N.S. budget bill vote shut down by singing protesters

Passage of the Nova Scotia government's budget bill stalled late Tuesday night when a group of singing protesters shut down the final vote to approve the budget.

Finance Minister John Lohr tabled the Appropriations Act, the bill that authorizes the government's spending plan, around 11 p.m.

The bill cleared the first two votes without issue. But as the final vote was about to begin, members of a crowd of about 45 people looking on from the gallery at Province House broke out in song.

"It's OK to change your mind, show us your courage, leave this behind," they sang.

"It's OK to change your mind. And you can join us — join us at any time."

After about 15 minutes of singing and some people calling out to MLAs, and with the clock nearing midnight, Speaker Danielle Barkhouse adjourned the sitting.

Business is set to resume at the legislature on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Despite Tuesday's events, Government House leader Brendan Maguire said plans for the budget would not change and the Appropriations Act would be called again for a final vote sometime this week.

Maguire said the gallery protest was "democracy in action."

"It's the people's House — they have a right to come here and voice their opinion. That's what democracy is."

The Progressive Conservatives' budget has proved controversial since it was tabled last month. It includes more than $300 million in cuts this year as the province confronts a $1.24 billion deficit. The province plans to make a total of $2.5 billion in cuts by 2030.

Thousands have attended multiple rallies outside Province House to protest the cuts, particularly the $130 million reduction to grants for a wide variety of programs from mental health supports to funding for the arts sector.

Premier Tim Houston responded to the outcry by reversing nearly $53 million of the $300 million in cuts on March 10, including a cut to staff at nursing homes. Several grant cuts that would have affected services for seniors, people with disabilities, and education opportunities for African Nova Scotian and Mi'kmaq learners were also reversed.

Maguire said while he understands there is frustration among some people with the budget, it also provides money for things such as health care, education, transportation and other projects.