Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin’s campaign took him to Amherst on Tuesday to make an announcement alongside his Cumberland North candidate, Bill Casey.
A video of the event posted by the Nova Scotia Liberal Party shows both cheers and jeers from the gathered crowd, as the Liberal leader promised a partial elimination of tolls on the Cobequid Pass. If re-elected, Rankin says a Liberal government would remove tolls for non-commercial vehicles with Nova Scotia plates on October 1.
Rankin said no jobs would be cut in the process, as the toll gates will still operate in order to charge freight traffic and non-Nova Scotia drivers. “The revenue will continue to be used for maintenance,” said Rankin, “and we intend to construct rest stops and equipment depots at the midway point on both sides of the highway.”
The toll on the Cobequid Pass has been in place since the highway opened in 1997. Thirty years later in 2017, the Nova Scotia government promised to lift tolls as soon as all debts were paid off. Rankin said Tuesday that higher than expected revenues on the pass have made it possible to take the step this fall.
SMITH-MCCROSSIN SUPPORTERS SHOUT DOWN RANKIN
Supporters of newly-independent incumbent candidate Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin gathered at the campaign stop and milled about with signs reading things like, “Elizabeth for Premier”.
Although there were cheers for the Cobequid Pass announcement, people in the crowd heckled Rankin as he addressed the extension of border restrictions he authorized in June.
“I know it was hard for residents of Amherst and this county who endured a heavy burden,” said Rankin, as people from the crowd shouted, “while you sat home with your family!” and “you have no idea how hard it was!”
Rankin acknowledged, but did not apologize for, the last minute extension of border restrictions in June. “Maintaining isolation requirements with little notice had a great impact on this area, especially the additional week in June,” said Rankin. “And I understand that. And I did not do this without public health asking me to.”
Rankin did not address the lack of coordination between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick premiers and public health agencies in terms of border restrictions and rules.
The surprise extension in June led to border protests and two highways blockades, the first of which was directly led by Smith-McCrossin. The blockade group appeared dominated by anti-mask and anti-vaccination supporters, and after Smith-McCrossin failed to apologize for her role in the blockades, she was kicked out of the Nova Scotia PC Caucus.
CANDIDATES STEP UP FOR CUMBERLAND NORTH
Nova Scotians head to the polls on August 17th, and candidates have until July 28th to officially declare their candidacy.
Only a handful of candidates are listed on the Elections Nova Scotia nominations list, and none so far for Cumberland North. But at least four have made their candidacy known:
- Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, independent
- Bill Casey, Liberal
- Lauren Skabar, NDP
- Tom Taggart, PC Party
The Green Party of Nova Scotia and Atlantica Party have not announced a candidate.