The Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives recently announced over a dozen nomination confirmations, prompting questions about when the next provincial election will be.

The Houston government passed legislation early in its mandate that set the latest possible date for the next election on July 15, 2025.

Prior to the nominations being made when asked about when the election would be Houston’s responses would be some variation of “the date is the date” pointing to July 15, 2025.

However, when asked on Wednesday, following the release of the nominations Houston changed his response to, “The election will be when the election is,”.

Houston was asked to clarify what that means by reporters and if an election would be called before July 15, 2025, and he responded it was possible.

“At some point in time, it will be time to go to the people and ask them how they want to move the province forward,” Houston said. “When that time is here there will be an election.”

When asked if a federal election factors into the decision Houston said it does not and his government is focused on what’s going on in Nova Scotia.

Houston also indicated that the nominations coming out at this time is just standard procedure as the election will have 55 ridings which requires a lot of organization.

Opposition parties release nominations of their own

Following the nominations announcements from the Progressive Conservatives both the provincial Liberals and NDPs released information on nominations of their own.

The Liberals have announced nominations for the ridings of Argyle, Halifax Chebucto and Hants West.

The NDP meanwhile indicated they will announce its first nominee before the end of June.