As the Dexter government prepares what's expected to be a bad news budget, a public opinion poll says a majority of Nova Scotians are opposed to any kind of a tax hike, be it income tax or the HST.
"60 per cent of the population are recommending the government consider a wage and salary freeze across the public sector at the moment," says Don Mills with Corporate Research Associates."
Meanwhile, 75 per cent oppose a tax hike. Included in that majority is Tom McInnis, the President of the Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce.
"If you're serious, if it's really tough times, then it is now time for them to take some tough measures and that certainly would be one," says McInnis about a civil servant wage freeze.
However, Joan Jessome of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union shrugs off the possibility.
"The 60 per cent that are saying that, are not public sector workers and have no idea of the conditions and the amount of work that needs to be done to deliver those services," says Jessome.
She says she doesn't think a wage freeze will be part of the government's austerity program.