DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS
Speaker: Honourable Murray Scott
Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer.
Available on INTERNET at http://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/hansard-debates/
First Session
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2005
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE | |||
| PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS: | ||||
| Educ.: Tuition Fees - Reduce, Ms. M. More | 7141 | |||
| Educ.: Tuition Fees - Reduce, Mr. W. Estabrooks | 7142 | |||
| Educ.: Tuition Fees - Reduce, Ms. D. Whalen | 7142 | |||
| INTRODUCTION OF BILLS: | ||||
| No. 194, Cape Breton Strip Mines Moratorium Act, Mr. F. Corbett | 7142 | |||
| No. 195, Joseph Howe Day Act, Ms. D. Whalen | 7142 | |||
| No. 196, Right to Read Act, Ms. D. Whalen | 7142 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION: | ||||
| Res. 3721, Prem. - Debt Increase: Promise - Broken, | ||||
| Mr. Michel Samson | 7143 | |||
| Res. 3722, Pothier, Emery: Holland Liberation Anniv. (60th) - | ||||
| Participation, Mr. M. Parent | 7143 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 7144 | |||
| Res. 3723, Lun. Waterfront Fdn.: Symposium - Congrats., | ||||
| Ms. M. Raymond | 7144 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 7145 | |||
| Res. 3724, Health - MICAs: Recipients - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. A. MacIsaac | 7145 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 7146 | |||
| HOUSE RESOLVED INTO CWH ON SUPPLY AT 9:13 A.M. | 7147 | |||
| HOUSE RECONVENED AT 1:14 P.M. | 7147 | |||
| ADJOURNMENT, House rose to meet again on Mon., May 9th at 12:00 noon | 7148 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3): | ||||
| Res. 3725, Rotary House - Col. Commun. Workshop: Fundraisers - | ||||
| Thank, Hon. J. Muir | 7149 | |||
| Res. 3726, LeBlanc, Avery - Girls Basketball Award, The Speaker | 7149 | |||
| Res. 3727, CNTA Awards: Recipients - Congrats., The Speaker | 7150 | |||
| Res. 3728, Gamblin, Matt: Mt. St. Vincent - Basketball Recruitment, | ||||
| The Speaker | 7150 | |||
| Res. 3729, Hebb, Kyle - Hockey Award, The Speaker | 7151 | |||
| Res. 3730, Adshade, Bill/Vols. - El Salvador: Dedication - Congrats., | ||||
| The Speaker | 7151 | |||
HALIFAX, FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2005
Fifty-ninth General Assembly
First Session
9:00 A.M.
SPEAKER
Hon. Murray Scott
DEPUTY SPEAKERS
Mr. James DeWolfe, Ms. Joan Massey, Mr. Daniel Graham
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will begin the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth South-Portland Valley.
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition with 114 signatures in support of reduced tuition fees. The operative clause being:
"Therefore, your petitioners call upon the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia to:
? Make a considerable re-investment in core funding to Nova Scotia's post-secondary institutions
? Tie increased core funding to progressive reductions of tuition fees at Nova Scotia's public post-secondary institutions
? Implement a system of needs-based, non-repayable grants;"
Mr. Speaker, I have affixed my signature.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I too have the privilege of presenting a petition from 113 Nova Scotians asking this government to reduce tuition fees. I, as the proud father of a daughter who attends NSCAD, have affixed my signature.
MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Clayton Park.
MS. DIANA WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition signed by Nova Scotians concerned about the high and ever-rising costs of post-secondary tuition. I have affixed my signature to that as well.
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. 194 - Entitled an Act to Enforce a Moratorium on Strip Mines in Cape Breton. (Mr. Frank Corbett)
Bill No. 195 - Entitled an Act to Establish Joseph Howe Day. (Ms. Diana Whalen)
Bill No. 196 - Entitled an Act Respecting the Enhancement of School Libraries.
(Ms. Diana Whalen)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be read a second time on a future day.
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader in the House of the Liberal Party.
RESOLUTION NO. 3721
MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Premier told Nova Scotians in 2000 that, "We have to stop piling up debt before it's too late. We have to start living within our means, stop mortgaging our children and grandchildren. Otherwise we're going to end up financially and morally bankrupt"; and
Whereas the Premier also told Nova Scotians, "We are going to balance the budget in three years and begin reducing the debt, and capturing those lost dollars in interest for Nova Scotians"; and
Whereas despite the Premier's word, his promise has been broken and today we are adding $2.5 million in daily interest payments that could pay, for example, for 568 full-day, licenced daycare spaces;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Legislature recognize that the Premier has broken a fundamental promise to Nova Scotians that the debt would stop growing and that this failure is costing Nova Scotians $2.5 million a day, $17.5 million a week and $900 million a year.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
RESOLUTION NO. 3722
MR. MARK PARENT: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kentville war veteran, Emery Pothier and his wife, were among thousands of veterans and their families taking part in the 60th Anniversary celebrations marking the liberation of the Netherlands; and
Whereas Emery Pothier joined the Army in 1939 at the age of 21, as part of the West Nova Scotia Regiment; capturing Sicily, invading the Italian Peninsula in 1943, spending 23 months in Italy before crossing over to southern France, where he ended up in Holland in April 1945; and
Whereas Emery Pothier and his wife left April 29th to travel to Holland, the exact date 60 years ago he left Appledoorn, Holland, to come home;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House thank Emery Pothier for his dedication and bravery during the war and also for representing his regiment during the 60th Anniversary celebrations in Holland.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
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 Cape Breton Centre on an introduction.
MR. FRANK CORBETT: Mr. Speaker, in the west gallery this morning we have a group from Cape Breton, they are a coalition of citizens against strip mining and I would like to introduce them, if I could. When I am finished, I would ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of the House: Freda Swann; my good and dear friend, Joe Wilcox; Alan Nicholson; Robert Thompson; Karen McPhee; Madame Christiane Tanner; Sarah Nicholson; Mina White; and Wolf Isaac. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: I certainly welcome our guests to the gallery today and hope they enjoy the proceedings.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
RESOLUTION NO. 3723
MS. MICHELE RAYMOND: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Lunenburg Waterfront Foundation is holding a Symposium on the Future of the Lunenburg Working Waterfront, Saturday, May 7th, at the Lunenburg Fire Hall; and
Whereas the keynote speaker is John K. Bullard, former Mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts and President of the Sea Education Association; and
Whereas the symposium will advance the foundation's work to revitalize the unique, historic and worldwide recognized working waterfront of Lunenburg;
Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate the Lunenburg Waterfront Foundation on the occasion of its symposium, encourage all governments to support it, and ensure that a dynamic and working waterfront remains a vital part of Lunenburg for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
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 Minister of Health.
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Mental Health Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Health, in partnership with the Consumer Involvement Working Group, would like to extend congratulations to the recipients of this year's Meaningful Involvement Consumer Awards, or MICAs, which honour groups and individuals who demonstrate meaningful input from mental health consumers in mental health activities and services; and
Whereas the Community Rehabilitation Team, Mental Health Services in the Cape Breton District Health Authority received the MICA Engagement Award for continuous consumer involvement and demonstrating authentic care and concern for their clients; and
Whereas Susan Weldon of Sydney, and Barbara and Darryl Haley received MICA consumer awards for their meaningful input in the planning, implementation and evaluation of mental health services; their dedication helps to reduce the stigma of mental illness, and they have been strong advocates for enhanced mental health services for children, youth and adults;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the good work done and value added by these mental health professionals, consumers and families who are helping to build a more responsive mental health system for Nova Scotians.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Government Motions.
GOVERNMENT MOTIONS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: 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 Supply unto Her Majesty.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is carried.
[9:13 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Supply with Deputy Speaker Mr. James DeWolfe in the Chair.
[1:14 p.m. CWH on Supply rose and the House reconvened. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Murray Scott, resumed the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The House will recess for about three or four minutes, while we wait for the report from the Red Chamber.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
We will ring the bells when we're ready.
[1:15 p.m. The House recessed.]
[1:21 p.m. The House reconvened.]
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Supply reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met, made progress and begs leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn to meet again on Monday at the hour of 12:00 noon. The House will sit from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. The order of business following the daily routine will be Committee of the Whole House on Supply. Following, that we'll have Public Bills for Second Reading, in particular we'll be dealing with the Financial Measures (2005) Act. Have a good weekend.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is that the House adjourn until 12:00 noon on Monday.
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 House is adjourned until 12:00 noon on Monday.
[The House rose at 1:22 p.m.]
By: Hon. James Muir (Education)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Colchester Community Workshop has moved into a brand new $2 million building in downtown Truro; and
Whereas the new community workshop evolved over the past four years as members of the Colchester Community Workshops Foundation worked diligently to raise sufficient funds to construct the state-of-the-art facility, which has enabled the workshop to increase their client base from 50 to 100; and
Whereas the 20,000-square-foot building is named Rotary House because of the significant support given by the Rotary Club of Truro toward the construction of the new building;
Therefore be it resolved that all MLAs of this House commend the staff and board of the Colchester Community Workshop, the Colchester Community Workshops Foundation, the Rotary Club of Truro, and indeed all those involved in making this new workshop a reality.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Avery LeBlanc was honoured at the Springhill Student Appreciation Night in Springhill; and
Whereas Avery was awarded a plaque for the Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Junior B Girls Basketball team; and
Whereas it was a night for the school and the students and staff of Springhill Regional High School to show their appreciation to all the athletes who work so hard and show so much dedication all year to their team and their school;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Avery LeBlanc on this outstanding achievement and wish her continued success in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Central Nova Tourist Association was pleased to bestow the CNTA Awards for 2004; and
Whereas many awards were given out to different businesses and attractions in central Nova Scotia that help bring tourists to this province; and
Whereas among those receiving awards were the River Breeze Farm winning the Attraction Award, Masstown Market being presented with the Giftshop Award, The Gillespie House Inn winning the Accommodation Award, Frank and Ginos received the Food & Beverage Award, Presidents Award going to Kim Jones, Festival & Event Award being presented to Tantramar Theatre and Individual/Ambassador Award going to Bill Hay;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate these businesses and individuals for their outstanding achievement and thank them for their part in the tourism industry of Nova Scotia.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Matt Gamblin, a Parrsboro Regional High School Grade 12 student, will be on his way to Mount Saint Vincent University in the Fall where he has been recruited to play basketball for the Mystics; and
Whereas Matt is one of the top student athlete recruits that the Mount has seen in many years, and they are looking forward to having Matt join their team; and
Whereas Matt has enjoyed an exciting high school basketball career, beginning in Grade 8 with the Advocate Coyotes, and soon after transferring schools to join the Parrsboro Warriors under the coaching of his father, Don Gamblin;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Matt Gamblin on this outstanding achievement and wish him continued success in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kyle Hebb was presented a Hockey Canada Safety Program Recognition Award by the Parrsboro Minor Hockey Association; and
Whereas this award is in recognition of the vital role that Mr. Hebb played in enhancing the safety and well-being of all hockey participants; and
Whereas Mr. Hebb played a vital role in instilling the values of safety, fair play and integrity in all players;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kyle Hebb on this outstanding achievement, and thank him for his dedication to the sport and to the young players who benefited from his efforts.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Bill Adshade of Springhill and his team of volunteers are superheroes to the people in El Salvador whose lives they helped change for the better; and
Whereas for the past three years Bill and his team of other missionaries have helped build homes for the working poor in El Salvador; and
Whereas the team, including Bertha Harrison and Springhill Grade 10 students Kristen Morris and Melissa Adshade, was in South America from March 17th to March 29th in a partnership with the Canadian Baptist Volunteers;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Bill Adshade and the rest of this outstanding team on their dedication and hard work, and wish them many more years of dedicated service.
