N.S. premier hedges on mandate letters, opposition wants them published

The newly-elected Nova Scotia government had its first cabinet meeting on Thursday.

When asked whether he’ll publish and make public his mandate letters to his newly elected list of cabinet ministers, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said he’s “not sure” he’ll publish those letters, like his government did when it were first elected in 2021.

The move would break from tradition for a sitting premier not to publish these letters which typically outline goals and priorities of the sitting government for the next four years and point to where the government and its departments want to go, as well as what challenges they’ll take on.

However, as opposition leaders pointed out, these letters also serve as a measuring stick to gauge what the government wants to and has achieved.

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On Thursday while speaking with reporters, Houston suggested that the publishing of traditional mandate letters might be counter productive to reaching their policy goals in the long run.

“We’re having discussions around the goals of the mandate,” said Houston. “And we’re having discussions as to what form that takes.”

As for whether Houston would release these goals, he was non-committal and said “I haven’t decided.”

Houston suggested when developing public policy it could be a hindrance counter intuitive to release those plans before they are “fully developed.”

“We need to make sure that we know we have everything together and then we bring it forward,” said Houston. “Otherwise people start to pick it apart.”

Opposition leaders quickly criticized Houston’s stance saying the province and its citizens deserve to know what direction the government is going and what specific priorities each governmental department is taking on.

“Why wouldn’t the premier want to share that information with Nova Scotians? It doesn’t make any sense,” said NDP Leader Claudia Chender, the leader of the official opposition.

“I think most Nova Scotians want to know that the premier is working on, on their behalf and that the information he’s giving to his minister and the directions he’s giving to his ministers are the same ones he shared on the campaign trail, and we look forward to seeing those letters,” said Chender.

Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette echoed the call for clarity on the mandate letters, suggesting it’s not only an accountability measure but the easiest way for the government to show the public its priorities.

“Why not show them?” said Mombourquette. “The premiers that I served under were very clear in using those mandate letters to say, ‘Here is your check list, this is what you are going to be accountable to Nova Scotians to and ultimately the government.”

Houston and his new government were sworn in on Dec. 12 and announced their new cabinet the same day.

In a press statement at the time, Houston said his governments priorities were to build on opportunities they created in their first term and make Nova Scotia healthier and more prosperous.

“Nova Scotians spoke loud and clear,” said Houston in the statement. “They want more doctors, more opportunity and lower taxes.”

The first legislative session for the new government will sit on Feb. 14.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page