In Nova Scotia, book publishers are expressing deep concern over recent budget cuts from the provincial government targeting the creative sector. The Progressive Conservatives' budget, recently introduced, slashes over $130 million in grants, which includes the elimination of a vital $700,000 assistance program for publishers. This program was crucial for covering expenses related to printing, design, author royalties, and marketing, and its removal is viewed by publishers as detrimental to the industry, particularly as they are already grappling with a significant decline in sales in the U.S. market.

Terrilee Bulger, co-owner of Nimbus Publishing, has reported a staggering 80 percent loss in American sales, attributing this alarming trend to cuts in library funding and overall market uncertainty. The impact of these budget cuts is expected to lead to fewer books being published from Nova Scotia, limiting local authors' visibility and opportunities. The arts and culture community, already vulnerable, now faces an uphill battle as they navigate the implications of reduced governmental support.

The Nova Scotian government is addressing a substantial $1.2 billion deficit through these cuts, affecting more than 280 grants across various departments. This includes reductions not only in arts funding but also scholarships and support for Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian programs. These sweeping cuts signal a troubling shift in the province's priorities, and the long-term effects on the creative sector and wider cultural landscape remain to be seen.