Nova Scotians' Priorities Take National Stage

More federal funding for post-secondary education and for provincial highways are top Nova Scotia priorities for the upcoming annual premiers' conference, Premier John Hamm said today, Aug. 8.

"Higher education and highway revitalization are absolutely vital in making a prosperous economy and a brighter future," said Premier Hamm. "The federal government needs to do its share to address the highway infrastructure deficit and to re-think the way it funds post-secondary education."

Premier Hamm said over the past six years, Ottawa has taken more than $800 million in gas taxes from Nova Scotia drivers, but has contributed just $31 million to highways in the province. "It seems only fair that a significant portion of that gas tax revenue should be returned, by reinvesting in the Nova Scotia highway system."

As well, the premier is urging Ottawa to put more money into post-secondary education and to change the way it allocates that funding to the provinces. Right now, funding is done on a per capita basis; the premier says it should be done on a per student basis.

"Nova Scotia attracts thousands of students from across Canada, yet the federal education funding goes to their home provinces, not here. The province is being punished because of the strength and attractiveness of our outstanding post-secondary institutions."

Premier Hamm is joining the 12 other premiers of Canada's provinces and territories for the annual summer meeting, held this year in Banff. The premier flies to Calgary on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The premiers’ conference begins in Banff on Wednesday, Aug. 10 and finishes Friday, Aug. 12.