April 24, 2008

HANSARD 08-17

DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS

Speaker: Honourable Alfie MacLeod

Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer.

Available on INTERNET at http://www.gov.n s.ca/legislature/HOUSE_BUSINESS/hansard.html

Second Session

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS:
Serv. N.S. & Mun. Rel.: Cosmetic Landscape Pesticides - Ban,
Mr. Charles Parker 1893
TIR: Hwy. 245 (20 km.) - Repave,
Mr. Clarrie MacKinnon 1894
TIR: Lynwood Dr./Bens Court (Brookside) - Repair,
Mr. William Estabrooks 1894
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION:
Res. 1765, British Home Children: Contributions - Salute,
The Premier 1895
Vote - Affirmative 1895
Res. 1766, Symphony Nova Scotia - Anniv. (25th),
The Premier 1896
Vote - Affirmative 1896
Res. 1767, Estimates - Committee of the Whole House on Supply,
Hon. M. Baker 1896
Res. 1768, Agric. - Supply Management: Importance - Recognize,
Hon. B. Taylor 1897
Res. 1769, Provincial Vol. Awards: Vols. - Acknowledge,
Hon. B. Barnet 1898
Vote - Affirmative 1899
Res. 1770, Nat. Res.: Grass Clearing - Methods,
Hon. D. Morse 1899
Vote - Affirmative 1900
Res. 1771, Educ.: Teachers' Efforts - Recognize,
Hon. K. Casey 1900
Vote - Affirmative 1901
Res. 1772, Brousseau, Katie - Youth Vol. of Yr. Award,
Hon. J. Streatch 1901
Vote - Affirmative 1901
Res. 1773, Nat. Res. - Wildlife Treatment: Dept. - Contact,
Hon. D. Morse 1901
Vote - Affirmative 1902
Res. 1774, Citadel HS: HIV/AIDS Fundraising - Best Wishes,
Hon. K. Casey 1902
Vote - Affirmative 1903
Res. 1775, MacDonald, Bill: lake Dist. Rec. Assoc. Vol. of Yr. - Congrats.,
Hon. B. Barnet 1903
Vote - Affirmative 1904
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS:
No. 117, Securities Act,
Hon. M. Baker 1904
No. 118, Residential Tenancies Act,
Mr. P. Paris 1904
No. 119, Health Act,
Mr. S. McNeil 1904
No. 120, Public Service Act,
Hon. M. Parent 1904
No. 121, Assessment Act,
Mr. G. Gosse 1904
No. 122, Correctional Services Act,
Mr. M. Samson 1904
No. 123, Public Service Act,
Hon. L. Goucher 1904
No. 124, Justice Administration Amendment (2008) Act,
Hon. C. Clarke 1904
No. 125, Public Service Act,
Hon. M. Parent 1904
No. 126, Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act,
Hon. M. Parent 1904
NOTICES OF MOTION:
Res. 1776, British Home Child: Year of (2009) - Declare,
Ms. Maureen MacDonald 1905
Vote - Affirmative 1905
Res. 1777, Prov. Vol. Awards: Recipients - Congrats.,
Mr. S. McNeil 1905
Vote - Affirmative 1906
Res. 1778, Hiltz, Clem: Death of - Tribute,
Hon. M. Baker 1906
Vote - Affirmative 1907
Res. 1779, Educ.: East. Passage HS - Construct,
Mr. D. Dexter 1907
Res. 1780, Connors, Jim: Death of - Tribute,
Mr. S. McNeil 1908
Vote - Affirmative 1908
Res. 1781, MacKinnon, Amy: Prov. Vol. Award - Congrats.,
Mr. K. Bain 1909
Vote - Affirmative 1909
Res. 1782, Fin.: HST Increase - Oppose,
Mr. D. Dexter 1909
Vote - Affirmative 1910
Res. 1783, Holocaust Mem. Serv.: Participants - Congrats.,
Mr. Manning MacDonald 1910
Vote - Affirmative 1911
Res. 1784, McNeil, Alison - Canada's Most Outstanding Principals Award,
Mr. P. Dunn 1911
Vote - Affirmative 1912
Res. 1785, Reid, Julia - Nat'l. Historica Fair: Attendance - Congrats.,
Mr. C. Parker 1912
Vote - Affirmative 1912
Res. 1786, Hfx. West Warriors Girls Soccer Team: NSSAF
Championships - Congrats., Ms. D. Whalen 1912
Vote - Affirmative 1913
Res. 1787, Huntley, Gwen: Prov. Vol. Award - Congrats.,
Hon. M. Parent 1913
Vote - Affirmative 1914
Res. 1788, Martin, Andrew/MacKenzie, Colin - Duke of Edinburgh's
Award, Mr. H. Epstein 1914
Vote - Affirmative 1915
Res. 1789, Dal. Univ.: Emergency Notification System - Applaud,
Mr. M. Samson 1915
Vote - Affirmative 1915
Res. 1790, Baddeck Village - Anniv. (100th), Mr. K. Bain 1915
Vote - Affirmative 1916
Res. 1791, Hennigar, Stan: N.S. Sport Hall of Fame - Induction,
Mr. P. Paris 1916
Vote - Affirmative 1917
Res. 1792, Bezanson, Diane - Vol. of Yr. Award, Mr. W. Gaudet 1917
Vote - Affirmative 1918
Res. 1793, Schagen, Frances - Prov. Vol. Awards, Hon. M. Parent 1918
Vote - Affirmative 1918
Res. 1794, Aboriginal Youth Links Proj.: Participants - Recognize,
Ms. V. Conrad 1919
Vote - Affirmative 1919
Res. 1795, Health: ERs - Crisis Correct, Mr. H. Theriault 1919
Res. 1796, Martin, Councillor Gary: Death of - Tribute,
Hon. L. Goucher 1920
Vote - Affirmative 1921
Res. 1797, Pottie, Ashley - World Youth: Vol. Efforts - Congrats.,
Mr. William Estabrooks 1921
Vote - Affirmative 1921
Res. 1798, British Home Child: Year of (2009) - Declare,
Mr. L. Glavine 1922
Vote - Affirmative 1922
Res. 1799, Wilson, Charlie - Groom of the Yr., Hon. J. Muir 1922
Vote - Affirmative 1923
Res. 1800, Loyalist Landing 2008 Soc.: Shelburne Hbr. - 225th Anniv.,
Mr. S. Belliveau 1923
Vote - Affirmative 1924
Res. 1801, Wilson, Police Chief Dave - Award of Merit,
Mr. Manning MacDonald 1924
Vote - Affirmative 1925
Res. 1802, Armstrong, Scott: Basketball N.S. Coach - Appt.,
Hon. K. Casey 1925
Vote - Affirmative 1925
Res. 1803, Stackhouse, Eric/Pictou Antigonish Reg. Library: Literacy
Progs. - Congrats., Mr. Clarrie MacKinnon 1926
Vote - Affirmative 1926
Res. 1804, Robicheau, Cedric: Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Network -
Entrepreneur of Yr. Award, Mr. W. Gaudet 1926
Vote - Affirmative 1927
Res. 1805, St. F.X. Women's Hockey Team - AUS Title,
Hon. A. MacIsaac 1927
Vote - Affirmative 1928
Res. 1806, East. Passage/Cow Bay: Fishers Memorial - Support,
Ms. B. Kent 1928
Vote - Affirmative 1929
Res. 1807, Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood: Work - Recognize,
Mr. L. Glavine 1929
Vote - Affirmative 1929
ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS:
No. 153, Health - Scotia Surgery: Contract - Cost Effective,
Mr. D. Dexter 1930
No. 154, Prem.: Gas Regulation - Reconsider,
Mr. S. McNeil 1931
No. 155, Fin. - Offshore Revenues: Debt Repayment - Promise,
Mr. D. Dexter 1933
No. 156, Prem.: User Fees - Accountability,
Mr. D. Dexter 1934
No. 157, Prem.: Gas Regulation/Gas Tax - Revenues,
Mr. S. McNeil 1936
No. 158, Educ.: Hfx. Reg. Sch. Bd. - Governance,
Ms. B. Kent 1937
No. 159, Educ.: List For Schools - Provincial Priority,
Mr. P. Paris 1938
No. 160, Prem. - Home Heating Costs,
Mr. S. McNeil 1939
No. 161, Nat. Res. - Uranium Mining: Moratorium - Support,
Mr. G. Steele 1941
No. 162, Health - Physician Shortages,
Mr. S. McNeil 1943
No. 163, Econ. Dev. - Digby-Saint John Ferry Service: N.S./N.B. Plan -
Prospects, Ms. V. Conrad 1944
No. 164, Health Prom. & Protection - 2006 Report: Recommendations -
Success, Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) 1945
No. 165, Educ.: Cape Breton University - B.Ed. Program Offer,
Mr. Manning MacDonald 1947
PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
No. 107 - Nova Scotia Agricultural College Act,
Hon. B. Taylor 1950
Mr. J. MacDonell 1963
Mr. L. Glavine 1964
Mr. C. Porter 1968
Hon. M. Parent 1970
Ms. D. Whalen 1972
Hon. J. Muir 1973
Hon. B. Taylor 1974
Vote - Affirmative 1974
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5):
TIR: Gravel Rds. - Pave,
Mr. S. Belliveau 1975
Hon. M. Scott 1977
Mr. L. Glavine 1981
ADJOURNMENT, House rose to meet again tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. 1983
NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3):
Res. 1808, Sullivan, Daryl L. - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1984
Res. 1809, Lewis, Kevin - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1984
Res. 1810, Detheridge, Meghan - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1985
Res. 1811, Willis, Ann Marion - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1985
Res. 1812, Meagher, Kilmer - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1986
Res. 1813, MacLellan , Donald A. - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1986
Res. 1814, MacKinnon, Amy - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1987
Res. 1815, Bonang, Leon - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1987
Res. 1816, Garagan, Lynn - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1988
Res. 1817, Bassett, Mary Eden - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1988
Res. 1818, Briand, Kim - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1989
Res. 1819, Saunders-Todd, Brenda,
Mr. S. McNeil 1989
Res. 1820, Demont, D. Lynn - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1990
Res. 1821, Conrad, Dorothee Elisabeth - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1990
Res. 1822, Murphy, Liam (Billy) - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1991
Res. 1823, Keijser, Jonathan T. - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1991
Res. 1824, Sarty, Dr. Adam - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1992
Res. 1825, Woolridge, Mike - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1992
Res. 1826, Miller, Jean - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1993
Res. 1827, Clarke, Beverley - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1993
Res. 1828, Chapman, Wendy - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1994
Res. 1829, Sharpe, Beverly - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1994
Res. 1830, Lund, H. Ernie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1995
Res. 1831, Wightman, Lois - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1995
Res. 1832, McKim, Mildred - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1996
Res. 1833, Hilliard, Rick - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1996
Res. 1834, Beck, Howard - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1997
Res. 1835, Fleming, Roger - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1997
Res. 1836, Chisholm, Alexander Macdonald - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1998
Res. 1837, Pettipas, Gertie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1998
Res. 1838, Avery, Carmel - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1999
Res. 1839, Jackson, Howard, Jr. - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 1999
Res. 1840, MacKinnon, Cindy - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2000
Res. 1841, Heighton, Eleanor - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2000
Res. 1842, Lundrigan, Karen - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2001
Res. 1843, Cameron, Raymond - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2001
Res. 1844, Cole, E.R. (Gene) - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2002
Res. 1845, Kelly, Robert - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2002
Res. 1846, Morgan, Kandra - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2003
Res. 1847, Archibald, Gary - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2003
Res. 1848, Carver, Sandra - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2004
Res. 1849, Wareham, Hubert - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2004
Res. 1850, Surette, Stan Narcisse - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2005
Res. 1851, Buree, Gloria - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2005
Res. 1852, MacKenney, John - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2006
Res. 1853, Emin, Tootsie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2006
Res. 1854, Atherton, Terry - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2007
Res. 1855, Nickerson, Esther - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2007
Res. 1856, MacLean, John - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2008
Res. 1857, Sullivan, Allen - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2008
Res. 1858, Ulrich, Johanns - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2009
Res. 1859, Lamrock, Howard - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2009
Res. 1860, Mader, Robert - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2010
Res. 1861, Brousseau, Katie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2010
Res. 1862, Nicholson, Scott, Jocelyn, Rhianna, Gareth & Meghan -
Prov. Vol. Award, Mr. S. McNeil 2011
Res. 1863, O'Handley, Susan - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2011
Res. 1864, Scotiabank Bridgetown - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2012
Res. 1865, Pearle, Anne Marie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2012
Res. 1866, Sequeira, Leslie - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2013
Res. 1867, Bishop, Shirley - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2013
Res. 1868, Schagen, Frances - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2014
Res. 1869, Barker, Christopher - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2014
Res. 1870, Meerman, Keith - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2015
Res. 1871, Carter, Florence - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2015
Res. 1872, Comeau, Stanley - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2016
Res. 1873, Thurber, Phyllis - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2016
Res. 1874, Spinney, Pauline - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2017
Res. 1875, FitzRandolph, Bliss - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2017
Res. 1876, Swineamer, Pat - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2018
Res. 1877, Bezanson, Diane - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2018
Res. 1878, Huntley, Gwen - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. S. McNeil 2019
Res. 1879, Guillena, Peter/MacLeod, Chris - Lifesaving Effort (01/26/08),
The Speaker 2019
Res. 1880, Gordon, Katheryn: Work - Applaud,
The Speaker 2020
Res. 1881, Wood, Ann: Bedford Horticultural Soc. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2020
Res. 1882, Crowell, Carolyn: Fort Sackville Fdn. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2021
Res. 1883, Ford, Charles: Multiple Sclerosis Soc. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2021
Res. 1884, Shreenan, Dodie: St. Ignatius Parish -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2022
Res. 1885, Ray, Dr. Sankar: Bedford Watershed Advisory Bd.
- Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2022
Res. 1886, Eisenhauer, Eric: Bedford Sackville Meals on Wheels
- Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2023
Res. 1887, Hargreaves, Gordon: Bedford Lawn Bowls -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2023
Res. 1888, Duff, James: Bedford Beavers Swim Club -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2024
Res. 1889, Clahane, Jean: École Sunnyside Elem. Sch. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2024
Res. 1890, Healy, Judie: Scouts Canada - Contribution,
Hon. L. Goucher 2025
Res. 1891, Dixon, Lou: Bedford Leisure Club - Contribution,
Hon. L. Goucher 2025
Res. 1892, LeMoine, Matthew: CP Allen HS - Contribution,
Hon. L. Goucher 2026
Res. 1893, MacKenzie, Paul: Bedford Days Comm. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2026
Res. 1894, Hill, Quentin: Bedford Terry Fox Run -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2027
Res. 1895, Warburton, Steve: Rocky Lake Dev. Bd. -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2027
Res. 1896, Thorne, Sylvia: Girl Guides of Can.-Bedford Dist.
- Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2028
Res. 1897, Nickerson, Vernita: St. Ignatius Parish -
Contribution, Hon. L. Goucher 2028
Res. 1898, Agric. - Creating Partners/Building Communities:
Organizers - Congrats., Hon. B. Taylor 2029
Res. 1899, MacLellan, Donald: Commun. Serv. - Thank,
The Premier 2029
Res. 1900, Meagher, Kilmer: Commun. Serv. - Thanks,
The Premier 2030
Res. 1901, Swineamer, Pat - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. C. Porter 2030
Res. 1902, Bishop, Mrs. Shirley - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. C. Porter 2031
Res. 1903, Sullivan, Daryl - Prov. Vol. Award,
Mr. C. Porter 2031
Res. 1904, McCaan Family: War Serv. - Commend,
Mr. C. Porter 2032
Res. 1905, West Hants Pee Wee "AA" Warriors: Hockey Effort
- Applaud, Mr. C. Porter 2032
Res. 1906, Atwood, Aaron: Barrington Barons Jr. Boys Basketball Team
- Championships, Mr. S. Belliveau 2033
Res. 1907, Dorey, Antonia: Nova Scotia Recycles School Contest
- Participation, Mr. S. Belliveau 2033
Res. 1908, SCMHA Atom B Hockey Team: Gold Medal -
Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2034
Res. 1909, Cunningham, Adlai - Boston Marathon: Prep. -
Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2034
Res. 1910, Langthorne, Albert: Barrington Vol. FD/Commun. -
Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2035
Res. 1911, Buchanan, Alex: Food for Shelburne Co. Fundraiser
- Performance Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2035
Res. 1912, Buchanan, Alex - Osprey Arts Centre: Support -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2036
Res. 1913, Jacklyn, Alex - Angel Hair for Kids: Donation -
Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2036
Res. 1914, Crosby, Allan - Osprey Arts Centre: Support -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2037
Res. 1915, Perry, Alley - Barrington Mun. HS Science Fair:
3rd Place French Immersion - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2037
Res. 1916, Nickerson, Amber Lee - Barrington Mun. HS Science Fair:
2nd Place French Immersion - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2038
Res. 1917, Anthony, Andrew: Barrington Barons Jr. Boys Basketball Team
- Championship, Mr. S. Belliveau 2038
Res. 1918, Shaar, Andrew - Barrington Mun. HS Science Fair:
1st Place Gr. 7 - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2039
Res. 1919, Kenney, Anna - Food for Shelburne Co. Fundraiser:
Organizing - Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2039
Res. 1920, Coles, Anthony: Heflick Autographs - Congrats.,
Mr. S. Belliveau 2040
Res. 1921, Smith, Anthony - Shag Hbr. - Bear Point Vol. FD:
Service (25 yrs) - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2040
Res. 1922, Bower, Austin: SCMHA Atom "B" Team - Gold Medal
Mr. S. Belliveau 2041
Res. 1923, Goreham, Austin - Barrington Novice Lighting Hockey Team:
Skills Comp. - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2041
Res. 1924, Shelburne Co. Bantam "A" Flames: Truro KFC Tournament -
Gold Medal, Mr. S. Belliveau 2042
Res. 1925, Barrington 7E FD - Food for Shelburne Co. Fundraiser:
Volunteering - Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2042
Res. 1926, Barrington Search & Rescue - Food for Shelburne Co.
Fundraiser: Volunteering - Thank, Mr. S. Belliveau 2043
Res. 1927, Cox, Bill - Loyalist Landing 2008: Assistance - Commend
Mr. S. Belliveau 2043
Res. 1928, Brown, Blair: Pyrographic Artist - Congrats.,
Mr. S. Belliveau 2044
Res. 1929, Nickerson, Blair - Island & Barrington Passage Vol. FD:
Serv. (15 yrs.) - Congrats, Mr. S. Belliveau 2044
Res. 1930, Barrington Mun. HS - Anniv. (50th)
Mr. S. Belliveau 2045
Res. 1931, Nickerson, Ashley - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2045
Res. 1932, Cottreau, Chelsea - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2046
Res. 1933, St. Louis, Danielle - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2046
Res. 1934, Nickerson, Joelle - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2047
Res. 1935, Waybret, Julia - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success - Recognize
Mr. S. Belliveau 2047
Res. 1936, Goodwin, Natasha - Entrepreneur Class Proj.: Success -
Recognize, Mr. S. Belliveau 2048
Res. 1937, Barrington Mun. HS Sr. Girls Hockey Team: Win (12/18/07) -
Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2048
Res. 1938, Barrington Mun. HS Sr. Girls Hockey Team: Win (11/12/07) -
Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2049
Res. 1939, Barrington Mun. HS - Shannon Knowles: Support - Recognize
Mr. S. Belliveau 2049
Res. 1940, Madden, Brandon: Barrington Barons Jr. Boys Basketball
Team - Championships, Mr. S. Belliveau 2050
Res. 1941, Smith, Brett - Barrington Novice Lighting Hockey Team:
Skills Comp. - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2050
Res. 1942, Stoddard, Brett - Barrington Barons Jr. Boys Basketball
Team: Championship, Mr. S. Belliveau 2051
Res. 1943, Hiltz, Brianna/Atwood, Zach - Barrington Mun. HS Science
Fair: Gr. 9 Div. - Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2051
Res. 1944, Williams, Burgundy - Christmas Gifts: IWK - Donation
Mr. S. Belliveau 2052
Res. 1945, Belliveau, 1Colin - SCMHA Atom B Team: Gold Medal -
Congrats., Mr. S. Belliveau 2052

[Page 1893]

HALIFAX, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

Sixtieth General Assembly

Second Session

2:00 P.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Alfie MacLeod

DEPUTY SPEAKER

Mr. Wayne Gaudet

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. A draw has taken place for the late debate tonight and it has been submitted by the honourable member for Dartmouth North:

Therefore be it resolved that the government lift the moratorium on paving of gravel roads and immediately bring heavily travelled gravel roads up to acceptable paved standards so they can be used safely by residents, school buses and businesses.

Order, please. We will begin the daily routine.

PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Pictou West.

MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition signed by 68 Nova Scotians asking the government to change the rules to ban cosmetic applications of pesticides. The operative clause reads:

[Page 1894]

1893

"Immediately, please change the Municipal Government Act to grant all municipalities in Nova Scotia the power to ban cosmetic landscape pesticides.

Justice demands that all Nova Scotians have the same rights as other Canadians."

Mr. Speaker, I, too, have affixed my signature.

MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.

The honourable member for Pictou East.

MR. CLARRIE MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition containing 528 signatures of people living on or near Highway No. 245 from Sutherlands River to the Pictou-Antigonish County line. This is part of the Sunrise Trail and the operative words are requesting 20 kilometres of repaving and upgrading.

MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.

The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.

MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition from the residents of Bens Court and Lynwood Drive in Brookside. The operative phrase is:

"In October, 2007, Lynwood Drive and Bens Court, Brookside, Halifax County, were paved. In January, 2008, these newly paved roads received serious surface damage from improperly conducted snow clearing.

We, the undersigned, demand immediate repair to the damaged surfaces of Lynwood Drive and Bens Court."

Mr. Speaker, I have affixed my signature.

MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

[Page 1895]

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Premier.

HON. RODNEY MACDONALD (The Premier): Mr. Speaker, before getting to my resolution, if I might beg the indulgence of the House to welcome, in the Speaker's Gallery, some of the descendants of British Home Children here, which is reflective of my resolution. I would ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of the members of the House. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Premier.

RESOLUTION NO. 1765

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas there is a long legacy of British Home Children coming to our province, sent to be cared for in Canada; and

Whereas in 2009, surviving British Home Children will be commemorating 140 years of these young British subjects leaving their country to live with complete strangers in Canada, a journey which would have been a frightening prospect for children as young as four years of age; and

Whereas many of these children were welcomed into homes and families across our province and country, others lived through great hardship and uncertainty;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House salute these young citizens who, through no fault of their own, found themselves on an incredible journey filled with fear and trepidation, and thank them for their perseverance and contributions they have made as they grew and embraced the prospect of living as citizens of our country.

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.

[Page 1896]

The motion is carried.

The honourable Premier.

RESOLUTION NO. 1766

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Symphony Nova Scotia filled the halls of the Red Room with beautiful music yesterday in recognition of its 25th Anniversary forthcoming; and

Whereas the Symphony has blossomed in that quarter century and is now widely known as one of the finest chamber orchestras in Canada, provides quality music and education initiatives to over 50,000 Nova Scotians; and

Whereas to ensure it continues to reach new audiences, the Symphony has brought its music to diverse communities by entertaining and educating school groups and travelling to rural Nova Scotia by mixing diverse interests such as Beer and Beethoven, and the orchestra along with Buck 65 or a ballet;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate this phenomenally talented team of superb musicians, technicians, staff, and internationally renowned conductors and musical directors, and wish them continued success as they celebrate 25 years entertaining and teaching their audiences about the importance of music in our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Finance.

RESOLUTION NO. 1767

[Page 1897]

HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall:

(1) read and table the message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor transmitting the Estimates of the Sums required for the service of the province for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, for the consideration of this House;

(2) table the Estimate Books;

(3) table the Crown Corporation business plans;

(4) table the Estimates and Crown Corporation business plans resolutions;

(5) deliver my Budget Speech; and

(6) move that the Estimates of Sums required for the service of the province, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, being Supply to be granted to Her Majesty, and the Crown Corporation business plans be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Supply.

Mr. Speaker, I guess it would be too much to ask for waiver of notice. In case there's not, I would like to provide information that it is anticipated it will occur on Tuesday, April 29th at approximately the hour of two o'clock in the afternoon.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Agriculture.

RESOLUTION NO. 1768

HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas in Nova Scotia the supply managed system is a major contributor to the economy of the province, providing over $200 million in farm cash receipts annually; and

Whereas the stability and the profitability provided to the broader rural community by supply management are fundamentally important to the sustainability of the total rural economy; and

Whereas the World Trade Organization is currently involved in agriculture negotiations that are challenging our supply managed sectors, which will impact the financial viability of Nova Scotia's dairy, poultry and egg producers;

[Page 1898]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature recognize that supply management is critically important to the stability of Nova Scotia's agriculture industry and the future economy of rural Nova Scotia.

[2:15 p.m.]

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.

RESOLUTION NO. 1769

HON. BARRY BARNET: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas 60 volunteers were recognized today at this year's Provincial Volunteer Awards; and

Whereas each year the Department of Health Promotion and Protection works with Recreation Nova Scotia to recognize these volunteers and the more than 377,000 other Nova Scotians that contribute their time and expertise to enrich the lives of all Nova Scotians; and

Whereas volunteers contribute to every aspect of Nova Scotia's social and economic development through emergency assistance, health care support, educational services, sport leadership and other services;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House acknowledge the goodwill, caring, and devotion that volunteers give every day to make Nova Scotia a better place, and to encourage more volunteers in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

[Page 1899]

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Natural Resources.

HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, could I please have permission to do an introduction?

MR. SPEAKER: Please do.

MR. MORSE: It gives me great pleasure today to introduce to the House my son, Dan, who is here visiting us from Medicine Hat. He's a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police. Dan, would you please stand up and accept the greeting of the House. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Natural Resources.

RESOLUTION NO. 1770

HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas out-of-control grass fires can endanger homes, property, our forests, wildlife and habitat, as well as putting individuals at risk; and

Whereas in Cape Breton County alone, there were more than 1,900 grass fires in the Spring of 2007; and

Whereas the number and extent of these fires puts people and property at risk and greatly stresses the capacity of all firefighters;

Therefore be it resolved that all Nova Scotians be encouraged to protect our forests and woodlands by opting not to use grass fires to clear grass and yard debris from their property.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

[Page 1900]

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Education.

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, if I could do an introduction. I'm pleased to introduce three members in the gallery opposite who are here from the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations. That association represents over 75 per cent of the students in this province and that group of students have worked with the government through MOU and negotiations. They have worked with us on surveys and studies on student need in the province and they will continue to work with us on a comprehensive review of post-secondary education.

I would like to introduce Paris Meilleur, Tara Gault and Mark Coffin. Welcome to the House and thank you for your help. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Education.

RESOLUTION NO. 1771

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas April 13th to April 19th is recognized as Education Week in Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Education Week is an opportunity for us to recognize the work of teachers and others who are dedicated to the educating of young Nova Scotians; and

Whereas this year we are highlighting teachers who help students promote peace and understanding in schools and communities;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House recognize our teachers' efforts to help students gain perspective on creating and maintaining peaceful classrooms and communities.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

[Page 1901]

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister responsible for the Youth Secretariat Act.

RESOLUTION NO. 1772

HON. JUDY STREATCH: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas 2008 marks the 34th Anniversary of the Provincial Volunteer Awards throughout Canada; and

Whereas today, April 24th, specialty awards were presented to those who give selflessly of their time and energy, including the Building Healthier Futures Corporate Award, the Model Volunteer Community Award, the Family Volunteer Award, and the Youth Volunteer Award; and

Whereas I was honoured to present the Youth Volunteer Award of the Year to Katie Brousseau of Timberlea, a Grade 9 student at Ridgecliffe Middle School, Halifax Regional School Board;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Katie and all volunteers, and recognize the contributions they make to our communities.

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.

[Page 1902]

The honourable Minister of Natural Resources.

RESOLUTION NO. 1773

HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas each Spring, well-meaning Nova Scotians encounter newborn and young rabbits, deer or other wildlife that appear to be lost or abandoned; and

Whereas many people choose to take those wild animals into their care and treat them as pets; and

Whereas attempts to rescue young wildlife can actually prove dangerous to the creatures and sometimes to the people who take them in;

Therefore be it resolved that all Nova Scotians be encouraged to leave our wildlife in the wild and to contact an office of the Department of Natural Resources if they are concerned about the fate or condition of an animal that appears to be abandoned or injured.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Education.

RESOLUTION NO. 1774

HON. KAREN CASEY: I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas it is estimated by the year 2010 there will be 20 million children orphaned by the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in Africa; and

[Page 1903]

Whereas in February the Citadel High School student body brainstormed and launched the 20M by 2010 campaign in their school, with the goal of raising 20 million pennies over the next two years through the sale of red shoelaces in their school; and

Whereas students at Citadel High School are proudly showing their support for this campaign;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House send best wishes to the students at Citadel High School for their efforts to fundraise $200,000 by raising awareness of the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in Africa and the wonderful example they are setting as role models to their fellow students 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.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.

RESOLUTION NO. 1775

HON. BARRY BARNET: I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas each year the Lake District Recreation Association recognizes one outstanding member of the Sackville community to be named as their volunteer of the year; and

Whereas this year LDRA has named Bill MacDonald as Sackville's volunteer of the year; and

Whereas Bill MacDonald has served our community for the past 40 years in several capacities, including municipal councillor, MLA, and continues to do what he can to make Nova Scotia and Sackville a better place for all of its residents;

[Page 1904]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating Bill MacDonald on winning this prestigious award, and I would like to personally thank Bill MacDonald for all the hard work he has done over the years for our 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.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 117 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 418 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Securities Act. (Hon. Michael Baker)

Bill No. 118 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 401 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Residential Tenancies Act. (Mr. Percy Paris)

Bill No. 119 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 195 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Health Act. (Mr. Stephen McNeil)

Bill No. 120 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 376 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Public Service Act, Respecting the Environment. (Hon. Mark Parent)

Bill No. 121 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 23 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Assessment Act. (Mr. Gordon Gosse)

Bill No. 122 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 37 of the Acts of 2005. The Correctional Services Act. (Mr. Michel Samson)

Bill No. 123 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 376 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Public Service Act, Respecting Seniors. (Hon. Leonard Goucher)

Bill No. 124 - Entitled an Act Respecting the Administration of Justice. (Hon. Cecil Clarke)

[Page 1905]

Bill No. 125 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 376 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Public Service Act, Respecting Labour and Workforce Development. (Hon. Mark Parent)

Bill No. 126 - Entitled an Act Respecting Fair Access to Regulated Professions. (Hon. Mark Parent)

MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be read a second time on a future day.

NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Needham.

[2:30 p.m.]

RESOLUTION NO. 1776

MS. MAUREEN MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas between 1879 and 1948, approximately 100,000 British Home Children, aged 4 to 15, arrived in Canada to work as indentured farm labourers and domestic servants until they were 18 years old; and

Whereas today it is estimated that there are 4 million to 5 million descendants of the British Home Children living throughout Canada and the United States; and

Whereas the plight of the British Home Children, some orphaned but many forcibly separated from their birth families and many harshly used by their placement families, is an irrefutable and significant piece of our Canadian heritage and history;

Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature call on the federal government to declare 2009 the Year of the British Home Child.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

[Page 1906]

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. 1777

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas these volunteers have been recognized by their communities, acknowledging their commendable efforts and commitment;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards recipients and thank them for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Finance.

RESOLUTION NO. 1778

HON. MICHAEL BAKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 1907]

Whereas Clement Russell Hiltz, known to everyone as Clem Hiltz, of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, who was one of the original crew members of the Bluenose, passed away on April 17, 2008, at the age of 96 years, having first gone to sea at the age of 13 years; and

Whereas Clem never missed an opportunity to share his love of the sea and his experiences on the Bluenose and was as well known as the Bluenose itself in Lunenburg; and

Whereas Clem was a well respected man in Lunenburg who served with the Royal Canadian Army in the West Nova Scotia Regiment in World War II, served on Lunenburg Town Council for 17 years, including holding the position of deputy mayor for eight years and was an active volunteer in the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly pay tribute to the life of the late Clem Hiltz and send their condolences to his family.

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 Official Opposition.

RESOLUTION NO. 1779

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 Imagine Our Schools consultants hired by the Halifax Regional School Board expressed surprise that a community with 650 high school students had been left without a high school; and

Whereas during the 2007 by-election, all three Parties in this House supported the construction of a high school in Eastern Passage; and

[Page 1908]

Whereas the elected Halifax school board, the board staff and the outcome of all public consultations have been equally supportive of a high school in the large, growing community of Eastern Passage;

Therefore be it resolved that this House support the construction of a high school in Eastern Passage.

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 Leader of the Liberal Party.

RESOLUTION NO. 1780

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas on April 3rd the province lost a strong voice for all Nova Scotians in the passing of Jim Connors of Dartmouth; and

Whereas Jim never hesitated to stand up for what was fair and just from his days as a litigator and corporate practitioner to his role as a municipal councillor, or to his final efforts as an activist for fair drug coverage; and

Whereas Jim was an extraordinary individual and a tireless volunteer for his community and his province with his most recent efforts being directed towards the right for colorectal cancer patients to have equal access to Avastin, regardless of one's ability to pay;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly recognize the efforts of Jim Connors and extend our most sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

[Page 1909]

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 Victoria-The Lakes.

MR. KEITH BAIN: Mr. Speaker, if I might be permitted to do an introduction before I do my resolution?

MR. SPEAKER: Please do.

MR. BAIN: Mr. Speaker, in the gallery this afternoon is a resident of Victoria County who, today, is one of the ones receiving recognition during the Provincial Volunteer Awards. I would ask that Amy MacKinnon please stand and receive the warm recognition of the House. (Applause)

RESOLUTION NO. 1781

MR. KEITH BAIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Municipality of Victoria County resident, Amy MacKinnon is one of almost 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized today at Nova Scotia's 34th Provincial Awards Ceremony and Luncheon; and

Whereas Amy was honoured as the 2008 Volunteer Representative for the Municipality of Victoria County for her tireless work on the Board of Directors of North Victoria Community Centre in Cape North, as well as being involved extensively with other groups such as the Victoria County CAP sites and as a volunteer coordinator with the Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre; and

Whereas besides CAP, Bay St. Lawrence and North Victoria Community Centre, Amy works with the annual Lobsterpalooza Festival as well as on the Provincial Advisory Committee for the Rural Philanthropy Project, plus many other accomplishments too numerous to mention;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly express their sincere gratitude to Victoria County's Amy MacKinnon for her arduous volunteer work ethic

[Page 1910]

of 30-plus hours a week and realize what an exceptionally deserving accolade she was presented with at the 2008 34th Annual Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards Ceremony today.

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 Official Opposition.

RESOLUTION NO. 1782

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 Vice-Chair of the Toronto Dominion Bank, former New Brunswick Premier, Frank McKenna, recently urged a 25 per cent increase in the provincial portion of the HST from 8 per cent to 10 per cent; and

Whereas rapid increases in food, fuel and energy costs are already making it difficult for many Atlantic Canadians to make ends meet; and

Whereas the current Premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have already rejected calls for an HST increase;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly affirm Nova Scotia's opposition to an HST increase.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

[Page 1911]

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Cape Breton South.

RESOLUTION NO. 1783

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Temple Sons of Israel in Sydney will host the 2008 Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4, 2008; and

Whereas the guest speaker will be Claire Baum, a Holocaust survivor who was a hidden Jewish child raised as a Christian in a Christian home; and

Whereas candles marking the service will be lit by educators from the Cape Breton- Victoria Regional School Board;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature congratulate all those associated with the 2008 Holocaust Memorial Service and the importance of continuing to remember this dark period in our 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.

The honourable member for Pictou Centre.

RESOLUTION NO. 1784

MR. PATRICK DUNN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 1912]

Whereas the principal of Trenton Middle School was recently named one of Canada's Most Outstanding Principals of 2008; and

Whereas Alison McNeil was one of 33 recipients from across Canada that accepted the award from The Learning Partnership, a non-profit organization promoting public education in this country; and

Whereas Ms. McNeil was nominated by the Home and School Association and received support from all over the community for the work she has done in four years as principal and the award highlights Ms. McNeil's unique qualities and tireless commitment to creating social, fitness and academic programs and activities within the school community while always remaining loyal to her first priority - her students;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House send their thanks and congratulations to Alison McNeil of Trenton Middle School on being named one of Canada's Most Outstanding Principals.

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. 1785

MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Julia Reid, a junior high student from River John Consolidated School, was selected as one of the delegates from Nova Scotia to attend the 2007 National Historica Fair held in Lethbridge, Alberta, in July 2007; and

Whereas Julia showcased the life and accomplishments of Dr. W. Roy MacKenzie, a folklorist born in River John in the late 1800s who compiled many ballads and sea songs from the local area; and

[Page 1913]

Whereas Julia learned much during her trip to the Historica Fair and also much during her research about her family roots and local community history and culture;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Julia Reid for being selected to attend the 2007 National Historica Fair in Lethbridge, Alberta, and wish her success in her 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 Halifax Clayton Park.

RESOLUTION NO. 1786

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 Halifax West Warriors won first place for the second time in three years at the 2007 Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation Division 1 girls soccer championships; and

Whereas Sarah Currie had a hat trick, Melissa Gaudet and Molly Allen each had two goals with Jenna MacDonald and Lauren Chauvin each scoring a goal; and

Whereas keeper Becky Yates had a shutout for a final score of 9 to 0;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate the Halifax West Warriors girls soccer team and wish them continued success.

[2:45 p.m.]

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

[Page 1914]

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Environment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1787

HON. MARK PARENT: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Gwen Huntley was one of 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized today at the 34th Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony; and

Whereas Gwen was honoured as the 2008 volunteer representative for the Municipality of Kings County for her many hours of volunteer work at her church that have included at one time or another president of the Young People's Group, trustee, treasurer, presently as elder and superintendent of the Sunday School and president of the ladies auxiliary; and

Whereas Gwen also plays an integral role each and every summer in organizing the July 1st Bay Day celebrations in Scotts Bay;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly applaud the tireless leadership provided by Kings County volunteer, Gwen Huntley.

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.

[Page 1915]

RESOLUTION NO. 1788

MR. HOWARD EPSTEIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Duke of Edinburgh's Award recognizes achievement and excellence in young people from 14 to 25 years of age; and

Whereas Andrew Martin and Colin MacKenzie, both of Halifax Chebucto, were recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh Award; and

Whereas applicants are recognized for setting and achieving goals in service, in expeditions, in skills development and in physical recreation;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend two Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients from Halifax Chebucto - Andrew Martin and Colin MacKenzie, who were presented with their Bronze level awards on February 6, 2008, in the Veterans Room of the Legislative Assembly.

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 Richmond

RESOLUTION NO. 1789

MR. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas in a university setting it is nearly impossible to make contact with students when an emergency situation arises; and

[Page 1916]

Whereas in recent years systems have been designed to alert students via text message through their cellphone, alerting them of bomb threats, armed intruders, weather warnings, or any other crisis situation; and

Whereas Dalhousie University has recently subscribed to such a system, working toward a safer university experience for its students;

Therefore be it resolved that the House of Assembly applaud the efforts of Dalhousie University in providing this service to its student body, and encourage all Nova Scotia universities and colleges to follow Dalhousie's innovative lead.

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 Victoria-The Lakes.

RESOLUTION NO. 1790

MR. KEITH BAIN: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas April 16, 2008, marked the 100th Anniversary of one of Canada's most beautiful and historic villages, the Village of Baddeck; and

Whereas a 100th Anniversary Dinner was held on the day and the village has also arranged to include its season of commemoration into the month-long Lobsterpalooza festival and will continue to mark the event with an Anniversary Historic Parade on June 14th; and

Whereas more events are planned throughout the summer months including a Centennial Festival Week kicking off at the end of June and a re-enactment of the mail run, via boat, from Baddeck to Iona and back again, involving surrounding communities including the Wagmatcook First Nation;

[Page 1917]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House send congratulations and best wishes to the Village of Baddeck as it celebrates 100 years, reminding us that marking these special occasions strengthens our Nova Scotian culture, identity and sense of history, an integral part of our 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. 1791

MR. PERCY PARIS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Fall River resident Stan Hennigar, Jr. has dedicated much of his life to sport, playing professional hockey in the American Hockey League, fastball, and football with the Saint Mary's University Huskies; and

Whereas Mr. Hennigar spent much of the 1980s as a superb team player, helping his team to place first in national fastball three years in a row and earning the title of Most Valuable Player and Batting Champion in 1981; and

Whereas the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame named Stan Hennigar a 2007 inductee in the athlete and builder categories;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Stan Hennigar for the stellar athletic accomplishments for which he has been honoured by the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

[Page 1918]

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 Clare.

RESOLUTION NO. 1792

MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Clare community is very proud of its dedicated volunteers; and

Whereas this year the Clare community has selected one of its outstanding citizens as Volunteer of the Year, and this individual has given much in the way of time and energy to various organizations; and

Whereas through this individual's genuine warmth and caring toward others she has become a valuable asset to the organizations that she has been involved in;

Therefore be it resolved that this House extend its best wishes and congratulations to Diane Bezanson of Concession for her outstanding contribution to her 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 Minister of Environment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1793

[Page 1919]

HON. MARK PARENT: I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Frances Schagen is one of almost 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized in Nova Scotia's 34th Provincial Volunteers Award ceremony; and

Whereas Frances was named as the 2008 Volunteer Representative for the Town of Kentville in the past three decades, which has included time with the Valley Women's Business Network, the Business Development Committee, the Kings Alternative Transportation Society, and currently serves as chair of the Friends of Kentville Public Library Society; and

Whereas Frances is the founder of the Valley Vision Group, a member of the Kings Innovative Council, while also having time in the past to be on the board of directors of the Community Planning Association of Nova Scotia;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly congratulate Frances Schagen for her outgoing and invigorating leadership as a volunteer in the Town of Kentville.

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.

RESOLUTION NO. 1794

MS. VICKI CONRAD: I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas an eight- week pilot project has been set up by the Native Council of Nova Scotia called Aboriginal Peoples Training and Employment Commission and will help youth learn about stress and how to overcome it, conflict and how it affects people; and

[Page 1920]

Whereas six Queens County youths had an opportunity to work in the real world, learning all kinds of things about life itself; and

Whereas these youth have shown great interest in home care, landscaping, construction, and museums, and this training will provide them with work experience in these areas;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Vicky Wentzell, Amanda Bristol, Shelley Roy, Cody Macleod, Richard Mansfield, and site facilitator Linda Wentzell, for all of their hard work during the Aboriginal Youth Links Pilot Project.

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 Digby-Annapolis.

RESOLUTION NO. 1795

MR. HAROLD THERIAULT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back. Welcome to all the members to the House of Assembly. (Applause)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the ER problems facing Digby General Hospital have improved, so long as you don't get sick or injured on a Thursday; and

Whereas each and every Thursday since December, 2007, the Emergency Room at Digby General Hospital has been closed; and

Whereas it is time for government to finish the job they started in Digby and ensure that the Digby General Hospital Emergency Room is open for business seven days a week;

[Page 1921]

Therefore be it resolved that the Premier and the Minister of Health work towards correcting the crisis facing not only Digby General Hospital but ERs throughout this province.

Mr. Speaker, I request for 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 Minister of Immigration.

RESOLUTION NO. 1796

HON. LEONARD GOUCHER: I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas HRM Councillor Gary Martin of Bedford passed away on February 10, 2008, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer; and

Whereas Councillor Martin, a 26-year veteran of the Halifax Police Force, community volunteer, manager of HRM's Community Response Team, husband, father and, just prior to his passing, grandfather, was the embodiment of what most of us would aspire to be; and

Whereas through his professional life and political life he represented those lives he touched as a police officer, and those he represented as a councillor, with incredible care and compassion;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable contribution to the Halifax Regional Municipality and Bedford made by Councillor Martin and pass on, to his wife Darlene and his family, our sympathy on his passing and our thanks for his wonderful life.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

[Page 1922]

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 Timberlea-Prospect.

RESOLUTION NO. 1797

MR. WILLIAM ESTABROOKS: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas students in partnership with World Youth will participate this Summer in an excursion to Costa Rica to assist a local community; and

Whereas Ashley Pottie, a Timberlea resident and Sir John A. Macdonald High School graduate, will be one of the student volunteers; and

Whereas Ashley's efforts will allow her to get involved with cultural and personal activities;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Ashley Pottie on her volunteer efforts with World Youth and extend best wishes in her 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 Kings West.

RESOLUTION NO. 1798

MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 1923]

Whereas between 1879 and 1948, about 100,000 British Home Children arrived in Canada to work on farms and engage in domestic labour until they were young adults; and

Whereas Nova Scotia is now the home of several thousand descendants of the British Home Children and tens of thousands across the country; and

Whereas this has long been a forgotten chapter of our immigrant history but one that for the individual descendants and our collective history must be recognized;

Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature call on the federal government to declare 2009 the Year of the British Home Child.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

RESOLUTION NO. 1799

HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Charlie Wilson of Bible Hill received the 2007 Groom of the Year Award at the Truro Harness Horse Owners Association annual awards banquet; and

Whereas Charlie Wilson jogged his first horse at the Truro Raceway in 1948 and this year is marking 60 years of involvement at the Truro Raceway, most of it in addition to his full-time career outside of racing; and

Whereas Charlie Wilson, who no longer goes on the track, is known for his remarkable ability to handle and change the behaviour of difficult horses to enable them to be raced;

[Page 1924]

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Charlie Wilson on being named 2007 Groom of the Year by the Truro Harness Horse Owners Association and wish him and Phyllis, his wife, continued health and happiness.

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.

[3:00 p.m.]

RESOLUTION NO. 1800

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 Loyalist Landing 2008 Society is a volunteer organization established for the purpose of commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists in Nova Scotia on May 4, 1783, at Shelburne Harbour, carrying the first of thousands of settlers from New York and ushering in a significant period in Nova Scotia's history; and

Whereas "A Celebration to Remember" will be held in Shelburne Town and throughout the county, paying homage to this important event in our history and will be one of the most significant events in the province in 2008, receiving signature status from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage as one of the two must-see tourism events of the year; and

Whereas this is an impressive and ambitious undertaking by the society with at least one event being held each month throughout 2008, the celebrations will have an economic impact on the South Shore of Nova Scotia with interest being generated across Canada and the U.S., it has been estimated that thousands of visitors will descend upon Shelburne County during July;

[Page 1925]

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize and appreciate the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society for its dedication to the commemoration of the 225th Anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists in Nova Scotia on May 4, 1783, at Shelburne Harbour.

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 South.

RESOLUTION NO. 1801

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Police Chief Dave Wilson of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service has been appointed a member of the Order of Merit; and

Whereas Chief Wilson will be invested in the Order on May 22 by Governor General Michealle Jean; and

Whereas Chief Dave Wilson has a distinguished record of service in policing for 35 years, and is well respected by his peers and the citizens he serves;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this Legislature congratulate Police Chief Dave Wilson on receiving the prestigious member of the Order of Merit and wish him every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

[Page 1926]

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Education.

RESOLUTION NO. 1802

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Dr. Scott Armstrong, Principal of Tatamagouche Elementary School, is not only dedicated to the academic excellence of students, but also to their extracurricular activities; and

Whereas Scott has coached at the provincial level with the British Columbia provincial basketball team program, coached the Nova Scotia provincial under 15 boys team at the 2006 Nationals, and is the coach of the North Colchester High Mustang boys squad; and

Whereas Basketball Nova Scotia has chosen Scott as the coach of the Nova Scotia under 16 male basketball team, the core of which is expected to represent Nova Scotia in the 2009 Canada Games;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Scott Armstrong for his new coaching appointment, as well as recently being named Volunteer of the Year by the Truro Sport Heritage Club.

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.

[Page 1927]

RESOLUTION NO. 1803

MR. CLARRIE MACKINNON: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library was founded in 1951, with all towns and counties becoming part of the organization by 1964; and

Whereas the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library serves children with programs that include Read With Me, Books with Babies, Pre-School Story Time, Read With Rotary and Adopt a Library, a reading challenge for elementary students with 20,000 participants; and

Whereas the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library serves adults with programs that include the Pictou County Writers Group, a Writer in Residence to advise novice writers, Seniors Café to facilitate use of the library by seniors when the library is closed enabling seniors to find books with more ease;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Eric Stackhouse and the entire staff of the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library for the innovative programs and commend them for taking action to improve literacy among the many Nova Scotians who have compromised reading and understanding skills.

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 Clare.

RESOLUTION NO. 1804

MR. WAYNE GAUDET: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 1928]

Whereas Cedric Robicheau, owner of BMC Seafoods in Meteghan, was recently recognized for his accomplishments in his business in addition to his contributions to his community; and

Whereas the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network recently recognized Cedric with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in honour of his many accomplishments; and

Whereas Cedric has not let his Muscular Dystrophy Disorder and the fact of being in a wheelchair hinder his accomplishments;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly congratulate Cedric Robicheau on his recognition and wish him well in his business and 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 Deputy Premier.

RESOLUTION NO. 1805

HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the St. F.X. Women's Hockey Team captured the Atlantic University Sport crown; and

Whereas St. F.X. defeated Saint Mary's Huskies seven to three to win their seventh AUS championship; and

Whereas Coach David Synishin led the St. F.X. women to a perfect record in league play this year, posting a 23 to zero record;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating the St. F.X. Women's Hockey Team and their coach, David Synishin on capturing the AUS title.

[Page 1929]

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 Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.

RESOLUTION NO. 1806

MS. BECKY KENT: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the fishing industry has been integral to the community of Eastern Passage since it was first settled back in 1712 and today many families continue to support their loved ones in this industry, which has great risks to the fishers and their crew every time they go out to sea; and

Whereas fishers have great pride in their work and their family legacy and are prepared to take these risks to provide for their families and contribute to the economy; and

Whereas the lives of lost fishermen as a consequence of these risks must be recognized in a formal way in our communities to provide not only an opportunity to celebrate that life, but to offer a sense of closure for the families involved and a place for people, in particular our next generation of fishers, to reflect on the blessings in their lives and their family history;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly support the community of Eastern Passage and Cow Bay in the creation of a memorial in their community to acknowledge our lost fishermen and to celebrate their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

[Page 1930]

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. 1807

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 Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood began a letter writing campaign to bring the World Series Trophy to Nova Scotia for Boston Red Sox fans to celebrate the repeat victories of their favourite baseball team; and

Whereas Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood Charter members Jim Prime of New Minas, Dave Ritcey of Kentville and Don Hyslop of Kingston worked diligently to bring the trophy here to Nova Scotia; and

Whereas for 28 hours the World Series Trophy travelled throughout HRM giving local BoSox fans an opportunity to see baseball's most coveted trophy;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House recognize the hard work of the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood and congratulate them on their success in bringing us the World Series Trophy.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

MR. SPEAKER: There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORAL QUESTION PUT BY MEMBERS

[Page 1931]

MR. SPEAKER: The time is 3:11 p.m. We shall go until 4:11 p.m.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

HEALTH - SCOTIA SURGERY: CONTRACT - COST EFFECTIVE

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, it's good to see you again. My question is through you to the Premier. I know that the Premier is sensitive to any suggestion that he and his government are careless about the expenditure of public money. So, therefore, my question is, what steps did his government take to ensure that its contract with Scotia Surgery was the most cost-effective way to increase the volume of orthopedic surgeries?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, through you, the only thing that's careless is the research of the NDP in their announcement yesterday with regards to health care in long-term care facilities.

Mr. Speaker, we have every confidence in the direction that we have taken with regards to Scotia Surgery and at the end of the day what the issue is about is making sure that those 500 individuals get the surgery that they need instead of being on a waiting list.

MR. DEXTER: Well, Mr. Speaker, I'll share a little piece of our research with him. I'm going to table a document which indicates that the contract with Scotia Surgery was sole sourced. According to a senior director in the Department of Health, this contract was sole sourced . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

MR. DEXTER: . . . because the Department of Health wanted the surgeries done in a private-for-profit facility and they did not know about any other private-for-profit operator in the Metro area. This government should have learned its lesson long ago about politically-driven sole-sourced contracts, yet here again, they have handed out a contract without a competition. My question, through you, to the Premier is, why didn't the government give all other facilities the opportunity to show if they could do a better job?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to see that the Leader of the Opposition is supporting the government's endeavour in making sure Nova Scotians get the surgeries they need through the private sector and working with them. We were very clear when we announced our intention to partner with Scotia Surgery and the minister took the leadership in that regard. One of the government's five priorities is reducing wait times and with this initiative, this will do it.

[Page 1932]

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Dalhousie Department of Surgery, the Stadacona Hospital has this week begun helping the QE II reduce surgery wait times. That's good news.

The bad news is that no one in this government knows whether medical clinics which other hospitals could now be doing more orthopedic surgeries more effectively than Scotia Surgery because from day one, this government determined to hand out a contract to Scotia Surgery and only Scotia Surgery - no cost benefit analysis, no tendering. My question for the Premier is, why didn't this government take wait times seriously enough to seek the best way of having the surgeries done?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, as was stated very clearly, this is a pilot project the government has moved forward upon. At the end of the day, what is important in this issue, what is important are the 500 individuals in this province who were on a waiting list that will not be on a waiting list at the end of this year.

MR. SPEAKER: The, I believe, Leader of the Liberal Party.

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I thought you were going to say the next Premier of Nova Scotia.

[3:15 p.m.]

MR. SPEAKER: Touché.

The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.

PREM.: GAS REGULATION - RECONSIDER

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. We are now in our 21st month of gas regulation in this province and the damage continues. Gas prices in this province are among the highest in the country and the increases just keep on coming. Gas regulation has only helped soaring gas prices rise even higher.

Before regulation, we were on parity with New Brunswick, after regulation we are seeing prices that are over 10 cents more than our neighbours. My question to the Premier is, when will you admit that gas regulation has been a failure?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government's intention with regard to regulation was for two reasons. Number one is stability and number two, with respect to small rural gas stations. The independent report that was done indicated the government was successful in that regard on both counts. We've also made a commitment to further review the issue on an ongoing basis. This Fall we will see another review.

[Page 1933]

Mr. Speaker, let's also be clear on another aspect of this. The Leader of the Liberal Party is suggesting that we should simply reduce the tax. Where is he going to get the money to do that?

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I'm not only suggesting that he should reduce the tax by four cents a litre but I'm suggesting he should scrap gas regulation so that Nova Scotia consumers and Nova Scotia businesses are not being penalized by this government.

It is not just the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and the citizens of this province who believe that gas regulation only makes the price go higher. This past Sunday, during CTV's Question Period, the federal Minister of Natural Resources, Gary Lunn said that if you want to look at a province where regulation doesn't work, and if you want to look at a province where regulation only works to raise prices, you should look at Nova Scotia. So my question to the Premier is simple, you seem to do everything that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet want you to do, except stand up for Nova Scotia, so will you do us a favour and get rid of gas regulation?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday of next week this government will introduce its seventh consecutive balanced budget. (Applause) Now a few on that side of the House in the Liberal Party wouldn't know what a balanced budget is because they didn't have one when they were in government.

Mr. Speaker, what else did we see during the 1990s? We saw crumbling roads; we saw an infrastructure deficit caused by years of lacking concern for what's happening in Nova Scotia highways. By law in Nova Scotia, every single penny that's collected goes into our highways. If what the Leader of the Liberal Party is suggesting is that we should have less money for roads in Nova Scotia, well I disagree with him, Mr. Speaker.

MR. MCNEIL: Everyone agrees that gas regulation doesn't work in this province, except for the Premier and the socialist NDP. Nova Scotians are no longer . . .

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable member has the floor.

MR. MCNEIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nova Scotians are no longer concerned that big oil is gouging them because their very own government is doing it. The price is no longer set by the markets or an independent board, it is set by a Minister of the Crown, on a Thursday night, deciding how much he wants to increase the price of gas in the Province of Nova Scotia.

So, Mr. Premier, my question is, why are struggling Nova Scotians being forced, when it comes to - let me start over again, Mr. Speaker - not only are they struggling. Mr.

[Page 1934]

Premier, Nova Scotians are struggling to make ends meet and gas regulation is making it worse. So why don't you scrap this policy and protect Nova Scotia consumers?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, obviously the Leader of the Liberal Party disagrees with the Liberal Government in New Brunswick about regulation because they have regulation in New Brunswick. Obviously he disagrees with the Liberal Government in Prince Edward Island because they have regulation. Obviously he is not concerned about people who live in rural Nova Scotia when it comes to saving their rural stations. Well, I am, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

FIN. - OFFSHORE REVENUES: DEBT REPAYMENT - PROMISE

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is through you for the Premier. His government reported one-time revenues of nearly $200 million at the end of March. One-time money came from the forfeiture of offshore licences, one-time money came from the federal government's correction of prior years' revenues and all Parties in this House had agreed that such extraordinary revenue should be used to pay down the debt. So my question through you to the Premier is this; will the Premier tell the House why he broke that promise and failed to use the money to pay down the debt?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I've had the pleasure of being in this House with many of my honourable colleagues here since 1999. Each and every year that we have been in government, under my predecessor and now under the current government, we have seen additional expenditures at the end of the year. It is good fiscal planning, it is good fiscal management. That's why we're able to provide another balanced budget next week. That's why we see a debt in this province which is going down and which will go down next week. That is good fiscal planning.

If the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting that investing in our students and making sure that we see tuition going down to the national average is not a good investment, then stand up and say so, Mr. Speaker.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians know that the Premier likes to spend money, especially when it's everyone else's money. Nova Scotians also know that future generations carry the burden of debt created and maintained by free-spending Progressive Conservatives. Children born today are paying a high price because John Buchanan also liked to spend everybody else's money.

Spending is always an easy choice yet this Premier had a golden opportunity to cut debt payments by as much as $30 million a year. How can the Premier fail to recognize the value of paying down the debt?

[Page 1935]

THE PREMIER: My honourable colleague's suggestion is absolutely ludicrous, Mr. Speaker. All one has to do is take a look at the fact that we have (Interruption) Yes, I am treading on a bit of . . .

MR. SPEAKER: You are very close.

THE PREMIER: Yes, very close. I will retract that, Mr. Speaker. At the end of the day, the government maintains a balanced budget, a debt which is going down, a commitment to the people of this province, not only to see a debt going down, to seeing an A-plus rating from the bond-rating agencies. We also believe in investing in our people and we are going to continue doing so.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, in fact, in the Premier's very first year as Premier, he added $190 million to the debt of this province. When the 2007 budget was presented, the first highlight in that budget was, "Debt Reduction Is Top Priority". That budget said, right at the start, ". . . debt reduction is not an easy thing to do, but it is the right thing to do. It is time to start paying the bill, on behalf of all Nova Scotians." My question to the Premier is, to use his government's own very clear words, why did the Premier do the easy thing instead of the right thing?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the tax-and-spend NDP, who stand in this House day after day in the last number of years and say we should spend money, millions of dollars, on each and every thing that the people of this province simply can't afford . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order please.

THE PREMIER: The government has shown its commitment. Last year we introduced a budget that not only balanced the books of this province but saw the debt going down for the first time in many, many years.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

PREM.: USER FEES - ACCOUNTABILITY

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: In fact, Mr. Speaker, it's hard to believe anything the government says in a budget. Last year's budget included big increases in user fees and government charges. It also included a promise to provide, ". . . notification to the House and an opportunity for discussion regarding any future increase in existing user fees." On March 20th, the government announced hundreds of user fee increases, enough to fill 100 pages of the Royal Gazette and these increases went into effect on April 1st with no opportunity for discussion in the Legislature. I have a copy of them if you would like to have them tabled or if anybody hasn't already seen them.

[Page 1936]

My question to the Premier is why, at the first opportunity, did his government break its commitment to being accountable to this House for increases in user fees and government charges?

THE PREMIER: The only thing that is hard to believe in the last couple of days is the NDP who said that a facility, that the ground wasn't even broken, yet we have a photo of the facility which is started already, after telling Nova Scotians, after telling the seniors in this province that it hadn't started when it did, Mr. Speaker. What is hard to believe is what is coming from the opposite side.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the Premier obviously didn't like answering that question. Maybe he will answer this one. The legislation promised in last year's Budget Address and subsequently passed by the House, does provide a loophole. It says that if the House isn't sitting - and we know how often it sits - details of the fee increases are to be presented to the Clerk of the Assembly. The government abided by the terms of that loophole and filed the details on March 31st, less than a month before the anticipated date of the budget.

So, Mr. Speaker, my question, through you to the Premier, is this - the government could have easily waited a month and included these fee increases as part of the budget as it did last year. Why is it that the government decided to make a mockery of their promise of greater accountability?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government abided by the rules that are set forward in the laws of this province and will continue to do so. He's suggesting that the government and the people of Nova Scotia can wait. Students in this province cannot wait, they deserve to see lower tuition rates and this government is providing lower tuition rates. Our fire service men and women across this province can't wait to see their facilities fixed, they want their facilities fixed now. That's what this government's priorities are, that's why we're going to continue investing in the priorities which are going to make a difference for future generations across Nova Scotia.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the government news release of March 20th announcing the fee increases says that they reflect the inflation rate over the last year. That may be partly true but the documents filed with the Clerk of the Assembly also show that in some instances the fees are designed to generate revenue in excess of cost of providing a service. The courts have found that such fees amount to a form of taxation. My question, through you to the Premier is, is this example of taxation without representation his idea of celebrating Democracy 250?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, it's really hard to believe what the Leader of the Opposition is saying after the last couple of days and the research that they have. Far be it from me and the people on this side of the House to be a little bit suspect of what's coming

[Page 1937]

from the other side, it's very clear to the people of Nova Scotia that that is the case. The government, next week, will introduce its seventh consecutive balanced budget, a debt which goes down, the bond rating agencies have given us a rating of A-plus, one of the highest in the country and we will continue down the path of being fiscally responsible for each and every Nova Scotian.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.

PREM.: GAS REGULATION/GAS TAX - REVENUES

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Today Nova Scotians are experiencing the second-highest gas prices in Canada and we have the second-highest motive fuel tax in the country. Nova Scotians have been experiencing the pinch in their pocketbooks ever since this government raised the tax on gas and brought in gas regulation. My question to the Premier is, why is lining the government coffers more important than the pocketbooks of Nova Scotians?

[3:30 p.m.]

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Premier.

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, regardless of the price of fuel, what comes in with respect to income that goes toward our highways in that regard, whether it is 15 and a half cents or 12 cents, it doesn't vary with respect to the price so that stays the same regardless of the price. Let's be clear on that, number one. Secondly, the roads in this province have come a long way in the last number of years but they still have a long way to go. I'm sure my honourable colleague is not suggesting that we do what was done in the 1990s and cut and slash the highways budget in this province.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, the Premier knows and all Nova Scotians know that the motive fuel tax doesn't change regardless of the price of gas but he knows, like all Nova Scotians know, that when the price of gas increases so does the revenue going to that government through the HST portion that they collect and they know it. They should be returning some of that money back to hard-working Nova Scotians.

The Premier stated that he had to bring in gas regulations because the other Atlantic Provinces were doing it. His job is to protect Nova Scotians. The Premier needs to look at this issue through the eyes of struggling Nova Scotians who are trying to make ends meet or a small-business owner who is becoming uncompetitive because their government continues to inflate the price of gas. The more money we take out of the pockets of Nova Scotia businesses, the less money they can reinvest to grow their operations. My question to the

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Premier is, are you going to continue to place Nova Scotia businesses at an unfair advantage by keeping the price of gas so high?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I thought the research was bad on that side but it's equally as bad on that side. If what my honourable colleague is suggesting is that when the price of fuel goes up around the country, that people drive more. I'm sure he would want to take a look at the research with respect to that because simply that is not the fact - and it's certainly a concern for us in the upcoming year, Mr. Speaker, that tourism is going to be one of those areas which we are focused upon, but we realize when the price of fuel goes up that does impact such areas as tourism.

The government also has to find a balance and that balance has to ensure we have the dollars to go back into our highways. Mr. Speaker, many individuals, whether living in Clare or Victoria County or Richmond County, want more paving in their ridings. This government wants to make sure they get more paving and that means we need to maintain the dollars that we have for highways in Nova Scotia.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I never said anything about driving - obviously he didn't teach math.

The federal Minister of Natural Resources had a great plan to deal with the rising prices in the country. He stated that gas regulation doesn't work, it only makes higher prices, and he said that if we want to lower prices we need to cut our taxes. Nova Scotians want relief at the pumps and Nova Scotian businesses want a competitive price. We have the second-highest gas prices in Canada and we have the second-highest taxes in the country. The solution is simple, Mr. Premier, when will you listen to your federal cousins and get rid of regulation and cut motive fuel tax?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, if you simply cut any tax without a plan you go into deficits, and that is what my honourable colleague is suggesting the government do. Well, the government is not going into a deficit to do what he wants to do; the government is not going to add to the province's debt. We saw what happened in the 1990s under the consecutive Liberal Governments, we are not going down that path to fiscal irresponsibility. This government is focused and we will continue to do what's right for the people of our province.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.

EDUC.: HFX. REG. SCH. BD. - GOVERNANCE

MS. BECKY KENT: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Last night the Halifax Regional School Board made its decision on which schools should be reviewed for closure, renovation, or construction over the next 10 years. The board ignored

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most of a $400,000 consultant's study; the board ignored its own staff recommendations that no schools be named for closure this year; and the board ignored the weight of public comments over the past couple of months. I ask the Minister of Education, is this the kind of governance she expected when she appointed this one-man board?

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Education.

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, I want to refer to the process that board, and all boards, are going through. It's a process that was agreed upon in legislation, an all-Party agreement in this House, and it is that process they're following.

MS. KENT: Last year, before the Imagine Our Schools process started, Halifax Regional School Board staff recommended a new high school for the Eastern Passage area of my riding; the Imagine Our Schools consultants subsequently agreed. The Halifax Regional School Board staff have continued to support this recommendation after hearing the public consultation - which was at the request of the minister. The community is solidly behind it. Mr. Speaker, did the one-person board appointed by the minister make this decision because your department would not approve the funding?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, I think the whole notion of the process is misunderstood by the member opposite. I would like to explain that now or at another time. I do want people to understand that as the process unfolds there will be an opportunity for that board - the same as every other board - to submit to my department what their priorities are for new construction, and when that comes in we will assess that.

MS. KENT: Mr. Speaker, I understand that process clearly, as do all of the residents of this area who came out for those public consultations, as it was described to them. The minister has to be held accountable for the actions that the board she appointed has taken. Schools are being reviewed for the closure against staff recommendations and community wishes. A new school has been put on hold in my riding and another is slated to be built in a Tory riding. Minister, are you going to do what is right for this community and support a high school for Eastern Passage?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, I would hope the member opposite and all members of this House recognize that my motivation is for what's best for students, all students.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.

EDUC.: LIST FOR SCHOOLS - PROVINCIAL PRIORITY

MR. PERCY PARIS: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. In the past two weeks we have repeatedly asked the department to provide us with the provincial priority list for schools, school construction and renovation announced by the

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Hamm Government in June, 2003. It seems the Department of Education has not been able to find a copy of its own construction plan. A string of Orders in Council is issued in 2003, 2004, 2007 and again last month - one revising the other - have okayed expenditures on an array of schools mostly in Tory ridings, or what used to be Tory ridings, but Orders in Council aren't the same as a plan. Minister, where's the plan?

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, I believe the question is, which plan are we using? We are using the only plan that's ever had Cabinet approval and that's the 2003 Capital Construction Plan. It is that plan that we are working through.

MR. PARIS: Mr. Speaker, government doesn't spend millions of capital expenditures without a careful plan. The department has repeatedly changed its tact on school construction. Schools that were on the high priority list of the 2002 report of the School Capital Construction Committee, like Waverley Memorial - L. C. Skerry in my riding, still haven't been built. Others have switched from the renovation list to the construction list. I ask the minister, how has she decided which schools to build and when?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, the direction that my staff have provided for me is to look at the schools that have been approved on the Capital Construction List. However, the member is correct. There are some schools that have changed from a renovation to a new project. In fact, I think there are seven of those. The former education critic from the Official Opposition would be well aware of one of those, it was in his riding. (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Order.

MS. CASEY: My point is that decision was made in the best interests of students. That was supported by the MLA of the day, it was supported by me and any change that's in the best interest of students is supported by me. (applause)

MR. PARIS: Mr. Speaker, will the minister table in this House, by the end of today's session, a copy of the original Hamm Government's priority list and a copy of the department's current plan, along with a time line which clearly shows Nova Scotians what her government has changed and why?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, we do have a 2003 list. That information, as I have shared, or my office has shared with the member opposite, is available to all boards. All boards use that. It's available to anybody who asks and it will be presented to the member opposite at his request.

MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Liberal Party.

PREM.: HOME HEATING COSTS

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MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Nova Scotians have experienced a particularly hard winter this year with increasingly cold temperatures and rising oil prices. There are many fixed income seniors, low income Nova Scotians who were forced to make a difficult choice between heat and other essentials. My question for the Premier is, why are you making people of Nova Scotia choose between heating their homes or other essentials?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government has invested significantly in helping those in need and all Nova Scotians through the Energy Rebate Program as well as the additional dollars we provided through organizations such as the Salvation Army. I do concur with the Leader of the Liberal Party that I, like all members of this House, would like to see more done for those who can least afford it in our province and I will certainly take his question into strong consideration.

MR. MCNEIL: I almost feel like I should stop, Mr. Speaker . . .

AN HON. MEMBER: Me too.

MR. MCNEIL: . . . but if they will indulge me. (Laughter) Home heating in this province has rose to . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable member has the floor.

MR. MCNEIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Home heating oil in this province has risen to well over a dollar several times over the winter months. We have heard that there is a potential for below zero temperatures this coming weekend and possibly snow. Over 60 per cent of Nova Scotians heat their homes with oil and many of those are in desperate need of help. On January 24th, when asked about the rise in home heating bills, the Premier made a promise that his government would leave no Nova Scotia behind when it came to keeping warm. My question to the Premier is simple. When will you keep your commitment to the people of Nova Scotia?

THE PREMIER: I would like to thank my colleague for the weather update, Mr. Speaker. Again, as I said, I share the Leader of the Liberal Party's concern for those most vulnerable in our province whether it is on this issue or other issues. It is the very reason why the government has moved forward on such issues as the new Pharmacare Program to help those in need, on the poverty strategy with respect to the hourly minimum wage in the province. We, too, want to make sure that every Nova Scotian has an opportunity to succeed and, again, I will pay very close attention to my honourable colleague's suggestion.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Energy Coalition gave this government an F for the second year in a row on addressing energy poverty because the government refuses to provide relief for the people of Nova Scotia who need it the most. Keep The Heat

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Program gave money to our seniors and low-income Nova Scotians who are falling through the cracks. This government and the NDP have conspired to keep low-income Nova Scotians in the cold. Mr. Premier, will you stop taking bad public policy advice from the NDP and bring back Keep The Heat?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I will refer the question to the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. (Interruptions)

HON. JAMES MUIR: Age does have some benefit, I know. Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable Leader of the Liberal Party may have had the same researcher as the NDP when they were talking about the non-existent nursing home that actually was in existence. I would suggest his understanding of this government's commitment to help all Nova Scotians reduce their home energy costs was significant. The rebate of the Nova Scotia portion of the HFT was significant and you will find that when the budget is tabled next week, the seventh consecutive balanced budget, that provision to try to help those who need help with heating will be included.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Fairview.

NAT. RES. - URANIUM MINING: MORATORIUM - SUPPORT

MR. GRAHAM STEELE: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Last Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Resources of this House adopted unanimously a resolution concerning uranium. I will table a copy of that resolution. The first part of the resolution expresses the committee's support for continuing the moratorium on the mining of uranium in Nova Scotia. As I mentioned, this resolution was adopted unanimously. There were no votes against, there were no abstentions. Among the Conservatives voting in favour of the resolution was the Minister of Education. This marks a refreshing change from previous public remarks by the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Natural Resources, both of whom seem to favour the mining of uranium. Will the Premier now confirm that the resolution of the Resources Committee, which his caucus members and his Minister of Education supported, reflects government policy and that uranium in Nova Scotia will stay in the ground?

THE PREMIER: I refer that to the Minister of Natural Resources.

HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased by the member's question. In fact, what the member is pointing out is that the all-Party committee unanimously supports the current position of the government and we want to thank him for his support.

MR. STEELE: Mr. Speaker, it's hard to do but a response like that leaves me speechless. (Interruptions)

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MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

The honourable member has the floor.

MR. STEELE: Mr. Speaker, this is the single most important issue facing the mining industry of Nova Scotia, not to mention on the environment, and the minister seems to treat it like some kind of a joke.

Mr. Speaker, the second part of the committee's resolution recommends that the Minister of Natural Resources mandate, "a thorough science-based and fully open public process led by an eminent person independent of the department". Such a process stands in contrast to the secret internal review currently being carried on by the Minister of Natural Resources. The public does not know the terms of reference of that review, who is doing it, or who they're listening to. My question, again to the Premier, not to the minister, to the Premier, now that members of the Premier's own caucus, including the Minister of Education, have endorsed a different process, will the Premier now order his Minister of Natural Resources to undertake a thorough science-based and fully open public process led by an eminent person independent of the department?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I refer that to the Minister of Natural Resources.

MR. MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member again. He keeps bringing up the question of the uranium moratorium and it is true that Nova Scotia is the only jurisdiction in Canada with a uranium moratorium. It is true that it has received extensive public consideration and the McCleave Commission which was struck after the announcement of the uranium moratorium back in 1981 did review it and came to the conclusion that scientifically mining uranium is safe. This is true.

The committee did recognize the tremendous value that we could receive if the uranium moratorium was not inhibiting exploration in the province, this is true, but this government has been consistent that that is not enough and until the people of Nova Scotia give us an indication that they want us to lift the moratorium, we are going to continue to enforce the moratorium.

MR. STEELE: Mr. Speaker, the McCleave Inquiry, of course, said no such thing and Nova Scotia is not the only jurisdiction in Canada with a uranium moratorium. The Labrador Inuit which has self-government over natural resources has recently implemented a uranium moratorium as well over the area over which they have jurisdiction.

Now, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources likes to say that he will let the people decide whether to lift or keep the uranium moratorium. Yet that minister and this government provide no forum for public input, choosing instead a secret internal review. So

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my question to the Premier is this, if the Premier really wants to let the people of Nova Scotia decide, why will he not bring the issue here and let the people's House decide?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I refer that to the Minister of Natural Resources.

MR. MORSE: Mr. Speaker, I don't know how many times I have to make this public statement but I guess I'll be making it at least one more time. We are going through a review of our natural resources' strategies in this province. In fact, Voluntary Planning kicks off the first phase next month. One of those strategies involves minerals. We are getting a lot of correspondence on this issue from Nova Scotians, unsolicited correspondence. We encourage them to come forward during that process, share their thoughts on the whole question of uranium, nuclear power, whatever they choose to bring forward. We'll listen to them and at the end of the day, if we think it has merit, it is science-based and it is the wishes of Nova Scotians, we would give that every consideration. But until that time, we will be enforcing the uranium moratorium.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.

HEALTH - PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. On a daily basis we hear of emergency room closures as a result of physician shortages. In fact, since January 1, 2008, the emergency rooms throughout Nova Scotia have been closed 1,613 hours, the equivalent of over 67 days.

Mr. Speaker, the residents most directly affected by these closures find it unacceptable, as do all Nova Scotians. So my question for the Premier is, what plan does this government have in place to better address the issue of physician shortages in under-serviced areas throughout Nova Scotia?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I'll refer that to the Minister of Health to update my honourable colleague with regards to some of the steps being taken.

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is a pleasure to be back and answer the question to the member opposite. Over the last number of months, we've continued to increase the work that we've been doing to recruit physicians into the areas that are most affected. We continue to work with the international medical graduate programs, though the College of Physicians and Surgeons, to make sure that we can fully utilize that resource that may be available in Canada. We'll continue to work with Dalhousie University to expand the medical seats that are available to us for Nova Scotian students so we can find a return for services. We'll continue to do everything that's possible to make sure that all regions of this province have the doctors they require.

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MR. MCNEIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For 1,613 hours, emergency rooms have been closed in this province. That's 189 hours more than the same time frame last year. Things are getting worse, not better. Residents in Tatamagouche, North Sydney, Annapolis, New Waterford, Digby, Glace Bay, just to name a few, deserve better. They deserve a new approach that will ensure stability with regards to ER coverage into the future.

My question to the Premier is, will the Premier outline his plan to address ER closures because the current one is not working?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Over the last year there has been a net gain of over 40 physicians in this province. Of those 40 physicians we have been able to recruit, there have been over 25 specialists. We are still working on the distribution of those individuals to make sure that they represent all areas of this province.

Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to do the best work that we can possibly do to protect those citizens.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health is quoting lots of figures. The one he is forgetting is the fact that ERs are closing at a record pace in the Province of Nova Scotia. The minister needs to find a solution to deal with the ER closures that are happening in the Province of Nova Scotia.

One initiative that this province should consider is dedicating 20 med school seats per year for five years and offering free tuition to those students who agree to work in under-serviced areas. This will help ensure that these communities will have a stability into the future when it comes to access to physicians and the ability to keep their ERs open when Nova Scotians need access to medical care.

So my question is, will the Premier commit to dedicating 20 medical school seats a year for five years, to help provide doctors in under-services areas of this province?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad the member opposite was paying attention to what this government has been doing over the last number of months, working with Dalhousie University. There are 10 seats available in the near term that we can use for a return-for-service contracts for the areas in the province. There will be another 10 that will become available when, of course, New Brunswick opens up their medical school in Saint John and we'll continue to have those seats available for Nova Scotians to work in Nova Scotia.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Queens.

ECON. DEV. - DIGBY-SAINT JOHN FERRY SERVICE:

NS/NB PLAN - PROSPECTS

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MS. VICKI CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Economic Development. In October 2006, Bay Ferries Limited announced that it was looking at ending the run between Digby and Saint John because of low traffic figures and high fuel costs. A plan was adopted with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick contributing $2 million each and the feds adding $4 million. This was enough to help keep the ferry running until the end of January 2009. With just nine months remaining in this plan and with the ferry's importance to numerous South West Nova businesses, what are the prospects for this ferry service continuing?

HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question, one which is obviously very important to the Province of Nova Scotia, in particular the people of western Nova Scotia. Mr. Speaker, I can say to you that we continue to work very closely with Bay Ferries; it is a challenge with respect to finding a business plan that will make sense for the long term. We are prepared, as a government, to continue to support that service and see it continue into the future but we, as a province, do not have the resources to be able to do it entirely on our own. We do need the participation of our funding partners to be able to move forward, and we are encouraging them to move forward with us in that regard.

MS. CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, people in businesses in South West Nova are getting tired of the constant runaround. When plant owners talk to the feds, they are told to get the provincial governments on side. When they talk to the provincial government they are told to get the federal government on side. Now, to add to the finger pointing, yesterday the Minister of Economic Development was urging the municipalities in western Nova Scotia to come up with some cash of their own to preserve the ferry service. That minister is supposed to be in charge of economic development. What tangible results can he report to the people of South West Nova?

MR. MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, I know that the honourable member is usually very careful of the premise of her questions. But I do want to say that I did not in any way initiate a suggestion that municipal units should come forward. I responded to a question asking how I reacted to the fact that they suggested that they might put money on the table, and I said I reacted positively to that. That is quite different than going out and saying that I'm asking them to come to the table. The honourable member, I am sure, did not intend to mislead the House or the people of Nova Scotia by imputing those motives to me.

MS. CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, my final question is for the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. I honestly think that this government has lost touch with the primary industries and forgets that it's about meeting real needs of Nova Scotia and making priorities. The Digby ferry is integral gateway infrastructure. The Digby ferry is needed to maintain and grow our local economy. My question to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is, does he recognize this ferry as an important gateway for South West Nova?

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HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Mr. Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I think the honourable Minister of Economic Development said it quite well, absolutely we support that service, it is an integral part of the transportation system throughout all Nova Scotia. This government has stood up for that area, in fact, we've had talks with the federal government, along with New Brunswick, for them to step forward to support us. We've supported that ferry, we've supported the other partners and we'll continue to do so, do all we can to ensure that remains in the future.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.

HEALTH PROM. & PROTECTION - 2006 REPORT: RECOMMENDATIONS - SUCCESS

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. In 2006, government commissioned a report following the SARS outbreak in Ontario. The renewal of public health in Nova Scotia and the 21 recommendations, which will be the foundation for the new Department of Health Promotion and Protection. I ask through you, Mr. Speaker, will the minister tell us how successful he's been in enacting all 21 recommendations from this 2006 report.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.

HON. BARRY BARNET: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased with the progress that we've had as a government with Health Promotion and Protection. Our goal in the Province of Nova Scotia is to make Nova Scotia the healthiest and safest province in the country. We are using reports like the one the member opposite mentioned to help us do that. We are a long way towards reaching that goal of being the healthiest and safest province in this country.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, it's been two years since that report was received and we've heard from Public Accounts yesterday it was accepted and endorsed by this government. Yet we find that this government has consistently under-resourced this department at the height of the mumps outbreak, for example. The outbreak team stopped taking minutes of their meetings because they couldn't afford a secretary. Mr. Speaker, if this minister won't even pay for someone to take minutes at a meeting how is his government going to fill the four senior executive positions needed to run the Department of Health Promotion and Protection?

HON. BARNET: Mr. Speaker, what I'll say to the member opposite and to all Nova Scotians, is that the Department of Health Promotion and Protection consistently, year after year, since I have been the Minister and prior to that, has seen the greatest increase in resources in any department of government because it's the right thing to do. We are investing and protecting the health and safety of Nova Scotia and it's a priority of this government.

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MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, taking minutes of a meeting, especially during a mumps outbreak, is so important to learn from our mistakes and this team couldn't even do that - they are under-resourced. Two years ago, this minister's department was tasked for developing a multi-year strategic plan yet it took until this month to issue a tender for those services. Through you, Mr. Speaker, to the minister, why did the minister wait all this time before finally addressing the need for a multi-year strategic plan?

HON. BARNET: Mr. Speaker, I will continue to say that our province has led the nation in Health Promotion and Protection. We have been seen as leaders not only in Canada but around the world. Recently I had the opportunity on the invitation of the Government of Scotland to speak at an international summit because of the good work that we're doing in the Province of Nova Scotia. We're recognized as global leaders in the area of Health Promotion and Protection. That is something I'm very proud of and that is something that this government is very proud of.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Cape Breton South.

EDUC.: CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY - B.Ed. PROGRAM OFFER

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education. On January 16th, 2008, the Minister of Education finally received a report on teacher education in Nova Scotia. Among the most troubling recommendations made by the three-person panel was a rejection of Cape Breton University's request to offer a fully credited and certified B.Ed. program. Mr. Speaker, CBU has expressed an interest in offering its own B.Ed. program for some time. The university has the support of students and parents from the community and has the capacity to run an effective program. My question to the minister is, will the minister strongly consider CBU's request to offer a B.Ed. program?

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Education.

HON. KAREN CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, I did make a comment last time in the House about the excellent proposal that was presented to the review committee by CBU. I have taken all of the reports, all of the recommendations, all of the response to the report and recommendations and I have compiled my formal response which will be issued next week. I do want to make a comment that all of the presentations that were made were taken very seriously. The decision that I have to make will be based on a quality program delivered in our province so that students in Nova Scotia who wish to study for a B.Ed. program can do that here in this province.

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MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I know the minister is sincere in her wishes to do the right thing here and I know also that the people are waiting patiently for an answer down in Cape Breton. CBU currently offers a joint 16-month program with Memorial that awards graduates with certifications in both provinces. Each year CBU accepts a minimum of 40 students for the program, rejecting many more applicants who otherwise would have liked to stay in the region. Many students are thus forced to apply to universities in mainland Nova Scotia and outside the province, particularly in Maine.

Mr. Speaker, young Nova Scotians want to stay, live and work in this province. If this request for a B.Ed is rejected, it will force some of our brightest youth to leave the province, causing further employee shortages in regions heavily affected by out-migration. My question, my first supplementary to the minister, will the minister put the needs of young Nova Scotians first and award CBU a B.Ed. program?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite - I, too, am concerned about the number of students who have to leave this province to get a B.Ed. program. I do want them to be able to stay here, if that is their choice. I do want to make sure that we balance the number of students we graduate with the supply and demand that's at a critical balance, I do have to be cognizant of that.

I also recognize that we need to look at giving students some options as to whether they have a four-plus-one, a four-plus-two, a four-plus-sixteen month course of study in order to get the B.Ed. program. I'm looking for opportunities in my response to provide that option to students.

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: I think the minister knows full well, Mr. Speaker, that if they have a B.Ed., they can teach anywhere. It's important that we educate our children as close to home as we possibly can.

Mr. Speaker, CBU's request is not solely based on educational factors. It's also based on principles of accessibility and equality. The mandate of the Maritime Provinces' Higher Education Commission emphasizes the importance of, and I quote, "promoting equitable and adequate access to learning opportunities, including making those opportunities available at times and places convenient to the student." Currently Cape Breton is the only region in the province that does not offer a B.Ed. program. It has the population base to support the program and the entire community has embraced the idea. Students could live at home in Cape Breton, saving thousands of dollars in costs.

My final supplementary to the minister, will the minister hold true to the principles of accessibility and equality and award CBU a B.Ed. program?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, I would want my response to address a number of concerns and I believe it does. I believe those concerns are similar to the

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ones that are shared by the member opposite; that is, that we have quality programs, we have they delivered for our Nova Scotia students, we have them delivered as close to home as possible and that students have an option as to how long it takes them to get that B.Ed. program.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On February 20th the minister announced significant changes to the Nova Scotia Seniors' Pharmacare Program. The fee system went from a relatively straightforward system to a confusing maze of payment schemes and options. That was really unfair to put that added burden on our seniors here in Nova Scotia and to expect those seniors to make a decision about their monies that they get every month. It is quite unfair to the seniors. The minister should have known that and he should be . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The time allotted for oral questions has expired.

The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party on an introduction.

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to draw the attention of the House to the west gallery as I introduce Jenny Bignal, Barb Corbet and Bunny Ruggles, all of Middleton, as well as Bridgett Height, who is here from Digby. They are on their way to Toronto in the morning to take part in a national candlelight vigil with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in honour of victims who have been killed or injured by drunk drivers. I would ask them to stand and receive a warm welcome of the House and a thank you for all you are doing on behalf of Nova Scotians to make our community safer. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: We certainly would extend a warm welcome to those people in the gallery and all visitors in the gallery here today, we're pleased to have you visit our House.

The honourable Minister of Health on an introduction.

HON. CHRIS D'ENTREMONT: I just figure that while he's still standing there- it looks like he was trying to leave the gallery- I'll quickly introduce a friend to this House, a friend to this side of the House, of course a very, very close friend to one of our members - that is the MP for South Shore-St. Margaret's, Mr. Gerald Keddy. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition on an introduction.

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I may introduce to the House, in the west gallery, Mr. Keith Stevens. He's joining our office as a summer intern, so you

[Page 1951]

will probably see him kicking around the House - I introduce him to the members and ask them to acknowledge that he will be joining the staff. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Premier on an introduction.

THE PREMIER: If I might refer you to the Speaker's Gallery, a gentleman who is standing there who works with my office, press secretary, Mr. Joe Gillis. Mr. Joe Gillis will be leaving our office, unfortunately, but he is going on to become a doctor and to further his studies. He is leaving for the Caribbean and we all hope he'll come back to Nova Scotia and that some lucky community in Nova Scotia will have Mr. Joe Gillis. I want to wish him all the best. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Public Bills for Second Reading.

PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would you please call Bill No. 107.

Bill No. 107 - Nova Scotia Agricultural College Act.

The honourable Minister of Agriculture.

HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to speak to Bill No. 107 regarding the NSAC governance Act and, of course, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. This piece of legislation will help the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the agriculture industry move progressively into the future.

I might say that I consider the agriculture industry to be the backbone of rural Nova Scotia and, in fact, as goes the agriculture sector so does the Province of Nova Scotia - we all benefit whether we live in the urban areas or, in fact, live in the rural areas.

[4:15 p.m.]

Mr. Speaker, as a government-owned and -operated institution, the NSAC does not currently enjoy the academic freedom or institutional autonomy experienced by similar post-secondary institutions. We have brought forward a bill because there is concern the governance structure at the NSAC is negatively impacting the ability to retain and recruit

[Page 1952]

top-quality faculty members, to attract and maintain its intensive research programming, to recruit talented students, and to maintain its academic reputation.

I would like to point out that we are extremely proud of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, especially the members for Colchester County who happen to be on this side of the House - but I would like to say that other members, I'm sure, are equally proud and supportive of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. In fact, I would point out that we did take the time and make the opportunity to sit down with the Agriculture Critics, at least staff at my department sat down with the Agriculture Critics with the Official Opposition and the Liberal Party to discuss Bill No. 107. We certainly appreciate the positive feedback, I believe, from the Opposition critics on this piece of legislation. I'm sure a little later today, and perhaps even tomorrow, we may hear some of the comments and concerns from the Opposition Parties regarding this solid piece of legislation.

This piece of legislation is about making changes, changes that will ensure that the NSAC can do all the things we spoke about earlier on. Sometimes we recognize and acknowledge that the NSAC does a lot of intensive research programming but we don't always take the opportunity to, in fact, impart how proud and how successful we feel that the NSAC has been. We believe that in order for them to recruit talented students, more talented students and to maintain that academic reputation that this bill should go through.

Other university leaders and the relevant municipal units are supportive of the changes for the NSAC. I know members opposite would, as well as members on this side of the House, be aware that Colchester County, for example, the Town of Stewiacke and, of course, the Town of Truro reside in Colchester County and we really appreciate the support that we have received from those municipal units.

I would like to welcome the [Deputy] Speaker to the Chair. He is presiding over another session and we know the member has many years experience in the Nova Scotia Legislature, in the House of Assembly. I would just like to wish him well in his deliberations and his deliberations as this session evolves.

Mr. Speaker, the model employed by almost all other post-secondary educational institutions is based on two primary principles, one being autonomy and the other being academic freedom. Currently, the NSAC has neither of those. Now you might say having limits on academic freedom would have what impacts on the NSAC. I would like to, if I could, point out some of those shortcomings and, of course, the inability to retain ownership of results that the institution might find or derive. The inability to retain ownership of those results are perceived to be as impediments to effective research contracting and faculty retention and, as I indicated earlier, recruitment.

As well, sometimes bureaucratic approval and service processes are not responsive to research and funding opportunities. Having said that, I would like to say that while they

[Page 1953]

may seem to be fairly contemporary when replying to the requests and things that come forward from the NSAC, we believe that they will even be more responsive if, in fact, we give the NSAC more academic freedom and, of course, more autonomy.

As well, government ownership can impede or disqualify access to research funding contributors. Mr. Speaker, we know that the NSAC has been very successful in attracting and qualifying and bringing funding to the college. But, we are certainly told by faculty, staff and senior members of the Department of Agriculture, in fact, that they will even be more successful in bringing money into the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. You know the whole philosophy behind making the institution have more autonomy will, in fact, just by its very description, by its very nature, perhaps provide the college with greater leverage as they bring even more money to the college and, of course, to the students.

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions in the past around doing something with the governance structure of the NSAC and that has been around for years. Now is the time to make those necessary changes and I would like to commend the member for Truro-Bible Hill, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, for the efforts that he has put in to bringing this legislation forward. The member has been a long-time advocate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and, in fact, he probably, if he has the opportunity, will take the time to speak to the legislation as well. I do want to thank my colleague and your colleague, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations for supporting and being very vigilant on bringing this legislation forward. Thank you to the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Now the enhanced governance model would continue to reflect the mandate for agri-food and agriculture business, education and services, ensuring the continued partnerships with industry and the NSAC. In fact, we do have communication from the president - I believe it was the former President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture - supporting this legislation as well. Subsequent to our introduction of the legislation in the Fall, we have, in fact, a new president, Mr. Willy Versteeg and knowing Willy, as I do, he is a very astute young man, a very successful dairy farmer in the Province of Nova Scotia. I would expect that the former president's letter and comments regarding this positive piece of legislation would be echoed by Mr. Versteeg.

The new legislation will create a board of governors and an academic senate for the college. With this change the NSAC will no longer be a branch of the Department of Agriculture. As I said, this is a fairly significant change from the current situation. One thing that we are extremely mindful of is the fact that the proposed legislation will be intended to accommodate employees and bargaining agents, and facilitate the request that the bargaining agents and the employees have. Those requests, I'm sure, will be dealt with in a very professional, appropriate, and hopefully empathetic manner.

[Page 1954]

Once this bill is passed a traditional board will be established to identify designated employees who currently work for both the Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. As I said earlier on in my comments, it's very important to the agriculture industry that we continue with those partnerships, and perhaps a little later on in my discourse I can impart the breakdown as we know it, representing faculty, students and Department of Agriculture employees who are at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

There will be a period of flexibility for those designated employees to compete for other positions within the provincial Civil Service if they so choose. Employee benefits will essentially remain unchanged, although those with the college will have greater flexibility to tailor their benefits.

Bringing forward this bill has involved a number of people and I certainly look forward to seeing the positive things that the NSAC will be able to achieve with this modern change in its structure. I do want to thank the people who took the time last Fall during the sitting of the Legislature to come down to this House. I won't mention names because I seem to always forget somebody but we're very pleased that, of course, the two co-acting principals did come in and speak in support of the NSAC. There were others, too, but we know that they are too numerous to mention.

Did you know, Mr. Speaker, that the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, NSAC, was formally established in 1905. At that time it was established to assume and expand the work carried out by the School of Horticulture in Wolfville and, of course, the School of Agriculture in Truro. Even back in the early 1900s - 1905, in fact - agriculture was being given a platform, an opportunity through a college to assume work that was being carried out by the School of Horticulture in Wolfville and the School of Agriculture in Truro. I think that's very important that we do take a little walk down memory lane as far as the NSAC is concerned.

I want to point out some of the facts, as we know them, regarding the NSAC. It is the third-oldest centre for agriculture education and research in all of Canada. Let's just think about it. During its early history the college focused its mandate on helping farmers increase their effectiveness and preparing students to be farmers. You know, I happen to be the proud product of a dairy farm in the Musquodoboit Valley and I can tell you that today I think everybody recognizes it's very important that if you're going to take on the responsibilities of farming, whether it be a dairy farm, a beef farm, a hog farm, a chicken farm, raising blueberries, or doing just what you might, you want to be very well informed, because the complexities regarding agriculture are quite pronounced.

I know, even during the early 1960s, from the time we milked the cows in the old barn until we moved them into the new barn, just during that period of time we went from a system where we were at least shipping the milk cans, the old milk cans that were the

[Page 1955]

coolers, fairly heavy little nuggets to pull out of the cooler, get on the back of the tractor, take down to the milk stand, 365 days a year, to moving from . . .

AN HON. MEMBER: You're not that old.

MR. TAYLOR: Well, you see, this is why it's important to the Liberal critic that we inform him that this is the way things used to be done but then there was, I think by the dairies in fact, a decree was issued in - I'm not sure whether it was 1964 or 1965 whereby, if you were a dairy farmer in the Province of Nova Scotia, you had to move from that system to the so-called bulk can system. That required a huge capital investment. Even by today's dollars, it required people to dig a little deeper into what they hoped to be money in their back pocket but, anyway, some farms decided to do that. Most did it, in fact, and some others decided to diversify perhaps and move on to other commodities or, in fact, get out of farming altogether.

The point I was wanting to make, and I think it would be agreed by all members in the House that if you take a walk, especially in today's modern dairy farm, you can easily recognize that many of the owner/operators, especially the young people, probably are graduates of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College - not always, but somewhere along the way you'll find some connection to the Agricultural College and today's farm. So again, I want to repeat, during its early history, the college focused its mandate on helping farmers increase their effectiveness and preparing students to be farmers. I would submit that tenet still applies today.

In 1982, when the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture was instituted, the first bachelorettes, in 1985, received their degrees from Dalhousie University in association with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. In fact, that was in 1985 and, you know, that arrangement, it still exists today. I understand it's a very successful arrangement that the AC has with Dalhousie and we would like to, again, commend them and congratulate them for having the foresight to bring in the partnership that they have. I think it took work, a lot of sweat equity and time to, in fact, bring that arrangement into being.

[4:30 p.m.]

Now, the NSAC is the only post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada with a mandate to provide undergraduate, graduate and technical education in agriculture and again, not to brag too much but, you know, it's very difficult when you look at the facts relevant to the AC not to feel very proud and honoured to have the opportunity to stand up here and talk about the Agricultural College and, in fact, take the time to speak about the agriculture industry, which is extremely important to the Province of Nova Scotia, all of Canada and all of the world, in fact, because farmers feed us all. You can't say that enough times. Farmers feed us all.

[Page 1956]

Now, the main campus of the NSAC is located in Bible Hill and comprises 265 hectares. There are over 35 structures housing classrooms, labs, research facilities, a library, the Atlantic Centre and, of course, residences. I had the opportunity on a couple of occasions to actually tour the residences during open houses and things of that nature, and those old facilities are that, yes they're old, but for the age of them, the staff who work so hard to keep them shipshape, I'd like to tip my hat to them. Just recently, through the good work of the Premier and the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, we're looking at possibly an option of replacing the residence down the road through perhaps a partnership with a private company, because we recognize the need to get on with the job, and we're certainly not opposed to business in the private sector.

In fact, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and the Premier have done an exceptional amount of work on that file because, Mr. Speaker, the demands that are on government are incredible and sometimes, if in fact the necessary due diligence is done, it may make sense to, in fact, go to the private sector.

Mr. Speaker, I don't know if you've had a chance to tour the Nova Scotia Agricultural College but I would like to acknowledge, because it is some time - I did indicate that you've been in this House now for nearly 15 years - that you used to be a Minister of Agriculture. Is that not the truth, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker? (Interruption) Of course he did, it was his first portfolio. (Interruption)

Well, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations tells me that you still visit your former deputy regularly. I remember one time - it's still agriculture-related, we're still very much on topic - when you were the Minister of Agriculture and we had a situation out in the Musquodoboit Valley with some, shall we call it, stray cattle and roaming cattle. Do you remember that situation, Mr. Speaker? As it turned out, one of the neighbours had to take things into their own hands, but I know, although I had asked you to intervene, you had a very difficult request on your plate at that time. At that time, if I might use his name, because at that time he was Councillor Bill Dooks representing Musquodoboit Valley, took a very active role. There will never be a truer saying than the, I say, fact that good fences make good neighbours. I think in that particular case, if in fact the fence had a been a little more secure perhaps we wouldn't have had that dispute.

Anyway, I got off a little bit on this good piece of legislation, and I certainly didn't mean to do that.

I want to talk a little bit about the physical makeup of the NSAC. As I mentioned, it does comprise some 265 hectares, there are 35 structures - housing, classrooms, labs, et cetera, but, as well, and every bit as important, there is an off-site campus, the AgriTECH Park Inc. This is a 16-acre campus with additional buildings offering office, lab and industrial space, and I can't say this loud enough, offering industrial space for lease. Mr.

[Page 1957]

Speaker, that's in a very busy part of the province, and perhaps some people aren't quite aware that there is industrial space right in the heart of Truro-Bible Hill that is up for lease.

Now, there are approximately 800 students enrolled at the NSAC, 250 of the 800 live in the residence, and international students come from 30 countries. I have had the opportunity to attend a number of convocations and it's really heartening to see the students when they graduate, of course, but you should see the look on the students' faces from countries that are perhaps not represented by a democratic government coming to the stage and receiving their graduation certificate. I think, for me at least, it's quite a thing to experience.

Certainly, over the past 10 years, students have come from countries including New Zealand, United States, India, Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, China - a good number of students come from China, Hong Kong and Japan. There were 47 international students in the 2007-08 year compared to 1997-98 when there were only four international students. So the NSAC on that front, attracting international students, has come a long way but, in fact, with this legislation no doubt they will continue to make progress on that front.

Now the NSAC has co-operation projects from Asia to the Caribbean. Ten years ago, at least seven active partnership agreements were in place and today, do you know with other countries, Asia and the Caribbean, that there are some 18 agreements. There are a number of partnerships in place, I guess what I am trying to say, with over 18 countries.

Now the college, as I indicated a little earlier, offers 14 undergraduate and four master level degrees, 14 diploma and certificate programs. Diplomas and certificates are granted by the college. Degrees are granted from Dalhousie University in association with the NSAC and, again, I emphasize that partnership has been in place since 1985. The NSAC and Dalhousie University have had this academic arrangement in place for some 25 years.

Now I would like to, if I could, just quickly list, for the benefit of members, the present programming that is offered at the college. There is a Bachelor of Science program in Agriculture. It's a four-year course and, again, that's in association with Dalhousie. There is a Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Horticulture, Mr. Speaker. It's a two-year program and, again, that's in association with Dalhousie. There is a Bachelor of Technology in Applied Science, two years in association with Dalhousie University; Master of Science, two years, again in association with Dalhousie University.

Engineering diploma, there is a two-year engineering diploma that is offered at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. There is a pre-veterinarian medicine program that is two years. There is a veterinarian technology program, that's a two-year program; Environmental Horticulture Technology Diploma, that's a two-year program. There is a Plant Science Technology Diploma that is two years; Enterprise Management Diploma with specialization in dairy, equine, companion animal, farming and food retail. There is a Certificate of

[Page 1958]

Specialization in Organic Agriculture. Now that's a four-course program. Mr. Speaker, they offer all those courses but with this legislation, they will, no doubt, be able to expand.

Let's just talk about how successful the NSAC has been in attracting not only research dollars but let's talk about the research that is being conducted at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. It has been, and has become, an important centre for international work. The NSAC currently ranks number two in research among all Nova Scotia universities and is consistently in the top 50 of 93 post-secondary institutions across Canada for research intensity. Mr. Speaker, I don't know how many members would know that, but I think it is something, again, that we can be very proud of, the very fact that of all the universities in Nova Scotia, the Agricultural College, in research alone, ranks number two.

Now let's talk a little bit about human resources, Mr. Speaker. Probably members of the House have had the opportunity to speak to members of the faculty at the Agricultural College, but did you know there are 72 faculty members employed plus approximately 250 full- and part-time administrative and support staff at the Agricultural College. The NSAC is an internationally respected teaching and research institution. It annually receives more than $5 million in research contracts and grants and I would commend the good work that faculty and staff put into their applications to receive those research contracts, because they are in competition with universities and colleges all around the world and the little old Nova Scotia Agricultural College was able to receive more than $5 million in research contracts and grants.

Now Nova Scotia Agricultural College has four research chairs and 12 research professors whose primary activities are, of course, conducting research relevant to the specific industry partner that helped fund their position.

Mr. Speaker, I want to speak a little bit about the Canada Research Chairs but before I do, I want to make it very clear and I know members in the House are aware of that, the food that we purchase as consumers cannot be taken for granted. There's a lot of research and development that goes on behind perhaps the sale of blueberries. Before you see that product, milk, strawberries, cucumbers, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, any of the foodstuff that we purchase, at least if it's from Canada - and I hope that it's local products from Nova Scotia - you can count on the fact that that food product has been greatly researched, a lot of marketing has been put into it but the development never stops.

Just last week, Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to tour the ACA poultry processing and primary plants in the Annapolis Valley-New Minas area, Coldbrook as well. Did you know that there are 650 direct jobs relative to ACA, just at that one plant? We were very pleased to tour the ACA primary and processing facilities and I'd like to tip my hat to Sue Payne and all the people who worked so hard to bring ACA's brand of chicken to the stores in Nova Scotia. If you ever have the opportunity to view the chicken from what I call from feather to fork, Mr. Speaker, it's quite an incredible journey that these chickens impart on.

[Page 1959]

AN HON. MEMBER: Tell us a little bit more.

MR. TAYLOR: Well, I would like to tell you a little bit about it but I have some other very important points that I would like to make.

Mr. Speaker, a major employer in the Valley does deserve congratulations, does deserve the acknowledgment from the House and I do want to thank them for the tour because you know a number of our producers in Nova Scotia, poultry producers at least, are now shipping their chicken to Nadeau, New Brunswick, and I hope, as time permits, to take the opportunity to tour that facility as well. We're very, very fortunate here in Nova Scotia to have a company, a good corporate entity ACA, basically in our backyard producing top quality products and bringing chicken and turkey, primarily, to the plates of Nova Scotians and Canadians.

[4:45 p.m.]

Now to get back to the research chairs, there's agriculture resource management, agriculture biotechnology and organic agriculture. Mr. Speaker, I just reminded myself that while I thank the folks at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, particularly faculty, in bringing the legislation and the member for Truro-Bible Hill, I also want to thank the staff at the Department of Agriculture for the good work that they've put into bringing this legislation to the floor of the Legislature and, in fact, taking the time to sit down with the minister to discuss the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

I do want to talk again about those research chairs. We have Chairs in Vegetation Management. Now, Mr. Speaker, vegetation management in itself would certainly bring one to think about, or at least it would me, to think about all the vegetables that we, as consumers, purchase and buy. As I said earlier, for nearly every commodity there's a lot of work and there's a lot of chairs in place that in fact look at these types of initiatives - innovative waste management, there's a Chair in Plant Stress Physiology, plant propagation.

Let's talk a little bit, if we could for just a moment, about non agri-food but a very, very important industry to the Province of Nova Scotia and that is the mink industry. The Nova Scotia Agricultural College does an incredible amount of work in terms of researching mink. We have right in this province the biggest mink producer in North America. The company has, I believe, over 70 barns. They produce wonderful pelts. Nova Scotians produce the best pelts in the world, I'm told. They're the darkest, they're the best, and they've always been, but unfortunately there are some concerns with disease and things of that nature. Through the federal and provincial governments and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, there's a lot of research taking place to support the mink industry and, hopefully, find a cure. They call it AD, the Aleutian disease, but in fact it's a very serious concern.

[Page 1960]

So, Mr. Speaker, just a point I want to make is that the Agricultural College, once again, has stepped up to the plate, as has this government, as has the federal government, in our efforts to find a solution to Aleutian. Whether we get there or not, I guess that's another thing, but I'm certainly supporting that endeavour at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. There's a chair for edible horticulture, for rural health, farm energy conservation, dairy molecular biology, Atlantic BioVenture Centre, wild blueberry, wild blueberry machinery systems and, once again, blueberry - we have the best blueberries in all the world and that's indisputable.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to tour the Oxford Frozen Foods facility in Oxford. (Interruption) The former Minister of Agriculture is saying it's phenomenal, it's phenomenal, the number of workers who take part daily in bringing blueberries to the world, the largest tunnel freezer in the world, my colleague is telling me, but the indirect jobs regarding the blueberry industry is phenomenal as well. You know the Japanese are very, very fussy consumers, very, very fussy buyers and they have almost a separate line at Oxford Frozen Foods to deal with the requests and the concerns that come in - not concerns but the requests that come in for blueberries from Oxford Frozen Foods. The inspection to detail and the inspections carried out by employees - machines still can't do everything. So that's a point that I wanted to make.

As well, I do again want to point out that while the farmer feeds us all, there's a supporting cast behind the products that are being brought to us by the farmers. Now, the NSAC faculty and researchers are involved in 11 research institutes and centres that serve the agriculture industry in Atlantic Canada. The college is presently served by a corporate services unit that has responsibility for over 500 full-time employees and these are FTEs for the Department of Agriculture, but that also includes the college.

Mr. Speaker, the college does not have a full-time dedicated HR consultant in the Human Resources Department but because the unit is understaffed, the college needs are just another request in a long list of requests being made by four departments serviced by the CSU. The ability to hire faculty staff in a timelier manner in order to remain competitive with other universities is, in fact, a major concern. Government rules can hinder the process of creating a new position.

Mr. Speaker, I never thought I would stand in my place and say that but, in fact, I will acknowledge that some of the government rules that are in place do hinder the process at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College but we hope that this new legislation, Bill No. 107 - once autonomy is reached and once there's more academic freedom - that, in fact, will somewhat be mitigated, but even if there is outside funding for the new position, not necessarily is that position created as quickly as we would like to see. So we're hoping that a more expeditious process will be in place.

[Page 1961]

The college finds further impediments in the government's HR policies in hiring and retaining staff. Many of the research projects funded by outside sources are for periods of two to five years, which is not compatible with the Public Service Commission's guidelines of 11 months maximum for casual employment. Term and permanent appointments require six to 10 months to be established and filled, which is too long when meeting two-year contract needs, for example, so I do want to point that out. I think that's worth emphasizing that term and permanent appointments require six to 10 months to be established and filled, which is too long when meeting a two-year contract. Greater flexibility for casual and term employees in the research area is critical.

The new structure will see a governance by board and academic senate and president's reports to the board. The board will oversee the operation, the senate oversees academic programming and standards. The new NSAC reports through the board to the Minister of Agriculture, and the NSAC maintains its agriculture and rural focus and mandate. I think that's really important.

It wasn't too many years ago that there was discussion regarding removing the name, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, we've taken the name agriculture from that entity and I'm very pleased to say at that particular time that the Minister of Agriculture - the now Minister of Health - agreed to the requests of many members in this Nova Scotia Legislature, I would suggest, that the ability to take the name agriculture out of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College not be given because as I said earlier, the history at the college, the affinity that most faculty have with agriculture and, in fact, the affinity the alumni have with agriculture came home in spades when that issue was at the forefront.

I know, as the MLA for the beautiful Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, I received a number of communications from farmers, from alumni, from just people who felt that would be very inappropriate. How could you have an agriculture college without having the name agriculture representing it? We understand there was logic in the folks' minds who wanted to changed the name, but that logic didn't outweigh the value of retaining the name agriculture. I'm pleased to say to those who have asked informal questions about the new legislation, how does that ensure that the name agriculture stays in the name NSAC, by the very fact that we're having legislation, I trust, subsequently approved during this session that it will be spelled out in the legislation by its very name and description. In order to change it, it would have to come back to the Nova Scotia Legislature to change the name, because it's enshrined in the legislation. That concern, I believe, can be somewhat put to rest.

I know that members opposite, perhaps, have some views on that very little issue to some but at that point in time, I know a lot of folks, students, alumni from the Annapolis Valley, for example, were quite upset that proposition was being flouted and it was actually being a little more than flouted but I do want to, as well, acknowledge that there was some rationale, I guess, put forward to take the name out but, anyway, at that time it wasn't successful.

[Page 1962]

As a government-owned and operated institution, the NSAC is really not on equal footing with other similar institutions. The new governance structure will improve NSAC's ability to retain and recruit top-quality faculty and attract more research funding, recruit talented students and maintain its academic reputation. An enhanced governance model would continue to reflect the agriculture and agri-food mandate that the institution has today. Agriculture business and agriculture education and services is extremely important. As I indicated earlier on, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture not only supports this legislation - I want to say that because it's very relevant, as the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture does a lot of good work.

Mr. Speaker, you might know that this government is working with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and with the Nova Scotia Cattlemen's Association to produce a solid strategy relative to the beef commodity. I'm extremely pleased to say that my colleagues on this side of the House approved $2 million to assist the Nova Scotia cattlemen in their endeavours to sustain and work up a strategy. I'm really grateful and the farmers are grateful. As well, in support of the Nova Scotia beef farm and, in fact, in support of Atlantic Canada, my colleagues approved $2 million to support the federally-inspected beef plant in Borden.

The government has many pressures, many challenges, but I want to say that the beef commodity in Nova Scotia - we believe, and I know members opposite believe - has a bright future, it can sustain, it can be profitable. The reason I'm pointing that out is there are a number of different entities that are providing services to the beef commodity including the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, AgraPoint, and the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Speaker, did you know now that the former Maritime Cattle Market in Murrays Siding, which resides in the beautiful Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, is under ownership. The current owner of what is now called the Atlantic Stockyards Limited in Murrays Siding is a beef specialist. I know that a lot of the over 1,000 cattle producers in Nova Scotia are very pleased that Mr. Sean Firth has purchased the Atlantic Stockyards in Murrays Siding.

On this side of the House, and I think all members would support the Atlantic Stockyards becoming more contemporary, moving along to more technology, being more computerized and advancing to the point where, in fact, some of the requests Mr. Firth sees as necessary come into fruition. As well as helping the beef farmers directly, we have supported Mr. Sean Firth in his efforts to maintain the auction house. Different commodities besides beef go through the auction house in Murrays Siding. In fact, you can go there at any given time and see hay, fence posts, chickens, goats, sheep - you name it, it goes through the auction house at Atlantic Stockyards in Murrays Siding in the beautiful Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

[5:00 p.m.]

[Page 1963]

I remember just a few short years ago there was certainly another crisis facing the beef industry in Nova Scotia. I believe at least the Agriculture Critic for the Official Opposition attended the rally that was held as a regard of the BSE crisis. We all remember that fateful day - and it was fateful for many - back in May 2003 when the United States decided to close its border to beef products and live animals from Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the point I'm making about the beef strategy is, we believe by working with the beef producers in the Maritimes, and especially here in Nova Scotia, we can have a beef strategy and we can have a federally inspected plant, but we all have to work together because the cost of running, maintaining, and making the capital investments in those facilities is incredible. We don't want to find ourselves in a situation again where we are beholden to our neighbours to the south. Fine people, we support them greatly, we like to work with them, but I think most people would agree, perhaps those especially that follow the agriculture industry, that decision may have been based more on politics than, in fact, it was based on scientific evidence. I would welcome members opposite when they speak to this legislation, to perhaps expand a little bit, broaden the debate because we are talking about agriculture. Of course the new governance model and more autonomy for the AC, that's the primary reason for bringing this bill forward but in fact, we have to recognize that Canada and especially Atlantic Canada, can have successful beef producing farmers but it's going to take some work and it's going to take some investment.

This government has made the investment in the beef sector but we want them to move to models that will be successful, and they're trying to do it. We believe in branding - when I say branding I don't mean that in the physical sense, I mean it in Nova Scotia branding and buying local and Select Nova Scotia, some of those programs, Mr. Speaker. As well, I want to make it very, very clear that we do believe in the future of the beef sector in Nova Scotia. We have, in fact, invested heavily in the beef commodity and with the federally inspected plant, with our producers, we won't be in the future - should, God forbid, the border ever close again certainly it will bring many producers into peril. But what we're trying to do now is not only support our farmers, we're encouraging them through the Nova Scotia Cattlemen, to try to bring in better genetics to their herd.

We believe in the future you're going to see - as you would know, we have a number of feeder sales that take place out in Murray Siding at the Maritime Cattle Market, now the Atlantic Stockyards. I think in the future, under the guidance and leadership and ownership of Sean Firth, you will see vaccinated feeder sales. I think we all will benefit, especially the producers, Mr. Speaker, as we move forward.

You know, Mr. Speaker, I do want to point out that it's not - well, I would like to speak a little bit about the current situation at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. I'm just wondering how much more time I would have. I have just a few more comments I would like to bring to the floor, if I could. Thank you.

[Page 1964]

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable minister has nine minutes left. His time expires at 5:14 p.m.

MR. TAYLOR: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As a former Minister of Agriculture, I thank you for extending the latitude that you have, as I support this legislation and move it for second reading.

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College has suffered a decline in enrolment since the mid 1990s. From 1994 to 1998, average enrolment was 912; as I indicated, today the enrolment is 800; and enrolment in 2006-07 was 793. It also suffers in difficulties relative to recruitment and sourcing funds from other provinces and other levels of government. Mr. Speaker, the current structure of the NSAC does not fit the universal model of university governance in Canada but with this legislation, the AC will fit into what is taken as being a universal model, and we want to assist on that front.

So, Mr. Speaker, while the NSAC was initially established as a free-standing institution under the Agriculture and Marketing Act, as part of the Department of Agriculture and Marketing, the Act does not specify any governance structure for the NSAC. It was to operate as a branch of this department, of the Department of Agriculture. In that sense, it does remain an anomaly within the provincial system relative to post-secondary.

You know there have been a number of private donations made to the AC over the years but for the most part, private donors are reluctant to give to government department and research funding entities. So, Mr. Speaker, this will remove that impediment, so to speak.

Ministerial accountability limits academic freedom by professors. This is a significant impediment to recruiting and development required academic talent. Again I do want to say that I trust that when members opposite speak to this legislation that they will bring forward some of the concerns that they have and that their caucus shares with them. We certainly will be listening intently to other members in the House as they speak in what I trust will be support of this legislation but if there are legitimate concerns, I want to make if very clear that we want to continue co-operating, especially with the Agriculture Critics in the other two Parties and if there is a way, in fact, that they feel this legislation can be better, we certainly will offer to listen to the suggestions that are brought forward.

I do want to thank the members opposite before I take my place, Mr. Speaker, for taking the opportunity to come to the Department of Agriculture and sit down with staff and listen, if you will, or receive a presentation regarding the legislation because I think in that spirit in of co-operation we can see good legislation. Not only this legislation, we can see other legislation go through the Nova Scotia Legislature because I believe that is why we are all here in this House. That is for the betterment of Nova Scotians. Again, I will take my place and I so move second reading.

[Page 1965]

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants West.

MR. JOHN MACDONELL: Mr. Speaker, I will be somewhat briefer, I think, than the minister. I do want the minister to know that we do support this piece of legislation. I cannot claim to have been part of the alumni at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. I applied to the Agricultural College, they did accept me. (Interruption) I went to Acadia. I also applied to the Atlantic Veterinary College in P.E.I. and was accepted in 1994 but didn't go and so would have graduated in 1998 but got elected in 1998 and so I'm not sure if that was the road less travelled or which but anyway, it has been an education all the same.

To get to the minister's bill, we are supportive. We do see this as a step in the right direction, Mr. Minister. We think that greater autonomy for the Agricultural College is a smart move and certainly greater academic freedom. I do agree with the minister that creating some distance between the government and the institution is a good thing for perhaps a number of reasons but certainly to allow the Agricultural College to apply for funding from other sources that it may not have been able to do because of the close association with the government or actually being part of a government branch. I do see that as a much better situation.

The minister has touched on a number of things. Certainly it is my understanding that the employees - their present collective agreements and so on are going to be respected and I know that they are still working through that. Certainly that is something that would be of concern for us to ensure that whatever benefits they presently would be thinking are theirs, those are going to be maintained and at a similar cost to them. We can't say, oh yes, we will still give you this but now it is gone up by 50 per cent or some such thing.

The minister made a comment and I may not have gotten it completely correct but he seemed to indicate that there was only the ability to hire contracts for 11 months under the existing Public Service Commission. I'm just not exactly sure what I missed in that but I think the point I want to make to the minister is, I don't think that we necessarily want to see longer contracts, I think we want to see tenured positions that are protected by academic freedom. We'd like to see academic staff there have tenured positions so that they're not actually worried about those positions and not necessarily contracting out those positions for a longer period of time. We don't necessarily see that as particularly stabilizing for the institution.

I think, for us, we see this as a step forward, not a step backward. I was a little concerned in the bill where I see that the minister still has the power to appoint someone to review programs. In the thrust of the direction I see this bill going around greater autonomy for the institution, I'm a little concerned about that bit of a hold. I understand the industry's concern around the fact they want to ensure an agricultural component there. I think the minister can recognize and I think the Speaker can recognize as being a former Agriculture

[Page 1966]

Minister, that a lot about the agricultural industry in this province which has been identified as being a particularly diversified industry in Nova Scotia.

It has to do with the large number of farmers who went through the Agricultural College. We have a very educated agricultural sector. This is something we see as valuable. We're in the 21st century, if anyone was watching the CTV news last night at 11:00 p.m., talking about food crisis globally. This is an area that Canadians should be seriously thinking about - we should be supporting the agricultural sector. We have to do something around the issues relating to the value chain and getting farmers more dollars out of that value chain, instead of always applying money in the short term. I mean, short term is good, as long as you have a long term plan that comes after that.

[5:15 p.m.]

Actually, one other point I wanted to make was earlier today in the gallery we had the descendants of the British Home Children. One of the gentlemen who was in the gallery is from Cole Harbour, Melvin Harris. Melvin Harris went to the agricultural college. His father was one of the British Home Children. Melvin is probably one of the few - maybe the only - remaining person who actually sell rhubarb, go into the back door of Sobeys and deliver rhubarb because everybody else would have to go to a distribution centre and on and on it goes. But he still has that ability. Just to make that connection about what lives have been affected by the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, certainly Melvin Harris could attest to the impact of that institution on his life.

Mr. Speaker, with those comments, I want to say we're supportive, we're interested in seeing this legislation move forward through the House. We'd be interested to see what any interveners might say through the Law Amendments process and to see whether or not there are significant changes they would like to see. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West.

MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to rise and speak on this bill, a bill our caucus supports, one that we were well briefed on last year and one that we heard just about all positive comments around. It was a development whose time had come in the Province of Nova Scotia. My colleague from the official Opposition has pointed out a couple of the areas I think that are more of concern than what should be any hindrance or obstacles to a smooth transition. That is, of course, around the faculty who are there and have current contracts and contractual arrangements. Certainly, we would not want to see any lessening, any demise of the benefits that they currently have. I think as long as that concern is addressed then this piece of legislation is one that, I think, will advance the Nova Scotia Agricultural College to a better level and hopefully, a newer level of operation in the years to come.

[Page 1967]

The minister in his hour-long speech today showed that he has really arrived back in the House with a full degree of energy to put into his work, which is very good to see. So the minister did give us some history of this venerable institution, which has made a tremendous impact on the development of agriculture in this province. For that reason, it's an institution that, in receiving greater autonomy, I think, can put a new vision and a new focus. I think the Agricultural College now will attract leadership that perhaps wasn't quite as interested in coming years ago when they knew that they didn't really have full autonomy to develop programs, to expand the scope of educational programs at the college. I think that's a wonderful change that had been talked about for some time, so I think this bodes very well.

The area that it's really going to support, I think, is getting a leader, perhaps with an international scope of agriculture, one who has high credentials in research and who will, as I said, bring a new emphasis to the college. That being said as well, I think the faculty will see that they're going to be supported at a different level, especially in their research, to be able to attract, from the private sector, larger dollars, larger investments in research, than what they have had historically at the college. This is, again, going to be a very strong initiative and part of their future.

We all know that agriculture in the province has been in a bit of a steady state for the last decade or so. While there have been advances in some particular areas and some sectors have done reasonably well, we also have seen some aspects of agriculture, which were once vibrant, we've seen those go into decline. I'm hoping that a new thrust from the Agricultural College with recruitment of students, provincially in Atlantic Canada and as well, internationally - there are certainly a good number there now - but we can build up once again the student body at the Agricultural College, but it can also be a way of renewing interests in agriculture in all 18 counties of the province.

If you take a look at the early days of the Agricultural College, it was founded in 1905, when three small institutions came together. At that time, they had an outstanding outreach program where they would go around the province and demonstrate some of the work that was going on at the Agricultural College.

So that was an outreach program that enabled farmers to know how they could advance their sector with what were some of the latest things happening. We know we have many modes of communication today, but I think if the college were to engage in that kind of outreach to the farm community once again, I think it's another way of letting Nova Scotians and Atlantic Canadians know the kind of sound research and educational programs that are available. So I'm hoping that with the outstanding reputation and the need in place for the Agricultural College, that again there will be some real renewal that will go forward.

One of the areas we know in Nova Scotia that we absolutely have to rebuild is the rural economy. As the minister said today, as agriculture goes so does the rural economy. No member can stand here in the House and have an ostrich approach to what is happening and

[Page 1968]

what continues to happen in rural Nova Scotia. When you have only five counties growing their population - five counties growing their population and 13 losing their population, it would be great to see a real investment in agriculture and to see the Agricultural College take a directional shift in reaching out to developing the rural economy through their programs, educating young farmers, and clearly demonstrating that we do have to invest in growing our own food to a greater extent - and what better place than to have the Agricultural College do research around the growing, the preserving and the sustainability of agriculture here in Nova Scotia? So I'm hoping that there's going to be a real connection between some of the change that should go on now at the Agricultural College.

One of the areas that is talked about most that I think has perhaps the greatest potential is around funding for research - if funding is put to the college to expand agriculture, to change some of the ways that we are currently practicing, and to clearly show that we can once again grow a variety of other crops. Why can't we grow crops that can be preserved for longer periods of time? If we're really going to make the local food economy work for us, then I think growing crops that we currently don't grow and having them preserved through different processes is an important research part that can certainly go on at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

It's interesting that while they have 800 students there, one of the international initiatives that I believe can help the enrolment go back to its former levels - if not exceed the numbers that have been there in the past - is the agreement that has been made with countries like China, where at a college in China a student will receive their first two general years of a science and agriculture related program and then come to the Agricultural College for their final two years and receive a degree from NSAC. So I believe those kinds of agreements need now to be expanded and I'm hoping again that as the institution gains greater autonomy that it will be one of the areas of emphasis.

One of the areas as well, in Nova Scotia that they need to embark on is educating the current student population that we have in our high schools - I know especially in our agriculture zones - about the programs that are offered. There are many students who know a bit about the Agricultural College because their father or a relative come from a farm family or a farm background and they know some of the programs. The minister tonight outlined the wide variety of offerings that the Nova Scotia Agricultural College has, but I think there are many students who don't have a sense of all that is offered there. I believe if those kinds of opportunities were brought into the high schools of Nova Scotia, I think we would see a greater uptake on the course offerings that are there.

One of the concerns that many former graduates of the Agricultural College had was the possibility of a change of name - the minister also referred to that in his deliberation. It's one that when that arose a few years ago I know I had a major concern about, I heard a lot of discussion in the Annapolis Valley and felt that there was so much that was embraced by the Agricultural College that to change the name was definitely the wrong direction. When

[Page 1969]

I first heard that Bill No. 107 was coming in related to the Agricultural College and its governance, that was one of the worries that I did have, that perhaps the name change would be brought back to the floor of the Legislature. I did have some very major concerns about that.

One of the messages perhaps that I should in my time here pass on to the Minister of Education that she may or may not be aware of and that is, when the first students arrived at the Agricultural College when it received its mandate in 1905, was that the tuition was free. The tuition at the Agricultural College was free and maybe that will be one of the ways in which we can again look at getting more students from rural Nova Scotia to attend the Agricultural College. I'm sure the minister will be quick to make a comment on that.

[5:30 p.m.]

There are a lot of areas that I believe the Agricultural College could really make a strong mark. While it is currently highly regarded, we need to take a look at the initiatives that are needed around biofuels, environmental connections to agriculture, using all of the waste product that there is in growing a crop. Really attracting solid research that could potentially relate to the development of agri-business - as we're going to need that research to spawn and to initiate other agri-businesses in Nova Scotia. We all hear about university research and the incubation of potential industries, but when it comes to growing our food and when we take a look at some of the world class products that we produce here - again referenced by the minister today - when we take a look at blueberries, now we're seeing a need to expand our cranberry production. There's no question that you have about 10 degrees of latitude on the earth's surface to grow cranberries. This is one of the prime areas of the world for the growing of cranberries. We're now finding that cranberries, much like blueberries, have a great deal of antioxidants and micronutrients that, again, can be one of those crops that Nova Scotia should be looking at expanding and putting on the world market.

There is a huge demand. This year the price was very, very high, because we not only had the companies that produce cranberry juice, fresh cranberries and a whole array of cranberry products, but this year you had pharmaceutical companies that were coming in to the growers and offering them prime price because they were going to be put into different supplements. I think, in Nova Scotia, those are some of the edge areas that haven't been advanced to a great extent that we can absolutely capture more agri-dollars from.

One of the areas that I was hoping the minister would comment on, when he was making general comments around agriculture, I was hoping he would refer to one of the real challenges, especially on all farms, but for the mixed farm operation, the family farm - the price of diesel this year is a major concern. I've had a number of farmers contact my office, contact me as the Agriculture Critic, that they have crops that have very, very low margins. One of the names that may have come up in this House before is farmer/golf course

[Page 1970]

developer, Gerry Fulton. Gerry has decided not to put in 600 acres of carrots this year because, as he calculated the inputs to his margins, he has decided that this last year was his last crop.

I know the government has supported the cattle farmers both through their investment in P.E.I., as well as local beef farmers in Nova Scotia with a $2 million fund that will be distributed, that comes out to about $51 for a breeder head of cattle, which we know is so, so minimal. I know there will be cattle producers in my area that this will be their last calving season - they'll be getting out of the business. Prices are just so low at the current time and there is simply no money for them to make. Those who have a mixed operation will have a chance of success and staying in agriculture.

So while this bill is a lot about the autonomy of the university and the impact that will have, it's also an important time to talk about agriculture, generally, and the current state that we are experiencing in the province.

I believe that with the rich history and how the Nova Scotia Agricultural College has been able to attract, again, some top professors and research people, that it can be an instrument for change in agriculture in our province. I'm hoping that this initiative, while it seems on paper a very, very small one, I'm hoping the kind of leadership that now will be attracted to the college, the academic freedom that will be able to be expanded upon, in my view, it could be a real watershed time for the Agricultural College to spring more life into the agricultural sector.

With those remarks - I know my colleague, and the member opposite, as well, want to make a few remarks on this bill - as the time closes, I will take my place, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants West.

MR. CHUCK PORTER: Mr. Speaker, given that this bill is agricultural, I couldn't let the opportunity pass to say a few words, coming from the western end of the province as well where we've certainly had a great agricultural industry in our area, all throughout the Valley and around the province. Specifically, one other thing about that area is we've hosted the agricultural fair, the longest-running in this province - it only seems fitting to mention that as well. That involves a great number of things, 4-H and a number of groups that come and enjoy each and every year, time spent in our area and learning more about agriculture, a lot of them going on to the Agricultural College and still there and taking part in these events.

Something else - I'm not sure how many in this House would recognize - is that the first recorded attempt at agriculture in Nova Scotia came back in 1789, which was established in Horton, Kings County, the colonial societies back then. Also at the same time, the establishment of the Central Board of Agriculture in Halifax, so a lot of history there. It

[Page 1971]

just goes to show you in this province how long it has been going on, attempts at farming anyway. In 1885, the government of the day decided perhaps they should form a Department of Agriculture and did just that. It has had its successes and it certainly has had its struggles, there's no question about that, over the years.

In our area, Kings and Hants Counties, Colchester and Cumberland as well, our top four agriculture producing counties in this province, we've got 5,000 mature cows making Hants County one of the biggest production areas of dairy. Whether you are visiting on open farm day or you're dropping in on anything from apples, to cattle, to dairy, to whatever it might be, there are a number of farmers in my area. I've got Barry Maxner in Falmouth who is a big producer, the Moshers, the Knowles and others but they're just a few and I want to remind members that, just in those few, there is enough milk to provide a cup-and-a-half a day to the residents of Halifax County. That's a lot of milk and we don't realize how much is being produced locally.

Others in the area, we talk a lot about hockey in Hants County, we're big on that, too, but we also have another great industry that is pumpkins. Howard Dills farm, world records have been set and continue to be set but Howie led the way. In his later years, he continues to take part in these events and his family and that has been a huge industry for this province. The tourism that comes out there to Howie Dill's farm is amazing the number of visitors each and every year. The schools that go there to learn about the traditions of growing pumpkins and all of these things that surround such a simple thing, it's not just about Halloween.

Sainte-Famille Wines is out there in Upper Falmouth, Doug and Suzanne Corkum lead the way in cultivation of grapes used in our local wine; some of the best Nova Scotian wines. We certainly have a great deal to do with Nova Scotian wines and we've got great producers here. It continues to be a thriving industry. At a Resources Committee meeting not so long ago, we learned of the potential for the grapes and the wine industry in the Annapolis Valley and the southwestern end of Nova Scotia, huge.

Other things that we do in this province with regard to poultry in Kings County, lots of numbers in poultry - a quarter million turkeys are produced down there every year. In fact, 43 million kilograms of chicken - good old-fashioned chicken - are produced from 20 million chickens under 84 registered growers and producers. I don't care what anyone else says, you can't beat Nova Scotia chicken. Just ask the folks down in Port Williams at the Fire Department that produce and have great fundraisers each and every year by way of that and things like that.

Two hundred-sixty seven dairy farmers in Nova Scotia recently donated 168, 25 kilogram bags of skim milk to Feed Nova Scotia in April - again, enough milk for 183,000 one-cup servings. We forget about that part of it and the people who do take part in what the farmers do besides the everyday that we think is out there, the donations and things they're

[Page 1972]

involved with in communities. (Interruptions) Which one? Curry's farm, a number of years ago, it's been a long time. We still have a few of those old time farmers around - McNeil's, Dill's and a few others, Wilson's, for sure.

Thanks to my honourable colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, who did a great job earlier in introducing this bill, we'll provide funding for Nova Scotia's beef industry that will help the sector move toward greater economic sustainability. The $1.9 million will go directly to producers through the Department of Agriculture's programs and business risk management division.

We recognize that Nova Scotia cattle producers needed a plan for their future while department staff are currently working with the Nova Scotia cattle producers to develop a long-term vision and a strategy for this province. The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers is committed to working on the development of a solid strategic plan that we expect to have ready in the near future. The minister and specifically our government feel this package, along with the recent investment in the Borden plant, demonstrates our confidence in Nova Scotia's beef sector. Our Premier and our government are committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of the agriculture industry in this province.

It has been a pleasure to speak this afternoon for just a few minutes on the agriculture industry, the college in general, the importance of it and the ongoing need to keep that vibrant university where students participate and learn applied life sciences and related fields, hundreds of students each year taking part.

With that, I know there are others who do want to speak and I'll say thank you and take my seat.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Labour and Workforce Development.

HON. MARK PARENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm very happy to speak to this bill and to speak to the value of the Agricultural College. I have many, many residents, many neighbours who have attended the Agricultural College and have benefitted from it, bringing back their expertise to the Valley. I think of young people who followed in the tradition of their parents going there and who have enriched the Valley. The Valley is the third most productive agricultural area in the whole country.

The Agricultural College, although it's in Truro, not in the Valley, is an important institution. There are many families - the Rand family, for example, my neighbours down the road - where it's considered a tradition that your children go to the Agricultural College because of the importance of farming in the Annapolis Valley.

[Page 1973]

So the training they receive at the Agricultural College is invaluable. The relationships that they make at the Agricultural College are invaluable. The research that's done at the Agricultural College is invaluable as well.

I didn't realize the extent of the research at the Agricultural College until I went on a trip with Mike Whalen. Mike is the husband of the member for Halifax Clayton Park and at one time was Director of International Affairs at the Agricultural College and is now at Mount Saint Vincent University. He and I were over in Abu Dhabi together on another trip. I value my associations with Mike and there's not a lot of agriculture in Abu Dhabi so I won't talk about that.

[5:45 p.m.]

Nevertheless, I do want to talk about Mike Whalen because Mike was the one who educated me when he was working at the Agricultural College about the enormous investment the school does in research and development in agricultural products and agricultural industries. That's key to the new Nova Scotia as we are moving beyond a commodity sort of market in agriculture to a value-added market, to many different ways in which agricultural products can have value added to them.

For that to happen, the Agricultural College is a key player along with the federal government's presence in Kentville, Nova Scotia - in my own riding. The research and development that's done is so important and in Nova Scotia we're very fortunate that we have 11 academic institutions on the post-secondary level which engage in this research and development.

So, Mike Whalen was telling me about all the different projects that were being done in R&D at the Agricultural College and the enormous reach the college had in terms of international contacts throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, that was something that was new to me, because what I'd known about the Agricultural College was through the countless number of constituents in Kings North who would attend that college and come back and either work on the farm or have a farm on the side, as many of them have had, and they'd tell me about the school and they had a very warm spot for it, as I said a tradition in many families in my area who go to that school, that's their first choice. I wasn't aware of the international reach that the Agricultural College had and I wasn't aware of the research and development that it had.

Mr. Speaker, talking about research and development makes me think of another school that maybe isn't heralded as much as it should be, because I think the Agricultural College hasn't received sort of a credit that it deserves and that other school is the Centre for the Study of Geographical Sciences in Lawrencetown, in the riding of the Leader of the Liberal Party. That, too, is a jewel within the crown of the Nova Scotia educational system. The research and development that goes on at COGS in Lawrencetown, too, is second to

[Page 1974]

none. In fact, their graduates are hot commodities in the world market and they are snapped up by companies in the United States. In California, there's almost a sort of standing offer to any graduate from COGS. We're trying hard to keep them, to stay in this wonderful province of Nova Scotia, Mr. Speaker.

I know you're very interested in hearing my elaborations about this and this is keeping everyone riveted to their seat but it is important stuff, Mr. Speaker. This reminds me of when I was preaching and I would see people nodding off in the pew. Now that really didn't happen - I was a better preacher than that, at least I hope.

Mr. Speaker, what we're talking about is very, very important material and that's the research and development that's done at our academic institutions, particularly, in this case, at the Agricultural College.

We're entering a period that's going to be very, very interesting in regard to food and food production. We're entering a period and many people have talked about the end of cheap food. That's a phrase that you read. I read an article in The Economist, it was on the front cover of The Economist just recently. Clearly there is a shift going on in terms of the food industry and what's happening in regard to food prices.

We need to be well-positioned here, Mr. Speaker, in the Province of Nova Scotia to embrace the changes and to profit from them. I personally think that we can do so. I think one of the changes that is affecting food prices is the diversion of corn into corn ethanol, something that I'm not in favour of, at least in regard to its impact on the environment because it's not an environmentally good form of ethanol. I think that has received maybe too much attention because the real reason for the change in food prices is more environmental factors such as the lack of rain and changing rainfall patterns brought about by climate change.

In Australia, for instance, they've had an ongoing drought for about three to four years that The Economist states is taking one full per cent off the GDP of Australia's economy year after year. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I wouldn't want to take the opportunity to speak away from anyone else so I will pause in my comments upon the GDP of the country of Australia and take my seat.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you. The honourable member for Halifax Clayton Park.

MS. DIANA WHALEN: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I certainly had wanted to say a few words about the high quality of the Agricultural College and of its staff, present and past. I wanted to thank the member opposite, the Minister of Environment, for speaking about the contribution that my husband has made to the Agricultural College - a little personal. At the same time, I've had a long interest in the educational environment in this province and I think that anything we do that improves the quality and improves the

[Page 1975]

capacity of our universities to meet the needs of today, of the modern needs of our students, is important. The changes that are before us will change the governance. I know that earlier presidents of the college have asked for these changes and wanted the university to be more flexible, to have a governance model that would allow them to operate like other universities. It's a little more independence with the ability particularly to have the academic freedom that other professors enjoy in other universities.

I noted in the initial comments by the minister that he referred to their ability to own their research and profit as well from the work that they do. The Agricultural College has been remarkably successful for a very small institution in earning national research grants. Their percentage has been very high for the number of staff that they have there and they've been very successful in that regard. So it's important that they can work on that, own their own intellectual property and help to commercialize it and support not only the agriculture community but many other areas as well. Certainly their strength has been in agriculture but they do many other programs, which were mentioned by the minister and actually have a very high standard for the admission of students. They set a very high standard and attract very good students and as a result as well have wonderful graduates. So they are an institution that all of us, whether or not we represent rural ridings, all of us can be very proud of the contribution of those students as they go forward and contribute in the province. So I simply wanted to again give my support to Bill No. 107 and reiterate that these are very positive and forward moving changes.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

HON. JAMES MUIR: Mr. Speaker, I'm delighted as well to take the floor to speak in favour of this bill and indeed speak in favour of the continual progress in the academic excellence of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. I have been in this House for 10 years and one of the first groups that I met 10 years ago when I became an MLA was the former vice-principal of the NSAC and they had done a report on governance.

Although the institution is a remarkable research institution for its size and indeed the awards that its faculty get in what it does for the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia, and indeed across Atlantic Canada and internationally, is remarkable. It is a true jewel and what this legislation will do primarily is enable it to do its job better. Being inside government and I can tell you from experience, because I did the same thing with another institution, there are limitations that you're subjected to. There are benefits but there are limitations. For example, this is an institution which serves Atlantic Canada. If one of their faculty wants to go to Sackville, New Brunswick, to the agricultural lab up there, the Minister of Agriculture, my colleague, the member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, has to go sign the travel form.

[Page 1976]

There are other things, being inside government, that do restrict an academic institution. I say there are strengths and this is really what this legislation will do, simply enable it to serve better and I want to remind members of this House, although we hear a whole lot about technology and broadband and all of this, one of the extremely important things, indeed it may be the most important thing that this world is facing right now, is how to deal with the food shortage, the food crisis and the changes. One just has to look at the international news the past couple of days where the price of rice in Taiwan is doubling. They're having food riots and the importance of agriculture in our society and worldwide is unquestioned.

Indeed there are so many remarkable things that go on at the Agricultural College and, Mr. Speaker, you well know many of them, having been Minister of Agriculture, we just have to enable that institution to do its job a little bit easier, yet continue the excellence for students and for agriculture that it does.

One of the significant things that happened this past year- and some of you may have investments in the stock market - one of the things that did impress me last year is that a person that I know is setting up agricultural funds. You know they would have funds in energy, or funds in something else, and now they have funds in agriculture. When they start creating mutual funds for agriculture, you know how important it is becoming to this world.

Mr. Speaker, the changes that are recommended are going to make the Agricultural College even stronger it will enable the people who work there to do their work more effectively and more efficiently. It will be good for the students, the changes will be good for the students and it will be good for our province. I could probably speak for a long while about the strengths of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the contribution that it has made not only to our province but to Canada and elsewhere. In terms of research, it is among the top universities in Canada. Research dollars per professor probably just about the top in the country. Mr. Speaker, remarkable and sadly relatively unknown and this change in Legislation will enable the college to make it known to more people.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to close by saying how much I think that this Legislation is needed and I hope that it will have a speedy passage through the other sections of the Legislative process. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: If I recognize the minister it will be to close the debate.

The honourable Minister of Agriculture.

HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all members for bringing forward their positive comments on Bill No. 107 and I'm delighted to move second reading of Bill No. 107.

[Page 1977]

MR. SPEAKER: The motion is for second reading on Bill No. 107. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

Ordered that this bill be referred to the Committee on Law Amendments.

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, that concludes the government's business for today. I move that the House do now rise and meet on the morrow at the hour of 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Following the Daily Routine, the order of business will be Public Bills for Second Reading starting with Bill No. 124, 117, 120, 123, 125, and 126. I move the House do now rise.

MR. SPEAKER: The motion before the House is to rise and meet again tomorrow at the hour of 9:00 a.m. The motion is to adjourn.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

[6:00 p.m.]

The adjournment motion was submitted by the honourable member for Dartmouth North:

"Therefore be it resolved that the government lift the moratorium on paving of graveled roads and immediately bring heavily travelled gravel roads up to acceptable paved standard so they can be used safely by residents, school buses and businesses."

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Shelburne.

TIR: GRAVEL RDS. - PAVE

[Page 1978]

MR. STERLING BELLIVEAU: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the MLA for Dartmouth North for submitting this particular topic tonight. I'd like to reiterate for the Speaker, "Therefore be it resolved that the government lift the moratorium on paving of graveled roads and immediately bring heavily travelled gravel roads up to acceptable paved standard so they can be used safely by residents, school buses and businesses."

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I've been waiting for several months to bring this topic and have the opportunity to speak to my colleagues from all over Nova Scotia on this important topic. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring your attention to the Premier's statement that Nova Scotia's Premier has said a number of times that no Nova Scotians will be left behind. Well, the people of the South Shore of Nova Scotia have been left behind when it comes to highways and road repairs, especially for new pavement on heavily travelled gravel roads. I just want to table the statement from the Minister of Transportation regarding their response to people's concerns on gravel roads.

It's interesting to note when it comes to people living on gravel roads, the residents, who pay taxes, live on these gravel roads in communities like East Sable, Port L'Hebert, Clyde River in Shelburne County. Mr. Speaker, I feel it is important that these communities and other communities throughout Nova Scotia and across Nova Scotia need to be identified. For the past 10 years, this government has been in power and their priorities have been given to existing paved roads and not one penny would go to new paving of gravel roads. People just simply feel as though they are second-class citizens.

However, we need to look back over the last winter and this season and we have witnessed not one, not two, but three thaws and to me this is interesting because we talked about climate change here a number of times and we have seen residents and their hardships, buses being hauled off by emergency vehicles reluctant to travel these roads, from garbage collections being hauled off and it just keeps on going and going.

The people in these particular areas who travel these roads - one particular instance, a medical nurse had to pay an individual who had a four-wheel drive to take her back and forth to work; also, residents who had, or thought they were having a heart attack, refused to call the ambulance simply because they did not feel that they had to travel over such road conditions; also, an incident of a resident who lost the sale of their property, their house, because of these road conditions. To me, this is simply unacceptable. Let's still remember that not one penny for new pavement has been put on these roads over the last 10 years.

I just want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that the residents of Shelburne County and, I think, people across Nova Scotia, have endured a lot of hardships and I just want to briefly take you to a storyteller in Nova Scotia, Laurent d'Entremont, who tells a number of stories. I think he is frequently on CBC, if my memory serves me correctly. Mr. d'Entremont has told a number of stories over the past years, in particular of how people worked on roads back 75 years ago. It was an interesting story so I made note of that and I recall that Mr. d'Entremont

[Page 1979]

talked about, at that time, 75 years ago, if you were on the right side of politics, it was automatic that you would receive a job each Fall working on the road. Interesting story, because at that time they had no more than a simple ox team and each year they looked forward to this, if you can paint the scenario of this individual having a job on the road and he has his oxen ready to go.

I want to quote you a paragraph from Mr. d'Entremont's stories. This was 75 years ago. "The Liberals were in power and a man who got the job was a Grit. This was the way it was supposed to be but he had made one mistake. His friend, who had the only ox to complete the team, was a Tory. For this reason, the mixed team was no longer allowed on the road job. This is probably the only time in history when a man lost his job on account of his ox voting the wrong way."

I want to highlight that because I think it is a very unique story and I want to tie that into the present day that even the simple oxen - and I am going to submit and I am going to table some letters from the residents of Shelburne County on East Sable Road and I encourage the members here to have a look at the pictures, have a look and read the letters because the point that I'm trying to make, Mr. Speaker, is that the oxen, a simple team of oxen, are going to have difficulty, if you look at the pictures and observe them closely, would have difficulty traveling those highways at this particular year, and we're asking the people of Shelburne County to put their children on a school bus that can't stop outside their doors, and they're required to transport them 10 kilometres up to the nearest piece of pavement. That is simply unacceptable.

I may add that the oxen worked for two days or three days before some clever person realized that that was not a politically correct team. Those two days that the oxen worked, they contributed more to the 10 years of this government that has contributed to paving on gravel roads, and the people are still waiting for this policy to change. I can tell you that you think the people are going to be left behind, you come and knock on the doors with me on those gravel roads and they'll soon show you who is left behind.

Mr. Speaker, I can sit here and I can probably go into great detail - what words can I get to capture the attention of my colleagues here in this House? I travel all those roads, I travel them, and it came to me one afternoon. There was a picture on this particular road, on East Sable Road, there was a sign there and I took notice of it. The sign read simply this: "ABANDONED ROAD, GOD HELP US". This is what we've asked people to understand about the policy of this government, and they have felt abandoned, they have felt left behind and the picture says it all, GOD HELP US. Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you. The honourable Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

[Page 1980]

HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, I certainly look forward to taking part in the debate tonight. You know, before I get into my comments about the issues before us tonight, I just want to bring the House back to something said earlier here today by the Leader of the Opposition, whom I have the most respect for. His words were, spending is easy. You can go in Hansard and you will see that the honourable Leader of the Opposition said spending is easy. And spending is easy when you're not accountable for it.

I have requests from members in this House, I have letters I can show you where they're asking not only to repave roads but to actually strip down to the foundation of the road and rebuild a road. Now, Mr. Speaker, do you know what that would cost per kilometre, paying $250 for paving? So probably $1 million a kilometre.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we're in the House here debating whether we should pave all the gravel roads in this province. You know, to me, being in government means being accountable to the people, absolutely, but it also means being responsible for the dollars that we've been given to spend. I would love to be able to stand here tonight and say to every member in this House, all the requests that are coming to us, I'd love to be able to say yes, we'll do it for you. Unfortunately, being in government means sometimes you have to say no.

Now I've been in this Legislature for 10 years, and I've been here for 10 years with the honourable Leader of that Party, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, not once in 10 years have I heard an issue brought before this House by an individual, by an organization, by a community, by a group, by a member from over there, that they've stood up and said, sorry, we cannot do it. It's yes to everything.

I had asked you this, which roads in your riding do you not want repaved so you can pave gravel roads? Which ones are they? Which ones do you not want paved so you can pave gravel roads? It's making choices, Mr. Speaker. We have so much money to work with, we are making a list of priorities, it is about prioritizing your spending. It is very easy to sit across here and say do this and do that, repave this, pave that, take the road back to the gravel bed and rebuild it. It is very easy to say that. Pave all the gravel roads. Very easy to say it. I have gravel roads in my own riding. I have told the people who have asked me that, I have been honest with them and looked them in the eye and said do you know what, unfortunately we cannot pave that road. We cannot pave it.

When we have secondary roads that have been neglected for 50 or 60 years that I am trying in my own area - and I know members across there have, as well - to have those roads repaved. Unfortunately, some day you have to look in the eye of a voter and be honest with them and say do you know what? It is not realistic to have this road paved because we have major routes and trunks that need to be repaved.

[Page 1981]

Mr. Speaker, just back to the information, I know there were some questions today around the research of the honourable member's Party and the honourable member, I think I heard him say there were three freeze and thaws this winter. This has been an extraordinarily hard winter on our highways in this province. I will table this document. Actually, if their researchers would look a little further, they would find in November 2007 there were zero freeze and thaws and in 2008 there were 10. In December 2007 there were 19, in 2008 there were 33. In January, there were 14 last year and this year there were 28. February, 23 last year, 48 this year. We have had double the freeze and thaws throughout this year than we had in the year previous and I think that document well shows. I think the research of the honourable member's Party would show that it is quite a bit more than three. It is probably 30 times three.

Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I do want to say that I am very proud of this government. In fact, I am proud that next Tuesday our Minister of Finance will be standing in this House and for the seventh consecutive time we will be presenting a balanced budget in this province. You know, that is not done by telling everybody in this province yes to everything they want. That is not by telling people there is a chicken in every pot. It's about telling people there is prioritizing our spending. We will do the best we can with their dollars and we will spend their dollars where they want us to and do you know why? That is why we are sitting over here and they are sitting over there.

Mr. Speaker, we are committed and I am proud to be the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. I have big shoes to follow. My predecessor, I know, did a great job but I am trying. We are committed to maintaining and improving our roads in this province. As the members opposite would know, we manage 23,000 kilometres of roads and 4,100 bridges. That's a lot of roads and a lot of bridges. We know how important and I know how important the road system in Nova Scotia is to our economy, to our communities and especially to our people because I come from a rural riding as well that I can tell you for many, many, many years had neglected roads.

I believe, Mr. Speaker, we have demonstrated our commitment by growing budgets and significant infrastructure developments right across this province. Even though I know the previous speaker mentioned it was otherwise, we have made significant contributions to budgets for infrastructure in this province. In fact, since 1999 our government has focused on transportation and we have increased our capital budget for roads and bridges from $44 million a year, which is what it was when we came into government, to $160 million this past year. That's four times as much.

[6:15 p.m.]

AN HON. MEMBER: Repeat that again. That's worth repeating, $44 million to what?

[Page 1982]

MR. SCOTT: From $44 million in 1999 to $160 million in the past year, almost four times as much, Mr. Speaker, on infrastructure and roads and bridges in this province. This has led to (Interruption)

Do you hear that, Mr. Speaker? That's the answer. Not enough. Just bring more money in. Sure, spend more money, don't worry about it. Well, I challenge the members opposite to stand and tell me, are you taking it from health care? Are you going to take it from the emergency closures we heard you all talk about today? Where are you going to take it from if there is so much money to spend?

AN HON. MEMBER: Bring in the taxes.

MR. SCOTT: That's right. You have two choices. You can cut or you can increase taxes. Now, Mr. Speaker, there is no other way around it so I would like to have the members opposite tell me. Are you going to spend more money, which I hear them saying to me over across the way? Where is the money going to come from? Tell your constituents where you are going to take the money from. Tell us where you are taking it from.

Mr. Speaker, we are providing smoother rides from Yarmouth to Sydney and the Premier has made a commitment from twinning and modernizing highways by the year 2020 and we are going to meet that commitment. In fact, you know I believe we are benefiting from historic partnerships with the federal government, something I know the members opposite complain about a lot but you know we are forming partnerships. We formed them with municipal governments and we formed them with the federal government. We are meeting the challenges with regard to infrastructure in our province as a result of that.

Mr. Speaker, this includes very important work that is going on. For example, twinning Highway No. 101 between Falmouth and Hantsport. Also, we are twinning work on Highway No. 104 between New Glasgow and Sutherlands River and a new Highway No. 104 project was announced by Antigonish, I believe, by the former minister. Do you know, even without the capital money, we're making huge investments and huge progress in regard to our secondary roads throughout the province and that's through the RIM program, which has made a noticeable difference improving roads over the past several years, especially in rural areas of Nova Scotia. That budget has increased from $9 million in 2000 and in this past year it was $20 million.

We know there are significant needs across the province and we're working hard to meet those needs. I'm pleased to say - and the members opposite can say what they want, but these are facts and I know their research is a little off and I'll give them a copy if they wish so they can correct the facts for them - that the five-year trend from a road safety survey tells us, Nova Scotians - now we're not saying this and they're not saying this - tell us they notice and value the improvements we have been able to make in roads since this government has been in. That's Nova Scotians saying that.

[Page 1983]

When I came to this Legislature 10 years ago - my office will verify this and you can be sure of it - 60, 70, maybe 80 per cent of the phone calls we would get would be in regards to roads. Ten years later, I'm honoured to say, as a result of the efforts of this government, we still get calls, sure I get calls. I get calls like the honourable member mentioned about some gravel roads and I still get calls about some of the secondary roads, but I can tell you, our routes, our trunks and our 100-series highway through Cumberland County are a far cry better today than they were 10 years ago when we took over.

The Premier has made a commitment that we are going to keep - that in four years, we will repave 2,000 kilometers of roads in Nova Scotia. This is the third year of that commitment and we are on target to meet that and we will meet it this year and next year as well, I can tell you that.

I heard here earlier today, mention of the gas tax. One cent on the gas tax equals $12 million, four cents would be almost $50 million. Where would you take that money from? What roads are you not going to do when you're asking us to do more? All the money we collect from the gas tax and all the money we collect from the Registry of Motor Vehicles fees go into highways. It went into highways last year and plus we put an additional, several tens of millions of dollars over and above that. How's that for a commitment to rural Nova Scotia and the roads in Nova Scotia?

Mr. Speaker, I know I'm getting the sign that my time is almost up but I do want to say we are improving roads in this province and we are making significant investments, we're working with our federal and municipal partners, we're exploring innovative ways to get this work done and I'm very proud to say that I'm the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal of this government, which I'm very proud of and I can tell you we're on target to make our commitments as we always have and the roads are better as a result of this government and it would be a lot worse with that crowd over there.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West.

MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. I guess I'll go from the macro to the micro because the minister gave us the big picture of dealing with roads in the province and obviously April is a month when we see perhaps the worst in what roads have deteriorated through the winter months. I can speak with a degree of expertise about gravel roads because for the last 26 years I have lived on a gravel road and so I know all the intricacies of what happens through all of the seasons of the year. The one thing, however, I would have to say in observing over those 26 years, it is a road that traverses over the North Mountain and it is one of the few North Mountain routes going to the Bay of Fundy off the Valley floor that is left to be paved.

My observation, however, over the years, would be taking a look at the amount of money that has been put in to maintain that road. That in itself causes me to take a look and

[Page 1984]

say, well, if it were sand-sealed or if it were a double-chip seal, would it be, in fact, a real strong investment. The number of times that it has had to be regravelled, cross-cuts of culverts to deal with the drainage of the road where we had washouts. So that is one of the questions that definitely, I think, we need to pose about gravel roads.

The other issue that I do hear from time to time - and there was a section of road that I brought to the attention of the deputy minister regarding the North River Road, and it was an area where school bus drivers and a couple of ambulance trips did show some real cause for concern with particular wear in the road and the angle of the curves and so forth that had been changed by the travel over the particular gravel road. So I think at times we do need to take a look at particular sections of roads or roads in themselves that are gravel and say perhaps things have changed considerably.

Again, this particular road, the West Black Rock Road, is a great example of where the demographic has changed considerably and it now has become really a connector road from that whole southern part of East Dalhousie - Lake Paul, Lake Torment, these areas which have become significant, year-round living communities. One time they were cottage country and now the baby boomers are winterizing the cottages, modernizing them and living there year-round. So that's the kind of thing that I think sometimes we need to take a look at - travel patterns have changed significantly, safety is an issue and we need to reconsider perhaps doing something of a permanent nature with these roads.

One of the processes that I will offer to the minister which has changed throughout the Annapolis Valley - and maybe there are some other areas of the province - and that is moving away from sand seal roads. There used to be a lot of roads in the Annapolis Valley where a sand seal was put down and some of these roads now - the process was done 25 or 30 years ago - are still holding reasonably well with some patching and spreader patching.

At one time we had the plants that put out the tar and the sand, and it's a much cheaper process. I believe there are still some roads that could benefit from that particular process in holding the roadbed in place where you wouldn't have as much wear, as much tear and as much breakdown of a road which leads to, I think, more expense in the long run. It's a process that I would like to see government take another strong look at, a re-evaluation of that process. So that, I would indeed offer.

There is one road that I did want to bring to the floor of the House because it's a gravel road that went bad when trying to make improvements and do good. It's a road called the West Black Rock Road, which is in the Kings West area, that comes off a road that divides Kings North and Kings West. About four years ago a gravel was put on the road that either was not properly monitored by Lafarge or by DOT managers and almost the entire consistency was rock which would be the size of your index finger and a lot sharper - the entire rock that was spread on the road.

[Page 1985]

At the time I lobbied here in the House, as some of the members may remember, as well as the Official Opposition, that people were having to change tires because these rocks would get imbedded and break the steel belt and were, of course, no longer any good. But the department, DOT and their insurance did come through and support 100 residents with compensation, which doesn't happen often. But that part was a good news story; however the bad news about that road is that every time you need maintenance on the road and the maintainer goes out and resmooths the top of the road, it brings some of these rocks back to the surface. As late as the last couple of months, actually through this winter - and again the minister did refer to the phenomena that we experienced, which was tremendous amounts of freezing and thawing. With some of the grading to get the snow and ice off the road, it brought some of these sharps up and they actually froze and penetrated right in the road. Through this winter we got calls when we really shouldn't have about flat tires that were being experienced.

So that is still going on and, you know, it may require a more permanent solution because those sharps are there as part of the roadbed and those are the kinds of things that I think we do need sometimes to take a look at.

The one thing that I wanted to conclude my remarks on today is that in my area, as an MLA, the same manager has been at the Berwick base, the manager there, his assistant, and most of the people have been there. In fact, when I first came to this House, I lobbied for the bleeding to stop in terms of losing positions at the Berwick base, because I think we need to maintain a professional staff in these bases across the province. I would continue to lobby hard for that. In terms of the personnel who are there, in my closing minute, I do want to commend them for the professional work that they do. We have a lot of rural gravel roads in Kings County. Just by the nature of being one of the most rural farm communities in the province, there are a tremendous amount of kilometres and the seasonal work that's done to keep them in as reasonable shape as possible is indeed to be commended.

With that, offering those who work at the Berwick base my accommodation for their daily and seasonal work is indeed worthy of note.

MR. SPEAKER: I want to thank all of the honourable members for having taken part in tonight's late debate. The motion for adjournment was made earlier.

The House stands adjourned until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.

[The House rose at 6:30 p.m.]

[Page 1986]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

RESOLUTION NO. 1808

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Daryl L. Sullivan has been recognized by the Town of Windsor, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Daryl L. Sullivan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1809

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a following day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Kevin Lewis has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Richmond, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kevin Lewis for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1987]

RESOLUTION NO. 1810

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Meghan Detheridge has been recognized by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Meghan Detheridge for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1811

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Ann Marion Willis has been recognized by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Ann Marion Willis for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1988]

RESOLUTION NO. 1812

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Kilmer Meagher has been recognized by the Town of Port Hawkesbury, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kilmer Meagher for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1813

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Donald A. MacLellan has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Inverness, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Donald A. MacLellan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1989]

RESOLUTION NO. 1814

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Amy MacKinnon has been recognized by Victoria County, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Amy MacKinnon for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1815

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Leon Bonang has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Leon Bonang for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1990]

RESOLUTION NO. 1816

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Lynn Garagan has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Lynn Garagan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1817

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Mary Eden Bassett has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mary Eden Bassett for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1991]

RESOLUTION NO. 1818

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Kim Briand has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kim Briand for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1819

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Brenda Saunders-Todd has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Brenda Saunders-Todd for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1992]

RESOLUTION NO. 1820

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas D. Lynn Demont has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate D. Lynn Demont for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1821

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Dorothee Elisabeth Conrad has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Dorothee Elisabeth Conrad for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1993]

RESOLUTION NO. 1822

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Liam (Billy) Murphy has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Liam (Billy) Murphy for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1823

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Jonathan T. Keijser has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jonathan T. Keijser for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1994]

RESOLUTION NO. 1824

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Dr. Adam Sarty has been recognized by the Halifax Regional Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Dr. Adam Sarty for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1825

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Mike Woolridge has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of East Hants, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mike Woolridge for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1995]

RESOLUTION NO. 1826

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Jean Miller has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jean Miller for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1827

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Beverley Clarke has been recognized by the Town of Parrsboro, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Beverley Clarke for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1996]

RESOLUTION NO. 1828

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Wendy Chapman has been recognized by the Town of Oxford, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Wendy Chapman for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1829

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Beverly Sharpe has been recognized by the Town of Springhill, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Beverly Sharpe for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1997]

RESOLUTION NO. 1830

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas H. Ernie Lund has been recognized by the Town of Truro, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate H. Ernie Lund for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1831

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Lois Wightman has been recognized by the Town of Amherst, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Lois Wightman for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1998]

RESOLUTION NO. 1832

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Mildred McKim has been recognized by the Municipality of Colchester, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Mildred McKim for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1833

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Rick Hilliard has been recognized by the Village of Bible Hill, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Rick Hilliard for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 1999]

RESOLUTION NO. 1834

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Howard Beck has been recognized by the Town of New Glasgow, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Howard Beck for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1835

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Roger Fleming has been recognized by the Town of Stellarton, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Roger Fleming for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2000]

RESOLUTION NO. 1836

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Alexander MacDonald Chisholm has been recognized by the Town of Antigonish, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Alexander MacDonald Chisholm for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1837

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Gertie Pettipas has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Gertie Pettipas for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2001]

RESOLUTION NO. 1838

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Carmel Avery has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Carmel Avery for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1839

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Howard Jackson Jr. has been recognized by the Town of Canso, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Howard Jackson Jr. for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2002]

RESOLUTION NO. 1840

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Cindy MacKinnon has been recognized by the Town of Trenton, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Cindy MacKinnon for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1841

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Eleanor Heighton has been recognized by the Town of Pictou, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Eleanor Heighton for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2003]

RESOLUTION NO. 1842

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Karen Lundrigan has been recognized by the Town of Mulgrave, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Karen Lundrigan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1843

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Raymond Cameron has been recognized by the Town of Westville, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Raymond Cameron for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2004]

RESOLUTION NO. 1844

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas E.R. (Gene) Cole has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Pictou, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate E.R. (Gene) Cole for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1845

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Robert Kelly has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Robert Kelly for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2005]

RESOLUTION NO. 1846

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Kandra Morgan has been recognized by the Town of Lunenburg, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Kandra Morgan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1847

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Gary Archibald has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Gary Archibald for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2006]

RESOLUTION NO. 1848

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Sandra Carver has been recognized by the Region of Queens Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Sandra Carver for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1849

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Hubert Wareham has been recognized by the Region of Queens Municipality, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Hubert Wareham for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2007]

RESOLUTION NO. 1850

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Stan Narcisse Surette has been recognized by the District of Argyle, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Stan Narcisse Surette for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1851

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Gloria Buree has been recognized by the Town of Shelburne, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Gloria Buree for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2008]

RESOLUTION NO. 1852

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas John MacKenney has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate John MacKenney for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1853

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Tootsie Emin has been recognized by the Town of Yarmouth, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Tootsie Emin for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2009]

RESOLUTION NO. 1854

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Terry Atherton has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Chester, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Terry Atherton for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1855

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Esther Nickerson has been recognized by the Town of Clark's Harbour, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Esther Nickerson for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2010]

RESOLUTION NO. 1856

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas John MacLean has been recognized by the Town of Bridgewater, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate John MacLean for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1857

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Allen Sullivan has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Allen Sullivan for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2011]

RESOLUTION NO. 1858

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Ulrich Johanns has been recognized by the Town of Lockeport, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Ulrich Johanns for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1859

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Howard Lamrock has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Barrington, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Howard Lamrock for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2012]

RESOLUTION NO. 1860

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Robert Mader has been recognized by the Town of Mahone Bay, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Robert Mader for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1861

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Katie Brousseau has been recognized by the Volunteer Youth of the Year Award, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Katie Brousseau for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2013]

RESOLUTION NO. 1862

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Scott, Jocelyn, Rhianna, Gareth and Meghan Nicholson have been recognized by the Family Volunteer Award, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Scott, Jocelyn, Rhianna, Gareth and Meghan Nicholson for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1863

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Susan O'Handley has been recognized by the Model Volunteer Community of the Year Award, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Susan O'Handley for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2014]

RESOLUTION NO. 1864

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Scotia Bank Bridgetown has been recognized by the Building Healthier Futures Corporate Award, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Scotia Bank Bridgetown for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1865

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Anne Marie Pearle has been recognized by the County of Annapolis, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Anne Marie Pearle for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2015]

RESOLUTION NO. 1866

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Leslie Sequeira has been recognized by the Village of New Minas, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Leslie Sequeira for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1867

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Shirley Bishop has been recognized by the Town of Hantsport, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Shirley Bishop for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2016]

RESOLUTION NO. 1868

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Frances Schagen has been recognized by the Town of Kentville, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Frances Schagen for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1869

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Christopher Barker has been recognized by the Town of Middleton, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Christopher Barker for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2017]

RESOLUTION NO. 1870

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Keith Meerman has been recognized by the Town of Wolfville, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Keith Meerman for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1871

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Florence Carter has been recognized by the Town of Berwick, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Florence Carter for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2018]

RESOLUTION NO. 1872

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Stanley Comeau has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Digby, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Stanley Comeau for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1873

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Phyllis Thurber has been recognized by the Town of Digby, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Phyllis Thurber for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2019]

RESOLUTION NO. 1874

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Pauline Spinney has been recognized by the Town of Annapolis Royal, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Pauline Spinney for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1875

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Bliss FitzRandolph has been recognized by the Town of Bridgetown, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Bliss FitzRandolph for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2020]

RESOLUTION NO. 1876

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Pat Swineamer has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of West Hants, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Pat Swineamer for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1877

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Diane Bezanson has been recognized by the Municipality of the District of Clare, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Diane Bezanson for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

[Page 2021]

RESOLUTION NO. 1878

By: Mr. Stephen McNeil (Leader of the Liberal Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Nova Scotia has recognized the outstanding contributions of selected volunteers from across the province at the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Awards luncheon held at The Westin Hotel in Halifax; and

Whereas volunteers are the backbone of every community throughout the province and without their contributions many organizations would not succeed; and

Whereas Gwen Huntley has been recognized by the Municipality of the County of Kings, acknowledging the service provided to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Gwen Huntley for receiving the 2008 Provincial Volunteer Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 1879

By: Hon. Alfie MacLeod (Speaker)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Peter Guillena and Chris MacLeod, while employed with Central Building Supplies of Sydney, in late January took heroic measures to save the life of six year old Kobe Peck who had crawled onto the ice in the Bras d'Or Lake near Eskasoni and fell through; and

Whereas Kobe was clearly in trouble on Thursday, January 26 when Chris MacLeod, while Peter was phoning 911, went after Kobe, only to fall through the ice as well; and

Whereas Kobe, despite waving his arms and attempting to maintain his composure while staying above the water, was rescued by Chris MacLeod;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House compliment Peter Guillena and Chris MacLeod for their intense observation in noticing Kobe was in trouble and moving swiftly to avert a tragedy from taking place on January 26, 2008.

[Page 2022]

RESOLUTION NO. 1880

By: Hon. Alfie MacLeod (Speaker)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Sydney River's Katheryn Gordon won the 2008 portrait photographer of the year award at the Professional Photographers of Canada - Atlantic Competition in Charlottetown earlier this winter; and

Whereas Katheryn was named the winner after five nominees were selected in this particular category; and

Whereas Katheryn Gordon also tied for the number one fine art print which was a religious photograph titled, "One Man's Journey";

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the professional efforts of Sydney River's Katheryn Gordon for her outstanding work and wish her continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 1881

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Ann Wood was nominated by the Bedford Horticultural Society for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Ann Wood for her contribution to the Bedford Horticultural Society and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2023]

RESOLUTION NO. 1882

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Carolyn Crowell was nominated by the Fort Sackville Foundation for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Carolyn Crowell for her contribution to the Fort Sackville Foundation and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1883

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Charles Ford was nominated by the Multiple Sclerosis Society for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Charles Ford for his contribution to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2024]

RESOLUTION NO. 1884

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Dodie Shreenan was nominated by the St. Ignatius Parish for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Dodie Shreenan for her contribution to the St. Ignatius Parish and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1885

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Dr. Sankar Ray was nominated by the Bedford Watershed Advisory Board for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Dr. Sankar Ray for his contribution to the Bedford Watershed Advisory Board and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2025]

RESOLUTION NO. 1886

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Eric Eisenhauer was nominated by the Bedford Sackville Meals on Wheels for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Eric Eisenhauer for his contribution to the Bedford Sackville Meals on Wheels and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1887

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Gordon Hargreaves was nominated by the Bedford Lawn Bowls for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Gordon Hargreaves for his contribution to the Bedford Lawn Bowls and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2026]

RESOLUTION NO. 1888

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas James Duff was nominated by the Bedford Beavers Swim Club for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate James Duff for his contribution to the Bedford Beavers Swim Club and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1889

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Jean Clahane was nominated by the Ecole Sunnyside Elementary School for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Jean Clahane for her contribution to the Ecole Sunnyside Elementary School and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2027]

RESOLUTION NO. 1890

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Judie Healy was nominated by Scouts Canada for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Judie Healy for her contribution to Scouts Canada and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1891

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Lou Dixon was nominated by Bedford Leisure Club for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Lou Dixon for his contribution to the Bedford Leisure Club and the people of Bedford.

[Page 2028]

RESOLUTION NO. 1892

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Matthew LeMoine was nominated by C.P. Allen High School for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Matthew LeMoine for his contribution to C.P. Allen High School and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1893

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas K. Paul MacKenzie was nominated by Bedford Days Committee for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

[Page 2029]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate K. Paul MacKenzie for his contribution to the Bedford Days Committee and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1894

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Quentin Hill was nominated by Bedford Terry Fox Run for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Quentin Hill for his contribution to the Bedford Terry Fox Run and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1895

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Steve Warburton was nominated by Rocky Lake Development Board for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for his selfless act of giving to the community;

[Page 2030]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Steve Warburton for his contribution to the Rocky Lake Development Board and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1896

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Sylvia Thorne was nominated by Girl Guides of Canada-Bedford District for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Sylvia Thorne for her contribution to the Girl Guides of Canada-Bedford District and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1897

By: Hon. Leonard Goucher (Immigration)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas volunteers are people from all walks of life, and all ages, with a common desire to make a difference in their community, and in their own life, by giving of their time and expertise; and

Whereas volunteers in Bedford are the lifeblood of our communities, providing support in virtually every aspect of society including health, education, social services, youth, sports and recreation, culture, the arts, and the environment; and

Whereas Vernita Nickerson was nominated by St. Ignatius Parish for Bedford Volunteer of the Year for her selfless act of giving to the community;

[Page 2031]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize the invaluable efforts made by all volunteers in their communities and congratulate Vernita Nickerson for her contribution to the St. Ignatius Parish and the people of Bedford.

RESOLUTION NO. 1898

By: Hon. Brooke Taylor (Agriculture)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas leaders from agricultural and rural organizations attended a conference in February entitled Creating Partners, Building Communities; and

Whereas the purpose of the conference was to bring these leaders together to discuss the key issues affecting rural communities and how they can make improvements to their communities; and

Whereas the topics covered during the conference included leadership, being a success at home, small-business development, maintaining vibrant rural communities and buying local foods;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature thank the organizers of the conference for putting on a successful conference and congratulate those who attended for their continued interest in the success of their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1899

By: Hon. Rodney MacDonald (Premier)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Province of Nova Scotia, today, took time to celebrate the amazing contributions of volunteers from communities from one end of the province to the other; and

Whereas one of the recipients of a 2008 volunteer award is Donald A. MacLellan, representing the Municipality of the County of Inverness; and

Whereas the contributions our volunteers make within our communities every day is invaluable to our communities both economically and socially;

[Page 2032]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Donald A. MacLellan and thank him for his selfless service to his community and this province.

[Page 2033]

RESOLUTION NO. 1900

By: Hon. Rodney MacDonald (Premier)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Province of Nova Scotia, today, took time to celebrate the amazing contributions of volunteers from communities from one end of the province to the other; and

Whereas one of the recipients of a 2008 volunteer award is Kilmer Meagher, representing the Town of Port Hawkesbury; and

Whereas the contributions our volunteers make within our communities every day is invaluable to our communities both economically and socially;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Kilmer Meagher and offer our thanks for his selfless service to our community and this province.

RESOLUTION NO. 1901

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 when it comes to volunteer activity in her community, the Municipality of the District of West Hants is thankful they have someone with the ability of Burlington's Pat Swineamer, who was one of almost 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized Thursday, April 24th, at Nova Scotia's 34th Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon; and

Whereas Pat has played a critical role in volunteer work for the past 36 years in her local community, including the past 20 with the Burlington and District Activity Club, while also being involved with the Burlington Women's Institute, the Burlington Rural Roots 4-H Club and the Newport Jolly Seniors Club; and

Whereas if that wasn't enough, Pat was also instrumental in organizing a Citizens on Patrol Group for the Burlington community;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly applaud the outstanding leadership and volunteer skills of Burlington's Pat Swineamer for her deserving

[Page 2034]

honour as the Municipality of West Hants representative volunteer at the 2008 34th Annual Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.

RESOLUTION NO. 1902

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 Hantsport resident Shirley Bishop plays an integral role in volunteer activities in the Town of Hantsport and was one of almost 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized Thursday, April 24th, at Nova Scotia's 34th Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon; and

Whereas Shirley Bishop has served as a board member of Valley Pastoral Counselling Services, offering counselling services to abused women and facilitating the board's pre-marital courses; and

Whereas Shirley has been a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and choir member in her church, served as coordinator of the Hantsport and Area Community Food Bank, and two years ago formed a chapter of the Red Hat Society in her community while having also volunteered as a mediator for the Valley Restorative Justice Program;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly express our gratitude to Mrs. Shirley Bishop of Hantsport for her incredible community spirit and countless hours of volunteer work, in being recognized as the Town of Hantsport's Representative Volunteer at the 2008 34th Annual Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.

RESOLUTION NO. 1903

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 Tremaine Crescent resident Daryl Sullivan of Windsor, is one of almost 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia recognized Thursday, April 24th, at Nova Scotia's 34th Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon; and

Whereas Mr. Sullivan was named the Town of Windsor's 2008 Volunteer Representative for his tremendous years of service with the Windsor Rotary Club as secretary, vice-president and president, and where he still serves as treasurer of the club's

[Page 2035]

youth camp, while also being involved with the annual Rotary Radio Auction, and a part of the Rotary team which installs "In Touch" emergency systems which benefit seniors and the disabled; and

Whereas besides Rotary, Daryl is also a member of Knights of Columbus, St. John's Catholic Church of Windsor, volunteers with Friends of Haliburton Place and is also an ardent supporter of local hockey teams;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly express our profound thanks to Windsor's Daryl Sullivan for his outstanding volunteer ethic and deserving accolade at the 2008 34th Annual Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon.

RESOLUTION NO. 1904

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 Windsor's Stuart McCaan, a resident of College Road, remembers World War II like it was yesterday - even though it was 68 years ago - as he and five of his brothers followed in the steps of their father, Clarence Arthur McCann, who served during World War I and was involved in a number of battles, including the first battle of Ypres, where he became a victim of a mustard gas attack yet returned home safely; and

Whereas Mr. Stuart McCaan was only 20 years old at the time, married with one child, but enlisted as an artillery gunner and served with the 5th Armoured Division; and

Whereas following in the footsteps of their father, five of Stuart's brothers enlisted to fight in World War II as well, with three serving around the world, serving as peacekeepers/peacemakers during their tour of duty, while the youngest retired as a helicopter pilot with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly commend the McCaan family for their heroic service during World War I and World War II, veterans who can convey many accounts of historical proportions during their time served overseas.

RESOLUTION NO. 1905

By: Mr. Chuck Porter (Hants West)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 2036]

Whereas the West Hants Pee Wee "AA" Hockey team advanced to the provincial championship tournament in Port Hawkesbury in late March, defeating Dartmouth 4-2 and winning their series 2-1; and

Whereas the Pee Wee "AA" Warriors, under the superlative guidance of Head Coach Robin Lowthers, finished 1-3 in the round robin portion of the tournament, defeating Sydney 10-1 but losing 5-1 to host, Port Hawkesbury, 3-2 to Truro and 4-1 to Bedford; and

Whereas besides defeating the Dartmouth Whalers to advance to provincials, the young team of potential professionals also defeated their rival, the Acadia Axemen, and a western Valley team based out of Kingston, for a chance to play Dartmouth and earn the right to play in Port Hawkesbury;

Therefore be it resolved MLAs in this Legislature applaud the valiant effort put forth by the East Hants Pee Wee "AA" Warriors during the 2007-08 minor hockey season and wish the coaching staff and all players continued success in 2008-09.

RESOLUTION NO. 1906

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Aaron Atwood of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys Basketball team won the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008; and

Whereas the Barons defeated the undefeated Yarmouth Jr. Bulldogs by a score of 46-42 and they also defeated the Lockeport Greenwaves with a score of 46-32 in the championship game; and

Whereas this is the first win for the Barons in the district championship games since the 1990s;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Aaron Atwood of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys Basketball team for his participation in winning the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1907

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2037]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Antonia Dorey of Grade 5 at Forest Ridge Academy was honoured as a runner-up winner of the Nova Scotia Recycles School Contest on February 5, 2008; and

Whereas every October the Resource Recovery Fund Board of Nova Scotia, in co-operation with the province's 55 municipalities, organizes the Nova Scotia Recycles Contest - over 8,600 contest entries were received from Grade P-12; and

Whereas the students were challenged to consider the three Rs and composting as they created artwork for reusable cloth bags, designed advertisements using old magazines, television ads, and wrote essays on sustainable consumption and youth involvement in Nova Scotia;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Antonia Dorey for her participation and entry, being honoured as a runner-up winner in the Nova Scotia Recycles School Contest on February 5, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1908

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association Atom B Hockey team won a gold medal and a banner after playing a four-game undefeated tournament in Liverpool on December 27 and 28, 2007; and

Whereas the first game was against Chester 15-1, followed by Bridgewater 1-1; and

Whereas they played against Liverpool 7-5 and Acadia 2-0;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulates the SCMHA Atom B Hockey Team for winning the gold medal and a banner after playing a four-game undefeated tournament in Liverpool on December 27 and 28, 2007.

RESOLUTION NO. 1909

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2038]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Adlai Cunningham from Cape Sable Island is tackling the world's most famous marathon, the 26.2- mile Boston Marathon on April 21st ; and

Whereas Adlai, who does not have a trainer, is preparing himself by running six times a week and has a fundraising target of $26,200 to be given to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation's Endowment Program; and

Whereas along with his son, Kerry, Adlai saw the opportunity to draw attention to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle while raising funds to strengthen the region's health care centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Adlai for tackling the world's most famous marathon, the 26.2- mile Boston Marathon on April 21st and commend him for his devotion to making a difference in people's lives.

RESOLUTION NO. 1910

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Albert Langthorne of Clyde River, Shelburne County, is recognized as the Volunteer of the Year 2007 by the 7E Barrington Fire Department whose contributions are outstanding; and

Whereas Albert is a committed firefighter, dedicating time and energy to continuous training, working hard as a member and devoting time to the department's important events; and

Whereas Albert has been a member of the 7E Barrington Fire Department for the past nine years;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank Albert Langthorne for his hard work and dedication as he serves the community and the Barrington Volunteer Fire Department as a role model of exemplary character.

RESOLUTION NO. 1911

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2039]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Alex Buchanan volunteered his musical talents and his keyboarding skills to perform along with four other songstresses and the Winsome Blues Band at the Barrington Municipal High School for the "Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser" on February 23, 2008; and

Whereas $2,000 was raised and distributed towards all three Shelburne County food banks; and

Whereas each month 40,000 individuals were assisted by food banks in Nova Scotia and one-third represents hungry children and 9.4 per cent represent the working poor in our province;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank Alex Buchanan for volunteering his musical talents and keyboarding skills to perform at the Barrington Municipal high School for the "Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser" on February 23, 2008, to help hungry families in Shelburne County.

RESOLUTION NO. 1912

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Alex Buchanan of Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, offered generous support as a sound and recording technician as well as his musical talents on Saturday, March 1st at the Osprey Arts Center; and

Whereas the occasion was the fourth celebration of International Women's Week, March 2nd to March 9th; and

Whereas all proceeds of this musical production will be donated to Juniper House, a shelter in Yarmouth for abused women and their children;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Alex Buchanan for his generous support as a sound and recording technician as well as his musical talents on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Osprey Arts Centre.

RESOLUTION NO. 1913

[Page 2040]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Alexa Jacklyn of Shelburne County, age 7, had 11.5 inches of hair cut and donated to the Angel Hair for Kids on November 20, 2007; and

Whereas the idea was all Alexa's as her parents were hesitant of her having so much hair cut at once; and

Whereas the Angel Hair for Kids provides hair wigs for children from financially disadvantaged families who have lost their hair due to alopecia, burns and cancer, chemotherapy and radiation treatments;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank Alexa Jacklyn for donating 11.5 inches of hair to the Angel Hair for Kids on November 20, 2007.

RESOLUTION NO. 1914

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Allan Crosby of Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, offered generous support and musical talent on Saturday, March 1st at the Osprey Arts Center; and

Whereas the occasion was the fourth celebration of International Women's Week, March 2nd to March 9th; and

Whereas all proceeds of this musical production will be donated to Juniper House, a shelter in Yarmouth for abused women and their children;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Allan Crosby for his generous support and musical talent on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Osprey Arts Centre.

RESOLUTION NO. 1915

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 2041]

Whereas Alley Perry of Barrington Municipal High School won third place in the French Immersion Division with her "Les Chaussures de Ballet" project in the Annual BMHS Science Fair on February 27, 2008; and

Whereas over 200 projects were submitted in the fair; and

Whereas 20-plus students will go on to compete at the Tri-County Regional Science & Technology Expo on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Nova Scotia Burridge Campus in Yarmouth;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Alley Perry on winning third place in the French Immersion Division with her "Les Chaussures de Ballet" project in the Annual Barrington Municipal High School Science Fair on February 27, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1916

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Amber Lee Nickerson of Barrington Municipal High School won 2nd place in the French Immersion Division with her "Sens Du Cheval" project at the Annual BMHS Science Fair on February 27, 2008; and

Whereas over 200 projects were submitted in the fair; and

Whereas 20-plus students will go on to compete at the Tri-County Regional Science and Technology Expo on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Nova Scotia Burridge Campus in Yarmouth;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Amber Lee Nickerson on winning 2nd place in the French Immersion Division with her "Sens Du Cheval" project in the Annual Barrington Municipal High School Science Fair on February 27, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1917

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 2042]

Whereas Andrew Anthony of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys basketball team won the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008; and

Whereas the Barons defeated the undefeated Yarmouth Jr. Bulldogs by a score of 46-42 and also defeated the Lockeport Greenwaves with a score of 46-32 in the championship game; and

Whereas this is the first win for the Barons in the district championship games since the 1990's;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Andrew Anthony of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys Basketball Team for his participation in winning the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1918

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Andrew Shaar of Barrington Municipal High School won 1st place in the Grade 7 division with his "Best Bridge Design" project in the Annual BMHS Science Fair on February 27, 2008; and

Whereas over 200 projects were submitted in the fair; and

Whereas 20-plus students will go on to compete at the Tri-County Regional Science and Technology Expo on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Nova Scotia Burridge Campus in Yarmouth;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulates Andrew Shaar on winning 1st place in the Grade 7 division with his "Best Bridge Design" project at the Annual Barrington Municipal High School Science Fair on February 27, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1919

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 2043]

Whereas Anna Kenney, the recreation director of Barrington, helped organize and secure the Barrington Municipal High School gym for the "Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser" on February 23, 2008; and

Whereas $2,000 was raised and distributed towards all three Shelburne County food banks; and

Whereas each month, 40,000 individuals were assisted by food banks in Nova Scotia, and 1/3 represents hungry children and 9.4 per cent represent the working poor in our province;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank Anna Kenney for helping organize and secure Barrington Municipal High School gym for the "Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser" on February 23, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1920

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Anthony Coles, a student at Forest Ridge Academy, received a personalized letter from author LeMonte Heflick, autographed copies of his newest book, and unpublished transcripts of his next books not yet released; and

Whereas Anthony enjoyed reading the author's satirical mystery stories so much; and

Whereas Anthony wrote to Mr. Heflick to express his appreciation for the author's writing without expecting to even receive a reply;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Anthony upon receiving a personalized letter from author LaMonte Heflick, autographed copies of his newest book, and unpublished transcripts of his next books not yet released.

RESOLUTION NO. 1921

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 2044]

Whereas Anthony Smith of the Shag Harbour Bear Point Fire Department was awarded with a Scroll of Recognition from the Municipality of Barrington at the Shelburne County Mutual Aid Supper for his 25 years of long service to the fire department on March 8, 2008; and

Whereas volunteer firefighters give freely of their time to train for and respond to emergencies and have chosen to make a long-term commitment to their local fire department; and

Whereas it is important to recognize the commitment and dedication all firefighters make to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Anthony Smith of the Shag Harbour Bear Point Volunteer Fire Department, who was awarded a Scroll of Recognition from the Municipality of Barrington at the Shelburne County Mutual Aid Supper for his 25 years of long service to the fire department on March 8, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1922

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Austin Bower of the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association won the gold medal in the Atom B League Tournament on March 8-9, 2008, held in Chester, Nova Scotia; and

Whereas hockey is an enthusiastic and passionate sport that needs a lot of skill, devotion, hard work and dedication. The team put forth their best effort in succeeding to win the gold medal; and

Whereas the coaches and assistant coaches, Travis Devine, Demiah Symonds and Shannon Garland are very proud of their team for their great sportsmanship and hard work in winning the tournament;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Austin Bower of the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association Atom B Team for winning the gold medal in the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Atom B Team Tournament held in Chester on March 8-9, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1923

[Page 2045]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Austin Goreham of the Barrington Novice Lightning Hockey Team won the skills competition in the 12th Annual Greenwood March Break Tournament on March 10-11, 2008; and

Whereas the skills competition consisted of four skills performed by five of the team players where everyone on the team won a free sandwich from McDonald's; and

Whereas the coaches and trainer, Alex Stewart, Trevor Smith, Cleon Smith and John Fehr are very proud of the team for their great sportsmanship and hard work, also for their win over West Hants in game two of the Greenwood tournament;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Austin Goreham of the Barrington Novice Lightning Hockey Team, who won the skills competition in the 12th Annual Greenwood March Break Tournament on March 10-11, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1924

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Shelburne County Bantam A Flames won gold at the Truro KFC Christmas Tournament on December 28-30, 2007; and

Whereas in game one the score was 4-3 over the Cole Harbour Wings, in the second game the Flames beat East Hants Penguins 3-2, and in the third game the Flames lost to the Pictou County Pipers with a score of 4-2; and

Whereas in the championships game, the Flames won over the Pictou County Pipers with a score of 3-1 - the KFC game was a six-team tournament;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Shelburne County Bantam A Flames for winning the gold at the Truro KFC Christmas Tournament on December 28-30, 2007.

RESOLUTION NO. 1925

[Page 2046]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Barrington 7E Volunteer Fire Department helped with stacking chairs at the Barrington Municipal High School for the Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser on February 23, 2008; and

Whereas $2,000 was raised and distributed towards all three Shelburne County food banks; and

Whereas each month 40,000 individuals were assisted by food banks in Nova Scotia - one-third represents hungry children and 9.4 per cent represents the working poor in our province;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank the Barrington 7E Fire Department for volunteering at the Barrington Municipal High School for the Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser on February 23, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1926

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Barrington Search and Rescue volunteered their security services at the Barrington Municipal High School for the Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser on February 23, 2008; and

Whereas $2,000 was raised and distributed towards all three Shelburne County food banks; and

Whereas each month 40,000 individuals were assisted by food banks in Nova Scotia - one-third represents hungry children and 9.4 per cent represents the working poor in our province;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank the Barrington Search and Rescue for volunteering their security services at the Barrington Municipal High School for the Food for Shelburne County Fundraiser on February 23, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1927

[Page 2047]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Bill Cox has come out of retirement as technical adviser to head up the project of recreating two 23-foot-long boats to be ready to sail through the July events for the Loyalist Landing 2008; and

Whereas Bill began his long career of wooden-boat building all the way back when he was a child when he would read out measurements to his father; and

Whereas he began working full time when he was just 17 years old, building commercial vessels, including fishing boats, longliners and scallop draggers, and after buying Shelburne Ship Builders he was able to build much larger vessels;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly commend Mr. Cox for coming out of retirement as technical adviser to head up the project of recreating two 23-foot-long boats to be ready to sail through the July events for the Loyalist Landing 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1928

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Blair Brown of Barrington, Shelburne County, is known as the Barrington Fire Writer, who has been working as a pyrographic artist for the past 60 years; and

Whereas Blair taught industrial arts at the Barrington Municipal High School and has spent time in Africa, Jamaica and the West Indies; and

Whereas Blair works from photos he has taken and scenes from different countries are reflected in his art;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Blair Brown of Barrington, Shelburne County, who is known as the Barrington Fire Writer, who has been working as a pyrographic artist for the past 60 years.

RESOLUTION NO. 1929

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2048]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Blair Nickerson of the Island & Barrington Passage Fire Department was awarded with a Scroll of Recognition from the Municipality of Barrington at the Shelburne County Mutual Aid Supper for his 15 years of long service to the fire department on March 8, 2008; and

Whereas volunteer firefighters give freely of their time to train for and respond to emergencies and have chosen to make a long-term commitment to their local fire department; and

Whereas it is important to recognize the commitment and dedication all firefighters make to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Blair Nickerson of the Island & Barrington Passage Volunteer Fire Department, who was awarded a Scroll of Recognition from the Municipality of Barrington at the Shelburne County Mutual Aid Supper for his 15 years of long service to the fire department on March 8, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1930

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Barrington Municipal High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary on January 10, 2008; and

Whereas the former site was officially opened by the Honourable Malcolm S. Leonard, Minister of Education, on September 19, 1958; and

Whereas the Minister of Education, the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, announced on June 11, 2003, that a new $11.5 million school would replace the old BMHS; in April of 2006 the new BMHS opened its doors to eager students and staff;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Barrington Municipal High School on its 50th Anniversary on January 10, 2008, and extend best wishes in providing quality education - enabling students to reach their full potential.

RESOLUTION NO. 1931

[Page 2049]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Ashley Nickerson completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas Ashley and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and sold all that were made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Ashley for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Ashley for her generosity toward a fellow student.

RESOLUTION NO. 1932

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Chelsea Cottreau, a student at BMHS, has completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas Chelsea and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and sold all that were made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Chelsea for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Chelsea for her generosity toward a fellow student.

RESOLUTION NO. 1933

[Page 2050]

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Danielle St. Louis completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas Danielle and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and sold all that were made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Danielle for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Danielle for her generosity toward a fellow student.

RESOLUTION NO. 1934

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Joelle Nickerson, a student at BMHS, completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas Joelle and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and sold all that were made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Joelle for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Joelle for her generosity toward a fellow student.

[Page 2051]

RESOLUTION NO. 1935

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Julia Waybret has completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas she and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and sold all that were made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Julia for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Julia for her generosity toward a fellow student.

RESOLUTION NO. 1936

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Natasha Goodwin, a student at BMHS, has completed an innovative and successful entrepreneur class project; and

Whereas Natasha and her classmates have purchased supplies and put together dozens of button bracelets and headbands to sell at the school, and they have sold all that was made in only a few days; and

Whereas all of the profit from the project has been donated to the fund for Shannon Knowles, a student at Barrington High who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the IWK Health Centre;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize Natasha for her successful endeavour in her entrepreneur class project and commend Natasha for her generosity toward a fellow student.

[Page 2052]

RESOLUTION NO. 1937

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Barrington Municipal High School Senior Girls hockey team defeated Par En Bas on Tuesday, December 18, 2007; and

Whereas the score of the game was 6-0; and

Whereas Natasha Goodwin and Sharayah Banks each had two goals and an assist, while Jessica Stoddard and Shannon-Paige Hatfield scored a goal each;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Barrington Municipal High School Senior Girls hockey team on their win against Par En Bas on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

RESOLUTION NO. 1938

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Barrington Municipal High School Senior Girls hockey team defeated Parkview at the Bridgewater arena on Sunday, November 12, 2007; and

Whereas the score of the game was 2-0; and

Whereas Danielle Smith assisted Katie Maxwell, scoring the first goal, and Tabitha Smith assisted Brooke Greenwood for the second goal;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate the Barrington Municipal High School Senior Girls hockey team on their win against Parkview at the Bridgewater arena on Sunday, November 12, 2007.

RESOLUTION NO. 1939

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2053]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas students and staff members of Barrington Municipal High School have bonded together to provide support for Shannon Knowles, a junior high student who has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving treatment at the IWK Health Centre; and

Whereas a series of basketball games were held for Shannon, with the entire school in attendance - she is on the junior team - and a video dance was held on February 28th at the school, with all proceeds going to Shannon's family; and

Whereas many team members, staff and other students have been shaving their heads in her honour, and staff continue to support and help Shannon with her academics, as well as sending cards, balloons and flowers to keep her spirits up;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize the staff and students of Barrington Municipal High School for bonding together to provide support for Shannon Knowles, a junior high student who has been diagnosed with cancer.

RESOLUTION NO. 1940

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Brandon Madden of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys basketball team won the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008; and

Whereas the Barons defeated the undefeated Yarmouth Jr. Bulldogs by a score of 46-42 and they also defeated the Lockeport Greenwaves with a score of 46-32 in the championship game; and

Whereas this is the first win for the Barons in the district championship games since the 1990s;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Brandon Madden of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys basketball team for his participation in winning the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1941

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2054]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Brett Smith of the Barrington Novice Lightning hockey team won the skills competition in the 12th Annual Greenwood March Break Tournament on March 10 and 11, 2008; and

Whereas the skills competition consisted of four skills performed by five of the team players where everyone on the team won a free sandwich from McDonald's; and

Whereas the coaches and trainer, Alex Stewart, Trevor Smith, Cleon Smith and John Fehr, are very proud of the team for their great sportsmanship and hard work, also for their win over West Hants in game two of the Greenwood tournament;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Brett Smith of the Barrington Novice Lightning hockey team who won the skills competition in the 12th Annual Greenwood March Break Tournament on March 10 and 11, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1942

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Brett Stoddard of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys basketball team won the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008; and

Whereas the Barons defeated the undefeated Yarmouth Jr. Bulldogs by a score of 46-42 and they also defeated the Lockeport Greenwaves with a score of 46-32 in the championship game; and

Whereas this is the first win for the Barons in the district championship games since the 1990s;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Brett Stoddard of the Barrington Barons Junior Boys basketball team for his participation in winning the Shelburne/Yarmouth District Championships on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1943

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

[Page 2055]

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Brianna Hiltz and Zack Atwood of Barrington Municipal High School won fourth place in the Grade 9 Division with their "Soil vs. Water" project in the Annual BMHS Science Fair on February 27, 2008; and

Whereas over 200 projects were submitted in the fair; and

Whereas 20-plus students will go on to compete at the Tri-County Regional Science & Technology Expo on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Nova Scotia Burridge Campus in Yarmouth;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Brianna Hiltz and Zach Atwood on winning fourth place in the Grade 9 Division with their "Soil vs. Water" project in the Annual Barrington Municipal High School Science Fair on February 27, 2008.

RESOLUTION NO. 1944

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Burgundy Williams of Shelburne County gave up her Christmas gifts of 2007 to offer a donation of presents to the children at the IWK hospital; and

Whereas Burgundy was born with craniosynostosis so it was her way to give back help that she received as a young infant; and

Whereas Burgundy and her mother shopped with an IWK children's wish list and filled their baskets with board games, DVDs, toys, books and electronic hand-held games;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly thank Burgundy Williams for her gift of giving up her Christmas gifts in 2007 to offer a donation of presents to children at the IWK hospital.

RESOLUTION NO. 1945

By: Mr. Sterling Belliveau (Shelburne)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

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Whereas Colin Belliveau of the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association won the gold medal in the Atom B League Tournament on March 8 and 9, 2008, held in Chester, Nova Scotia; and

Whereas hockey is an enthusiastic and passionate sport that needs a lot of skill, devotion, hard work and dedication and the team put forth their best effort in succeeding to win the gold medal; and

Whereas the coaches and assistant coaches, Travis Devine, Demiah Symonds and Shannon Garland are very proud of their team for their great sportsmanship and hard work in winning the tournament;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Colin Belliveau of the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association Atom B Team for winning the gold medal in the Shelburne County Minor Hockey Atom B Team Tournament held in Chester on March 8 and 9, 2008.