Nova Scotia politicians to spend less time each week in legislature

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia politicians will spend one less day a week sitting in the provincial legislature under new rules governing house business.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives had wanted to keep sittings five days a week, but struck a compromise with the governing Liberals to eliminate Monday sittings unless there is an emergency.

House leader Chris d’Entremont says he’s satisfied with an agreement that will at least see the legislature sit Mondays during the spring to examine the budget.

The new rules, which take effect Oct. 27, will also see question period held four days a week instead of three with each session lasting 50 minutes.

Currently, an hour-long question period is held Tuesdays and Thursdays with a 90-minute question period on Wednesdays.

The Liberals wanted question period trimmed to 45 minutes, but agreed with an NDP request for 50 minutes.