Former MLA Richard Hurlburt leaving court last month. (CBC)

Former Nova Scotia cabinet minister Richard Hurlburt's house arrest sentence on Friday is garnering mixed reaction across the province.

Hurlburt was sentenced to 12 months of house arrest for his part in Nova Scotia's MLA expense scandal. He pleaded guilty to fraud and breach of trust in April.

Hurlburt submitted more than $25,000 in false expense claims when he was Conservative MLA for Yarmouth.

He committed four frauds, including claiming $3,500 for a big-screen TV that went to his house instead of his constituency office, $7,400 for renovations to his office that were never done, and $9,000 for a generator that he didn't buy.

Hurlburt must stay within 30 metres of his lakefront home while on house arrest, except for medical appointments, and any employment-related activities. He also has to complete 200 hours of community service. When the house arrest is finished, he will face 12 months of probation.

Many Nova Scotians expressed outrage that Hurlburt won't serve jail time.

"[It's] terrible, because he should have gone to jail like the other fellow did. End of story. He misused people's trust. He's a public servant, he should have gone to jail," said David Paul.

"It's unfortunate that's the way the justice system seems to be these days, that white collar crimes get so little. But hopefully it does at least set some sort of example-even if it is a wrist slap — that it's not going to be tolerated," said Ray MacInnis.

Others say the judge's verdict was fair.

"He should pay for what he did, but I know he's remorseful for what he did so, yeah, I think that's fair. I think he'll pay his dues and it's pretty humiliating for him personally and his family, I'm sure," said Anne MacDougall-Croft.