On November 26, 2024, the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia won the province’s 2024 General Election, taking a supermajority (43 of 55 seats). The Honourable Tim Houston will continue in his role as Premier. The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party will form the Official Opposition with nine seats, and the Nova Scotia Liberal Party was reduced to two seats. At least two seats may see recounts.

With a supermajority, the new Government won’t need the same level of co-operation of opposition parties.

The Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, was re-elected. It is not yet known when the new Cabinet will be announced and sworn in.

Energy-related campaign commitments:

Premier Houston and the Progressive Conservative Party made relatively few policy commitments during the campaign period – either in interviews or in the Party’s Platform. Overall, most energy-related commitments focused on growing the economy and job opportunities through the renewable energy sector.

Energy-related policies include commitments to:

  • Focus on the smart development of our energy and natural resources sectors through Nova Scotia’s Clean Energy Plan, which will in turn provide more opportunities for families and result in fewer of our children going ‘out west’ for work. It will make Nova Scotia a world class energy producer in hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel;
  • The construction of these two industries will provide a decade of new construction jobs, along with new high paying long-term jobs that will benefit the entire economy and Province; and,
  • Cap power rate increases to the Canadian average increase.

Regarding the power rate increase cap, it is unclear how long the measure would apply for and to what energy sources. However, Premier Houston confirmed the measure would apply “in addition to” the established Utility and Review Board process.

On October 23, 2024, just prior to the Election period, Premier Houston announced the provincial portion of Nova Scotia’s HST (sales tax) will decrease from 10% to 9% on April 1, 2025. The HST currently applies to many energy-related costs.

Other notable policy positions included reinforcing the province’s desire to see the federal consumer price on carbon (carbon tax) eliminated in the province.

Divided stances on wind and hydrogen developments

In the media, some wind and hydrogen developments appeared to become divisive for some voters.

In the Progressive Conservative Party’s Platform and in interviews, Premier Houston took a firm pro-development stance for large-scale hydrogen and wind (onshore and offshore) projects.

“We don’t catch just enough lobsters for Nova Scotians, we catch the lobster and export them… We will be exporting energy as well.”

– Premier Tim Houston

Opposition leaders were more guarded in support of such large-scale renewable energy projects. The NDP Platform did not provide specific commitments regarding such projects. The Liberal Party’s Platform committed to establish development rules such that “all renewable energy projects would be required to either put electricity into our grid or pay into a fund that will be used to lower power rates for consumers.”

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