November 9, 2026
In 2025, senior members of the Houston cabinet ducked questions about the environmental racism report in Nova Scotia compiled by an expert panel and including consultation with the African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq communities.
We can all deplore the lack of response and concern by the government to the report, but it is more important that we support the Nova Scotians who have lived with the impacts of environmental racism. Government should be working on the policies and regulations to ensure every community is a safe place to live.
Nearly two years later, the questions remain:
- What has been done in response to the report?
- Is there a plan for action? For clean-up of sites?
- Will an apology be forthcoming?
I am calling on the government to accept their responsibility and develop a plan of action in consultation with Black and Indigenous communities across this province.
As a leader, I want all of you to know that I will continue our party’s long tradition of striving to correct past injustices, not bury reports. As party members, we were proud when our party addressed longstanding injustices like the Home for Colored Children and environmental damage in Boat Harbour. I will show leadership to protect our diverse communities and not hide reports. Every member of my team would need to meet that standard.
It’s far past time to acknowledge and address environmental racism in this province.