Nova Scotians will be heading to the polls earlier than expected after Premier Tim Houston announced that a snap election will be held on Nov. 26.
Houston justified the Oct. 28 decision to call an election by citing financial pressure and avoiding clashes with the federal election.
The premier promised that he would focus on making significant investments in housing and affordability in his announcement on Sunday. He added that future announcements would include further details on the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia’s plan to lower taxes, hire more doctors, and support higher wages.
“First: People are facing financial pressures. It will take long-term vision, policy changes and investments to support them through the affordability challenges and improve Nova Scotia for everyone. Our Nova Scotia PC government has a plan that will make it happen,” said Houston.
The premier added that Nova Scotia risked “becoming a political football” in the upcoming federal election given the current fixed election date, which he said was not in the province’s best interest.
Nova Scotia previously implemented legislation that set the fixed election date for July 15, 2025. Canada’s federal election will take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
“Second: With the instability in Ottawa and a federal election coming soon – Nova Scotia needs a government with a strong mandate to stand up for our province,” said Houston. “It is clear to me that — facing a political crisis and potential electoral defeat — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to try to save seats in Ontario and Quebec at the expense of places like Nova Scotia,” he added.
Atlantic Director and General Counsel for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Devin Drover, told True North that on top of Houston’s cited reasons, the latest polls showing Houston’s commanding lead over opposition parties may have served as motivation.
The polling showed that Houston’s popularity as Nova Scotians’ preferred premier rose from 34% to 40% between May and Aug. 2024. The Progressive Conservative Party saw an even more commanding lead, which rose from 50% to 53% of vote commitment between May and Aug. 2024.
Drover said that the election comes while Nova Scotians are struggling with affordability issues driven by high taxes and inflation.
“Furthermore, a time when Nova Scotia’s fiscal situation has been concerning, marked by repeated government deficits and growing net debt,” he said.
Houston kicked off his campaign by promising to cut the HST by 1% and increase the personal tax exemption by $3,000.
Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, Zach Churchill, has made a similar promise to cut the HST by 2%. Churchill has also promised to remove fares from public transit, which would cost the province $66 million.
Additionally, Drover said the CTF is concerned with Churchill’s proposal to implement an Atlantic cap and Trade system for carbon emissions, which would increase fuel prices.
The CTF has criticized Nova Scotia’s NDP Leader Claudia Chender for failing to clarify whether she would stand up to the carbon tax.
The province’s NDP criticized Houston for calling a snap election.
“Nova Scotians continue to experience a failing health-care system, unsustainable housing prices, and the rapidly rising cost of living – but instead of addressing these issues for the people they were elected to serve, the Houston government is focused on trying to hold onto power,” said Chender.
Nova Scotia’s Liberal Party echoed this criticism in a press release issued Monday.
The Liberals said that the election is expected to cost $13 million. If they win the election, various measures will be introduced to avoid a similar occurrence, such as a $250,000 fine to any government that defies the fixed election date law.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia issued its own press release on Monday, announcing a plan to lower taxes and increase wages to combat the carbon tax driving up the cost of gas and groceries.
According to the statement, these measures are estimated to save the average household about $850 annually.
Other measures promised by Houston include indexing tax rates to inflation, which he said will save taxpayers $160 million by 2028 and raising the province’s minimum wage to $16.50 per hour. He said under his leadership, the province will never impose a carbon tax.
“Make no mistake, Zach Churchill’s so-called ‘plan’ is doing more to help Justin Trudeau than any Nova Scotian who can’t afford groceries,” said Houston. “You can support a lower cost of living, or you can support a carbon tax – but you cannot support both. Taxpayers deserve clarity from Mr. Churchill on where he stands.”