HALIFAX, NS: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) re-calibrated its National Debt Clock in Halifax today to show the combined federal and provincial debt faced by Nova Scotians.

Nova Scotia’s portion of the federal debt as well as its own provincial debt is a combined $27.4 billion – or $29,046 per person.This means Nova Scotia’s total federal and provincial debt is growing at a rate of $32 per second, $1,939 per minute, $116,357 per hour and $2.8 million per day.

“Allowing the debt to build at this rate is irresponsible and unacceptable. Nova Scotians need to stand-up and demand their governments spend only what they take in, just like regular taxpayers,” said CTF Atlantic Director, Kevin Lacey.

“Governments have been moving too slowly to balance their budgets and cut spending. Unless urgent action to reduce the debt is taken, taxes will rise and more dollars will get eaten up by interest payments,” added Lacey. “The governments need to step up – balance their budgets and stop the clock.”

The Debt Clock is an initiative by the CTF to illustrate just how fast the debt is climbing. The large aluminum clock measures 6 feet high and 12 feet long and displays both the per second increase in the public debt as well as the per person figure.

The coast-to-coast tour left Victoria BC on February 22nd bringing with it a simple message: “cut spending, balance the budget and stop this clock.”

The debt clock campaign includes a dedicated website: debtclocktour.ca. The CTF is asking people to sign the CTF petition calling on governments to balance their budgets.

Nova Scotia is the last stop on the debt clock tour. The tour that began on the west coast will end in Bridgewater tomorrow.