Premier speaks in Yarmouth as potential election call looms

Premier Tim Houston continues to gear up for a potential election call.

In a campaign-style speech at the Yarmouth business awards Thursday night, the Premier talked about investments in healthcare, his promised one percent HST reduction, and two-more years of the CAT ferry service.

In an interview with Acadia News prior to his speech, Houston says when people talk election, he’s thinking of Nova Scotia’s relationship with the federal government.

“I think the volatility in Ottawa right now is an event. It’s having a significant impact on our province, especially when it comes to things like the illegal fishing happening in southwest Nova Scotia and financing the Chignecto Isthmus. We need to have our best foot-forward and a strong mandate,” said the Premier.

Last week, the province announced a two-year commitment to the ‘CAT’ ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Houston calls the link ‘important’ to the tourism sector.

“The stability of knowing two more years, and then working on a long-term solution after that. It means a lot to the province, and we’re happy to support it.”

Earlier Thursday, Deputy Premier and finance minister Allan MacMaster announced he’s stepping down from cabinet, and will seek the nomination for Conservative MP of Cape Breton-Canso.

Houston says it would be nice for the province to have a friend in Ottawa, and it’s been an honour serving with him.