Progress Made Toward Making Life Better for Families

Over the last several months, government has made significant progress toward getting the province back to balance, creating good jobs, growing the economy, improving health care and making life more affordable for families.

"We are well positioned to meet government's commitment to make life better for families in all regions of the province," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "We have tabled a multi-year fiscal plan to restore the province's finances and keep services that Nova Scotians need, introduced one of the most ambitious targets for renewable electricity generation in North America and worked with one of the largest businesses in the world to establish a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Trenton that will employ hundreds of Nova Scotians."

On April 6, government introduced a budget that outlines the steps needed to get the province back to balance, improve the economy, and make life more affordable for many Nova Scotians.

"Nova Scotians told us that they could live with an increase to the HST if it meant government would do all it could to reduce unnecessary spending and live within its means," said Premier Dexter. "We listened and introduced a budget that secures valuable services in areas like health and education while helping Nova Scotians who need it the most, and creates good jobs that will stimulate economic growth in all regions."

Some notable highlights from the budget include:

• maximizing available federal infrastructure funds, which is expected to create 7,000 person-years of employment and generate about $300 million in income.
• stabilizing the Public Service Superannuation Act to restore the pension plan to financial health.
• establishing an Affordable Living Tax Credit which will put $53 million back in Nova Scotia households this year alone.
• removing the provincial portion of the HST from items such as children's clothing, shoes, diapers and feminine hygiene products to ensure basic necessities remain affordable
• eliminating the provincial income tax for 18,000 seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• creating a poverty reduction credit that will provide tax-free payments to help about 15,000 low-income Nova Scotians

During the 62nd session of the General Assembly, which wrapped up today, May 11, Premier Dexter highlighted some of the significant legislation government passed during the 32-day sitting of the House of Assembly.

"Government's ambitious legislative agenda are steps we have taken to make the right decisions for Nova Scotia families," said Premier Dexter. "We are banning the sale and use of non-essential pesticides, amending the Electricity Act to bring more stable and secure renewable electricity to Nova Scotia, and amending the Insurance Act to provide fair compensation for accident victims while not increasing premiums."

Other bill highlights include:

• introducing the House of Assembly Management Commission Act to provide clear, new rules for MLA expenses.
• developing an act to help the Department of Agriculture work more closely with fur ranchers so the industry can continue to grow and be successful
• improving the school review process by increasing the opportunity for community engagement and clarifying the circumstances under which a school must be reviewed.

Government committed to putting the legislature back to work for Nova Scotians. During this session, government introduced and passed 29 bills for a total of 59 bills introduced and passed since June 2009.

"This session is one that government can be proud of because we made the tough decisions that are in the best interests of all Nova Scotiains," said Premier Dexter. "This government will continue making sound and strategic decisions that will ensure Nova Scotia is a great place to live, work, run a business and raise a family."

Premier Dexter noted that one of his most important responsibilities during this session was working to finally acknowledge the wrong done to Mrs. Viola Desmond and her family when Mrs. Desmond was wrongfully jailed and fined in 1946 for sitting in the white people's section of a New Glasgow movie theatre. On April 17, on the advice of the Executive Council, the lieutenant governor exercised the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to grant a Free Pardon to Mrs. Desmond.

"April 17 will go down in history as a day when Nova Scotians stood against racism in all its forms," said Premier Dexter. "We promised never to forget the legacy of a remarkable woman who taught us all the importance of standing up for what we believe in and what is right."