N.S. Legislature wraps spring session with an emphasis on health spending

The Nova Scotia spring legislative session finished last night after what was a swift 14-day sitting.

During that time, the government passed six pieces of legislation, along with the bills required to put the 2023-24 budget into action.

Among the highlights was the passing of the Patient Access to Care Act which aims to reduce administration burdens on health care providers to allow for more patient visits.

It is intended to make it easier for doctors from other parts of Canada to work in the province.

Legislature wrapped with the passing of the government’s budget which includes $6.5 billion going towards health-care spending.

In a statement, Premier Tim Houston said the budget invests what is needed to support the many changes in his Action For Health plan to fix healthcare in Nova Scotia.

The government also passed legislation to extend the province’s rent cap for another two years yesterday.

Although it’s regulations are yet to be detailed, the government has said a five per cent cap is to be introduced on January 1st 2024, and is to remain in place for two years.

The province’s existing two per cent cap remains in effect until December 31, 2023.