Nova Scotia premier criticized for travelling to Spain, U.S. without notifying public
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is drawing opposition criticism over a recent trade mission to Spain that his office didn't announce publicly.
In response to a reporter's question Thursday, Houston confirmed that he travelled to the country last month to attend a seafood exposition. His office later said in an email that Houston was in Barcelona and Madrid between April 20-24 on a trip to strengthen "two-way trade, tourism and research collaborations with governments."
Houston said when they occur, his international trips are "very public things" and he does not hide his presence abroad. "We're just trying to do the work," he said. "I'm happy to talk about any trip I take."
The premier's online expense claims also show other trips that were little publicized or weren't announced at all, including one to the New York area and another to California between April 2023 and March of this year.
The opposition Liberals and NDP said taxpayers are footing the bill for the premier's trips and have a right to know the purpose and schedule of his travels.
"He's been travelling around the world and we have not seen what the returns are to Nova Scotians," Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said. "Taxpayers should know what his schedule is, who is going with him and what he is trying to achieve for Nova Scotians."
NDP Leader Claudia Chender pointed out that Houston was deviating from what has been the standard practice of premiers informing the public about their out-of-country travel plans.
"Those trips are being paid for by Nova Scotians and we deserve to know when they happen, and the details of them and what the rationale is, as has been done for the better part of many decades," Chender said.
But Houston defended the lack of notice of his trip by saying his schedule is often subject to change.
"The travel is usually in flux right up until the last minute depending on what's happening in the province," he said. "There were a number that were planned that didn't happen."
The premier said the trip to Spain was necessary because while in Barcelona he attended the world's largest exposition dedicated to seafood, which is among Nova Scotia's most important exports.
"So having a Nova Scotia presence there was really important to us and really important to our producers," Houston said, adding that while in Spain he also had talks with various officials about health care and renewable energy, particularly offshore wind.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.