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
U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
DEVELOPING Blood vial delivery prompts evacuation of Republican headquarters in Washington
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
'On the edge of failing': Most of Canada gets a 'D' on poverty report cards
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.