Nova Scotia.

• Author: Fordham, Art
• Position: Legislative Reports

The Spring Sitting of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly began on April 18, 2005 and ended on May 19, 2005.

The Nova Scotia Liberal Party held a leadership convention in October 2004 to replace Danny Graham who stepped down as Leader because of his wife being seriously ill, and chose Francis MacKenzie as its leader. Mr. MacKenzie defeated Ritchie Mann, who held several portfolios and was Government Leader in the Savage Government. Mr. MacKenzie does not, at present, hold a seat in the General Assembly.

On December 31, 2004, John Chataway, member for Chester-St. Margarets, died suddenly, and a by-election to fill the vacancy so created, was held on June 21, 2005. Judy Streach, won the by-election for the Progressive Conservatives.

Just before the Spring Sitting began, Russell MacKinnon, member for Cape Breton West, announced that he was leaving the Liberal Caucus and sit as an Independent.

At the opening of the Spring Sitting the Government remained in a minority position, the standings being as follows: Progressive Conservatives 24, NDP 15, Liberals 11, Independent 1 and Vacant 1.

The Sitting was very short and without controversy.

The NDP introduced, in Committee of the Whole on Supply, a motion that the salary of the Minister of...