Protestors rally outside the Nova Scotia Legislature to protest the proposed provincial budget. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
Protestors rally outside the Nova Scotia Legislature to protest the proposed provincial budget. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)

Halifax protesters rally against provincial budget cuts

Province reversed $53.6M in grant cuts on March 10

March 13, 2026 /

Protestors rallied at Premier Tim Houston’s front doorstep on March 10 to voice their concerns about the provincial government’s 2026-27 budget, announced on Feb. 23.

Despite the budget’s projected $1.2 billion deficit, over $300 million in cuts were made to address the province’s nearly $28 billion debt. 

Cuts included over 1,000 full-time jobs in the public sector and $130 million from 287 discretionary grants to climate change initiatives, student scholarships and health programs. 

Just over $53 million in grant cuts affecting seniors, people with disabilities and African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students were reversed on the morning of March 10, before the rally.

The Dalhousie Gazette photographed the protest outside the Nova Scotia Legislature in Halifax on March 10.

Protestors spoke out against over $300 million in provincial budget cuts. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
The rally featured a live band of protestors who supported speakers and rally leaders who led chants. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
This reversal of some of the budgeted grant funding came just two weeks after Houston and his government tabled the original budget. The reversal accounted for less than 18 per cent of the total initial budget cuts. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
A protestor who spoke about the effects of the 2026-27 budget on Indigenous people in Nova Scotia. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
High school students in Nova Scotia spoke about the planned walkout. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
The premier said the cuts were necessary to address the provincial government’s projected $1.2 billion deficit. (Lukas Kohler/The Dalhousie Gazette)
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Lukas Kohler

Lukas is in his third year of studying for a major in marine biology and a minor in journalism at Dalhousie University. Last year, Lukas was part of the Gazette team as its assistant visuals editor. He hopes to use his skills in photography and videography to create a stunning features section and newspaper overall. Lukas spent the last four summers working at CHCO-TV and The Courier, a television and newspaper station based in Charlotte County, New Brunswick. He hopes his experience in a multi-platform newsroom will allow him to bring many unique skills to the table at the Gazette. You can contact Lukas at lukas.kohler@dalgazette.com

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