Jean Laroche

And so endith my rant. We now return you to regular programming.

The video of what happened that day is worth watching. John Savage being escorted from the chamber by police is especially enlightening. It was before my time but that day didn't radically change access to Province House. It's often enlightening to revisit history before making a decision.

With all due respect to Barkhouse, this is a bad decision, a terrible look for the legislature and sets a dangerous precedent. Things were a lot worse in 1994 when angry Cape Breton construction workers stormed the legislature and prevented the Savage government from tabling a budget.

Being able to buttonhole a politician is an effective way to enact change. I saw it myself in September 2024 when two women stopped Tim Houston on his way out of the chamber. That brief exchange had Houston reverse course on declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic.

Over the years security at Province House has been beefed up considerably. There are security cameras throughout the building and outside the legislature. The place even has its own police force now. This is clearly an attempt to shield government members from being questioned or criticized.

The gentleman in black at the left hand bottom of the frame is the Sgt at Arms, the person responsible for security at Province House. One of the House's new special constables is stationed just out of frame. Barkhouse is owning this decision but based on this government's MO it was not her idea.

The Speaker of the NS House of Assembly Danielle Barkhouse is restricting access to the second floor of Province House "to make sure that we have a safe environment for all MLAs". The new rule comes just a day after cabinet minister Twila Grosse was questioned by a group of unhappy constituents.

NS budget shortfalls force Tim Houston to eliminate ocean HALIFAX - After months of slashing provincial revenue, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has announced that he has been forced to entirely cut the Atlantic Ocean from the province.

Tim Houston makes the big leagues with his « austerity » budget www.thebeaverton.com/2026/03/ns-b...

Premier Tim Houston calls yesterday's protest by Nova Scotia's arts community a "Raise your taxes" rally "organized by the NDP". From the man who says he listens. Doesn't seem to have heard much yesterday.

Seniors at independent living facility outraged after housing authority ends in-house care | CBC News The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency is changing how continuing care is delivered at facilities in Bridgetown, Berwick and Antigonish due to operational changes and complaints by some residents a...

More heartbreak www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

'We feel betrayed': Disability community says provincial budget 'punches down' | CBC News Parents and advocates are sounding the alarm over the harm the provincial government’s proposed budget cuts will cause some of Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable.

Heartbreaking www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

The case for preserving arts funding in Nova Scotia | CBC Arts Today on Commotion, poet El Jones and novelist Stephanie Domet join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to explain what’s on the line, and why the Nova Scotia government should not go ahead with the planned cuts...

Well worth a read and a listen www.cbc.ca/arts/commoti...

Pissing off the arts and culture community always spurs the creative protest juices.

N.S. premier booed at African Heritage Month gala as budget cuts spark upset | CBC News Tim Houston was booed as he delivered remarks at the African Heritage Month gala in Halifax on Saturday night. Houston's government delivered a budget last week that includes cuts to programs aimed at...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

That guy Suuuuucked!

100%. Gorman, Grant and my other colleagues take their jobs as seriously as I did. And they don’t take no shit from anyone either.

An Open Letter to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Hants East MLA John A. MacDonald - Halifax Examiner Your actions in the form of these budget cuts are mean and hateful and tell African Nova Scotians that we do not matter in the eyes of your government.

À scathing indictment of these budget cuts from a former colleague. An Open Letter to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Hants East MLA John A. MacDonald www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/a...

I wish you were wrong.

These availabilities are happening just steps away from the room Joe Howe passionately defended press freedom. Someone please check to see if he’s spinning in his grave.

A premier with the largest majority in Nova Scotia’s history treats reporters as opposition members. These availabilities are strictly timed and he’d rather argue than answer questions. This is not being open and accountable to Nova Scotians.

Media Release of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.

ANALYSIS | How N.B.’s online premier ‘throws out’ government proposals | CBC News New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt’s vow to not close St. Thomas University is her latest ‘transparent’ dropping of a policy option, declared dead not through an official government statement or speech ...

Analysis: How N.B.’s online premier ‘throws out’ government proposals
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Houston bristles at questions about staff costs | CBC News As his government moves a budget through the legislature that includes more than $300 million in cuts to jobs and grants, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston bristled at a reporter’s question Wednesday ab...

Reacting (badly) to good questions from CBC’s @michaeltgorman.bsky.social, NS Premier Houston falsely suggested it was Trump-like to report on his appointment of a former campaign manager as a judge. Then Houston attacked the media for doing their jobs. Just. Like. Trump. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Attacking reporters and ascribing malice to legitimate questions are part of a growing comms strategy among politicians who abhor accountability.

Houston bristles at questions about staff costs | CBC News As his government moves a budget through the legislature that includes more than $300 million in cuts to jobs and grants, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston bristled at a reporter’s question Wednesday ab...

Another politician doesn't want his office budget questioned at a time when they're cutting budgets that will deeply affect others. Anyone else seeing a pattern? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Hundreds of programs to see provincial funding cut as part of $130M grant reductions | CBC News The grant cuts will affect community organizations across the province, including programs related to the arts, sports, health, seniors and youth.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Houston government’s rapid, packed session is an affront to democracy, say opposition | CBC News In less than 72 hours, the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Tim Houston has released a budget, a capital plan and six bills affecting more than 30 pieces of legislation.

My former colleagues are doing good work to hold the Houston government to account www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Where is Canada's immigration minister? Community groups are asking | CBC News Newcomer organizations are expressing concerns about Immigration Minister Lena Diab's availability, and nine Liberal MPs are questioning her place at the cabinet table.

If groups who need the minister’s ear are saying this - they’re beyond frustrated www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

All drivers pay for road maintenance through their provincial and municipal taxes. Plus as a hybrid driver I buy gas - too much for my liking.

Provincial budget fallout begins... The Province is walking away from funding for the student transit pass program. This is creating a $1.2 million dollar hole in HRM's budget and means the program where students get transit passes may not continue