MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will commence this afternoon's sitting at this time. The daily routine is first on the agenda.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Shelburne.
MR. CLIFFORD HUSKILSON: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present to the House a petition from 62 landowners of Rockland and East Ragged Island in Shelburne County. I would like to table this and I have affixed my signature to it. They would like their road paved.
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
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 last week the Official Opposition revealed that ads for the top paying positions in casinos in Halifax and Sydney had been advertised on January 1st in Las Vegas and in Atlantic City but not in Nova Scotia; and
Whereas the Minister of Finance, in attempting to save face, lost little time ensuring the same ads appeared in provincial newspapers over the weekend; and
Whereas the minister may now wish to explain why ads in Nova Scotia papers, supposedly aimed at Nova Scotians, would offer, "Relocation assistance to Nova Scotia . . .", if indeed there was any intention of those jobs going to Nova Scotians;
Therefore be it resolved that the minister drop the charade of trying to convince Nova Scotians that casinos will bring them good, secure jobs in Halifax and Sydney.
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 Premier told radio listeners this morning that he is going to Switzerland with great comfort, because now he has office staff whom he can trust; and
Whereas it must be equally comforting for the Cabinet and caucus to know who runs the government in the Premier's absence, and to know that it isn't them; and
Whereas the Premier's capable office staff have eased any sense of urgency about government legislation by announcing that the Premier is taking a four day holiday, while this House sits;
Therefore be it resolved that the government should provide Nova Scotians with a list of the departments for which each member of the Premier's staff is responsible, so people need not waste time on such intermediaries as MLAs and Cabinet Ministers.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Bedford-Fall River.
MRS. FRANCENE COSMAN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on Wednesday night, January 18th, the Right Reverend Frederick Hiltz was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia; and
Whereas Bishop Hiltz is recognized throughout the provinces as a caring pastoral leader and able administrator; and
Whereas Bishop Hiltz will assist the Bishop of Nova Scotia, Right Reverend Arthur Peters, in the care and administration of the oldest Anglican Diocese in Canada;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly offer its congratulations to the new Suffragan Bishop of Nova Scotia, the Right Reverend Fred Hiltz, and to the people of the Diocese of Nova Scotia on the occasion of the consecration of the new Suffragan Bishop.
Mr. Speaker, I am requesting waiver.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed that notice be waived on that notice of motion?
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 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 Finance Minister, over the weekend, was handed his first concrete example for his theory that casinos will bring much-needed dollars into the Nova Scotian economy; and
Whereas the daily newspapers have benefitted greatly from large advertisements for the management positions for the proposed casinos in Halifax and Sydney; and
Whereas these advertisements appeared three weeks later than those found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City;
Therefore be it resolved that the minister stop holding out the empty promise of good, secure jobs for Nova Scotians in casinos as a tactic to encourage the Opposition to simply roll over and play dead in this House.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Pictou East.
MR. WAYNE FRASER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nova Scotia is the best place in the world to do business; and
Whereas in recognition of this fact, the world's largest tire manufacturer announced that they will invest $24 million into infrastructure improvements of the three plant locations in Nova Scotia; and
Whereas Michelin will spend $13 million at the main plant in Granton, Pictou County to increase capacity, that reached the 100 millionth tire mark on Friday, January 13th;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House of Assembly extend congratulations to Michelin Tire for their long-term commitment and confidence in the economy of Nova Scotia by investing in the Granton plant's future.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver of notice which requires unanimous consent.
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: I wonder if before I introduce a resolution I could make a couple of introductions.
MR. SPEAKER: Well, fine.
MR. CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, in the west gallery I would like to encourage all members to give a warm welcome to, and ask these two people to stand up, Christine Fletcher and Ruth Weir who are here to participate by listening to the debate on the workers' compensation bill.
MR. SPEAKER: Well, I am very glad that they are here but they are not in the west gallery, they are in the Speaker's Gallery. Very glad to have them there.
MR. CHISHOLM: I would encourage all members to give them a warm welcome. (Applause) They were heading for the west gallery.
MR. SPEAKER: They seem to like my gallery better.
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 Government House Leader has frequently cited 1992 Ontario rule changes as his justification for threats to cut off debate in this House; and
Whereas only 13 government bills a year were being approved by the Ontario Legislature, and Opposition Parties were boycotting the Rules Committee, when those 1992 changes were introduced; and
Whereas this government has been gaining approval for more legislation than the Cameron Government did, and it rarely seeks all-Party discussion of any improvement to the rules;
Therefore be it resolved that the Liberals should not mistake their political distress due to public accountability for arbitrary, unreasonable legislation with any true threat to the effective representation of all Nova Scotians by this House.
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 for the fourth time in just over a week, the Premier has been informed by Nova Scotia Liberals that they want his leadership reviewed; and
Whereas the news from Liberals out of New Glasgow yesterday follows on the heels of news released Friday that Nova Scotians have ranked the Premier as the least popular Leader in all of Canada; and
Whereas members of the Millbrook Indian Band have been waiting for months for a simple meeting with the Premier to discuss economic development but are now tired and want him replaced as the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs;
Therefore be it resolved that if the Premier is going to insist on travelling to exotic locales such as Cuba, Korea and Switzerland on a regular basis - he first deal with the concerns of Nova Scotians before leaving on these foreign jaunts.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Inverness.
MR. CHARLES MACARTHUR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas during Pope John Paul's visit to Australia last week he beatified the deceased nun Mother Mary MacKillop, daughter of Scottish immigrants who settled in Australia in the 1800's; and
Whereas during the same period a number of relatives of the venerated Mother Mary of the Cross immigrated to various areas of Nova Scotia, many who still live in Inverness County; and
Whereas Mother Mary MacKillop devoted her life to the care and education of the poor and has been proven that her intercession has led to at least two miracles and when the third miracle is verified she will obtain sainthood;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House extend congratulations to all relatives of the venerated Mother Mary MacKillop as we look forward to her elevation to sainthood.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for waiver of notice and passage without debate.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed that notice be waived?
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 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 public meeting was held at the Windsor Forks Elementary School on Thursday, January 19th to discuss an extension of the moratorium on uranium mining beyond January 31, 1995;
Whereas there was considerable discussion and examination of both positive and negative aspects of uranium mining; and
Whereas approximately 100 persons in attendance, finally, unanimously concluded that the moratorium on uranium mining should be extended for a further period of five years;
Therefore be it resolved that the Government of Nova Scotia, without delay, extend the present moratorium on uranium mining until January 31, 2000.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver of notice. It requires unanimous consent.
Is there consent?
I hear several Noes.
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 municipal councils have reported in recent weeks that they are unable to obtain accurate information from this government about the police costs they are expected to assume on April 1st; and
Whereas the Warden of Chester stated that, "we have to find someone in the province to give us the actual cost", explaining that municipalities cannot consider their options until cost information is available; and
Whereas municipalities are preparing their budgets right now and the agreed legislative timetable on Bill No. 114 means uncertainty is no excuse for provincial inaction;
Therefore be it resolved that the Municipal Affairs Minister should concentrate her efforts on providing the ready access to detailed information that is essential if the April 1st service exchange is to take place without confusion and disruption.
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 Minister of Health continues to keep the lives of Nova Scotians in chaos as they desperately await word of a hospital bed being made available for them in a time of need; and
Whereas the most recent example that has come to light is that of a Kentville doctor who attempted to get a bed for Clayton Taylor at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax; and
Whereas the Kentville doctor was unable to secure a bed for Mr. Taylor until he had suffered his third heart attack in the span of two weeks and was in critical need of triple by-pass heart surgery;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Health make it abundantly clear to Nova Scotians today that doctors will not have to consider sending patients to hospitals outside of Nova Scotia while waiting for a hospital bed in 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 Health Minister has again announced plans for tough tobacco control after receiving fresh evidence that deadly tobacco addiction is fast increasing among young Nova Scotians; and
Whereas this government also knows that young people are equally prone to gambling addiction and in particular to the VLT slot machines which the Liberals are expanding and promoting as the predominant form of gambling in Nova Scotia; and
Whereas similar announcements of tough gambling control have so far been followed by no action to deter youth or illegal gambling;
Therefore be it resolved that this government could demonstrate its commitment to health care reform by undertaking a comprehensive, preventive, anti-addiction policy to minimize the opportunities for youth and others to become addicted to tobacco, gambling and drugs.
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 Minister of Health's priority is to entrap Nova Scotian store owners; and
Whereas the health care system in Nova Scotia is in disarray; and
Whereas the Minister of Health's priority is to hire five cigarette inspectors of $500,000 per year;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Health resign and his replacement get in touch with Nova Scotians needing health care.
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 the merger of four metro hospitals was announced in the summer of 1994; and
Whereas while the membership of the new Queen Elizabeth II board for the merged institutions was filled within months of the announcement, the work of the board was delayed pending further instruction by the Health Minister; and
Whereas there was further confusion when the new chairperson stepped down and the board awaited a successor;
Therefore be it resolved that while the community awaits the board to be completely operational, the Minister of Health offer answers to the questions that the health professionals and employees of the institutions now governed by the QE II board have been asking since the announcement was made while the Queen visited the city some six months ago.
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 has recently authorized his department to spend a considerable amount of money on newspaper advertisements in an attempt to explain to Nova Scotians what they can do if their road is not plowed following a storm; and
Whereas these advertisements list a variety of numbers that local residents can call if their road is not plowed or unsafe following a storm; and
Whereas despite these newspaper advertisements, a prominent Liberal from Meagher's Grant, Halifax County, recently expressed his extreme displeasure over the fact that following a recent storm calls were made to the number advertised for Halifax County in the minister's ad to inquire about sanding, but was told no one could help him because those in charge had left for the day;
Therefore be it resolved that if the minister insists on trying to make himself look good to the Nova Scotia travelling public, he make every attempt to ensure that newspaper advertisements placed by him are not misleading.
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 Liberal Government advertisements promised Nova Scotians a better, more secure future, stating further that the opportunities in Nova Scotia are endless; and
Whereas such ads have appeared at the same time that nearly 600 people lined up for 75 14-week poverty level winter works jobs in Sydney; and
Whereas even such opportunities are so limited that only a few dozen more short-term jobs have been offered to the hundreds of unemployed Cape Bretoners desperate for work;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the government to divert funds from the empty promises of advertising towards support for community-based efforts to provide real, reliable, secure jobs.
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 Mayor of Sydney and former Liberal Leader, Vince MacLean, has declared that the ITT Sheraton began negotiations to provide financial support to Centre 200 only on January 12th, while this House was engaged in the wide-ranging debate of the title of Bill No. 120; and
Whereas if the mayor is to be believed, concrete benefits of detailed legislative scrutiny are indeed evident; and
Whereas Windsor, Ontario officials have publicly warned that extra police and traffic costs should clearly be the responsibility of any Vegas-style casino;
Therefore be it resolved that this House reaffirm the benefit to Nova Scotians of detailed, painstaking legislative review, particularly of proposals that have not been the subject of public consultation or a local approval process.
MR. SPEAKER: That resolution appears to me to duplicate the content of Bill No. 120, the Gaming Control Act, now under debate in the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
MS. ALEXA MCDONOUGH: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. This resolution concerns the ITT Sheraton deal which we have been expressly advised by the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House is not permitted to be debated, scrutinized, analyzed or discussed in the context of Bill No. 120 debate. For that reason, I am rising on a point of order to frankly ask for reconsideration of your ruling this resolution out of order. We can't be faced with a situation where we are unable to address this matter either in debate or through resolutions and questions and other means available to us.
MR. SPEAKER: Well, I was consulting with the Clerk during that point. The Clerk is of the view that the resolution on close reading of its content - and I must say that I don't have an opportunity to read any of these resolutions in advance, I take them as they are submitted - but the resolution does appear to deal perhaps more with matters not dealt with in the bill than with the bill.
Therefore, on weighing the resolution, it appears to be in order and is tabled.
Are there further notices of motions? Is there any additional business to come before the House under the heading of the daily routine?
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, would you please revert to the order of business, Presenting Reports of Committees.
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 bill:
Bill No. 142 - Halifax City Charter.
and that the committee recommends this bill to the favourable consideration of the House, with certain amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. ROBERT CARRUTHERS: Mr. Speaker, once again, 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. 143 - Halifax County Charter.
Bill No. 144 - Oak and Elm Grove Cemetery Company Act.
Bill No. 145 - Dartmouth City Charter.
and the committee recommends these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, without amendment.
I am also directed to report that the committee has also considered the following bill:
Bill No. 146 - West Hants Offices Change of Name Act.
but the committee is not reporting this bill back to the House and instead, has directed me to advise the Minister of Municipal Affairs that the committee is recommending that the Minister of Municipal Affairs discuss with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities the issue of legislation that would:
(a) change the name of the offices of warden and deputy warden of each municipality to mayor and deputy mayor, respectively; and
(b) require that the holder of the office of warden or mayor, by whatever title that office is called, be selected by election at large by the registered voters in the municipality.
MR. SPEAKER: Very well, the Committee Report is tabled and those bills that were reported are ordered referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
The honourable member for Hants West.
MR. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order and I suppose more a point of clarification, with regard to reporting bills back from the Private and Local Bills Committee, it was my understanding that the bill would be reported back to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills. As I understand it that procedure is not being followed. (Interruption)
MR. SPEAKER: I am not sure either. I have ordered that the bills reported by the Committee on Private and Local Bills be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills, that is my order.
Are there any additional committee reports? We will then advance to Orders of the Day.
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.
[2:27 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: Order, please. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and made progress and begs leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: The committee has met and begs leave to sit again.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, we will be meeting tomorrow from the hours of noon until 8:00 p.m. The business following the daily routine and Question Period will be Committee of the Whole House on Bills and we will be dealing with Bill No. 122, the Workers' Compensation Act.
I move we adjourn until noon tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is that the House do now rise to meet again tomorrow at the hour of 12:00 noon.
The motion is carried.
[The House rose at 10:00 p.m.]
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Halifax Citadel)
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 Department of Justice:
(1) Terms of reference for the advisory committee outlined to undertake a comprehensive review of the Freedom of Information Act;
(2) Date of the call to set up this committee; and
(3) Status of committee.
