MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I would like to call the House to order at this time to commence this afternoon's sitting. We will begin with introductions of distinguished guests who are in our midst. I am going to call first on the honourable Minister of Community Services.
The honourable Minister of Community Services.
HON. JAMES SMITH: It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and other members of the House this year's recipients of the Community Service Awards. They are in your gallery, Mr. Speaker. The Community Service Awards have been presented annually since 1977 as a way to publicly recognize and thank individuals and organizations for their outstanding services to others.
Today we honoured 13 individuals and five organizations. Today's recipients have different interests, come from different parts of the province, and include both the young and the not so young. All, however, have one thing in common, their commitment to help others and to improve the quality of life in their respective communities. I would ask them to stand and I think most of them were able to stay. A few had to leave early but I would like to, with your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, introduce them to the House of Assembly.
Darlene Matheson, representing the Aspotogan Recreation Association of Blandford; Catherine Hofer and Mary Osborne, representing the Bedford Toy Library; Steve Mounce, President, representing the Canadian Progress Club of Halifax; and Olive Dawson of Dartmouth. I know Janice Gamble from the East Dartmouth Boys and Girls Club had to return to work; Michael Graves, Port Williams; Bruce Johnson, Yarmouth; Andrea Kelly, Lower Sackville; Stan and Sarah Lynk on behalf of their son, Dr. Andrew Lynk of Sydney; Charlene McCulloch, the Noel Shore; Jeff Moore, Wolfville; Toni Muise, Yarmouth; Gertrude Pettipas, Linwood, Antigonish County; Leo Poirier of Dartmouth; Myrna Slater of Halifax; and Bernard Wile, Wileville, Lunenburg County.
There is Myrna Slater. She told me she just got off an airplane from Ottawa and she is looking for Lloyd Axworthy but we are trying to put her in contact at least with Francis LeBlanc, Mr. Speaker.
Marilyn Worth of Dartmouth, in Community Links organization that many of you will know that travels and is involved all around the province. There was another group unable to attend, the Point Edward Women's Institute of Nova Scotia. So I would ask all recipients to stand and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: Are there further introductions of guests at this time? If not, we will commence the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, just one more page in the petition against casinos. This particular petition has 22 names on it. The undersigned are opposed to the establishment of casinos in Nova Scotia, and hereby oppose any legislative changes that would permit casinos in Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition 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 a Louisbourg, Cape Breton individual recently defined the word double-think as simultaneous belief in two contradictory ideas or points of view; and
Whereas . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Is this a petition?
MR. ARCHIBALD: Oh, sorry. He told me to get up and do it now.
MR. SPEAKER: Are there any further petitions? If not, we will move on.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. ROBERT CARRUTHERS: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Private and Local Bills, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bills:
Bill No. 118 - Amherst Cemetery Company Act.
Bill No. 123 - Springhill Parks and Recreation Commission Act.
Bill No. 127 - Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Act.
Bill No. 133 - Community of Sackville Landfill Compensation Act.
and the committee recommends these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, each without amendment.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
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 the IWK Children's Hospital has responded to an urgent need from an heroic rescue of two New Brunswick children; and
Whereas the Maritime community is hoping for the safe recovery of a two year old girl and her four year old brother who were pulled from a house fire on Friday; and
Whereas the IWK Hospital is on call 24 hours a day for the children of our region;
Therefore be it resolved that this House commend these heroes - the young children fighting their injuries; the Saint John firefighters; and the health professionals of our Maritime centre for excellence in children's health services, the IWK.
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 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 charities supported by Christmas Daddies have felt the effect in Cape Breton of public response to the CHUM Group owners whose primary interest is profits for Toronto rather than service to this region; and
Whereas female support staff at ATV/ASN have been locked out for months because the Toronto-based station owners, CHUM Group, refuse to offer them the seniority rights that are enjoyed at all other CHUM stations; and
Whereas the locked-out support staff have now asked that ATV/ASN be boycotted until they are willing to reach an even-handed settlement to end the lockout;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House should honour their declared support for good labour-management relations and equal pay for work of equal value by declining one-on-one interviews with ATV or ASN while the station owners continue their sexist lockout of support staff.
I would like to ask for waiver of notice on that motion, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
MR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry I was out of order a moment ago.
Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a Louisbourg, Cape Breton individual recently defined the word double-think as simultaneous belief in two contradictory ideas or points of view; and
Whereas the same individual described a double-think politician as a person who espouses the philosophy of double-think and speaks for constituents only if they support his or her view; and
Whereas the present government, despite what the backbenchers truly think, is proceeding with the establishment of casinos in Halifax and Sydney;
Therefore be it resolved that the Premier and his three musketeers, the Ministers of Transportation, Finance and Economic Renewal, allow the members from the government caucus to step forth and say what their constituents are really telling them, which is, we do not want casinos in Nova Scotia.
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 against all odds, two survivors have been rescued from a Ukranian cargo ship which sunk in a mid-Atlantic storm with 38 people aboard early Friday morning; and
Whereas Canadian Forces Aurora aircraft from CFB Greenwood are cooperating with U.S. rescuers in an attempt to find more survivors from the sunken ship; and
Whereas according to an ocean survival expert, the chances of finding any further survivors grows increasingly difficult by the hour;
Therefore be it resolved that members of the House acknowledge the extreme importance that national defence plays in Nova Scotia and the significant role that members are asked to play in life and death situations.
I would ask for waiver of notice, Mr. Speaker.
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 member for Guysborough-Port Hawkesbury.
MR. RAYMOND WHITE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nova Scotia musical talent has an international reputation, entertaining audiences for many years; and
Whereas Port Hilford's own country music legend, Wilf Carter, is renowned for his contribution to the music industry; and
Whereas Wilf Carter will celebrate his 90th birthday on December 18th, at his home in Arizona;
[2:15 p.m.]
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mr. Carter on this special day and send to him our greetings.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable member has two pages of signatures. Those who wish to sign his birthday greeting may indicate and sign up.
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 it took only one weekend of conversations with his constituents to convince the member for Annapolis that he could not support this government's municipal legislation; and
Whereas Liberal MLAs who meaningfully consult local governments and their own constituents will decide they cannot support such one-sided, dictatorial legislation; and
Whereas the Premier promised, when he was trying to get elected, that consultation would be a way of life for his Liberal Government;
Therefore be it resolved that instead of keeping Liberal MLAs penned in like Christmas turkeys until dictatorial legislation is railroaded through, the government should encourage MLAs to consult widely about an effective municipal service exchange and bottom-up municipal reform.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
I would, however, like to caution both sides of the House, to be fair about these things, that we ought not to be introducing notices of motion that pertain to bills that are before the House at some stage of the legislative process. It is technically a breach of order.
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 each budget introduced by this government has broken the signed agreements negotiated with public sector workers, thus betraying the specific pledges made by both the Finance Minister and the Premier; and
Whereas each time the Liberals break collective agreements their excuse is that the government has no money; and
Whereas workers with decades of positive, loyal service, are asking why this same government spent $100,000 to honour the contract of a deputy minister whose judgment was supposedly so poor that the Premier fired her on the spot;
Therefore be it resolved that this House condemns the blatant Liberal double standard of wage cuts for people earning less than $25,000, but quick payment of $100,000 to one of the highest paid public servants.
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 Children's Aid Society, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army and women's institutes today added their voices to the many who oppose casino gambling for the economic and social damage it will do in a province already suffering abundant gambling enticements; and
Whereas these organizations join dozens of others, plus the three separate, far-reaching public consultations, which concluded that Nova Scotians do not want an expansion of gambling and do not want casinos; and
Whereas a government that recklessly defies such clear, consistent expressions of public opinion undermines both its own legitimacy and the democratic system;
Therefore be it resolved that this government should pull back from the brink of another Liberal disaster and drop its ill-conceived, ill-considered plans to quickly open up casinos in the face of widespread public opposition and overwhelming expert opinion.
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 the provincial government responded to grass roots initiatives and widespread sentiment when Cabinet gave official recognition to the Cape Breton flag, chosen through the efforts of the Cape Bretoner magazine and many others; and
Whereas Cape Bretoners voted for a jobs strategy, strongly oppose casino gambling and are now struggling with a Halifax-imposed amalgamation, rather than one designed locally to make sense in Cape Breton;
Therefore be it resolved that the government should give substance to the positive symbolism of Cape Breton's flag by truly consulting, listening and heeding Cape Bretoners, who want a solid, sustainable, community-based jobs strategy instead of casinos and disruption from Halifax.
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 a Pictou County man recently asked the question in the Pictou Advocate, why does the Premier, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Health generally dislike the general population of Nova Scotia; and
Whereas this same individual wants to know why the Premier and his two ministers dislike practically all Nova Scotians, from truckers and loggers to civil servants and doctors, while making extremely few exceptions in the process; and
Whereas this individual firmly believes the Premier and some members of his Cabinet are treating Nova Scotians with utter discontempt and totally disregarding the fact it was these people who elected them to government in the first place;
Therefore be it resolved that the Premier and members of his Cabinet explain to Nova Scotians sooner, rather than later, the dismal state of confusion which presently exists within the Executive Council and whether there is any hope of showing Nova Scotians in the very near future, their competence and governing ability.
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 the Community of Westmount is reeling from the suicides - one month apart - of two 15 year old friends; and
Whereas the parents of classmates and friends of the two young boys are watching carefully over their children for fear of losing their child; and
Whereas with several teens being admitted to Cape Breton's only psychiatric facility, because of their emotional state over the deaths, the call for youth services and resources was made;
Therefore be it resolved that the Health Minister heed the calls of the community of Cape Breton for attention to the lack of mental health services for youth in the Cape Breton region.
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 promises of a mental health outreach program to begin some time in 1995 are meaningless to parents in Westmount or anyone else in Cape Breton who is coping with an urgent need for adolescent counselling; and
Whereas this fall Cape Bretoners were forced to waste time and energy negotiating a short-term extension of the few existing child and adolescent services because this government will not make a long-term commitment; and
Whereas the absence of community-based services only makes worse the failure to ensure there are appropriate institutional adolescent mental health services;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the Health Minister to finally move beyond crisis management and ensure that, in Cape Breton and elsewhere, there are adequate acute and chronic child and adolescent mental health services to meet both urgent and ongoing needs.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce to you and all members of this House Alice Sandall and her sister members of the NABET local that have been out on the streets, locked out by the CHUM group ATV/ASN, that are involved in a bitter dispute with their employer, over issues that they and many fair-minded Nova Scotians think are quite fair. They have come down today to watch the proceedings and I would ask all members to give them the usual warm welcome. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: Are there any further notices of motion or introductions before we move on? If not, that concludes the daily routine.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: 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.
[2:23 p.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
[9:58 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, 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, we will be sitting tomorrow from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Following the daily routine and Question Period, we will probably be in Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
I move that we adjourn until 12:00 noon tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion for adjournment has been made and carried. The House will now rise to sit again tomorrow at the hour of 12:00 noon.
[The House rose at 10:01 p.m.]
QUESTION NO. 72
By: Mr. George Archibald (Kings North)
To: Hon. Ross Bragg (Minister for the Economic Renewal Agency)
(1) I want to know, as does B. MacAulay of Amherst and B. Myles of Truro, what are the Liberal Government plans to help small business obtain loans, not grants, without putting up high equity or endless personal guarantees which will allow Nova Scotians to create jobs?
QUESTION NO. 73
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does P. Hatt of Lawrencetown, what can be done to generate an interest in order to get more men working as day care providers?
QUESTION NO. 74
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does K. Markovic of Truro, what will be done to improve the appalling wages and working conditions for qualified early childhood educators working in licensed non-profit preschool facilities?
QUESTION NO. 75
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does C. Harrison of Florence, if there is any assistance from the provincial government for widows whose family have grown up and left and who are too young for the old age pension and spouse's allowance?
QUESTION NO. 76
By: Mr. John Leefe (Queens)
To: Hon. Robert Harrison (Minister of the Environment)
(1) I want to know, as does S. Henley of Porter's Lake, why did the Minister of the Environment rule on energy waste for metro on the basis of cost rather than on the basis of scientific findings as a decision based on good science would help indicate what is the most environmentally safe method to treat our remaining waste after reduction, recycling and composting?
QUESTION NO. 77
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does D. Russell of Amherst, what specific services will be in place at the community level to provide service to parents and children who are mentally challenged at the time of the closure of the youth centre in Truro?
QUESTION NO. 78
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does T. Penney of Yarmouth and E. Stark of Digby, why do you continue to put the burden of Nova Scotia's taxes onto the lower and middle class citizens of the province instead of directing the problem to higher earners and businesses who can afford to carry some of the burden?
QUESTION NO. 79
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does W. F. Stokdijk of Truro, why the Province of Nova Scotia doesn't balance the budget immediately and start paying off the massive debt immediately?
QUESTION NO. 80
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does I. Ross of New Ross, why you borrowed more than $900 million on the international money market instead of cutting expenditures by the same amount?
QUESTION NO. 81
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does R. J. Peppard of Musquodoboit Harbour, what was the total revenue received from the hospital tax for the year 1993-94?
QUESTION NO. 82
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does P. O'Meara of Arcadia, would you consider giving Nova Scotians the opportunity to reduce the public debt by lending the province money, interest free, and in return, give taxpayers tax credits as is done for contributions to registered political Parties?
QUESTION NO. 83
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does H.A. Thorpe of Mahone Bay, why this government continues to give grants? Would it not be better to apply those funds to the provincial debt?
QUESTION NO. 84
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does H. Rane of Springfield, why you do not amend the "Protection of Property Act" which Ms. Rane believes violates the Charter of Rights?
QUESTION NO. 85
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does B. Henderson of Truro, the exact amount Don Barr received in his settlement with the province? And Lucy Dobbin, what is she getting?
QUESTION NO. 86
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does R. C. Shreve of Wolfville, why did this government go to Japan to borrow $1 million? Why wasn't the borrowing done here?
QUESTION NO. 87
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does J. Hood of Yarmouth, what your government plans to do with all the single female parents on mother's assistance so that they can give something back to society instead of being a burden on the taxpayer?
QUESTION NO. 88
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does L. Reid of Westmount, why the government is cutting back on the pensions of people who are trying to take care of the physically or mentally challenged? Instead, cut back on keeping unwed moms and their children. If a girl gets pregnant, it should be the responsibility of the girl, the boy and their parents, not the taxpayers.
QUESTION NO. 89
By: Dr. John Hamm (Pictou Centre)
To: Hon. James Smith (Minister of Community Services)
(1) I want to know, as does B. Stevenson of North Sydney, what are you going to do about getting families off welfare?
