MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will commence the daily routine at this time.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas 40 Yarmouth County truckers blocked the Department of Transportation garage on Heart Scratch Road in Yarmouth County this morning in an attempt to get the Minister of Transportation to show some humanity towards their cause; and
Whereas Yarmouth County truckers are prepared to work with the government on cost-cutting proposals but are being rebuffed by the minister who is insisting on massive cuts in salt hauling rates, including nearly a $200 reduction per load for Yarmouth County truckers; and
Whereas the minister continues his heavy-handed and callous approach towards dealing with truckers in this province and is insisting Yarmouth County truckers haul salt at an unprofitable level and unreasonable rate this winter;
Therefore be it resolved that if the Minister of Transportation is determined to slash salt hauling rates up to 29 per cent across Nova Scotia this winter, the minister make an exception to the rule and reduce his own salary by 29 per cent, instead of the 3 per cent legislated last spring, so he might better understand the plight of Nova Scotia truckers and extreme hardship he is imposing upon them.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas when the Special Joint Committee recommended the elimination of Maritime Command and a substantial shift by the navy away from our coast, Nova Scotia Liberals responded mildly and entrusted these far-reaching issues to the Economic Renewal Agency Minister; and
Whereas since then the minister has been quite visible arranging grants for government friends to work on Bluenose II and Bluenose III; and
Whereas the federal government's Defence White Paper now confirms plans to wipe out Maritime Command and significantly reduce the naval forces based in Nova Scotia;
Therefore be it resolved that this government should spend less time forming a flotilla of Bluenoses and more time urgently countering plans by the Ottawa-based defence establishment to protect itself by stripping away much of the Atlantic defence that is based in Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
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 Minister of Transportation and Government House Leader said on CBC's 1st Edition last Thursday evening that his government is not prepared to open its cheque-book every time a protest over lack of funding occurs; and
Whereas the Minister of Health has no difficulty in opening and writing in the government cheque-book huge amounts of unwarranted salaries for people allegedly hired to implement health reform; and
Whereas the Minister of Health has had no difficulty in giving away computers at taxpayers' expense;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Transportation discuss the issue of funding with his Minister of Health to see if the funding allocated for free computer giveaways to people now living in Ontario and reallocated towards truckers across this province attempting to earn an honest day's pay.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas that tomorrow Nova Scotians and all Canadians will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the terrible day that 14 women were killed at the École Polytechnique in Montreal; and
Whereas for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we are called upon by the Women's Action Coalition Campaign, "Not one more woman", and the Advisory Council's message, "Remember! Act!"; and
Whereas public policies, laws, protocols and vigilance are fundamental to the social transformation that can truly end violence against women in our province and country;
Therefore be it resolved that on the eve of the National Day of Remembrance and Action, we in this House acknowledge our individual and collective responsibility to provide the framework for every man and woman to work towards ending violence against women.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: 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 New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas attention span deficit has been recognized as a disorder leading to education and personal development problems which may be lifelong; and
Whereas early diagnosis, understanding and sensitive treatment are crucial to help children or adults overcome the disability of attention span deficit; and
Whereas only a Premier who suffers from attention span deficit could spend 10 days deciding whether to fire a minister for breaking the tendering rules, then two weeks later announce another rule-breaking contract himself;
Therefore be it resolved that a waterproof copy of the strict limitations on untendered contracts for goods or services should be posted in front of the Premier's and all Cabinet ministers' desks, so they have a daily reminder of the rules that the Premier promised would protect taxpayers.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.
MS. ALEXA MCDONOUGH: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the investigation of incidents involving Lunenburg Child and Family Services has revealed that in each case, there were profound consequences because provincial policies and directives had not been properly followed; and
Whereas this government is responsible for ensuring both that police, agencies and its own officials know how to protect children and families, and that they have the necessary resources; and
Whereas the government cannot avoid responsibility by excluding itself from the investigation, failing to acknowledge its own role and pretending that policies, alone, are the answer;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the Ministers of Community Services and of Justice to make a public statement of the action that will be taken to assure Nova Scotians that child and family agencies, police and medical examiners are actually carrying out child protection policies and requirements.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
MR. TERENCE DONAHOE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas 11 Liberal MLAs in Cape Breton are not living up to their election promise, a job creation, economic development plan 18 months ago; and
Whereas recent Statistics Canada information indicate that the unemployment rate in Cape Breton is 23.6 per cent, up from 23.5 per cent one year ago, which means 15,000 individuals are unemployed; and
Whereas so far the only job creation strategy we have seen in Cape Breton is the plan to build a casino;
Therefore be it resolved that the 11 Liberal Cape Breton MLAs demonstrate more confidence in the people of Cape Breton than to gamble away their economic future and that these individuals offer leadership in the community in order to create an environment of opportunity.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Premier left the country to announce that his government had broken its own rules to award an untendered contract to the Berger Group of companies; and
Whereas the Berger Group's local representatives had already been awarded the politically vital contract to repair the political damage done by closure of NSTC, hand-in-glove with the Premier's former chief of staff, Dennis James; and
Whereas the Berger Group's registered agent, a staunch foe of any lobbyist registration law to reveal the price of influence, is John Young, President of the Liberal Party;
Therefore be it resolved that the taxpayers should not be forced to give one cent to the Berger Group unless or until that company can demonstrate through an objective evaluation of proposals that it offers the best quality in return for money paid to promote Nova Scotia in the Far East.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.
MS. ALEXA MCDONOUGH: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the most loyal public supporter of the Premier and this Liberal Cabinet has been that long-time, faithful Liberal worker and fund raiser, Arnie Patterson; and
Whereas in the Sunday Daily News, even Arnie Patterson, who still believes that the Premier's humanity has been proven, has moved to ask the government to drop its ill-fated casino plans, due to both the force of overwhelming public opinion and expert advice about the harm arising from more gambling opportunities; and
Whereas dissent from such a source is particularly difficult;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the government to heed the advice, urging and knowledge of its greatest friends and loyal supporters by dropping the plan to impose unwanted casinos on the people and the economy of Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Annapolis.
MR. EARLE RAYFUSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas this past weekend saw the 25th Anniversary of the Annapolis-Digby County Christmas Daddies fundraiser; and
Whereas this fundraiser is generously telecast through Paradise Cable while being broadcast over Annapolis Valley Radio; and
Whereas a favourite constituent of mine, Mr. Joe Casey, has been one of the original founders of this charity;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the many staff and volunteers who have worked so hard and to those people who pledged $28,000-plus for the needy families of Annapolis and Digby Counties.
I would ask for waiver of notice, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: There is a request for waiver of notice. Is there assent to that?
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Are there further notices of motion? If not, that concludes the daily routine.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, would you please revert to the order of business, Introduction of Bills.
[2:15 p.m.]
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 134 - Entitled an Act to Enable Persons Suffering from a Physical Disability to More Conveniently Exercise their Right to Vote in Provincial and Municipal Elections. (Ms. Alexa McDonough)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: 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: The motion is carried.
[2:17 p.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
[9:59 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Paul MacEwan, 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 made some progress and begs leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I wonder if you could call the order of business, Introduction of Bills.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 135 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 104 of the Acts of 1970-71. The Eastern Shore Recreation Commission Act. (Mr. Keith Colwell)
Bill No. 136 - Entitled an Act to Enable the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth to Make Annual Grants to the Yarmouth County Agricultural Society. (Mr. Richard Hubbard)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be read a second time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I would advise members of the House that we are sitting tomorrow from the hours of 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The order of business following the daily routine and Question Period will be Private and Local Bills for Second Reading and then Committee of the Whole House on Bills. It will be our intention to resume debate on Bill No. 115.
I move that we adjourn until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is that the House do now rise to meet again tomorrow morning at the hour 10:00 a.m.
The motion is carried.
[The House rose at 10:02 p.m.]
By: Mr. John Holm (Sackville-Cobequid)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Transportation and Communications:
(1) Reports resulting from investigation(s) into the events preceding the tragic deaths involving icy road conditions which took place on the morning of April 25, 1994.
By: Mr. John Holm (Sackville-Cobequid)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Transportation and Communications:
(1) The fall 1994 date that tendered paving and repaving work in the constituency of Antigonish ceased due to uncertain weather conditions as announced by the minister and reported in the October 26, 1994 Evening News; and
(2) The equivalent date for each other constituency in which 1994 paving or repaving work was tendered but not completed.
By: Mr. Robert Chisholm (Halifax Atlantic)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Human Resources:
(1) The numerical ratings assigned to each internal candidate interviewed for a two year secondment to the position of Co-ordinator, Human Resource Development, with each candidate designated by a letter of the alphabet, eg. "Z", to preserve confidentiality.
By: Mr. Robert Chisholm (Halifax Atlantic)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Human Resources:
(1) The number of individuals who participate in the Public Service Superannuation Plan who have taken early retirement since October 1993 and who have since been employed in the Public Service as defined by the Public Sector Compensation Act or who have since contracted to provide services within the Public Service.
By: Mr. Robert Chisholm (Halifax Atlantic)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Health:
(1) The number of individuals who have taken early retirement under the NSAHO plan announced in the spring of 1994 and who have since been employed in the Public Service as defined by the Public Sector Compensation Act or who have since contracted to provide services within the Public Service.
By: Ms. Alexa McDonough (Halifax Fairview)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move that an order of this House do issue for a return showing, with respect to the Minister of Health:
(1) The department's June 1994 estimate of the number of currently licensed medical practitioners with the qualifications required for the position of Advisor on Physician Affairs who either did not have a medical practice or were sufficiently prepared to leave their practice so they would be able to apply in the time between the June 21st advertisement and the June 29th deadline for applications; and
(2) The detailed requirements for this position, particularly the necessary administrative skills and demonstrated record of success in changing a long-standing practice.
