Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald will pay a visit to Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman on Saturday and it's widely speculated that he will to ask her to dissolve the House, paving the way for a mid-June provincial vote.
Rodney MacDonald, shown in Halifax on Friday, became Canada's youngest premier at a Conservative leadership convention in February. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
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MacDonald, 34, became Canada's youngest premier at a leadership convention in February.
On Tuesday, his minority Conservative government tabled an election-style budget containing spending increases and tax cuts.
The document focused on strengthening infrastructure, especially in rural areas, where support for MacDonald is strongest, according to recent public opinion polls.
The government announced on Friday that it's giving $26 million to Bowater Mersey in exchange for some of the paper company’s land.
Economic Development Minister Kerry Morash said the purchase will help the company get through a difficult time in the paper industry.
One of MacDonald's most trusted advisers, MLA Ron Russell, told reporters this week that he recommended the premier seek his own mandate as soon as possible.
MacDonald has a busy political agenda on Saturday that includes a visit to a candidate's Halifax campaign headquarters.
Later in the day he'll attend a nomination rally in Pictou-Centre, the seat to be vacated by his predecessor, former premier John Hamm.
The Progressive Conservatives have 25 seats in the House, the New Democrats 15 and the Liberals 10. There is one Independent.