Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin

Sending my support and love to Corey. ❤️

We have spoken, and my heart goes out to her. No one should have to face lies, insults, or hateful comments.

Our communities are strongest when we lead with kindness, compassion, respect, and understanding. Hate divides people, but love brings people together.

Love always overcomes hate
and
love wins. ❤️

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food released its report on the closure of federal agricultural research centres and experimental farms across Canada, including the Nappan Research Farm here in Cumberland County.

I was proud to appear as a witness before the committee to advocate for our farmers, our agricultural community, and the future of agricultural research in Atlantic Canada.

The report specifically references my testimony and recognizes that:

• The closure of the Nappan Research Farm would impact not only Cumberland North, but the entire beef industry across Atlantic Canada
• The Bay of Fundy soil conditions in Nappan are unique and cannot simply be replicated elsewhere in Canada
• Region-specific agricultural research matters because soil, climate, and environmental conditions are different across this country

Most importantly, the committee recommended that the Government of Canada:

• Preserve unique and critical agricultural research programs that cannot be replicated elsewhere
• Prioritize research conducted in real agricultural conditions alongside producers
• Maintain a strategic geographic distribution of research centres across Canada
• “Pause and reverse” the decision to close agricultural research centres and experimental farms

This is an important acknowledgment of the concerns raised by farmers, researchers, communities, and agricultural leaders here in Nova Scotia and across Canada.

Agriculture is not just part of our economy, it is part of our national security, food security, rural communities, and future sustainability.

I want to thank everyone who spoke out, submitted briefs, attended meetings, and helped advocate for the importance of the Nappan Research Farm and agricultural science in Atlantic Canada.

I will continue advocating strongly for the preservation of agricultural research capacity in Cumberland County and across our region.

Committee News Release - May 8, 2026 - AGRI (45-1) - House of Commons of Canada Committee News Release - May 8, 2026 - AGRI (45-1) - House of Commons of Canada

An excellent legal analysis by lawyer Lyle Skinner raises an important question for the people I represent in Cumberland North and for all Nova Scotians:
Why did the federal government provide protection from tolls for people travelling near the Québec border, but not provide the same fair treatment for Nova Scotians when the Cobequid Pass Highway was built?
For decades, Cumberland County residents and travellers have paid tolls on the Cobequid Pass. Now, New Brunswick is proposing another toll near the Nova Scotia border at Aulac, while federal agreements appear to have protected travellers near the Québec border from similar tolls.
That is not reasonable. That is not fair.
Atlantic Canadians should not be treated as an afterthought. Cumberland County is the gateway to Nova Scotia, a vital transportation corridor, and home to families, workers, businesses, truckers, farmers, seniors, and students who rely on this highway every day.
It is time for our part of Canada to receive reasonable and fair treatment from the federal government.
I will continue to advocate against unfair tolls that create barriers between Atlantic Canadians and place another financial burden on the people of Cumberland North and Nova Scotia.
Fairness matters. Regional equity matters. Cumberland matters.
Read the article here:

Tolls for thee but not for me: Why New Brunswick can place tolls near Nova Scotia but not Québec. An agreement with the federal government places a 27 year ban on tolls for certain parts of the Trans-Canada Highway. However, New Brunswick can ask the Government of Canada to waive this provision.

Education Week is a time to recognize and thank the many people who make our schools places of learning, safety, encouragement, and belonging.

This year’s theme, Fostering Empathy: Leading and Learning with Kindness, is a beautiful reminder of the role kindness plays in education. Every day, teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, principals, vice-principals, administrative staff, bus drivers, custodians, librarians, school counsellors, cafeteria workers, student support staff, and many others help shape the lives of students across Nova Scotia.

To everyone working in education: thank you. Your work matters deeply.

But celebrating education must also mean supporting education.

At a time when we are hearing concerns about cuts within the Department of Education and potential reductions to important school supports, including library services, we must remember that kindness cannot just be a theme for one week. It must be reflected in decisions, funding, staffing, and respect for those working directly with students.

We also need to bring back local school boards so parents, communities, and local voices have meaningful input into the decisions that affect their children’s education. This was an election promise made by Tim Houston in 2021, and it still has not been fulfilled.

As MLA for Cumberland North, I have tabled several pieces of legislation aimed at improving education in Nova Scotia, including:

Bill 115 — Education Act
https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/65th_1st/1st_read/b115.htm

Bill 96 — Education Act
https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/65th_1st/1st_read/b096.htm

Bill 95 — Education Act
https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/65th_1st/1st_read/b095.htm

Bill 94 — Education Act
https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/65th_1st/1st_read/b094.htm

Our students deserve strong, supportive, well-resourced schools. The people who work in education deserve to know they are valued not only in words, but in action.

Happy Education Week, and thank you to all who serve our students, families, and communities.

As we begin National Nursing Week, I want to recognize and thank every nurse across Cumberland North, Nova Scotia, and Canada for the extraordinary work you do each and every day.

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. They are often the first to comfort a patient, the person who notices when something is wrong, the advocate at the bedside, and the steady presence families rely on during some of life’s most difficult moments. Healthcare simply does not function without nurses and the many other dedicated members of the healthcare team working together to care for patients.

As both a Registered Nurse and MLA, much of my advocacy work has focused on improving healthcare in our province. Throughout my time in the Legislature, I have tabled and supported legislation aimed at strengthening our healthcare system, improving working conditions for healthcare professionals, and improving patient care.

One of the most important pieces of legislation I introduced is Shavonne’s Law, which advocates for safe minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. This is something nurses’ unions across Canada continue to advocate for, and a model already in place in British Columbia. Safe staffing levels protect patients, reduce burnout, improve retention, and help ensure nurses can provide the quality care every person deserves.

I will continue to advocate for stronger healthcare services, improved patient care, respect for healthcare workers, and safe minimum nurse-to-patient ratios here in Nova Scotia.

To every nurse
thank you for your skill, compassion, advocacy, and dedication. Your work matters more than words can express. 💙

Happy Mother’s Day to every mom
and to every woman
who has filled the role of a mother
to someone she may not
have given birth to,
but has taken into her heart
with love, care, and compassion.

Mother’s Day can bring many emotions. While I celebrate
the four beautiful children
I brought into this world,
I also feel the sadness
of not having my own mother
here to be a grandmother
to my children
And now grandchildren.

Today,
I am especially thankful
for all the women
who have impacted my life
through kindness,
wisdom,
strength,
and love.

Let’s take time today
to thank mothers
and reflect on the role they play
in keeping the human race
moving forward
through instinctive protection,
sacrifice,
resilience,
and unconditional love. ❤️

I remember the Westray tragedy 34 years ago and thinking today of all the families still grieving the loss of their husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Murray and I were living in Toronto, Ontario when this happened, and our hearts broke for everyone back home in Nova Scotia.

Today marks 34 years since the Westray Mine disaster in Pictou County, when 26 miners lost their lives in an explosion underground.

We remember the workers who never came home, the families and communities forever changed by this tragedy, and the courage of those who fought to ensure their story would never be forgotten.

The legacy of Westray remains a powerful reminder that every worker deserves a safe workplace, and that no job should ever come at the cost of a life.

Today, we honour the memory of the miners and stand with all those who continue the fight for safer working conditions across Nova Scotia and Canada.

Today I stopped by Curly’s to stock up on some protein powder and protein bars to help get me through some very busy days. 💪

They are now officially in their new location at 81 South Albion Street in Amherst. Moving a business is a huge undertaking and it’s taken a lot of hard work to make this transition happen. Please take a moment to stop in, say hello, and support this amazing local small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and local economy.

It was great to see Dwayne Ripley and my son Thomas McCrossin while I was there today. I also purchased, for the very first time, the famous locally made Joggins Mud product, now owned by Kaylee. Looking forward to trying it tonight! I picked up the Honey Dust Powder and I’ve heard wonderful things about it. 😊

Wishing the entire Curly’s team continued success in their new space!