Political leaders are condemning the violent protest in Wolfville that saw Premier Tim Houston’s vehicle surrounded and its windshield smashed.
The incident happened Wednesday after Houston spoke to the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce at Acadia University.
The Premier’s Office says Houston’s vehicle and staff vehicles were swarmed as they tried to leave the venue.
It says people pushed law enforcement, climbed onto the vehicle Houston was in and smashed the windshield while he was inside.
Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the violence in a post on social media.
“In Canada, we have the right to protest peacefully,” Carney said. “There is no excuse to resort to violence and intimidation.”
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender also spoke out against what happened.
She says Nova Scotians have significant and valid concerns with the Houston government’s budget and decision-making, but destruction of property and threats to safety are never the way forward.
“Nova Scotians can and must let their voices be heard and be part of the democratic process, and that can be done with clarity and strength in a safe and respectful way,” Chender said.
Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois also called the incident unacceptable.
“Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, and people have every right to express their views and hold elected officials accountable for the decisions taken on their behalf,” Blois said.
But he says there is no place for intimidation, violence or destruction of property as part of legitimate protest.
“These actions undermine the very democratic values that peaceful protest is meant to protect,” Blois said.
The Premier’s Office says peaceful protest is always respected, but what happened after the event was “the farthest thing from peaceful.”
“When bad actors resort to damaging property and putting lives at risk, they do nothing to advance constructive dialogue,” the statement reads.
RCMP are now investigating and seeking to identify some of the protesters involved.
