MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5)

THE SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island.

FIXED-TERM LEASES: ABUSE - END

LISA LACHANCE: Thank you very much, Speaker. I actually will just quickly start off with some context behind this, because the Late Debate Motion actually reads:

Whereas renters at The Scotian building in Halifax spent more than two weeks in the dark without power, too afraid to go to the Residential Tenancies Board for help because they knew their landlord could retaliate by not renewing their fixed-term leases; and

THE SPEAKER: Before I recognize the honourable member, there is a member on the left side of this room who has a phone that keeps dinging. Can you please turn off your ringer? It has been constant.

You're all looking at me like I know who it is. I don't know who it is. Check your phones and turn off your ringer. Thank you.

HON. BECKY DRUHAN: We acknowledge the tragic circumstances that have led to this discussion in this House. We have had many conversations about the need for change and the need for support to ensure that we have safe spaces and that the tragedies that have occurred previously are prevented from happening again.

This is currently a new bill on the floor of the House, which I generally expect is subject to debate and not Question Period, but we take this issue very seriously, and we look forward to having further conversations about it.

THE SPEAKER: Before we move on, I understand that there were some members in the audience who were recording the honourable member for Cumberland North's Notice of Motion.

I ask that that get removed from your phone. You are not allowed to record in here. It's on YouTube, it's on TV, and you can get it from there. There is to be no picture taking, no recording of this session.

SUSAN LEBLANC: After repeated calls from frontline organizations yesterday this government finally offered some support to survivors of gender-based violence, and it is about time. Now survivors who are renters can remain in their homes without signing a new lease or facing skyrocketing rents. This is long overdue and familiar. The NDP suggested this move in the spring sitting, but back then the minister refused to budge.

Gender-based violence is an epidemic. Why did the government leave survivors waiting so long to make this life-saving change?

ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN: I'd like to rise on a point of privilege. During my question period, the minister gave a response that the member opposite is great at identifying fear. I submit that that is restricting my privilege. As a woman in this Chamber, I should be able to speak on behalf of my constituents and other members and not try to be intimidated and harassed that I'm creating fear in this Chamber from a man.

THE SPEAKER: I don't see any infringement of the member here. We have free speech in this House. We will now move on.

ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN: Speaker, I'd like to rise on a point of order. The member opposite during Question Period referred to my Facebook post as creating fear. I'm wondering if the member should be tabling those since he's referring to those during Question Period.

THE SPEAKER: There's no requirement to table documents unless there's a direct quote.

The honourable Government House Leader.

PAUL WOZNEY: This government isn't telling the whole story on child care spaces in this province. Parents are being told there are more than . . .

THE SPEAKER: Order. Can you please rephrase that? That's pretty close - come on. (Interruption) Hey - who's sitting here? If you want to argue with me, I'll recognize you and we can have some fun, but we're not going to. That's frustrating to me. Please.

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LISA LACHANCE: Speaker, this government does not have a record of giving clear information to Nova Scotians about how it spends their money. That is billions of dollars of government spending without transparent competitions for contracts, without clear oversight, and without a focus on results, and they are spending more than ever. Now we are facing a $1 billion deficit for this fiscal year, which is barely half over. Why won't this government come clean with Nova Scotians about their excessive spending?