N.S. Speaker scraps planned legislature bans just days before fall sitting begins

Nova Scotia's Speaker, Danielle Barkhouse, has rescinded her temporary bans on 36 individuals from the legislature just days before the fall sitting begins. These bans were set to take effect on September 1st following an incident in March where protesters against government budget cuts disrupted a vote by singing and yelling. The Nova Scotia Arts Coalition, opposition parties, and the Progressive Conservative government all voiced their opposition to Barkhouse's decision.

Barkhouse expressed concern over the unlawful disruption, stating that it was a breach of parliamentary privilege. She emphasized that if such disruptions occur again, protesters would be removed from the gallery and could face further restrictions. Barkhouse warned that allowing such disruptions would paralyze the legislature and impede the work of elected representatives, asserting that such actions are undemocratic and must not be condoned.