Fall sitting at N.S. Legislature concludes, but uncertainty looms for government

MLAs wrapped up a fall sitting at the legislature Wednesday that included Premier Tim Houston's government consolidating more power previously held by arm's-length agencies, stepping in to cap power rate increases and entering a period of major uncertainty around health care, the environment and affordability.

The sitting started on an acrimonious note, with Houston pushing for the resignation of Speaker of the House Keith Bain, moving to install three of his backbenchers as new deputy Speakers and the government calling extended hours in an attempt to rush through legislation.

The opposition responded with hours of filibustering and bell ringing to delay votes, tactics that slowed progress at the legislature to a halt until the sides agreed to a compromise, easing tensions around the House.

Despite the compromises, Houston was noncommittal when asked Wednesday about Bain's future as Speaker. Although the premier's office has said Bain agreed to step aside next spring as part of succession planning, Bain has said he does not want to resign.

"To be determined," said Houston.

"I think he's done a great job as Speaker."

Houston highlighted bills he's pleased about, including increased accountability for telecommunication companies and amendments to the Public Utilities Act, while speaking to reporters at Province House. The latter limits the general rate increase the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board can award Nova Scotia Power to 1.8 per cent over the next two years.

Although it will provide some breathing room for ratepayers in the short term, some experts, including the province's consumer advocate, have expressed concern that the government is compromising the independence of the UARB and potentially driving up other long-term costs for Nova Scotia Power that will ultimately fall to customers to cover.

The government also passed bills to collapse five economic development agencies into two, removing arm's-length governance boards and replacing them with advisory boards. Ultimately, control of those agencies, the provincial housing authorities and agriculture research outfit Perennia will now all rest in the offices of cabinet ministers.

Houston told reporters it's a step toward getting things done faster.

"All these things are about modernizing the structure of government and setting the province up for success," he said.

"Those are all good things. I believe in my heart that with the passage of those legislations Nova Scotia is better off today than we were at the start of the session."

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill disagrees.

Churchill and other opposition members worry that putting control of economic development back into the hands of elected officials could lead to a return of the days when government members picked winners and losers.