Column: Nova Scotia – so many reasons for optimism

The following was submitted to N.S. media by Premier Tim Houston’s office:

Even though the world is uncertain, there are so many reasons to be optimistic in Nova Scotia.

This summer, I’ve visited communities across our Province, speaking to Nova Scotians at small businesses, community events and at their doors. I was reminded of the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead.

As Premier, I know that your wallets are feeling the pinch and rising housing prices are making it tougher to get by. Trade wars and global instability are making the job market less predictable. But I also know that Nova Scotians are capable of sailing through this storm successfully to better shores.

It wasn’t long ago that our biggest challenge was access to healthcare. People were looking away from Nova Scotia because they couldn’t find a doctor and surgery wait times were some of the highest in the country.

While the job isn’t finished, today Nova Scotia is a leader in Canada in attaching patients to a family practice and has some of the shortest wait times in the country for hip, knee and cataract surgeries.

These results are because our government planned, focused and made the investments necessary to achieve results.

Now, we’re taking that same focus to protecting our future from uncertainty and Donald Trump by building a more resilient Province and economy.

By focusing on opportunities in defence, mining, critical minerals and energy, we can build that Nova Scotia.

A Province with major projects, like the new military submarines and Wind West, that will bring jobs for a generation.

A Province no longer at the end of the energy transmission line, but at the start.

And a Province with the wealth needed to build roads, homes and hospitals without having to raise taxes.

Even though these opportunities are exciting, the biggest reason I am confident in the future of our Province is our people. That Bluenoser Spirit.

I’ve spent the last five years traveling our Province meeting with business owners taking risks, families putting down roots, and young people building their careers.

These are people who work incredibly hard every day and we owe it to them to pursue big things.

That’s why our government is focused on protecting our future by building the Nova Scotia that we know is possible.


Tim Houston
Premier of Nova Scotia