John Lohr

Lohr says spending priorities focus on major fiscal indicators — the deficit, revenue, GDP, debt-to-GDP ratio and borrowing costs — and on the overall economic effects of decisions; he noted arts and culture still receives $66 million while declining to confirm a sector-specific analysis.

John Lohr says he and his government listen to the public and have previously shown a willingness to change course on spending decisions under certain circumstances; he is not averse to adjustments but cannot predict whether they will alter this budget now.

Lohr acknowledges credit-rating concerns but expresses confidence in his government's multi-year deficit-reduction plan — including immediate $300 million cuts and larger future reductions — expects economic growth (helped by federal defence spending), and warns a further downgrade would raise borrowing costs.

Lohr, as finance minister, tabled the Financial Measures Act supporting financial measures to raise revenue — including higher taxes on carbon-sequestration conversions, electric vehicles and vaping — and says land taken out of forestry should not receive the low forestry tax rate.

John Lohr supports using a targeted hiring-control directive as a creative response to Nova Scotia’s projected $1.2 billion provincial deficit, aiming to avoid mass layoffs or job cuts. He acknowledges savings will be incremental and is working on the 2026-27 budget.

John Lohr prioritized provincial approval and funding for a private developer’s affordable-housing project, designating an interim planning area to bypass municipal rules so the developer’s proposed mix of units — and the funded plan — could proceed.