Nova Scotia’s Premier was pressed on why the province removed tolls on Halifax Harbour bridges.
In Question Period Friday, Interim Liberal leader Iain Rankin said the province is losing $40 million a year in revenue because of it.
The comments were made in light of recent budget cuts to arts, culture and tourism, as the province grapples with $1.2 billion in debt.
But Premier Tim Houston defended the move, saying the tolls weren’t fair.
“There are over 4,100 bridges in Nova Scotia. Two of them you had to pay for, and the rest you didn’t. Now they are all free, and that is fair to Nova Scotians,” said Houston.
Rankin says he hasn’t heard one constituent ask to have the tolls removed.
“And I’ve been an MLA in the Halifax area for 12 years. But I have heard from people who have asked me for more supports for the types of programs that are on the chopping block.”
Toll booths on the bridges were removed last year.
