Nova Scotia NDP MLA Paul Wozney has been removed as his party’s caucus whip following a controversial social media post encouraging widespread protests against government legislation.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender announced the decision Wednesday, October 21, after Wozney apologized for comments referencing protests in France.
The Sackville-Cobequid MLA made the remarks Tuesday in response to a court ruling involving Bill 148, legislation introduced by the former Liberal government that restricted wage increases and collective bargaining rights for public sector workers.
In his now-deleted post, Wozney urged workers not to rely solely on the courts to protect their rights.
“Learn from France. Own the streets. Shut government down,” he wrote, before calling for widespread disruption to pressure governments into changing legislation.
The riots in France are being driven by concerns over the rising cost of living and conditions in the country’s schools. As of Monday, at least 2,400 people had been arrested, while authorities reported that roughly 3,000 businesses and public buildings had been damaged or destroyed.
The comments drew criticism from the governing Progressive Conservatives, who accused Wozney of encouraging violence and called on Chender to remove him from his senior party positions.
Wozney subsequently deleted the post and issued an apology.
“I want to be clear that I did not intend to encourage or condone violence in any way—that is never acceptable,” Wozney said in a statement.
He also acknowledged that his words carry additional responsibility as an elected official while maintaining his support for peaceful protests against government decisions.
Chender confirmed she had spoken with Wozney and removed him from his position as caucus whip, a role responsible for helping organize and coordinate members of the party in the legislature.
“The Nova Scotia NDP unequivocally denounces violence or the suggestion of violence in civic life,” Chender said.
She described Wozney’s comments as a serious error in judgment and said he acknowledged the harm caused by his remarks.
The controversy follows a Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision concerning Bill 148, which was introduced in 2015 under former premier Stephen McNeil.
The legislation imposed restrictions on public sector wage increases and collective bargaining.
After the law was ruled unconstitutional earlier this year, a court decision issued Monday established compensation of up to $5,000 for affected union members.
Wozney, a former president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, was elected to represent Sackville-Cobequid in 2024.
He remains a member of the NDP caucus and continues to serve as an MLA.
