HANSARD 03/04-47
DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS
Speaker: Honourable Murray Scott
Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer.
Available on INTERNET at http://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/hansard-debates/
Annual subscriptions available from the Office of the Speaker.
First Session
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE | |||
| PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS: | ||||
| Bill No. 62: Clause 46 - Withdraw, Mr. G. Steele | 3771 | |||
| VLTs - Ban, Mr. S. McNeil | 3772 | |||
| Energy: Fuel Regulations - Introduce, Mr. B. Taylor | 3772 | |||
| Tourism - Sherbrooke Village: Cutbacks - Concern, Mr. S. McNeil | 3772 | |||
| TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS: | ||||
| Votes for Women, A Political Guidebook, Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 3772 | |||
| GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION: | ||||
| Res. 1767, Miller, Cst. Bruce: Death of - Tribute, (by Hon. M. Baker), | ||||
| The Speaker | 3773 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3773 | |||
| Res. 1768, Econ. Dev. - Design Requirements Manual: Changes - | ||||
| Commend, Hon. E. Fage | 3773 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3774 | |||
| Res. 1769, MacIsaac, Rosemary & Mac: Success - Commend, | ||||
| Hon. Rodney MacDonald | 3774 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3775 | |||
| STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS: | ||||
| Women, Status of - Politics: Women - Encourage, | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 3775 | |||
| INTRODUCTION OF BILLS: | ||||
| No. 82, Halifax Regional Water Commission Act, Mr. G. Hines | 3777 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION: | ||||
| Res. 1770, Better Newspaper Awards: Recipients - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. D. Dexter | 3777 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3778 | |||
| Res. 1771, Cons. Party (Can.): Farmers/Consumers - Interests Prioritize, | ||||
| Mr. S. McNeil | 3778 | |||
| Res. 1772, TPW: Roadway Safety - Encourage, Mr. R. MacKinnon | 3779 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3779 | |||
| Res. 1773, Isenor, Angela: Newspaper Award - Congrats., Mr. B. Taylor | 3779 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3780 | |||
| Res. 1774, Sports: Astral Dr. JHS Badminton Team - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. K. Deveaux | 3780 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3781 | |||
| Res. 1775, MS Super Cities Walk: Yarmouth Organizers - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. W. Gaudet | 3781 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3782 | |||
| Res. 1776, Williams, Aleta - New Glasgow Cultural | ||||
| Heritage Award (2004), (by Hon. J. Muir), The Premier | 3782 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3783 | |||
| Res. 1777, Giles, Steve: Sports Career - Congrats., Ms. M. More | 3783 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3783 | |||
| Res. 1778, States, Sheila: Career/Retirement - Congrats., Mr. K. Colwell | 3784 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3784 | |||
| Res. 1779, St. Thomas Anglican Church (Fall River) - | ||||
| Consecration Serv., Mr. G. Hines | 3784 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3785 | |||
| Res. 1780, N.S. Co-Operative Coun.: Growth - Congrats., | ||||
| Ms. M. Raymond | 3785 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3786 | |||
| Res. 1781, Sports - Berwick Tae Kwon Do Club: Coach/Medal Winners - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. L. Glavine | 3786 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3787 | |||
| Res. 1782, Harvey, Gordon: Teaching Excellence - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 3787 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3787 | |||
| Res. 1783, Pictou Co. Curl for Cancer: Participants - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. C. Parker | 3788 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3788 | |||
| Res. 1784, N.S. Nature Trust - Fields Bros.: Donation - Thank, | ||||
| Mr. Gerald Sampson | 3788 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3789 | |||
| Res. 1785, Williams, Ronald "Butch": Coach of Yr. - | ||||
| Truro Sport Her. Soc., Hon. J. Muir | 3789 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3790 | |||
| Res. 1786, Kings West MLA - Fed. Gas Taxes: Hwy. No. 101 Usage - | ||||
| Request, Mr. G. Gosse | 3790 | |||
| Res. 1787, Health - Queens Gen. Hosp.: Recruitment - Commend, | ||||
| Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) | 3791 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3791 | |||
| Res. 1788, Bridgewater Bulletin: Newspaper Award - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 3792 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3792 | |||
| Res. 1789, EMS Wk. (05/16-05/22/04) - Recognize, | ||||
| Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) | 3792 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3793 | |||
| Res. 1790, Health - Gov't. (Can.): Pub. Health Role - Acknowledge, | ||||
| Mr. W. Gaudet | 3793 | |||
| Res. 1791, Sports - East. Pass. Educ. Ctr. - Wrestling Championship, | ||||
| Mr. K. Deveaux | 3794 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3795 | |||
| Res. 1792, Morrison Jr. HS: Cheerleaders - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) | 3795 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3795 | |||
| Res. 1793, Hatt, Donna - Lighthouse Rte. Award, Hon. M. Baker | 3796 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3796 | |||
| Res. 1794, Clark, Sharon/Black, Paul: Parenthood - Congrats., | ||||
| Ms. M. More | 3796 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3797 | |||
| Res. 1795, Environ. & Lbr. - Basalt Mining: North Mtn. - | ||||
| Moratorium, Mr. L. Glavine | 3797 | |||
| Res. 1796, Gov't. (Can.) - Funding: Can. Data - Collect, | ||||
| Mr. B. Taylor | 3798 | |||
| Res. 1797, Fire Services Exemplary Serv. Medal: Recipients - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. G. Gosse | 3799 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 3799 | |||
| HOUSE RESOLVED INTO CWH ON BILLS AT 2:51 P.M. | 3800 | |||
| HOUSE RECONVENED AT 3:12 P.M. | 3800 | |||
| CWH REPORTS | 3800 | |||
| PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING: | ||||
| No. 64, Capital Regional Transportation Authority Act | 3800 | |||
| Mr. J. Pye | 3800 | |||
| Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) | 3814 | |||
| Adjourned debate | 3816 | |||
| PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: | ||||
| Law Amendments Committee, Hon. R. Russell | 3816 | |||
| HOUSE RESOLVED INTO CWH ON BILLS AT 4:13 P.M. | 3817 | |||
| HOUSE RECONVENED AT 4:14 P.M. | 3817 | |||
| CWH REPORTS | 3817 | |||
| ADJOURNMENT, House rose to meet again on Tue., May 18th at 12:00 noon | 3818 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3): | ||||
| Res. 1798, Grand Pré: UNESCO World Heritage Site - | ||||
| Designation Support, Mr. M. Parent | 3819 | |||
| Res. 1799, East. Marine Army Cadet Corps. (2741) - | ||||
| Ceremonial Review Awards, Mr. W. Dooks | 3819 | |||
| Res. 1800, Springhill Army Cadets (1859) - | ||||
| Ceremonial Review Awards, The Speaker | 3820 | |||
| Res. 1801, Best, Josh - RRFB Award, The Speaker | 3820 | |||
| Res. 1802, Cape Chignecto Prov. Pk. - CNTA Award, The Speaker | 3821 | |||
| Res. 1803, Joggins Fossil Cliffs: UNESCO World Heritage Site - | ||||
| Designation List, The Speaker | 3821 | |||
| Res. 1804, Johnson, John: SystemCare Franchise - Ownership Congrats., | ||||
| The Speaker | 3822 | |||
| Res. 1805, Odlin, Alexander - RRFB Award, The Speaker | 3822 | |||
| Res. 1806, Oxford Army Cadets (2553) - Ceremonial Review Awards, | ||||
| The Speaker | 3823 | |||
| Res. 1807, Oxford Frozen Foods - Ammonia Leak: Response - Congrats., | ||||
| The Speaker | 3824 | |||
| Res 1808, Oxford Save Easy Kidney Fdn. - Appreciation Plaque, | ||||
| The Speaker | 3824^^ | |||
HALIFAX, MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004
Fifty-ninth General Assembly
First Session
2:00 P.M.
SPEAKER
Hon. Murray Scott
DEPUTY SPEAKERS
Mr. James DeWolfe, Ms. Joan Massey, Mr. Russell MacKinnon
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will begin the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.
MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition, signed by 108 members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union. The operative part of the petition reads as follows: "Therefore be it resolved that we, the undersigned, call on the Hamm government to withdraw Clause 46 of Bill 62 in favour of an extensive round of discussions with NSGEU and CUPE that will conclude by the end of 2004 about longer-term solutions to the funding problems of the Plan and the possibility of joint governance or trusteeship." I have affixed my signature thereto.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable member for Annapolis.
3771
MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition to the Nova Scotia Government re video lottery terminals. The operative clause is, "THEREFORE we respectfully request the Government of the Province (1) to ban Video Lottery Terminals . . . be given training that will enable them to make use of the relevant curriculum materials, to the end that the harm done by gambling may be reduced." I have affixed my signature to that.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition signed by 160-plus Colchester County residents who would like the provincial government to bring in fuel regulations. I have affixed my name to the petition.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable member for Annapolis.
MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition on behalf of the Guysborough and District Women's Institute. The operative clause reads, "We the undersigned hereby express our concern over the cutbacks and layoffs at Sherbrooke Village Restoration, and request your co-operation in assuring us of the continuance of a valuable human asset." I have affixed my signature to that as well.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Human Resources.
HON. CAROLYN BOLIVAR-GETSON: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a book entitled Votes for Women, A Political Guidebook, that was put together by the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
MR. SPEAKER: The document is tabled.
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Justice.
RESOLUTION NO. 1767
HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the honourable member for Cumberland South, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Constable Bruce Miller of the Springhill Police Department lost his life in a motor vehicle accident on May 16, 2004; and
Whereas Constable Miller was a very dedicated and professional young police officer who exhibited all the qualities and strengths of an individual who would be successful in law enforcement, and was a great asset to our community; and
Whereas in the words of Springhill Police Department Chief of Police, Gary Copeland, Constable Miller was a wonderful officer who demonstrated his abilities as a professional officer;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature pause for a moment of silence and pay their respects to the life of Constable Bruce Miller of the Springhill Police Department, and keep in our thoughts and prayers the members of Constable Miller's family, the members of the Springhill Police Department, their families, and the community as it mourns the loss of one of its own.
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.
[One minute of silence was observed.]
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Economic Development.
RESOLUTION NO. 1768
HON. ERNEST FAGE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas supplier development is an ongoing and important objective of the Government of Nova Scotia; and
Whereas the provincial Design Requirements Manual has been changed to include Canadian hardwood grading rules, after consultations with local manufacturers; and
Whereas this change will mean that local manufacturers will have an equal opportunity to supply hardwood for gym floors in Nova Scotia's schools;
Therefore be it resolved that all members commend those responsible for this progressive change and welcome the opportunity for local manufacturers in Nova Scotia to provide safe, quality gym flooring for our public schools here in the province.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
[2:15 p.m.]
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 Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
RESOLUTION NO. 1769
HON. RODNEY MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Rosemary and Mac MacIsaac are the owner-operators of MacIsaac Kiltmakers in the beautiful Village of St. Peter's on Cape Breton Island; and
Whereas their family-run business specializes in custom-made kilts, Highland wear and Highland dancing outfits; and
Whereas in the past three years, the MacIsaacs have seen their Canadian sales triple and their international sales grow significantly, due to marketing activities that include customer referrals, on-line web-based sales and brochure distribution;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Rosemary and Mac MacIsaac on their tremendous success, and commend them on creating a product that strengthens the cultural fabric of our province.
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.
Order, please. There's been a request to revert to the order of business, Statements by Ministers.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Human Resources.
MS. CAROLYN BOLIVAR-GETSON: Mr. Speaker, as Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, I wish to speak to you for a few moments. I want to speak to the House about women in elected office. There are 52 members in the Legislature, and only six are women, even though women make up more than half the population of this province. We have the third-lowest representation of women in the Provincial Legislature, third only to Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Simply put, we need more women in elected office, at the provincial level and at all levels of government.
Today, the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women released a guide that encourages women to run for office. It is designed to help women who are interested in politics get involved in the process. It contains tips on fundraising, campaigning and dealing with the media. A copy of it was placed on each member's seat before the session began this afternoon. Women are profoundly affected by decisions made by every order of government, and their voices are needed at the decision-making table for all Nova Scotians.
Mr. Speaker, today I invite all members to take note of the guide placed on their chairs and to encourage women to help build a stronger Nova Scotia by taking part in elected politics and to support them in that endeavour. Thank you. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth South-Portland Valley.
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, the NDP wants to congratulate the Advisory Council on the Status of Women for the publication of this political guidebook, Votes for Women. Our Party certainly supports encouraging more women to run for political office, and we're pleased to represent two-thirds of the women in this Legislature. Our provincial Party, actually, has a policy that encourages us to have 50 per cent of our nominations women, and I'm pleased to say that five of the 11 federal candidates will be women in the upcoming federal election. (Applause)
We certainly support more women in public office. Women are the majority of the population in Canada, and we deserve to be represented at the political levels, where decisions are made about policy, setting priorities and funding. Again, congratulations to the Advisory Council. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Clayton Park.
MS. DIANA WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and to congratulate the Advisory Council on the Status of Women for the work they've done in preparing this book, Votes for Women, and encouraging women to take a more active role in political life in our province. As many of you know, women work hard behind the scenes and what we need to do is translate that further, so that they become elected representatives and are able to influence policy and the plans of the province and the direction that we take. I think it's without question that women have a great deal to offer and a different perspective to offer within this House and in municipal councils and, in fact, in all elected positions.
I would like to note today that our first woman elected to this Legislature was in 1960 and her picture hangs behind me here on the wall - Gladys Porter from Kings North. I think it's important to note that it had taken us from 1918 to 1960 to have our first elected member to this Legislature who was a woman and that, in fact, she blazed a trail for all of us. There's still a lot of improvement that we could make in terms of the representation of women here in the House. I think books and resources like this and the efforts of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women will go a long way to helping women, and especially young women, to look at this as a potential avenue for them to influence the future of our province and to bring their many skills to bear here in making Nova Scotia all that it can be.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on an introduction.
HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring the attention of the House to three distinguished gentlemen in the east gallery from the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and I would ask them to stand up, Mr. Doug Bacon, Mr. Don Cox and Laurence Nason, and I would like you to welcome them. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: We certainly welcome the three special gentlemen to the gallery today and hope they enjoy the proceedings.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 82 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 55 of the Acts of 1963. The Halifax Regional Water Commission Act. (Mr. Gary Hines)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.
RESOLUTION NO. 1770
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas community newspapers have a long and proud tradition of providing information to Nova Scotians; and
Whereas the Atlantic Community Newspaper Association held its annual convention this past weekend in Truro; and
Whereas on Saturday night the Bowater Better Newspaper Awards honoured the best of community newspapers in Atlantic Canada;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House of Assembly thank the hard working and dedicated staff of community newspapers across the province and congratulate the winners of the Better Newspaper Awards.
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 Annapolis.
RESOLUTION NO. 1771
MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Conservative Party of Canada showed its true colours last week when Conservative members of a Commons Agriculture Committee blocked a motion to levy massive fines against two major meat-packing firms suspected of profiting from the mad cow crisis; and
Whereas these Conservative members took the side of a U.S.-owned meat-packing firm instead of the interests of farmers and consumers during the mad cow crisis; and
Whereas the Conservative Party of Canada is playing politics with farm families;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature call on the Conservative Party of Canada to start putting the interests of farmers and consumers first instead of protecting large U.S. corporate interests.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1772
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: There's a saying he who hesitates is lost. Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas this past weekend we were tragically reminded of the importance of road safety when two young Nova Scotians died on our highways; and
Whereas four people have lost their lives this past week in tragic highway accidents; and
Whereas highway safety must be our overriding concern when driving;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House encourage government and all Nova Scotians to do their best in keeping our roadways safe and to express condolences to the families of those persons who have died so tragically in the past week.
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 Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
RESOLUTION NO. 1773
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Atlantic Community Newspapers Association's 32nd annual convention was held in Truro over the weekend; and
Whereas at Saturday evening's Bowater Better Newspaper Awards Banquet, Angela Isenor of the Weekly Press in Enfield placed second out of 31 entries in the Best Use of Process Colour category; and
Whereas community newspapers from across Nova Scotia did exceptionally well in the various award categories;
Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly congratulate Angela Isenor of the Weekly Press for the second place finish in her category and to all publishers, editors, reporters and photographers for their studious work in bringing home the community to 2.2 million Atlantic Canadians every week.
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 Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 1774
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Astral Drive Junior High School has a long tradition of excellence in athletics in both the capital region and at the provincial level; and
Whereas the Badminton Club for Astral Drive Junior High School participated in the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation Badminton Championship on April 23rd and 24th, 2004 in Lower Sackville; and
Whereas at the provincial championships, David Cho and Jason Tibert placed 1st in boys doubles and Jordan Hirtle placed 1st in boys singles and the team finished 2nd in the province;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Coach Barry Black and the Astral Drive Junior High School badminton team on finishing 2nd at the 2004 provincial championships and congratulate David Cho, Jason Tibert and Jordan Hirtle for their 1st place wins at the championship.
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 1775
MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on Sunday, May 30th, the Town of Yarmouth, along with several other communities across Nova Scotia, will be holding a Super Cities Walk for MS, a fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada; and
Whereas the success of the Yarmouth event since it began in 2001 is due in large part to the work of hundreds of participants and volunteers and the tireless efforts of the organizers; and
Whereas in their efforts to make this a fun event for all ages, the organizers have been successful in encouraging the business community to enter teams of participants and to donate door prizes;
Therefore be it resolved that this House send congratulations to Derek and Francine Lesser, the organizers of this year's Super Cities Walk, for creating an enjoyable and worthwhile event that promotes an awareness of the issues facing MS sufferers and provides much-needed support to the MS Society.
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 West on an introduction.
MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a pleasure today to draw the Chamber's attention to the west gallery and introduce two people well known in municipal affairs in Nova Scotia, the Mayor of Berwick, Mr. John Prall and the CAO, Linda Parker. If they could rise and the House give them a warm welcome. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: We certainly welcome our special guests to the gallery today and hope they enjoy the proceedings.
The honourable Minister of Education.
RESOLUTION NO. 1776
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Premier, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Aleta Williams was recognized in April for her contributions towards conserving and promoting the cultural heritage of her community by the Town of New Glasgow with the New Glasgow Cultural Heritage Award of 2004; and
Whereas Ms. Williams was the first indigenous Nova Scotian Black person to be employed with a mainstream media outlet in the province having worked as the Family Editor for the Evening News for many years before retiring in 1998 - she, as the mayor said, has "provided us with a window on our past and a look to the future"; and
Whereas Ms. Williams has also devoted her talents and teachings to numerous community organizations including Big Brother-Big Sisters, YM-YWCA, palliative care at the Aberdeen Hospital, the African United Baptist Association, her local church and other church congregations;
[2:30 p.m.]
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House applaud Ms. Williams for promoting all that is good about her beautiful corner of the world and thank her for being such a tremendous ambassador for the town and its people.
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-Portland Valley.
RESOLUTION NO. 1777
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Steve Giles is a 15-year member of the Canadian National Canoe team and has consistently produced top marks on the international stage; and
Whereas Steve Giles was recognized during Sport Nova Scotia's recent 2004 Sports Awards Ceremony as June Male Athlete of the Month, Male Athlete of the Year in the Sprint Canoe/Kayak category, as well as runner-up for the Male Athlete of the Year; and
Whereas his time in the C-1 1000 metres May 15th in the Montreal trials qualified him for his fourth Olympics this August in Athens;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Steve Giles, resident of Dartmouth South-Portland Valley on his outstanding sports career and wish him well in the upcoming Olympics.
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 1778
MR. KEITH COLWELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas in 1974, Sheila States was hired as a child care worker at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children and for 30 years Sheila States has devoted herself to the care and well-being of the home and the children; and
Whereas throughout her career Sheila States was a dedicated employee who rose in the ranks to assistant supervisor and acting supervisor; and
Whereas Sheila States will be retiring on May 21, 2004 after influencing the lives of several generations of children who desperately needed someone to care;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House acknowledge the incredible contribution of Sheila States to her employer and her province.
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 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.
RESOLUTION NO. 1779
MR. GARY HINES: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas members of the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Fall River held a celebration of their consecration and a Service of Thanksgiving on becoming debt free late this Winter; and
Whereas the Right Reverent Fred Hiltz, Anglican Bishop for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and the Parish Rector, Rev. Michael Mitchell, presided over the celebratory ceremonies; and
Whereas the church service celebrating the elimination of debt featured a number of beautiful hymns, a special presentation by the youth of St. Thomas, the celebration of the Eucharist and a communion service;
Therefore be it resolved that MLAs recognize the parishioners and clergy of St. Thomas Anglican Church of Fall River for the bountiful efforts in preparing their church for services of consecration.
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 Atlantic.
RESOLUTION NO. 1780
MS. MICHEL RAYMOND: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nova Scotia has a long history and a worldwide reputation for its strength and innovation in the co-operatives movement; and
Whereas the credit union, producers, co-operatives and consumers co-operatives have been at the heart of the rural economy for almost a century and now account for $5 billion of capital in the Nova Scotia economy, while employing more then 7,000 Nova Scotians; and
Whereas credit unions have placed more than $8 million of debt in the past year through the Small Business Financing/Loan Guarantee Program;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council on its growing strength and resolve to assist the efforts of the co-operative sector in Nova Scotia as necessary in the coming years.
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 West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1781
MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas six athletes from Berwick's Tae Kwon Do Club competed at the 2004 Junior National Competition on April 24th at the Dartmouth Sportsplex; and
Whereas in the coloured belt division, Christian Vogler and Cody Rowe of Berwick, Ben Plamer of Coldbrook and Thomas Baltzer of Dempsey Corner finished with gold medal standings; and
Whereas these athletes have trained extremely hard under the guidance of coach and trainer Greg Durling;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature congratulate coach and trainer Greg Durling and the gold medal winners on the excellent achievement for this young club.
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 Human Resources.
RESOLUTION NO. 1782
HON. CAROLYN BOLIVAR-GETSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas generating student interest in the subject of science is a very important educational goal; and
Whereas excellence in teaching science as a subject is essential to creating student interest; and
Whereas Mr. Gordon Harvey, a science teacher at Hebbville Academy, Lunenburg County, for over 30 years, has been selected as the Lunenburg County science teacher to be honoured by the Department of Education for 2004;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize Mr. Gordon Harvey for his excellence and dedication to his profession in general and teaching science in particular.
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 Pictou West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1783
MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Pictou County Curl for Cancer event held on February 27, 2004, was a resounding success; and
Whereas the Pictou/New Caledonia Curl for Cancer raised more than $16,000 thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and donors; and
Whereas the Pictou County Curl for Cancer Committee has been selected by the Canadian Cancer Society to receive the 2004 Circle of Distinction Award for outstanding leadership and dedication;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate everyone involved with the Pictou County Curl for Cancer event and thank them for their continued contributions.
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 Victoria-The Lakes.
RESOLUTION NO. 1784
MR. GERALD SAMPSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Purcells Cove was added to Nova Scotia's inventory of natural attractions on Sunday, May 16th; and
Whereas this 12 hectare tract of land was donated to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, which is a conservation charity dedicated to protecting outstanding natural areas on private land, by the Fields brothers: Roger, Nigel, Kenneth, Peter, Robert, Christopher and Nicholas; and
Whereas the parcel of land has been a popular area for hikers and swimmers for many years and now will be protected for the enjoyment of future generations;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and thank the Fields brothers for their generous donation to the people 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.
RESOLUTION NO. 1785
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Ronald "Butch" Williams was honoured as 2003 Coach of the Year at the 20th Annual Truro Sport Heritage Society Awards dinner; and
Whereas Butch Williams has been coaching track since 1991, and his philosophy is to make his student athletes better by promoting self-esteem and dedication, as well as improving their skills; and
Whereas six of his student athletes went to the Canadian Legion National Championships and won 11 medals;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Ronald "Butch" Williams on being named 2003 Coach of the Year by the Truro Sport Heritage Society and thank him for his commitment to improving all facets of the student athletes with whom he works.
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 Nova.
RESOLUTION NO. 1786
MR. GORDON GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas in 1975 Liberal Finance Minister John Turner introduced a two cent per litre gasoline excise tax; and
Whereas in 1995 Liberal Finance Minister Paul Martin upped this tax to 10 cents per litre; and
Whereas on January 1, 2004, the Liberal Government saw fit to give its corporate friends, including big oil companies, a $4.4 billion tax break;
Therefore be it resolved that the member for Kings West should use his valuable time to write his Liberal cousins in Ottawa asking them to spend billions of dollars they have taken from consumers through ever-increasing gasoline taxes on the twinning of dangerous Highway No. 101 in his constituency.
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 Glace Bay.
RESOLUTION NO. 1787
MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a strong regional and community hospital network throughout our province will ensure that Nova Scotians receive much-needed health care services close to home; and
Whereas on Wednesday May 12, 2004, the honourable member for Kings West encouraged government to begin advertising for the upcoming vacant anesthesiologist position at Queens General Hospital; and
Whereas as a result of questioning, a vacancy for this very position appeared on both the government and the South Shore DHA Web site on Thursday May 13, 2004;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House acknowledge and commend the actions of government for beginning the recruitment process and wish both the Department of Health and the South Shore DHA all the best for a successful recruitment effort.
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 Human Resources.
RESOLUTION NO. 1788
HON. CAROLYN BOLIVAR-GETSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Bridgewater Bulletin takes second place to no one when it comes to informing local residents of current affairs; and
Whereas the Bulletin staff shone brightly Saturday evening at the Atlantic Community Newspapers Awards Banquet in Truro as they placed in the top three in 17 of the 35 categories of award winners; and
Whereas the Bulletin took home eight 1st place finishes in the categories of Best Community Service, Best Computer Generated Issue, Best Graphically Designed Ad, Best Overall Ad, Best Use of Processed Colour, Best News Story, Best Circulation Promotion and Overall General Excellence in Class 3 of the awards category;
Therefore be it resolved that MLAs applaud the incredible work ethic of the Bridgewater Bulletin and wish them nothing but continued success.
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 1789
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas May 16th to May 22nd is EMS Week in Nova Scotia and throughout North America; and
Whereas paramedics are recognized for their continued commitment and contribution to society; and
Whereas this week promotes their profession to the communities they serve and the patients they treat with open houses and a provincial public service announcement campaign;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House recognize May 16th to May 22nd as EMS Week and thank all paramedics and EMS workers in Nova Scotia for their commitment to the profession and for the sacrifice they make in delivering health care in 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 Leader of the Liberal Party.
RESOLUTION NO. 1790
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 federal government in its 2004 budget, began the process of creating the Canadian Public Health Agency; and
Whereas the Canadian Public Health Agency will focus on the management of infectious disease, emergency response and chronic disease; and
Whereas today the federal government announced that Halifax will be the home to one of six regional centres which will specifically focus on the relationship between social issues and public health;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House acknowledge the role the federal government is playing in improving and enhancing the agenda of public health in both our province and throughout our country.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled. (Interruptions)
The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 1791
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Eastern Passage Education Centre has a strong tradition of excellent athletic teams and has become a formidable force in junior high school athletics in its short history;
Whereas at the recent Nova Scotia Athletic Federation Wrestling Championship Eastern Passage Education Centre won its fifth championship title for junior males, placed third in the intermediate female division, missing a banner by three points; and
Whereas Eastern Passage Education Centre won seven individual gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals at the championship;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate the Eastern Passage Education Centre wrestling team on winning its fifth straight junior boys championship and thank coach Derek Bridgehouse, assistant coaches Cherise Sheppard and Brian Gowan, manager Maureen Ebsary and all the parents, especially Mr. And Mrs. Zwicker and Mrs. Jakeman for their support and Chrisitan Maillet, Adrian White, David Jakeman, Travis England, Patrick Mullen, Chris Jackson and Carolyn Walsh on winning the provincial championship in their weight class.
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 Glace Bay.
RESOLUTION NO. 1792
MR. DAVID WILSON(Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Morrison Junior High School Cheerleaders have had a successful year winning a total of eight championships; and
Whereas in their effort to instill pride and build morale at Morrison Junior High School in Glace Bay, this group of students have worked extremely hard, along with coach Ruth MacAulay, to reach their goals; and
Whereas recently this group of dedicated students captured the Cape Breton Highland Championships;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this Legislature congratulate the Morrison Junior High School cheerleaders for their successful season.
[2:45 p.m.]
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 1793
HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the South Shore Tourism Association Lighthouse Route Award is granted annually to a group, organization or business that has contributed to the quality of a visitor's experience in the area; and
Whereas Donna Hatt has been involved with promoting the South Shore, through tourism, for 14 years; and
Whereas Donna has been chosen by the South Shore Tourism Association as the Lunenburg County recipient of the 2004 Lighthouse Route Award in recognition of her contribution to tourism on the South Shore of Nova Scotia;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly congratulate Donna Hatt on receiving the 2004 South Shore Tourism Association Lighthouse Route Award for Lunenburg County, and thank her for her promotion of the South Shore as a tourist destination.
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-Portland Valley.
RESOLUTION NO. 1794
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Paul Black has won friends on all sides of this House during his years of work for the NDP caucus; and
Whereas Paul Black's skills and dedication were recognized when he was elected President of the Acadia Students Union, and when he was employed as a Cabinet Communications Officer for the Government of Manitoba; and
Whereas Paul Black and his wife, Sharon Clark, became the proud parents of Liam Francis Clark-Black on Friday, May 14, 2004;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Sharon Clark and Paul Black on the birth of their first child, Liam Francis, and extend best wishes for all the joys of parenthood to Sharon and Paul.
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 West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1795
MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Clean Annapolis River Project is a charitable, non-governmental organization created to work with communities and organizations to foster the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the freshwater and marine ecosystems of the Annapolis River Watershed in southwestern Nova Scotia; and
Whereas the importance of the basalt deposits on the North Mountain to surface and groundwater recharge in the Annapolis Valley is part of a study being conducted by the Geological Survey of Canada on the quality and quantity of water resources in the region;
Therefore be it resolved that the Province of Nova Scotia immediately impose a moratorium on all basalt mining on the North Mountain, from Briar Island to Cape Split.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
Order. Order, please. There's too much noise in the Chamber. The Clerks can't hear what's being read. If the honourable members have to talk, I would ask them to take their conversations outside, please.
The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
RESOLUTION NO. 1796
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the federal Environment Department is spending $50,000 to discover how much methane cows release when they belch; and
Whereas the federal department estimates that 3 per cent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are the responsibility of cattle; and
Whereas this estimate is based on data collected in other countries that governments believe is inaccurate;
Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia House of Assembly encourage Ottawa to get more accurate information before spending any more of Canadian's hard-earned tax dollars on cattle belches.
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 Cape Breton Nova.
RESOLUTION NO. 1797
MR. GORDON GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1985 to honour full-time and volunteer members of the Canadian Fire Services; and
Whereas on March 20, 2004, at the South Bar Fire Hall, Gary Tatlock, John Tatlock, Wayne Pinhorn, Jerry Landry and Tom Jones were presented with this prestigious award for 20 years of distinguished service in the firefighter profession; and
Whereas their duties are far from ordinary, ranging from fighting fires, performing rescues, and teaching fire prevention;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this Legislative Assembly congratulate Gary Tatlock, John Tatlock, Wayne Pinhorn, Jerry Landry and Tom Jones on their Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals and for their dedication and service beyond the call of duty in helping preserve the security of 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.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
MR. SPEAKER: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
[2:51 p.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. James DeWolfe in the Chair.]
[3:12 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Murray Scott, resumed the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and considered the following bill:
Bill No. 26 - Health Protection Act.
and the chairman has been instructed to recommend this bill to the favourable consideration of the House with certain amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read for a third time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Public Bills for Second Reading.
PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 64.
Bill No. 64 - Capital Region Transportation Authority Act.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth North, you have about 51 minutes.
MR. JERRY PYE: Mr. Speaker, I might make the attempt to complete the 51 minutes, and maybe I might even go into hoist since no bills have been moved into hoist yet this session of the Legislature. Then we could continue on in even greater debate, but that will be for future consideration, after I finish with my talk on Bill No. 64.
When I had adjourned debate on Friday, May 14th, I was talking about His Worship Mayor Peter Kelly's interest and concern in connecting with unused CN rail to bring in high-speed rail transport to reduce the traffic and the congestion that exists on the Bedford Highway and to bring the Bedford population, who work within the downtown core of Halifax, and to bring commuters to the downtown core of Halifax, as well, to give them an opportunity to bring about an efficient and effective mode of transportation by addressing that issue of high-speed rail.
Mr. Speaker, I know that this would be an issue that would obviously be addressed by the new Capital Transportation Authority, but since we don't know how far away that is down the road, I want to speak a little bit about it because I do know that the mayor had had conversations with VIA Rail with respect to the unused rail lines that exist between Bedford and Halifax, and what mode of rail transportation could, in fact, be accommodated on those rail services that are now available.
Apparently, from what I hear - and I only hear this through the grapevine and through some talk that comes by way of media press - that in fact this is rather expensive, and it would take a great deal of research and work, to see if it would actually address the real problems of traffic in the downtown core of Halifax and in the outlying areas where there appears to be some substantial growth taking place. Having said that, looking at that as one mode of transportation that needs to be seriously considered, think how advantageous that would be to reducing at least the traffic flow in the Halifax area.
[3:15 p.m.]
One can only imagine expanding upon that and looking at the Armdale Rotary with respect to how one addresses that particular issue and if, in fact, that would be another issue that would be addressed by the Capital Transportation Authority. That issue might require a subway line or an underground tunnel, some other form or mode of transportation that would link up Herring Cove, Peggys Cove, Highway No. 102 with respect to the pedestrian traffic. I do remember, Mr. Speaker, out there at one time, and I don't know if it still is, but I do know that it was such a serious problem that there used to be a place where people could put their cars. There was a car pool, they would put their cars in this particular spot, going out towards Timberlea and then they would use public transit to come in. The whole mode of public transit, in itself is such a comprehensive issue that really needs full discussion.
I do remember that when public transit was, in fact, funded and I do know the honourable Minister of Transportation and Public Works is very much aware of this because he has been around for a long time, prior to service exchange in 1995 that, in fact, public transit, in the metro area, was funded three ways. Public transportation was (1) funded by the municipality; (2) funded by what was then called the Metropolitan Authority, and I do know the former Mayor of Bedford would be very much aware of that; and (3) through a percentage through the fare boxes and that percentage was to be at least 40 per cent in order
to make those transit routes viable routes and that, in fact, public transit would then be provided to those areas.
That in itself through service exchange fell away because the municipalities were so intent on the provincial government taking over what was called then people services, community services and the like, and there would be a service exchange with respect to those particular issues. One of the real issues was with respect to public transit. Since then, and I certainly would hope that if this regional transportation authority is given the power and the mandate, because we really don't know, Mr. Speaker, yet, we don't know what the composition is, who's going to be the chairman, what's its mandate is going to be or anything of that nature so I would hope that if, in fact, the Transportation Authority came into being that it would look at public transportation as a crucial issue.
In my opinion, and it's only my opinion, as a former member of council, and as a member sitting here in this Legislative Assembly that since public transit has been taken over - and I can only speak for the Halifax region, the Halifax Regional Municipality - that in fact public transportation for many years has gone downhill. Public transportation has not kept up with respect to being innovative, with respect to being a number-one priority of the Halifax Regional Municipality. That in itself, Mr. Speaker, is another mode of public transportation which really has to be considered.
We also, in Halifax, because we have such a huge harbour and we have an international harbour that is recognized and because of the international seaport traffic that takes place in Halifax Harbour, we have two ferries crossing the harbour. We have one crossing at the Woodside section and one crossing at the downtown Dartmouth section. Both of those ferries bring commuters to and from their places of employment, their homes and they also bring them into be consumers, consumers crossing to the Halifax side and so on. So it's very important to make sure that this is intertwined and joined with other modes of public transportation.
That, again, Mr. Speaker, would have to be one of those issues in which the Capital Transportation Authority - and I sometimes say, the regional transportation authority and that's wrong, it's actually the Capital Region Transportation Authority, because the region could be quite expansive. As a matter of fact, the minister has brought to my attention that the electoral boundaries of Halifax Regional Municipality are, in fact, the defined boundaries on which the Capital Region Transportation Authority will have the jurisdiction in which to work.
That goes all the way from Ecum Secum to Hubbards, and in land mass is larger than Prince Edward Island; as a matter of fact, one-third of the total population in Prince Edward Island is only that of the Halifax Regional Municipality. I understand under the new census that there are some 400,000 people living in the Halifax Regional Municipality. I would say that's a result of people out-migrating from small rural communities because of the lack of
community economic development, people moving from even larger centres into Halifax because of the expansive growth in the marketplace and the employment opportunities - all of which has an effect on transportation and the modes of transportation.
So that has a tremendous burden on public transportation and I go back to the ferry system. Because of the substantial subdivision growth within the defined electoral boundaries of the Dartmouth area, there is now a huge number of people coming back and forth on the ferries and using public transit.
I think one of the important roles of the Capital Transportation Authority would be making public transit king. When we talk about the high price of gasoline - and I want to go back to that, Bill No. 79 was debated in the House on Friday, giving two-day notification and so on with respect to gasoline - the high cost of gasoline will dictate to the Capital Region Transportation Authority what modes of transportation, what needs to be there and the efficient modes of transportation that will be needed.
I said that I was quite impressed with my trip to Boston and that's the only bit I know about or the only real knowledge that I have with respect to transportation authorities. I do know I said this earlier, but I was quite impressed with how things worked. The transportation services in Boston weren't done by the Boston or Capital Transportation Authority, they were done by the state. It was called the Massachusetts Transportation Authority. They looked at the modes of transportation in all the major cities and towns across the state, and it was quite something to be able to leave your hotel room, get on a public transit bus, take a ticket, and then take that same ticket, walk down the subway and take a subway into the heart of downtown Boston.
It's incredible. The Americans have a unique way of knowing about everything and the importance of it, and when I drove through the Sumner Tunnel, the cab driver had said to me that this was a toll tunnel, that it was so many feet below sea level, it was so long - the measurements I can't tell you today because that was a few years back. Nonetheless, it was these kinds of links that the transportation authority was able to deal with. These kinds of links which made possible my ability to travel from one end of that city to the other with general ease - I can't say that for the capital region of Nova Scotia. If we look at the capital region of Nova Scotia as being that of the electoral boundary of HRM, then we have an awful lot of work to do. We have a lot of work to do around how we address transportation.
Another very important issue - and I do know that the Capital Transportation Authority might have the mandate, but it certainly doesn't have a mandate to deal with it now - and one that always concerned me was the marshalling yards in Dartmouth. The marshalling yards in Dartmouth on the downtown waterfront take away from some of the most beautiful opportunities to develop the Dartmouth waterfront in a way that would complement that of the Halifax side of the harbour.
No more would people have to come across the Dartmouth side of the harbour to say they want to see the beautiful Halifax Harbour and look at the lights on the Halifax side, not that we would want that kind of intrusive development over the harbour, but what we would want is some control on the type of development that takes place. As well, we would want to be able to have those marshalling yards moved out of downtown Dartmouth to prevent a hindrance, and the only way I see that being done is by a Capital Transportation Authority that has the teeth and the mandate to craft the innovative transportation schemes that are absolutely necessary.
Mr. Speaker, there's sufficient opportunity for the Capital Transportation Authority to look at that with respect to how that's developed and how we can essentially move populations to and from - not only that, it would also reduce significant costs, because when people start living on waterfronts, they can turn around and certainly use the ferry and so on which would reduce the cost of the bridges and so on once you provide the facilities.
There has been a lot of talk with respect to the development of those marshalling yards. Mr. Speaker, it would be my intent to certainly pressure the Capital Transportation Authority with respect to dealing with those.
Another issue that I talked briefly about on Friday was with respect to the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission. No one knows the role that will be played by the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission. Would that be a duplication of transportation responsibilities? Would the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission be folded into the Capital Transportation Authority? Would there be a need for the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission and the responsible role that it plays?
No one knows that, with respect to this bill, Mr. Speaker; the bill needs to be specifically defined so we know what it is that this bill is talking about. We need to know again, what the mandate will be, what the composition will be, because I do know that when I look at the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission - and both of those bridges happen to be within the constituency that I represent - both of those bridges play a vital link to the commuters of Dartmouth to Halifax, to places of business.
I remember, Mr. Speaker, many years ago when Dartmouth was called the bedroom of Halifax and many people used it only as a residence for the most part, and commuted back and forth by ferry to their places of employment in Halifax. The opening of the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in 1955, I believe it was, the official opening of that bridge, was in fact the day that Dartmouth grew. It was the day when Dartmouth started development and the residential development soon came and accompanying was the commercial development and business as well. Today on that side of the harbour, as a result of the opening up of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge, along with the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, the twin bridges that now go across that harbour, Mr. Speaker, I would say to you, we have, because of that, one
of the largest and the finest industrial parks east of Montreal and that is because of the bridge linkage opening up.
That I hope, Mr. Speaker, is something that the Capital Transportation Authority will look at, the finest industrial business park, I should say, because Burnside is not only an industrial park now, it is actually a business park as well. It certainly has a beautiful campus setting overlooking both Spectacle Lake and Frenchmans Lake which is a beautiful commercial environment - existing within a natural environment which augurs and blends well. There are some beautiful hotels up there. There's one hotel, in particular, that has most recently been built, the Ramada, where commuters can see it as they drive through the 100-Series Highway linking up to the bridge. They can see that and they can certainly see the growth of that industrial park and the fine businesses that are there.
That brings me to the other issue, Mr. Speaker, when we link up the bridge and we link up the streets and the roads and the highway networks, we have to have a plan. There needs to be a plan.
[3:30 p.m.]
That plan must include one of the greatest riches within the metropolitan area, and that's the Burnside Industrial Park. That business park provides to the Halifax Regional Municipality some $28 million in real property taxes. On top of those real property taxes there are businesses that pay grants in lieu of that come out of that area as well, that general vicinity within the defined boundaries of the park.
Mr. Speaker, I should step back a minute, as well, and say that I can't possibly guess how many millions of dollars come in here to this provincial government as a result of business activities in Burnside Industrial Park. The buying of consumer goods, the purchasing of goods, all of which are taxable, puts millions of dollars into this provincial Legislature - that again is why a Capital Transportation Authority with the teeth, with the composition, with the ability to flex muscles, which is not tied to the arm of the provincial government, which is not tied to the arm of the municipal government, but an independent authority that allows a body to do its work to address these very real issues.
Today as I stand in this Legislative Assembly talking about a Capital Transportation Authority I do know that members on the government side have been talking about toll highways. I do know that a member on the government has been speaking before the Burnside Commission with respect to a toll highway, Mr. Speaker. They do have the right to speak to anyone with respect to their thoughts and their ideas. That's not the intent here. The intent here is that we hope that under the current government that they are not the messengers, that they are not the ones that are carrying some message of government that really might be under the cover endorsed, but on the surface is emphatically implied that it's not endorsed.
I do know that I was a bit disappointed in the greater Burnside Commission with respect to it. Some of its members endorsing the requests of a toll highway saying it was a mere 25 cents instead of standing behind their elected officials and saying government, you do the right thing. You put in a road network here because we're generating the revenue, the tax base, the dollars in order for you to provide the services to Nova Scotians like health care, education, community services, transportation and the like. Instead, they turned around and said, because it's only a 25 cent token, without any study, without any plan, without any idea whatsoever what the cost might be and how the private developer is going to be the one to set out the basket to collect the money, without any of that, the greater Burnside Commission and certain members endorsed it.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that the Capital Transportation Authority won't conduct its business that way. As a matter of fact, I'm also told, and I heard this through the grapevine, although I don't know how factual it is, but they're going to be sending out a survey to their members with respect to whether or not they support a toll highway. I did say that I hope that that is a scientific questionnaire. That question on that survey is one that will stand the test of time, one that will show no biases, but one that will truly reflect and as a matter of fact, I would say that there ought to be more than one question, there ought to be a few questions on that survey so as to give a more accurate assessment of what people think.
That, Mr. Speaker, is the role of the Capital Transportation Authority, because the Capital Transportation Authority will in its wisdom determine without government interference at any level what are the priorities with respect to the needs of Nova Scotians with respect to transportation. That will not be as mandated or suggested or a recommendation from the greater Burnside business committee. It won't be as a result of the Province of Nova Scotia, it won't be a result of the Halifax Regional Municipality, but it will be a result of the greater Transportation Authority and the work that they do and the studies that they bring forward with respect to addressing this issue.
I do say to you, Mr. Speaker, that in fact there have been many studies done with respect to transportation needs within the Halifax Regional Municipality. I'm sure that I can't count the number of studies that must have been done by a consulting firm called Porter Dillon. I don't know how many studies they may have done but I do know that there are members of the Halifax Regional Municipality who sit on the government side who certainly debated the issue of transportation in the Halifax Regional Municipality and they probably debated that ad nauseam. That's how much debate has been centered around the issue of transportation in this Halifax Regional Municipality.
I will say to you, Mr. Speaker, regardless of how much debate and how much talk has gone on and how much study has been done, very little in the way of implementing the recommendations of any of those reports, it has been almost negligible. The reason for that, the governments always say that they have to live within their budget and they've got this capital budget and some governments fine tune the capital budget to say that it won't spend
any more than a percentage of the tax revenue that comes forward. That's fair enough, as long as there's a prioritization of the road networks. I see a tremendous role that can be played by the Capital Region Transportation Authority providing once again that it's given the mandate to carry out the role that is essential and needed to provide a commuter network within this capital region.
I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that we talked on the surface with respect to the needs primarily around commuter traffic and the need to move people to and from their places of employment, to move consumers back and forth, to move automotive traffic, but there is also another need, another essential role that needs to played as well, and that's the role played by the transportation of goods. We sit in this Legislative Assembly and we see huge tractor-trailers drive by this Legislative Assembly day in and day out on narrow streets in downtown Halifax that were designed many, many years ago, probably before your time and my time, and yet we try to accommodate the massive transportation needs of commuting goods back and forth.
Because we live on the harbour side of Halifax, we have the container piers, the Fairview container pier at one end and we have the Halifax container pier at the south end all of which move volumes and volumes of consumer goods, goods and services back and forth through the city. Many that have hazardous goods, dangerous goods and goods that come right through our city, as much as they possibly can because there are only certain streets that can take that load, that's something again that the Transportation Authority will look at.
Do we have high speed road networks to accommodate the transportation of goods out of this Halifax Harbour, an ice-free harbour like Halifax, which is trying to promote itself on the international market scene and doing quite well, I should say, for the most part. But we're talking about piggyback rails, we're talking about moving a whole host of consumer goods. We are here in the heart of moving those consumer goods once they come from international destinations around the world.
Mr. Speaker, we often take it for granted when we drive by a tractor-trailer and the trucks and so on and so forth that you know that's moving elsewhere. But we have to know that has a destination and where it goes. We need to know for sure how we're going to flow that kind of commercial consumer traffic. We need to know since we have cut out rail service of transporting consumer goods across this country and rail has taken a back seat to tractor-trailers transporting our goods, we need to know what kind of an effect that has on the existing infrastructure. We do need to know what role that plays in linking up to rail services that transport consumer goods back and forth across the country.
The Capital Transportation Authority, once it has its definition, once it has its mandate, once it has the composition, once it has defined its role, then we may very well be able to do something that's constructive with respect to the transportation of consumer goods. Commerce works on wheels; there's absolutely no question about it. It works on
wheels, whether it's flown in, and the Halifax International Airport, although just outside the boundary of the Halifax Regional Municipality - I believe it's actually in Hants County - has a significant effect. The airport in itself brings in modes of transportation. Again, consumer goods which have to be transported into Halifax where consumers purchase those goods from all across the country.
Mr. Speaker, if I may, am I allowed an introduction during my speech?
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, certainly.
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity. There's an individual who is in the west gallery of the Legislature today. He is a member of the Halifax Regional Municipality and he's a councillor for much of the area I was talking about, and his name is Jim Smith. I'm wondering if he will stand and receive the warm welcome of this House. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: We welcome our special guest to the gallery today. The honourable member for Dartmouth North, you have about 17 minutes left.
MR. PYE: I just want to mention in my speech that it's fitting the regional councillor would be in the Legislative Assembly today listening to this speech on Bill No. 64, the Capital Transportation Authority. He is very much aware of the number of outstanding issues with respect to transportation in and around the Halifax Regional Municipality. As a councillor, he's probably been there and has seen a huge number of debates around this very issue.
The minister in his speech - and I do believe it was in his speech and, if I'm misquoting the minister, the minister will certainly make me aware, the Capital Transportation Authority's role is far more than just simply transportation. The side effects of transportation need to be looked at as well. That's with respect to the building of subdivisions, the size of the subdivisions, the impact they will have on the street and road networks within the regional municipality, and also the impact those subdivisions will have with respect to 100-Series Highways - I've said this earlier, I'll say it again - with respect to national highways . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. There's too much noise in the Chamber. I would ask honourable members to take their conversations outside, please.
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, I must say that for three-quarters of the debate, it was very quiet and I thought that I had the attention of the members of the Legislature, that they were actually engrossed in my speech here today with respect to the Capital Transportation Authority. I have to tell you I was amazed - this is the first time that you asked the Legislature to actually quiet a bit.
I hope that I'm getting the message through to the Minister of Transportation and to those colleagues of the Legislative Assembly of how important it is to have a Capital Transportation Authority, but also how important it is to make sure the role of the Transportation Authority is unsullied, that it doesn't have an arm reaching out from the provincial government, that it doesn't have an arm reaching out from the municipality - that in fact, it has the power to do things on its own. The power, the mandate to set priorities with respect to road networks within HRM, once again the power to put studies - and here is a Transportation Authority that I don't see on the books as having that power.
[3:45 p.m.]
The reason why I see it doesn't have that power, Mr. Speaker, is that there doesn't appear to be any money or funding, or it doesn't say where those dollars will come from: one, to the administration of the authority; two, to prepare any studies or any reports that are needed to validate the transportation needs of the province. When I go on to think about that and how significant this role will be, I certainly hope that it isn't one that hinders the possibility of the formation of a Capital Transportation Authority. I think that it's important that, in fact, the love-in continue with Mayor Peter Kelly and the honourable minister, Ronald Russell, Ronny and Petey as I call them, that that love-in continue to stay there with respect to getting together and, hopefully, come up with an effort to address the issues of transportation.
I certainly hope, Mr. Speaker, that it isn't the kind of dragged-out process that happened with respect to the bill on assessments. The municipality, in its wisdom said, oh, it could do the answers and it would address the issues with respect to the significant increases in the tax rate. It has forestalled, this is four or five years down the road, we had gone through an election on this issue and, again, the government has decided not to step on line. The municipality is always crying about government intervention and the government saying the municipality is not being flexible, that rigidity has set in.
All those things are true, but I will say to you, Mr. Speaker, that Nova Scotians want none of it. Nova Scotians want absolutely none of this. Nova Scotians want, be it the municipal, provincial or federal government, to address their issues. They want their issues addressed and they want to see action taken on it. They don't want to see some justification as to why such an issue is extremely complex and it requires a great deal of study and work. I will tell you that the work has already been done. I do know the honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, the beautiful Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, sat on the Halifax Regional Municipality. He also has a great deal of experience with the trucking association in the province and he knows the demands and the pressures placed upon our highways as a result of transporting goods by the 18-wheelers and the trucks across this province.
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Keep on trucking.
MR. PYE: The honourable member knows, he says keep on trucking, because it's the wheels that drive the engine of the economy, believe it or not. Again, as I say to you, Mr. Speaker, the consumer goods that come in by wheels, whether it's by the flight of an airplane landing its wheels on the soil to bring these goods, whether it's the wheels of the rail train shuffling through towns like Springhill, Amherst, Truro, into the metropolitan area, you name it, it is a mode of transportation that brings the consumer goods. Whether it's by tractor-trailer truck, whatever mode of transportation, it comes here to the capital transportation region, Mr. Speaker. The capital transportation region is where we need to have that kind of autonomy with respect to this authority.
I will say to you, Mr. Speaker, that to be able to stand here and speak on this bill is something that I am quite pleased about. First of all, I didn't believe that I would ever see the day that such a bill would come before the Legislative Assembly. Secondly, I still am hoping that this piece of legislation after being fine-tuned, after we know the mandate - I don't know about my colleagues and maybe I shouldn't say this, but I certainly will have difficulty supporting the bill unless there is some composition in the bill with respect to what kind of a structure this capital authority is going to be.
Mr. Speaker, I'm going to have to know what the mandate of the capital authority is going to be as well, and who is going to be - well, we won't know the name of the chairman, nor should we, but we should know if that chairman is going to be an autonomous chairman,
divorced from government and divorced from municipal government, that these are set in place, that in fact there is the opportunity for this board, when it prioritizes those transportation needs for the Capital Transportation area, gets a thumbs-up from both levels of government instead of political interference that might, in fact, turn away from the very real need for a Capital Region Transportation Authority.
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, would the honourable member be willing to accept a short question?
MR. SPEAKER: Would the honourable member for Dartmouth North accept a question from the member for Cape Breton West?
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member is always open and receptive to a question.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I heard the honourable member indicate, on a number of occasions, that he wanted this, in his view, Capital Region Transportation Authority to be autonomous and severed from the various levels of government, totally independent, if I understood, but yet he was quite adamant against toll highways. I concur on the issue of toll highways, however, if they're going to be self-autonomous, how does he perceive that they will be able to fund themselves if they're going to be severed off, or is he just simply expecting the provincial government to pass on funding to the authority with no checks and balances?
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth North.
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member because I think that's an excellent question. When I said completely autonomous, I meant autonomous with respect to its ability to function, not with respect to its ability to have funding. There would have to be dollars coming both from the provincial and the municipal governments to fund the actions and the works of the Transportation Authority. I certainly hope the honourable member is clear on that. I think he brings an excellent question to the floor of this House. It is a very good question, and it's one that I hope I've answered for the honourable member, that the autonomy and the fact that it has the mandate to deliver, the mandate to be administrative in the fact that it will bring policy and it will bring information forward.
It might very well be that their recommendations might be toll highways, but I would hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Transportation Authority would have some mechanism within it to create public hearings or to allow citizen participation. Any authority without citizen participation can be a dangerous device. I agree with the honourable member on that. But I want to make it perfectly clear that when I speak of autonomy, I speak of autonomy on an administrative level, to be able to administer the policies and the research and the studies and the works that are needed.
Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that there are these two separate issues, one with respect to funding, and that should be decided between the Halifax Regional Municipality, in this particular case, and with respect to the province. I don't know how much time I have, but - about 10 minutes, oh, that's good, because that does give me some ample opportunity. Although this issue has dealt primarily around the Capital Region, and particularly around the electoral boundaries of the Halifax Regional Municipality, and we already know the size of that and everything, there are other parts of this province that ought to have some kind of a transportation authority as well.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss in my talk if I didn't say that although this Bill No. 64 deals primarily with the Halifax region - since there are two major regional municipalities that came into being and that were formed by legislative Acts of this Legislature, that being
the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality - I think there should be some thought and talk about delivering a capital transportation system around Cape Breton Island. I know a couple of years ago, I was down in Cape Breton, and Cape Breton had a major concern with respect to highway transportation that would help develop the economy of Cape Breton Island and so on. There was a need for improved highways, Highway No. 105 needed to be improved, also Highway No. 104 that goes down through St. Peters and into Big Pond and that area. That linkage would have been very good as well because it would have opened up a greater avenue for increased tourism, and an increased economic base along that area which, in fact, would have enhanced the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Although this bill is just here, on paper, and it really doesn't have any solidity or foundation to it, it is here and gives us the opportunity to debate it. Hopefully, when this bill goes back to the Committee on Law Amendments, it goes across the floor and we listen to public debate and public discussion on this bill, I would hope that I would hear from people not only from Cape Breton Island with respect to maybe the possibility of establishing one there if, in fact, this proves beneficial or successful, but I would like to know from the remaining part, within the electoral boundaries of the Halifax Regional Municipality, places like Sheet Harbour, Hubbards, Musquodoboit, Timberlea and those general areas where people have input and those people have the say. As a matter of fact, I would even go so far as to say Ecum Secum, it's actually on the border of Halifax County on the Guysborough side. I grew up in that small fishing village . . .
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton West on a question.
MR. RUSSELL MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I do apologize for interrupting the honourable member's comments but I'm getting mixed signals from the honourable member as to what his position really is. If he could give me some clarification. He has indicated that if the people of a particular community have public meetings and support the idea of a toll road, then that's fine, that's what the transportation authority should abide by. Could he give some clarification on that because it's really confusing?
MR. PYE: Mr. Speaker, again, that's a good question. I will tell the honourable member in this Legislative Assembly that I'm totally opposed to toll highways, there is absolutely no question. The point is this, that does not prevent anyone from putting a study forward and that includes the Capital Region Transportation Authority. Hopefully - through public hearings and debate - it would have some kind of a process by which one would deal with that, but then people would be able to have their say.
A study is quite different with respect to supporting and I want the honourable member to be very much aware of that, as well. If the honourable member is getting mixed messages, it may be because from time to time he shifts his head in a different direction and what goes in one ear is maybe somewhat different than the other ear. I would just say that
that honourable member should put the earphone in, pay close attention and be able to dissect the information that's given to him across this legislative floor in a manner in which he certainly doesn't have to interrupt the Speaker of the Legislature in order to find out the solidity of what's going on.
Mr. Speaker, these are very important issues that are now before this House, particularly on this bill. Like I said, I am pleased with this bill and the minister has brought Bill No. 64 forward, the Capital Region Transportation Authority before the Legislature. I will once again say though, as I have said before, there's a lot of work that needs to be done with respect to this bill, there's a lot of time left, as well. The honourable minister is aware and I'm sure he will be making dutiful notes with respect to those witnesses who come before the Committee on Law Amendments, with respect to those requests and those particular needs that need to be addressed in this bill.
I have to say that I want to dwell on the most important part of this legislation, if it can be, and that's the right of the Capital Region Transportation Authority to be able to do the prioritizing. We often hear members of this Legislative Assembly talk about how prioritizing of roads takes place, and why didn't my road or my street get improved or get repaired - what was the policy? How did we prioritize those issues?
[4:00 p.m.]
There will be a way of defining and prioritizing these particular modes of transportation, these particular road improvements, the particular highways that need to be done - there will be a way of putting those in order. That makes this a significant rule by which the Capital Transportation Authority will take the "meddling" out - if I can use that term - about levels of government from having an active role in the process for political reasons.
It certainly will be enlightening to Nova Scotians to know that at least there is something that they can look forward to, and they will be able to know that it has been a legitimized process and that their particular issue or their street came into being, or highway development or mode of transportation came into being because of need and not political involvement.
As I've said, this is a long road. I've talked about public transportation, the forms and modes of public transportation, high-speed rail, I've talked about subways, the need of ferry transportation, the need for bridge linkage, tunnels, overpasses - I think I've talked about everything that you could possibly imagine that would be under the role of the Transportation Authority.
But I didn't talk about another mode of transportation and that would be a very important role in the Transportation Authority - public transportation such as bicycles. The importance of having rights-of-way for bicycles on the highways and access roads, the importance of making sure that happened if, in fact, there's a specially designed means for motorcycles or specially designed needs for new vehicles that are now coming out . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable member's time has expired.
The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure for me to stand and talk for a brief moment on Bill No. 64, An Act to Establish a Transportation Authority for the Capital Region.
Growing up here in the HRM, in Sackville, part of the Halifax Regional Municipality, transportation is always important, especially with Sackville being on the outside boundaries of the municipality. Many of our residents, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people, a large majority of them travel to the inner core here, into the city. Transportation is always an issue with them. I've heard a lot about it over the last nine months. When it comes to transportation and the need to address it, and the need to upgrade what we have today, they do have some concerns and our caucus has concerns with this bill. Like the good member for Dartmouth North, he mentioned in his remarks about the mandate of the authority and the makeup, or who was going to be on this, the structure of it.
I've had people in my community come up to me and they have questions about when government brings in new legislation, especially when it pertains to transportation, creating a new body - is it needed? Is it going to be an authority that's going to consume a lot of their tax dollars? This is a big issue, especially with the revenue the government takes in today with gasoline taxes, which are on the rise, and the cost of fuel. A lot of people in my community have come to me wondering what is proposed in this bill and I couldn't tell them a whole lot. It's very broad. There's not a lot of information here on what it all entails. In Sackville, we have a large area that uses Metro Transit, for example. Right outside my constituency office I have a depot, or a bus terminal. A lot of people park their cars and get on the buses to come into the city.
I remember going to school at Saint Mary's and still living in Sackville because of the cost involved in living in the city and having to take the public transportation, the buses into the city. It takes a lot of your time. They have improved some over the years. They have increased the routes and the expressway, but I remember an hour and a half, if not longer, for me to come from my home into the city here. The people are concerned it's eating up a lot of their time, the transportation getting in and out of the city. They just want to come to work, put a good day's work in and get home to their families.
So they are concerned a little bit with what this bill doesn't have in it and are really waiting to see what happens and, if this goes to the Law Amendments Committee, what kind of recommendations they see. I encourage people who have come to me - the workers of, say, Metro Transit, I have a lot of residents who work for Metro Transit, and they are concerned with this authority coming into effect and the possibility of maybe reducing the number of jobs. They just don't know. There are a lot of questions, a lot of concerns when we talk about a new authority overseeing transportation because there are a lot of parts to it in HRM and they are only concerned with what the potential or the ramifications of what will happen. I have to agree with them, I would be somewhat concerned if I worked in that field and realizing there's a proposed bill that might change the way things are run in HRM.
Some examples, like the member for Dartmouth North said earlier, going to other cities, even in Canada and down in the States. Toronto, for instance, I was there in October and it's amazing that you can leave your hotel room, get a chit, or pay a toll, get on public transportation, go to a sporting event, go to theatre performances, or festivals, and all you need is that one ticket. You get on there and you know you're going to arrive there. Here, in HRM, it's quite a complex system. If you're coming from Sackville and you want to go to Eastern Passage, I don't even believe you can get that route; if you want to go from downtown Halifax to Dartmouth, you really need to look at what the transportation offers you and then try to figure out what's the best route.
In these larger cities, they've really made an effort in providing important transportation modes for their residents. I hope with the authority, if it is formed, they will really look at what other provinces, other states, other cities, have done to address the issues of transportation. I don't know, Mr. Speaker, if you've noticed coming into the city, you can always tell when there's an event going on because the traffic is unbelievable, both bridges are clogged. Especially the downtown core here, if you see an event at the Metro Centre, it's amazing how quickly our city can get bogged down when there's an event on. If there's an accident, for example, even the people who travel long distances, say to the Valley - I witnessed when that artery in Sackville and Bedford, coming off the Bi-Hi, was cut off for awhile, when we had a propane truck overturn there. It was really a chaotic environment for a day or so when that happened. So I hope that with this authority, or the forming of this, that they will really look at what has been going on around us in other provinces, other regions in our province and in the country.
Another thing that we've heard a lot about over the last several years is a fast commuter train. In my riding, the rails go right through our community. This would be a perfect opportunity to get people from the outer cores into the city quickly, efficiently and at a good cost. I think the people out in my area would really appreciate a serious look at this, but like I said, they are wondering what this whole bill pertains to. I don't have a lot of answers for them reading this, and I hope over the next little while with debating on this and some recommendations from the Law Amendments Committee, I can clarify a little bit more on what their mandate is and the structure of this authority.
The other thing they were wondering is should the government look at creating this authority for the Capital Region, or should we be putting resources into creating a new authority, or should we take those resources and maybe allocate them to the municipality, to HRM to have them look at maybe upgrading some of their modes of transport throughout this area. We have a large area to cover here in HRM, from Ecum Secum to Hubbards. I've travelled throughout the municipality many times and realized the different needs of the different communities when it comes to transportation.
I think that the residents, the people who pay taxes, the people who pay our salaries the people who pay for a lot of the infrastructure that is spent in our province are concerned with - is this really needed at this time or can we transfer or show that our money is better spent somewhere else. We do have some concerns with this, but I look forward to what they say in the Law Amendments Committee, and any amendments to this, and I want to thank you for your time.
Mr. Speaker, I move adjournment of debate on Bill No. 64.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is to adjourn debate on Bill No. 64.
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 Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if I could have the consent of the House to revert to the order of business, Presenting Reports of Committees.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Law Amendments, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bill:
Bill No. 73 - Justice Administration Amendment (2004) Act.
and the committee recommends this bill to the favourable consideration of the House, with certain amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, further to Bill No. 73 being returned from the Law Amendments Committee, I would ask that the House move that bill into the Committee of the Whole House today.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
MR. SPEAKER: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
[4:13 p.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. James DeWolfe in the Chair.]
[4:14 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Murray Scott, resumed the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and considered the following bill:
Bill No. 73 - Justice Administration Amendment (2004) Act.
and the chairman has been instructed to recommend this bill to the favourable consideration of the House, without amendment.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read for a third time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I move the House do now rise to meet again on the morrow at the hour of 12:00 noon. The House will sit from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. The order of business following the daily routine and Question Period will be Public Bills for Second and Third Reading, or Committee of the Whole House. I move the House do now rise.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is the House adjourn until 12:00 noon tomorrow.
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 House adjourned at 4:15 p.m.]
NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)
RESOLUTION NO. 1798
By: Mr. Mark Parent (Kings North)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a cherished Kings County location has made the county's short list to become Canada's newest UNESCO World Heritage site; and
Whereas the Grand Pré National Historic site is one of 10 Canadian sites that will be presented to the United Nations for approval for World Heritage designation over the next 10 years; and
Whereas the chairman of the Société Promotion Grand Pré, Mr. Jean Claude Roy and his fellow society members are working hard to promote this site that holds so much meaning to those, from around the world, with Acadian heritage;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House join me in extending our support to Mr. Jean Claude Roy and all the members of the Société Promotion Grand Pré in their efforts to have Grand Pré recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage site.
RESOLUTION NO. 1799
By: Mr. William Dooks (Eastern Shore)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas for 41 years the 2741 Eastern Marine Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Musquodoboit Harbour, has trained cadets in marksmanship, biathlon, orienteering and other skills; and
Whereas the Corps held its Annual Ceremonial Review this past weekend where more than 20 awards were presented to dedicated and hard-working young people for a variety of skills and achievements; and
Whereas the Corps set an all-time record with 10 cadets passing the very challenging National Star Certification Examination;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate all the award recipients of the 41st Annual Ceremonial Review of the 2741 Eastern Marine Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Musquodoboit Harbour.
RESOLUTION NO. 1800
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Annual Ceremonial Review was held for the 1859 Springhill Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and
Whereas the following cadets received special recognition: Best Dressed Cadet on Parade went to Raven Lynds; Male Physical Fitness Award went to Nicholas White; Female Physical Fitness Award went to Rebecca Nelson; Open Marksmanship Plaque went to David Ferguson; Best First Year Cadet went to Michael Mitchell; Leadership Award went to Erica Steeves; The Arnold Harrison Memorial Trophy went to Allan Ferguson; and the LCol Dickson Junior Marksmanship Award was presented to Michael Mitchell;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the 1859 Springhill Royal Canadian Army Cadets on these outstanding awards and wish them continued success in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1801
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas during National Waste Reduction Week, RRFB Nova Scotia, along with the province's 55 municipalities organized the province-wide Nova Scotia Recycles Contest; and
Whereas students from all grade levels participated in the contest; this year, over 6,000 contest entries were received and more than $28,000 in prizes were awarded to schools and students; and
Whereas in the Grades 4-6 category for Toys from Trash, Josh Best from Oxford Regional Elementary School was the winner;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Josh Best on winning this prize in his category and wish him all the best in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1802
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Cape Chignecto Provincial Park added another award to an already crowded trophy case when it was presented with the Central Nova Tourist Association's Attraction Award for 2003; and
Whereas Cape Chignecto was opened in 1998, being Nova Scotia's newest and largest provincial park, containing over 4,200 hectares of pristine coastline, old growth forests, rare plants and outstanding geological features; and
Whereas Cape Chignecto has also received numerous awards, including the Nova Scotia Community Economic Development Award for Excellence in Co-operation, the 2002 Attractions Canada Award as the best Natural Outdoor Site in its category in Nova Scotia, and the 2001 Nova Scotia/Gulf of Maine Visionary Award;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Cape Chignecto Provincial Park on this outstanding award and wish them continued success in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1803
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Joggins Fossil Cliffs is on Canada's tentative list for sites for World Heritage designation that will be submitted to UNESCO; the World Heritage list is a way of acknowledging that some places, either natural or cultural, are of sufficient importance to be recognized by the international community; and
Whereas Joggins was selected for the list because of the important natural aspects of the site, it is the foremost example of the Coal Age, and it has yielded many important fossil finds; scientists have been studying the site for close to 150 years; and
Whereas the community will benefit from the spinoffs from the development of the fossil cliffs as World Heritage site contender that will be beneficial to the entire area, both Cumberland County and the Province of Nova Scotia as a whole;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the people of Joggins and the Joggins Fossil Cliffs on being placed on this distinguished list for World Heritage sites and wish them all the best of luck.
RESOLUTION NO. 1804
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas John Johnson, from Springhill, Nova Scotia, is the new franchise owner of SystemCare's new location in Amherst; John has six years' experience in the restoration business and is IICRC firm certified in fire and water damage restoration and odour removal; and
Whereas John's franchise is part of a Nova Scotia grown company with nine locally owned and operated locations offering services through the province; and
Whereas SystemCare handles the job from packing and moving out of contents that may have been damaged by flood or fire, to reconstruction, drywall, painting, flooring and much more;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate John Johnson on being the owner of the new SystemCare franchise and wish him all the best of luck in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1805
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas during National Waste Reduction Week, RRFB Nova Scotia, along with the province's 55 municipalities, organized the province-wide Nova Scotia Recycles Contest; and
Whereas students from all grade levels participated in the contest; this year over 6,000 contest entries were received and more than $28,000 in prizes were awarded to schools and students; and
Whereas in the Grade 2-3 Lunch Bag Design category, the winner was Alexander Odlin from Parrsboro Regional Elementary School;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Alexander Odlin for participating and winning a prize in this very important area of recycling waste and wish him all the best in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1806
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the 49th Annual Ceremonial Review was held for the 2553 Oxford Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and
Whereas the Army Cadets were honoured for their accomplishments during this ceremony; and
Whereas the following cadets received special recognition: Cdt. CWO Jeremy Dobson received the Parade Commanders Award; Best 1st Year Cadet to Cdt. Robert Visser; Most Improved Cadet to Cdt. Cpl. Halliday; Best Shot to Cdt. Cpl. Jeremy Watkins; Best 2nd Year Cadet to Cdt. Cpl. Tyler Pettigrew; Best All-round Cadet went to Cdt. Damon Mattinson; and to MCpl. Naomi Cole for having completed her National Star Certification;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the 2553 Oxford Royal Canadian Army Cadets on these outstanding awards, and we wish them continued success in the future.
RESOLUTION NO. 1807
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Oxford Frozen Foods reported a major ammonia leak to 911 on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, causing roadblocks to be quickly set up along Main Street and evacuation of nearby residents; and
Whereas employees of Oxford Frozen Foods responded quickly to report the leak and requested immediate assistance; RCMP from Oxford, Amherst and Pugwash, as well as Oxford and Amherst Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the call; evacuations were carried out promptly and efficiently and the leak was contained by 1:30 p.m. with no reports of injury or illness suffered by any employees; and
Whereas all members of the EMO responded quickly and efficiently, including RCMP, paramedics, firefighters and also the employees of Oxford Frozen Foods and the residents of the Town of Oxford, all worked together to get this potentially dangerous situation under control;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the EMO team, RCMP, firefighters, employees of Oxford Frozen Foods and the residents of the Town of Oxford on their quick response to this situation and for all working together to protect the residents of the town and surrounding areas.
RESOLUTION NO. 1808
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Springhill/Oxford Area Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada held its annual volunteer appreciation evening at the Oxford Area Lions Centre on April 23, 2004; and
Whereas during the evening, the foundation members presented plaques of appreciation for volunteers and businesses that helped to make their fundraising events possible; and
Whereas the foundation presented a plaque to the Oxford Save Easy Manager, Mr. Scott Redmond, for their participation in allowing them to sell tickets at their Oxford location during their fundraising draws;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the Oxford Save Easy on receiving this award and thank them for their participation in such a worthwhile cause.
