Petition Launched

Premier Rodney MacDonald wants Nova Scotians, and all Canadians, to send a strong and united message to Ottawa by signing a petition on Nova Scotia's website.

"I believe Canadians expect Ottawa to honour agreements made between all provinces and territories," the premier said. "I have already signed on - and the more people who show their support for this message, the louder it will be heard in Ottawa."

The petition is part of a broader, continuing campaign to convince Ottawa to honour Nova Scotia's Offshore Accord, signed in 2005 by the provincial and federal governments. The 2007 federal budget rips up the Accord, and breaks the deal made with Nova Scotians.

The premier said, regardless of people's position on the accord, this move should worry all Canadians. "If the federal government can rip up an agreement with Nova Scotia, are federal agreements with any province or territory safe?"

The petition can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/accord . Nova Scotians without online access can call toll-free, 1-800-670-4357 to sign on.

The premier will also be presenting Nova Scotia's case to Ottawa when he appears before the Senate Finance Subcommittee, expected next week.