Nova Scotia government defends health merger bill as protesters rally

HALIFAX – Protesters have gathered outside the Nova Scotia legislature as the Liberal government fast-tracks proposed legislation that would merge the number of bargaining units in the health-care system to four from 50 by April 1.

Union protesters who say the bill violates labour rights blocked traffic outside Province House in downtown Halifax earlier today, including a vehicle carrying Premier Stephen McNeil.

Police moved in quickly and could be seen handcuffing at least one protester and putting him in the back of a police van.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is defending proposed legislation that would merge the number of bargaining units in the health-care system to four from 50 by April 1.

During question period today, Opposition Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie asked why the government finds it necessary to combine the labour provisions of the bill with those that would cut the number of health authorities to two from 10.

Baillie says the Tories would like to see two bills to avoid disruption in the health-care system.

But McNeil says the goal is to protect patients and workers while ensuring health care is sustainable.

The bill has sparked a showdown with the province’s public sector unions which are vowing to fight a bill they say violates labour rights.

The government has scheduled the legislature to sit until midnight in order to push the bill through second reading.

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