The fall sitting of the Nova Scotia legislature lasted all of 17 minutes Friday as the government moved to prorogue the current session.
The House of Assembly was immediately closed until Feb. 16 following a short speech by Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc.
“I hope that all Nova Scotians will join me in congratulating him and wishing him the very best,” said LeBlanc, a nod to Premier Stephen McNeil, who will not be back at Province House as premier.
READ MORE: Premier McNeil indignant at opposition’s belief MLAs should attend prorogation Friday
The tactic was panned by the Opposition Progressive Conservatives and NDP, who noted that Nova Scotia is the only province that has not had a full sitting of its legislature since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Elected official have not had the opportunity to question government decisions in Province House, on the public record, since March.
Tory Leader Tim Houston says the Liberal government has shown contempt for the legislature and hasn’t served democracy or the people of the province.
“They had lots of time to figure out virtual (sittings), they had lots of time to make sure we had a proper sitting in the house, they just didn’t want to do it,” Houston told Global News.
NDP Leader Gary Burrill called the move to prorogue “very small,” adding that it only serves the agenda of the government and not the public.
READ MORE: Nova Scotia pandemic budget projects $778.8-million deficit for 2020-2021 fiscal year
Premier Stephen McNeil declined to comment to reporters as he left the building, but on Thursday, said he doesn’t think he has escaped scrutiny during this extraordinary year of turmoil for Nova Scotia.
“There’s been no lack of judgement on any decision I made or quite frankly, debate on any decisions I’ve made,” he said in a press conference.
A new Liberal leader to replace McNeil, who announced his resignation in August, will be chosen on Feb. 6, 2021.
With files from Global News’s Elizabeth McSheffrey
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