Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston brought his summer tour to Port Hawkesbury Wednesday, meeting with members of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce in his second last stop.
Not unlike every other stop so far, he faced a small group of protestors outside the Civic Centre.
They raised concerns about the province’s approach to energy development, climate change, provincial parks, the Port Hastings Rotary project and the future of green hydrogen.
Inside the Civic Centre, Houston told Chamber members he remains optimistic about Nova Scotia’s economic future, despite the province’s financial challenges.
He pointed to opportunities in natural gas, offshore wind, mining, defense and manufacturing as part of what he described as a plan to grow the economy and create the revenue needed to support healthcare, education and other public services.
Houston specifically highlighted the Strait area, saying its existing industrial and transportation assets put it in a particularly strong position.
“This region, like the opportunities facing this region, I’ll say, is almost the epicenter of opportunity.”
He said the Strait area has the port, airport, mill and investors, along with significant potential for defense, energy and mining. He said many of the province’s emerging opportunities could start in the Strait area and spread outward.
“You actually have everything you need,” Houston told the Chamber, adding that the province wants to work with local entrepreneurs and municipalities to help move projects forward.
Houston on natural gas and fracking
Inside the Chamber event, Houston said responsible governments should rely on science and protect the environment, but should also examine potential opportunities.
“Responsible governments protect the environment, so will we. That will never change,” Houston said. He added that governments also need to examine opportunities and plan for responsible development.
Climate change was another major concern raised outside the Civic Centre.
Patrick Yancey was one of the protesters outside the event and said he was primarily there because of what he described as the climate crisis. He expressed opposition to new fossil-fuel infrastructure and said he believes Nova Scotia should put greater emphasis on wind, solar and energy storage.
Yancey also questioned the province’s plans for new natural-gas infrastructure, saying he would like to see scientists examine the available options.
Houston, meanwhile, argued that energy security is central to Nova Scotia’s economic future. He said the province currently relies heavily on natural gas coming through the United States and argued that developing energy resources within Nova Scotia could give the province greater control over its energy supply and costs.
Houston also emphasized that natural gas is only one part of his economic vision, pointing to offshore wind as a potentially much larger opportunity.
He cited the proposed Wind West development, saying it could represent as much as $60 billion in investment and create opportunities in shipbuilding, manufacturing, fabrication and the skilled trades.
Houston on economic growth
For Houston, the common thread running through his message was economic growth.
He told the Chamber that Nova Scotia needs a stronger economy to support the services residents rely on and said the province has an opportunity to become a national leader in energy and other emerging industries.
And he believes the Strait area could play a major role.
“Most of them start here and would emanate out from here,” Houston said of the opportunities he sees for the region.
Houston told business and community leaders inside that the province needs to think bigger and that government is prepared to work with the Strait area to turn opportunities into investment and jobs.
Another of the protesters, Karen Fish, questioned the Premier’s emphasis on attracting international companies and developing natural resources.
“I would like the Premier to tell me why his vision… of strong economic Nova Scotia has to be through international companies coming in to extract minerals and oil and gas,” Fish said.
She said she believes there are alternative approaches to community economic development.
Houston addressed those concerns during his Chamber presentation, arguing that Nova Scotia cannot afford to ignore economic opportunities, while saying development must be done safely and responsibly.
