Elizabeth May slams snap election call at Halifax Green rally

Elizabeth May, the leader of Canada’s Green Party, did not hold back when criticizing Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservatives while joining her provincial counterpart on the campaign trail in Halifax. The visit was aimed at supporting the Nova Scotia Green Party in the final days of the provincial election campaign.

May took aim at PC Leader Tim Houston for calling a snap election this fall, despite the Tories passing legislation in 2021 that established fixed election dates every four years in Nova Scotia. “Shame on you,” May exclaimed. “You claim you’re doing it for Nova Scotians, but you’re doing it for you.”

The snap election caught many off guard, as Nova Scotians were not scheduled to go to the polls until July 15, 2025. With the Progressive Conservatives already holding a majority in the Legislature and polling data indicating a significant lead heading into Tuesday’s vote, the decision to call an early election was met with skepticism.

The Nova Scotia Greens found themselves scrambling to prepare for the campaign, only putting forward candidates in 23 of the province’s 55 electoral districts. Party leader Anthony Edmonds acknowledged the challenges posed by a snap election, noting that it tends to benefit incumbents. Despite this, Edmonds expressed optimism about the experience gained by first-time candidates and the potential for future success.

The Greens have yet to secure a seat in Nova Scotia’s Legislature, but Edmonds remains determined to change that in this year’s election. He emphasized a laser focus on his own district of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank, where he hopes to make a breakthrough.

May’s appearance on the campaign trail marked only the second time a federal party leader had shown support in Nova Scotia, following Jagmeet Singh’s endorsement of NDP leader Claudia Chender earlier in the month. While the leaders of the Progressive Conservative and Liberal parties opted not to seek assistance from their federal counterparts, May’s presence highlighted the importance of collaboration between provincial and federal governments on key issues such as carbon pricing, healthcare, and housing.

The support from May and other federal leaders underscores the interconnected nature of politics at different levels of government, with a shared goal of addressing the needs and concerns of Nova Scotians. As the campaign enters its final days, the focus remains on engaging voters and advocating for policies that will benefit the province as a whole.