Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

WENDY ELLIOTT: Residents sing to protest Nova Scotia budget cuts

What a delight to watch singing from the gallery at Province House this week.

Subscribe now to access this story and more:

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.

Access additional stories every month

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting community

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

About 45 protestors stopped passage of the Tory government’s budget bill at 11:45 p.m. on March 24.

Kings North MLA and Finance Minister John Lohr had tabled the controversial Appropriations Act, the bill that authorizes the government’s drastic spending plan, then the singing began.

“It’s OK to change your mind, show us your courage, leave this behind,” they sang.

“It’s OK to change your mind. And you can join us – join us at any time.”

Just before midnight, Speaker Danielle Barkhouse adjourned the sitting. This was the first time in over 30 years that government protocol was disrupted at the legislature – and for good reason. The premier wasn’t in the house and folks are angry.

One of the many videos of the ad hoc choir that night showed Nina Newington, who’d left Camp Now at Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area to attend. Nina was the most senior of the singers. She’d left the Annapolis County woods camp, which definitely predated the cutbacks, to present to the legislative committee and stayed on to sing.

Newington told the MLAs in the semi-circle that Tim Houston’s government had made deceptive claims regarding the adoption of 95 per cent of Bill Lahey’s recommendations on transitioning to ecological forestry. She also........

© PNI Atlantic news