MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I will call the House to order at this time and commence the daily proceedings. The daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Agriculture.
HON. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition signed by a number of teachers from Clare respecting Bill No. 39.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable Minister of Municipal Affairs.
HON. SANDRA JOLLY: Mr. Speaker, I, too, am pleased to table a petition that has been signed by a number of teachers in the Harbour View and Northbrook Schools.
MR. SPEAKER: The petitions are tabled.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Housing and Consumer Affairs.
HON. ELEANOR NORRIE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas November 25th is the International Day to End Violence Against Women and marks the end of the period known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an ongoing international campaign to strengthen the movement of women's human rights, the 16 days of activism has been proclaimed here, in Nova Scotia, by the Premier earlier this week; and
Whereas in Nova Scotia November 25th also marks the beginning of the annual purple ribbon campaign culminating on December 6th when we will commemorate Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women; and
Whereas we recognize the gains which have been made including the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 1993; the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, in 1994; and the renewed call for an end to the violence agreed upon by nations participating in the 4th World Conference of Women in Bejing this past September, in spite of the progress that has been made, we need only to look at our local newspapers to see that violence against women has not yet been eliminated here in Nova Scotia or around the world;
Therefore be it resolved that all members support the movement to end violence against women through personal commitment, organizational support, community action and that we make our commitment known by wearing a purple ribbon.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: Is that agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried. (Applause)
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 48 - Entitled an Act to Declare the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry to be the Provincial Berry of Nova Scotia. (Hon. Wayne Gaudet)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
DR. JOHN HAMM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas approximately 8,000 residents of Glace Bay, Donkin, Dominion and Reserve Mines are presently without the services of a family physician; and
Whereas due to the present shortage of family and emergency room physicians, existing physicians are being forced to work up to 100 hours a week in the outpatient department of the Glace Bay Hospital; and
Whereas the problem became even worse this week with the announced departure of a Glace Bay emergency room doctor for the United States;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Health admit he has an emergency relating to a shortage of doctors in Glace Bay and come up with a solution beneficial to area residents.
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 tomorrow, Saturday, November 25th, is the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and the official start of the purple ribbon campaign of the Women's Action Coalition of Nova Scotia; and
Whereas during the next 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, Nova Scotia women will remember the 14 women who died in Montreal and all women who have died violently or who continue to live with abuse; and
Whereas this campaign emphasizes the pressing need for local and world-wide action to raise awareness of this violence and work against it;
Therefore be it resolved that this House affirms the necessity of paying close attention to the goal of reducing the pervasive violence against women, whenever public policy issues are being shaped and decided.
Mr. Speaker, I would request waiver of notice and passage without debate.
MR. SPEAKER: Is that agreeable to the House?
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 Opposition.
DR. JOHN HAMM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the enumeration process for the metropolitan regional municipal election on December 2nd had to be completed by July 24th to comply with the Municipal Elections Act; and
Whereas due to the July 24th cutoff date, reports indicate hundreds of people have been left off the enumeration list; and
Whereas because of legislation in the Municipal Elections Act requiring the finalization of polling stations weeks in advance, some residents living at the Edgemere seniors' complex on Crichton Avenue in Dartmouth also face the prospect of not being able to vote on December 2nd, because they are unable to travel in wheelchairs to another senior citizens' complex;
Therefore be it resolved that the government review both the Nova Scotia Municipal Act and the Elections Act and make the necessary changes to ensure all Nova Scotians have the privilege of casting a ballot as the result of a federal, provincial or municipal election call.
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 Municipal Affairs said in the Legislature on Thursday, May 5, 1994, that the new Cape Breton Regional Municipality will be more efficient, effective and cost less to run; and
Whereas taxpayers in the new Cape Breton Regional Municipality awoke this morning to media reports suggesting their property taxes will increase by up to 16 per cent as a result of Wednesday's secret deal reached between the mayor and the Minister of Municipal Affairs; and
Whereas the Minister of Municipal Affairs also said in the Legislature, Thursday, May 5, 1994, that economic development is essential for Cape Breton County and any step that will improve the business climate must be pursued;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Municipal Affairs today explain to taxpayers in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality how massive tax increases will spur economic growth and more cost-effective government.
Waive notice, Mr. Speaker. I have heard many calls for that.
MR. SPEAKER: I hear several Noes.
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 Nova Scotia women suffer the greatest earning disparity in Canada, a sign of the economic inequality which forces women to live with abuse; and
Whereas one line which this government has not yet crossed, in all of its dictatorial, anti-labour legislation, is to stop progress towards equal pay for work of equal value in the minority of work places where pay equity has begun; and
Whereas once again the government is trying to take women out of pay equity, rather than expanding access to equal pay for work of equal value;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges those ministers and MLAs who wear purple ribbons to ask themselves how, in good conscience, they can even consider deliberately moving thousands of workers out of the agreements struck to move towards equal pay for work of equal value.
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 Premier recently spoke to the Annapolis Valley Affiliated Boards of Trade; and
Whereas the Premier explained that one example of health care reform initiated by his government is the loss of 2,500 jobs in the health care field; and
Whereas Nova Scotians are not the least bit interested in government reform that is blindly done while costing thousands of Nova Scotians their jobs in the process;
Therefore be it resolved that the Premier halt his reform agenda until a plan is developed that reduces government debt but shows a form of humanity and compassion for Nova Scotians in the process.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. ALFRED MACLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the concept behind regional government is to attempt to lessen the burden upon property taxpayers; and
Whereas taxpayers in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality now face reported tax increases of up to 16 per cent in the 1995-96 budget year; and
Whereas the Minister of Municipal Affairs said in the Legislature on Thursday, May 5, 1994, that regional government may be the most significant forward step that Cape Breton County can take;
Therefore be it resolved that if significant steps in the vocabulary of the Minister of Municipal Affairs relate to massive tax increases of up to 16 per cent, then it is time taxpayers of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality stand still or step backwards so as to ensure their tax bills do not jump again by more than 10 per cent in one budget year.
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 Education Minister tabled many amendments to the Education Act immediately before the Nova Scotia School Boards Association presented its concerns to the Law Amendments Committee; and
Whereas the NSSBA has informed MLAs that the minister has failed to meet the expectations created by his communications with the school boards; and
Whereas the Justice Minister is concerned that it would establish a precedent to allow the NSSBA 20 minutes to present their concerns about the minister's amendments;
Therefore be it resolved that this House encourages the Law Amendments Committee to recognize that whenever the government tables many amendments to a bill before the public has been heard, it would be wise and advisable to hear those who were thereby denied an opportunity to make their views known on the government's current bill.
MR. SPEAKER: All right, I am going to rule that one in order.
It appears to relate to procedure. It is very borderline and other Speakers might not allow it, but I will allow it to be tabled as a procedural . . .
HON. RICHARD MANN: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Rules of the House state that the committee is a creature of the House and the committee, it is my understanding, has voted on the very matter that the member raises in his resolution and in fact there is a procedure set out in the Rules of the House that a decision of committee can be appealed to the House. I wonder if the member should not appeal the decision to the House, so the cloud is lifted from the Legislature.
[8:15 a.m.]
MR. SPEAKER: Well, all right, I'll hear the honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Well, thank you very much, and picking up on what the minister (Interruptions) has just said, Mr. Speaker, one way to certainly lift the cloud would be, in fact, to invite them back. If the minister is suggesting that I should now appeal to the House and make a motion, and to invite . . .
AN HON. MEMBER: Did the committee vote?
MR. HOLM: Yes, the committee did vote. It voted against my . . .
AN HON. MEMBER: You're sooking because you lost the vote.
MR. HOLM: Well, the minister is saying that I'm sooking because I lost the vote. Mr. Speaker, I want to tell the minister that I certainly did not agree with the vote, and that is why I have brought it to the attention of this House.
MR. SPEAKER: Well, I have already ruled the resolution to be in order. It doesn't say the House has adopted it, of course. It is simply a tabling of a expression of opinion, but it does not appear to me to be a direct commentary on the bill, which I would have had to have ruled out of order. But rather, it calls for the House to encourage a committee to adopt a certain procedure, which the House may or may not do, if it is ever put to a vote.
MR. JOHN HOLM: On a point of order, it is my understanding that this House cannot direct a committee to make rulings.
MR. SPEAKER: That's a rather theoretical observation at this early hour in the morning. Presumably, the House could, by passing of a resolution, amend the Rules. We have done it before.
I will declare this motion tabled for the time being.
The honourable member for Halifax Citadel.
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 report by the Quebec Manufacturers' Association, released this week, ranks Nova Scotia next to last, ahead of only Newfoundland in terms of (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please! Order, Order!
All these comments back and forth are out of order. This member has the floor. He is entitled to read his resolution. Begin again. (Interruptions)
MR. GEORGE MOODY: Well, you're sick over there when it comes to humanity and compassion.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West, please be quiet. The honourable member for Halifax Citadel has the floor. (Interruptions)
MR. DONAHOE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the report by the Quebec Manufacturers' Association, released this week, ranks Nova Scotia next to last, ahead of only Newfoundland in terms of competitive dynamism; and
Whereas competitive dynamism is a measure of capacity for improvement; and
Whereas to be competitive, one must show creativity in attracting new business growth;
Therefore be it resolved that the Premier and his Cabinet exercise some creativity and improve its competitive dynamism and move out of the next to last place among other Canadian provinces.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. ALFRED MACLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas there are 8,000 people in the Town of Glace Bay, and the areas of Donkin and Port Morien without a family doctor; and
Whereas yet another doctor has announced plans to leave his Glace Bay practice; and
Whereas health care in Glace Bay, Donkin, and Port Morien and in many other communities across this province are in crisis, largely because of the government's ill-conceived health reforms, which many doctors have said are making it impossible to deliver quality patient care;
Therefore be it resolved that this Liberal Government recognize that the imposition of further cuts, without a well-considered and articulated plan that clearly supports improved patient care, will simply add to a situation that has already reached crisis proportions in many communities across Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: Is that the same motion that just moved by the Leader of the Opposition?
MR. MACLEOD: No, sir, it is not.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it identical in wording? It is not. All right.
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 yesterday, the Agriculture Minister stated his support for the Federation of Agriculture and other industry groups who are trying to address the cancellation of much-needed agricultural employment services; and
Whereas the depth of the minister's support is demonstrated by this year's cancellation of the provincial Agriculture Manpower Services; and
Whereas farmers struggling to deal with their very special needs, requiring large numbers of workers at critical times, must wonder why they need friends like this government;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the federal and provincial Liberals, who were elected by promising a jobs strategy, to stop shutting down specialized employment services which have been crucial to maximizing the farm job opportunities for Nova Scotians in Nova Scotia.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
Are there any further notices of motion? If not, that would appear to conclude 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.
[8:21 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mrs. Francene Cosman in the Chair.]
[3:07 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Mrs. Francene Cosman in the Chair.]
MADAM SPEAKER: The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and considered the following bills:
Bill No. 30 - Fisheries Organizations Support Act.
Bill No. 35 - Business Electronic Filing Act.
Bill No. 36 - Arts Council Act.
Bill No. 37 - Revenue Act.
Bill No. 43 - Interpretation Act.
and the chairman has been instructed to recommend these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, each without amendment.
Also, Madam Speaker, the committee has met and considered the following bills:
Bill No. 31 - Personal Property Security Act.
Bill No. 32 - Insurance Act/Motor Vehicle Act.
and the chairman has been instructed to recommend these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, with certain amendments.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be read a third time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Madam Speaker, that will conclude the government's business for today.
On Monday, we will be sitting from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The order of business will be Public Bills for Second Reading, Bill No. 47, the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Act.
I move that we adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
MADAM SPEAKER: The motion is that the House do now adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
The motion is carried.
[The House rose at 3:09 p.m.]
