MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will commence the daily session at this time.
The daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: 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 December 10th is the day we set aside to mark the anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
Whereas the 30 articles contained within the declaration are inherent to the freedoms we enjoy year round within our province and Canada; and
Whereas even as we celebrate the 46th Anniversary of this declaration, we see offences to its principles around the world and in our own back yard on a daily basis;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House strive throughout the year to achieve the principles of this declaration by "teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance.".
Mr. Speaker, I 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 the former Deputy Minister of Health apparently transgressed the bounds of proper conduct so much that the Premier felt bound to stop at a phone booth and fire her without notice late in the day; and
Whereas without so much as a peep to their paymasters, the people of Nova Scotia, the Premier and his colleagues then quickly agreed to pay the deputy minister some $99,000 because they had no just cause for firing her; and
Whereas at this rate the cost of so-called Liberal mistakes and misunderstandings will exceed any savings that the Liberals claim;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the Premier to provide Nova Scotians with an explanation or an apology for the careless and intemperate behaviour which has added about $100,000 to the cost of government at the same it fired low paid cleaning staff on the pretext it has no money.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Hants West.
MR. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a Department of Finance news release issued April 29, 1994 said the government's 3 per cent wage reduction does not affect Public Service workers earning $25,000 or less; and
Whereas this same release said every effort must be made to ensure a wage restraint measure of this type is as fair as possible; and
Whereas eight months later, a reign of confusion exists within the Department of Finance with permanent, part-time nurses working 48 hours in a two week span, not having their salaries restrained, yet permanent, part-time nurses, working a 49th hour have their salary reduced;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Finance attempt to clear up this amount of confusion and clarify for all Nova Scotians just who and who is not exempt from this wage restraint legislation.
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 independent evaluation of Enterprise Cape Breton found a 72 per cent success rate for projects who received $100,000 or less, but only 29 per cent success for those who received $1 million or more; and
Whereas Price Waterhouse found that with ACOA's action program, the majority of jobs created were reported by clients with small projects, total cost less than $200,000, while 80 per cent of all losses were due to projects costing $2 million or more; and
Whereas evaluations have similarly found that Atlantic-based firms enjoyed much higher success with federal help than the non-Atlantic firms who received most loans and grants;
Therefore be it resolved that instead of pretending to make changes by simply cancelling grants, the federal Liberals should heed every independent evaluation and provide financial assistance only for the small scale, low cost projects that are likely to succeed and secure desperately needed jobs.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Minister of Municipal Affairs.
HON. SANDRA JOLLY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas November 26th marked the 25th Anniversary of the founding formation of the Burnside Industrial Park, located in Dartmouth North, and a dinner was held last evening to celebrate and congratulate the founders; and
Whereas we have watched it grow into one of the finest industrial parks located anywhere in Canada; and
Whereas it has become one of the cornerstones for economic development in the metropolitan area;
Therefore be it resolved that this House offer congratulations to the Burnside Park on achieving this milestone and, as well, offer congratulations to the provincial and municipal leaders who displayed such vision and leadership in setting out such a standard of excellence for all others to follow.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: It is agreed that we waive notice on that?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried. (Applause)
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 Liberal Party has put a toe in the water by naming July 7th and 8th as the dates for its 1994 annual meeting; and
Whereas the Premier and Cabinet now have eight more months to show their true colours, because Liberals from across the province cannot assemble until the government has passed its mid-term in office; and
Whereas anyone who believes that extra time and opportunity to avoid accountability will help this Liberal Government has turned off their TV, thrown away their radio, cancelled their newspaper and dropped out of society;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges Liberals to leave the Premier bunker, breathe fresh air and recognize that the democratic accountability and regular consultation that they promised would help, not hurt, the cause of good government in Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings West.
MR. GEORGE MOODY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas loyal 30 year civil servants in Supply and Services received no notice but changed locks regarding their employment terminations only a short time ago; and
Whereas on the other side of the coin the one year veteran of the health department, fired from her position, receives, literally, the golden handshake for her dismissal; and
Whereas $100,000 in severance, the Premier said, for the former Deputy Health Minister should be perfectly understandable to most Nova Scotians;
Therefore be it resolved that this Premier, on behalf of his Ministers of Health and Human Resources, explain to the understanding people of this province just why Lucy Dobbin's settlement, after being fired from her job, is more lucrative than actually working for the province.
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 Cape Bretoners have long heard Liberal promises of decentralization to better distribute employment between have and have-not regions; and
Whereas while Cape Breton still suffers one of the worst unemployment rates in Canada, major public utilities like MT&T and NSP are pulling dozens of jobs out of that region to centralize in metro; and
Whereas this House cannot condone the step by step abandonment of hardworking, talented, skilled Cape Bretoners by forces of centralization that simply exploit Cape Breton without investing there;
Therefore be it resolved that this House calls upon both the federal and provincial governments to halt the unbridled deregulation of monopolistic utilities which is simultaneously exploiting, abandoning and impoverishing Cape Breton and many other parts of our province.
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 Cape Breton Patient Rights Advocacy Network, the Cape Breton Council of Senior Citizens and Pensioners and other health activists, have fought for the right to know which doctors have abused prescription drug laws; and
Whereas this information, which empowers consumers and deters physicians from abusing the drug laws, would advance the Health Minister's declared goal of a universal, effective and affordable Pharmacare Program;
Therefore be it resolved that the Health and Justice Ministers consult consumer activists, the Medical Society and the Medical Board to put in place a provincial system that promptly informs the public as to the status of physicians who have been disciplined for breaking prescription drug laws or other mandatory standards.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
MR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the President of the Pictou East Liberal Association states this week in a national magazine that Premier John Savage need not worry about unionists, "it is old faithfuls like myself he should concern himself with'; and
Whereas there is widespread discontent with the leadership of the Premier; and
Whereas the Premier should not allow Nova Scotia Liberal Party discontent to embarrass Nova Scotia on a national front;
Therefore be it resolved that the Premier do his utmost to keep internal Party politics from embarrassing this province on a national stage.
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 hundreds of Nova Scotia public servants who were pushed into early retirement were not informed that immediate re-employment was an option for them; and
Whereas it turns out that public servants fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time were able to arrange that they continue to be employed, without interruption, after their early retirement; and
Whereas the price tag for this favouritism is being paid by pensioners, pension fund contributors and taxpayers who generously subsidize the early retirement benefits;
Therefore be it resolved that the Finance Minister should be just as ready to explain the special deals arranged for retirees like Peter Mosher, as he was ready to urge experienced and dedicated public servants at the middle and lower levels to take their early retirement money and run.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Pictou Centre.
[8:15 a.m.]
DR. JOHN HAMM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Sydney Mines Town Council has expressed concern over unfair hiring practices by the new Cape Breton regional government and have asked the Minister of Municipal Affairs to investigate; and
Whereas Sydney Mines Town Council has also written to their local MLA for Cape Breton North to seek a review of hiring practices by the new regional government; and
Whereas the concern expressed is over the local fire chief not being given proper consideration for the new job of director of fire services for the new regional government;
Therefore be it resolved that the minister and member for Cape Breton North ensure fair hiring practices for the new regional government in Cape Breton.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is carried.
[8:18 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
[3:57 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and begs leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The Deputy Government House Leader.
MR. ALLISTER SURETTE: Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform all members of the House that we will sit between the hours of 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Monday. Following the daily routine, we will resume debate on Bill No. 144 in the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
I move that we adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion for adjournment has been made.
The House will now rise to sit again on Monday at the hour of 2:00 p.m. Have a nice weekend.
[The House rose at 3:59 p.m.]
QUESTION NO. 47
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does V. Turner of Port Dufferin, D. Taggart of Yarmouth, and L. Anderson of Amherst, and many other Nova Scotians, why isn't more assistance given to seniors on fixed incomes who are trying to maintain and stay in their own homes especially when they have to pay for services that help them stay in their own home such as home support workers? What assistance is going to be made available to seniors to assist them to stay in their own homes rather than having to go into a completely government funded home care?
QUESTION NO. 48
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does J. Weatherby of Truro, why do social services rent apartments to single teenage moms without first determining if the parents of the teenager are willing to keep them at home and why should they get mother's allowance and family benefits which just encourages more teenage pregnancy?
QUESTION NO. 49
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. R. White of Middleton, which pensioners, if any, receive an automatic cost of living increase and if no pensioners receive such an increase, is this government planning to introduce such an increase?
QUESTION NO. 50
By: Mr. Donald McInnes (Pictou West)
To: Hon. Guy Brown (Minister of Housing and Consumer Affairs)
(1) I want to know, as does A. Wyman of Yarmouth, why is the DVA pension included as income for rent purposes?
QUESTION NO. 51
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does N. Kaulback of Blockhouse, if the government would consider changing the criteria for admission to nursing homes? Too many people are putting seniors, who could be cared for by family members, in nursing homes. This is acceptable if the senior can afford to pay his/her own way but if the province must pay then the person should only be permitted in a home if s/he is a bed patient, mentally handicapped or has no family to care for him/her.
QUESTION NO. 52
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does G. Parker of Amherst, why are nursing homes allowed to make patients turn over all assets (except homes) to their control?
QUESTION NO. 53
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does L. Wagner of Bridgewater, in the last 12 months how many people in Bridgewater have had to go on social assistance because their UIC has run out and there are no jobs available?
QUESTION NO. 54
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does M. McFetridge of Kentville, when are you going to use the Liberal brains instead of hiring consultants (with the taxpayers' money) for every change in government departments?
QUESTION NO. 55
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does M. D. Hoare of Kentville, are we being taxed on our group benefits that we purchased with after-tax dollars?
QUESTION NO. 56
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does W. Jack of Carleton, what is the government going to do to reduce the provincial debt?
QUESTION NO. 57
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) With reference to support payments for children, I want to know, as does J. Sterling of Truro, why does the male have to prove he is not the father? Should it not be both ways? Should the mother not also have to prove that he is and not just have her word accepted?
QUESTION NO. 58
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) We have a Human Rights Act in Nova Scotia. How is it that in the face of such legislation, your government can pass laws such as casino legislation? I want to know, as does A. Lovell of Florence, why shouldn't people have a right to vote upon such laws?
QUESTION NO. 59
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. John Savage (Premier)
(1) I want to know, as does D. Moody of Deep Brook, what representations has the provincial government made to the Government of Canada as to what will happen to the married quarters homes at CFB Cornwallis? When will the public be told what is happening and if these homes could be used as low cost housing? If not, will it be possible to make the garages, which could be moved, available to public access for purchase?
QUESTION NO. 60
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Potter's property at Granville Ferry is allegedly being destroyed by their neighbour. I want to know, as does their daughter H. Orde of Granville Ferry, why are other people allowed to destroy property of seniors? Why is such a matter classed as a civil matter and not a criminal matter?
QUESTION NO. 61
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) The laws for domestic violence are too lax and a woman is a prisoner in her own home. The criminal has more rights than the victim. I want to know, as does P. McBride of Yarmouth, what further protections for victims will your government enact?
QUESTION NO. 62
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) In reference to proposed gun control measures, I want to know, as does W. Spates of Yarmouth, will the Liberal Party in the future make a move to restrict or register all sharp knives if there are violent crimes committed with edged weapons? Or will you start punishing the violent criminals and leave honest, law abiding Canadians alone?
QUESTION NO. 63
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does D. MacDonald of Amherst, what the future is for gun control for hunting rifles?
QUESTION NO. 64
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does B. Hillier of Sydney Mines, how will the proposed legislation as dead beat dads deal with other violations of child maintenance agreements, specifically the denial of visitation rights agreed to on separation? The penalties should be equal for both non-payment of support and denial of visitation.
QUESTION NO. 65
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does R. Burgess of Rose Bay, how, under proposed legislation regarding defaulting of maintenance orders, you intend to withdraw drivers licenses as an enforcement tactic, if the person does not already have a licence? If you withdraw licenses from people, especially in rural areas, are you prepared to pay welfare to these people if they are unable to go to work?
QUESTION NO. 66
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I believe that the Public Sector Compensation Restraint Act offends Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it appears to be directed to a certain group of individuals, namely public servants. I want to know, as does D. Acker of Kingston, what changes does the government plan to make to correct this discriminatory result?
QUESTION NO. 67
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) A person on welfare can benefit from sources such as grants, Christmas Daddies, food banks, et cetera. All non-taxable income plus they receive municipal and provincial benefits. I, and C. Westhaver of Tangier, want to know why should she go out to work full time, pay expenses each day and make less than a person on welfare?
QUESTION NO. 68
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does E. Gallant of Halifax, if I had a relative that developed a gambling problem due to the casinos, could the family of that individual hold the Liberal Party responsible financially?
QUESTION NO. 69
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does J. Kennedy-Riggers of River John and F. Walters Mossman of Lunenburg, why are Nova Scotians paying PST after the GST has been calculated in the total, i.e., tax upon tax?
QUESTION NO. 70
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hillier of Sydney Mines, why should anybody pay taxes after 65 years of age?
QUESTION NO. 71
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does D. Christiansen of Dartmouth and P. Jenkins of North Sydney and E. Lamond of Sydney Mines and P. Rafuse of Kentville, why doesn't the government make serious demands upon the Government of Canada to amend the Young Offenders Act?
