it’s put us in a vulnerable economic position that will affect Nova Scotians for generations,” said Rankin. “We need a long-term, disciplined economic plan that must include reviewing departmental over-spending, so we can both scale traditional sectors and help launch emerging industries to keep government programs sustainable.”

Over the next year, the Liberal caucus will stay focused on pragmatic, forward-looking solutions and continuing the work of rebuilding and offering Nova Scotians a balanced path ahead.

December 3, 2025

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party is proud to announce the launch of its Persons with Disabilities Commission – an initiative aimed at promoting accessibility, inclusion, and representation across the province.

This important initiative was brought forward by The Honourable Kevin Murphy, whose dedication to accessibility and inclusion has been an inspiration to many. Mr. Murphy, the first person with a disability to be elected Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, served in that role from 2013 to 2021 and continues to demonstrate leadership in building a more accessible province for all Nova Scotians.

“I’m proud to bring this commission to life,” said Murphy. “Representation matters, and by creating pathways for more persons with disabilities to engage in politics, we’re taking an important step toward a more inclusive Nova Scotia.”

The Persons with Disabilities Commission will support Nova Scotians with disabilities who wish to run for office and contribute to the development of party policies that reflect the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.

“This commission is a reflection of our party’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion,” said Party President Margaret Miller. “We’re grateful for Kevin’s leadership and vision, which will help ensure all Nova Scotians have a voice in shaping our province’s future.”

November 25, 2025

Today, Nova Scotia Power executives will appear before the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee following growing reports of inflated and inaccurate bills in the aftermath of the March 2025 cyberattack.

Despite the cybersecurity breach and Nova Scotia Power’s ongoing failure to meet reliability standards, the utility is still seeking a rate increase. Under the Houston government, power rates have already climbed nearly 20 per cent in just four years. Several government decisions have only made matters worse, including cancelling the SolarHomes program and cutting energy rebates that helped families lower their bills.

“People across the province are opening bills that simply don’t add up,” said Liberal House Leader Iain Rankin. “Nova Scotians shouldn’t be paying the price for Nova Scotia Power’s mistakes, especially not while the company is applying for yet another rate hike.”

Last month, the Liberals called on Premier Houston – who recently appointed himself Energy Minister – to initiate an independent review of Nova Scotia Power. The request has gone unanswered.

“We asked the Premier to use his authority as Energy Minister to launch an independent review to get to the bottom of these compounding issues,” said Rankin. “Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for an answer. Nova Scotians deserve better, which is why we’ll be pressing for answers from the utility at today’s committee.”

November 6, 2025

Nova Scotia Liberals are urging the Houston government to take immediate action to prevent the closure of Halifax’s publicly funded Infant Feeding Support Drop-In Clinic – a vital resource for new parents and babies.

The Halifax Primary Care Clinic announced that its publicly funded program for new parents and infants will cease operations after January 1, 2026, leaving families without access to free, skilled lactation support. 

“This clinic has been a lifeline for new parents,” said Status of Women Critic Iain Rankin. “The first few weeks after birth are some of the most challenging for families, and this service provides expert care that helps both parents and newborns thrive. The government should be strengthening this kind of community support, not taking it away.”

The clinic has provided accessible and compassionate care to newborns, infants, and parents for the past 16 months and has become a trusted source of help for families facing feeding challenges. Without continued public funding, parents will be left to turn to already stretched public health nurses or pay out of pocket for private care – the only available option for complex feeding needs in the Central Zone.

“Every family deserves access to timely and affordable feeding support,” said Rankin. “This program has given parents the care and confidence they need during an incredibly important time. Taking it away would leave families without the help they rely on. The Houston government needs to step up and keep this clinic open for all the families who rely on it.”

October 28, 2025

At today’s meeting of the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, Liberal MLA Iain Rankin tabled a motion reaffirming the Committee’s support for protecting Nova Scotia’s protected lands, including West Mabou Beach Provincial Park – but Conservative members voted it down.

West Mabou Beach has been designated as a provincial park since 2001, and today’s motion called on the Houston government to maintain the existing protected status of all designated coastal areas. There is no legal mechanism to allow development, such as a golf course, on protected land without removing its park designation.

“Protected land must remain protected,” said Rankin. “West Mabou Beach is a beautiful and ecologically significant place, and I’ve spoken to many community members who are clear that it should stay that way. Removing its park designation and allowing development on this land would set a damaging precedent for protected areas across our province.”

The motion followed a letter sent yesterday to newly appointed Natural Resources Minister Kim Masland, requesting confirmation that the government will not permit any development at West Mabou Beach. 

“This government is already far from meeting its own legislated environmental goals, and opening the door to development on protected land would only take us further off course,” said Rankin. “Nova Scotians expect their government to strengthen environmental protection, not weaken it.”

October 23, 2025

The Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus is calling on the Houston government to initiate an independent review of Nova Scotia Power to restore accountability and ensure the province’s energy future is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.

This year alone, Nova Scotians have faced a major cybersecurity breach, more rate hikes, and worsening power outages – all while Nova Scotia Power fails to meet its own performance standards. The utility still relies heavily on coal, has fallen behind on renewable energy targets, and has not modernized its grid to prevent frequent outages. Despite these failures, the Houston government has not closed a single coal plant or required meaningful infrastructure upgrades – leaving Nova Scotians paying more for less.

“Nova Scotians are paying more than ever for unreliable service,” said Interim Leader Derek Mombourquette. “It’s not enough for the Premier to simply say he’s disappointed. We need action. An independent review would help identify what’s gone wrong and how we can build a system that delivers cleaner, more affordable, and more dependable power.”

In New Brunswick, the provincial government has already taken action, launching a full and independent review of NB Power to examine its financial stability, governance structure, and long-term energy strategy. That review will result in concrete recommendations by March 2026 to ensure the utility is prepared to meet future energy needs while making power rates affordable for families.

“Our province needs a modern, resilient, and transparent power system that’s capable of meeting growing demand and supporting the clean energy transition,” said Energy Critic Iain Rankin. “A full independent review of Nova Scotia Power is the first step toward rebuilding public trust and ensuring Nova Scotians get real value for the rates they pay.”

October 20, 2025

Liberal Education Critic Iain Rankin has written to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Brendan Maguire, urging the Houston government to reaffirm its commitment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Early Learning and Childcare Agreement.

Nova Scotia was once a leader in early learning – from the introduction of pre-primary to being one of the first provinces to sign on to the national childcare plan in 2021. That partnership with Ottawa set out a clear path to make childcare more affordable and accessible for families across the province.

“We’ve already seen the difference this agreement has made,” said Rankin. “Fees have been cut by about 50 per cent, and early childhood educators are finally seeing improvements in compensation. But while other provinces have kept building on that success, Nova Scotia has stalled.”

Under the agreement, the province is expected to reach $10-a-day childcare by March 2026, but the goal is now in question after recent comments from the Houston government. The federal government has confirmed that Nova Scotia hasn’t yet approached them to renew the deal, leaving families and operators uncertain about what comes next. It’s a disappointing turn from Minister Maguire, who celebrated the 2021 agreement as part of the Liberal government that signed it, but now blames that same deal for his own government’s delays.

“The funding is there to move forward, but what’s missing is a clear plan from this government to finish what was started,” said Rankin. “We should be strengthening the public and non-profit system that delivers sustainable, high-quality care and keeps affordability front and centre. Other provinces have already achieved $10-a-day childcare – there’s no reason Nova Scotia shouldn’t do the same.”

October 3, 2025

As the fall legislative session comes to a close, the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus is highlighting the work they brought forward to address the concerns of families across the province. 

During this sitting, the Liberals introduced legislation to ease the burden of rising Nova Scotia Power rates, pressed the government on its $1.2 billion deficit, and tabled landmark legislation to set a minimum age for social media to protect children’s mental health in the digital age. Meanwhile, the Houston government relied on omnibus bills that bundled unrelated issues together – using its majority to push them through with limited debate and little accountability to Nova Scotians.

“This session was shorter than we would’ve liked, but we used the time we were given to put forward practical solutions that reflect the priorities of Nova Scotians,” said Interim Leader Derek Mombourquette. “We’re proud of the solutions we put forward, the questions we raised, and the voices of Nova Scotians we carried into the House. That work doesn’t stop now. We’ll continue speaking to communities across the province.”

The fall sitting lasted just eight days, with the Premier absent for two of them. While more time in the House would have allowed for further debate and questioning, the important work of building solutions continues outside the Legislature through engagement with communities and the issues they are facing.

“We’re proud of the work we accomplished this sitting,” said House Leader Iain Rankin. “Now that the session has ended, our focus shifts back to meeting with Nova Scotians, hearing their concerns, and working together on the issues that matter most.”

October 1, 2025

As the cost of living continues to climb, Nova Scotians are paying more for basic necessities like groceries, housing, and power. Today, the Nova Scotia Liberals will table two bills aimed at easing the pressure on families and strengthening support for local grocers and farmers.

“Families are doing their best to make ends meet, but rising grocery prices and power rates are making it harder every day,” said Interim Leader Derek Mombourquette. “These bills are about giving people a fair deal at the checkout and making sure our local grocers and farmers have the support they need to keep feeding our communities.”

The Clear Grocery Pricing Act, tabled by Mombourquette, will require merchants to display grocery prices clearly and honestly, including tax-included pricing, transparent sale pricing, and straightforward loyalty program pricing. This would ensure Nova Scotians know exactly what they are paying for and are not misled by unclear pricing practices. 

The Local Grocery Infrastructure Fund Act, tabled by House Leader Iain Rankin, will create a fund to provide direct support for independent, locally owned grocery stores. Funding would help expand or upgrade retail locations, improve energy efficiency, and make accessibility upgrades. This would ensure local vendors remain competitive and resilient while continuing to support Nova Scotia farmers and producers.

“Supporting our local grocers means supporting our farmers, fishers, and producers,” said Rankin. “This past season has been especially difficult for many in our agricultural sector. Investing in local food security is one of the most practical, forward-looking things we can do to support families and our local economy.”