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/
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE | |||
| INTRODUCTION OF BILLS: | ||||
| No. 130, Public Service Act, Mr. G. Gosse | 2750 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION: | ||||
| Res. 1433, MacMaster, Hugh Allan "Buddy": Scottish Traditional | ||||
| Music Hall of Fame - Induction, Ms. Maureen MacDonald | 2750 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2750 | |||
| Res. 1434, Health: Ambulance Fees - Reform, Mr. G. Steele | 2751 | |||
| Res. 1435, NSCC Akerley Campus - African-Cdn. Transition | ||||
| Prog.: Students - Congrats., Ms. J. Massey | 2751 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2752 | |||
| Res. 1436, E. Hants Alternative Transport Serv.: Wheelchair | ||||
| Accessible Transport Prog. - Congrats., Mr. J. MacDonell | 2752 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2753 | |||
| Res. 1437, Nat'l Non-Smoking Wk. (01/15-01/21/07) - Recognize, | ||||
| Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) | 2753 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2753 | |||
| Res. 1438, River John Meals on Wheels: Vol. - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. C. Parker | 2754 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2754 | |||
| Res. 1439, Fougere, Sheila - HRM: Contributions - Recognize, | ||||
| Ms. D. Whalen | 2754 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2755 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | ||||
| Res. 1440, Kingswood - Sidewalks: Need - Recognize, | ||||
| Mr. T. Zinck | 2755 | |||
| Res. 1441, Otter, Jonathan - Furniture Design: Dedication - Commend, | ||||
| Ms. M. Raymond | 2756 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2757 | |||
| Res. 1442, Lavery, Fred/Samson, Gerdie: N.S.. Music - Contribution, | ||||
| Mr. G. Gosse | 2757 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2758 | |||
| Res. 1443, Street Feat - Anniv. (9th), Mr. L. Preyra | 2758 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2758 | |||
| Res. 1444, Dion, Stéphane - Lib. Party (Can.): Leader - Selection | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. M. Samson | 2758 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2759 | |||
| Res. 1445, Lockview Dragons - Sydney Acad. Hockey Championship, | ||||
| Mr. P. Paris | 2759 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2760 | |||
| Res. 1446, Agric. -Pork Ind.: Aid - Urge, Mr. L. Glavine | 2760 | |||
| Res. 1447, Hennigar, Marg: Death of - Tribute, Mr. D. Dexter | 2761 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2761 | |||
| Res. 1448, Alzheimer's Awareness Mo. (01/07) - Recognize, | ||||
| Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) | 2762 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2762 | |||
| Res. 1449, Queens Co. Blades: Skating Accomplishments - Recognize, | ||||
| Ms. V. Conrad | 2762 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2763 | |||
| Res. 1450, Drapak, David: Prime Minister's Cert. of Excellence - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) | 2763 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2764 | |||
| Res. 1451, Educ. - Dart. HS: Renovations - Approve, Ms. M. More | 2764 | |||
| Res. 1452, McQuaid, Chris - Jr. Mooseheads: Dedication - Commend, | ||||
| Mr. W. Estabrooks | 2765 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2765 | |||
| Res. 1453, Belliveau, Sarah: Athletic Achievements - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. S. Belliveau | 2765 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2766 | |||
| Res. 1454, Cruickshank, Angela - Make Poverty History: Planning - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. C. MacKinnon | 2766 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2767 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | ||||
| Res. 1455, Econ. Dev. - Econ. Challenges: Response - Improve, | ||||
| Mr. D. Dexter | 2767 | |||
| Res. 1456, Isenor, Fred - East. Can. Bluegrass Music Award, | ||||
| Mr. J. MacDonell | 2768 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2768 | |||
| Res. 1457, Health - Glades Lodge: Replacement - Authorize, | ||||
| Mr. G. Steele | 2769 | |||
| Res. 1458, Goldbloom - Women's Exchange Network: Recognition - | ||||
| Congrats., Ms. D. Whalen | 2769 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2770 | |||
| Res. 1459, River John Lions Club - Members: Vol. Work - Congrats., | ||||
| Mr. C. Parker | 2770 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2771 | |||
| Res. 1460, Sylvester, Linda - Afghanistan Troops: Serv. - | ||||
| Acknowledge, Mr. G. Gosse | 2771 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2772 | |||
| Res. 1461, Cdn. Figure Skating Championships: N.S. Participants - | ||||
| Applaud, Mr. L. Preyra | 2772 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2772 | |||
| Res. 1462, African Nova Scotians: Cultural Position - Recognize, | ||||
| Mr. P. Paris | 2773 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2773 | |||
| Res. 1463, Farmer, Crystal/Decoy: Dog Trainers Awards - | ||||
| Congrats., Ms. V. Conrad | 2773 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2774 | |||
| Res. 1464, Payzant, Joan - "December 1917: Revisiting the Halifax | ||||
| Explosion": Publication - Congrats., Ms. M. More | 2774 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2775 | |||
| Res. 1465, Woods Hbr. FD - Dumping Day Breakfast: Success - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau | 2775 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2776 | |||
| Res. 1466, MacIntosh, Bruce T. - N.S. Barristers' Soc. Distinguished | ||||
| Serv. Award, Mr. C. MacKinnon | 2776 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2777 | |||
| Res. 1467, Inverness Educ. Ctr. - ExxonMobil Hands on Heritage | ||||
| Award, Mr. H. Epstein | 2777 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2777 | |||
| Res. 1468, Hill, Helen: Death of - Tribute, Ms. Maureen MacDonald | 2778 | |||
| Vote - Affirmative | 2778 | |||
| ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS: | ||||
| No. 307, Prem.: Ministerial Code of Conduct - Enforcement, | ||||
| Mr. D. Dexter | 2779 | |||
| No. 308, Prem. - Auto Accident (MLA Cumb. North): Knowledge - | ||||
| Info., Mr. M. Samson | 2780 | |||
| No. 309, Prem. - Min. Resignation: TV News - Reliance Explain, | ||||
| Mr. D. Dexter | 2782 | |||
| No. 310, Prem. - Auto Accident (MLA Cumb. North): | ||||
| Chief of Staff - Info., Mr. K. Deveaux | 2783 | |||
| No.311, Prem. - Min. Resignation: Info. - Demand, | ||||
| Mr. M. Samson | 2784 | |||
| No. 312, Justice - Auto Accident (MLA Cumb. North): Victims - | ||||
| Gov't. Contact, Mr. K. Deveaux | 2786 | |||
| No. 313, Agric. - Ind.: Long-Term Viability - Plan, | ||||
| Mr. S. McNeil | 2789 | |||
| No. 314, TPW - Vehicle Lease Policy, Mr. K. Deveaux | 2790 | |||
| No. 315, Agric. - Pork Industry Collapse: Work Replacement - | ||||
| Options, Mr. L. Glavine | 2792 | |||
| No. 316, Agric.: Industries - Gov't. Support, Mr. J. MacDonell | 2794 | |||
| No. 317, Environ. & Lbr.: Supreme Court Decision - WCB Inaction, | ||||
| Ms. Maureen MacDonald | 2795 | |||
| No. 318, Service N.S. & Mun. Rel.: Gas Regulation - Consumer | ||||
| Relief, Mr. M. Samson | 2797 | |||
| GOVERNMENT BUSINESS | ||||
| HOUSE RESOLVED INTO CWH ON BILLS AT 9:46 A.M. | 2798 | |||
| HOUSE RECONVENED AT 6:00 P.M. | 2798 | |||
| ADJOURNMENT: | 2799 | |||
| MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5) | ||||
| Sysco: Successor Rights/Severance - Address: | ||||
| Mr. G. Gosse | 2799 | |||
| Hon. A. MacIsaac | 2802 | |||
| Mr. Manning MacDonald | 2805 | |||
| HOUSE RESOLVED INTO CWH ON BILLS AT 6:29 P.M. | 2808 | |||
| HOUSE RECONVENED AT 11:55 P.M. | 2808 | |||
| CWH REPORTS | 2808 | |||
| ADJOURNMENT, House rose to meet again Wed. Jan. 10th, at 2:00 p.m. | 2809 | |||
| NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3): | ||||
| Res. 1469, MacMaster, Buddy: Scottish Traditional Hall of Fame - | ||||
| Induction, Hon. L. Goucher | 2810 | |||
| Res. 1470, Yorke, Brendan: Commun. Commitment - Recognize, | ||||
| Hon. K. Casey | 2810 | |||
| Hon. K. Casey | ||||
| Res. 1471, Trenton Commun.: RCL Br. 29 - Contribution, | ||||
| Mr. P. Dunn | 2811 | |||
| Res. 1472, MacPhee, Stewart David: Retirement - Congrats, | ||||
| Mr. P. Dunn | 2811 | |||
| Res. 1473, Ruffell Fam. - Downtown Windsor: Serv. - Applaud, | ||||
| Mr. C. Porter | 2812 | |||
| Res. 1474, N.S. Snowboard Team: Work Ethic - Commend, | ||||
| Mr. C. Porter | 2812 | |||
| Res. 1475, Thibodeau, Mrs. Chantal J. - Birthday (106th), | ||||
| Hon. C. d'Entremont | 2813 | |||
| Res. 1476, Johnny Miles Soc.: Accomplishments - Congrats., | ||||
| The Speaker | 2813 | |||
| Res. 1477, Haley, Sandra - Prime Minister's Excellence in | ||||
| Teachers Honour, The Speaker | 2814 | |||
| Res. 1478, Cross, Annétte: Vol. Efforts - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 2815 | |||
| Res. 1479, Wilcox - Richards, Nancy: Book Publication - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 2815 | |||
| Res. 1480, McDonald's (Bridgewater) - Recycling Centre Award, | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 2816 | |||
| Res. 1481, Hebbville Acad. Primary/Grade 1 - RRFB Award, | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 2816 | |||
| Res. 1482, Getson, Keith - Baseball N.S. Award, | ||||
| Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson | 2817 | |||
| Res. 1483, Zwicker, Frances CTV Maritimer of Wk. Award, | ||||
| Hon. M. Baker | 2817 | |||
| Res. 1484, S. Shore Duellists - N.S. Fencing Team: Selection - | ||||
| Congrats., Hon. M. Baker | 2818 | |||
| Res. 1485, Wellton, Ken - Truro Vol. of Wk., Hon. K. Casey | 2818 | |||
| Res. 1486, Creighton, John: N. Col. HS - Male Student of Mo., | ||||
| Hon. K. Casey | 2819 | |||
| Res. 1487, Hunters Helping the Hungry Prog.: Particpants - | ||||
| Congrats., Hon. D. Morse | 2819 | |||
| Res. 1488, Monaghan, Patricia/Thériault, Patricia - Prime Minister's | ||||
| Excellence in Early Childhood Educ. Award, | ||||
| Hon. J. Streatch | 2820 | |||
| Res. 1489, Boutilier, Army Cadet WO Heather: Achievement - | ||||
| Congrats., Hon. M. Scott | 2820 | |||
| Congrats., Hon. M. Scott | ||||
| Res. 1490, Gov't. (Can.): HIV/AIDS Treatment - Deliver, | ||||
| Mr. C. MacKinnon | 2821 | |||
| Res. 1491, Educ.: Student Loan Award System - Revamp, | ||||
| Mr. C. MacKinnon | 2821 | |||
| Res. 1492, Brown, Mike: RCMP Wood Carving - Recognize, | ||||
| Ms. V. Conrad | 2822 | |||
| Res. 1493, McLeod, Burt/Rafuse, Linda - Queens Co. Hist.: | ||||
| Preservation - Recognize, Ms. V. Conrad | 2822 | |||
| Res. 1494, Balish, Kent - Prime Minister's Cert. of Excellence Award, | ||||
| Mr. S. Belliveau | 2823 | |||
| Res. 1495, Degenhardt, Linda - "Full Circle": Publication - | ||||
| Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau | 2823 | |||
| Res. 1496, E. Green Hbr. Ministries: Meal Provision - Applaud, | ||||
| Mr. S. Bellieveau | 2824 | |||
| Res. 1497, NSCC Cumb. Campus - Adult Learning Prog.: Angel | ||||
| Tree Proj. - Congrats, Hon. M. Scott | 2824 | |||
| Res. 1498, Laurie, Joe: Hockey Donation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2825 | |||
| Res. 1499, Adshade, Emily-DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2825 | |||
| Res. 1500, Allen, Kyle - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2826 | |||
| Res. 1501, Belliveau - Perry, Gregory - DARE Prog.: Graduation - | ||||
| Congrats., Hon. M. Scott | 2826 | |||
| Res. 1502, Best, Lyndsay - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2827 | |||
| Res. 1503, Bishop, Morgan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2827 | |||
| Res. 1504, Bayer, Bradley - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2828 | |||
| Res. 1505, Boye, Colin - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2828 | |||
| Res. 1506, Bragg, Daniel - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2829 | |||
| Res. 1507, Carter, Matthew - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2829 | |||
| Res. 1508, Casey, Brandon - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2830 | |||
| Hon. M. Scott | ||||
| Res. 1509, Colborne, Jenna - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2830 | |||
| Res.1510, Cooper, Aimee - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2831 | |||
| Res. 1511, Davis, Savannah - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2831 | |||
| Res. 1512, Deveaux, Megan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2832 | |||
| Res. 1513, Dormiedy, Carry - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2832 | |||
| Res. 1514, Dorn, Andrea - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2833 | |||
| Res. 1515, Emerson, Aylssa - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2833 | |||
| Res. 1516, Ferrigno Moya - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2834 | |||
| Res. 1517, Fillmore, Maya - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2834 | |||
| Res. 1518, Fresia, Samuel - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2835 | |||
| Res. 1519, Gordon, Jillian - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2835 | |||
| Res. 1520, Graves, Matthew - DARE Prog.: Graduation - | ||||
| Congrats., Hon. M. Scott | 2836 | |||
| Res. 1521, Harrison, Hallie - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2836 | |||
| Res. 1522, Hawkes, Michah - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2837 | |||
| Res. 1523, Hicks, Colby - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2837 | |||
| Res. 1524, Hiltz, Adam - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2838 | |||
| Res. 1525, Hiltz, Craig - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2838 | |||
| Res. 1526, Holland, Krista - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2839 | |||
| Res. 1527, Johnson, Sidney - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2839 | |||
| Hon. M. Scott | ||||
| Res. 1528, Lambert, Clifford - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2840 | |||
| Res. 1529, LeBlanc, Hannah - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2840 | |||
| Res. 1530, Lyness, Dustin - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2841 | |||
| Res. 1531, MacIntosh, Adriana - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2841 | |||
| Res. 1532, Maddison, Brandon - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2842 | |||
| Res. 1533, Mattinson, Kelly - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2842 | |||
| Res. 1534, Mattinson, Meaghan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2843 | |||
| Res. 1535, Mattinson, Taylor - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2843 | |||
| Res. 1536, Miller, Chelsea - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2844 | |||
| Res. 1537, Mills, Brandon - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2844 | |||
| Res. 1538, Newell, Hannah - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2845 | |||
| Res. 1539, Oderkirk, Fred - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2845 | |||
| Res. 1540, Patriquin, Nikki - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2846 | |||
| Res. 1541, Patriquin, Wesley - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2846 | |||
| Res. 1542, Petten, Kennedy - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2847 | |||
| Res. 1543, Porter, Ruth Ann - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2847 | |||
| Res. 1544, Reid, Katy - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2848 | |||
| Res. 1545, Reitmaier, Nikolas - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2848 | |||
| Res. 1546, Richard, Mitchell - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2849 | |||
| Hon. M. Scott | ||||
| Res. 1547, Roberts, Rayann - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2849 | |||
| Res. 1548, Rushton, Austin - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2850 | |||
| Res. 1549, Rushton, Jenna - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2850 | |||
| Res. 1550, Rushton, Morgan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2851 | |||
| Res. 1551, Skidmore, Troy - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2851 | |||
| Res. 1552, Smith, Evan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2852 | |||
| Res. 1553, Smith, Shannalee - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2852 | |||
| Res. 1554, Stewart, Landon - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2853 | |||
| Res. 1555, Swan, Regan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2853 | |||
| Res. 1556, Turner, Samantha - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2854 | |||
| Res. 1557, Van Dam, Bradley - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2854 | |||
| Res. 1558, Wareham, Ryan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2855 | |||
| Res. 1559, Williams, Katre - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2855 | |||
| Res. 1560, Wood, Dan - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2856 | |||
| Res. 1561, Wood, Lucas - DARE Prog.: Graduation - Congrats., | ||||
| Hon. M. Scott | 2856 | |||
HALIFAX, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007
Sixtieth General Assembly
First Session
8:00 A.M.
SPEAKER
Hon. Cecil Clarke
DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr. Wayne Gaudet
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Before we begin with the daily routine, the subject for this evening's late debate was submitted by the honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect:
Therefore be it resolved that this government finally address the issue of successor rights and severance at Sydney Steel.
This shall be heard at the following of business today.
We shall now commence 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
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 130 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 376 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Public Service Act. (Mr. Gordon Gosse)
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
RESOLUTION NO. 1433
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Cape Breton fiddler Hugh Alan "Buddy" MacMaster has been inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame; and
Whereas musicians must have been in the industry more than 30 years and have altered the musical landscape for the better to be inducted; and
Whereas Buddy MacMaster is the first musician outside of Great Britain to receive this honour;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Hugh Alan "Buddy" MacMaster on his musical achievements and induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
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 Halifax Fairview.
RESOLUTION NO. 1434
MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nova Scotia has one of the best ambulance systems in North America - I don't think there's much debate about that - staffed by highly qualified, highly professional paramedics and support staff; and (Applause)
Whereas Nova Scotia does not have one of the best ambulance fee systems in North America, but rather one that can result in real unfairness for Nova Scotia families; and
Whereas the Minister of Health received in December 2005 a consultant's report on the ambulance fee system, but has not yet released the report for public scrutiny;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urge the minister to release the consultant's report and implement much-needed reform to Nova Scotia's system of ambulance fees.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Dartmouth East.
RESOLUTION NO. 1435
MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on December 12, 2006, I had the honour to attend the official inauguration ceremony of the first class of the African-Canadian Transition Program hosted by Mr. Henry Bishop, curator of the Black Cultural Centre in Dartmouth and co-hosted by Dale Morton, a student in the program; and
Whereas guests were drummed into the classroom and treated to a spoken word performance by Reed Jones and a singing performance by Shane Colley; and
Whereas the African-Canadian Transition Program is a result of the Black Learners Advisory Committee report released 12 years ago, which contained 46 recommendations that would help empower African-Canadian learners;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank all those involved in providing such an inspirational ceremony and congratulate all of the first class students of the African-Canadian Transition Program at the Akerley Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College and wish them much success in their future endeavours.
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 Hants East.
RESOLUTION NO. 1436
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas for many individuals, the limitations of being forced to use a wheelchair confines them to their homes; and
Whereas accessible transportation programs enable individuals to re-engage in society; and
Whereas on December 14, 2006, the East Hants Alternative Transportation Service announced the official beginning of its Wheelchair Accessible Transportation Program;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the staff of the East Hants Alternative Transportation Service on their new and valuable service offering to the community of East Hants.
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 Glace Bay.
RESOLUTION NO. 1437
MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas illnesses caused by smoking cigarettes include cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, chronic illness, advanced aging and several diseases related to oral health; and
Whereas cigarettes kill one-half of all long-term users; and
Whereas National Non-Smoking Week is Canada's longest lasting public education effort on controlling tobacco use;
Therefore be it resolved that members of the House recognize January 15th to January 21st as National Non-Smoking Week across Canada and support the efforts of those who fight against cigarette use.
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 Pictou West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1438
MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas volunteers in River John, Pictou County have recently restarted the Meals on Wheels program, providing nutritious hot meals to seniors twice a week; and
Whereas approximately 20 volunteers prepare the meals at the River John Royal Canadian Legion kitchen and then deliver them to seniors in their homes; and
Whereas the service can bring volunteers and seniors together and helps to build a strong community spirit;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate all the volunteers involved with the Meals on Wheels program in the River John area and commend them for providing this valuable service to the community and wish them continued success.
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 Halifax Clayton Park.
RESOLUTION NO. 1439
MS. DIANA WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Canadian Progress Club Halifax Cornwallis held their annual Women of Excellence Awards Dinner, honouring 18 women who have made significant contributions to their chosen professions; and
Whereas Sheila Fougere, District 14 Councillor with the Halifax Regional Municipality, was one of the 2006 Women of Excellence Award winners, recognizing the contribution she has made to her community; and
Whereas Councillor Fougere was first elected to the HRM Council in 1998, and has served on many boards and committees;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House recognize the contributions that Councillor Sheila Fougere has made to the Halifax Regional Municipality, and wish her continued success in her political and community service.
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 Dartmouth North.
[8:15 a.m.]
RESOLUTION NO. 1440
MR. TREVOR ZINCK: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Pace Car Program can slow the traffic in residential streets and around schools dramatically, without the need for physical barriers; and
Whereas residents of Kingswood-Hammonds Plains area recognize that their car impacts livability and safety of children on the streets; and
Whereas the Pace Car Program is seen as a travelling speed bump, forcing vehicles behind them to drive within the speed limit;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize the need for sidewalks in communities like Kingswood, which would allow for a safe walk for children to and from school.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear a No.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
RESOLUTION NO. 1441
MS. MICHELE RAYMOND: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas craftmanship in wood is an integral part of Nova Scotia's material culture; and
Whereas cabinetmaker Jonathon Otter has grown up appreciating . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The Clerks are having difficulty hearing the honourable member.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic has the floor.
MS. RAYMOND: Whereas cabinetmaker Jonathon Otter has grown up appreciating the austerity of traditional Canadian and Japanese furniture and admiring its durability; and
Whereas Jonathon Otter now plies his trade in Halifax Atlantic, is a juried exhibitor in the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council exhibitions and is the designated repair agent for furniture maker Thomas Mosher of Maine;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend Jonathon Otter on his dedication to preserving and extending the tradition of fine furniture design in Nova Scotia, extending it to the world around him, and wish him all good luck in his future adventures.
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 Nova.
RESOLUTION NO. 1442
MR. GORDON GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Lakewind Sound Studios located in Point Aconi, Cape Breton, is a full-service recording studio founded by Fred Lavery and Gordie Sampson in 1996; and
Whereas Lakewind Sound Studios has been awarded the East Coast Music Award in the Studio of the Year category for the past seven years; and
Whereas Lakewind Sound Studios records, edits, mixes and masters music for CD production, along with being equipped for pre- and post-production for television and film, commercial jingles, audio restoration, remastering and archived recordings;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend Fred Lavery and Gordie Sampson on their passion for music and their contribution to educating the rest of the world that Nova Scotia is a vibrant province which values its arts, tradition, and sense of place.
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 Halifax Citadel.
RESOLUTION NO. 1443
MR. LEONARD PREYRA: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the newspaper Street Feat: The Voice of the Poor is publishing its 9th Anniversary edition in January 2007; and
Whereas Street Feat's mandate is to raise public consciousness about issues relating to homelessness and poverty, while at the same time providing a small cash income to newspaper street vendors; and
Whereas Street Feat gives a voice to people who are living in poverty or are homeless, experiences that are so often distorted in mainstream media and popular culture representations;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate all the hard-working staff, volunteers, contributors and readers of Street Feat who have helped bring the public nine years of Street Feat publication, as well as commending Street Feat on its 9th Anniversary edition.
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 Leader of the Liberal Party.
RESOLUTION NO. 1444
MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas former Minister of Environment Stéphane Dion was elected as the new Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on December 2, 2006, after an exciting and successful leadership convention; and
Whereas Mr. Dion has demonstrated his desire and willingness to work with Liberals from across the country; and
Whereas Mr. Dion has openly and publicly announced his commitment to the environment and will most certainly provide Canadians with a stronger environmental strategy;
Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly congratulate Mr. Dion's selection as the new Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and wish him and his Party continued success in the future.
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 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.
RESOLUTION NO. 1445
MR. PERCY PARIS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Lockview High School Dragons hockey team played the Glace Bay Panthers at the Sydney Academy Blue and White Tournament on November 19, 2006; and
Whereas the Lockview Dragons won the eight-team tournament in a close 3-2 win, bringing the Blue and White Challenge Cup banner home to Fall River;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Lockview Dragon players, coaching staff and appropriate team personnel in winning the Sydney Academy Blue and White Challenge Cup championship.
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 Kings West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1446
MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the pork industry of Nova Scotia provides over $100 million to the economy of this province; and
Whereas thousands of hard-working, dedicated individuals who rely on the pork industry to support their families will be devastated their businesses are shut down; and
Whereas the hog farmers will not be able to continue production of pork in Nova Scotia unless the Progressive Conservative Government decides to take action and aid this industry;
Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly strongly urge the government to aid an industry that is fundamental to rural Nova Scotia and vital to agriculture across the province.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
RESOLUTION NO. 1447
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Marg Hennigar, a native of Wolfville, moved to Mahone Bay with her husband, Ralph Hennigar, where they raised a family and became the owners of the Bridgewater Bulletin and the Progress Enterprise newspapers; and
Whereas as editor of these community newspapers, Marg Hennigar was widely admired for the quality of her editorials and the strong voice that she provided for the South Shore; and
Whereas Marg Hennigar was also the author of two successful cook books, the author of a children's book, and an exemplary community volunteer, who served two terms on Mahone Bay Town Council;
Therefore be it resolved that this House express its deepest condolences to the family and friends and many admirers of Marg Hennigar upon her death after a six-month battle with stomach cancer.
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 Glace Bay.
MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease affecting an estimated 300,000 Canadians over the age of 65; and
Whereas this year, an estimated 97,000 Canadians will develop Alzheimer's or a related disease; and
Whereas in 2007, the number of people in Nova Scotia estimated to develop Alzheimer's disease is over 9,000;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly recognize January as Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and give our support to those suffering with this debilitating illness and continue our efforts to find a cure for this disease.
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 Queens.
MS. VICKI CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Shannon Open 2006 Skating Competition was held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in December 2006; and
Whereas the Queens County Blades skaters participated in this skating competition that involved more than 140 competitors; and
Whereas 10 Queens County Blades skaters came away from this competition with awards;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Alexis Rowter, Nick Accocella, Samantha Hatt, Chloe Pitre, Clare Amirault, Chole Conklin, Cody Benvie, Makayla MacLeod, Nykola Killam and Bailey Selig for their skating accomplishments in 2006.
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 Sackville-Cobequid.
MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Sackville High School teacher, David Drapak earned a top spot on the Prime Minister's Annual Awards list for Teaching Excellence; and
Whereas David Drapak, who taught Grades 10 and 12 art at Sackville High School in Lower Sackville, was among 17 teachers from across Canada awarded with the Prime Minister's 2006 Certificate of Excellence in December 2006; and
Whereas David Drapak was honoured for his approach in teaching, including effective use of the Internet as a learning tool and for engaging his students in hands-on learning, using a variety of multimedia technologies;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend David Drapak on his creativity, dedication, innovation and congratulate David on being a recipient of the Prime Minister's 2006 Certificate of Excellence.
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 Dartmouth South-Portland Valley.
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Dartmouth High School opened its doors in 1959, and has well served thousands of young Dartmouthians and their families; and
Whereas Dartmouth High School will be the oldest high school under the Halifax Regional School Board when the new Citadel High School opens; and
Whereas the Dartmouth High School structure and location will ensure another 30 years of public education service when much-needed capital renovations are approved by the Department of Education;
Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia House of Assembly request the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Cabinet to fast-track their funding approval and schedule to prevent further deterioration of Dartmouth High School, and protect its public investment, as well as student safety and health.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.
MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Halifax Moosehead trainer Chris McQuaid received a plaque for working his 1,000th game with the Junior Mooseheads; and
Whereas this Timberlea resident has been with the franchise since the Mooseheads joined the Q League in 1994; and
Whereas Chris is a dedicated, hard-working member of the Halifax Mooseheads staff;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend Chris McQuaid on his dedication to our Junior Mooseheads on his accomplishments and extend sincere wishes to him for the future.
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 Shelburne.
RESOLUTION NO. 1453
MR. STERLING BELLIVEAU: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Woods Harbour's Sarah Belliveau is starting her third season with the NCAA Division 1 North Eastern Huskies hockey team with great determination and grit; and
Whereas Sarah's first-ever career shutout earned her the title Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week by the Hockey East Association on November 5, 2006; and
Whereas Sarah was also a member of the Shelburne County Bantam AA Boys squad, who won the provincial title in 2000 and 2001, and a four-sport athlete at Barrington Municipal High School playing soccer, basketball, softball and hockey;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Sarah Belliveau on her athletic achievements and for being named Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week by the Hockey East Association.
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 Pictou East.
RESOLUTION NO. 1454
MR. CLARRIE MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Angela Cruickshank of Hopewell was the local organizer for the Presbyterian Youth Synod held in November in Pictou County, where 100 teens gathered from across the Atlantic Provinces; and
Whereas the theme of the weekend was Make Poverty History, and featured several educational presentations on this topic; and
Whereas the group presented a signed banner to the congregation and held a worship service to highlight this theme;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend Angela Cruickshank, the teen who planned the Make Poverty History event, and the 100 youth who attended the Presbyterian Youth Synod for their efforts to educate others to help make poverty history.
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.
[8:30 a.m.]
The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
RESOLUTION NO. 1455
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, in a new commentary on the Atlantic labour force challenges, noted that Nova Scotia's labour force has suffered the worst decline in the region; and
Whereas in 2006 Nova Scotia was the only province or territory where the number of jobs actually declined, according to the annual employment data that was released by Statistics Canada on January 5th; and
Whereas the tremendous economic resources and hard-working, talented people of Nova Scotia provide the basis for sustainable growth and prosperity;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urge the government to recognize the need for a much better response to the economic challenges faced by our province and its key industries, including the farm industries who are rallying today because they believe in a better deal and a better future for farm families.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Hants East.
RESOLUTION NO. 1456
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas music gladdens the soul and raises spirits; and
Whereas bluegrass music keeps the tradition of acoustically played country music alive; and
Whereas Mr. Fred Isenor of Lantz was presented with an award honouring his 25th Anniversary as a bluegrass DJ at the Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards on October 30, 2006;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Fred Isenor on being the recipient of an Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Award and on his commitment to traditional bluegrass music, and wish him well in the future.
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 Halifax Fairview.
RESOLUTION NO. 1457
MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Glades Lodge on Alton Drive in Halifax has been providing excellent long-term care for over 30 years, despite the constraints imposed by a small and aging building; and
Whereas the owners, residents, residents' families and staff of the Glades have been pleading with the Department of Health for years to authorize a replacement building; and
Whereas the Department of Health Director of Long-Term Care repeatedly promised a public meeting held in early December that his recommendation would be on the minister's desk before Christmas;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urge the Minister of Health to act quickly and authorize a replacement for the Glades Lodge so that the tradition of excellent care can continue.
Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.
Is it agreed?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Clayton Park.
RESOLUTION NO. 1458
MS. DIANA WHALEN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Women's Exchange Network has recognized Ruth Goldbloom as one of 15 Trailblazers and Trendsetters in this year's top 100 most powerful women in Canada; and
Whereas from childhood, performing tap, ballet and acrobatics to raise money for various groups in New Waterford, to her nationally recognized work in restoring Pier 21 as a world-class museum, Mrs. Goldbloom has consistently proven herself as a force to be reckoned with; and
Whereas Mrs. Goldbloom has worked tirelessly to raise funds and help others in need, the commitment she has made to improving the lives of others is truly an inspiration;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this House recognize the contributions Ruth Goldbloom has made to improving Nova Scotia and congratulate her for being recognized by the Women's Exchange Network.
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 Pictou West.
RESOLUTION NO. 1459
MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the River John Lions Club has actively supported community projects for more than 35 years; and
Whereas the 21-member club has recently expanded their refundable recyclable program from Saturday mornings only to a daily drop-off site with proceeds going to the Lions Club playground; and
Whereas the River John Lions Club has helped with such projects as support for the local physician's office, library, Bissell Park, school scholarships, medical equipment and supporting local people in need;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate all members of the River John Lions Club for their tremendous volunteer work and thank them for their dedicated service to their community.
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 Nova.
RESOLUTION NO. 1460
MR. GORDON GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Linda Sylvester has been employed with the Canadian Armed Forces as a barber since 1988; and
Whereas Linda, a native of Sydney, Nova Scotia, is presently fulfilling her second tour of duty in Afghanistan; and
Whereas Linda not only carries out her role as a barber, but also takes on the role of den mother for countless soldiers at Kandahar Airfield;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly acknowledge Linda Sylvester for her dedication and commitment to her country and her unparalleled service to our troops in Afghanistan.
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 Halifax Citadel.
RESOLUTION NO. 1461
MR. LEONARD PREYRA: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Canadian Figure Skating Championships are being hosted at the Halifax Metro Centre from January 15 to 21, 2007; and
Whereas John Mattatall, Jillian MacCuspie, Megan Smith, Terra Findlay and Liam Dougherty are five young skaters who will be representing Nova Scotia in front of a home crowd in the Senior Men, Senior Women and Senior Pair categories; and
Whereas these young athletes are among the country's top figure skaters, having devoted years to the pursuit of excellence in their sport, and this competition is the gateway to places on the 2007 World Team and Canadian National Teams;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly applaud John Mattatall, Jillian MacCuspie, Megan Smith, Terra Findley and Liam Dougherty for their achievement, and wish them luck at the upcoming Canadian Figure Skating Championships.
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 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.
MR. PERCY PARIS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas African Heritage Month will be celebrated across the country this February, giving Nova Scotians an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the history, contributions and culture of people of African descent; and
Whereas African Nova Scotians have a long, rich, but often ignored or forgotten history in this province, beginning in the 1600s and gaining force in the 1700s and 1890s when some 10,000 Black Loyalists and Black refugees came to Nova Scotia settling communities such as Preston, Upper Hammonds Plains, Birchtown, Tracadie, Lincolnville, Whitney Pier, Glace Bay and, much later, a community on the outskirts of Halifax called Africville; and
Whereas the struggle for recognition, equality, access to education, employment and human rights continues today for many African Nova Scotians;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize the culturally unique position of African Nova Scotians, and honour all African Canadians throughout history who have helped build communities and cultures across the nation for centuries.
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 Queens.
MS. VICKI CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Crystal Farmer has been operating Medway Kennels for the past two and a half years; and
Whereas Crystal recently rescued a young Labrador dog, Decoy, and worked very hard to save this young dog after he failed temperament tests, and he now lives with Crystal in Port Medway; and
Whereas Crystal and Decoy were nominated for three awards at the 3rd Annual Dog Trainers Awards held in Kitchener, Ontario;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Crystal Farmer and Decoy for winning the Rescue and Rehabilitation Award, the Humane Dog Training Award and the Dog Training Excellence Award.
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 Dartmouth South-Portland Valley.
MS. MARILYN MORE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Joan Payzant is a well-recognized Dartmouth author, educator and historian; and
Whereas she will be highlighting the 255-year history of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry Service to members of Industrial Heritage Nova Scotia this week, based on Joan and Pete Payzant's Like a Weaver's Shuttle - a History of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferries; and
Whereas Joan Payzant has researched and written both fiction and non-fiction revolving around her beloved community of Dartmouth, including a new book co-authored with Janet Kitz last Fall;
Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Joan Payzant upon the publication of December 1917: Revisiting the Halifax Explosion, and thank her for helping to preserve our heritage through her research and publications.
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 Shelburne.
MR. STERLING BELLIVEAU: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Woods Harbour Fire Department would like to extend a special thanks to the local residents for their overwhelming support of the first annual Dumping Day Breakfast held on November 27, 2006; and
Whereas the Woods Harbour Fire Department started serving breakfast at 3:15 a.m., and were completely out of supplies before dawn; and
Whereas some individuals were verbally referred to the Woods Harbour Fisherman's Haven for breakfast;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Woods Harbour Fire Department on the success of their first annual Dumping Day Breakfast, and wish all fishermen a safe and prosperous season.
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 Pictou East.
MR. CLARRIE MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Bruce T. MacIntosh of Mac, Mac and Mac Law Offices in New Glasgow is one of approximately two dozen Canadian lawyers to be invited into the prestigious membership of the International Society of Barristers; and
Whereas Bruce MacIntosh contributes to the proper function of Nova Scotia's justice system in numerous ways, including his instrumental role in overhauling the ethics and discipline processes of the Nova Scotia Bar Society; and
Whereas Bruce MacIntosh recently received the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society Distinguished Service Award, one of only four Nova Scotian lawyers to be so honoured;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Bruce T. MacIntosh on being the recipient of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society's Distinguished Service Award, and "for his commitment to service and his assumption of the roles and responsibilities for which he is so well suited."
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 Halifax Chebucto.
RESOLUTION NO. 1467
MR. HOWARD EPSTEIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas for the second straight year students from Inverness County will have the opportunity to go back in time and experience life in the late 1800s at Sherbrooke Village; and
Whereas as the recipient of the 2007 ExxonMobil Hands on Heritage Award, students from Inverness Education Centre will get to spend three days dressed in period costume and experience hands-on activities such as churning butter, woodworking and making poverty - pottery; and (Interruptions) No, that's their MLA. (Laughter)
Whereas the Hands on Heritage Program was developed by the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society to provide students from schools within the Strait Regional School Board the opportunity to participate in the live-in part of the Hands on History Program;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Inverness Education Centre of Inverness, Nova Scotia on being the recipient of the 2007 ExxonMobil Hands on Heritage Award.
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.
[8:45 a.m.]
The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
RESOLUTION NO. 1468
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the tragic death of former Halifax filmmaker Helen Hill occurred in New Orleans last week; and
Whereas Helen Hill was by all accounts, by those privileged to have known her, a creative talent and a compassionate person whose commitment to community and the disadvantaged was unparalleled; and
Whereas Helen Hill left her imprint on the local metro arts community through her work in film and teaching and in the peace movement through Food Not Bombs;
Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia House of Assembly extend sincere condolences to the family of Helen Hill, her husband, Paul, and to her extended family and friends throughout Canada and the United States.
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.
Before we proceed with the business of the day, I would remind all members that all electronic devices should be either shut off or not used during Question Period.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS
MR. SPEAKER: Question Period shall begin at 8:46 a.m. and finish at 9:46 p.m.
The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, my question will be for the Premier. Guideline 1 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct sets forth the very first obligation of a Cabinet Minister, "Ministers must be truthful and forthright." Despite that very clear requirement, it appears that accident witnesses and news reporters were the first ones to inform the Premier, six weeks after the fact, about the specific actions of the former Minister of Human Resources. Whatever else one might suggest, it seems that the minister was not forthright. My question for the Premier is this, what steps will the Premier now take to ensure that his ministers are truthful and forthright?
HON. RODNEY MACDONALD (The Premier): Mr. Speaker, indeed, as I stated with the media yesterday, I went through a very clear timeline of the information that I was aware of. Last week one of my Cabinet Ministers - indeed when I did find out, to seek further information at 4:30 p.m., by 7:30 p.m. that minister had resigned, and appropriately he had done so, but what I can tell you is that I have absolute faith in the Cabinet Ministers on this side of the House. The people who are in these positions should be following the Code of Conduct. I expect them to follow that Code of Conduct. If they don't follow that Code of Conduct, they will not be in Cabinet.
MR. DEXTER: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think that most Nova Scotians, if they were told by a friend or a colleague about a traffic accident, would ask for details out of concern or just out of natural human curiosity. In the case of the recent resignation from Cabinet, the Premier has given the impression that he asked no questions, obtained no details about the incidents which caused the resignation. So my question to the Premier is this, why didn't the Premier ask the former minister for a complete explanation of what took place instead of describing it as a "minor incident"?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Leader of the Opposition actually answered this question with his previous question because I do expect my Cabinet Ministers to be truthful and forthright. So I would take a minister at their word.
MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, well, it's very hard to believe that the Premier's Office did not know the facts that were available to the staff in the minister's office, the staff in Transportation and Public Works and the staff dealing with any claims for injury caused by the accident. It's very hard to believe that the Premier was kept in the dark until he watched the news last week. So my question to the Premier is this, when will the Premier himself be sufficiently forthright on this issue by telling Nova Scotians what he knew and when he knew it?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting something other than what I have said in the last few days, then table it, then state it. If that be the case, that he's suggesting that I am not saying something other than I know, then have the intestinal fortitude to stand in this House and say it, or go out the door and say it.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.
PREM. - AUTO ACCIDENT (MLA CUMB. NORTH):
KNOWLEDGE - INFO.
MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians are once again embarrassed by the actions of a member of the Tory Cabinet. The most recent resignation by the member for Cumberland North is once again shrouded in mystery and secrecy. While the Premier continues to refer to the matter as a minor accident, the actions by the former Minister of Human Resources has shaken Nova Scotians' confidence in the Tory Cabinet and the Tory Government.
Mr. Speaker, we are left to question what type of respect the Premier commands from his Cabinet colleagues when we see such actions. So my question today is, can the Premier tell us why he had to learn of the accident of the former Minister of Human Resources through the 6:00 p.m. news?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Liberal Party for the question. I have been very clear on the information that was presented to me. I've been very clear on the information that was presented to me by the individual that he speaks of and the facts are clearly laid out. Again, if the Leader of the Liberal Party is suggesting otherwise, perhaps he can share more information.
MR. SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, it's sad when even today, the Premier indicates that his only knowledge is what he received from the 6:00 p.m. newscast and he doesn't disclose to this House any other information that he has, nor does he seem to indicate a willingness to find out more information as to what took place and show leadership on behalf of Nova Scotians. We are told that a Code of Conduct exists for members of the Tory Cabinet, but the actions by the former Minister of Human Resources leads us to question how seriously this code is actually taken. The former minister has yet again undertaken actions that appear to have violated the Code of Conduct, and, once again, the Premier and his colleagues claim to have been left in the dark.
Therefore, my question is, what leadership does the Premier feel he is giving Nova Scotians when a senior minister leaves the Premier in the dark on such a serious incident for well over a month?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I have been very clear on the information presented to me, not only did I provide the dates, I had a 25-minute interview, in fact, yesterday with the media, was asked many questions and answered those questions, and would do so today. The fact of the matter is there is a police investigation underway and we have to let the process take its place. It would be inappropriate, and I know that member knows, as a lawyer, it would be inappropriate for any of us to comment with respect to that, and allow the police to do their job. It's no different than the same respect we paid to previous members in this House who perhaps found themselves in similar circumstances.
MR. SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, what's inappropriate is that you have a senior member of the Tory Cabinet who has now resigned for the second time, who has once again claimed that he forgot or he failed to fully disclose the information to the Premier, either the former one or now the current one, and yet this Premier seems to be pleased with that and doesn't seem to have any sort of desire to seek more information.
The Premier, once again, simply needs to look at what Nova Scotians are telling him and telling his government. You, once again, are leaving them with more questions than answers. The last time, it was the same thing when this minister resigned, and yet the last time they hid behind the cloak of secrecy of Cabinet. This time we are left to wonder, what will they be hiding behind?
My question is, will the Premier finally show leadership and give this House and Nova Scotians the full details of what took place, or at least demand that the MLA for Cumberland North come clean with Nova Scotians as to the incidents that led to his resignation from Cabinet?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, we've been very clear with the information. I've been very clear with the information provided to me. If the Leader, the Interim Leader, Mr. Speaker, I have to be careful with my words there, I know there are a few Leaders over there. (Laughter) If the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party is suggesting something otherwise, then simply provide those facts, either in the Chamber or outside of this Chamber.
Again, I am willing to answer these questions, but the government is very clear, the government is here this week and has a much more important job to do. We're focused on the priorities of Nova Scotians. Pre-Christmas, the announcement of 1,000 new jobs here in Halifax in the financial service industry, jobs in Sydney, jobs in Yarmouth - that's what this government is focused on. It's focused on the average Nova Scotian and what it means to them to have the opportunity to stay in Nova Scotia to raise their families, to have good jobs.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Opposition.
PREM. - MIN. RESIGNATION: TV NEWS - RELIANCE EXPLAIN
MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I couldn't help but be struck by the irony of the Premier's response when the number of jobs in Nova Scotia has actually declined. My question, however, will be for the Premier. It seems that the Premier, like many Nova Scotians, watched the television news last Thursday. The news item about the former Minister of Human Resources led very quickly to the minister's resignation, a resignation that was announced by the Premier himself. My question for the Premier is, will the Premier tell the House why he apparently had to rely on the television news to learn information about his minister, information that was readily available from the staff of government since last November?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, again, I've been very clear on the information that I had before last Thursday and what information both he, perhaps, and myself saw on the evening news. Again, going back to his previous question, I do expect my ministers and the members of Executive Council to be forthright and truthful. The member in question, at the time, did the right thing and resigned from Cabinet, as I would expect him to do.
MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, it appears the minister reported his accident to government officials on the day that it took place; we are told that the minister reported the accident to the police a week later and that the Premier's chief of staff knew about it, yet we are also told the minister never actually reported the accident to the Premier and that the minister only casually mentioned it in the course of a conversation - end of story.
Mr. Speaker, the minister seems to have correctly assumed that the Premier has a don't ask, don't tell policy. Again to the Premier, why would a senior minister feel that he did not have to make a full report to the Premier about such an accident?
THE PREMIER: The facts clearly speak for themselves. I've shared the information that I was aware of pre last Thursday. I have been very clear about the chief of staff informing me; I've been very clear about the then minister also informing me of the situation and, last Thursday, action was taken. That is where it is at, Mr. Speaker.
That member now has an issue that he must deal with on a personal basis and that's where it should be at. Again, if the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting something otherwise, then stand up and say it.
MR. DEXTER: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Premier's efforts to deal with this resignation have so far raised far more questions than they have answered. Nova Scotians have been told that the Premier was kept in the dark about the incident which was serious enough to provoke a resignation from Cabinet - so my final question to the
Premier is this: What steps has he now taken to ensure that he is properly informed about significant activities, including potential or actual misconduct by the members of his own government?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I have absolute confidence in all MLAs who sit on this side of the House.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.
PREM. - AUTO ACCIDENT (MLA CUMB. NORTH):
CHIEF OF STAFF - INFO.
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier as well. We learned yesterday from the Premier in his interview with the media that his chief of staff was aware of this car accident with the former Minister of Human Resources on December 4th. The Premier has had several days now to be well briefed on this issue and should be able to answer some detailed questions.
My question is what did the Premier's chief of staff know on December 4th about the accident, and when and what did he tell the Premier?
THE PREMIER: Again, Mr. Speaker, I was clear with that yesterday. I informed the media and I informed Nova Scotians that on December 4th the chief of staff indicated to me the information he was aware of - that there was a minor traffic accident and that it was reported.
[9:00 a.m.]
MR. DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, I think what is hard to believe for Nova Scotians is that the Premier's chief of staff was aware of "a minor traffic accident" - as the Premier calls it - and didn't ask the questions that would normally be asked. The Premier learned about it, didn't ask the questions that would normally be asked, and I think most Nova Scotians would believe that within government someone should have been asking the questions and getting the answers with regard to this incident.
The Premier's own staff is responsible for safeguarding his best interests as the Premier of this province, and he is responsible for answering to their actions here in this House, so my question is very simple: What efforts did the Premier's Office make to discover all the facts about this car accident and what did they find out from those inquiries?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government and myself have been very clear on the information that was brought forward to our attention. In addition to that, as I
mentioned earlier, obviously with an investigation in place, that if the member has information then he should be sharing that.
MR. DEVEAUX: On any given day in this House most people know that the politicians on that side of the House may not answer the questions, but I think that a lot of people at least expect it that on this day they would get some answers from the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, this Premier is the one who sets and enforces the code of conduct for his Cabinet. Nova Scotians have legitimate questions about how this Premier ensures the conduct of his Cabinet Ministers is appropriate, so I want to ask the Premier who does he rely on when he has to ensure, particularly when it is an incident involving a minister who had to resign before, who does he rely on to ensure that the misconduct of his members is being investigated properly?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, again, there's a very clear Code of Conduct that not only my Cabinet is expected to adhere to, I would expect all MLAs from all sides of the House to adhere to in this House. The public expect it and, quite frankly, they deserve to know that we are following that Code of Conduct. If the member across the floor is suggesting something otherwise with one of my members on this side of the House, or one of my Cabinet Ministers, then stand up and say it. The fact of the matter is, do you know what, the NDP have nothing else to talk about, and that's why they're talking about this issue, while we're focused on growing the economy of this province, while we're focused on providing jobs for young Nova Scotians to stay at home, to come back from out West to live here in Nova Scotia, to raise their families, and to grow as a province. That's what this government is focused on.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.
MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians over the last few months have been caused to question the leadership of this Premier on gas regulation, the handling of Sunday shopping, the appointment of his friend Heather Foley Melvin to head an agency without a competition, and yet here we are again today with an incident once again causing Nova Scotians to question the leadership of this Premier. While Nova Scotians continue to tell us there is a lack of information that has been provided to them, here we have the spectacle of the Premier actually questioning the Opposition to provide more information on this incident for him, rather than he himself saying that he will show leadership for Nova Scotians, demand answers, and that no minister under his watch will ever be allowed to keep Nova Scotians in the dark about the incidents that have led to the resignation, yet not only have they done it once, now they're doing it twice.
So my question today to the Premier, will you be undertaking any efforts to demand that more information be provided to Nova Scotians surrounding the events leading to the resignation of your former Minister of Human Resources?
THE PREMIER: Again, Mr. Speaker, I spent 25 minutes answering questions yesterday and putting forward the information that I was aware of and the information that was put forward. The member is now asking a question about an individual who is no longer part of this Cabinet, and who is dealing with these issues on an individual basis, and no different than any other Nova Scotian. I don't think the member is suggesting otherwise, but the individual deserves due process, no different than perhaps previous members of his own caucus deserve due process, no different than the average citizen in our province deserves due process. If the member is suggesting otherwise, I find that hard to believe.
MR. SAMSON: What I'm suggesting to you, Mr. Premier, is that you shouldn't be standing here saying you've answered questions to the media for 25 minutes. What you should be here saying is that you're demanding answers, and that you, sir, are asking questions of your former minister; that you, sir, are asking questions of all of your Cabinet Ministers; that you, sir, are asking questions of staff within the government. The question being do they have more information and can they give Nova Scotians a sense of what took place here.
You, sir, were left in the dark for over a month by a senior Cabinet Minister who did not have enough respect for you and your position to tell you about an incident which led to his resignation. This incident has put a black mark, sir, on you, on all of your Cabinet, and on every single one of us here in this House through no actions of our own but through the actions of one of your ministers. It has also even put a black mark on the police force here in Halifax, probably through no fault of their own, because of the actions of your former minister.
So my question today is, will the Premier tell us, has he questioned his ministers and the staff of government to find out whether any of them had the details of this incident before he did?
THE PREMIER: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party talks about a black mark on our police force. The policing authorities in this province are ones that I am very proud of. They work hard each and every day for the citizens of our province, and that member should be ashamed of himself for suggesting otherwise.
MR. SAMSON: Well, Mr. Speaker, the actions of your former minister, sir, have caused the Chief of Police to hold a press conference about a traffic accident. When was the last time the Police Chief in Halifax had to hold a press conference to explain the actions on a traffic accident and the investigation? That is your fault, sir, because you are
the Premier, in charge of that minister who held you in the dark for over one month, and you decided that you still have . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order, please. I would just remind the honourable member and all honourable members asking questions to direct them through the Chair, to the Speaker, not to the individual they're asking the question to.
MR. SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, it is the actions of this Premier's minister that have caused the situation we find ourselves in today, but what is most disturbing, on top of all of this, is that what the Premier and his former minister refer to as a minor accident, the victims continue to say that they have suffered injuries from this. Therefore, my question is, has the Premier at least shown the decency, as the Premier of this province, to call the victims involved and apologize on behalf of the government for the actions of his former minister?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Liberal Party, the Interim Leader, asked me a question with regard to the police force, and I will refer that to the Minister of Justice.
HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Mr. Speaker, I'm very proud to stand in this House today and say that we have, as a government, all the confidence in the police of this province, especially the police in Halifax Regional Municipality. To suggest otherwise, I think, is a real disservice to them. The chief found it necessary to respond publicly yesterday because there was criticism toward his police force. I think the chief and the police force of the Halifax Regional Municipality are very credible and deserve to be given the respect and the opportunity to do a proper investigation, which I'm confident they will do, and we will see what the outcome is.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.
JUSTICE - AUTO ACCIDENT (MLA CUMB. NORTH):
VICTIMS - GOV'T. CONTACT
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, my question is again for the Premier. I think anyone who has a driver's licence understands that there are certain customs that occur after you've been in an accident. You exchange your driver's licence, you exchange insurance, you provide details of your licence plate number, et cetera. It's also important that there be prompt follow-up afterwards, making sure that there's an estimate on the damages that may have occurred, either to your vehicle or another vehicle. Nova Scotians also know this vehicle was owned by the Province of Nova Scotia and it was insured by the Province of Nova Scotia. I guess most of us would also assume that there would be some contact from the insurer and the owner of the vehicle to the people who were involved in that accident.
My question to the Premier is, what contact did any government official have with the people who were involved in this accident with the former Minister of Human Resources with regard to this accident and the details, and when did that happen?
THE PREMIER: I refer that to the Minister of Justice.
HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Mr. Speaker, again to this House, there's a process that has to be followed in regard to investigation that any police conduct, whether it's the investigation of a motor vehicle accident, whether it's the investigation of whatever type of activity the police are involved in. I'm sure, in this case, the police will follow the proper investigation procedures that they're trained to do, and that the outcome will be respective of their decisions in regard to the investigation, like they do in every case.
MR. DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, let me go back to that question again, because I think it's very important. I'm asking about the Department of Transportation and Public Works as the insurer, I'm asking the Premier what his government did - as the insurer of this vehicle - to investigate this accident, to make a determination, as the group that would be paying out as the insurer, what investigation they made when they found out about it, and when that investigation took place.
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I refer that to the Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. On the question of insurance, we self-insure our vehicles up to the value of $1 million, and after that, insurance policies take care of that.
MR. DEVEAUX: So Mr. Speaker, let's take another angle on this one. The Premier, I believe yesterday, said to the media that the damages to the government vehicle would be paid by the former Minister of Human Resources. But, Mr. Speaker, there were two vehicles that were specifically involved in this accident, as we're all well aware, at this point. So my question to the Premier is, is the government intending to pay, as the insurer, for the damages to the other vehicle involved in the accident with the former Minister of Human Resources or will the former Minister of Human Resources be paying for those damages as well?
THE PREMIER: I refer that to the minister responsible.
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, the results of the investigation around the incident will determine who should pay what and in what proportion.
MR. DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, my question is again for the Premier. There were many questions that were being raised last Summer when this Premier brought the member for Cumberland North back into his Cabinet. We all remember last March or
April, the minister had to resign and it was never clearly explained to us exactly what was the violation of the conflict of interest. Without that information, this Premier came forward in the Summer and said, we're bringing him back in. A lot of people at the time said they had concerns about that, but this Premier said this is something we were going to do. It was never clearly explained how the Code of Conduct was broken. So my question to this Premier is, is the Premier now prepared to acknowledge that the first resignation should have been explained fully before this former minister was brought back into Cabinet last Summer?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I stand by my decision last Summer.
MR. DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, that will be a quote that will be used by a lot of Opposition members in the coming election, I'm sure. I thought by now that the Premier and his colleagues would have learned that a stonewall of this issue is not the right way to go about it. They tried this last year, they tried to obfuscate, they tried to deny, they tried to say nothing about the issue in hopes it would go away. The former minister resigned, he's brought back in the Summer and we have a re-appointment that clearly shows there was poor judgment on the part of the Premier with regard to bringing this minister back. My question to the Premier is, how does this Premier intend to end the perception that narrow, political interests are the basis upon which he makes senior appointments to Cabinet and to other government officials?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, of course I'm in total disagreement with what the member just stated. I think it's sad that a member would stand up in this House talking about senior government officials such as deputy ministers and to suggest that somehow they are not professional, that they are not able to do the job.
[9:15 a.m.]
By those very words, he does a disservice to Nova Scotia when we're out there attempting to recruit good, quality people to go in top positions. The member should keep that in mind when stating things like that.
MR. DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, I think the people of Nova Scotia would have a lot more faith in the Premier's words if they didn't know the name of Heather Foley Melvin and they didn't know the name of Scott Boyd and others that he has appointed without appropriate job applications and postings so that people in Nova Scotia know the best people are getting the job, not people that are friends of the Premier.
The Premier has been criticized for appointing the largest Cabinet in the last number of years. My question to the Premier will be, does the Premier intend to keep his Cabinet at the present size now that it has been reduced by one, or are we going to see further reductions in the coming months?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I'm sure those on this side of the House are more interested in my answer than that side but no decision on that has been made as yet. I don't know if the member's hoping to get a position on this side of the House with us, but we can certainly welcome the member across the floor.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Annapolis.
MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I guess the ministers will take that as no? Yes? My question is for the Minister of Agriculture. Today we will witness a last-ditch effort and a cry for help from farmers across the province. For years now, my colleagues and I have pressed the government to aid the agricultural industry. Hog farmers are getting ready, if they haven't done so already, to put a "for sale" sign on their properties and generations of traditions and years of hard work by Nova Scotians. Outside this House of Assembly today, people from the agricultural industry will be asking for your help. So my question to the minister is, what is your plan for the long-term viability of the agricultural industry?
HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, on December 1st, last, on behalf of this government and the Department of Agriculture, we brought forward a farm aid package to the agriculture farmers in the Province of Nova Scotia and that package was to the tune of $9.7 million. I might add that was the biggest single investment in agriculture that this province has ever made in one fell swoop.
MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, the question was what is your long-term plan for the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia, not crisis management, which we've seen for the last six years when it comes to this industry. Hog farmers, cattle producers, fruit and vegetable growers, the list goes on - how many times do these hard working individuals have to come to the Conservative government for help? The fact is, the uncertainty of the agricultural industry does not just affect rural Nova Scotia. Agricultural is a part of life in every sector of this province, from one end of it to the other, from the city to our small towns. So my question to the minister is, when will your government finally step in and develop a long-term strategy for the agricultural industry of Nova Scotia?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I'm sure it wasn't the honourable member's intention to mislead the House and have everybody believe that the agricultural sector is completely in demise. In fact, we have many success stories in the agriculture - hard working men and women - for example, people who are very successful in the dairy industry, in the blueberry commodity, in the wine commodity, people working hard, and poultry and eggs. And yes, some of our commodities have a lot of challenges, there's no doubt about that, but what we did is, as a government, we reached out to those commodities in a way that was fair. It's not only pork, it is, as the honourable member mentioned, it is cattle that are having some challenges, the fruit growers, horticulture
with our weather and things like that; but this government has looked at each and every concern and each and every request that came to us and we've treated them all fairly.
MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, if we continue to allow the agricultural sector to die, Nova Scotia will become dependent on other parts of Canada and the world to feed us. How much will our grocery bills go up in price if the beef, pork, fruit and vegetables and other commodities that we require are imported? This government has talked about brand Nova Scotia, but we've seen nothing to benefit the farmers of Nova Scotia with this initiative. My question to the Premier is, what is your plan to ensure that Nova Scotians will be able to access Nova Scotia product at their local grocery store?
THE PREMIER: I refer that to the Minister of Agriculture.
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, this government and the Department of Agriculture, the hard working men and women with the Department of Agriculture, are working hard with the various commodities across this province. There are a lot of challenges. There's absolutely no doubt about that, but there have been a lot of success stories. There are many value-added products. There are a lot of buy-local initiatives that are going on and I think at the end of the day we have to recognize that farmers feed us all, not just here in the city, but they feed us in the country and if you're given the opportunity I would encourage all members to buy local. Make that opportunity. Take that opportunity.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.
TPW - VEHICLE LEASE POLICY
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation and Public Works. I want to table a page from the government of Nova Scotia Common Services Manual and I just want to quote one line from it which says, "7.1 acquisition lease of vehicle policy statement, leasing agreements will be for a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years with regard to vehicles." It's our understanding that the vehicle that the former Minister of Human Resources was operating actually had a two-year lease and of course that would mean higher costs that would come with that. So my question to the minister is, has there been a change of policy with regard to how long a Cabinet Minister can have a lease on a vehicle?
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The matter that the honourable member is questioning the House about is one which is dealt with by the Minister of Economic Development and I refer the question to him.
HON. RICHARD HURLBURT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and through you to the honourable member and all members, the procurement practices in this province and the policies and procedures are that if it is a new vehicle they want a minimum of three years
but if it's a used vehicle, it can be a shorter term. There is extra mileage for some members for the travel that they have to the city.
MR. DEVEAUX: You know, Mr. Speaker, the policy doesn't say whether it is a used or a new vehicle but I think a lot of Nova Scotians would be hard-pressed to believe that the Province of Nova Scotia is paying over $860 a month to lease a used Volkswagen vehicle. That seems incredulous to the people of Nova Scotia - $860 a month for a used vehicle, is that what this minister is trying to tell the people of Nova Scotia? This is a two-year lease on a Volkswagen Jetta, $860 a month.
Now I want to ask whichever minister is responsible with regard to this issue, how this province is spending $860 a month for a two-year lease that violates the policy of its own government?
MR. HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, through you again to the honourable member opposite and to all members, the procedure has not been broken. For a used vehicle, you are allowed to lease on a shorter term. If you put the extended warranty, and I can give you an example of my own vehicle that I have leased right now for the province, there is an extended warranty on my vehicle that had to go on it because of the kilometres that I travel. I put over 50,000 kilometres a year on that vehicle, a used vehicle, and that's what brings the price of the lease up.
MR. DEVEAUX: Well, Mr. Speaker, according to government representatives, six Cabinet Ministers are operating vehicles that are on a two-year lease; again, according to their own government policy that says that all vehicles must be leased for three to four years maximum.
So my question to the minister involved with procurement is, why hasn't his department ensured that Cabinet Ministers follow the rules so that the taxpayers are not spending more money than necessary on leased vehicles for Cabinet Ministers?
MR. HURLBURT: Mr. Speaker, the procedures and the policies of procurement are being followed by this government. The staff at procurement are doing a tremendous job for all taxpayers in this province. Members of the Cabinet are allowed a vehicle and they have a maximum up to $25,000 for a used vehicle and to acquire a used vehicle, maybe that member doesn't know it but I live in Yarmouth and I travel a lot of miles in this province just coming back and forth and travelling the whole province. The extra kilometres that you put on the vehicle add to the lease payment.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West.
AGRIC. - PORK INDUSTRY COLLAPSE: WORK REPLACEMENT - OPTIONS
MR. LEO GLAVINE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture. My colleagues and I have stood in this House of Assembly many times requesting that the government take action for hog producers across the province. I don't think they're hearing us, so perhaps I should be directing my question to the Minister of Health and request that Cabinet Ministers be fitted with hearing aids.
Now not to make light of this dire situation, Mr. Speaker, but as with most urgent matters, the government has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the agriculture industry and today, when hundreds of farmers from across Nova Scotia arrive at Province House, perhaps they will listen today. These people need help, they need it now.
My question to the minister, when the pork industry collapses because of your inaction, what work replacement options do you have in store for these people?
HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, a total of $9.7 million was announced on December 1st. That's over and above the regular programming and services that the Department of Agriculture announced. The biggest component of that package will go to Pork Nova Scotia, will go to the hog farmer. In fact, in this fiscal year, we were able to do an extra appropriation of $2 million, and the biggest percentage of that will go to the red meat sector. Are the Liberals saying that we're not doing anything for agriculture in this province? Absolutely, they're making a mistake. In the last four years, 30 hog producers went out of production, and the government invested millions and millions of dollars into that sector. It's difficult - the input costs, the feed costs.
Where was that member when the federal Liberal Government, in 1997, abolished the federal feed transportation assistance? The Liberal Government, the provincial government - I was in here speaking against it, speaking against it. The Liberal Government in Ottawa abolished that assistance, and the provincial Liberal Government stood by and said nothing . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
MR. GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering where this Cabinet was when they allowed the former Minister of Agriculture to drop the risk management program, which was a viable, workable program in this province. The minister talks about the new program, well, the new program is about debt relief, it's a help to get people out of the industry. It doesn't deal with the cash flow problems hog producers have now. The cost of raising a hog is higher than what producers are receiving for the hog itself. When this is coupled with the hog wasting disease, the economic downfall that's tremendous to an industry that generates over $100 million to the economy of Nova Scotia, these farmers need the minister and his department to act now and save this vital industry. You acted for S&J Potato and for Magic Valley, now we need help. Why, minister - my question -why has your government decided, without proper notice, to drop the hog industry and cause them to begin the process of collapse?
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, again I would point out that on December 1st, this government announced $9.7 million for the agricultural industry of the Province of Nova Scotia. One element of that farm aid package was a total of $6.2 million, $3.5 million of that $6.2 million will see the debt of the hog farmers of this province, the $3.5 million debt, retired from April 1st, just a few short months away. I would say that should be of big assistance to the farmers who have appealed to me as minister to help decrease their debt load. This government has listened and that is one of the many things that we're doing to help the agricultural industry in the Province of Nova Scotia.
MR. GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the minister and his government are counting on people to leave this industry and without immediate aid the minister will get his wish. The current government has not provided leadership or direction with regard to agriculture and has only offered sketchy policy, unclear plans and absolutely no vision for the future. This industry, however, if we talk to farmers, they see a future. Just ask Terry Beck, Doug Morris, Linda Tupper, Lester Palmer, Jim Lamb, Vance Morris, Craig Nichols, and their families and friends who will be here today. They want the hog industry to stay, they want answers now. My question to the minister is, when will your government notify these hardworking people if they have a future in this province?
[9:30 a.m.]
MR. TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, for the last six to eight months, this government has been funding a marketing individual with Pork Nova Scotia. The provincial government, since 2000, provided $16,540,000 to the hog industry in the form of grants and loans and loan write-offs and program payments, and things of that nature - $16.5 million, and there are still pork farmers going out of business. I say to you and I say to all members in this House, there's something wrong with that picture, but some of the farmers have moved to other models that are more successful, they've moved to value-added, Omega-3 type products and things of that nature. In fact some of them are now shipping the weaners off to other jurisdictions.
There are more opportunities for some of the other hog farmers, but if they want to stay in that commodity-based model, it's not going to be profitable. It can't be profitable. It's not profitable in the State of Maine. So how can it be profitable? It can't be. So this time we are saying to the farmers, we're going to work with you, but we also have to be responsible to the taxpayers of this province, and we're going to do that.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants East.
MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, my question will be directed to the Premier. Our farmers invest in the communities, economies and lives of people in rural Nova Scotia, whether it's buying feed or seed, having a piece of machinery fixed at the
local repair shop, or taking part in their community events, farmers play an important role in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, later today farmers and supporters from across Nova Scotia will be gathering in Halifax to impress upon the government the need for a new approach to agricultural policy. So my question for the Premier is, what answer do you have for the farmers who will gather here today?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the member speaks of the importance of agriculture in our province. Indeed, I can speak first-hand, living in an agricultural community, as that member knows. Certainly I do appreciate what they do to the local economies. The government in Nova Scotia has invested heavily in the last number of years in the agricultural industry, in the hog industry, as well. We made a significant commitment in December, which kicks in in April - $9.7 million. I realize that our agricultural industry and our hog industry face many challenges. The government also has a responsibility to ensure that, both, we work with the industries to do what we can to help them, but at the same time also ensure that the public interests are maintained, as well.
MR. MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I think the public will be very pleased to know that the government would invest in an industry that is supplying good quality local food for the people of the province.
Mr. Speaker, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Pork Nova Scotia, the cattle producers all have presented plans to the government on how their industry can be made sustainable. The December 1st announcement the minister keeps referring to of $9.7 million is over four years, and the minister doesn't actually reflect upon the notion that that government may not be there in four years to carry out that mandate. This government always tries to treat the symptoms but not the cause. While an influx of short-term bridge funding is a necessary component of any program, government has to become a partner in implementing plans presented by the federation and commodity groups.
So my question for the Premier is, when will the Premier recognize the value of investing in the hog industry and their need for short-term funding to bridge them to a long-term sustainable plan?
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government has made significant investment in the last number of years in the hog industry, a significant investment in the agricultural community of our province. Why, Mr. Speaker? Because we value that industry. The significant commitment that we made - $9.7 million - in December, if you compare us to what's happening in the other Atlantic Provinces, there is much greater investment here in Nova Scotia than what's happening in Atlantic Canada.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work with the agricultural industry. We will continue to work with our hog farmers. I respect the fact that they face challenges, but the government is doing all it can.
MR. MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, the Premier should recognize that using the term investment does not mean it's synonymous with commitment. If he really is committed to this industry and to agriculture, in general, he should think that the ad hoc approach, which is what this government has done - and they talk about the dollars that they've invested, and to know that this industry is in the crisis that it is again, after all the money that they say they have spent, then they should recognize that there has been a problem with their policy. They have had no plan for agriculture in this province. If the Government of Nova Scotia does not intend to provide needed competitive supports required for agriculture, they should admit it now.
The real question that farm families need answered today is does this government want a sustainable, primary agricultural sector in Nova Scotia?
THE PREMIER: How much of a deficit does the NDP want to have in this province? What I always hear from the NDP is tax and spend, tax and spend. Really that is the question that Nova Scotians are saying to me when I'm talking - how much deficit do the NDP want in this province? Tax and spend, that's all they can refer to, Mr. Speaker. How much of a deficit? How much should be invested? How much do they want this province to go into deficit this year?
This government will not go into deficit this year while I am Premier, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Needham.
ENVIRON. & LBR.: SUPREME COURT DECISION - WCB INACTION
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question through you is to the Minister of Environment and Labour. On November 24th the minister informed us that the Workers' Compensation Board has decided not to implement the Supreme Court of Canada's decision for those Nova Scotians with pre-Charter of Rights chronic pain claims. The long wait for a decision on this issue has resulted in no change for people suffering chronic pain from work-related illnesses.
Mr. Speaker, a letter has gone out to 1,300 Nova Scotians telling them that their claims will be processed on a business-as-usual basis. Since these claims have been on hold, we can only assume that this means these claimants are being frozen out of the program. So I would like to ask the minister why the Workers' Compensation Board is avoiding its responsibilities under the 2003 Supreme Court of Canada decision?
HON. MARK PARENT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Workers' Compensation Board responded to the Supreme Court ruling and recognized chronic pain payments for those post-Charter and have been working very hard to get those payments out to people. It has recently lifted the stay on appeals on those pre-Charter, and pre-Charter people will be going through the appeal process and will be dealt with appropriately.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: There are many pre-Charter claimants, chronic pain sufferers in the province who are very upset that the board is discriminating against them. The regulations clearly state that those with pre-Charter injuries should be compensated. So I want to ask the minister, through you, Mr. Speaker, why he has not directed the board to comply with the Supreme Court judgment made over three years ago?
MR. PARENT: Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question; however I think she is confused about what the regulations state. The regulations stated very clearly that anyone who developed chronic pain after 1985 should be compensated, which fits in well with what the WCB policy is as well.
MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Well, I think the minister is confused about what the Supreme Court of Canada had to say on this matter. It is obvious from the actions of the board over the last two months that they have no intention of fulfilling its responsibilities to these people pursuant to the Charter of Freedoms and Rights in the Supreme Court decision.
The minister has an obligation to ensure that their suffering is compensated for, as outlined in the judgment. So my final question to the minister is when is he going to show some leadership and compassion and move to ensure these workers get the compensation to which they are entitled?
MR. PARENT: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite raises a good point, but she fails to reference the fact that we have put in a new governance forum in the Workers' Compensation Board. That governance has equal representatives from labour and from employers. The commitment of this government putting in that new governance board was to give the WCB maximum independence to do its job properly in order to improve its record, and to serve Nova Scotians.
That was supported by the former critic of the New Democratic Party. For some reason, the present critic doesn't want to support that government policy and wants me to meddle in the work of WCB, and I won't do it.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.
SERVICE N.S. & MUN. REL.: GAS REGULATION - CONSUMER RELIEF
MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, we've now found out who the government has chosen as their consultant to prepare, once again, yet another report on the state of gas regulation in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotians paid for one in 2005 which told us we would get higher prices, no stability and potential supply shortages. Guess what has happened all because this Premier was gullible enough to follow the NDP in this misguided policy?
With the world oil price in a steady decline as of late, many consumers in competitive markets have been able to benefit from lower prices, but not here in Nova Scotia. Ontario drivers are experiencing significantly lower gas prices as a result of this decline. Even in other regulated markets, the prices have been significantly lower than here in our province. We only need to look a few hundred kilometres to the north in New Brunswick where the price of gasoline is on average six cents per litre lower than in our own province. My question today is, Premier, can you tell us exactly what is your plan to give consumers in Nova Scotia a break at the pumps?
THE PREMIER: I will refer that to the minister responsible, Mr. Speaker.
HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I just would like to remind the honourable member, in the for what it's worth category, that the poll that was done in December - 65 per cent of Cape Bretoners favoured regulation.
MR. SAMSON: Well, at least he didn't go after Wilson's this time so I guess that was a good start, so let him keep going with his misguided polls. Even the price in regulated markets, which have never experienced significantly lower prices than us in Nova Scotia in the past, are now paying six cents less per litre than what we are. Regulation in Nova Scotia has been a colossal failure and while the Premier is off trying to defend political patronage appointments and defending the mistakes of him and his Cabinet, Nova Scotian consumers are unfairly being forced to pay higher prices at the pumps. Nova Scotians, under a competitive market, would clearly be paying less today than they would under our misguided regulated system.
Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians have clearly said they want lower prices at the pumps, not higher prices. My question to the Premier is, you and your Cabinet have the ability to lower the price of gasoline right now, today, here in Nova Scotia. Will you commit to stopping this current practice of keeping the price at the pumps artificially high in our province?
[9:45 a.m.]
THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I refer that to the minister responsible.
MR. MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. When the government got into the business of regulating gasoline and diesel prices, it was to provide stability and in response to petitions from rural Nova Scotians and from the Gasoline Retailers Association. The particular model the government uses to set prices on a biweekly basis provides for an interrupter clause, that if the price either rises or falls a certain amount over a five-day period, then the price is adjusted immediately.
I agree with the honourable member - the world price of petroleum, crude oil, has fallen. But it has not fallen enough to put in the interrupter clause. If we reach that threshold, I, as the minister, will put that interrupter clause . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The time allotted for the Oral Question Period has expired.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. MICHAEL BAKER: 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.
[9:46 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Wayne Gaudet in the Chair.]
[6:00 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Mr. Speaker, Mr. Cecil Clarke, in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.
The subject for this evening's late debate was submitted by the honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect:
"Therefore be it resolved that this government finally address the issue of successor rights and severance at Sydney Steel."
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5)
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton Nova.
MR. GORDON GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, on numerous occasions I've risen in my place in this House to discuss this issue about successor rights and compensation for steelworkers. Since 2003, my colleague, the member for Cape Breton South, has stood in his place, and each and every time we have stood here to try to realize what these men are going through. My father, his father, steelworkers - now gone. Died with dignity and pride. Spent many years, 109 years in my family in three generations at Sydney Steel. My colleague, the member for Cape Breton South, has talked about his father and the work at Sydney Steel.
Now, let's get to the issue of today, successor rights for the men who were left there. Today, these men, as we stand in this Legislature, have no income. Their unemployment insurance ran out in December. They have no income. They have no income. There are 50 members of Local 1064-2 who are getting a little bit of work, what they call crumbs, I guess it's what we call crumbs - getting out and getting some work with some private companies.
Mr. Speaker, over the 25 to 30 years that these men spent in that industry they were in every dirty hole conceivable to mankind - under the blast furnace, cleaning up the coke ovens, under the open hearth, in the degasser, the saltwater line, cutting scrap, cutting steel, removing asbestos from Sydney Steel. These men did this job like no other men could because that was their livelihood. The mill is gone - there's nothing left, it's shipped away, but we still have these men. These men have no income - again, I'll say no income. They're looking for any way at all.
So what I talk about in late debate as successor rights is that now that the tar ponds announcement is coming very shortly, we, as legislators, provincially and federally, there should be some kind of compassion within this announcement of the tar ponds to make sure that these men, who have spent 25 to 30 years of their lives in that industry, get work within the tar ponds project from Sydney Steel. That's all they're asking for. (Applause)
They're not looking for a handout, they're looking for a hand up. They're looking for work; they're looking for a paycheque of any kind. You know some will say - and as my colleague knows, the member for Cape Breton South, because he's getting telephone calls from Mr. Scott Black on a weekly basis looking for a compassionate pension - you know they moved the people on Frederick Street, the federal government, and it wasn't because of the environment, it was because of compassion. You know what I mean - it's because of compassion. So what I'm saying is that, you know - and the former Premier and the Premier who's here today who said we have treated these steelworkers fairly; we have treated them fairly.
Now the colleague who was just elected, the member for Cape Breton West, would know. As a government-appointed employee, he spent time with these men. These are good men, and all they're looking for is a hand up, not a handout - they just want a
paycheque. Their lives are turned around and they have families, they have young people in university. They're looking to get employment, you know, they're looking to get some kind of small top-up of their pension that they have, that they'll be able to receive when they're 55, but they're looking for employment.
With this announcement up and coming, I think that they have every right in the world - they spent their lives in that industry, working in every dirty hole imaginable to mankind and I think out of compassion that they should be allowed to work on the tar ponds project. I think that there should be some kind of work out there for them so they can go to work. If not, we're going to have labour unrest on that site. I can guarantee you, as I stand in my place here today, there will be labour unrest at that site in the near future, in the year 2007. What do you do when people have - you know, I remember an old saying that when your belly is full, your mind doesn't work that good, but when your belly is empty that's when your mind gets sharp. That's the whole thing - when your belly is empty, your mind gets sharp. They have no income, so right now are they going to the Community Services Department? Yes, they are. Some are going; some are trying to travel out West; some are looking to get a head start - but they're looking for a hand up, not a handout.
I believe that they have every right to successor rights to work on that steel plant. They came back there to rebuild that steel plant in 1989, and 1990 to put the electric arc furnace in. Each and every one of them came back there to work, so why would they not be entitled to having some kind of work at the tar ponds project? They have the training. It's well documented that they've done a good job in cutting up the scrap; it's well- documented that they're good employees. You can look at their records - they're good employees, they're good men. Again, they're looking for some kind of compassion to say that, you know, we have to have some kind of income. We're talking $400 million to be announced very shortly by the federal government and the provincial government.
They have a $10 million set-aside project for the Native people and that's fine, that's absolutely fine, but why can't there be any kind of set-aside project for the steelworkers? Why can't they have a percentage of that money set aside for the former steelworkers? Most of them are in their 50s - most of those men are from 47 to 55 to 60 years of age - why can't there be a percentage of that project set aside to bridge these men until they get to the age that they can withdraw their pension and the money that they have?
It only makes sense that they should be able to get some kind of work at the tar ponds project. A set-aside project for the former steelworkers, doesn't that sound right? You have a set-aside project, $10 million, for the Native people, why not a set-aside project and successor rights? We go back into the history of how this started - there was this Sydney Tar Ponds Incorporated and that became Sydney Environmental Resources, and then it became the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.
The bureaucrats who run that dismantled the board of the Sydney Tar Ponds Incorporated, and Cyril; in other words he dismantled the board. So now they can't argue for successor rights because there is no longer a board there. They disbanded that board, the bureaucrat that was in charge of that file.
How much money did Ernst & Young make on that file? Someday maybe the people in the government and whomever else can tell the people of Nova Scotia how much money Ernst & Young made at Sysco, just let us know how much money they made. They're looking for a hand up, not a hand out. Successor rights, $400 million coming down the pipeline. You know what the joke is in Sydney now, as I drive to Sydney and I drive over town? The joke is that we have more engineering firms on Charlotte Street than we have lawyers.
Where do they all come from? Why are all those engineering firms now in Sydney? They're in Sydney to do what's been done for many generations in there, to open the suitcases, take the money and cross the causeway. It's the history of that island. In the tar ponds site it says, benefit local economy. Tell me what the benefit to the local economy is when you have engineering firms that are in there - not from there - that set up offices in old banks along Charlotte Street, waiting for that money to leave.
How many years? For hundreds and hundreds of years companies have come there and have taken our resources and have taken everything we've owned and crossed the causeway, and we got nothing. These men have nothing. Is this going to happen again? Why not give these guys successor rights at Sydney Steel like they deserve, what they're entitled to. They're entitled to this, as far as I'm concerned. They have spent their life in that industry, they're entitled to get a hand up and not a hand out. They're entitled to say, listen, put a set-aside project - I wrote the former minister, since the Cabinet shuffle, Minister Rona Ambrose, to ask for a meeting in Ottawa to discuss this very matter that I speak on standing in my place tonight. They put their heart and soul, they're anywhere from 47 to 50 years of age. Sure, some of them didn't work 15 years, some of them didn't work 20 years, some worked 25, but some worked 28 years of their lives. What I am saying is that they are looking for some kind of work.
Is it possible that we as legislators in the province can actually help these people - $400 million in the tar ponds project and we're saying you guys are out the door, go to the local welfare office and we don't want to hear from you anymore. Why not give them a job - have some dignity and pride so these men can finish their careers in the industry their grandfathers started, their fathers started, instead of having these big companies coming in and taking our money and leaving Cape Breton. It's been done for generations.
Let us state today in this Legislature that's it's not going to happen anymore, that these guys deserve successor rights at Sydney Steel. They deserve to have a job, to pack their lunch to go to work in the morning. The former Premier, and the Premier today has
said he's done enough. Well, I feel he hasn't done enough. Show compassion, give them successor rights in the tar ponds.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the honourable member for bringing forward this resolution this evening. I do recall very vividly at a point in my life when I was visiting Cape Breton and billeted in the home of a steelworker who happened to be my namesake, his name was Angus MacIsaac. At that time, he had been employed at the steel mill for I believe about 25 years. He was kind enough to take one of his days off and arranged to take me on a tour, myself and a friend who was with me. It was one of the most fascinating days of my life to be able to go through the steel mill right from one end to the other. In those days, they were making rails, they were also doing wire and the production of wire, nails were being made, and it was quite a day to be able to go through that. That occurred, I'm guessing, because I don't know the exact date, but I would suggest probably around 1957, 1958, in that time frame.
However, Mr. Speaker, since those days, times have changed and the industry changed, and this province found itself in the situation where the company that was running that mill decided to leave and I recall having been with my father at the time when there was a very large march of concern that took place in Sydney and the government in1967, about 10 years after the time when I first visited the mill. After that, the Premier of the day, G.I. Smith, took action to create the agency, the Sydney Steel Corporation, and the province began operating that steel mill.
Unfortunately the operation was not what one could describe as successful and Nova Scotians are all too familiar with the large amount of money that was put into that mill and it never did wind up being a successful financial operation.
However, the time did come when the province was forced to abandon its best efforts with respect to Sydney Steel and sought to find a buyer for that plant after this government came to office in 1999. The determination was made that Nova Scotians were going to get out of the steel business and we had hoped we could find a buyer to operate the plant but that did not materialize.
All through that piece, fairness for workers was an overriding concern on the part of this government. This evening, I want to briefly summarize some of the things that we, as a government, did with respect to the workers at the mill. Within six months of announcing the closure of the plant, all workers received either a pension or a severance from the operations at Sysco. The decommissioning of Sysco is now complete and the focus of activity on this site is shifting to environmental remediation and business development within the commercial park. If you visit that site today, Mr. Speaker, and I'm sure you are familiar with it, you will see an area that has been totally and
completely transformed and there is a huge acreage which is now available for development and there is a considerable amount of development taking place while, at the same time, the remediation is ongoing at that site.
[6:15 p.m.]
Now, Mr. Speaker, we have fulfilled our commitment to employ former steelworkers onsite whenever possible. I might say that I believe we have done so rather successfully. We kept on an average of 70 people working for five years after the closure of that mill. They provided a tremendous service to this whole project and the remediation that was taking place there.
The commitment to treat former steelworkers fairly cost $52 million and, of this amount, about $5 million was paid in severance to workers who were not eligible for a pension. Now severed workers were provided training opportunities as well as transition services to assist with financial planning, among other things, as a result of our efforts on their behalf.
Now it is important, Mr. Speaker, for everyone to understand that in the implementation of the agreement, the union insisted and the province agreed that there would be no double-dipping. Of course, what that means is that former steelworkers who accessed a pension under the agreement were forced to retire and steel plant decommissioning jobs were given to severed steelworkers who did not benefit from any pension provisions. In addition, a top-up was provided to the hourly rate paid to former steelworkers employed on the steel mill decommissioning to permit them to purchase RRSPs. This was put into effect as a consequence of the pension plans having been closed and moved to the Department of Finance.
MR. GOSSE: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. I know for a fact that there were men at Sydney Steel who were pensioned off, given a severance package, and then went back to work on Sydney Steel - that's triple-dipping, double-dipping.
MR. SPEAKER: It's not a point of order, but it is three points made.
MR. MACISAAC: Well, the honourable member may have information to which I do not have access and obviously, if what he has suggested has in fact occurred, then that was not part of the agreement that was put into effect. As I said, that agreement was put into effect, and the top-up of their income so they could purchase RRSPs was provided as well.
Under the pension severance arrangement, more than 500,000 man hours - that's half a million man hours of work - have been made available to severed workers, which resulted in approximately the 70 people being employed over the past five years. With respect to the tar ponds cleanup, a commitment has been made by the Sydney Tar Ponds
Agency and its funding partners to do everything possible including former steelworkers to maximize employment opportunities for local residents and to maximize local economic benefits in general. The agency has implemented a very aggressive plan to ensure that these two objectives are achieved.
On successor rights, the union filed an application with the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board asking that it be granted successor rights in work carried out in the tar ponds and coke ovens cleanup. Mr. Speaker, the courts, in dealing with that, dismissed the union's application on the grounds that the board lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. So there is a process to be followed in these matters and the union followed that process. The Labour Relations Board upheld the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency's position that there has been no prior employment relationship between the union and the agency.
So to sum it up, Mr. Speaker, Sysco has provided workers with a pension severance package; it has provided a salary to workers on the cleanup for the past five years; has helped broker additional jobs for steelworkers; and it has provided transition and training for those who have chosen to move on to other opportunities. We believe workers are well-positioned for new opportunities that will take place at that site, and believe that they have the ability to make new opportunities for themselves. Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: Thank you to the honourable member.
The honourable member for Cape Breton South.
MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, once again I find myself rising in my place to speak about Sydney Steel, more specifically the workers at Sydney Steel that I feel have fallen through the cracks since the steel plant closed. Like my good friend from Cape Breton Nova, we get calls all the time regarding opportunities, or the lack of opportunities, for some members who worked many years at Sydney Steel and find themselves now very unsure about their future and really with no security and, along with my colleague for Cape Breton Nova, I talk to people like Scott Black all the time. He mentioned Scott and also Donnie MacKinnon who has worked virtually all his life with Sydney Steel and there are others who are hurting and don't know what the future holds for them.
I can stand in place here and talk for hours about the plight of Sydney Steel over the years and what has happened there, and I can tell you this, Mr. Speaker, in 1999 the current government won the election on the backs of the Sydney Steel workers by sending out post- cards to close Sydney Steel, open hospital beds. Well, half of that was true - Sydney Steel closed, but the hospital beds didn't get opened. But the government won the election. Also, you know, the steelworkers remember the name of Gordon Balser very well, because it was that same Gordon Balser who stood in the steelworkers' hall in Sydney and said don't worry, we'll look after you - when he was trying to get out of Dodge, almost running down this road saying we'll look after you and that's the last
they ever saw of him. There is justice because the taxpayers of this province and his electors felt the same thing about him in the next election. So he and the honourable Jane Purves were both gone, two people who weren't very friendly to Sydney Steel workers of the day. So I mean there was some justice there meted out on those two, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, and I know that in a previous role in the Cabinet I was the minister responsible for Sydney Steel in the late 1990s and we felt that a modern, mini-rail mill could succeed at Sydney Steel and we were in the process of doing that when the government changed. I can recall telling my Premier of the day, Mr. Premier, I think we are onto something here that could provide work for about 400 people making high speed rails.
We felt, even after the government changed, that that was still a possibility because you know we are buying rails offshore these days, there is nobody producing rails in Canada now so we are buying that offshore, while steelworkers are sitting idle. Some of the steelworkers who fell through the cracks feel very strongly that that plant should have remained open.
But, Mr. Speaker, not only did the government close the plant, but the government . . .
MR. SPEAKER: Order please, order. The Chamber was respectful of the last two speakers in this late debate and I would ask that you do the same for the member for Cape Breton South.
The member for Cape Breton South has the floor.
MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Not only, Mr. Speaker, did the government close the steel plant but the government ensured that a steel plant would never open again in Sydney to produce rails because they sold off all the equipment at fire sale prices, so it's gone. So if there was any opportunity to have a rail mill producing rails, and particularly high speed rails that Sydney Steel was good at producing, that opportunity is gone because the equipment, some very modern equipment, was fire-saled for little or nothing by the liquidators at Sydney Steel, the people my friend, the member for Cape Breton Nova, mentioned, Ernst and Young, who have made a considerable amount of money off the closure of Sydney Steel. As a matter of fact, they have had a president of Sydney Steel - I don't know whether Nova Scotians know that but we still have a president of Sydney Steel and Ernst and Young are still down there making all kinds of money. The only people who aren't making any money are the steelworkers who have fallen through the cracks.
Mr. Speaker, all these steelworkers are looking for - some of them are not getting adequate pensions, some of them are looking for work, as my colleague mentioned, on the tar ponds project. They should be guaranteed work there in the future. There is a lot
of money that is going to be spent there and I think it would be only fair if they received an opportunity to work on that particular project, as well as other Cape Bretoners.
There are lots of contractors working there who should be encouraged to hire steelworkers as well, Mr. Speaker, and hopefully they will turn their attention to the plight of people like Donnie MacKinnon or Scott Black and numerous others who are down there waiting for some kind of justice to come their way in regard to employment in the future.
My colleague also mentioned the fact that we both come from steelworker families, very proud steelworker families over the years. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker - and I have said it many times in my place here - that the steelworkers didn't close Sydney Steel, government decisions and management over the years, bad management, closed Sydney Steel. It was only at the end of it that we realized and the people of Canadian National, for example, realized that this particular company can make good rails, if given an opportunity to do so. The problem was that that opportunity never came. The technology was put in place but it became a political issue.
The media of the day really did a job on Sydney Steel. Eleven years after the blast furnace was gone and the orange plume had disappeared from the skies over Sydney, every single article that went on the CBC featured that plume and saying that this dinosaur should be put out of its misery, when 10 years before that there was a brand new electric arc furnace put in there and the air was clean over Sydney, but the press did a job on Sydney Steel at the time as well. Everybody seemed to think that that was everybody's favourite whipping boy and they would be on the side of the angels if they did away with Sydney Steel.
Well, we lost a golden opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to have a high speed rail operation operating out of Sydney with 300 to 400 people, with a guaranteed market. Now Canadians are buying their rails, CN and CP and other rail companies throughout North America aren't buying them in Canada anymore, they're buying them offshore. I think that is kind of a tragedy that we could not have this type of solid industry continuing in Sydney paying good wages. Unfortunately, we'll never see that day again because the equipment is gone, a lot of the expertise that were working, they've gone off to other jobs, except the ones that have fallen through the cracks which I talked about before.
So, you know, people have made money off Sydney Steel. The government is still making money off of Sydney Steel as we speak by liquidating some of the assets, but they're spending a great deal of money paying consultants and contractors. I hope as a result of all that spending, someday, the steelworkers who are out there wanting their justice will receive at least a look from the contractors. Perhaps a word from the government to those contractors that we have people who are hurting. As my colleague, the member for Cape Breton Nova mentioned, those steelworkers are out of EI in some
cases and have gone to Community Services. I think that's a tragedy in itself, people who have worked at the Sydney Steel plant for many, many years.
I, again, stand in my place here and say there aren't that many of them left down there, that somebody in government - the Minister of Transportation and Public Works and the minister responsible for Sydney Steel, or the Premier, or the members from Cape Breton should encourage their government to seek these people out and find out what they can do for them. They did their part over the years, contributed to the economy of Cape Breton and now it's time for the government to step up and offer these few people who are left adequate jobs, or in some cases, adequate pensions.
They were promised by Gordon Balser - I can recall the same Gordon Balser standing in his place over there and telling me time and time again that no steelworker would be forgotten. But he made that famous statement on the steps of the Steelworkers Hall and I happened to be close by at the time and I think he made that statement to ensure that he would get out of Sydney in a hurry, making this statement, knowing that he probably would never be back there. Well, he wasn't. He never came back after that.
But steelworkers have a tape of that statement. They have a tape and they have a video of Mr. Balser making that statement on behalf of the government. I think, as a former Minister of the Crown, I believe the government has a responsibility to adhere to that statement that particular minister made and in doing so would certainly go a long way to relieve the plight of people like Scott Black and Donnie MacKinnon and a number of others who have gone out West to work, to try to get enough for EI to support their families in the coming year.
Again, all I'm asking, as my colleague, the member for Cape Breton Nova has asked, all we're asking for is the government to do what they can for the remaining steelworkers who have fallen through the cracks. Thank you very much.
MR. SPEAKER: The time allotted for this evening's late debate has expired. We will now resume into the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
[6:29 p.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Mr. Wayne Gaudet in the Chair.]
[11:55 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Mr. Wayne Gaudet in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: 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 honourable Opposition House Leader.
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will move adjournment of the House for the evening as we are coming to the end of today's long session. Tomorrow the hours of the Opposition will be from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and I believe that the Government House Leader has hours after that that he will be calling, so you may want to call on him as well.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, the government would also move that the House sit from 5:00 p.m until 12:00 midnight the same day and that the government order of business for that seven-hour period would be Committee of the Whole House on Bills, and of course that there be no late debate tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Opposition House Leader.
MR. KEVIN DEVEAUX: Mr. Speaker, I forgot to mention that there are two matters we will be calling, after the Orders of the Day and Question Period. We'll be calling Resolution No. 1409 and Resolution No. 1411.
I so move adjournment of the House until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is for the House to rise to meet again tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The House will sit tomorrow between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The House stands adjourned until 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
[The House rose at 11:57 p.m.]
By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame recognizes musicians who have been in the industry for more than 30 years and have altered the musical landscape for the better; and
Whereas only 14 musicians have been inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame since it was established, including Aly Bain, Fergie MacDonald, Archie Fisher, and Paddy Maloney; and
Whereas Nova Scotia's Buddy MacMaster recently became the first performer from outside of the United Kingdom to be inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating Buddy MacMaster on receiving this well-deserved honour.
By: Hon. Karen Casey (Education)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Brendan Yorke, a Grade 11 student at Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro, is an active volunteer in his school and in his community; and
Whereas Mr. Yorke has started a volunteer group at his school, recruiting more than 30 of his peers to give their time to the local Red Cross, a seniors' residence, an elementary school and Colchester Regional Hospital; and
Whereas Mr. Yorke has demonstrated the benefit that volunteering brings to the community and has provided a growth experience for students;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize Mr. Yorke's commitment to his community, and congratulate him for inspiring his peers to do the same.
By: Mr. Patrick Dunn (Pictou Centre)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas in 1928, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29, Trenton Charter opened; and
Whereas veterans of World War II and the Korean War make up 7.9 per cent of their 278 members in 2006; and
Whereas the branch works very closely with all veterans and continues to be a vibrant and strong member of the community, generously donating their money and expertise to numerous groups and foundations;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate the executive and members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29, Trenton for their many accomplishments and contributions to the community of Trenton an d surrounding areas during the past several decades.
By: Mr. Patrick Dunn (Pictou Centre)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas well-known Stellarton native Stewart David MacPhee will be harder to find at the New Glasgow Canadian Tire from now on; and
Whereas the recent retiree worked for the retail outlet since 1966, and became well known locally as a manager who offered expertise in every department to every customer who passed through the Canadian Tire doors; and
Whereas Mr. MacPhee worked with seven different owners of the popular store over the years, and looks forward to some travelling as he embarks on his much-deserved retirement;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Stewart David MacPhee on a successful career and so many years of service to his community. The dedication he brought to his work is inspirational and is likely the envy of Canadian Tire outlets across the province, perhaps the country. It is quintessentially Nova Scotian
and a portrait of the fulfilling life that can be found in small towns and rural communities all over this province.
By: Mr. Chuck Porter (Hants West)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the owner of Tatum's Fashions and Bridal store in downtown Windsor has played an integral leadership role within the Windsor Business Enhancement Society over the past 25 years; and
Whereas Mary Ruffell, while serving a large business clientele, has served on select committees of the society concerning business recruitment, to organizing the annual Christmas holiday tree lighting service while keeping town council and other elected representatives abreast of the activities taking place within the Windsor Business Enhancement Society; and
Whereas Mary has always been an ardent believer in the downtown Windsor business community and is now celebrating a quarter-century of service with the Windsor Business Enhancement Society;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly applaud the vision and dedication of Mary Ruffell and her family, husband Kevin and two grown children, Tatum and Usef, in their belief in and business service to downtown Windsor over the past 25 years.
By: Mr. Chuck Porter (Hants West)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Nova Scotia snowboard team, which will compete in the 2007 Canada Winter Games in the Yukon capital of Whitehorse between February 23rd and March 3rd will consist of two Hants County members; and
Whereas Justin Hopper, Ben Robinson, Josh Boland and Andrew Armstrong recently returned from the United States with their coach, Natasha Burgess after competing against each other in their bid to be named to the Nova Scotia team; and
Whereas Justin, Ben, Andrew and Josh have been travelling with coach Burgess for the past two years while participating in events such as the Canadian Nationals and two North American Cups;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly commend the work ethic of Justin, Ben, Andrew and Josh, and coach Natasha Burgess as they enjoy the sport while working to become the best they can be.
By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont (Health)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on December 31, 2006, at Logis de Meteghan, a very special celebration took place when Mrs. Chantal J. Thibodeau celebrated her 106th birthday; and
Whereas Mrs. Thibodeau is the last surviving member of a family of six children; and
Whereas she was married to Jim Thibodeau and lived most of her life in Grosses Coques and raised four children, Rita, Angèle, Arcade and Antoine;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating Mrs. Thibodeau on this remarkable milestone in her very long life, and wish her many more happy birthdays.
M. le président, à une date ultérieure, je demanderai l'adoption de la résolution suivante:
Attendu que le 31 décembre, 2006, au Logis de Meteghan, une célébration très spéciale a eu lieu lorsque Mme Chantal J. Thibodeau a célébré son 106th anniversaire; et
Attendu que Mme Thibodeau est la dernière survivante d'une famille de six enfants; et
Attendu que elle a été mariée à Jim Thibodeau et a vécu pratiquement toute sa vie à Grosses Coque et élévé quatre enfants, Rita, Angèle, Arcade et Antonie;
Par conséquent, qu'il soit résolu que tous les membres de cette assemblée se joignent à moi pour féliciter Mme Thibodeau d'avoir atteint cette étape remarquable de sa vie et pour lui souhaiter de nombreux autres joyeux anniversaires.
By: Hon. Cecil Clarke (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a life-sized portrait of Boston Marathon running sensation Johnny Miles has been unveiled in Sydney Mines; and
Whereas this is a gift from the talented artist Patrice Hope to the Johnny Miles Society; and
Whereas the portrait, which will hang in the foyer of Jubilee Elementary School at the entrance to the Johnny Miles gymnasium to remind our youth about the reward and accomplishments achieved through vision and the desire to succeed;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in sending congratulations to the society for keeping Johnny Miles' legacy alive.
By: Hon. Cecil Clarke (Speaker)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas educator Sandra Haley of Sydney Mines was honoured by the Prime Minister for excellence in teaching; and
Whereas Sandra retired this past June after teaching Grade 11 and 12 biology at Memorial Composite High School in Sydney Mines after 33 years of dedicated and professional service; and
Whereas Sandra was honoured for her approach to teaching, including effective use of the Internet as a learning tool and for engaging her students in hands-on learning using a variety of multimedia technologies;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating Sandra Haley for receiving this prestigious award, and wish her well with her retirement.
By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Immigration)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas children in many other parts of the word are less fortunate than those who live in Nova Scotia; and
Whereas the generous contributions of talent, goods and services by Nova Scotians can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate children; and
Whereas Annette Cross, a certified hearing instrument specialist with an office in Bridgewater, has contributed services and goods to children in other countries;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate and thank Annette Cross for her volunteer efforts to help children hear, some for the first time in their lives; Ms. Cross has participated in missions to El Salvador, Jamaica and Panama.
By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Immigration)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas parents are interested in providing excellent children's literature for their sons and daughters; and
Whereas children's literature, which is rich in language, can also deliver thoughtful messages to the readers; and
Whereas teacher Nancy Wilcox-Richards of Fancy Lake, Lunenburg County has recently published her first children's chapter book, How to Tame a Bully;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate author Nancy Wilcox-Richards of Fancy Lake, Lunenburg County for her newest children's book which provides some insight into bullying and why the child acts the way she does.
By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Immigration)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas education and action are essential to promoting an awareness of our environment; and
Whereas recycling is a major component in our efforts to create and maintain a clean environment; and
Whereas Bridgewater's McDonalds is Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre's Business of the Month;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Bridgewater's McDonalds for their hard work and dedication to waste management.
By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Immigration)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas teaching our children about recycling starts at home; and
Whereas education and action are essential to promoting an awareness of our environment; and
Whereas Hebbville Academy Primary/Grade 1 class recently received the special early bird prize in Nova Scotia Resource Recovery Fund Board's Nova Scotia Recycles contest;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Hebbville Academy's Primary/Grade 1 class and teacher Erin Ramsey on winning the early bird prize.
By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Immigration)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas sports and recreational activities are so important; and
Whereas participating in sports and recreational activities are encouraged for all age levels; and
Whereas Bridgewater native, 8-year-old Keith Getson, has been named Baseball Nova Scotia's Rookie Division King for 2006 at the Baseball Canada/Baseball Nova Scotia Annual Awards Night;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Bridgewater's Keith Getson on all his hard work and capturing the Baseball Nova Scotia's Rookie Division King Award.
By: Hon. Michael Baker (Finance)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the CTV news program, Live at Five presents the Maritimer of the Week Award weekly to individuals who are nominated by a viewer for exemplary community service or acts of heroism; and
Whereas Frances Zwicker of Walden, Nova Scotia, has devoted much of her life to helping others in her community and surrounding areas; and
Whereas Frances Zwicker was recognized on January 5th as the CTV Maritimer of the Week for her selfless contribution to her community;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Frances Zwicker on being presented with the CTV Maritimer of the Week Award, and thank her for her generous support of her community and province.
By: Hon. Michael Baker (Finance)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the 2007 Winter Games are being held in Whitehorse, Yukon in February of this year; and
Whereas Ed Matchett, coach of the South Shore Duellists, has been preparing a team of fencers to compete at the upcoming Canada Games; and
Whereas Emma Kinley, David Richnitzer, Gabe Aliphat, Alice Smith and Mason Jordan, all members of the South Shore Duellists, have been selected to be part of Team Nova Scotia's fencing team;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate coach Ed Matchett and fencers, Emma Kinley, David Richnitzer, Gabe Aliphat, Alice Smith and Mason Jordan on being selected to represent Nova Scotia in the sport of fencing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
By: Hon. Karen Casey (Education)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas 73-year-old Ken Welton from Upper Onslow was selected as a Volunteer of the Week by the Truro Daily News; and
Whereas Mr. Welton provides a great deal of help at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26 in Truro, where he is Sergeant-at-Arms for the Legion's Colour Party, Chairman of the Audio Visual Committee, and a member of the Convalescent and Social Committees; and
Whereas Mr. Welton is a trustee and a repairman at First Baptist Church, as well as a member of the United Commercial Travellers which supports local organizations and gift wraps presents at the mall during the Christmas holidays;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House extend their thanks to Ken Welton for his commitment to serving others, and congratulate him for being chosen as a Volunteer of the Week.
By: Hon. Karen Casey (Education)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas North Colchester High School recognizes a male and a female student each month who have had great success in their school work, community involvement and academic studies; and
Whereas John Creighton is academically at the top of his Grade 8 class at North Colchester High School; and
Whereas John is a member of the North Colchester High School soccer and basketball teams, plays golf, bantam hockey, swims and skis;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House extend their congratulations to Grade 8 student John Creighton of North Colchester High School for being chosen male student of the month.
By: Hon. David Morse (Natural Resources)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas our government was proud to partner with Feed Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Eastern Woods and Waters Magazine and novascotiahunting.com to announce the province's first Hunters Helping the Hungry Program; and
Whereas, as a result of this program, Nova Scotia hunters and meat cutters donated, prepared and packaged more than 300 kilograms of deer meat; and
Whereas this act of goodwill and generosity has resulted in food banks across the province being able to distribute additional protein-rich foods to many families in need in Nova Scotia;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House and all Nova Scotians recognize the contributions and efforts of the hunters, participating licensed meat cutters, the workers at Feed Nova Scotia and all others involved in the successful first year of the Hunters Helping the Hungry Program.
By: Hon. Judy Streatch (Community Services)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas 10 early childhood educators from across Canada were awarded the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education last month for fostering the early development and socialization of children in their care; and
Whereas Patricia Monaghan, director/owner of the Magic Lady Bug Learning Centre in Rockingham, was one of those 10 Canadians receiving an award of excellence for her work with young children with special needs and for offering a specialized Chinese language and culture program; and
Whereas Patricia Thériault from the Centre Préscolaire de la Baie Sainte-Marie, Pointe-de-l'Église, was recognized with a certificate of achievement;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate these two Nova Scotians on their innovative approach to early childhood education.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Warrant Officer Heather Boutilier of the 2610 Sheet Harbour Army Cadet Corps recently participated in the Tour du Mont Blanc, an 8-day trek through 165 kilometres of the highest peaks and valleys of Switzerland, Italy and France; and
Whereas Warrant Officer Boutilier was the only participant from Nova Scotia and only one of 16 army cadets of the 25,000 nationwide; and
Whereas Warrant Officer Boutilier represents the highest standards of Nova Scotia's youth;
Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize and commend army cadet Warrant Officer Heather Boutilier for her outstanding achievement.
By: Mr. Clarrie MacKinnon (Pictou East)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Government of Canada pledged to deliver HIV/AIDS treatment in the form of drugs to countries of Africa and has yet to do so; and
Whereas only 9 per cent of pregnant women in Africa have anti-retro viral drugs available to them to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission, and 7,000 children under 2 years of age are dying daily in Africa; and
Whereas 13 million AIDS orphans are now living on the continent, being raised in large numbers by grandmothers, with only 1 in 20 children receiving treatment;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly ask the federal government to follow through with the 2004 promise to deliver HIV/AIDS treatment, thereby assisting a portion of the 4.7 million souls waiting for medical intervention for the treatment of HIV/AIDS on the continent of Africa.
By: Mr. Clarrie MacKinnon (Pictou East)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas voters become exasperated dealing with the student loan system, including parental income levels and repayment schedules, amounts and logistics and communication with the federal student loan body; and
Whereas Nova Scotians who attend institutes of higher learning are graduating with amassed debt in the order of a mortgage on a home; and
Whereas these educated young people are flocking to other jurisdictions to earn money to pay off these loans;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly ask the Department of Education to thoroughly revamp the provincial student loan award system, including qualifying criteria, repayment plans and logistics.
By: Ms. Vicki Conrad (Queens)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a tragedy out West outraged a local Queens County artist which, in turn, inspired him to create a woodcarving for the RCMP; and
Whereas this Queens County artist took up woodcarving a number of years ago and where it soon became his passion; and
Whereas the carving was passed on to Dave Waterhouse of the South Shore RCMP veterans' group who contacted the RCMP museum;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Mike Brown for the woodcarving of an RCMP officer praying over four Stetsons and for donating it to the RCMP museum in Regina, Saskatchewan, commemorating this tragic event in history.
By: Ms. Vicki Conrad (Queens)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Queens County Museum has many artifacts and receives many donations from Queens County residents; and
Whereas a camera collection recently donated is now being shown as a permanent exhibit along with glass plate negatives; and
Whereas a cast iron stove, made at Quinn's Foundry around the turn of the last century, as well as many photographs from Quinn's Foundry, a christening gown collection from around the turn of the last century, a portrait of Enos Collins, and a frame sampler have also been added to the Queens County museum collection;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Burt MacLeod for his donation of the camera collection and Linda Rafuse, museum director, for her role in preserving and displaying the human and natural history of the people of Queens County.
By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Lockeport teacher, Kent Balish, earned a top spot on the Prime Minister's annual awards list for Teaching Excellence; and
Whereas Mr. Balish, who taught Grade 7 to Grade 9 math at Lockeport Regional High School in Lockeport, Shelburne County, was among 17 teachers from across Canada awarded with the Prime Minister's 2006 Certificate of Excellence in December 2006; and
Whereas Mr. Balish was honoured for his approach to teaching;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Kent Balish on his accomplishments and on being a recipient of the Prime Minister's 2006 Certificate of Excellence Award.
By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Linda Degenhardt of Jordan Ferry, Shelburne County, is realizing a long-time dream by publishing Full Circle, a book of poetry; and
Whereas Linda's book of poetry was launched at the Shelburne Library December 6 to 8, 2006; and
Whereas after writing poetry for some 18 to 19 years, the publication is a long-time dream realized;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Linda Degenhardt on her accomplishment and on the publication of her book of poetry, Full Circle.
By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas during the month of October 2006, members of the East Green Harbour Seniors Ministries delivered free meals to 40 seniors living alone; and
Whereas this energetic group currently includes 27 seniors; and
Whereas the East Green Harbour Seniors Ministries is affiliated with Harbour Light Pentecostal Church but includes and is open to residents from the community at large;
Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly applaud the East Green Harbour Seniors Ministries on their initiative and for providing nutritious meals to 40 seniors living alone in the Lockeport and Jordan areas.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas faculty and students of the Adult Learning Program at Nova Scotia Community College, Cumberland Campus, helped raise funds for the Angel Tree project; and
Whereas this year's Angel Tree campaign has helped to make Christmas merrier for 48 deserving angels; and
Whereas this project is on-site to assist those who are having a difficult time providing gifts for their children this Christmas, as this project was initiated several years ago when the Adult Learning Program saw a need within the campus community;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the faculty and students of the Adult Learning Program at Cumberland Campus for this unselfish act of kindness to those in need and wish them all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Joe Laurie, owner of Global Investments from Springhill, became a major sponsor of the Don Johnson Cup, a major hockey tournament that will be held at the Dr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre; and
Whereas Joe Laurie is a huge Cool Blues sponsor and a true fan of the hockey club; and
Whereas Joe Laurie, on behalf of Global Investments, has said that since his business has grown he has had less time to be a "Blues" volunteer, but instead has used his resources to support the team with a $10,000 sponsorship;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Joe Laurie on this very generous donation and wish him and his business much success in the years to come.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Emily Adshade, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Emily Adshade on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kyle Allen, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kyle Allen on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Gregory Belliveau-Perry, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Gregory Belliveau-Perry on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Lyndsay Best, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Lyndsay Best on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Morgan Bishop, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Morgan Bishop on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Bradley Boyer, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Bradley Boyer on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Colin Boyer, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Colin Boyer on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Daniel Bragg, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Daniel Bragg on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Matthew Carter, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Matthew Carter on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Brandon Casey, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Brandon Casey on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Jenna Colborne, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jenna Colborne on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Aimee Cooper, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Aimee Cooper on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Savannah Davis, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Savannah Davis on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Megan Deveaux, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Megan Deveaux on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Carrie Dormiedy, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Carrie Dormiedy on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Andrea Dorn, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Andrea Dorn on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Aylssa Emmerson, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Aylssa Emmerson on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Moya Ferrigno, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Moya Ferrigno on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Maya Fillmore, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Maya Fillmore on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Samuel Fresia, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Samuel Fresia on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Jillian Gordon, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jillian Gordon on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Matthew Graves, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Matthew Graves on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Hailie Harrison, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Hailie Harrison on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Michah Hawkes, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Michah Hawkes on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Colby Hicks, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Colby Hicks on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Adam Hiltz, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Adam Hiltz on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Craig Hiltz, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Craig Hiltz on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Krista Holland, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Krista Holland on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Sidney Johnson, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Sidney Johnson on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Clifford Lambert, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Clifford Lambert on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Hannah LeBlanc, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Hannah LeBlanc on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Dustin Lyness, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Dustin Lyness on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Adriana MacIntosh, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Adriana MacIntosh on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Brandon Maddison, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Brandon Maddison on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kelly Mattinson, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kelly Mattinson on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Meaghan Mattinson, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Meaghan Mattinson on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Taylor Mattinson, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Taylor Mattinson on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Chelsea Miller, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Chelsea Miller on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Brandon Mills, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Brandon Mills on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Hannah Newell, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Hannah Newell on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Fred Oderkirk, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Fred Oderkirk on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nikki Patriquin, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Nikki Patriquin on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Wesley Patriquin, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Wesley Patriquin on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Kennedy Petten, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kennedy Petten on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Ruth Ann Porter, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Ruth Ann Porter on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Katy Reid, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Katy Reid on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Nikolas Reitmaier, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Nikolas Reitmaier on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Mitchell Richard, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mitchell Richard on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Rayann Roberts, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Rayann Roberts on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Austin Rushton, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Austin Rushton on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Jenna Rushton, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jenna Rushton on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Morgan Rushton, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Morgan Rushton on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Troy Skidmore, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Troy Skidmore on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Evan Smith, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Evan Smith on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Shannalee Smith, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Shannalee Smith on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Landon Stewart, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Landon Stewart on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Regan Swan, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Regan Swan on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Samantha Turner, a Grade 6 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Samantha Turner on graduating from the DARE program and wish her all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Bradley Van Dam, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Bradley Van Dam on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Ryan Wareham, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Ryan Wareham on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Katre Williams, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Katre Williams on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Dan Wood, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Dan Wood on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
By: Hon. Murray Scott (Justice)
I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Lucas Wood, a Grade 5 student of Oxford Regional Elementary School, was one of 65 students who received a diploma at the graduation ceremony for the DARE program; and
Whereas the DARE program stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is administered by local police agencies, in this case, Oxford RCMP, where Cst. Marilyn Emond is the program facilitator; and
Whereas these graduating students have formally promised to remain drug and alcohol free and have learned a great deal during the nine-week program, and they will now have the right tools to make the right choices;
Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Lucas Wood on graduating from the DARE program and wish him all the best in the future.
