Nova Scotia legislature resumes session with new labour and budget focus

The Nova Scotia legislature has resumed its fall sitting following a summer break. A key piece of legislation introduced on the opening day aims to lower the weekly overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours, effective April 1, 2027. The bill also seeks to allow workers to qualify for overtime when extra hours are voluntary and provides protections for tips and gratuities.

The resumption follows a period of political tension regarding the province’s 2026-27 deficit budget, which included $304 million in cuts to various community programs, arts, and disability supports. While Premier Tim Houston partially reversed some spending cuts, the budget sparked protests throughout the summer.

Additionally, the Speaker of the legislature, Danielle Barkhouse, recently overturned bans previously placed on 36 individuals who had disrupted legislative proceedings during protests earlier this year.