MR. SPEAKER: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I will call the House to order at this time.
I have been asked to begin the day's session by announcing that today, Friday the 13th is the birthday of the honourable member for Guysborough-Port Hawkesbury. (Applause)
AN HON. MEMBER: Is singing appropriate?
MR. SPEAKER: We would all like to wish him a very happy birthday. I don't know if we need to sing it but we will certainly wish him a happy birthday. I have also been asked to announce that the Whip's birthday is tomorrow and we wish her a very happy birthday, too. (Applause)
Now to commence the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Health.
HON. RONALD STEWART: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a petition concerning members' retiring allowances on behalf of several of the members of Cape Breton North and surrounding area.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 145 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 43A of the Acts of 1978. The Dartmouth City Charter. (Hon. James Smith as a private member.)
Bill No. 146 - Entitled an Act to Change the Names of the Offices of Warden and Deputy Warden of the Municipality of the District of West Hants. (Mr. Ronald Russell)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be read a second time on a future day.
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 a federal Finance Department policy paper recently stated, "the prospect of rising taxes discourages investors and entrepreneurs, thus diminishing future economic growth and job prospects;" and
Whereas the Finance Department policy paper also states that, "higher taxes themselves distort economic behaviour in ways that are detrimental to efficiency and growth;" and
Whereas Canada's federal Finance Minister is set to place an added burden of $2 billion in tax increases on Canadians in his upcoming February budget;
Therefore be it resolved that Nova Scotia's Minister of Finance, someone all Nova Scotians can identify with when it comes to raising taxes, explain to his federal counterpart that tax increases are not the answer and urge him not to raise taxes in the upcoming federal budget.
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 Transportation Minister, Wednesday, said there that there was no hurry or plan to deal with the transfer of local roads to municipalities, refusing to even deal with the fact that municipal budgets are now being prepared; and
Whereas even the so-called Regional Municipality of Cape Breton admits they cannot set a 1995 tax rate until they know the province's intentions regarding local roads; and
Whereas the Liberals' only response to such well-documented problems is, bring us your concerns;
Therefore be it resolved that the Transportation Minister should worry less about trying to hasten the unwanted imposition of casinos and more about the budgetary problems and uncertainties he is creating throughout rural Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Lunenburg.
MRS. LILA O'CONNOR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Nova Scotia tourism strategy encourages eco-tourism as a vital component of Nova Scotia tourism; and
Whereas public input will be welcomed at the Atlantic Canada Eco-tourism Conference/Workshop, taking place at the White Point Beach Lodge on January 16 to January 20, 1995; and
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly applaud the efforts of all the participants of the Atlantic Canada Eco-tourism Conference, because they will continue to develop initiatives which will foster conservation and management, sustainable development and use, and increase public awareness of eco-tourism resources.
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 Minister of Health is assuring Nova Scotians they do not have to make impassioned pleas to his office in order to secure a desperately needed hospital bed in this province; and
Whereas while one woman has come forth to say that this is a process she stooped to, because her doctors and specialists could not get her a bed for months and she felt she had no other choice; and
Whereas this is not the only woman worried about the effects that long waits and shortened stays are having on individuals;
Therefore be it resolved that the Health Minister assure Nova Scotians that his health plan will not mean that people like Susan Peel have such long and painful waits for treatment in this province and that the answer to those waits is not a telephone call to the minister's office.
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 honourable member for Dartmouth South and Premier said on March 23, 1993, that no decisions concerning unilateral government should be made without restoring the consultative process; and
Whereas the Warden of Antigonish County recently said, the province continues to make changes from week to week, even day to day, leaving us with a very unsettled feeling; and
Whereas Antigonish County Council was told one week by the province that the annual municipal cost for police protection was $703,000, yet one week later the municipality was informed that cost had jumped to $833,000;
Therefore be it resolved that the member for Antigonish and Deputy Premier bring forth the views of his constituents from Antigonish just like the members for Colchester North, Annapolis and Cape Breton West did, instead of toeing the government line and forcing tax hikes upon his constituents.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Queens.
MR. JOHN LEEFE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nova Scotians not only deserve but expect responsible leadership from their Premier; and
Whereas the Premier is lunching with the Prime Minister of Canada today but only plans, as the Premier said himself this week, "to talk generally with the PM while emphasizing Nova Scotia as a loyal subject"; and
Whereas the federal government is openly discussing $2 billion in tax hikes that are evidently being planned for release in February's federal budget;
Therefore be it resolved that following his G-7 discussions today, the Premier of this province forget talking with the Prime Minister about the weather, and about Nova Scotia being a loyal subject, and get down to the serious issues facing all Nova Scotians, like the prospect of the damage created by tremendous federal tax hikes.
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 the current Minister of Municipal Affairs spoke out against patronage while in Opposition; and
Whereas the member for Dartmouth North on June 13, 1991 was vitriolic in her condemnation of friends of MLAs getting government work; and
Whereas this same member is now recommending her biggest single campaign contributor be hired at $100 per day plus expenses to sit on the Municipal Finance Corporation;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Municipal Affairs adhere to her previous convictions and revoke the recommendation of her close political friend for a political appointment.
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 MLA for Shelburne welcomed the low turnout at Wednesday night's Liberal Party regional meeting in Bridgewater as a good sign the Liberals are not as angry at their own government; and
Whereas rare indeed is the political Party which prays for, hopes for and publicly gives thanks for a low level of participation and activity among its own members; and
Whereas for reasons unknown, it is becoming clear that the Liberals have in fact been working overtime to ensure that no one works for or votes for their Party in the next provincial election;
Therefore be it resolved that Liberal MLAs, Cabinet Ministers and Premiers who do not want public participation or public support should seriously consider career counselling to help them find a more suitable job.
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 hospital administrators, health care providers and individual Nova Scotians have received the message that, despite many promises and massive hospital closings, this government is waiting several more years to implement a comprehensive, Coordinated Home Care Program; and
Whereas during the last 12 months and longer, inside and outside this House, the Health Minister has been forced to intervene to obtain hospital care, out-patient services and home care for those failed by an over-stressed system;
Therefore be it resolved that the Health Minister should not try to hide the fact that he and his office have become the last resort for those shut out from urgently, desperately needed care that their physicians have recommended.
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 emerging Regional Municipality of Cape Breton, while under the thumb of the Municipal Affairs Minister, has gone to Bridgetown and to Halifax for its legal advice; and
Whereas officials acting under the minister's control and direction have implied that Cape Breton Island does not have any lawyers capable of dealing with labour law; and
Whereas even former Liberal MLA David Muise felt forced to state that there is nothing magical about a Halifax lawyer; (Interruptions)
Therefore be it resolved that duly elected local representatives should have the ultimate responsibility for the selection of lawyers and all other decisions now being made with Cape Breton tax dollars by provincial employees who have been given the power of a municipal council by this Liberal Government.
[8:15 a.m.]
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 Cape Breton MLAs have seized every opportunity to boast about the short-term jobs their government is providing for several dozen Cape Bretoners; and
Whereas Whitney Pier Alderman Mike Moore of Cape Breton Nova, a person not unknown to the Liberal Party, said Wednesday that 33 more 12 week jobs does little for the unemployment problem in Cape Breton; and
Whereas Alderman Moore is one Liberal who is not waiting for a closed-door review meeting to make known his views on such fundamental issues as jobs;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the silent 10 MLAs who represent Cape Breton to be as honest and outspoken on the jobs crisis and those who worked hard to elect them in the first place.
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 on December 4th the Minister of Education told an Amherst news conference that, "we have a plan . . . and we hope to be back by the first of February to give some details", when he announced 75 jobs would be transferred to Amherst; and
Whereas the Premier has twice confirmed that no such plans exist and that until there is a plan, the government will not even consult the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union about such job decentralization; and
Whereas the Premier has stated that the government has begun "studying" the issue of such job transfers;
Therefore be it resolved that ministers who demand the right to govern unhindered by legislative accountability should receive the credibility required to govern by explaining when a plan is not a plan.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
Are there any additional notices of motion? Is there any further business to come before the House under the heading of the daily routine?
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: 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.
[8:17 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
[3:59 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Mr. Gerald O'Malley in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. 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 honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, we will be meeting on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The order of business after the daily routine will be Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
I move that we adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion has been made for adjournment until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
The motion is carried.
The House will now rise to meet again at 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
[The House rose at 4:00 p.m.]
