Nova Scotia’s Liberal leader says he wants to bring accountability to government if he’s elected, along with a $250,000 fine for any party that doesn’t stick to the province’s fixed election date.
Zach Churchill says the snap election called Sunday by Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston is unnecessary and “broke the spirit” of the very first law passed by Houston’s government — which set next July 15 as the election date.
Churchill says that in calling the election now, Houston is putting his own needs ahead of those of Nova Scotians.
He says steps need to be taken to battle public cynicism about politics, so if elected his party will establish an ethics commissioner and follow through on an unfulfilled Progressive Conservative promise to give order-making powers to the province’s information and privacy commissioner.
He says the Liberals will also give the auditor general’s office more resources to help it audit untendered contracts and government spending above what is budgeted.
Nova Scotians go to the polls on Nov. 26.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2024.