The Nova Scotia Liberals will table bills today to address patronage, political interference, and financial mismanagement within the Houston government.

 

Opposition Leader Zach Churchill will introduce amendments to the Civil Service Act and Conflict of Interest Act to ensure that all executive hires, including interim positions and CEOs, undergo a conflict of interest screening with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner and publicly disclose any business or personal relationships with the Premier or members of the Executive Council.

 

This bill would also commit the government to a full review of the Conflict of Interest Act in response to questionable hires and administrative changes under the Houston government.

 

Finance shadow minister Fred Tilley will table the Financial Transparency Act which would require additional appropriations to be tabled in the Legislature.

 

Nova Scotia is the only province that is not required to do so, allowing the Houston government to spend over $1.5 billion in additional appropriations in the 2022-23 fiscal year alone.