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MR. CHAIRMAN: Order, please. We will now continue with the estimates of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.
The honourable member for Clare.
MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I want to continue where I left off last night. I had just started talking about crosswalk safety. This past April, the Joint Crosswalk Safety Task Force made 42 recommendations to help improve crosswalk safety. These 42 recommendations focused on education, engineering, enforcement and evaluation in their final report. At the same time, government announced funding totalling $300,000 over three years to help increase safety at crosswalks. This $300,000, of course, only $100,000 is available a year for the entire province. Naturally, $100,000, in my view, is certainly not enough to address a very serious issue in this province. We all realize that using crosswalks is a shared responsibility between pedestrians and drivers, but unfortunately it's pedestrians who have the most to lose.
So my first question to the minister is, how is the department planning to divide this $300,000 across the province over the next three years?
HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, I thank the honourable member for the question. I want to start off by thanking the honourable member for not only bringing the question forward today, but also his involvement over the last number of years in regard to his concern about road safety and particularly about crosswalk safety. I know the honourable member has raised it many times in this House both with myself and my predecessor. So I know that he's very concerned about the issue, as we all are and as we all need to be in regard to ensuring that not only are our roads as safe as possible but those who use them, particularly pedestrians, are as safe as possible.
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The task force that was formed in conjunction with HRM by my predecessor, the former minister who is now the Minister of Economic Development, in conjunction with HRM, formed a partnership to study this issue and come back with those recommendations. We accepted them all. There are 42 recommendations. As a result of that, we had discussions with the municipality and I know I had discussions myself with His Worship Mayor Kelly about this very issue and what he would like to see in HRM in regard to crosswalk safety.
The department determined that over the next three years we would commit an initial amount of $100,000 per year. I just want to remind the House that the $100,000 would be matched by the municipality to access that money. So that $300,000 will become actually $600,000, or at least the initial amount could become $600,000. I also want to remind the honourable member that this is just an initial first step for us. We believe it's an opportunity to replace existing eight-inch lights with new 12-inch LED lights. It is an opportunity to test lights on parallel posts on these five sites that HRM has actually determined where they want to place this initial lighting and new system.
As well, in those recommendations, the other recommendations talked about enforcement, engineering, education, and I can tell you that our Director of Communications in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and others are working very hard in that regard. So the initial first step will be these five sites in HRM. Beyond that, Mr. Chairman, I want the members to know in the House, we are looking at the coming months and years and we intend to address the issues around engineering, the issues around education, particularly with the new, young drivers. Also any new technology that may be available. We've said that if any of these monies could be used for new technology, we're certainly willing to consider that if the municipalities determine there's an opportunity to access technologies that may be used somewhere else or new technology that's developed.
The other thing I want to mention to the honourable member as well, this money would only be available for municipalities where it's on roads that are either provincially owned or they were former cost-shared roads. Any other streets or roads within a municipality, where there presently is crosswalk lighting, it would be the responsibility of the municipality. So it's fairly limited to the number of sites where we would cost share with provincial money, keeping in mind that those are the sites. Again, this $300,000 that we announced, which would be amassed by the municipality, would become $600,000 over three years, but again it's an initial start for us and we believe there's lots more work that can be done.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I thank the minister for his answer. My next question, has the department been in contact with all municipalities to inform them of this cost-share funding that's available to help them address crosswalk safety within their jurisdictions?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, at this point we have notified UNSM. I guess at the start of the process, back earlier on, this partnership that was formed was between the province
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and HRM. Initially, as the honourable member would understand, a lot of the issues that were coming to the forefront, that brought this initiative about, were actually things that happened here in HRM and we did meet with them and work with them. But I do believe, since we've announced this money, that there has been communication, at this point, with UNSM to notify the municipalities and, if not, we'll ensure that does happen, because even though the bigger municipalities, whether it's CBRM or here in HRM, would be a lot more interested in meeting these projects, there are probably some other municipalities throughout the province that we need to communicate with and we will ensure that happens.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I thank the minister for his answer. I'm just wondering, with the 42 recommendations that this Joint Crosswalk Safety Task Force made, will the province be making any other announcement any time soon to help implement any more of the task force's recommendations?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, I thank the member opposite again for the question. I will tell the honourable member and the House that when you look at those 42 recommendations, there is a cross-section of other partners involved - whether it's Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, the Department of Justice, or Health Promotion and Protection. I know we've met and shared those recommendations with them. They're well aware of those as well.
There's an interdepartmental committee that has been established and, as I said earlier, our Director of Communications is heavily involved in all of those recommendations and how we may implement them. As I say, we've not only accepted them but we're going to adopt those recommendations to the best of our ability. Some of them are going to take quite a bit of work, particularly around the education part, but I believe there is a great opportunity not only to educate drivers, existing drivers, but particularly in our education system. So it's going to mean involving the Department of Education in regard to how we move forward with these recommendations.
I think that suffice it to say, as I said earlier, I think in the House and during Question Period one day when the honourable member asked about it, the quickest way and I guess the quickest recommendation that we can look at, and I guess agree to it, would be the actual lighting, which we've done and we're moving on now. Some of the other ones are going to take quite a bit of time. I can't tell the honourable member today specifically when we'll be coming out with any more announcements, but I can tell you there's a lot of work within the department presently. We've accepted the recommendations and we're going to work toward rolling those out as soon as we can.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I just have one final question on crosswalk safety. Crosswalk safety is certainly not unique to this province alone. I'm sure other jurisdictions have been looking at crosswalk safety. The minister indicated that department staff are certainly working on this file. I'm just curious, have the department staff done any work
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toward looking at how other jurisdictions across Canada or outside our country have addressed the issue of crosswalk safety?
MR. SCOTT: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. The answer is yes, the department staff have looked at other jurisdictions in Canada and outside of Canada. They've done that prior to, and as well, the committees that were set up also looked at other jurisdictions as well. That's why there are a lot of suggestions around things that people in this province have come up with all kinds of ideas of things that we could possibly do - red lights instead of amber lights, the half-stop lights - there was a lot of discussion about what options there may be.
That's part of the reason why, first of all, the committee came back with certain recommendations which we accepted. They looked at and reviewed all of those options and we've accepted those and we're moving forward with the amber lights, the bigger LED lights. As well, we left the door open to the possibility of any technology that may come along or new techniques that may assist us with making crosswalks safer. That's why we've said that we would consider new technology as well, so if there are other things happening, other jurisdictions or if they develop new programs or technology that would help us here, we're certainly willing to consider it.
MR. GAUDET: I certainly want to recognize the fact that the government is putting $300,000 over the next three years, that will be matched, of course. It's definitely a step in the right direction and I think the government should be congratulated on taking that initiative. Is it going to fix the problems? Probably not, but I think, again, it certainly is an indication from this government that they are taking crosswalk safety as a very important issue in this province.
I want to move on to another topic. I know throughout these estimates, I've been raising a variety of unusual topics with the minister, so I certainly want to continue with that. My next topic is concrete pavement. I'm aware there are two sections of our roads where concrete was used for pavement - one section was done on Highway No. 104 near Oxford and another section was done on Highway No. 101 near St. Croix, near Windsor.
I'm sure the department staff have had plenty of time to evaluate both of these projects and we heard the minister talking earlier during the estimates about the high price of oil, which certainly impacts on the price of liquid asphalt. My question to the minister is, is the department considering doing more concrete paving in Nova Scotia?
MR. SCOTT: I thank the member opposite for the question. I agree with the honourable member, those two sections of highway, one of which is in my own constituency, has stood up very well. In fact, many constituents will say to me they've watched what has happened on both ends of that pavement and that's definitely stood the test of time. I think
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the honourable member would agree and understand, as well, that cement versus pavement, there's quite a bit of a higher cost to cement, but obviously it lasts a lot longer.
I can tell the honourable member that the tender will go out sometime this summer or Fall for a section of Highway No. 101 between Hantsport and Falmouth where the tender will allow for that type of construction the honourable member is talking about. Sorry, it will go out in the Spring - I've been corrected - it will go out in the Spring. It will allow for that type of construction that the honourable member is talking about.
[11:00 a.m.]
Once we get the bids to determine the life cycle, an analysis will be done of the project and then determination will be made of what type of construction will actually take place. There will be an opportunity on Highway No. 101 this year.
MR. GAUDET: Naturally, with the high price of oil and possibly going higher, probably it would be a little more economical for the department to consider doing more concrete paving.
With the several concrete pavement projects that government has already approved over the years, I'm wondering, what's the department's view or evaluation on doing more concrete work on our roads?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, thank you to the member opposite. Because of the length of time it takes for concrete to actually set, there's only opportunity in the province to actually call tenders for new construction. So that limits us to a certain extent as to which projects can actually go forward. Obviously, the department is very pleased with the results of the cement projects the honourable member is talking about and, as I said earlier, we are looking at other ones. There is an issue around cost, upfront costs, obviously for us and on these tenders. As the honourable member just mentioned, certainly those numbers are closing, as petroleum prices increase and liquid asphalt increases. Those numbers continue to close but I can tell the honourable member that we'll let more tenders out where there's an opportunity for alternative ways of construction. Again, we are pleased with the results and we'll see what that brings.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, just one final question. I'm just curious if the minister has the information in terms of what is the cost price to pave one kilometre of concrete pavement versus one kilometre with asphalt. Would the minister know the cost involved?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, it is difficult to give the exact numbers today because of the change in liquid asphalt. However, I'm told that it's approximately 10 per cent to 15 per cent more for concrete but, obviously, with the life cycle extension of that, it certainly makes it a good investment.
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MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I thank the minister for his information. I want to move to another area, something that I've been getting calls on over the years and I'm sure I'm not the only MLA. This area is claim for vehicle damage. Over the years, Mr. Chairman, I have been contacted by individuals who have been involved in special circumstances where their vehicle suffered some damages on our roads and have forwarded a claim to the department for compensation. I'm trying to get a better understanding on how the department deals with these claims. I'm sure my colleagues are probably wondering as well. My first question is, what happens to a claim that is received by your department, looking for compensation from an unfortunate incident that happened on our roads?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, when a complaint comes into the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, that goes to our Risk Management section. An investigation is done to make a determination of whether, in fact, the department didn't do something it should do in regard to the condition of the roads or a notification of the public. So an assessment and an investigation is done within that section of the department and then a determination is made whether or not a payment should be made.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, most claims that I am aware of that have been forwarded to the department from my area have almost all been turned down. So I'm just curious, are most of the claims filed (Interruption) I'm not alone, I hear. I'm just wondering, Mr. Minister, are most claims that are forwarded or filed with your department for compensation turned down?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, to the honourable member, the answer is yes.
MR. GAUDET: I guess I'm looking for maybe a little bit of information here. Does the minister have any good advice to pass on to his colleagues in this House, and maybe to the general public listening here this morning who may have to send a claim to his department in the future for compensation? I guess what I'm looking for is, what information is needed, what do we need to include with these requests, or maybe what not to include with these requests? The fact that the majority of them are turned down by the Risk Management section in the department, I'm just curious if the minister has a little bit of information that he could share with his colleagues in the House.
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, I thank the honourable member for the question. Actually, that's probably a question - and I won't do this - that could take up probably the rest of our time here today and I'll try to condense it down to say we have changed the process in regard to determination and processing of claims. To give an example - and what I will say is - the department has a lot fewer claims now than it did years back, but it's paying a tremendously higher percentage of those claims. An example would be of windshield claims last year - 89 per cent of those claims were paid.
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One thing I want to say is that there are a lot of different types of claims that come into the department and we've equipped our trucks with GPS. So I'll give you an example of a case, a scenario I guess, where someone would make a claim that truck number, whatever, at a certain date and a certain time and certain place, snow fell off, or a rock fell off it and caused an accident. We can tell by our GPS exactly, at that time and that date, where that vehicle actually was. In fact, it has been used in some cases where it showed that the truck actually was somewhere else.
On the other hand though, it has also helped pay claims where - I remember I was talking to the risk manager one day and he told me that an assessment of a claim came in and within a few seconds, a few minutes, I'm sorry, where the individual claimed they were, and it was debris, it was a rock, or whatever, hit their vehicle and cracked their windshield, the GPS showed that truck was exactly there, at exactly that place and time where the complainant had said. So it works both ways.
I will say that the process has been streamlined and as a result of that we are getting fewer claims but we're paying a higher percentage of those claims that are actually coming in. To answer the honourable member's question, you know, the department would obviously want the road where it happened, what the issue was, was there any signage. From that we would determine whether any complaints had been made so the local people, or area manager, were aware of that situation and also, again, the time, place and type of damage that was done - if it was a vehicle of ours that was involved, the type of vehicle and so on.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I guess just to try to close up, probably one of the most common ones that we often hear is motorists hitting a relatively large pothole and the vehicle is either thrown on one side or to the other side of the road, certainly encountering damages, and the department had no signage whatsoever to warn motorists of the upcoming hole in the road. Then, unfortunately, the motorist involved either needs new tires or some repairs on their vehicle. I guess the part that I find very strange is for the department not to accept any responsibility of their own. It seems to be always 100 per cent the driver at fault in these cases.
I could certainly understand if there was some signage to warn drivers, be careful, slow down, there's a big pothole in front, up ahead. Most times there's no signage, but at the same time, when motorists do submit claims to the department, the department has done absolutely nothing wrong, they have no responsibility, it falls squarely on the motorists' shoulders.
I'm just curious, from the minister's point of view, if the department has no sympathy whatsoever for motorists who do submit claims to his department to try to blame his staff out in the field, or if it's basically, again, strictly 100 per cent full responsibility on the motorists - in the daytime it's probably a lot easier for the motorists to see what's ahead and slow down or be careful but at nighttime, especially if it's foggy, raining, snowing, you usually don't
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have that much warning when you come up to that pothole in the middle of the road and you have to drive right into it. So I'm just curious if the minister has any comments on that. No luck.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Minister, before you start, I would ask that members just lower the noise level a little bit. I know how much you all enjoy being here but it would be nice to be able to hear the minister and the member for Clare.
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, thank you to the member opposite for the question. I should correct, I misspoke a moment ago when I said the claims coming to the department are up. The percentage of payment for claims that come in is substantially higher but the average payout per claim is down.
In regard to the issue around potholes - I know the honourable member is interested - actually 60 per cent of claims for potholes are paid. It's a high number but 60 per cent of the claims that come into our department for pothole complaints are paid.
I do want to say that the department and the areas and the regions throughout the province would have regular patrols of highways. In the wintertime it's for - whether it's slippery, whether it requires salt, whether it requires snow removal, whether a gravel road needs whatever. Along with those regular patrols, also part of the duty is to determine what sections of roads have potholes or whatever that need to be addressed. Those patrols are actually recorded with what the employee would observe. That's actually recorded. There's a sequence on how often those patrols take place. If an actual patrol took place, for example, and a pothole is noted and a sign was put up to warn the motorist that the pothole is there and someone hit it after that, the department would argue that even though it wasn't repaired it was actually signed to alert the travelling motorist about that pothole.
If, in fact, we found that the department was aware, for example, of a particular piece of highway where there were potholes and it was either not signed or not fixed and a member of the community calls and makes the department aware of a particular pothole or bad section of road and we either don't sign it or fix it, and damage is caused as a result of that, then I would suggest that the claim would be considered and probably paid. Again, when we look at the number of pothole claims in this province that are paid, 60 per cent is quite a high number.
AN HON. MEMBER: Are you surprised?
MR. GAUDET: Yes, extremely surprised. I'm not aware of one case that was submitted in the last 15 years in Clare, that I'm aware of, maybe some individuals have gone directly to the department for compensation but I hear, just talking with some of my colleagues here, they are basically surprised as well that the department has a 60 per cent payout rate. Anyway, I guess we're just going to continue and hope that when . . .
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AN HON. MEMBER: Try harder.
MR. GAUDET: Yes, try harder when constituents do file claims in the future, that we take the minister's suggestions and maybe hope that these claims will be considered favourably by the department.
[11:15 a.m.]
Mr. Chairman, my next topic is on fatalities on our roads. I know my colleague, the member for Kings West, last night did begin talking about this. Last year, 99 people lost their lives in traffic accidents across our province - 99 people, that's a lot, of course. I guess my question to the minister is, what is the department doing to try to curb this rising number of highway fatalities in our province?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, thank you to the member opposite for what I determine is a very important question, a very important issue for Nova Scotians and something we all have to take very seriously. As I mentioned last night in the committee, the condition of our highways is paramount and I think we're doing an exceptional job there with regard to twinning more roads. That will lead to safer highways. Education will help.
One of the big - and I mentioned again to the honourable member last night, or a couple of days ago maybe, that when it comes to enforcement, I don't think we can do enough enforcement to help make our roads safer - engineering is one thing and education is something, but I think enforcement. When you look at the pilot project we have in the southwest - the RCMP and the police have come together - and the amount of road checks they've done and the result of that, the number of impaired driving charges, seat belt charges, suspended driving charges, the number of other Motor Vehicle Act charges, there are a tremendous amount of people out there in this province who continue to break the law every day. I think the more resources we can put on our highways to discourage that - particularly speed and distraction and impaired driving, which we know are leading causes.
I think I'm right in saying that one death on our highways, in my mind - I did hear the honourable member for Kings last night talk about Highway No. 101 and I couldn't agree more. I have never tried to downplay the importance of us doing everything we can, as a government, to ensure we make our highways as safe as possible. Again, one death on our highways is too many and the families who suffer that - it's terrible.
But I will say that last year was a very high year - it's not something we should be proud of. But I think this Legislature has passed some changes to the Motor Vehicle Act, it's passed some issues around road safety that we talked about - one being the crosswalk, but many, many others. As well, hopefully today we'll pass another budget that will increase and give an opportunity for communities across this province to have more resources for enforcement.
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I think collectively, it's a problem we all face. We shouldn't politicize an issue such as this. The deaths on our highways, in this province, are something we should all, as legislators, do whatever we possibly can to work together to address. I want to congratulate the folks across from me for supporting those initiatives that I know are very important to Nova Scotians. I think we need to continue to work together and do everything we can to ensure we reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our highways.
MR. GAUDET: Again, 26 of the 99 fatalities that happened in our province, happened down in the Valley. I know yesterday we were talking about passing lanes. This government has made a formal announcement that they're looking at building passing lanes, especially between Kingston and Berwick, in the next three years. I would suggest to the minister, when you leave Bridgetown and right into Coldbrook, there are no passing lanes on that stretch of highway. When I look at the number of fatalities, not all of them happen on Highway No. 101, but certainly a large number of these fatalities did.
I would certainly encourage the minister to maybe move on building these passing lanes as soon as possible. I know this has been ongoing for many years, we've tried to encourage the government to look at constructing passing lanes. I don't think there's a need to have a divided highway between Bridgetown and Coldbrook, but at the same time, there's a great need to have passing lanes constructed along that stretch of highway.
I'm sure, it's not going to fix all and prevent any future accidents from happening, but I think at the end of the day, as the minister indicated, if we can save one life, it's certainly worth it. It could be mine, it could be his, it could be a loved one. I would call upon the minister to take it back to his department and try to move maybe a little quicker on constructing these passing lanes along Highway No. 101.
MR. SCOTT: I thank the honourable member for the question and the comments and obvious concern. Just before I make a comment about what he just raised, I want to say I know the honourable member for Hants East was here a moment ago and I think he and the honourable member who asked the questions had raised eyebrows when I said the percentage of claims that were actually accepted and paid in Nova Scotia. I do want to say that we streamlined the process and we have a new process in place with regard to those claims.
The level of various claims that were paid the previous year would have been 45 per cent, a net increase under the new system to 82 per cent. The pothole claims were only 13 per cent paid in the previous year; that has now gone, last year, to 60 per cent. The windshield claims, the year before only 14 per cent were paid; this past year, 89 per cent were paid. So probably the honourable member for Richmond - those 10 that he mentioned were not paid, they were probably in the previous year. I'm sure he'll see a better- of course, we're doing so much paving around the province, Mr. Chairman, I expect to see that those claims will drop substantially.
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Anyway, in all seriousness, Mr. Chairman, to the honourable member, this issue about Highway No. 101 and fatalities and injuries on our highway is a very, very serious issue. I take the responsibility in the department very seriously myself, as minister, as to what we are able to do to bring those numbers down and do everything we possibly can to make our highways safe. I committed last night, and I committed to the honourable member for Kings West after we left the House that, you know - an analysis was done of Highway No. 101 and this area of 17 kilometres was identified for passing lanes. The design is done and basically all that's holding us up right now is the funding. But I did commit to the honourable member for Kings West, and I will to the honourable member for Clare that, you know, we'll do everything possible within our abilities to make sure that happens as soon as possible for all the very reasons the honourable member brought forward.
MR. GAUDET: Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate those words from the minister. I know there are only a few minutes left. I just have a few quick snappers. I wanted to go to Nova Scotia Estimates, Page 23.4. In the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for 2008-09, there's $200,000 set aside for Grants and Contributions. I would like to ask the minister, could he indicate to our committee what that funding was identified for?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, thank you to the member opposite for the question. That amount would actually be held for - that's an example of an annual amount given to the Pictou Island ferry, for example. We make an annual allotment or grant to them each year. One thing I do want to point out that we're doing this year, I think it is probably something new - all the things we talk about in the House here about impaired driving, about the laws we could pass, I think we would all agree that Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in this province, provide a tremendous service to this province.
Margaret Miller, whom I know personally, whose son, Bruce Miller, was a police officer in Springhill and was actually killed by an impaired driver in Prince Edward Island, she's now the national president. You know we're very proud here in Nova Scotia that we have a Nova Scotian, albeit as a result of a tragedy, we now have a lady who is actually in charge of the operation of this organization nationally. This year we've committed $15,000 to allow Mothers Against Drunk Driving to erect large billboard signs throughout the province to remind Nova Scotians, and all those people who travel on our highways, what disastrous effects those who choose to drink and drive cause on our highways.
Mr. Chairman, there are probably several things that the department would do throughout the year to support initiatives that may come along that we're not aware of at budget time or don't necessarily prepare for. That, in my mind, would certainly be one that not only is something that is very deserving of our support, but also would be something that obviously wouldn't happen every year and wouldn't be something that we would be necessarily aware of. But there was an opportunity for us as a government, and as a department, to provide the $15,000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving to erect these large
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billboards. We're going to see some of those unveiled, I think, very shortly, in fact, over the coming weeks, in regard to people who continue to drink and drive on our highways.
Again, I want to congratulate Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their great help and doing everything they possibly can, working with government, to reduce the number of impaired drivers and collisions on the highways as a result.
MR. GAUDET: In closing, I want to thank the minister and his staff. As I said in my opening comments, for MLAs, especially rural MLAs, probably a good chunk of our calls have to do with transportation issues. As I've indicated, staff at home in Clare and Saulnierville, the area supervisor in Yarmouth has always been very helpful in working with me and I certainly want to close by thanking the minister for sharing some of my concerns with him. Hopefully next year we'll maybe suggest to have a little more time. With that, I'll take my seat and I'll leave the minister with some closing comments.
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by saying thank you to you and the House for the opportunity to answer a wide variety of questions over the last three days. The honourable Minister of Economic Development would like me to return his briefing book to him, I probably could have used it the last couple of days.
But I do thank the House for the opportunity to speak about the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. I want to thank the two critics, both from the New Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, who have, not only during this session and during the estimates but throughout the last number of months as I came into the department, approached me about issues they had - not only constituency issues but provincial issues. I know particularly the honourable member for Clare has a great concern about road safety around crosswalks, around Highway No. 101, and many other issues he brings to my attention on a regular basis. I want to thank the honourable member for that and to assure him and the critic for the New Democratic Party that we'll always consider those good ideas, because I believe that's what government is all about.
I do want to thank them as well for the recognition they have given to our staff, those sitting at the table with me and who are in the gallery, as well as the 2,000 staff here in Halifax and throughout the rest of the province who work for Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. It is because of the dedication and professionalism of those women and men, every day, who continue not only to make our highways and roads safer, but work in all the various buildings and with all the other issues, that this department continues to provide great service for Nova Scotians.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shall Resolution E34 stand?
Resolution E34 stands.
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Resolution E44 - Resolved, that the business plan of Sydney Environmental Resources Ltd./ Sydney Steel Corporation be approved.
Resolution E45 - Resolved, that the business plan of Nova Scotia Lands Inc. be approved.
Resolution E46 - Resolved, that the business plan of Harbourside Commercial Park Inc. be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shall the resolutions carry?
The resolutions are carried.
The time allotted for debate in Committee of the Whole House on Supply has now expired. I will recognize the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Supply, who will report on the deliberations of the subcommittee.
The honourable member for Victoria-The Lakes.
MR. KEITH BAIN: Mr. Chairman, the Subcommittee of the Whole House on Supply has met and completed its maximum of 40 hours allowed for consideration of the estimates by the Subcommittee on Supply.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The report is tabled.
As 40 hours have expired, the rule requires that the question be now put. Shall all remaining resolutions carry?
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 committee adjourned at 11:30 a.m.]
