MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect on an introduction.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, we have three young women in our gallery today; three young women very important to the member for Hants East. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to the House Lydia, Hillary and Kelton MacDonell. Could you stand and receive the greetings of our House and, your father, in particular. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: We certainly welcome these young ladies today to watch their dad in action.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West on an introduction.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of the House some rather special people from my constituency. We have with us, in attendance in the west gallery, some 30 Grade 9 students from George D. Lewis School in Louisbourg. Accompanying these very fine young Nova Scotians are Mr. Victor Hanham, Mrs. Betty MacDonald, Philip Burke and Linda Burke, who have been on a two day excursion here to the capital city. I believe they have been enjoying themselves and received a warm welcome even from the Minister of Education today who, I am sure, will be willing to answer some questions on educational matters a little later. I would ask if these guests would rise and receive the warm approbation of the House. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: We certainly welcome all the guests to the Legislature today.
Before we begin the daily routine, the subject for this evening's late debate was submitted by the honourable member for Kings West:
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House urge the federal Liberal Government to do what is right for the health and safety of our military personnel and complete its 1993 commitment to replace the ageing Sea King helicopter fleet.
This will be debated this evening at 6:00 p.m.
We will begin the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Finance.
HON. NEIL LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table the Quarterly Report for the Third Quarter ended December 31, 2000, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.
MR. SPEAKER: The report is tabled.
The honourable Minister of Environment and Labour.
HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table the Annual Report of the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority.
MR. SPEAKER: The report is tabled.
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Education.
[2:15 p.m.]
HON. JANE PURVES: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Meghann Lloyd is the first recipient of Acadia University's Athenaeum Student of the Year Award, which recognizes a student for exemplary achievements; and
Whereas her participation in the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Program or SMILE helped her and other instructors motivate an autistic child to swim unassisted after four years of effort; and
Whereas Meghann's experience with SMILE has encouraged her to go further in this area of study at McGill University, where she will work toward a master's degree in adapted physical activity;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Meghann for her perseverance and humanity and wish her the best in her future endeavours.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Natural Resources.
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Scott Swinden, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources' Minerals and Energy Branch, will be awarded the Duncan R. Derry Medal from the Geological Association of Canada on May 30th; and
Whereas this medal is the highest award bestowed by the Mineral Deposits Division; and
Whereas the Duncan R. Derry Medal is granted to an outstanding economic geologist who has made significant contributions to the science of economic geology;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Mr. Scott Swinden on this well-deserved honour and for his outstanding dedication and contributions to his profession and the Province of Nova Scotia.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Education.
HON. JANE PURVES: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development, CEED, works through its international Open for Business project with nine communities province-wide to support Nova Scotia's entrepreneurs; and
Whereas CEED has developed an experiential model of entrepreneurship training, which it delivered this week to 24 new staff members from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Sweden; and
Whereas these trainees conducted a confidence-building exercise where each participant planned, started, operated and shut down a small business in one day;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate these 24 entrepreneurship ambassadors and wish them well as they return to their own communities to assist new and aspiring entrepreneurs develop their business ideas.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Natural Resources.
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Howard Donohoe, a Senior Geologist with the Mineral and Development and Policy Division of the Department of Natural Resources, is being awarded the E.R. Ward Neale Medal by the Geological Association of Canada; and
Whereas this medal is awarded to a person who has made or continues to make significant contributions to the public awareness of geoscience; and
Whereas the association has awarded a number of medals over the years, but this is the first one coming to a member of the provincial Geological Survey Division of the Department of Natural Resources;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Mr. Howard Donohoe on his professional achievement and on his years of dedicated service and work in the area of geoscience.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Eastlink Cable Systems intends to consolidate ownership of most cable systems in Nova Scotia; and
Whereas one of the companies subject to this friendly takeover, Shaw Cable, provides a dedicated analog channel for Legislative TV coverage in a great portion of metro Halifax; and
Whereas Eastlink's consolidation would finally make it possible for a dedicated channel for Legislative TV to be broadcast throughout most of Nova Scotia;
Therefore be it resolved that this House calls upon Eastlink Cable to show its community spirit and dedicate an analog channel to broadcast Legislative TV throughout its soon to be consolidated, province-wide cable system.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.
MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the professional organization representing public school teachers in Nova Scotia, is holding is 80th annual council in Halifax this coming weekend; and
Whereas 400 voting delegates, alternate delegates, visitors and guests will be attending this council; and
Whereas the NSTU promotes and advances the teaching profession and quality education in Nova Scotia;
Therefore be it resolved that this House extend congratulations and best wishes to the NSTU for a rewarding and successful 80th annual council.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Eastern Shore.
RESOLUTION NO. 1186
MR. WILLIAM DOOKS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas for many children, summer camp is only a dream, but today, a simple coffee at Tim Hortons will help make that dream come true;
Whereas today is Tim Hortons annual Camp Day - the largest fundraiser for the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation - and, for 24 hours, all coffee proceeds will go toward giving thousands of deserving children from economically disadvantaged homes a fun-filled camp experience; and
Whereas Tim Hortons store owners work with local schools, churches and agencies to select participants for the camps' programs which are designed to give children confidence, good self-esteem and a positive view of the world and their future in it;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House salute the owners of Tim Hortons - including the new Porter's Lake location where both I and the member for Preston assisted this morning - for their contribution to kids' lives and thank them for providing a simple way for each of us to help out too.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kimberly-Clark Foundation has awarded college and university scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of Kimberly-Clark employees in Canada and the U.S.; and
Whereas five Pictou County high school students have been awarded $20,000 scholarships each; and
Whereas the five Pictou County students honoured with scholarships are: Jennifer L. Davis, Sarah Fraser, Tanya MacKay, Graham Noseworthy, and Blair Williams;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Legislature congratulate these five students on receiving scholarships from the Kimberly-Clark Bright Futures program.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Fortress of Louisbourg is vital to the economic and social development of industrial Cape Breton; and
Whereas more than 130,000 tourists from countries such as the United States, France, Germany, Japan, as well as Canada visit this historic fortress every year; and
Whereas the Fortress of Louisbourg is in immediate need of repairs and capital upgrade;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House request the federal government to make the Fortress of Louisbourg a high priority for repairs and capital upgrade to ensure it remains an integral component of Cape Breton's tourism industry.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Preston.
MR. DAVID HENDSBEE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Campaign for Fairness is a big picture approach to help make Nova Scotia a net contributor to Canada by asking the federal government to live up to its commitment in the offshore accord that this province be the principal beneficiary of its offshore resources; and
Whereas the federal Finance Minister continues to muddy the waters by insisting the campaign is about changing the equalization program; and
Whereas the Campaign for Fairness does not involve any other provinces, even though several provinces and territories support Nova Scotia's position, because they see this issue as one of fundamental fairness;
Therefore be it resolved that this House send a clear message to the federal Finance Minister that the Campaign for Fairness is about engaging the federal government in a bilateral discussion to make Nova Scotia the primary beneficiary of its offshore resources so we can reduce our dependence, so Nova Scotia has a strong and diversified economy. (Interruptions)
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable member might want to put a hard cover on each side of that. (Laughter)
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.
MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas pulp and paper mills have a history of producing more water pollution than any other industry in Canada; and
Whereas a study released yesterday by the Sierra Legal Defence Fund suggests that, from 1995 to 1998, four pulp and paper mills in Nova Scotia alone violated federal pollution laws 240 times without a single prosecution; and
Whereas the enforcement of environmental protection legislation must be a priority in this province to ensure the purity of our drinking water and the protection of our fish habitats;
Therefore be it resolved that this House call upon Environment Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour to enforce environmental protection legislation, particularly that which covers water quality, vigorously and effectively.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Lunenburg West.
MR. DONALD DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the women's auxiliary of the Bridgewater hospital is celebrating its 50th Anniversary; and
Whereas over 100 townspeople gathered to celebrate with the group at a gala dinner on Tuesday evening; and
Whereas over 90 members and their many other volunteers donates $175,000 each year to help the hospital buy needed equipment;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly commend the ladies auxiliary of the South Shore Regional Hospital for their years of volunteer service to our community.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Dartmouth South.
MR. TIMOTHY OLIVE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Premier John Hamm stated earlier this week that the trade mission to Atlanta, with the other Premiers from Atlantic Canada, would hopefully result in home runs being hit by Nova Scotia companies; and
Whereas Dartmouth-based Trail Blazer connected on a grand slam yesterday, inking a multimillion dollar deal with Home Depot, the world's largest home improvements retailer; and
Whereas yesterday's deal will result in the international retailer purchasing approximately 50,000 of the popular "bucksaw" and a newer product being made by the company called the "Sawvivor Saw," resulting in the doubling of employment at the Burnside company;
Therefore be it resolved that MLAs recognize the entrepreneurship being shown by Shawn Levangie and the employees at Trail Blazer and wish them ever success with their new contract.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Kings North on an introduction.
MR. MARK PARENT: Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the Grade 5 class from Kentville Elementary. They are led by their teacher, Ms. June Jain, with chaperones, Mrs. Singh, Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Howatt. June has a distinguished teaching career of 40 years, and has been honoured recently for her teaching career. She is retiring this summer, and she has been bringing her Grade 5 class every year, for 30 years, to the Legislature. So, let's give them a warm welcome. I will ask them to stand. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: I certainly want to welcome all our young people to the Legislature today, and as well, to your teacher, our congratulations and all the best on your retirement, on behalf of all the members here.
The honourable member for Halifax Chebucto.
MR. HOWARD EPSTEIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the art of boxing requires mental and physical endurance and agility; and
Whereas 14 year old Gary Boakes of Middle Musquodoboit became the silver medal recipient at the 2001 National Junior Boxing Championships in a class with 15 and 16 year olds in St. Catherines on April 6th this year; and
Whereas Gary has been the Nova Scotia Provincial Champion for the past two years;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Gary Boakes of Middle Musquodoboit on winning the silver medal in the 2001 National Junior Boxing Championships.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Lunenburg West.
MR. DONALD DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the experience of a brain injury is debilitating to hundreds of Nova Scotians and their families; and
Whereas Peters Place of Pleasantville, Lunenburg County, provides rehabilitation and housing services to those with brain injury; and
Whereas this organization has sought the assistance of the Department of Health in operating a pilot project providing life skills and community-based programming for those with brain injuries;
[2:30 p.m.]
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Health and the department review proposals from this organization and respond promptly to the issues that they presented.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear a No.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Dartmouth East on an introduction.
DR. JAMES SMITH: Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce to the Legislature today a constituent of mine from Dartmouth East. He is in the east gallery, Mr. Michael Monk. Michael is a member of the School Advisory Council of Mary Lawson School in Dartmouth East and he is also co-chair of the Mary Lawson School Parents' Group. I would ask Michael to rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Pictou West.
MRS. MURIEL BAILLIE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas West Branch Community Hall is a place of gathering for good food, good company and good music; and
Whereas at a recent pancake breakfast, residents enjoyed all three and were treated to the reading of stories from their own community in days past, the way its long-time residents remember it; and
Whereas these stories were part of a new booklet, Stories Around the Branch, which was sold out to the breakfast crowd on behalf of the community hall and are the recollections of the West Branch senior citizens;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Ruth Smith, Jim Ross, Clifford MacKay, Margaret Stuart and Lloyd MacIntosh for their contributions to this booklet and for keeping the history and the memories of West Branch alive for all to enjoy today.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas McGraths Cove is a beautiful coastal community in the constituency of Timberlea-Prospect; and
Whereas tourists and residents from throughout Nova Scotia continue to visit McGraths Cove; and
Whereas the McGraths Cove Road off Highway No. 333 requires immediate improvements;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Transportation inform the residents of McGraths Cove when the road to their village will receive the attention it needs.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Minister of Economic Development.
HON. GORDON BALSER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Harold Harwood was shortlisted for the Evelyn Richardson Prize for non-fiction for his book Among the Lions: a lamb in the literary jungle; and
Whereas the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia annually sponsors the Atlantic Writers' Awards to celebrate the published works of writers in this region; and
Whereas this year's award ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2001 at the Alderney Landing Theatre in Dartmouth;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House applaud the efforts of the Writers' Federation for their support of Nova Scotia talent and recognize Mr. Harwood for this literary achievement.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas scouting is one of the finest organizations that any young person can become involved in; and
Whereas scouting would not exist without the many volunteers who give freely of their time; and
Whereas at the Municipality of East Hants Volunteer Awards Night April 27, 2001, Ms. Isabel Cook of Shubenacadie was honoured for giving disabled people a chance to ride high on a horse and especially for volunteering to help young people of the Shubie area experience the joys of scouting;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Ms. Cook on her fine sense of community service and wish her well in her future endeavours.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Dartmouth North.
MR. JERRY PYE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas only 16 Canadians won the esteemed Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for bravery under the British flag during World War II; and
Whereas Ernest "Smokey" Smith, a member of the Seaforth Highlanders during World War II is the only living Victoria Cross winner in Canada and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995; and
Whereas Mr. Smith, who was in Halifax recently from Vancouver to unveil a monument at Pier 21, celebrated his 87th birthday with members of the Enfield and Elmsdale Royal Canadian Legions on April 29th;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Legislature recognize and honour the bravery of Canada's only living Victoria Cross winner, retired Sergeant Ernest "Smokey" Smith.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Justice.
HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas May 6th to May 13th was North American Occupational Health and Safety Week; and
Whereas in recognition of the North American Occupational Health and Safety Week, the province created its first annual Occupational Health and Safety Workplace Achievement Awards which went to the companies for their successful effort to prevent workplace injuries; and
Whereas ABCO Industries Limited, Machine Shop Division, was 1 of the 20 companies to be honoured with the Occupational Health and Safety Workplace Achievement Awards;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate the employers and employees of ABCO Industries Limited, Machine Shop Division, for their dedication to the prevention of workplace injuries.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Sackville Business Park is celebrating its 20th year of operation; and
Whereas the development of the Sackville Business Park mirrored the rapid growth of the fine community of Sackville; and
Whereas the park has a strategic location and excellent infrastructure and is home to 47 businesses;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate the Sackville Business Park on its 20th Anniversary of operation.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Queens.
MR. KERRY MORASH: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kristen Steeves-Greene, a Grade 9 student at North Queens Rural High School, has been chosen to represent the South Shore District School Board at the National Heritage Fair in Kamloops, B.C., in July; and
Whereas Kristen's project, entitled Women Who Shaped Canada, detailed the contributions of 10 great Canadian women; and
Whereas dressed as Nellie McClung, a leader of the Political Equality League who lobbied for social reform through suffrage, Kristen presented her project including the 10 biographies and collages of women past and present;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Kristen and Betty-Jean Aucoin, the Student Development and Heritage Fair Coordinator, for their efforts in celebrating Canada's traditions and heritage.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas communities can be enriched in so many ways by the addition of people who bring their skills and enthusiasm; and
Whereas so many volunteer organizations need the special leadership skills that management employees have been trained to use every day; and
Whereas on Volunteers Award Night, April 27, 2001, Ms. Sharon Armstrong, who moved to the Shubenacadie area in 1998, was honoured by the Municipality of East Hants for her willingness to accept leadership roles for numerous worthy causes;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Sharon Armstrong for her invaluable and varied contributions to the volunteer organizations of East Hants and share the community's appreciation for her fine efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Community Services.
HON. PETER CHRISTIE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on Saturday, May 12th, residents were able to join Jean Watson, President of the Waverley Legion, to help open the new Waverley War Memorial Garden and Museum; and
Whereas the new memorial is dedicated to the memories of eight local men who died during the two World Wars;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House extend their thanks to Jean Watson and the members of the Waverley Legion Branch Dieppe No. 90 who help us remember the great men and women of the two World Wars and remind us of their sacrifices.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Halifax Chebucto.
MR. HOWARD EPSTEIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Howard Donohoe, a Senior Geologist with the Mineral Development and Policy Division of the Department of Natural Resources, and a resident of Halifax Chebucto, is being awarded the E.R. Ward Neale medal by the Geological Association of Canada on May 28th in Newfoundland; and
Whereas this medal is awarded to a person who has made significant contributions to the public awareness of geoscience, particularly by participating in public lectures, school visits and writing articles; and
Whereas the association has awarded a number of medals over the years, but only once before has a member of a provincial geological survey been a recipient;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mr. Howard Donohoe on his professional achievement and on his years of dedicated service and work in geoscience.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Halifax Bedford Basin.
MS. MARY ANN MCGRATH: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Ash Misquith of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a 16 year old former Halifax West High School student and current student/athlete at the prestigious All-Canadian Excellence Academy in Burlington, Ontario, is ranked number one in the 18-and-under bracket for Atlantic Canada tennis; and
Whereas Mr. Misquith won the Kentville Open at age 14, to become the youngest Nova Scotian to ever win an open championship; and
Whereas Ash Misquith will head to Tyler Junior College in Texas this August, having earned a full scholarship from that institution which includes tennis instruction;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Ash Misquith for his very impressive academic and athletic accomplishments.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas lighthouses along our coast are both heritage treasures and essential aids to navigation; and
Whereas Nova Scotia's Third Annual Lighthouse Day will be held Saturday, May 26th; and
Whereas local community groups will celebrate the role, past, present and future, of lighthouses in this province;
Therefore be it resolved that this House recognize the efforts of local community groups in organizing and partaking in celebrations on Lighthouse Day.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Health.
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Palliser Restaurant opened for the season on May 3rd; and
Whereas for the second year in a row the Palliser Restaurant donated the proceeds from all meal sales during the first two days of its season to the Kiwanis Club of Truro for special charitable projects; and
Whereas the Palliser Restaurant and Motel and its owners, Allen and Keltie Bruce, continue to contribute to their community in many ways;
Therefore be it resolved that this House thank Keltie and Allen Bruce for their exemplary commitment to their community, and wish the Palliser Restaurant and Motel every success in this, its 85th year of business.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Windsor-based Etruscan Resources Incorporated have now diversified their company and branched out into diamond mining along with their gold mining initiatives; and
Whereas to do this, Etruscan Resources Incorporated has joined forces with Wolfville's Mountain Lake Resources; and
Whereas the two companies are presently reviewing their options, which has included technical and costing issues that were necessary prior to the beginning of a damond mining project approximately 150 kilometre west of Johannesburg, South Africa;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this Legislature offer these two mining companies every success in their gold and diamond drilling explorations around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, earlier today I sent you a letter in accordance with the Rules of the House requesting an emergency debate at the end of business today. Today we learned that the Prince Colliery in Cape Breton will be shut down because the federal government cannot find a buyer for the operation. This will result in the loss of hundreds more jobs in an economic climate that is already at the crisis point.
[2:45 p.m.]
Just last week, Statistics Canada released figures showing that Cape Breton's unemployment rate in April rose to 20.5 per cent, a stark contrast to the 7 per cent unemployment rate in Halifax for the same period. The economic impact of massive layoffs such as this one is urgent and deserves immediate consideration of the House. A debate in accordance with Rule No. 43 is a necessary step in determining the actions that need to be taken by this government and this House today. I so move that the business of the House be set aside to debate this urgent matter at the end of the day.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East has put a motion before the House and in determining whether or not this is proper to be discussed, Mr. Speaker has, first of all, received the request at his office two hours prior to the request, which I did, and the
other issue is whether or not the matter is of importance to the province and to the people, and the decision is mine whether or not I believe that to be the case, and I certainly do believe that this announcement this morning is certainly very urgent, particularly to the people of that area.
Given the fact I am satisfied the matter is proper to be discussed, the motion is that the business of this House be set aside to debate this urgent matter of the closure of the Prince Colliery in Cape Breton. I would ask that the member has leave of the House to discuss this.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
[The motion is carried.]
The late debate will be set aside, and for two hours this motion will be debated at 6:00 p.m. I would ask the House Leaders to arrange the scheduling for debate.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS
MR. SPEAKER: The Oral Question Period will begin at 2:47 p.m. and will end at 4:17 p.m.
The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, certainly as I rise I want to say I appreciate the co-operation of the House to my colleague's earlier request to have an emergency debate at 6:00 p.m. We were certainly all saddened today to learn of the latest blow to Cape Breton. We learned that a long and proud part of Cape Breton history will soon come to an end when the 430 underground miners were told that the Liberals in Ottawa have given up on them. Ottawa gave no hint that the closure was coming and they didn't even tell the union. Of course, the province has a representative on the Devco board, yet they didn't inform Cape Bretoners; instead, the Premier jumped on a plane to Atlanta. I want to ask through you, Mr. Speaker, to the Deputy Premier to explain what his government knows about this betrayal. When did his government find out about it?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the House Leader of the New Democratic Party, the Official Opposition. I only learned of the matter myself, this morning. Whether or not there was any communication between Devco and the
government, I have not been informed. However, I will certainly check with the authorities from the Department of Natural Resources, who may have been informed, and perhaps that minister may want to answer this question.
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, our department received a call from the federal minister's office yesterday afternoon informing us of the announcement. Previous to that, several weeks ago in discussions the federal minister's office assured us that they were in negotiations with a company known as AMCI out of Greenwich, Connecticut. The decision by that company not to exercise that option was delivered to us yesterday afternoon.
MR. HOLM: Mr. Speaker, we are talking not only about the 430 direct jobs, we are also talking about the many spinoffs, approximately three times the number of jobs that are going to be lost because of the spinoffs. This government has already overseen a disastrous decline in the Cape Breton economy which, as my colleague pointed out, the official unemployment rate is now over 20.5 per cent and now the ministers are telling us that, obviously, they are out of the loop and Ottawa doesn't even consult with them and give them any advance notice about what is coming down here in Nova Scotia.
So I want to ask, I will start off again with the Deputy Premier, Mr. Speaker, what steps does his government plan to take to attempt to get Ottawa to reconsider its devastating decision to shut down the Prince Mine?
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I can assure the honourable member that we will be making every effort to talk to the federal government. Certainly it does appear that we were the latecomers on the scene insofar as getting information is concerned with the closing of Prince Mine. The federal government, from what I understand from news reports this morning, will be opening discussions with the United Mine Workers Union, UMW, and they will be attempting to arrange some kind of package for the displaced miners. Certainly this government will be ensuring that the federal government does indeed get to the table very rapidly.
MR. HOLM: Mr. Speaker, the people of Cape Breton were told that they would be taken care of if they voted Liberal in the last federal election and they were clearly betrayed. They were told to vote Tory provincially if they wanted help and they got the same results. Yesterday the Minister of Economic Development couldn't come up with or even produce an economic strategy for industrial Cape Breton.
MR. SPEAKER: Question, please.
MR. HOLM: So, Mr. Speaker, I will direct my final question through you, sir, to the Minister of Economic Development. I would like to ask the minister, would he either table a plan for Cape Breton or admit right now that this government never had the slightest intention of developing a long-term solution for that region's economic challenges?
HON. GORDON BALSER: Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in answer to a question put forward by the members opposite, I responded that we do, in fact, feel very strongly that Cape Breton has unique issues that need to be addressed and we have been there participating. We are participating in the economic growth fund and we have targeted Cape Breton both in the growth strategy and in a number of agendas that we brought forward.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton East.
CLOSURE - COMMITTEE (ALL-PARTY) RECALL
MR. DAVID WILSON: Mr. Speaker, I am sure that every member of this House is concerned about the announced closure of the Prince Mine. I would have hoped that a suitable buyer would have been found by now. When the original Devco closure was announced, an all-Party committee was struck by this House to look into assisting those involved in the industry. My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Will the minister recall the committee in light of today's announcement?
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, certainly the member poses the proper question and the committee has been there and the committee will become active again.
MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, my first concern today is for those within the industry who work in the industry and their families. There still could be a market for coal in light of the current energy shortage in the United States. My question to the Minister of Natural Resources again, since Cape Breton coal is a provincial resource, will the minister support efforts of the Cape Breton Miners' Co-op to open Donkin Mine?
MR. FAGE: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. The decision to close the Prince Mine is purely a decision of the federal government. The coal industry in Nova Scotia has a proud history but, again, the responsibility with the province is in regard to the leases and until the federal government relinquishes their leases, it is premature to enter into discussions on who will hold those leases in the future.
MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, again I reiterate that coal is a provincial resource. I am glad that the minister has decided to recall or reconstitute that committee. I am asking the minister in my final supplementary, will that committee hear again from the Cape Breton Miner's Co-op and their proposal concerning the Donkin Mine?
MR. FAGE: Mr. Speaker, certainly, it is time for the committee to be active again. As the honourable member knows, as a member of that committee, the committee has never refused to hear from any interested group.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth North.
WAIT LISTS - EXTENSION EXPLAIN
MR. JERRY PYE: Mr. Speaker, thousands of men, women and children in this province suffer from psoriasis. Robert Johnson is one of these people. At times, Mr. Johnson's condition becomes so severe that he requires light radiation treatment. The waiting period used to be 1 to 14 days. Recently Mr. Johnson's specialist prescribed the light radiation treatment for a current flare-up. The waiting period has gone from two weeks to 12 months or longer. Mr. Johnson's extremely painful condition continues to worsen, and there is a threat of infection while this goes untreated. My question to the Minister of Health is, why have you extended wait lists for the necessary light radiation treatment required by people suffering from psoriasis?
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member is correct, psoriasis is a very unpleasant disease. Those who are afflicted undergo considerable discomfort, depending on the stages. Obviously, if the waiting list has been extended, it means that the demand on the treatment has increased. I am sure that the Capital Health District will be looking at ways to shorten the waiting list for that particular procedure, as it does for all procedures.
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, that is no comfort to Mr. Johnson today. The dermatology clinic at the Victoria General Hospital is the only one of its kind in the entire province. People come from all areas of the province for psoriasis treatments. Light radiation treatment used to be available at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, but the machine is no longer functioning, and those people must now come to Halifax. At one time there were 12 beds dedicated to the dermatology department. Over the last year, the number has dwindled to five. Now there are none. Light radiation treatment can take months for daily exposures to be effective. That minister knows that.
My question to the minister is, this minister has continually claimed that there would be no cuts to front-line health services, would the minister please explain to Robert and others in his condition why they must wait over a year for treatment that they require now?
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, waiting lists are not pleasant for anybody, if you are on one. However, in health care, waiting lists are, for the most part, a fact of life here in Canada. I don't like them any better than the honourable member does. We do everything we can, as do the agencies responsible for running the facilities that deliver treatment. Everybody does what they can. Unfortunately, the waiting lists are a little bit longer than we would like, but we do continue our efforts to reduce them.
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, the minister is very much aware of how painful this psoriasis disease affects individuals. Here he is telling us that waiting lists of 12 months is totally acceptable. It even goes further than that for front-line health care. When a patient undergoes light radiation treatment, they require, as well, medicated shampoos and soaps. These items used to be supplied to the patients.
MR. SPEAKER: Question, please.
MR. PYE: Now there is a sign at the dermatology clinic telling patients that they must purchase and bring their own medicated shampoo, their medicated soaps and their medicated slippers. My question to the minister is, these medications that are required as part of the treatment can be very expensive for those on fixed incomes, why are you robbing these patients of a necessary part of their treatment?
[3:00 p.m.]
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, there are a number of conditions that people in this province and elsewhere have where they are required to participate in the treatment, whether it is the price of pharmaceuticals or other equipment necessary to be used in the treatment process. (Interruption)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Under Section 89 of the Education Act, school boards must receive ministerial authorization before implementing policy change on school closure. My question to the minister is, did the minister approve the school closure policy that was implemented by the Halifax Regional School Board, effective November 20, 2000?
HON. JANE PURVES: Mr. Speaker, both the Halifax Regional School Board and myself have received legal advice on that school closure. The school board's lawyer said they were absolutely in line in the way they proceeded. I double-checked with my own staff who said exactly the same thing. No special permission was needed because the school procedure was not violated, according to both lawyers.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I spoke to several members of the Halifax Regional School Board early this afternoon and they advised me that they were not notified of the changes to the procedure or the policies for school closure. Was the minister aware that
members of the school board were not notified prior to the changes that were made to the policy and procedures?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, I guess I wasn't clear enough earlier. They wouldn't have been notified of changes to policy because there were no changes to policy.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I will table two documents that will clearly demonstrate that the minister is wrong. Effective November 20, 2000, the policy for review of facilities for permanent closure was changed without the knowledge or the authorization of the Halifax Regional School Board. My question to the minister is, in light of this rather stunning information to the minister's department, what is she going to do to rectify a violation of the closure procedure and policies manual?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, I will take a look at the material. In the meantime, I will have to say that the board consulted its lawyers over school closures and the board was assured that it was within its rights in these school closures.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.
MOTHERHOUSE - TAX ASSESSMENT
MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the Sisters of Charity operate a retirement home for nuns at their Motherhouse off the Bedford Highway. They also assist charitable organizations and do plenty of other good work for people in this province. In 1997, they appealed their property tax assessment and as part of that assessment, the province sent out an assessor who increased the Sisters' taxes, not decreased. Most astonishing of all, they rated part of the Motherhouse as commercial, taxable property. My question to the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations is, why does that minister think it is right that a retirement home for nuns should be taxed like a commercial enterprise?
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, the custom of the House is to thank the honourable member for the question. I will do that. The file in question is one, as he has indicated, has been around for some time and there are in fact, according to the people who have done the assessment, portions of the property that were deemed to be of a commercial nature and they were classified as such.
MR. STEELE: One of the areas that has been classified as commercial taxable is the area of the Motherhouse where the elderly nuns get their hair cut. This minister and his department is placing a heavy financial burden on the Sisters of Charity. They used to pay $263,000 in taxes, this year they are being asked for more than $450,000. The municipality recognizes that this money grab is wrong and last night they granted $116,000 back to the Sisters of Charity for the year. Will the minister explain to the House what it is about a non-
profit retirement home for nuns that makes him believe that this assessment as a commercial enterprise is justified?
MR. MACISAAC: The House should know and the honourable member should know that the principles of assessment were applied with respect to this file. Those are the findings that were found and, of course, the procedures are in place and those procedures - to the best of my knowledge - have been followed with respect to this situation.
MR. STEELE: This is the same government that is taking an assessment issue worth millions of dollars and cutting secret deals behind closed doors with big oil companies. This same government that wants to cut a deal with big oil wants to fight the Sisters of Charity all the way to the Utility and Review Board. My question to the minister is, will he do the right thing, drop this money grab and strike a deal with the Sisters of Charity so that they can focus on their charitable work and not on tax appeals?
MR. MACISAAC: I want to say to the honourable member that this file has been dealt with appropriately and that the situation to which he refers is one that has received a great deal of attention by the department over the years and the appeal procedures are available with respect to this case as they are to any other case. Those are matters that are available to this property as well as any other property in the province.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Lunenburg West.
MR. DONALD DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Nova Scotia Resources Limited. Allowing the buyers of NSRL to obtain virtually all the profits from the company from December 1, 2000 is obscene. Even though the deal has not been completed, revenues from NSRL from December to the time of closing will go directly to Emera and Pengrowth Energy Trust. My question to the minister is, how much revenue has NSRL brought in since December 1, 2000?
HON. NEIL LEBLANC: First of all, I have to say I am very surprised because when we made the announcement in February of the sale of NSRL, that we had started the process, we clearly articulated that the effective date would be December 1, 2000. That was in the press releases and the fact sheets that were attached to it. When you have a sale, you do valuation of a certain date. This is an asset that is being depleted. We are processing gas, the companies that bid on this project did so as of a date; the date was December 1, 2000 and that is the way that the sale should have been handled and that is the way that it was.
MR. DOWNE: Gas prices are still at the highest level we have seen in the past decade. The profits from NSRL belong to the taxpayers of the Province of Nova Scotia until the sale is actually closed. Why won't the minister table how much NSRL profits have slipped out of the minister's hands since December 1, 2000?
MR. LEBLANC: I am having a hard time getting the honourable member to listen. We have sold the asset - or, we are in the process of trying to finalize that sale as of December 1st. This is like selling a car at a point in time and then running up another 50,000 miles in between before we deliver the car. The companies that bid on NSRL did, on the assets that were present in the company as of December 1, 2000. The amount offered for NSRL's assets and the shares and the significant discovery licences was $420 million and if the sale and the shares and the significant discovery licences was $420 million. If the sale becomes final, and I say if, because that same member in the government before made a roll-over agreement which made the sale very difficult, if the sales goes through, we will be paid interest as of the time of December 1st going forward.
MR. DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, normally when you sell a car you get paid, you don't wait a year or so afterwards to get paid. NSRL's debt was eliminated at the end of November. It seems rather convenient that the profits since then will have to flow into the coffers of Emera Incorporated and Pengrowth Energy Trust. Why has the minister cut such a sweetheart deal with Emera Incorporated and Pengrowth Energy Trust?
MR. LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, this is the same member who said when he looked at NSRL, it made him want to hurl. I remember reading it in the paper. We, as a government, have put this asset up for sale to limit the risk to the people of Nova Scotia. We have been offered $420 million. We did as a value date of December 1st, that companies that participated in the bidding process did so for the value of the company as of December 1st. Everyone understands that, obviously, but the member opposite.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, the people in the Province of New Brunswick just held a plebiscite on video gaming devices. While there has been some question about the fairness of that vote, at least the people in my native province got the opportunity to have their say. My question is for the minister responsible for the Alcohol and Gaming Authority. In light of the province-wide plebiscite held in New Brunswick, will you clearly state in this House if you will support holding a similar province-wide plebiscite in Nova Scotia?
HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, our platform was clearly articulated in the blue book and that was not one of the commitments made by this Party.
MR. ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, the gambling industry in New Brunswick has looked at the close vote and they admit that they have more to do. They have offered to dedicate 2 per cent of their profits to help address the problem of gambling addiction in New Brunswick. So my question again is to the minister responsible. I would ask, will you approach the gambling industry here in our province with the recommendation that 2 per cent of gambling revenues be donated to support services for gambling addiction?
MR. MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that my understanding is that the casinos contribute, I believe, it is $1 million annually to this, plus each of the VLT operators contribute 1 per cent of their commission which is matched by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.
MR. ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, earlier the minister referred to the blue book and a promise that wasn't in it but there was a promise on Page 5 to give MLAs greater freedom to represent the views of their constituents. I will table that although it has been tabled many times. I thank the honourable member for Dartmouth North. My question is for the Deputy Premier. Will this government allow the members of this House - that side of the House, this side of the House - to have a free vote to determine if a provincial plebiscite should be held on the issue of VLTs in this province?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, we make major decisions. The intent of the vote in New Brunswick was to satisfy a commitment made by the government in New Brunswick. In our province, we made several commitments in the blue book, one of them was not to hold a referendum on VLTs in this province.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Lunenburg West.
MR. DONALD DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. We learned today that proceeds from the sale of NSRL in the amount of $140 million would put towards last year's deficit even though the sale has yet to close. Why won't the minister put the proceeds from the sale of NSRL on this year's books?
[3:15 p.m.]
HON. NEIL LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, I find it amazing that the member only learned today, because I stated that very clearly months ago, that that is exactly what would happen, it would be reported in the year ended March 31, 2001, if the sale becomes complete.
MR. DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, this is the same minister that booked $475 million in Sysco liability in the year 2000, even though that debt was incurred over a 30 year period. It only makes sense that if the revenue comes in this year that it should be booked on this
year's budget. The minister could balance the books this year. What possible reason can the minister have for fudging the books, by not balancing the budget this year?
MR. LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, the proper accounting procedures, if this sale becomes finalized, is to have it in last year. That is the time that the contract was entered into. However, there is a complexity, the events to finalize the sale are taking longer. The reason that is is because of the ROFR agreement that that same government gave to two major international companies for zero dollars, which they cannot stand up and defend, and that is why the event hasn't been able to be finalized. The proper accounting procedure is to have it in the year ended March 31, 2001, if it becomes finalized.
MR. DOWNE: Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General made it very clear that if the deal closed before the end of March, then he said it would reduce the size of the deficit by $140 million. The deal has yet to close. It is past March 31st. The sale of NSRL is not closed, and any proceeds of the sale should be booked this year. Why is the minister so reluctant to try to eliminate the deficit ahead of schedule?
MR. LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, I have stated on many different occasions that anyone who stands up in his place to say that the one-time proceeds from NSRL, if you are going to add that and you are going to consider that part of your operating balance, and stand up and say that you balanced the budget, I think it is totally irresponsible. In regard to the Auditor General, he is the auditor of record of this province. We will do the transaction, if this sale goes forward, and we will have discussions with the Auditor General. Clearly, the proper accounting procedure for this is to have it in the year that the transaction was triggered. If this deal closes, it will be recorded in March 31, 2001. He can throw all the rabbit tracks across the floor that he wants. That is the correct answer.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton Centre.
MR. FRANK CORBETT: Mr. Speaker, once again, the federal Liberals have put it to Cape Breton. We have a former recreation director planting trees in Glace Bay, and a turnip farmer closing mines. This Liberal Government gives the miners, after shutting down Prince Mine, $28 million. I want to ask the Deputy Premier, will you ensure that this $28 million will be spent - will you tell Ottawa to spend that money - in the areas that are affected, and that is the coal mining towns of New Waterford, Glace Bay, North Sydney and Sydney Mines, will you do that deputy?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, the government certainly doesn't need any urging to make sure that the money that is allocated by the federal government is spent in the area.
MR. CORBETT: Mr. Speaker, well, maybe he should talk to the Minister of Economic Development. The Minister of Economic Development was sure glad to spend their $12 million down in the Strait area, not in industrial Cape Breton where the layoffs were.
Mr. Speaker, when this was announced, when Devco would sell off their other assets originally, they said $68 million and then over and above that $68 million, the province chipped in $12 million. I want to ask the Deputy Premier, will he tell this House what the provincial contribution will be this time and whether he will insist that money will also go to the affected areas?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I would refer this question to the Minister of Economic Development. (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. If the members want to yell back and forth at each other, I would ask them to go outside and do it, please.
HON. GORDON BALSER: Mr. Speaker, when we came to government, we committed to honour the obligation the previous government had undertaken, around $12 million being put forward to support the Cape Breton Economic Growth Fund. The $28 million that the federal government has announced, today specifically, to deal with the issue at hand is broken out into $18 million that would be put forward to the growth fund and $10 million which will be allocated directly to those communities that are most affected. We will be there to assist with the way in which those plans unfold.
MR. CORBETT: So, Mr. Speaker, what he is saying is, we will stand on the sideline and watch you spend the money, we are not giving you anything. At least 430 more people will be added to an unemployment rate that is already over 20 per cent. The facts demonstrate that this government cannot manage the economic challenges facing Cape Breton. This government clearly needs some help in dealing with this growing crisis facing Cape Breton. I want to ask the Deputy Premier again today, will he commit to an all-Party committee to meet with the miners and then take that all-Party committee to meet in Ottawa and find out what this federal government plans to do for the economy of industrial Cape Breton?
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I am quite prepared to take that proposal under advisement.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.
MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. Last week my caucus and I revealed the desperate budget situation in District Health Authority 2. The communities in southern and southwestern Nova Scotia deserve to know what is
happening to health services in their area and this minister should be telling them. My question to the minister is, will the minister please indicate when he plans to open the budget process for District Health Authority 2 as well as what he plans to cut?
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I could perhaps share with the honourable member and his colleague, the Health Critic, a comment that I received last week when this information was tabled - which, unfortunately, was subsequently released as though it had some fact - that the honourable member is somewhere on the moon and the researchers on that information are in outer space because the situation to which the honourable member refers is simply not the case.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, probably with time we will know who is on the moon. It is hard to believe this is the government that campaigned on promises for openness and accountability. Unfortunately, when it comes to the purse strings, they are hands-off. The minister is going to hand a predetermined budget to the people of District Health Authority 2 and tell them to live with it. Will the minister tell the House what happened to openness and public input into the Health Department?
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member is still in a time warp. The budget-planning process and the business-planning process for DHA 2 is ongoing. It is the same as it is in all other parts of the other district health authorities as well as the IWK. The district health authority is completing the business plan which will be submitted to the department very shortly. In regard to that one, I am told that the chairman of the board happens to be away at this particular time and they are awaiting his return before they submit it.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Minister of Health considers the government backbenchers to be not much more than cheerleaders. When the news looked good before the budget was tabled members were out selling it to the public, but now they are nowhere to be found. When will the Minister of Health let his backbencher colleagues do their jobs and serve their communities?
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I want to tell this House, and particularly the honourable members over there, that the comment we have received is that the financial process, the budget-planning process, the business-planning process, is light-years ahead of anything that has been in this province in the last 10 years.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
REPS. (AFRICAN-CANADIAN) - FUNDING ADEQUACY
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Unlike their colleagues, African-Nova Scotian representatives to the school board
are responsible for more than just one district. They represent African-Nova Scotians across an entire school board area. This means that these representatives are responsible for larger geographic areas than most MLAs in this House. Yet, in order to do their jobs, these representatives must be able to reach out to their communities, but they are not receiving a travel allowance to do so. They receive the same amount as other school board members with smaller districts. I want to ask the minister, why has she failed to properly fund the important work of African-Canadian school board representatives on these boards?
HON. JANE PURVES: Mr. Speaker, we believe we have properly funded the African-Canadian members of the school boards. I will grant the honourable member that it is a very new process and things are going to have to work themselves out; we may be able to make changes. But when these members were elected, they were elected, yes, to serve a wide area, as all school board members have to serve, and have to travel for their meetings.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, the Nova Scotia School Board Association is holding its AGM next week, and at that meeting there will be resolutions brought forward asking this government to properly fund African-Nova Scotian representatives so they can do what they were elected to do. I want to ask the minister if she will listen to the school boards and allocate specific funding for these positions?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, travel expenses and conference expenses are available to all members of school boards, including African-Canadian members. One of the requests we had from the African-Canadian members was to fund them as a group to discuss their own particular issues across the province, and that is something, to date, that we have not funded. Individual school boards are allowed to fund individual members for anything they choose.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, individual school boards have to take money from the global budget because no funds from this Education Minister have been specifically designated for the important work of African-Nova Scotian board representatives. I think the minister's responsibility in this matter is clear. She created this position and the government needs to fund them appropriately, otherwise it is just lip service. My question is, when will the minister provide the necessary funding so African-Nova Scotian representatives to school boards can do their job?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, the last I heard, the African-Canadian members were doing their job and they are doing an excellent job. As time goes on they will do an even better one.
[3:30 p.m.]
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth East.
DR. JAMES SMITH: Mr. Speaker, my question is the Minister of Health. We have learned from the District Health Authority 2 that the potential for residents to continue to receive orthopaedic services such as hip and knee surgeries in the former western region may no longer happen. An orthopaedic budget cut of $150,000 means the fourth surgeon recruited to the western region to support the program will no longer be maintained. This creates a situation where other surgeons may leave; there is indication that that is so.
Mr. Minister, it is your government that forced this District Health Authority 2 to make this decision. My question to the minister is, how can he justify cuts of $150,000 to orthopaedic surgery, while at the same time he allows the CEO to earn a salary of $135,000 a year, plus car allowance, plus et ceteras?
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, the orthopaedic program is at the Valley Regional Hospital, which is not in DHA 2. There were some extension services down there but to my knowledge they haven't had orthopaedic surgeons down in the Yarmouth area, certainly since I have been Minister of Health.
DR. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the former western region. This issue is far more important than just dollars and cents; it represents a tearing down of the health care system. Residents in the areas may well have to travel to Halifax. Wait lists in Halifax will get longer. People may not get the care that they require in a timely fashion. My question to the minister is, as the overall person responsible for the health care system, does he, the minister, not see the benefit of orthopaedic services being provided in the former western region?
MR. MUIR: I certainly do see the benefit of orthopaedic services being offered there, Mr. Speaker. One of the first things I did as the Minister of Health was to see that another orthopaedic surgeon was added there, something that that bunch wouldn't do.
DR. SMITH: . . . yet and there are lots of problems in that area with maintaining that service. Mr. Speaker, potential loss of the orthopaedic services in the western region could impact on nine full-time nursing positions. That is in the budget. These are specialized nurses working as valuable members of a surgical team. My question to the Minister of Health is, can he guarantee that these nurses will be able to continue working in areas of specialty nursing care here in Nova Scotia?
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member refers to a situation. I can tell you the DHAs are going through their business planning process; the business planning process has not yet been finalized. He is making allegations or putting information on the floor of this House that I, to be quite frank, haven't heard of.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the province is headed for a showdown involving underfunded health boards and poorly paid, overworked nurses. Nurses with the NSGEU have been offered 8.5 per cent over three years, which amounts to nothing more than a cost-of-living increase. This type of offer will not retain nurses who can go to other provinces or states and make more with less stress. This government failed the janitors and now they are failing the nurses. They failed to help them reach a fair deal. So I want to ask the Minister of Health, what does he plan to do to address the concerns of the nurses?
HON. JAMES MUIR: I assume that the honourable member is now a member of the NSGEU negotiating team to put that figure on the floor. I wouldn't be surprised. I can tell you that the offer that was presented to the NSGEU nurses was very competitive with their counterparts in Atlantic Canada. Indeed if you look at the Canadian scene, that offer would see the NSGEU nurses being paid - if you would take the provinces and put them in order - in the top half of the provinces in Canada.
MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health is trying to recruit nurses, but seems to forget that he has to retain the nurses he has. Those nurses are overworked and he is doing nothing to improve their quality of life. My question to the minister is, how can he expect to recruit new nurses when he can't even retain the ones he has in the system?
MR. MUIR: There are more nurses practising in Nova Scotia this year than there were last year. There were more last year than there were the year before. Our salaries for nurses are competitive. He fails to recognize that we recently - well, he should recognize because he got up and supported it, the $5 million that this government announced to enhance the working conditions and workplace conditions for nurses.
MR. DEXTER: I will be pleased to read the minister's comments back to him after these labour negotiations go down the tubes as they are bound to go if the minister keeps up with that kind of attitude. I don't think the Minister of Health understands just how serious the situation is. Conciliation has broken off with the NSGEU and the NSNU is currently in conciliation. This province is headed for big trouble. What is the Minister of Health going to do to make sure that nurses receive a contract that addresses both their quality of working conditions and their financial concerns?
MR. MUIR: The conciliator is still available at the NSGEU for the two units here that have NSGEU nurses. I can tell you that the workplace issues are being addressed as well at the bargaining table. There are a number of items and I go back to the nursing strategy. Also, our position has been and we have made no secret about it - we value our health care workers, nurses and all of the others and we want to see them fairly compensated. The offer that was made to them, we believe, was fair and furthermore, it has to be affordable.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth East.
SWITCHBOARD - CLOSURE INFORM
DR. JAMES SMITH: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health. The sad story of reductions in the health care services in District Health Authority 2 continues. This government, through its budget process, has forced the district health authority to propose closure of the switchboard at the Roseway Health Registry at night. This proposed suggestion will put the public at risk. Eleven fire departments use this as a dispatch centre. My question to the minister is simple, when will the community of Shelburne and the 11 fire departments be notified of this potential loss of service?
HON. JAMES MUIR: I can assure the honourable member that the service that is needed for the volunteer fire departments in Shelburne will be there when it is called for.
DR. SMITH: The proposed budget document then goes on to state that nurses will be expected to pick up the slack in terms of answering incoming calls . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. There is too much noise in the Chamber and I can't hear the member on the floor.
The honourable member for Dartmouth East has the floor.
DR. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, if I could repeat again. The proposed budget document then goes on to state that nurses will be expected to pick up the slack in terms of answering calls and registering patients. These duties are in addition to the burden already being carried out by nurses at the Roseway Hospital. My question to the minister is, can the minister be confident that nurses will be able to handle the extra responsibilities in addition to caring for patients at the Roseway Hospital?
MR. MUIR: One of the reasons that we went from the regional health boards to district health authorities is so that people who know the situations best can make the most appropriate decisions. If that decision was made locally, they did it with knowledge of local conditions, not because somebody in the Annapolis Valley was making decisions for the
people in Shelburne like it was before. I want to tell you that decision will be made appropriately.
DR. SMITH: If you believe that, I have two bridges that cross this harbour. Because what we are talking about (Interruptions) for sale for you. (Interruptions) Across this harbour. (Interruptions) Because what we're talking about, but for sale for you. (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order, please. Was that the honourable member's question? (Laughter) I can answer that for you.
DR. SMITH: No, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth East has the floor.
DR. SMITH: We will only sell the minister, any one minister, one bridge. Okay? One to a minister. The whole change will leave the community of Shelburne very vulnerable, getting back to the question, if we can go back to the question. The question to the minister is a very serious one. Will the minister commit that he will assist in a contingency plan that will ensure that the residents of Shelburne will have access to emergency dispatch services during nighttime hours?
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I don't think any decision would be made that would see the residents not have access to emergency dispatch service during the night hours.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question, through you, sir, to the Minister of Economic Development. While the minister was sounding like the lobbyist for the big oil companies, regarding the proposed pipelines to the United States, by saying it would only have to come ashore if it was going to be in the best business interests of those companies, the Premier, his boss, at least had a little bit more backbone, and said that he would insist that it land in Nova Scotia.
That means it could either kiss the province and then head south; it could be required to travel across a short section of the province; or it could be required to cross the province, as is the Maritimes & Northeast pipeline and, in so doing, bring the greatest number of jobs and benefits for Nova Scotia. My question through you, sir, to the minister is, which of those options have the pipeline companies been told? Have they been instructed that they will have to build the pipeline completely across the province, as Maritimes & Northeast did?
HON. GORDON BALSER: Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite is aware, all of those proposals have been reviewed and put forward. There has been no concrete plan made at this point in time. Certainly, we have all said that it is in the best interests of Nova Scotia to have the gas arrive on the Nova Scotia shore so that we can extract the maximum benefits from it.
MR. HOLM: Mr. Speaker, that sounds a little weaker than the Premier's answer. We know that Nova Scotians are supposed to be getting the maximum benefit from this. One of the things that Nova Scotia stands to benefit from - for example, from the Maritimes & Northeast pipeline - and the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations would be very aware that municipalities stand to benefit between $10 million to $15 million in the way of property taxes from that pipeline. My question to the minister is, if you are not going to be prepared to instruct that that pipeline cross the province, are you prepared to compensate the municipalities and to provide them with the property tax money they will be losing, because you aren't standing up for Nova Scotians?
MR. BALSER: Mr. Speaker, at this point in time there is an existing pipeline. There has been no decision to put in additional pipelines or new pipelines. That remains to be determined based on whether or not there are the resources off our shore to justify that.
MR. HOLM: Mr. Speaker, the minister is getting a lot clearer in his answers. It is a lot easier to understand when he is saying no, like he just did, than he was before. He is getting a little bit clearer.
My last question then, through you, sir, to the minister is quite simply this, how can you pretend that you are going to be standing up for Nova Scotians to try to make sure that we get the maximum benefits if you are not prepared to ensure that the route that is taken by any future pipeline is going to provide the maximum number of jobs and the maximum number of business opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses, plus maximum taxation for the municipalities in this province?
MR. BALSER: Mr. Speaker, the oil and gas industry in this province has been a significant contributor to economic growth, $2 billion in Sable one, $1 billion proposed for the PanCanadian project, another $1 billion in terms of the tier two development that Maritimes & Northeast are already talking about the possibility of adding additional capacities. So there are tremendous benefits from what has gone on to date and certainly we view the future as being very positive around how many jobs will be created and attributable to oil and gas development.
[3:45 p.m.]
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton East.
FUNDING - CONFIRM
MR. DAVID WILSON: Mr. Speaker, recently the Minister of Community Services announced $66 million for early childhood development programs through his department. Yesterday, federal Minister Jane Stewart announced $66 million for the same program. Can the Minister of Community Services confirm my math here and indicate that the total new funding for early childhood intervention over the next five years will be $132 million?
HON. PETER CHRISTIE: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member had the opportunity to be at the announcement last week up at the St. Joseph's Day Care Centre when we announced the program that we were going to do for early childhood intervention. As the member is aware, we share in an agreement with the federal government that we provide some early childhood development and they supplement the program across Canada. What we announced is how we were going to initiate in this province the federal government money to supplement our monies.
MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, see, this is what has me confused here. The minister is saying that the feds will put in the money, but the province will take the credit. So what the minister is actually saying is that the province is contributing nothing to this program. The estimates for this year suggest the program's budget will be $9.1 million. The federal announcement was for $9 million. So that only leaves an additional $100,000.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell the House exactly what the province's contribution in terms of new money to early childhood development programs will be over the next five years?
MR. CHRISTIE: Mr. Speaker, in our budget this year, the province has $16 million in for early childhood development and for daycare projects. That, along with the $9.1 million that is coming from the federal government, was all the federal government initiative part of the early childhood development, that was all money coming in to supplement the $16 million that we put in a year.
MR. WILSON: Mr. Speaker, I am confused no longer because, let me give you the answer, zero, zip, zilch, nothing, absolutely nothing, that is what the minister's government is contributing to the program in new money. Will the minister now tell the House why he misled the people of Nova Scotia by announcing federal money as if it was his own?
MR. CHRISTIE: Mr. Speaker, I would take it as a serious question if the member had not been at the press conference up at St. Joseph's and heard it. The member was there. I suggest that he go speak to (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order, please. I would allow the honourable minister to finish his answer and I would ask the members to give him his time on the floor, as he has done, please.
MR. CHRISTIE: As I say, the member was at the press conference and I would suggest if the member has concerns about how we are spending that money, I would suggest that he get in contact with the Round Table on Child Care or Child Care Connections, which have endorsed the program we announced. (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order, please, on both sides of the House.
The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, my question through you is to the Minister of Education. School boards are beginning to release their financial plans for the coming year and things don't look all that good for the students of Nova Scotia. Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board is cutting 25 teachers. The Strait-Richmond Regional School Board is losing 26 teachers. The Southwest boards are facing $1.3 million in cuts.
The minister has told us again and again she can't do anything about the cuts, but she has shown us that she can produce cash when it comes down to the wire, like last year during the education protests. I want to ask the minister, why won't she fulfill her responsibility and provide school boards with adequate funding?
HON. JANE PURVES: Mr. Speaker, as this House knows, we did provide school boards with more funding; all school boards in this province got more funding this year.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Well, Mr. Speaker, when teachers are being cut, clearly it wasn't adequate and that was the question. The minister seems to think that Nova Scotians are easily fooled. If you don't cut too radically, maybe no one will notice just how bad things really are. But people are noticing; even school boards that aren't cutting teachers know the situation isn't good. My question for the minister is, with one of the lowest levels of funding for education in this country, when will the minister admit that she has failed to provide adequate funding for education?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, the argument about funding levels is for another day, because it is very, very complex and P3 changed that a little bit. We are providing more funding for schools and school boards, more funding for the community college, more funding for the universities. This government values education very, very much, and precisely because we value education is one of the reasons we did not balance the budget this year, as many people in the Opposition said we should have. We value education and Nova Scotia students very much.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, this province provides less money per student than any Canadian province except one, and any American state. The minister would like us to pretend that this is just about the current budget, but it isn't, it is about the accumulative effect of years of cash-starved budgets. So I want to ask the minister, what is her long-term plan for rebuilding this province's education system?
MISS PURVES: Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct one thing. In the statistics the member uses, she is saying we are the lowest except for one. Well even the Nova Scotia Teachers Union in their last communication said we were third lowest, so let's not argue over semantics.
Our long-term plan, Mr. Speaker, is simple. Our long-term plan is to get out of a deficit position. Our long-term plan is to invest Nova Scotians' money where they want it, in health, in education, and not in borrowing more and more money to give everybody everything they want today so we have nothing to give anyone tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Victoria.
DECK REPLACEMENT - COMPLETION ACCELERATE
MR. KENNETH MACASKILL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transportation and Public Works and again it is about a bridge. (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order, please!
MR. MACASKILL: Mr. Speaker, there was utter chaos at the Bras d'Or Bridge on Highway No. 105 last weekend. The delays were caused by the fact that traffic is down to one lane because of construction. Construction ends each day at 4:00 p.m. and doesn't take place on weekends and is expected to continue until the end of July. My question to the minister is, will the minister demand that the contractor add a second crew or extend the working day hours and work on the weekends to speed up the completion of this construction?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, this is the Little Bras d'Or Bridge that we are speaking of, I believe. We are replacing the deck on that bridge and that necessitates closing off one lane of traffic. When we let contracts, there is a time frame that is allocated to the contractor by which time the contractor is obligated to complete the contract or else face a penalty. So in this case, I presume that the contractor assumes that with just operating on workdays and not during the weekends, he can complete the contract on time.
MR. MACASKILL: Mr. Speaker, the problem we are facing is with the proximity of the Marine Atlantic ferry. When the ferry comes in to North Sydney, only a couple of kilometres away, hundreds of vehicles come off that ferry and hit that bridge, and that bridge only has lights on Highway No. 105 and it is a three-way exit there. It creates terrible chaos, even to the fact that you see motorists out fist fighting on the street. What I am asking the minister to do, if he will (Interruption)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable member for Victoria has the floor.
MR. MACASKILL: . . . Mr. Speaker, if the minister could understand the situation there. What we are asking is, will the minister ask for an additional crew so this bridge will be completed before the heavy traffic starts at the end of June?
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I can understand the honourable member's concern. However, as I have said before, the contract has been let and it may be difficult for us to change the terms of the contract to have double-shifting or work proceeding during the evening hours or, perhaps, over the weekends. However, I will take that matter under advisement and I will have staff contact the contractor and see if some adjustment can be made. I appreciate there is a tremendous amount of traffic going to the ferry, and it is traffic that gets reasonably impatient because of the fact that they want to make the ferry crossing.
MR. MACASKILL: Mr. Speaker, the situation there is unique because of the three-way intersection and the lights and the proximity of the Newfoundland ferry. I am wondering, would the minister consider looking at another arrangement, probably traffic control officers or something because, apparently, the lights are not doing the job they should?
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, we had an inspector out there, I believe last week, looking at the situation with regard to the lights and whether flag people would be better than the automatic lights; no decision has been made on that particular subject. However, I will, as I said, get back to the honourable member after we have had discussions with the prime contractor.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, my question, through you, is to the Minister of Transportation and Public Works. On May 27th this minister needs to make a tough decision about unlucky Highway No. 113, a $30 million highway that the residents of Bedford and Timberlea-Prospect do not want. This highway will not qualify under the federal government's programs for 100-Series Highways, meaning the province will have to foot the whole bill. My question for the Minister of Transportation is, why is his department considering a new divided highway, Highway No. 113, that is not wanted or needed?
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, there has been no decision made on that highway, as yet. The reason we are proceeding with the preliminary stages is simply that, as the honourable member is aware, we have to get environmental approvals for every highway we undertake, and it is a project that probably would not be undertaken for perhaps five to 10 years from now when we are more able to fund that particular stretch of highway.
MR. ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, this highway would have to cross 1,750 hectares of Crown land that concerned groups have asked to have designed under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act. To date, no wilderness assessment has been done for consideration of this protection. Will the minister ensure that an assessment is done before any further consideration is given to this project by his department?
[4:00 p.m.]
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, the member for Halifax Bedford Basin has brought this matter to my attention and we have staff, as I say, at the present time, taking a look at the routing and the feasibility of that particular highway.
MR. ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I have been contacted by the residents of Bedford and, of course, Timberlea-Prospect and their question has been, why hasn't the member for Halifax Bedford Basin spoken out about this issue publicly? That is the concern. So I want to ask the Minister of Transportation and Public Works to rule this highway out now and concentrate on other projects where spending $13 million would be a lot better received, in all kinds of constituencies across this province?
MR. RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, the member for Halifax Bedford Basin has made some very cogent recommendations and she is being quite forward in putting forward her views. Everything will be taken into consideration, including those of the honourable member opposite.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton South.
MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate. The Petroleum Directorate simply does not have the manpower to appropriately monitor the oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia, given its importance to our future. Most large oil companies have larger legal departments than Nova Scotia has lawyers. My question to the minister responsible is, will the minister commit to an expanded Petroleum Directorate so that Nova Scotians get the full value of our growing oil and gas industry to ensure prosperity in the future for all Nova Scotians?
HON. GORDON BALSER: I thank the member opposite for raising that concern. Obviously, when I talk to my Cabinet colleagues about the allocation of funds for a particular department, I like to know that I have the support of the members opposite. He is right, in fact, that the oil and gas industry is an important part of where we want to go in the province and anytime - once we have dealt with the immediate fiscal issues - we can reallocate funds in strategic ways, certainly, I think that will be given consideration.
MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, we don't have the luxury of waiting until the Finance Minister, the Sheriff of Nottingham tells him that he can spend more money on probably the most important initiative facing Nova Scotians right now, and its financial future. An expanded Petroleum Directorate is an opportunity to have government expand into areas of high unemployment where there is also potential for growth in the industry. In light of what has happened recently in industrial Cape Breton and, indeed, in all of Cape Breton, and given the importance of the Laurentian Sub-basin, I would ask the minister, will the minister commit to an expanded Petroleum Directorate with offices in Sydney?
MR. BALSER: Down the road, when we have money available and when we make decisions about where we should expand the presence of the Petroleum Directorate, certainly Cape Breton should be given consideration, as should other areas of the province that obviously need the advantages that would come from the oil and gas industry.
MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, with this minister, it is always down the road when it comes to Cape Breton. You heard it here earlier in Question Period, now you are hearing it again. There is no plan for Cape Breton. There is no interest whatsoever in doing anything for Cape Breton Island. My final supplementary to the minister is - the centre of the petroleum industry will move further east over the next few years. We know that. Most of the developments are taking place off Cape Breton. What is required is a long-term vision for the industry. I would ask the minister, in my final supplementary, why won't the minister allow for Petroleum Directorate offices to be located in Cape Breton, given the importance of that industry in the future to that area of Nova Scotia?
MR. BALSER: Mr. Speaker, it is not a question of allowing. It is question of what is appropriate and when it is appropriate. There are many areas of the province that see advantages to the oil and gas industry in having a presence in their community. Certainly, as we move forward through the strategy paper and look at what the energy policy for this province will look like, those issues will be given an opportunity to be aired.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my question to the Minister of Natural Resources. At one time, I think all Nova Scotians, certainly rural Nova Scotians, considered that it took 100 years to grow a tree. Well, there is only 1 per cent of Nova Scotia's forest that is greater than 100 years old and 3 per cent is between 81 and 100 years old. The forest we are presently cutting is between 61 and 80 years, and that is 32 per cent of our operable forest. The forest, as we know it, is gone. Will this minister admit to this House and to all Nova Scotians that the forest that Nova Scotians used to know has been destroyed and will never return?
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, the lumber industry and the forestry industry have been a mainstay of rural Nova Scotia for 200 years, and will continue to be. Sustainability and the forest in this province and this government's commitment and the previous government's commitment, I should add, to sustainable forest practices, to regulations, to protecting the supply in the future is paramount. That is why a number of regulatory systems that have come in over the last number of years are ensuring that those forests and opportunities will be here.
MR. MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, the minister talks about sustainability and what the province is doing. Earlier this year, the minister al