The incident occurred following remarks that Houston delivered at an Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce event at Acadia University, which is located in Wolfville, N.S., about 90 kilometres northwest of Halifax.
“Following that event, an extreme faction amongst a group of protesters turned the event violent,” the premier’s office wrote in a July 15 update.
Houston was taken back inside a nearby building and later escorted away safely. No one was injured in the incident, according to a July 16 release from the RCMP.
Police say they arrested one man but later released him without charges and do not believe he damaged Houston’s vehicle or helped block it. RCMP are now trying to identify those responsible for stopping the vehicle and causing the damage and said the investigation is ongoing.
“While we always respect the right of the public to peacefully protest, what happened after the event was the farthest thing from peaceful,” police said.
The update specified that the vehicles of Houston and his staff were “swarmed by rioters” who stopped them from leaving the university, pushed law enforcement, and then climbed on top of Houston’s car and smashed the windshield while he was inside.
No injuries or arrests had been publicly confirmed as of July 15.
Reports indicate that demonstrators were protesting about a number of issues including the belief that the Mi'kmaq First Nation should be able to regulate its own sales of cannabis, provincial plans to expand hydraulic fracturing and mining, as well as pushing for more recognition of indigenous treaty rights.
The premier’s office thanked RCMP and law enforcement for a “swift response” to the situation and said that the actions of the violent protesters harm “constructive dialogue.”
The province later decided not to go through with some of the planned funding cuts.
Houston’s government has also faced recent public criticism due to restrictions on public access to the legislature that were put in place as a result of the spring protests.
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender said dissatisfaction with recent decisions by Houston’s government is valid but that property destruction and disruptions of public safety are not the right way to go about making those frustrations heard.
“Nova Scotians can and must let their voices be heard and be part of the democratic process, and that can be done with clarity and strength in a safe and respectful way,” Chender said in a July 15 statement.
The next date of Houston’s speaking tour is scheduled for July 16 in Yarmouth, N.S.
