Latest News
- Premier To Meet With Canada's Leading Economists
- Premier Rodney MacDonald and Finance Minister Michael Baker will meet today, Nov. 17, with economic forecasters from Canada's Banks as well as the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) and the Conference Board of Canada. (More...)
School Kids' Info
Cabinet
Award of Excellence
- Read all about the Premier's Award of Excellence.
Medal of Bravery
- Find out about the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery.
Milestone Certificates
- Find out about certificates for special milestones available from the Protocol Office.
Premier's Speeches
Remarks for Premier Rodney MacDonald
Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce
World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle St.
June 14, 2007
Good afternoon ladies and gentleman.
I'm so pleased the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce chose Halifax to host this year's Atlantica convention.
It's a fantastic opportunity to share ideas and generate business between the Atlantic Provinces and strengthen ties with our neighbours in Quebec and New England.
Congratulations to incoming chairman Jonathan Daniels. I know you will give voice to Atlantic Canadian issues south of the border. And, of course, congratulations to past chairman, Stephen Dempsey whose work helped bring the Atlantica debate to the national stage in this country.
Nova Scotia has a long tradition of working with its Atlantic partners in Canada and in the United States.
For 35 years, we've taken part in the conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
Nova Scotia and New England continue to benefit from common areas of interest that cross provincial and state borders.
Our trade missions to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut always meet with success.
But there is much more to our economic relationship with New England than straight sales.
Our similar languages, cultures and shared history foster partnerships. Partnerships that help Nova Scotia and New England companies reach the global marketplace.
My government will extend that reach by making the Atlantic Gateway a top priority.
Its development will benefit not only this region.. but the rest of Canada and the eastern United States.
Just two weeks ago, I hosted a Gateway Symposium in Halifax. More than 350 people shared their perspectives on Nova Scotia's role in the Atlantic Gateway.
Nova Scotia is the common sense entry point for goods bound for North America.
The Port of Halifax is the closest mainland port to Europe - a full day closer to northern European markets.
Cargo ships sailing from India and Asia through the Suez Canal are closer to Halifax than any other North American port.
While west coast ports struggle to find capacity, Halifax could easily double its container traffic right now.
The private sector recognizes Nova Scotia's natural advantages, too.
For proof, look no further than the Strait of Canso..where Melford International Terminal Incorporated plans to build a 325 million-dollar container facility.
Enticing global trading partners with Nova Scotia's easy-access is one thing. Distributing the cargo they bring is another.
Railways will be a key component as will Nova Scotia's network of highways and roads.
My government is already dedicating one-hundred percent of gasoline tax revenue to road construction, repair and improvement.
But it's not enough.
The federal government must recognize the vital link Nova Scotia's roads and highways provide the national transportation system.
They are the first point of contact for goods that arrive in Nova Scotia ports bound for Ontario.
Putting tax dollars toward smooth trade routes and safe roads is money well spent.
The federal budget delivered last March includes a 2.1 billion-dollar commitment to develop Gateway Infrastructure over the next seven years.
The Nova Scotia government intends to capitalize on that. We're working with the other Atlantic Provinces, ACOA, Transport Canada and the private sector to develop a Gateway Strategy Action Plan.
Of course, better roads and expanded rail service mean nothing without customers travelling them.
The 12-thousand members of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce represent the best this region has to offer: ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity.
Government has a responsibility to create a climate that allows those qualities to flourish.
In Nova Scotia, we've already started. Our first move - is to get out of the way.
The only thing that frustrates business more than taxes is red tape. Nova Scotia's Better Regulations Initiative will cut the paperwork burden on businesses by twenty percent over the next three years.
We're also helping small and medium enterprises gain the skills they need to enter the global marketplace with our Exportability Program.
We also took steps in this year's budget to improve Nova Scotia's business climate. We lowered personal income tax, cut the Large Corporation Capital Tax and reduced the debt.
Nova Scotia is in the right place at the right time. Now we need to work on keeping and attracting our most valuable resource. People.
Atlantic Canada's population is declining at an alarming rate. Within five years it's estimated the region's death rate will surpass our birth rate.
That's why my government is focussing on the four “R's”: retention, recruitment, re-training and repatriation.
We're doing a good job keeping graduates from our eleven universities and community college programs.
A recent survey found 89 percent of university graduates in Nova Scotia stay in Nova Scotia. The highest retention rate in the region. Clearly - these students know they have a promising future in this province.
We're building on that promise - by doubling the Graduate Tax credit this year.
Nova Scotia's Come to Life campaign is actively reaching out to expatriates. Reminding them they don't have to sacrifice lifestyle to make a living. Real opportunities exist right here at home.
But we can't stop there.
We must work together on a progressive, effective immigration strategy.
Nova Scotia's Immigration Settlement Program Fund helps our newest citizens feel permanently at home by supporting non-profit, grass-roots community organizations across the province.
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program matches professional immigrants to mentors in the business community.
Attracting and keeping the next generation of skilled workers is a shared responsibility of government and business.
There's another responsibility government and business share - sustainability. Growth cannot come at the expense of the planet or its people.
Nova Scotia's Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act - proclaimed one week ago - recognizes that a healthy environment contributes to a healthy economy.
The act includes twenty targets that will make Nova Scotia a leader in the Green Economy by 2020.
Now, while we're on the subject of responsibility, let me come back to that federal budget I mentioned just a moment ago.
Killing the Atlantic Accord will undermine our efforts to create the kind of climate that allows businesses like yours to flourish.
Make no mistake - Stephen Harper's budget alters the hard-fought signed agreement that protects current and future offshore revenues from equalization clawbacks.
An agreement five years in the making.
Won, in large part, because of former Premier John Hamm's quiet strength, perseverance and integrity. I will not allow his legacy and Nova Scotia's future to be traded for political support in Ontario.
On March 19th, budget day, I was left with two choices. Come out swinging..maybe connect on a few punches..but risk boxing Nova Scotia into a corner.
I chose, instead, to continue in the tradition of the original Campaign for Fairness.
To calmly and rationally explain - again - why the Atlantic Accord is essential to breaking free of our perceived have-not status.
In this room full of self-made women and men, I ask you : Would you walk away from a five year investment of time and energy that resulted in a signed contract? Would you compromise your future success for easy-money today?
No. You wouldn't.
But I don't have to convince the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce of the value of the Atlantic Accord.
You already know it will help pay off provincial debt and aid our efforts to build the New Nova Scotia. A province that is a globally competitive leader in the green economy and a safe place that can afford the kind of social programs that ensure no Nova Scotian is left behind as we work toward a better future.
This government - our citizens - need your influential voice.
Twelve thousand members of the business community can't be wrong.
Tell Members of Parliament and Senators across this country how important the Atlantic Accord is to you.
Remember..it's not just Nova Scotia's name on that contract..it's Canada's.
A country that respects the law and the right of hard-working citizens to improve their lives.
If Canada breaks its word to Nova Scotia..who's next?
So raise your voice, join me in telling Jim Flaherty and Stephen Harper,"not one penny less."
Thank you.