Premier introduces bill to change fixed election date and auditor general process

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Premier Tim Houston introduced a sweeping bill in the legislature on Tuesday, that if passed, would see changes to elections, the auditor general’s office and compensation for MLAs.

According to a press release from the province, Houston’s bill aims to “improve how the public service is structured.”

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Some of the details in the bill are changes made over the last several months, like the creation of the departments of Energy and Cyber Security and Digital Solutions and adding its ministers to the Executive Council.

Auditor general changes

But other changes could see the process for the auditor general, the supposed watchdog of government affairs, have to show reports to the government two weeks before releasing them to the public.

“The attorney general will be able to order the protection of information subject to solicitor-client privilege, litigation privilege, settlement privilege or public interest immunity,” the proposed bill notes.

This comes after Kim Adair, N.S.’s auditor general, released a damning report that called out the government for its lack of accountability on billions of dollars in spending that was not approved prior.

Adair said expenses outside the official budget process rose to $7 billion over the last decade, with the government spending $1.38 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year that wasn’t first authorized by a majority vote in the legislature. She also recommended for the third year in a row changes to the province’s Finance Act that would give more oversight to the legislature.

Houston’s bill would also make it possible that with a two-thirds majority of the house, which the progressive conservatives hold, they could “dismiss the auditor general…regardless of cause or incapacity.”

If passed, the bill would also make amendments to the requirement for the auditor general to review and give opinions on the revenue estimates used in the budget address of the minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

No more fixed election date

Contradictory to when Houston’s government first came into office, this bill proposes to repeal the fixed election dates change that was implemented by the premier in 2021.

This comes after Houston called a snap election on Oct. 27, ignoring his government’s election law, which set a fixed election date — July 15, 2025.

Pay increases for members

Compensation for ministerial assistance and MLAs could also change if this bill is passed.

It notes that it will establish a pay for assistants that will use the same process as MLAs. Baseline levels of compensation for MLAs, members of the executive council, premier, speaker, leaders of recognized parties and assistance will also increase pay.

“Members may opt out of receiving the increase,” it notes.

However, for leaders of the opposition and MLAs holding more than one position, extra pay will not be given.

This is a developing story more to come.