Houston outlines priorities in letter to federal leaders
Posted Mar 21, 2025 01:03:42 PM.
Last Updated Mar 21, 2025 02:03:31 PM.
Nova Scotia’s premier has laid out his expectations for the next federal government, amid speculation a national election will be called on Sunday.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney dated Wednesday, Houston outlined his “key priorities,” including a national energy corridor and a new pulp mill for Nova Scotia.
On the issue of the Chignecto Isthmus, Houston writes that he is “seeking confirmation that a Government led by you will accept the decision of the court, should the court decide that paying for the isthmus is a federal responsibility.”
The provincial government has now agreed to pay 25 per cent of work to protect the isthmus, but continues to argue the federal government should foot the entire bill.
Houston also says he wants to see a national energy corridor connect the west with Canso, N.S., an idea Houston calls “vital to our economic and energy security.”
“A national energy corridor is in the best interest of Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” the premier wrote.
Houston also calls for amendments to national childcare agreements to allow participation by private providers, and for the federal government to support an application to the Canada Infrastructure Bank for a loan to help build a new pulp mill in Nova Scotia.
The premier also asked for confirmation the federal government would support high-speed rail projects in Nova Scotia, provided feasibility studies are favourable toward building rail in Cape Breton and between Windsor and Halifax.
