Druhan, who left the PC caucus last fall after serving as both Justice Minister and Education Minister, says the government’s fiscal plan fails to deal with the day‑to‑day pressures she hears from constituents across her riding.

“People are stretched thin, and they’re tired of hearing that things will get better ‘soon,’” Druhan said. “This budget doesn’t show the urgency needed to fix the challenges Nova Scotians are facing right now.”

Concerns About Deep Public‑Sector Cuts

A major point of concern for Druhan is the government’s plan to cut the civil service by 30 percent over four years — a reduction she warns could damage services already struggling to keep up with population growth, housing demand, and healthcare pressures.

“Cutting tens of thousands of hours of frontline work doesn’t solve problems — it creates new ones,” she said. “These are the people who deliver programs that keep communities functioning.”

She said the government is scaling back essential supports while simultaneously increasing budgets within political offices, which she called “a troubling disconnect.”

Druhan also criticized the budget for offering what she described as “thin” measures to help families cope with affordability.

“There’s nothing here to help with rising power bills, and nothing meaningful for young families who are priced out of housing,” she said. “Nova Scotians needed real relief, and it’s not in this budget.”

She pointed to the ongoing housing crisis, noting that rents remain high and availability remains tight despite repeated promises from government.

Calls for Stronger Support for Public Education

Given her former role as Minister of Education, Druhan said she is especially worried about classroom pressures and the lack of clarity around funding for student supports.

“Our classrooms are more complex than ever, and teachers need resources, not reductions,” she said. “This budget creates uncertainty at a time when students should be getting more help, not less.”

She added that cuts across the public service — including impacts on early childhood education, educational programming, and support specialists — will ultimately fall on families.

Druhan emphasized that Nova Scotians are looking for leadership that is transparent and responsive.

“People want to see a plan grounded in the realities they’re living — whether that’s trying to afford groceries, getting their child assessed for learning supports, or trying to find a family doctor,” she said. “Budgets should reflect people’s priorities, not political priorities.”

Druhan said the province needs a more balanced approach — one that takes fiscal pressures seriously but does not compromise critical public services.

“We can be responsible with finances while still protecting the services people rely on,” she said. “This budget doesn’t strike that balance.”