Legislative Sitting Concludes with Budget, Powering the Economy Act Passed

CANADA, April 9 - The spring legislative sitting concluded today, April 9. This session’s highlights included passing a budget with billions of dollars in new investments and the passage of the Powering the Economy Act. Together, these measures deliver major investments in healthcare, long-term care, housing and energy development that will benefit Nova Scotians for years to come.

“This session was about putting Nova Scotians first,” said Premier Tim Houston. “We passed a budget that continues investing in healthcare, supports our seniors, gets more homes built, and positions Nova Scotia as an energy leader. That’s what this government was elected to do, and that’s what we’re delivering.”

Rebuilding Healthcare

Budget 2026–27 continues the government’s generational investment in healthcare through the Action for Health plan. Key investments include $47.5 million to hire more paramedics and emergency medical responders across the province, $47.1 million to pay more to family doctors – including those covering shifts in long-term care facilities, hospitals and rural emergency departments – and $1.2 billion for the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Health Care redevelopment project.

The budget also invests $8 million more in the Universal Mental Health and Addictions Care Insured Services program and $7 million to open Integrated Youth Services sites across the province by 2027–28.

Supporting Seniors and Long-Term Care

The government is investing $873.8 million toward its plan to build 5,700 new and replacement long-term care spaces by 2032. Seven new facilities are expected to open this year in communities from Bridgetown to Arichat. Operating funding of $20.8 million will support those new facilities, and an additional $26.5 million will go to the Home Support Direct Funding Program to help more seniors stay in their homes. The Seniors Care Grant program continues with $26.5 million in funding.

Getting More Homes Built

Housing starts in Nova Scotia reached 9,760 units in 2025 – the highest number on record. The budget builds on that momentum with a $300-million joint federal-provincial investment to support 1,430 new homes, including 930 units at Shannon Park in Dartmouth. Additional investments include $18.5 million for shovel-ready affordable housing projects, a continued expansion of rent supplements to 11,500 unique households, and a new First Time Homebuyers Pilot Program that lets eligible Nova Scotians purchase a home with a two per cent down payment through provincial credit unions.

Powering the Economy Act

The legislature also passed the Powering the Economy Act, which secures financial benefits from offshore wind development, modernizes the province’s electricity system and creates a new framework to regulate subsurface energy sectors including geothermal, natural hydrogen and carbon storage.

“Offshore wind is a game-changer for Nova Scotia,” said Premier Houston. “This legislation makes sure Nova Scotians reap the full benefits – good jobs, new revenue and cleaner energy.”

The passage of this act is the latest in a string of positive developments for Nova Scotia’s energy sector, including:

Additional Resources:

Budget 2026-27 documents: https://novascotia.ca/budget/

Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.