MADAM SPEAKER: Order, please. We will call our session this morning to order. We will begin with the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
MADAM SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Health.
HON. RONALD STEWART: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas May 12th is designated Canada Health Day; and
Whereas the theme for this year's Canada Health Day is "Creating a New Agenda for Health"; and
Whereas government's health renewal process is moving ahead, strengthened by the involvement of many dedicated Nova Scotians;
Therefore be it resolved that this House recognizes Canada Health Day by thanking all health care professionals and the extensive volunteer community who together are helping to make Nova Scotia a healthy province in which to live.
Madam Speaker, I would ask for waiver of notice for this resolution.
MADAM 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.
I have been asked to return to the order of business, Tabling Reports, Regulations and Other Papers.
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
MADAM SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Human Resources.
HON. JAY ABBASS: I am pleased, Madam Speaker, to table the Annual Report for the Department of Human Resources for the year ended March 31, 1993.
MADAM SPEAKER: The report is tabled.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
NOTICES OF MOTION
MADAM SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Knights of Columbus St. John Vianney Council, of Lower Sackville, is again sponsoring the Capital Area Special Olympics, Regional Track and Field Meet; and
Whereas the Special Olympics provide a valuable opportunity for personal development and rewards, helping ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy a full and satisfying life as members of the wider community; and
Whereas the success of the Special Olympics is the result of the contributions made by many dedicated volunteers;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulates the participants, volunteers and sponsors of this weekend's Capital Area Special Olympics, Regional Track and Field Meet, for their commitment to this excellent event and program of activities.
Madam Speaker, I would request waiver of notice and passage without debate.
MADAM SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver of notice.
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: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Justice Minister, Labour Minister and the rest of Cabinet proclaimed that they have interfered with the Westray public inquiry into government's role for the purpose of ensuring nothing will hinder the trial; and
Whereas simultaneously, the Labour Department's failure to produce key Westray Mine inspection documents during three years of police, inquiry and legal action gave rise to new concerns that the criminal trial may be stopped;
Therefore be it resolved that the government's actions that even now are creating doubt about a fair trial of the Westray accused demonstrate conclusively why Cabinet should not have interfered in the public inquiry into government's own role in the Westray Mine and the terrible disaster at that mine.
MADAM SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
MR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Minister of Supply and Services stood in the House and lavished praise on his department for its broad consultations on the government's White Paper on procurement, saying "the municipal units, along with all other entities across this province, have been informed;" and
Whereas strangely enough, many municipalities received faxed letters telling them they would be included in the new procurement policy two weeks after the minister's pronouncement in the House; and
Whereas a number of municipalities are dumbfounded by this government's so-called consultations, having in some cases less than a day to respond to the government's policy;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Supply and Services immediately contact each and every municipal unit across Nova Scotia to inform them of his government's new tendering guidelines and extend the deadline for submissions, instead of trying to implement a policy without the prior knowledge of the institutions to be affected.
MADAM SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the legend of the Oak Island treasure has long captivated those who are attracted by an unsolved mystery; and
Whereas the fate of the Marie Celeste is another unsolved Nova Scotia mystery that continues to fascinate people around the world; and
Whereas the success of television programs like The X-Files, and ad campaigns like Caramilk, further demonstrate the powerful force of the unexplained;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulates the John Savage Liberal leadership campaign for commanding that, if his leadership is supported, another unsolved Bluenose mystery will be how many Liberals could hold their nose on the same day.
MADAM SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.
MR. BROOKE TAYLOR: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Minister of Justice evidently lacks the courage to appear before the federal parliamentary committee examining Bill C-68; and
Whereas the Minister of Justice attempted to lay the gun registration issue under the table when asked about it in this Legislature on Wednesday, despite the fact that the Governments of Alberta, Manitoba and the Yukon, as well as representatives from all three political Parties in Saskatchewan appeared before the parliamentary committee to voice their objections; and
Whereas the Municipalities of Annapolis, Chester, Digby and Halifax County are just four of the municipal units across Nova Scotia to voice their concerns over gun registration;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Justice and the Premier immediately take the concerns of Nova Scotians to Ottawa and appear before the Parliamentary Justice Committee now hearing proposed changes to Bill C-68.
MADAM SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Madam Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas same-sex benefits have been provided by Frank McKenna, Walter Fitzgerald and other Liberals who, regardless of their faults, have demonstrated a popular touch and an effective political mandate; and
Whereas this government, which has spent two years on the run from its own mandate and electorate, is so afraid of the same-sex benefits issue that no minister will acknowledge they are even considering it; and
Whereas an Ontario court judge has just ruled that there is no valid basis for laws that discriminate between families on the basis of sexual orientation;
Therefore be it resolved that this government should meet the standards expected in a free and democratic society by ending its discrimination against same-sex spouses, in employment benefits and otherwise.
MADAM SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Minister of Community Services on an introduction.
HON. JAMES SMITH: Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce to you and to all members of the House, in your gallery, a visitor to this country from Scotland, Dr. John Aspin. Dr. Aspin is a child and adolescent psychiatrist particularly interested in conduct and behaviour disorders of children. He is interested in inter-agency systems workings of social and health care delivery systems. I would ask him to rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MADAM SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Madam Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Government Motions.
GOVERNMENT MOTIONS
MADAM SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Madam Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Supply unto Her Majesty.
MADAM SPEAKER: The motion is carried.
[9:12 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Supply with Deputy Speaker Mrs.
Francene Cosman in the Chair]
[12:16 p.m. CWH on Supply rose and the House reconvened with Acting Deputy Speaker Mr. Robert Carruthers in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Supply reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and has met the statutory requirement but begs leave to sit again to receive the report of the subcommittee.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
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 Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Law Amendments, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bill:
Bill No. 5 - School Boards Act.
and 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 Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, also, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Law Amendments, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bill:
Bill No. 14 - Provincial Dog Act.
and the committee recommends this bill to the favourable consideration of the House, without amendment.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I would advise members of the House that we will be sitting on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The order of business following the daily routine will be the Committee of the Whole House on Bills, the Subcommittee on Supply will be meeting and I believe following the meeting of the subcommittee, the Law Amendments Committee will also be meeting.
I move that we adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
I guess we will advise the members of the subcommittee that the House has risen and they can report to the Clerk so that the time can be recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, I think that would be in order. I think we have sent a message to that effect.
It has been moved that the House adjourn to sit again at 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
[The House rose at 12:19 p.m.]
By: Mr. Robert Chisholm (Halifax Atlantic)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Transport Canada has admitted that more than a quarter of their wharves are closed or restricted due to unsafe conditions; and
Whereas Transport Canada has further acknowledged that their failure to repair wharves and dredge harbours is the cause of the unsafe conditions; and
Whereas Nova Scotians, who gave the Liberals all 11 seats in the Commons representing our province, expect their MPs to fulfil basic federal responsibilities like safe wharves and harbours;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the federal government to undertake the repairs and maintenance necessary to ensure that wharves and harbours throughout Nova Scotia are safe.
QUESTION NO. 28
By: Mr. John Leefe (Queens)
To: Hon. James Barkhouse (Minister of Fisheries)
(1) I want to know, as does N.L. Bushell of River John, how the minister can impose an exorbitant tax on seniors in the province for the right to fish recreationally. These are people who have paid significant dues to government throughout their lives. Will the minister reconsider his decision and revoke the recreational fishing tax?
QUESTION NO. 29
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Leader of the Opposition)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. P. Spicer of Parrsboro, if the minister will be raising the issue of homosexuals entering the armed forces with his federal counterpart, Minister of Justice Doug Young, and will he be supporting the prohibition of entrance of homosexuals into the forces?
QUESTION NO. 30
By: Mr. Brooke Taylor (Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley)
To: Hon. Richard Mann (Minister of Transportation and Communications)
(1) I want to know, as does Ms. A.M. Ringer of Lockeport, will the minister address why consumers of used vehicles must pay the dealer blue book prices when purchasing rather than the tax level on what was actually spent on the purchase?
QUESTION NO. 31
By: Mr. Brooke Taylor (Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley)
To: Hon. Donald Downe (Minister of Natural Resources)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. G. Parker of Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, if the minister will be implementing new guidelines under the Utility and Review Board to ensure that power consumers in the province have a more clear breakdown of how they are being charged for power use. If the minister refers to the 5 per cent late payment charge as really an early payment discount, then why doesn't the power bill form indicate this reality?
QUESTION NO. 32
By: Mr. Brooke Taylor (Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley)
To: Hon. Richard Mann (Minister of Transportation and Communications)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. C. Whynot of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, what criterion did the minister use to justify diverting funds from the section of Highway No. 104, known as death valley, to the Fleur-de-lis Trail which runs through the constituency of federal Public Works Minister, David Dingwall?
QUESTION NO. 33
By: Mr. Brooke Taylor (Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley)
To: Hon. Donald Downe (Minister of Natural Resources)
(1) I want to know, as does Mrs. Herbin of Mahone Bay, why the present hike in power rates was not opposed by the Liberal Government? Many Nova Scotians switched to power use under the former provincial government's campaign to use power rather than coal, wood or oil. Why hasn't the government stood up for Nova Scotians who shifted to power usage with the belief that it would be a cheaper energy source?
QUESTION NO. 34
By: Mr. Brooke Taylor (Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley)
To: Hon. Richard Mann (Minister of Transportation and Communications)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. K. Swinamer, if this present Liberal Government will be extending the four lane highway from Mount Uniacke to St. Croix which will include an exit to the old Highway No. 1 through Lakelands or Cameron Lake.
QUESTION NO. 35
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Leader of the Opposition)
To: Hon. William Gillis (Minister of Justice)
(1) The minister has involved the department in a community policing effort in conjunction with the Dartmouth Police, the school and the CEIC-Human Resources Development Canada. The effort is expected to cost $5,000, a figure shared by the partners. Could the minister offer details as to how much the department is contributing and where else this initiative might be carried out within the province?
QUESTION NO. 36
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. A. Gillis of New Waterford, how much revenue was realized by the province from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation in 1994? Will the minister disclose the breakdown between administrative services and the actual monies that go to services and which services receive funding through Atlantic Lottery Corporation?
QUESTION NO. 37
By: Mr. Donald McInnes (Pictou West)
To: Hon. Eleanor Norrie (Minister of Housing and Consumer Affairs)
(1) In their newsletter, Women's Rights, published in February 1995, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women are quoted with the following, ". . . actions promoted by this organization (Human Life International) and `similar groups' promote a climate of hatred which fosters violence.". I want to know, as does Ms. Carmel Timmons of Margaree Forks, Nova Scotia, what similar groups the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women were referring to in their newsletter, Women's Rights, published in February 1995?
QUESTION NO. 38
By: Mr. George Archibald (Kings North)
To: Hon. Sandra Jolly (Minister of Municipal Affairs)
(1) I want to know, as does Mrs. L. MacPherson of New Minas, if the minister will investigate issues concerning town by-law agreements that repeatedly point toward inconsistencies, unfairness, and inequities? As is the case with the Village of New Minas, sewer, water and building rates are inconsistent with the by-laws of the village. Will the minister look into this issue and determine what steps can be taken to ensure that residents of the village have by-laws which state in more specific terms how rates for utilities are determined?
QUESTION NO. 39
By: Mr. Ronald Russell (Hants West)
To: Hon. Bernard Boudreau (Minister of Finance)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. T. Dorey of Kingston, if the minister will reveal the correct deficit figures for the 1994-95 fiscal year? Reports from the media have been particularly confusing suggesting that in fact our deficit is much greater than what the minister is suggesting. What is the deficit and on what basis and through what calculations are other financial experts claiming that the deficit is larger than you have indicated?
QUESTION NO. 40
By: Mr. Terence Donahoe (Leader of the Opposition)
To: Hon. John Savage (Premier)
(1) I want to know, as does Mr. K. Covert, Granville Ferry, where are the numerous jobs promised by the Premier when he first came to office in the spring of 1993? I, like Mr. K. Covert, have seen little in the way of economic renewal from this government. What happened to the economic renewal scheme championed by the Premier, 30-60-90? Will the Premier please respond to Mr. Covert, and to me, and to so many other Nova Scotians who are seeking an answer as to the direction of this government's economic policies?
