November 4, 2008

HANSARD 08-42

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://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/hansard-debates/

Second Session

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS:
Environ. - Mun. Gov't. Act: Pesticide Usage - Amend, Mr. K. Colwell 4726
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS:
N.S. Civil Procedure Rules/Civil Procedure Forms, Hon. C. Clarke 4727
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS:
No. 205, Diabetic Persons Support Act, Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) 4727
No. 206, Life-threatening Illness Student Support Act,
Mr. L. Glavine 4728
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS:
House Business, Hon. C. Clarke 4728
ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS:
No. 394, Prem.: Children's ATVs - Purchase Details, Mr. D. Dexter 4729
No. 395, Prem.: NSPI - Rate Increases, Mr. S. McNeil 4730
No. 396, Prem: Children's ATVs - Purchase Prog., Mr. D. Dexter 4731
No. 397, Nat. Res.: Children's ATVs - Min. Awareness, Mr. D. Dexter 4733
No. 398, Nat. Res.: Children's ATVs - FOIPOP Request,
Mr. S. McNeil 4734
No. 399, Educ.: Busing - Distances, Mr. P. Paris 4735
No. 400, Health: Autism Prog. - Status,
Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) 4736
No. 401, Health: Autism Funding - Commitment, Mr. L. Glavine 4738
No. 402, Health: Dialysis Serv. - Pictou Co., Mr. C. Parker 4739
No. 403, Health: Nursing Home Fees - Increases,
Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) 4740
No. 404, Health Prom. & Protection: Flavoured Cigarillos - Ban,
Ms. Joan Massey 4742
Ms. Joan Massey
No. 405, Health: Palliative Care - Provision,
Mr. David Wilson (Sackville-Cobequid) 4743
No. 406, Econ. Dev. - Coast Guard Ships: Transfer - Details,
Mr. K. Colwell 4745
No. 407, Health Prom. & Protection: Suicide Prevention - Crisis Teams,
Mr. S. Belliveau 4746
No. 408, Nat. Res.: Moose Habitat - Cumberland Co. Game Sanctuary,
Mr. C. Parker 4747
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION:
Res. 4599, Beijing Olympics/Paralympics: N.S. Athletes/Coaches - Congrats.,
Hon. B. Barnet 4748
Vote - Affirmative 4749
Res. 4600, Econ. Dev. Dept.: N.S. Bus. Dev. Prog. - Congrats.,
Hon. A. MacIsaac 4749
Vote - Affirmative 4750
Res. 4601, Hunt, Kit & George - Vol. Campground Hosts,
Hon. D. Morse 4750
Vote - Affirmative 4750
Res. 4602, Com. Serv.: Adoption - Consider, Hon. J. Streatch 4751
Vote - Affirmative 4751
Res. 4603, Econ. Dev. Dept.: Dev. Co-op Employment Prog. - Congrats.,
Hon. A. MacIsaac 4751
Vote - Affirmative 4752
NOTICES OF MOTION:
Res. 4604, 545 Privateer Squadron (Liverpool): Work - Recognize,
Ms. V. Conrad 4752
Vote - Affirmative 4753
Res. 4605, Prem./Gov't. (N.S.)/NDP: Gas Reg. Failure - Recognize,
Mr. Manning MacDonald 4753
Res. 4606, Washburn Fam.: Johnny Miles Running Event - Congrats.,
Mr. P. Dunn 4754
Vote - Affirmative 4755
Res. 4607, Demone's Barber Shop - Anniv. (80th),
Ms. Maureen MacDonald 4755
Vote - Affirmative 4755
Res. 4608, Tingley, Paul: Beijing Paralympics - Gold Medal,
Ms. D. Whalen 4755
Vote - Affirmative 4756
Res. 4609, C.B. Elem. Sch. Students (Cape Smokey/North Highlands) -
Exercise Proj., Mr. K. Bain 4756
Vote - Affirmative 4757
Res. 4610, Nickerson, Benjamin Paul: Cdn. Transplant Games Medals -
Congrats., Mr. D. Dexter 4757
Vote - Affirmative 4758
Res. 4611, CIBC Run for the Cure: Organizers/Participants - Commend,
Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) 4758
Vote - Affirmative 4758
Res. 4612, Smith, Adam: Commitment - Congrats., Mr. P. Dunn 4758
Vote - Affirmative 4759
Res. 4613, Landry, Charles - Pictou Dist. Health Authority Vol. of Yr.,
Mr. C. Parker 4759
Vote - Affirmative 4760
Res. 4614, Casey, Joe: Autobiography - Congrats.,
Mr. H. Theriault 4760
Vote - Affirmative 4761
Res. 4615, Keeling, Eddie - Kidston Island Lighthouse Makeover,
Mr. K. Bain 4761
Vote - Affirmative 4761
Res. 4616, Allison, Mark: War Amps - Playsafe & Drive Safe Progs.,
Ms. V. Conrad 4762
Vote - Affirmative 4762
Res. 4617, Mooney, Fraser: Book Release - Congrats.,
Mr. W. Gaudet 4762
Vote - Affirmative 4763
Res. 4618, Fricker, Anna: Fundraising - Congrats.,
Hon. C. Clarke 4763
Vote - Affirmative 4764
Res. 4619, Puma, Paul: SMU Sports Hall of Fame - Induction,
Mr. W. Estabrooks 4764
Vote - Affirmative 4764
Res. 4620, MacDonald, Martin - Symphony N.S. Conductor: Debut -
Congrats., Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay) 4764
Vote - Affirmative 4765
Res. 4621, Fraser's Pharmacy (Bible Hill) - Anniv. (50th),
Hon. J. Muir 4765
Vote - Affirmative 4766
Res. 4622, Atkinson, Trudy: Barrington Mun. History - Congrats.,
Mr. S. Belliveau 4766
Vote - Affirmative 4767
Res. 4623, Hume, Kym - Autism Awareness Award,
Mr. L. Glavine 4767
Vote - Affirmative 4767
Res. 4624, Sobeys Slam of Curling: Organizers/Staff - Commend,
Mr. C. MacKinnon 4767
Vote - Affirmative 4768
Res. 4625, Team Mi'kmaw (N.S.): North American Indigenous Games -
Applaud, Mr. W. Gaudet 4768
Vote - Affirmative 4769
Res. 4626, Eastern Passage Youth Drop-In Ctr. - Opening,
Ms. B. Kent 4769
Vote - Affirmative 4770
Res. 4627, Green, Lorne: C.B. - Victoria Reg. Sch. Bd. Chairperson -
Election, Mr. G. Gosse 4770
Vote - Affirmative 4770
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS:
N.S. EIBI Rept., Hon. C. d'Entremont 4771
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS:
PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
Bill No. 181, Halifax Regional Municipality Act, Hon. J. Muir 4771
Hon. B. Taylor 4771
Hon. J. Muir 4773
Vote - Affirmative 4773
Bill No. 186, Animal Protection Act, Hon. B. Taylor 4773
Mr. C. Parker 4774
Ms. D. Whalen 4775
Adjourned debate 4781
ADJOURNMENT, The House rose to meet again on Wed., Nov. 5th at 2:00 p.m. 4782
NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3):
Res. 4628, Prem. - ATVs: Accountability - Condemn,
Mr. L. Glavine 4783
Res. 4629, Warwick, Bethany: Oxford Reg. Educ. Ctr. Naming -
Contest - Hon. M. Scott 4783
Res. 4630, Remembering 58: Vols./Organizers - Tribute Pay
Hon. M. Scott 4784
Res. 4631, Drive Away Hunger Campaign: Springhill HS/NSCC
Cumberland Campus - Congrats., Hon. M. Scott 4784
Res. 4632, Melanson, Jim: Baseball N.S. Award - Congrats,
Hon. M. Scott 4785
Res. 4633, Joggins Fossil Cliffs: UNESCO Heritage Status - Congrats.,
Hon. M. Scott 4786
Res. 4634, Cormier, Chelsi - Terry Fox Humanitarian Award,
Hon. M. Scott 4786
Res. 4635, Pettigrew, Connie/Connie's Fin. Serv. - Anniv. (10th)
Hon. M. Scott 4787
Res. 4636, Wood, Willard - Jack-O-Lantern Donation
Hon. M. Scott 4787
Res. 4637, Siddall, Crystal - J&P Scholarship, Hon. M. Scott 4788
Res. 4638, Rector, Kenneth - J&P Scholarship, Hon. M. Scott 4788
Res. 4639, King, Virginia - J&P Scholarship, Hon. M. Scott 4789
Res. 4640, Calvin, John - J&P Scholarship, Hon. M. Scott 4789
Res. 4641, Stonehouse, Chrissy - J&P Scholarship, Hon. M. Scott 4790
Res. 4642, Babineau, Robert - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4790
Res. 4643, Black, Terry - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4791
Res. 4644, Gogeun, Scott - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4791
Res. 4645, Moore, David - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4792
Res. 4646, Porter, Matthew - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4792
Res. 4647, Rhindress, Jason - Swimming Medal, Hon. M. Scott 4793
Res. 4648, Burtt, Emily: Academic Success - Congrats.,
Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson 4793
Res. 4649, White, Justin: Academic Success - Congrats.,
Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson 4794
Res. 4650, Kendall, Mike - Cameron Smith Mem. Award,
Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson 4794
Res. 4651, Hatheway, Oliver: Academic Success - Congrats.,
Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson 4795
Res. 4652, Jobb, Stuart: Academic Success - Congrats.,
Hon. C. Bolivar-Getson 4795
Res. 4653, Theriault, Ron - Golf Achievement, Mr. M. Porter 4796
Res. 4654, Prov. Autism Ctr.: Contribution - Recognize, Mr. L. Glavine 4796
Res. 4655, Sweet, Rob: Hole-in-One - Congrats., Mr. C. Porter 4797
Res. 4656, Stewart, James MacGregor - Commun./Country: Serv. -
Recognize, Mr. P. Dunn 4797
Res. 4657, Falls, Jake: Lifesaving Event - Congrats., Hon. R. Hurlburt 4798
Res. 4658, Glace Bay Kinsmen: Commun. Work - Congrats.,
Mr. D. Wilson (Glace Bay) 4798
Res. 4659, Basic American Food: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4799
Res. 4660, Inspiration Hair Design: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4799
Res. 4661, Interior & Exterior Painting: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4800
Res. 4662, J-G The Cedar Man: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4800
Res. 4663, K & B Electrical & Building Const. Ltd.: Contributions -
Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4800
Res. 4664, K9 Connection: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4801
Res. 4665, KC's Carpet Sales: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4801
Res. 4666, Latter's Roofing: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4802
Res. 4667, Lobster World: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4802
Res. 4668, Louis Gees Pizzeria: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4803
Res. 4669, Linda's Jewellery: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4803
Res. 4670, Lake Echo Appliance Parts & Repair Ltd.: Contributions -
Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4803
Res. 4671, Len's Aluminium Welding: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4804
Res. 4672, MacDonald Fencing: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4804
Res. 4673, LW's Roofing and Chimney Services: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4805
Res. 4674, Mamie's Unisex Health and Beauty Salon Total Hair and
Skin Care: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4805
Res. 4675, MacKenzie Atl. Tool & Die: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4806
Res. 4676, Mar. Foothold Orthotics: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4806
Res. 4677, Memories Trophies Engraving & Gifts: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4806
Res. 4678, Mr. Crackfiller: Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4807
Res. 4679, Musquodoboit Barber: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4807
Res. 4680, Muscle N'Classic Auto N'Parts: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4808
Res. 4681, MLN Excavation Inc.: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4808
Res. 4682, Newcombe's Auto Refinishing & Fiberglass Repairs Ltd.:
Contributions - Applaud, Hon. W. Dooks 4809
Res. 4683, Nature's Secret Day Spa: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4809
Res. 4684, Nathan's Autosound By Design: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4810
Res. 4685, Ocean Dream B & B: Contributions - Applaud,
Hon. W. Dooks 4810
Hon. W. Dooks
Hon. W. Dooks
Hon. W. Dooks

[Page 4725]

HALIFAX, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008

Sixtieth General Assembly

Second Session

2:00 P.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Alfie MacLeod

DEPUTY SPEAKER

Mr. Wayne Gaudet

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We will commence the daily routine.

The honourable Premier.

HON. RODNEY MACDONALD (The Premier): Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to make a special introduction to the House today. In your gallery we have some very accomplished Nova Scotians. We have Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches, and other distinguished guests, who were warmly greeted by our Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, and other members, at a reception earlier. Might I just say before introducing them, we're very proud of their determination, we're very proud of the effort they have put forward, not only in representing Nova Scotia but in representing our country, and we want to welcome you here today to the House of Assembly.

I would ask you to rise as I call your name: Andrew Russell, Dartmouth, canoe/kayak; Karen Furneaux, Waverley, canoe/kayak; Oliver Bone, Halifax, sailing; Lisa Ross, Lunenburg, sailing; Adrienne Power, East Jeddore, athletics; Paul Tingley, Halifax, sailing, Paralympics; David Kikuchi, Fall River, gymnastics; Brian Todd, Glen Haven, sailing coach, Paralympics as well; and I did mention Dave Kikuchi as well, Fall River, gymnastics.

[Page 4726]

4725

I would ask the House to give our very special guests a warm welcome to the House of Assembly. (Applause).

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Natural Resources on an introduction.

HON. DAVID MORSE: Yes thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am also pleased to introduce a couple of very distinguished guests in your gallery, distinguished because they are 10-year volunteers in our Campground Host Program. Kit and George Hunt, please rise and accept the warm welcome from the House. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth East.

MS. JOAN MASSEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to introduce Gabrielle Trzcinski. She is here today job-shadowing with Brian Flynn and she resides in Montebello in Dartmouth East. I ask her to stand and receive the warm welcome from the House and I hope she enjoys her job-shadowing today. (Applause)

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

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I bring the attention of the members to the west gallery. We have Dawn Morrison who joins us today. She's been a strong advocate for the autism movement here in Nova Scotia, so if we could give her a warm welcome. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER: Certainly welcome to all those guests and all the other people who are visiting us in the gallery today.

We'll commence now with the daily routine.

PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Preston.

MR. KEITH COLWELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

"Whereas, on June 28, 2001, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of health over pesticides.

Whereas scientific studies have linked pesticide exposure to increased risk of numerous diseases, including childhood leukemia, childhood brain cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and lung cancer.

[Page 4727]

Therefore, we the undersigned residents of Nova Scotia petition the Provincial Government to amend the Municipal Government Act, to grant all Nova Scotia Municipalities the power to ban the use of cosmetic landscape pesticides."

Mr. Speaker, there are 24 signatures and I've also attached my name to the petition.

MR. SPEAKER: The petition is tabled.

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Justice.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my capacity as the Attorney General and pursuant to Section 51 of the Judicature Act, I hereby beg leave to table revisions of the Civil Procedure Rules that were made pursuant to the Judicature Act by the Judges of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on June 6, 2008, and by Judges of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal on June 6, 2008. Pursuant to Section 68 of the Controverted Elections Act, I also hereby beg leave to table revisions of the Civil Procedure Rules that were made pursuant to the Controverted Elections Act by the Judges of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on June 6, 2008.

MR. SPEAKER: The reports are tabled.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Glace Bay.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, if I may, an introduction before I . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Please do.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to introduce to all members of the House some very special guests who have joined us here today in the west gallery, as we prepare to table a couple of pieces of legislation. We have here today Mr. Rob Beck, the regional chair for Nova Scotia for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Joining Mr. Beck is Tami Publicover; Lynda Lennox and her four-year old daughter, Aliyah; Marla and Allister Palmer and their three daughters, Laura, Alanna and Natalie; and Carol and Blair MacDonald. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that they all rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)

[Page 4728]

Bill No. 205 - Entitled an Act to Support Diabetic Persons in Nova Scotia. (Mr. David Wilson, Glace Bay)

Bill No. 206 - Entitled an Act to Support Students with Diabetes and Other Life-threatening Illnesses. (Mr. Leo Glavine)

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

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Justice.

[2:15 p.m.]

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, there being no statements by ministers and pursuant to the discussion and agreement in the House yesterday, if we can just deal with a couple of procedural things. As we know, members of the House agreed yesterday to recess the House at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon to allow members to attend a vigil, with regard to marking the 90th Anniversary since the First World War, which will be held in Grand Parade in front of St. Paul's Church. With that, I would ask that the Pages make the appropriate copies and distribute to all members the program for this afternoon for their information.

Mr. Speaker, I would also ask that we now revert the order of business to Orders of the Day, Oral Questions Put By Members. Following Question Period, I would ask that we would then go back to the daily routine and continue with normal government business. I would also ask the concurrence of the House, with regard to late debate today - you have the resolution on your desk - that we would agree to move that debate to the Opposition late debate for Thursday of this week so that it can be debated as was drawn and that we would, following the daily routine and Government Business, go to Public Bills for Second Reading until the hour of 4:30 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Opposition House Leader.

MR. FRANK CORBETT: Mr. Speaker, just for clarity, we will be reverting back to Statements by Ministers and Notices of Motion after Question Period, is that correct?

MR. SPEAKER: Yes.

The honourable Minister of Justice.

[Page 4729]

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Just to clarify, yes, we'll do that. There are no other statements by ministers but Government Notices of Motion, as well as Notices of Motion, we'll do that, and then following, just before 4:30 p.m., Government Business.

MR. SPEAKER: Now, you all heard the process for the rest of today.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS

MR. SPEAKER: The time now is 2:19 p.m.

The honourable Minister of - I did it again.

The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition.

PREM.: CHILDREN'S ATVs - PURCHASE DETAILS

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: My question this afternoon is for the Premier. When the Premier publicly reprimanded the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection for buying 66 children's ATVs, the Premier said that news of the purchase came as a surprise to him. Well, through freedom of information, it appears that at least 30 people in seven departments, non-governmental organizations and the industry knew well in advance about the purchase of those ATVs. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to table those documents.

My question for the Premier is this, when did the Premier become aware that his government's plan to buy ATVs for kids was widely known and carefully planned long before the purchase was announced?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I stand by the comments I made with respect to the file.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health, Health Promotion and Protection, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Justice, Economic Development and Environment knew in advance that the government was buying ATVs for children. They all knew. The ATV Association of Nova Scotia knew, the certified ATV trainers knew, at least seven ATV dealers knew and they knew as early as November 2006. My question for the Premier is this, how can he blame one Cabinet Minister for a plan that was developed in 2006 with wide participation across many departments?

[Page 4730]

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I stand by the steps that the government has taken with respect to ensuring that we dealt with the situation appropriately. The fact is that now we have a training program in place for Nova Scotians to ensure greater safety. I'm sure that my colleague is not suggesting that we shouldn't have safety programs for adults and children in this province.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, what I'm suggesting is the Premier should know what's going on in his own government, that's what I'm suggesting. The Premier's government gave this scheme the green light every step of the way, but hard-working Nova Scotians recognized a poor use of public funds as soon as they heard about it. The Premier may think that he got away with it when he hung out one of his colleagues to dry but I'll tell you, Mr. Speaker, times are tougher and the question remains, what changes has the Premier made in the operation of his government to avoid more wasteful and unacceptable spending of public funds?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I stand by the actions of a government that has had balanced budgets in the last seven consecutive years for this province. I stand by the fact that while the NDP would have this province back into deficits as quick as you can imagine this government will not go in that direction. While the NDP don't want to see development in Halifax, or anywhere else in this province for that matter, we will continue to move forward on initiatives which make this province healthier, which make it safer and we will work with organizations and community groups to ensure that happens.

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

PREM.: NSPI - RATE INCREASES

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Nova Scotians are nervously waiting for the decision on Nova Scotia Power's rate increase application, given that the main reason for this hearing was increased commodity prices. My question for the Premier is, in light of the drastic decline in commodity prices since the rate hearing, what has your government done to protect Nova Scotians from the shock of a large power rate increase?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, we have been interveners with respect to the proposed increase. We have spoken out and I have said publicly my own opinion on this issue, that we want to make sure that all of the relevant information is looked at by the URB. One of those issues surely should be the issue of where fuel prices are today compared to when any decisions were made.

MR. MCNEIL: The question was, since the government made their application in front of the hearing, commodity prices have fallen through the floor. Mr. Speaker, 400,000

[Page 4731]

households, 50,000 businesses across this province are hurting because of tough economic times. A large increase in their energy bill is going to make a bad situation even worse. So my question to the Premier is, why have you chosen to stand by Nova Scotia Power and not Nova Scotians?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, my understanding, but of course we'll get clarity tomorrow when the URB comes out with the recommendation, but the issue of adjustments are used, to my understanding, and will be a part of that decision, as has been previously indicated, around such things as coal prices and such. My understanding is that is part of what will come forward.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, world energy prices have plummeted since the public hearings into Nova Scotia Power's rate request. The increase will mean millions of dollars in extra costs to an economy that is already experiencing the slowest growth of any province in Canada. My question to the Premier is, will you commit today to overturn any power increase for Nova Scotians?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, for the last few months, I've been fighting what the Liberal Party of this province and this country have been pushing for and that's a carbon tax, which would have seen prices in this province go up significantly. We would have seen $186 million leaving this province and going to Ottawa when those dollars should be staying here for Nova Scotians. That is what the Liberal Party stands for, certainly not what those on this side of the House stands for.

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

PREM.: CHILDREN'S ATVs - PURCHASE PROG.

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I will now table a briefing note offering confidential advice to Cabinet about ATV riders under the age of 14. This advice to Cabinet was written in September of 2006 - two years before the Premier's Government used public money to buy 66 ATVs for children. The briefing note about ATVs for children states, "Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection will purchase machines to circulate to instructors to accommodate training."

There it is, Mr. Speaker, in black and white for Executive Council, for the Cabinet in September, 2006 - the government buying ATVs for kids. My question for the Premier is, in light of the memo, can the Premier explain why he allowed his government to spend two years pursuing a program that he now understands was just a terrible idea?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, again, I stand by my comments and I stand by the steps that we have taken. We want to make sure - in fact, the legislation which was supported by this entire House that moved forward - we want to make sure that there are

[Page 4732]

programs in place for our young people and for people of all ages. If they are going to be on an ATV in this province, they should have to have the safety course in place and that means partnering with groups, that means partnering with organizations.

Perhaps he can clarify his position, I'm sure he's not suggesting that we shouldn't have these safety programs for our young people. Part of our mandate as a government is to ensure we have healthier, safer communities and that means making sure we have the programs and the policies in place to protect our young people.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I understand why the Premier wouldn't want to answer the question; frankly, it puts the Premier in a very difficult spot. The plan to spend public money on ATVs for children were well known within government, within industry. A September, 2006 briefing note to Cabinet states in two separate sections that his government are buying the ATVs. Common sense says that the Premier could have, would have, should have known what was happening with the politically sensitive file. My question to the Premier is, what went wrong in your office, what went wrong in Cabinet, what went wrong in your caucus for you to have been kept in the dark about a spending plan which you couldn't tolerate?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, the government has been very forthright on this issue, the government has taken steps with respect to this issue, but this speaks to where the NDP priorities are. Today we have financial issues impacting the global economy, we have development which needs to take place here in our capital city, we have health care issues across Nova Scotia and across our country. We continue to move forward and growing the economy in rural Nova Scotia and here in our city so that we have opportunities for our future, for our children - all that and we see where the NDP priorities are.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, what could be more important than all those issues than the competence of the Premier's office. (Applause) Many, many ATV advocates felt that they and their favourite sports or recreation suffered most from the poor way this entire matter was handled by the government. The Premier tore a strip off his own Minister of Health Promotion and Protection when he saw the response of Nova Scotians to the ill-conceived plan. So my question for the Premier is a very simple one, why won't the Premier now admit that it was his own poor leadership and mismanagement of government that led to this unnecessary and wasteful plan that was developed, unveiled, and then cancelled?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, it never fails to amaze me. We have a lot of important issues to discuss in this House. This, of course, is an important issue, but it shows where the priorities of the NDP are - the "no development please" Party in this province. Mr. Speaker, what do they want to see? They want to see higher corporate taxes to drive businesses out of here. What do they want to see? No development in the downtown - they'd rather see parking lots. Those are their priorities. Mr. Speaker, this government will continue to make sure the programs and the policies are in place for our young people. We will continue to

[Page 4733]

make sure that we stand up - that side of the House may not be willing to stand up for rural Nova Scotia and the issues which impact our rural communities, but I can tell you that this Premier and this government will.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition on a new question.

NAT. RES.: CHILDREN'S ATVs - MIN. AWARENESS

MR. DARRELL DEXTER: When you can't answer the question, you attack the questioner - that's the way that the Premier operates. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday the Minister of Natural Resources said in this House that the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection did not share information about ATV purchases with others, and I'll quote from Hansard."He" - meaning the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection - "put together a plan with his department . . . It is understood that this information was not shared with his colleagues . . ."

[2:30 p.m.]

Mr. Speaker, the briefing note that I just tabled, in 2006, was prepared on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources by his Coordinator of Strategy Development. So my question to the Minister of Natural Resources is, can you explain why you didn't know about the ATV purchases when your staff was preparing briefing notes about them in 2006?

HON. DAVID MORSE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Clearly a lot of things happen in departments. Information is available - if you've got time to read an encyclopedia, then it's there, but we've got to focus on the future.

Mr. Speaker, a plan was put in place to allow families who want to give their children the opportunity to drive these machines safely. That has been done; there was good work done in the Department of Health Promotion and Protection. There was a mistake that has been acknowledged by the minister; he took responsibility. I think we're just beating a dead horse here.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition has the floor.

MR. DEXTER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[Page 4734]

The Minister of Health Promotion and Protection told The ChronicleHerald in 2008 that the entire plan to purchase ATVs for children stayed within his department. The Minister of Natural Resources said Thursday that the information wasn't shared.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to table minutes from an off-highway vehicle inter-departmental memo. The meeting took place at the Department of Natural Resources with DNR staff two years ago. The minutes say "HPP is purchasing youth-size machines and are currently working on the details." My question again for the Premier is this: How does he explain the contradiction between what his ministers are saying and the memo?

THE PREMIER: Again, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to go back to the issue that the government has taken steps to deal with this issue. Now my understanding is that not only have the appropriate steps been taken, but programs for safety are happening across our province. Perhaps the member can simply stand up and say if he is in favour of the safety programs or not in favour of the programs.

Mr. Speaker, perhaps they're not worried about these young people who require these programs, that this is an important part of their lives, their families, out in many parts of rural Nova Scotia. But again, I go back - we have a lot of issues happening in our province, including downtown development here, about encouraging business growth, and what is the NDP talking about? ATVs. That shows the NDP's priorities; that shows their limited ability to take a look at the big picture of what the important issues are in our province today.

MR. DEXTER: Mr. Speaker, I'm going to table a document dated May 15, 2007. These are the minutes of the meeting on the second floor boardroom at the Department of Natural Resources which included DNR staff and it states, working on the purchase of 74 machines for youth.

Mr. Speaker, DNR met regularly about this, the department wrote briefing notes providing advice to Cabinet. I want to ask the Premier now, does he now recognize that contrary to his two ministers' statements, the decision to purchase ATVs for children was well known throughout his government prior to the purchase for more than a year?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, we can spend the entire Question Period and my colleague can continue to ask questions. We've taken our steps, we've been very clear on our position on this issue. If he wants to do that, no problem. This government's going to continue focusing on the issues which are going to drive the economy of this province which is going to make sure that we're not only being fiscally responsible, that we're planning for the future.

Mr. Speaker, if that's the issue my colleague wants to talk about during the rest of Question Period, so be it. It just goes to show that the NDP have no plan for this province.

[Page 4735]

The only plan they have is to raise taxes, stop development and focus on the issues that aren't priorities for Nova Scotians.

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

NAT. RES.: CHILDREN'S ATVs - FOIPOP REQUEST

MR. STEPHEN MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. On September 26, 2008 my office received a reply from Natural Resources on a freedom of information request regarding child-sized ATVs. Mr. Speaker, a number of documents. . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The honourable Leader of the Liberal Party has the floor.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, a number of documents we received had sections blanked out. So my question to the Premier is, did you give a directive to the departments involved to omit important information?

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, I have no idea what documents he's even referring to.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, I have here the documents we received from Natural Resources and I will table them now. The same document appeared in the binder for Public Accounts Committee meeting tomorrow and I will also table those documents. The blanked out parts of our freedom of information request appear miraculously in the Public Accounts Committee documents. So my question to the Premier is, why was that information omitted in September for my office and is now being declared at Public Accounts tomorrow?

THE PREMIER: I am not aware of course of what's put forward with respect to a FOIPOP response. Again, I indicated to my colleague that I'm not aware of the document so I can't speak to why it is or why it isn't.

MR. MCNEIL: Mr. Speaker, the question was did he give a directive to blank out important information, regardless of which document is sitting in front of him? There are plenty of documents that have been laid out around this particular file that have gone across many departments; it has touched many ministers' hands. What was asked was did the Premier give a directive to blank out that important information that our caucus was looking for in September? That was the question.

THE PREMIER: Mr. Speaker, well I will spell it out for my colleague, no is the answer. I already indicated I'm not familiar with the documents and I think I was clear on my previous two answers.

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

[Page 4736]

EDUC.: BUSING - DISTANCES

MR. PERCY PARIS: Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister of Education. In a presentation that the minister and her deputy made to the Tri-County School Board last week she showed some startling busing distances in parts of the province. The average distance travelled in the Strait Regional School Board as an example is 206 kilometres a day, which I will table. This means elementary kids in some parts of Guysborough County and Richmond County are regularly on buses for close to an hour and a half each way. No family wants a young child on a bus for almost three hours a day. What plan does the minister have to fix the system so that kids aren't spending so much of their day on a bus?

HON. KAREN CASEY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and to the member opposite for the question. The document and the presentation to which he refers is a presentation that our department prepared to make sure that those who did not understand how formulae work for funding to school boards did have an opportunity. One component that we look at when we provide funding to school boards is transportation costs, and the responsibility for scheduling buses and determining transportation rests with the school board. There are a number of different procedures that school boards have with respect to transportation and that is the responsibility of the board.

MR. PARIS: Mr. Speaker, in February, the department released the Walking Distance Review for students which had been completed ahead of time in less than eight months. Its 23 recommendations deal extensively with busing - which I will also table - even more than they do with walking. The minister said, "I will be carefully considering its recommendations and provide my response this spring." I will also table that. Well, Mr. Speaker, the school boards are still waiting for the minister's response and that report has been out for nine months. My question for the minister is, when is her government going to stop studying and start doing something for the kids?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, I would certainly not want anybody to suggest that this department stop studying and start doing things for kids. That's exactly what we do.

MR. PARIS: Mr. Speaker, these documents which I tabled show that more than 400 kids are spending three hours a day, every school day, on a bus. Does the minister realize how cruel this is for young Nova Scotia students to have to endure?

MS. CASEY: Mr. Speaker, and as I said earlier, the responsibility for transportation of our students is a responsibility of the school boards. We did complete a study about walking distances and it indicated that there would be no change in that until September 2009 and there will be no change in that, but I do want to remind the member that we are living in a rural province. Our school buses travel many, many miles to have their students transported to schools. One of the guidelines that our school boards, all school boards, use

[Page 4737]

is that no student will be on a bus more than one hour, but we know that with the geography that we have there are exceptions to that.

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

HEALTH: AUTISM PROG. - STATUS

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health this afternoon. Nova Scotia is seriously lacking in services for children with autism. The government's solution was the early intensive behavioural intervention and treatment program or the EIBI. I would like to table a press release from 2004 that states, "Details of the treatment roll-out plan are still in development, but it is expected that it will take about three years before the program will be fully operational within the nine district health authorities and the IWK." So my question today is for the Minister of Health. Can he explain why this program is still not fully functional and operational, leaving Nova Scotian children without services they need?

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I will be bringing in the report, as the member opposite knows. After a three-year period the department wishes to do a review of the EIBI Program and at that point make a decision on the future of the program, whether it worked or not, find out what the deficiencies are and try to put a cost to what a full program would look like. I will be tabling that report in the House - maybe later today, if not tomorrow - to bring to the House's attention the successes of the EIBI Program.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, the EIBI Program is helping 27 children per year in Nova Scotia. According to the Autism Society of Nova Scotia, there are approximately 1,790 children here in our province with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. That's a large number of children here in our province. So I would like to ask the minister, can he explain why after four years and over $12 million, you are only helping 27 of these 1,790 children here in Nova Scotia?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, over the last number of years it has been a learning process, not only for the department but for the individuals who offer the service, as well as the families that are receiving that service. We will have a report that will talk about the importance of the program, the effectiveness of the program and recommendations on the future of the program. Right now, there are 117 children who have gone through the program when it does complete in the Spring and we would like to see more children go through that program, as it has been very effective.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, the EIBI program has done a lot of good for the 27 children each year who are able to access it, but what about the 1,763 other children that they are refusing to help today in this province? I would like to ask

[Page 4738]

the minister, when are you going to help these 1,763 children by expanding the program across this province?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows full well that, of course, there are costs related to this program as well as human resources related to this program. Finding the individuals that can offer the program in the different districts, not only here at the IWK but in the other nine districts across this province, is very difficult. It would cost a fair sum to implement that program across this province and it's one that needs to be considered during a full budget process, it is one that the department will continue to work with and work on in order to make sure that we help as many children as is feasible, and can be done with the resources that are available to Nova Scotians.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West.

[2:45 p.m.]

HEALTH: AUTISM FUNDING - COMMITMENT

MR. LEO GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. Last July the minister claimed that autism funding had grown in leaps and bounds; one month later, the minister said that more funding was needed. The fact of the matter is that no funding is available to help families of autistic children, unless the child's name is drawn out of a hat for funding. My question to the minister is, will the minister clarify his commitment to funding and help all children with autism?

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, as my answers to the previous question revolved around, we in the Department of Health, as well as we as a government, would like to help all the children who have autism. We speak to families just as much as the member opposite about the challenges that they have with the children and trying to find services for those children.

Again, this is a new program. I know over the last three years we have spent well over $12 million to help the 117 children that have been through the program. It would cost us, again, a fair sum in order to expand that to the full gamut of the province - again, we are receiving it in all parts of the province as well as here in metro. We would have to find resources - not only monetary, but the individuals who have to work so hard, one-on-one, with the families in order for this program to succeed.

MR. GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, the father of an autistic child, Jim Young, recently wrote in The ChronicleHerald: Our family received no financial support for treatment - never have. Yet in the last four budgets, the government underspent in mental health programs by a total of more than $1.5 million. My question to the minister is, why isn't the

[Page 4739]

government committing this money to help families like Jim Young and their children coping with autism?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite fully knows, as we put a budget forward, as we try to start up new programs, from time to time some of these programs become underspent because of just not being able to find the people available to offer the services and such. Every year we try to find a way to infuse money into new programs and the EIBI program is not the only new program that people are asking for, whether it be an expansion to the diabetes program, whether it be a Pharmacare Program, whether it be another thing, so there are competing priorities here. This report that I will be tabling either today or tomorrow will show the successes, the recommendations on how to bring this program forward, and to see more children receive this service.

MR. GLAVINE: Mr. Speaker, in Monday's ChronicleHerald, the editorial board stated the difference in outcomes for autistic children, unless parents pay for the expensive treatments privately, can be tragic.

Mr. Speaker, in August the Deputy Minister had it right, calling on government to commit more funding to mental health services. She doesn't want a repeat of Nova Scotians spending 30 to 40 years in provincial care. My question to the minister, with his own deputy pushing for more funding for better mental health services, what is the minister going to do to address the gaps in autism program funding?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I hope the member opposite is not saying that the other programs under mental health are not important. The deputy minister did have it right, because we do need to spend more money on mental health but, with the other competing priorities - and the member has these people who visit his office as well, whether it be advocates for diabetes, whether it be advocates for cancer care, whether it be advocates for whatever it is, they're all asking for millions and millions of dollars to support programs for the patients who they represent.

Mr. Speaker, again we will have a report that I believe is a good report, that shows the success of the EIBI Program and one that will have recommendations on how to enrich this program well into the future.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Pictou West.

HEALTH: DIALYSIS SERV. - PICTOU CO.

MR. CHARLES PARKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I brought to your attention the story of George Spears who must travel from Pictou to Antigonish three times a week for dialysis. Since then we've spoken with the Pictou County District Health Authority about dialysis services available at their hospitals. We know that they are doing

[Page 4740]

their best with the resources available to them, but we also know that Nova Scotians should not be forced to travel to access care.

Now Pat Lee, the DHA CEO fully supports our efforts to increase dialysis services at the Aberdeen Hospital. So my question to the Minister of Health, when is Pictou County going to get the dialysis services that they require?

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank the member opposite for the question, I thank the member opposite as well for providing me with the information on the specific patient after Question Period when he asked the question. Mr. Speaker, not speaking directly to that patient, but all services cannot be available across the province, depending on the needs of that patient. We are reviewing the case and hopefully we will come to a positive conclusion.

MR. PARKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A few months ago, a new provincial renal plan was reviewed with the DHA CEOs. Unfortunately, it's a five to 10-year plan. Now Pat Lee, as the CEO in the Pictou District Health Authority, is fully supportive of the proposal but concerned about the lack of specific timelines because dialysis services need to be expanded here and now. So my question for the Minister of Health again, can you explain how making people like George Spears from Pictou wait five or 10 years to access dialysis in their home communities is acceptable?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The health system is here to react to the emergency needs, the needs of Nova Scotians right across this province, and we have to try to be as fair as we can, from Yarmouth to Sydney, and all points in between. Mr. Speaker, the services are different, people get different types of dialyses and require different types of technology in which to respond to that service. Again, as I've committed to the member opposite last week, we are going to review this case to see if there's a possibility to help these individuals closer to home.

MR. PARKER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In an effort to clarify the timelines and the details of the Provincial Renal Program, my staff went to your Web site. The strategic plan, however, is not online, nor does the program have its own Web site. So my question again to the minister, can you explain this lack of accountability and why information about the Provincial Renal Program and strategic plan is not available to all Nova Scotians?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The member opposite would also know that the Nova Scotia Renal Dialysis Program is one that is managed by the Capital District Health Authority, not directly by the Department of Health. I will try to endeavour to have more information for the member opposite, as well as for the members here in the Legislature, at the earliest convenience. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Glace Bay.

[Page 4741]

HEALTH: NURSING HOME FEES - INCREASES

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health. Yesterday, the minister issued a press release outlining a significant increase in the accommodation charge for seniors in nursing homes, an increase of $7. 50 per day, $225 per month, $2,700 per year per resident. That's a huge increase and one that no one is taking lightly so my question for the minister is, could he please outline the justification of that 9.4 per cent daily increase which he would surely have stated in the letter he sent to residents and their families on September 25th?

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, the government does pay for all of the health care costs associated to care within a long-term care facilities which does, of course, add up to a significant amount of money. Each year, the Nova Scotia Department of Health, on behalf of taxpayers, pays well over $450 million to support the accommodation charge of seniors, people in our long-term care facilities. This increase is trying to respect not only the dollar amount but also the continuation of services of these long-term care facilities. Ultimately about 10 per cent to 12 per cent of residents will be paying this full increase, but somewhere close to 90 per cent - 88 per cent - of residents do not pay that full accommodation charge.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, if that answer sounded vague, it's because it was. There's no justification because there were no specifics given in the letters that were sent out and the nursing home residents and their families have been left in the dark over such a big increase. Is this necessary to cover increased operating costs? Will residents and families see better food, better services with this increase? That is the "$2,700 per year per resident" question. Since the minister left out the justification in his letter, here's another opportunity. Will the minister please be specific when he outlines whether the $2,700 per year increase will be used to cover increased operating costs or will residents see improvements in their living conditions?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the member opposite if I wasn't clear enough, I will try to explain this once again. I'm just trying to provide a little more information, as the member opposite asked me to do. I want to say that nursing homes are $86.50 per day, which is up from $79 per day. Residential care facilities - we're paying $52, which is up from the $50 per day and the community-based options (Interruption) Mr. Speaker, I'm just trying to provide the member opposite with some extra information to help formulate my comment. If the member opposite doesn't want the answer, I'll be happy to sit down and let him yell at me some more.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, it's easy for the minister to sit down because he's not giving any specifics. You're not giving any details at all. If you did, you wouldn't be so insulted by that, Mr. Minister, and you'd still be on your feet giving the

[Page 4742]

details. But you don't have them, Mr. Minister - that's the problem. Without the details, the residents and their families can only assume that the minister and his government have chosen to balance some of their financial woes on the backs of our most vulnerable seniors and the families in this province. I'm asking again, why can't the minister provide detailed justification when he's sending out $2,700 per year increase letters? Surely the minister can justify the increases. Mr. Minister, surely you have a detailed explanation.

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I sat quietly and listened to the question. I'd be more than happy to stand and speak as long as the member opposite listens to the answer. (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

MR. D'ENTREMONT: I'm just asking for that respect. I respected his question.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The Minister of Health has the floor.

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, let me go through a few items to answer the member opposite's question. Each year we look at the cost of operating the facilities to determine if an increase is needed to cover the costs. We assess everyone on an individual basis - if you're in a lower income bracket you may not see an increase or your increase may be smaller than someone paying the standard charge. About 10 per cent of long-term care clients pay the standard accommodation rate. About 600 to 700 residents in nursing homes will pay the $86.50 which is the increase that the member opposite speaks to. This varies as the amount a person pays is dependent on his or her income level. At the higher rate, there are fewer people who will pay this rate.

Mr. Speaker, the province pays for the designated health care services to seniors in long-term care. So we're looking for things that affect accommodation charge such as cost of food, cost of heat and salaries of staff not related to the direct care of the residents - maintenance and housekeeping. Mr. Speaker, the answer to it - this is to cover the daily operating costs of the facilities that are under our care.

[3:00 p.m.]

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Dartmouth East.

HEALTH. PROM. & PROTECTION: FLAVOURED CIGARILLOS - BAN

MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, people under 25 are nearly four times (Interruptions)

[Page 4743]

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I would ask that the members respect each other as they are speaking and this current time the member for Dartmouth East has the floor.

MS. JOAN MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, people under 25 are nearly four times more likely to smoke flavoured cigarillos and sales are booming from 50,000 in 2001 to more than 80 million by 2006. The Canadian Coalition on Tobacco, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada all support banning these products. My question to the Minister of Health Promotion is, why won't this minister take the advice of Canada's leading health professionals and ban candy flavoured cigarillos?

HON. BARRY BARNET: Mr. Speaker, as I've indicated to the member opposite in previous questions, I have written to the Minister of Health for Canada and I've asked him to look at this issue as a national issue. At the most recent Health Minister's meeting held a month and a half ago, I provided the ministers with our position with respect to candy flavoured cigarillos. I also showed them the impact of the marketing that's being done by the tobacco industry. As a result of that intervention, and subsequent letters that I've written to the Minister of Health for Canada, the Government of Canada has announced that they will immediately move towards an approach that would ban flavoured cigarillos.

MS. MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I'd like to table a letter we obtained through Freedom of Information in which the minister implores the Federal Minister of Health to take a tough stand on flavoured tobacco products. In fact, the minister even suggests that he plans to introduce legislation banning flavoured tobacco. Mr. Speaker, why won't the minister take his own advice and ban candy flavoured cigarillos so more kids won't get hooked on these starter tobacco products?

MR. BARNET: Mr. Speaker, my belief is that a national ban by the Government of Canada would include the Province of Nova Scotia.

MS. MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I'll table another letter obtained through the Freedom of Information in which the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection indicates he endorses a ban . . .(Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. It's very hard to hear the member for Dartmouth East and I'm right beside her. The honourable member for Dartmouth East.

MS. MASSEY: Mr. Speaker, I'll start again. I'll table a letter obtained through Freedom of Information in which the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection indicates that he does endorse a ban, the Federal Government indicates it also endorses a ban. If everyone agrees it's such a great idea, why won't the Minister of Health Promotion ban it himself?

[Page 4744]

MR. BARNET: Mr. Speaker, the member is right. I do agree that a ban is necessary but I will tell the member opposite, as she has said as a result of reading those letters, that I believe the best approach is a national approach. I spoke to the Minister of Health just recently, a week or so ago, I understand this is high on their agenda and they intend to deal with this matter in December to bring it to Cabinet. As I said in my earlier answer, a ban in Canada would include Nova Scotia. The last time I checked we were part of Canada.

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

HEALTH: PALLIATIVE CARE - PROVISION

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, we all know that there are gaps in palliative care services across the province. District health authorities are doing a great job making the most out of very little, but they need funding and a province-wide strategy. Even the most recent Corpus Sanchez Report spoke to the need to improve palliative care here in our province. So I would like to ask the Minister of Health, when is this government going to provide Nova Scotians with adequate palliative care services across the province?

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet with the Palliative Care Association of Nova Scotia, I believe last week, and we talked about a number of things, one of which was the implementation of the strategy that was put forward to us a couple of years ago. One of the biggest moves was, of course, to have the position in the department, we didn't have somebody actually managing the day-to-day operations, or the day-to-day movement of palliative care services in the province, and we've done that. We have allowed for home oxygen services. We've allowed for extended home care services for people in palliative states. We're trying our best to make sure that people can die at home, because that is what Nova Scotians and Canadians have told us, that's where they would rather die, rather than in the hospitals.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, I know the minister has talked about this for a very long time and so have I, I have asked many questions about this, year after year after year. We need some guidance, some leadership, from this government. The lack of leadership from the government means that people of Pictou County have to rely on donations to keep their state-of-the-art unit. Imagine, donations to have someone die at home respectfully. So I ask the Minister of Health, why must Nova Scotians continue to rely on charity to access the care they need at the end of their lives?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, I don't know whether the member opposite doesn't realize how our health system works in Nova Scotia, but it does require lots of hours from volunteers. It does require lots of dollars from other sources which are community based, whether it is the construction of a hospital or the service to patients.

[Page 4745]

Mr. Speaker, we thank Nova Scotians for the work that they do on behalf of patients in this province. We have invested quite a few dollars when it comes to our Continuing Care Strategy, which talks to dying at home, which talks to palliative services available to Nova Scotians; and it was just the other day, the opening of the service at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, which is a wonderful facility, and I know the people of Pictou have a wonderful one as well at the Aberdeen Hospital.

MR. DAVID WILSON (Sackville-Cobequid): Mr. Speaker, as a paramedic I know how health care works here in Nova Scotia and it would work a lot better if we had true leadership when it comes to health care and health care services here in Nova Scotia. Beds do not make up palliative care units. Palliative care units like the Aberdeen are very few and far between. So I would like to ask the minister, when are you going to ensure that all Nova Scotians, no matter where you live in this province, have equal access to the high quality, comfortable palliative care units?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, thank you very much, again, for this question from the member opposite. We were having a problem across this province where we didn't have equal services, where we had wonderful facilities and services in Colchester County and we had nothing in Yarmouth. We now have services that are available to all Nova Scotians, albeit maybe not the services that we would want to offer to them. The strategy talks of a timeline of somewhere near five years. I would suggest that we're in year two of that strategy. We will continue to invest dollars through our Continuing Care Strategy to allow more services available to people who are dying at home.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Preston.

ECON. DEV. - COAST GUARD SHIPS: TRANSFER - DETAILS

MR. KEITH COLWELL: Mr. Speaker, my question will be to the Premier. On September 16th a motion was passed at the Nova Scotia Standing Committee on Resources. The essence of the motion stated that the Resources Committee condemn the decision to transfer our Canadian Coast Guard ships from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to Newfoundland. The motion passed five to three, despite the fact that the entire Progressive Conservative caucus in attendance voted against the motion. My question is, why does your government support the transfer of two Canadian Coast Guard vessels from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to Newfoundland and Labrador?

HON. ANGUS MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, the honourable member has demonstrated his capacity to make a leap to conclusions that do not represent the facts. The fact is we do not support this; the Premier has, in fact, articulated that concern very clearly.

MR. COLWELL: Mr. Speaker, this decision was about politics and nothing more. Assistant Commissioner Hurlburt was asked to appear before the Resources Committee well

[Page 4746]

in advance of the federal election being called, but after the writ was struck the Harper Government went to court to try to block the provincial proceedings from taking place until after the federal election. My question again is, if this wasn't about politics, why did your Conservative colleagues get involved in a provincial proceeding and, indeed, went to court to try to prevent it?

MR. MACISAAC: Mr. Speaker, as I already indicated in the answer to the first question, the Premier, in fact, made the position of the government known very clearly.

MR. COLWELL: Mr. Speaker, it is clearly another one of these situations where the ministers and the Premier aren't together on the issue. By not voting for the motion, the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, and the Chairman of the Progressive Conservative caucus made it clear that they care as little about this negative financial impact on Nova Scotia as they do on the well-being of Nova Scotians. My question again is, why does your Cabinet and caucus chairman - who voted against this in this meeting - care so little about the negative impact that this will have on Nova Scotia's economy at a cost of approximately $12 million a year?

HON. RONALD CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in my place today to shed a little light, I guess, on what the member opposite is saying. It is very, very confusing. That decision to remove the boats from Dartmouth, the Coast Guard ships, was put in place by the previous Liberal Government under Robert Thibault or Geoff Regan, when they were Minister of Fisheries. Mr. Speaker, although we don't like to see anything leave our harbour here in Halifax, we do have a commitment from the federal government to build five new ships (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Allow the member to answer the question.

MR. CHISHOLM: . . . five new ships that the Coast Guard will have. (Applause) Like all members of the House, I was very concerned when I heard that we were losing these boats in the harbour. When I found out the actual story about it, I was a little more convinced that this is a good thing for Nova Scotia; it's a good thing for the people who work on those boats. There will be absolutely no layoffs. They will be transferred, when their shift changes, by helicopter to wherever the ships are so that the employees who work there will be looked after. So I'm very proud of what the federal government did and I'm proud of what our government has done as well. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Shelburne.

HEALTH PROM. & PROTECTION: SUICIDE PREVENTION -

CRISIS TEAMS

[Page 4747]

MR. STERLING BELLIVEAU: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last week the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection said that a large part of what his department does regarding suicide is, "conduct research that will help us and guide us as we make public policy decisions." We obtained a report through freedom of information, which I will table. It says: Leadership is the key. Without it, nothing will happen. There are many strategies out there that, with not a leader championing the cause, are losing traction and just sit on the shelf as another strategy. My question to the Minister of Health Promotion and Protection is, why aren't you showing leadership in suicide prevention by establishing 24/7 mental health crisis teams in all areas of Nova Scotia?

HON. BARRY BARNET: Mr. Speaker, as I indicated last week, the Department of Health Promotion and Protection in the Province of Nova Scotia was the first jurisdiction in Canada to have a suicide prevention strategy. Yes we do research and yes we provide that research to our health partners. It's the Department of Health that actually provides the services on the ground and I would refer that to the Minister of Health.

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows there is a crisis intervention program here in Halifax that takes referrals from all parts of the province. The challenge that we've had in the past is trying to train the individuals at the emergency rooms and those places in order to provide those services more effectively. Mental health is one that is always a difficult issue to understand and we will continue to provide training to our partners in order to identify patients as they come to our emergency rooms.

MR. BELLIVEAU: Mr. Speaker, the minister's assuring us that the department is working with the District Health Authorities but we know that all DHAs did not receive enough funding to provide 24-7 mental health crisis teams that the report recommends. My question to the minister - people don't schedule their mental health crisis, it just happens, so why doesn't the minister show some leadership and provide funding for 24-7 crisis teams throughout Nova Scotia?

[3:15 p.m.]

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, through our budget process we work on the business plans of each District Health Authority. They provide us with an idea of what kind of programs they do want to offer to Nova Scotians from year to year. Mental health is one that we continue to add dollars to, maybe not as many dollars as we need to. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to try to find the right programs but it does fall into a resource problem as well, trying to find mental health professionals, psychiatrists and those individuals who can safely administer the programs for all Nova Scotians.

MR. BELLIVEAU: Mr. Speaker, I think the people of Shelburne County are glad that the Minister of Health - that I got his attention. Mr. Speaker, the minister's contingency

[Page 4748]

plan of using emergency departments for mental health crisis management doesn't work when the ER is in crisis itself. Roseway Emergency Department was closed 52 days last year. I repeat, 52 days last year. My question, where does the minister expect mental health patients to go when the Roseway Hospital Emergency Department is closed?

MR. D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite full well knows that there are emergency rooms in Queens, there's one in Yarmouth, there's a fully operational paramedic system, one of the best paramedic systems that we have in this province. So I can tell you today that I'm very confident that the individuals, the people living in Shelburne, are very well covered when it comes to health services. Again, we need the training to go along with all individuals offering health services to Nova Scotians. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to make sure that happens, emergency rooms, paramedics, right across this province.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Pictou West.

NAT. RES.: MOOSE HABITAT -

CUMBERLAND CO. GAME SANCTUARY

MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, my question through you is to the Minister of Natural Resources. In March of last year, the minister released a report a Recovery Plan for Moose and I'll table that here in the House. One of the plans objectives was to get landowners involved in the stewardship of the Mainland moose and their habitat. Last week, the minister gave a drilling firm permission to conduct seismic testing in the Chignecto Game Sanctuary in Cumberland County. So the minister's recovery plan on one hand and his actions last week appear to contradict each other. So my question is, how does the minister expect to engage landowners in the preservation of moose habitat, when he's more willing to destroy it than help it?

HON. DAVID MORSE: Mr. Speaker, we take our commitment to endangered species including the Mainland moose very seriously. This is something that has happened twice before, in terms of seismic testing in the Chignecto Game Sanctuary. We're not breaking new ground here, but before we did allow access to allow this testing, we did confer with our wildlife biologist. We also conferred with the wildlife people in the Department of Environment. They concluded that this would not be disruptive to them and indeed, I anticipate that the seismic testing is in fact going to be concluded by the end of this week.

MR. PARKER: Mr. Speaker, logging and mining how can you still call this a sanctuary? It's not possible.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The time allotted for the Oral Question Period has elapsed. We will now turn back to the daily routine.

[Page 4749]

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

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

RESOLUTION NO. 4599

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

Whereas this year 17 Nova Scotia athletes and coaches travelled to China for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics which celebrates excellence in sport around the globe; and

Whereas this year's team included such dedicated Nova Scotians as gymnast David Kikuchi of Fall River, who competed in his second Olympic games and is retiring as a Commonwealth Games champion and a two-time national all-around champion; and

Whereas the team also includes Paul Tingley of Halifax, who won his first Paralympic gold medal in sailing and was named the Canadian flag bearer at the closing ceremonies of the Paralympic games;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate these dedicated athletes and coaches for their commitment to sport and their success at this year's Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing - these individuals set an example for our young Nova Scotians to follow, and all Nova Scotians.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Economic Development.

[Page 4750]

RESOLUTION NO. 4600

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 Nova Scotia Business Development Program is part of the government's commitment to ensure sustainable prosperity for this province by helping small and medium-sized businesses grow and prosper; and

Whereas this important program encourages business start-ups and provides help through qualified consultants and services such as training and recruitment, market research and business plan development, advertising and promotional plans, visual merchandising techniques and fiscal management tools to ensure the businesses continue to thrive; and

Whereas this program is complementing and strengthening business activity across Nova Scotia;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House extend congratulations to the staff of Nova Scotia Economic Development and, in particular, its field staff for ensuring the success of this program.

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 Natural Resources.

RESOLUTION NO. 4601

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

Whereas for the past 10 years, Kit and George Hunt of Lawrencetown, Halifax County, have welcomed visitors to our provincial camping parks as volunteers with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources Campground Host Program; and

[Page 4751]

Whereas the Hunts have enhanced park services by providing information to our visitors about park services, the attractions and special events available in the local community and the province, and coordinated craft activities for children in the camping parks they have hosted in; and

Whereas George Hunt has a lead roll in training new campground hosts to ensure continued excellence of service by hosts;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House show their appreciation for the 10 years of volunteer service by Kit and George Hunt, and for all the volunteer campground hosts like them who are ambassadors of this great 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 Community Services.

RESOLUTION NO. 4602

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

Whereas adoption means love, support and a permanent nurturing home for many children in permanent care and custody; and

Whereas in Nova Scotia there are 100 children and youth who are waiting to be adopted into a loving family; and

Whereas November is Adoption Awareness Month and during this month all Nova Scotians, families and individuals are encouraged to consider adopting one of Nova Scotia's waiting children;

[Page 4752]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House encourage Nova Scotians to consider adopting a young person into their families and hearts.

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 Economic Development.

RESOLUTION NO. 4603

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 Private Sector Research and Development Co-operative Employment Program is stimulating private sector innovation while providing on-the-job research and development opportunities and exposure to world-class, leading-edge scientific investigations for Nova Scotia university students; and

Whereas matching university students with private sector companies will help increase Nova Scotia's competitiveness in the global marketplace and further help move Nova Scotian innovation from the lab to the marketplace; and

Whereas programs such as this are essential to growing our future workforce and encouraging graduates to live, work, raise families and share their expertise to innovative companies in our province;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House extend their congratulations to staff of Nova Scotia Economic Development on this successful program.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

[Page 4753]

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Queens.

RESOLUTION NO. 4604

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

Whereas the Air Cadets League of Canada promotes development of self-confidence, self-discipline, leadership and physical fitness in youth; and

Whereas the Air Cadets of 545th Privateer Squadron in Liverpool organized and worked on a breakfast event this summer which focused on the importance of the Democracy 250 program in their community; and

Whereas the participation in air cadets leads to well-adjusted, civic-minded youth in the County of Queens;

Therefore be it resolved that the House of Assembly recognize the valuable work the 545th Privateers Squadron in Liverpool does with youth from Queens County.

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. 4605

[Page 4754]

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

Whereas gas regulation has proven yet again to be a completely ineffective system; and

Whereas this weekend Prince Edward Island used the interrupter clause to lower their gas price an additional five cents to better reflect market trends; and

Whereas while they are paying between 90.8 and 92.9 cents per litre, we are still paying an inflated price of 97 cents or more per litre;

Therefore be it resolved that the Premier, his government and the NDP recognize that gas regulation has failed and move to allow a free market environment immediately.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

I hear several Noes.

The notice is tabled.

The honourable member for Pictou Centre.

RESOLUTION NO. 4606

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

Whereas all six members of New Glasgow's Washburn family competed in this year's Johnny Miles Running Event Weekend in June; and

Whereas Mike and Kim and their four children - Laura, Brianna, Ryan and Erin - were one dynamic team . . .(Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. We're really having a difficult time hearing the speaker. Thank you.

[Page 4755]

The honourable member for Pictou Centre has the floor. Would you start over, please.

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

Whereas all six members of the New Glasgow's Washburn family competed in this year's Johnny Miles Running Event Weekend in June; and

Whereas Mike and Kim and their four children - Laura, Brianna, Ryan and Erin - were one dynamic team at this year's event and one of several families competing; and

Whereas the popular event that was started in 1975 has evolved from a small, elite competition to an inclusive one, creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities and more than 1,100 people signed up this year, with the five kilometre race having the most participants;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate the Washburn family for their inspirational team spirit, proving that keeping fit and having fun at the same time can include the whole 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 member for Halifax Needham.

RESOLUTION NO. 4607

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

Whereas Demone's Barber Shop has been providing haircuts and shaves to residents of the North End of Halifax since 1928 in its location at the corner of Agricola Street and the former Sullivan Street, now known as Demone Street; and

[Page 4756]

Whereas Demone's Barber Shop was founded by Isaac Demone and ownership has passed successively to Earl Demone, then to Jim Shea, and now to John Stickney who recently purchased the barber shop; and

Whereas Demone's Barber Shop is currently celebrating its 80th Anniversary in business, a rare milestone for any business to achieve;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly congratulate Mr. Stickney on keeping a North End landmark alive, and wish both Mr. Stickney and Demone's Barber Shop many prosperous years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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.

[3:30 p.m.]

The honourable member for Halifax Clayton Park.

RESOLUTION NO. 4608

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

Whereas Paul Tingley, a proud Nova Scotian, brought great honour to our province at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China; and

Whereas years of training, discipline and dedication culminated in Paul winning a gold medal in the 2.4 metre sailing event; and

Whereas Paul's success in Beijing followed a bronze medal in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia;

[Page 4757]

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House of Assembly congratulate Paul Tingley on his tremendous success in winning gold in the Beijing Paralympic Games 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?

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. 4609

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

Whereas physical education teacher Joe MacNeil undertook an impressive physical education exercise with elementary students at both Cape Smokey Elementary and North Highlands Elementary during the 2007-2008 school year; and

Whereas the exercise involved students being outfitted with pedometers so the steps of every student could be tracked each and every physical education day; and

Whereas the estimated travel distance for each school was 16.6 million steps to equal the distance outlined on the Canadian map with Cape Smokey students beginning September 7, 2007, and ending May 29, 2008; while North Highland students started three days later and finished on June 9, 2008;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate the physical education students of Joe MacNeil for their trek across Canada during the 2007-2008 school year, and wish them every continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

[Page 4758]

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. 4610

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 Canadian Transplant Games are Olympic style games, featuring athletes from across Canada who have had a type of transplant, was held in August 2008, in Windsor, Ontario; and

Whereas participating in this year's annual games was 14-year-old liver transplant recipient, Benjamin Paul Nickerson from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Benjamin Paul Nickerson competed in several events, winning five gold medals in swimming, one silver medal in high jump and one silver medal in the broad jump;

Therefore be it resolved that the House of Assembly extend our congratulations to Benjamin Paul Nickerson on winning seven medals in various competitions at the annual Canadian Transplant Games in Windsor, Ontario, and commend him for his indomitable spirit and excellent sportsmanship.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Glace Bay.

[Page 4759]

RESOLUTION NO. 4611

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas in 2008, it's estimated that 22,400 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer; and

Whereas each year breast cancer research education and awareness programs receive much needed funding through fundraising efforts such as the CIBC Run for the Cure; and

Whereas this year's run raised $28.5 million - a new record for the annual event;

Therefore be it resolved the members of the House of Assembly commend the efforts of all organizers and participants in the success of this year's CIBC Run for the Cure and wish them all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Pictou Centre.

RESOLUTION NO. 4612

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

Whereas Highland Community Residential Services client Adam Smith holds down multiple jobs and now knows what he wants to do; and

Whereas Adam has hopes to continue working full-time and possibly go back to school and for these developments he credits the HCRS; and

Whereas the community-based, non-profit organization provides housing options for mental health consumers and in doing offers many a place in society and ( Interruption)

[Page 4760]

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I'm telling you, it sounds like a bar in here. Would you please keep the noise down so the member can speak?

The honourable member for Pictou Centre.

MR. DUNN: Whereas the community-based, non-profit organization provides housing options for mental health consumers and in doing offers many a place in society and through this assistance, Adam is now in a position to help others - the ultimate reward for the community at large;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House send congratulations and best wishes for the future to Adam Smith of Highland Community Residential Services for his incredible spirit and commitment to others.

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. 4613

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

Whereas Charles Landry of Three Brooks, Pictou County, was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the Pictou District Health Authority; and

Whereas Mr. Landry has been an active volunteer with the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital's Veterans Unit as well as the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 16 in Pictou; and

Whereas Mr. Landry has been an active and reliable flag bearer in various county and Remembrance Day services;

[Page 4761]

Therefore be it resolved that this Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Charles Landry as Volunteer of the Year with the Pictou District Health Authority and thank him for his service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Digby-Annapolis.

RESOLUTION NO. 4614

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

Whereas Joe Casey, a former member of this House, has written an autobiography titled, The Life and Times of Joe Casey: From Fish to Politics; and

Whereas Mr. Casey's story details his experience as a harbour pilot, a fisherman, fish plant owner, lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy, hotel owner and Deputy Speaker and member of this Nova Scotia Legislature; and

Whereas through this book, all Nova Scotians can share in the telling of his exciting stories;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly recognize the efforts of Mr. Joe Casey and congratulate him on the release of his new autobiography.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

[Page 4762]

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. 4615

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

Whereas the second most photographed lighthouse in Nova Scotia underwent a major make-over in the days leading up to Baddeck's Centennial this summer; and

Whereas the Kidston Island lighthouse looks practically new again after some hard yet dynamite work by Eddie Keeling; and

Whereas Eddie said, it's surprising what can be done when "you take the bull by the horns" and as a result the lighthouse underwent eight days of scraping and painting;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly compliment Eddie Keeling for his inspiration in wanting to see the Kidston Island lighthouse reminiscent of its glory days when it guided vessels in and out of Baddeck 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 Queens.

RESOLUTION NO. 4616

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

[Page 4763]

Whereas the War Amps Playsafe Program has been going on for 30 years, encouraging kids to spot the danger before they play; and

Whereas this program provides financial assistance to children with artificial limbs and provides counselling and seminars for children; and

Whereas 10-year-old Mark Allison from Hunts Point has been communicating the Playsafe and Drivesafe message by his attendance in parades throughout the summer;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Mark Allison of Hunts Point, Queens County for his participation in promoting the Playsafe and Drivesafe programs through War Amps.

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. 4617

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 silent mystery man Jerome kept generations of Nova Scotians guessing about who he was and why he washed up on a Digby Neck beach in 1863; and

Whereas despite being a difficult guest, Jerome enjoyed the hospitality and charity of the good people of Clare until his death in 1912; and

Whereas Fraser Mooney, Jr., of Yarmouth just published a book that sheds light on this fascinating Nova Scotia mystery;

[Page 4764]

Therefore be it resolved that this House congratulate Fraser Mooney on his first book and recognize the mystery of Jerome as an essential piece of the history and folklore of Clare, Digby County, and Nova Scotia.

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 Justice.

RESOLUTION NO. 4618

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

Whereas Anna Fricker, a Grade 9 student at T.L. Sullivan Junior High School in Florence, has made it her mission to raise money to help children in Africa receive a better education; and

Whereas Anna's campaign in the school has raised more than $1,200 to help the children in Zambia receive better education; and

Whereas when Anna enters high school, she plans to continue her campaign to educate fellow students to raise their compassion and concern, and help Third World children;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in congratulating Anna Fricker for her leadership and compassion.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

[Page 4765]

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. 4619

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

Whereas Saint Mary's University has a proud athletic history; and

Whereas the sport of football has played an important part of that tradition; and

Whereas Paul Puma, All-Canadian Full Back and legendary J.L. Ilsley principal, was recently inducted into the Saint Mary's Sports Hall of Fame;

Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Paul Puma on his induction into the Saint Mary's University Sports Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Glace Bay.

RESOLUTION NO. 4620

MR. DAVID WILSON (Glace Bay): Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

[Page 4766]

Whereas Symphony Nova Scotia has begun its new season with Martin MacDonald conducting; and

Whereas Mr. MacDonald, a native of Cape Breton, became the symphony's conductor in May of this year, bringing a lifetime of musical experience and knowledge to that position; and

Whereas Mr. MacDonald made his debut on October 14th, launching the symphony's Democracy 250 Fall tour;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly congratulate Martin MacDonald on his new role as conductor of Symphony Nova Scotia, and wish him luck this season and in many seasons to come.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

RESOLUTION NO. 4621

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

Whereas Fraser's Pharmacy in Bible Hill is celebrating its Golden Anniversary; and

Whereas Fraser's Pharmacy, a family-owned business, was founded in 1958 by Charles Fraser, and his son, John Fraser, is now the proprietor; and

Whereas Fraser's Pharmacy counters the "big box" ideology by providing superb personal service with a staff that makes customers feel special;

[Page 4767]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Fraser's Pharmacy on its 50th Anniversary, and wish John Fraser and his team success for the next 50 years.

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.

[3:45 p.m.]

RESOLUTION NO. 4622

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

Whereas Trudy Atkinson has been dedicated to recording and publishing the history of Barrington Municipality, having written 27 booklets on the history of Barrington, Woods Harbour and Cape Sable Island communities; and

Whereas Trudy records her research not by modern-day methods of using a computer, but by longhand, carefully and neatly writing the details in easy-to-read script; and

Whereas Trudy is a graduate of Dalhousie University, having studied English and history, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree;

Therefore be it resolved that the House of Assembly commend Trudy Atkinson for her dedication to recording and publishing the history of the Barrington Municipality, and writing 27 booklets on the history of Barrington, Woods Harbour and Cape Sable Island communities.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

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

[Page 4768]

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. 4623

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

Whereas Kym Hume has been an educator for 31 years, presently serving as the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board's Autism Consultant; and

Whereas since 1993 Ms. Hume has studied all aspects of autism spectrum disorders and has educated parents, teachers, students and schools across the province, bringing the STAR program to Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Ms. Hume is the driving force behind the opening of the Autism Centre at Kingston School, which hosts all the autism programs for the Annapolis Valley;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House congratulate Kym Hume for receiving the 2008 Sobeys Green Jacket Award from the Provincial Autism Centre, in recognition of everything she has done to promote autism awareness and education.

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 4769]

RESOLUTION NO. 4624

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 Sobeys Slam of Curling held each November in Pictou County has been named the most successful event on the Women's World Curling Tour; and

Whereas this event has a significant impact on sports tourism in Pictou County and across Nova Scotia; and

Whereas the revenues to tourism in Pictou County for this event are estimated at over $0.5 million directly and over $1 million indirectly;

Therefore be it resolved that the House of Assembly commend Sobeys management and staff, the organizers and volunteers, for their dedication and commitment in hosting the Sobeys Slam of Curling in Pictou County.

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. 4625

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

Whereas Cowichan, British Columbia, played host to the 2008 North American Indigenous Games this past August; and

Whereas a number of young Aboriginal athletes from Nova Scotia participated in the games with great talent and skill; and

[Page 4770]

Whereas Team Mi'kmaw Nova Scotia finished the games with a grand total of 27 medals - seven gold, nine silver and 11 bronze;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly applaud the efforts of Team Mi'kmaw Nova Scotia and thank them for representing our province at the North American Indigenous Games.

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. 4626

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 communities of Eastern Passage and Cow Bay continue to be places where families wish to raise their children and the rapid growth of these communities result in many gaps in programs and services for youth; and

Whereas YACPAC (Youth and Community Partnership Against Crime), along with other community partners, recognize the very real need for warm, safe place for the youth of the community to gather informally; and

Whereas partners in the community, including youth participation and steering, have successfully opened the doors to a new Youth Drop-in Centre at Tallahassee Community Center;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly support and congratulate the community of Eastern Passage on the opening of their Youth Drop-in Centre and wish them every success as they provide this important asset to their youth.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice.

[Page 4771]

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

The honourable member for Cape Breton Nova.

RESOLUTION NO. 4627

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

Whereas the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board represents over 19,000 students in 56 schools throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Victoria County; and

Whereas during the recently held 2008 Municipal School Board elections, Lorne Green was re-elected to a second term to serve as the African Nova Scotian school board representative on the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board; and

Whereas on Monday, November 3, 2008, Lorne Green was elected to serve as board chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board hereby setting a historical precedent as the first African Nova Scotian to serve as a chairperson for the school board in the Province of Nova Scotia;

Therefore be it resolved all members of this House of Assembly extend congratulations to Lorne Green on his election as Chairperson for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board and that he be commended for his first important historical achievement as an African Nova Scotian.

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 4772]

The motion is carried.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, I have a request to revert the order of business - if it meets with the agreement of the House - to Tabling Reports, Regulations and Other Papers.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Health.

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT: Mr. Speaker, as I committed during Question Period, I was to table this today or tomorrow, so here it is today. This is the report on the effectiveness of the Nova Scotia EIBI Program summary of June, 2008.

MR. SPEAKER: The report is tabled.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, thank you to members of the House for allowing that adjustment to the order. Mr. Speaker, would 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: Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 181.

Bill No. 181 - Halifax Regional Municipality Act.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Agriculture.

HON. BROOKE TAYLOR: Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise this afternoon and just make a few brief comments on Bill No. 181 - An Act to Implement HRM by Design.

[Page 4773]

Mr. Speaker, the Halifax Regional Municipality is a large expanse in the Province of Nova Scotia made up of the former Halifax County, Bedford, Dartmouth and of course the City of Halifax. The peninsula means an area, of course, of the municipality that is bounded by Halifax Harbour and the Northwest Arm, Joseph Howe Drive and, of course, the Bedford Basin. The reason I point that out is because it's really important that we understand the diversity of the Halifax Regional Municipality. Some people have complained vociferously about the municipality, but the fact of the matter is I believe that the municipality is a positive work in progress and . . . (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The chatter is way too high.

MR. TAYLOR: Yes, thank you again, Mr. Speaker. I was just pointing out that the Halifax Regional Municipality is really a diverse entity made up of a lot of rural parts of Nova Scotia and, of course, made up of our capital city - Halifax. I feel that regardless of the fact we're moving towards a charter, regardless of amalgamation and HRM by Design, it's really important that we always find that very important balance between rural, suburban, and urban, and I want to commend my municipal colleagues for the good work that they do in trying to achieve that balance and that fairness.

Now, Mr. Speaker, you would know, coming from Cape Breton and residing in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, that in fact the build-up and the lead-up to regional municipalities isn't always popular in a lot of circles. But the fact of the matter is if you're going to have a successful municipality - whether it's a regional municipality or a somewhat smaller municipality - you have to have development. Any way you look at it, you have to have positive development for your citizenry. And I think that members in this Legislature understand the importance of development, and I certainly want to commend the Premier of this province for supporting Bill No. 181 and bringing forward this legislation and I want to as well, of course, commend the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations for bringing the legislation forward.

We have responsibilities as MLAs to provide leadership from time to time, Mr. Speaker, and I want to commend Premier Rodney MacDonald and this government for doing that. It's easy to take, if you will, the road that perhaps is travelled the most, but when you are standing behind the folks in Halifax Regional Municipality and the folks in this province, it does require leadership and the Premier is doing that, and I'm very proud to support HRM by Design.

Mr. Speaker, I know the developer as far as supporting good projects, not only in Halifax County but in Colchester County as well, and I think of the Interpretative Centre at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park that's supported by a developer from downtown Halifax - and I don't know if members opposite have had the opportunity to go to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and visit the Interpretive Centre sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and sponsored by this government, but I would encourage them to do so and, if you have the opportunity,

[Page 4774]

make sure you take your children and your grandchildren. It's a great way to spend a few hours out in the country - and take a little money with you, we certainly appreciate, you know, some expenditures out in the rural parts of the riding - but enjoy the day.

Again, it points to the diversity because as a matter of fact you're just a stone's throw from Halifax County when you're over in Colchester, Mr. Speaker, and you know Colchester has a lot to offer, too. I've been very privileged in that while I reside in Halifax County, in the Halifax Regional Municipality, I also have the honour of representing Colchester, the former Colchester South.

Now, if you want to speak about our resource-based industries again, Mr. Speaker, I always welcome the opportunity to stand up for rural Nova Scotia and jobs, but jobs in rural Nova Scotia mean development, they mean the expenditure of tax dollars, they mean people working, they mean happy families and they mean a lot not just in the rural parts of Nova Scotia - they mean a lot to all of Nova Scotia. So what this legislation is doing is giving the Halifax Regional Municipality the opportunity to develop, and I'm pleased with this intervention. I'm very pleased that HRM by Design has found its way to the floor of the Nova Scotia Legislature, this sitting of the session, and I do support that. I'm not quite sure whether the minister wants me to move this for second reading or if he would like to do that himself.

MR. MUIR: I'll do it.

MR. TAYLOR: You'll do it? Okay.

With those very few comments, Mr. Speaker, I again emphasize that it's good legislation and I do thank you for your patience.

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

The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

HON. JAMES MUIR: I would to thank my colleagues in the Legislature who support this legislation. We believe it's good for the future of HRM - not only that, it's needed. With those few comments, I would like to close debate on second reading of Bill No. 181 and ask you to call for the question.

MR. SPEAKER: The motion is for second reading of Bill No. 181. 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.

[Page 4775]

[4:00 p.m.]

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 186.

Bill No. 186 - Animal Protection Act.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Pictou West.

MR. CHARLES PARKER: Mr. Speaker, as I was saying before the interruption, I'm certainly an animal lover and I certainly welcome this particular bill that's before us here in the Legislature at this time.

My wife and I are both animal lovers, as I'm sure many of the members in this Chamber are also. We have some pets at home - a dog and two cats. The dog just happens to be the official dog of the Province of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - she's 11 and a half years old and a fine pet, good with children; good on the property to let us know if anything's going on - and two cats, an indoor cat and an outdoor cat. So I'm like many of the members here in this House, an animal lover and glad to be.

It's a responsibility being a pet owner and it's certainly costly to make sure they have all their needles and they're looked after on an annual or semi-annual basis for the different needs they have. I suppose my love for animals probably started with growing up on a family farm in Pictou County. We had a mixed menagerie there of livestock, milk and beef cows, pigs, chickens, a pony, horses, even a goat and a rabbit or two. We had quite a variety of animal species on the farm and certainly that's where my love of animals has come from.

I think we're all animal lovers here in this House, but I do know that sometimes there are problems when animals are abused. Unfortunately, those have been some high-profile cases in the media when people abuse their pets. An example - in the news not too long ago a number of cats and dogs in care in this province that were considerably abused, and occasionally even on farms there are reports of livestock that are mishandled. None of us like to hear or see those stories, so I think this legislation is good, Bill No. 186, it'll help bring some protection for animals, whether they be pets or whether they be livestock on farms.

I did mention the other day that in my riding, in Pictou West, there is a group there called the Earth ARC group, an animal rescue centre. They've been very good. They had an open house farm day in September - actually they have an open house there almost every Sunday where people can drop by and see the horses and the geese and the goats and so on that are there in care, that are being well looked after. These are rescue animals primarily -

[Page 4776]

mostly horses or ponies that would have otherwise met another fate, but that people have brought in and they are being well taken care of there by the animal rescue centre.

I did note in the bill that there is a provision for a chief inspector to have the authority to investigate the complaints around the province when there are problems with abuse of animals. This chief inspector has the authority, has the jurisdiction to set up peace officers or special constables to go out and investigate a case of abuse. That is good; that jurisdiction, had previously been under the SPCA and it's now rolled under the authority of the Department of Agriculture through this legislation.

My suggestion, as I previously brought forward, Mr. Speaker, was that groups and organizations that are looking after animals, that have a real love for animals and know animals, these are the people with expertise and some of these individual should be drawn upon and asked to perhaps help investigate and when there is a suspected case of animal abuse, I would say that Earth ARC is one of those groups with people as volunteers who have that knowledge, who have that expertise and could well be special constables or peace officers to go out and investigate at the time.

I mentioned Betty Schneider as the organizer, and as the founder of Earth ARC would be a good person to draw upon for her expertise. Wendy Gillis is a volunteer with that group, I think I mispronounced her name the other day but Wendy and her husband are certainly dedicated animal lovers and are working hard to protect the horses and other livestock at Earth ARC. Joe Vincent is another community volunteer who I believe would be a person who would have the knowledge and expertise to investigate complaints in the community.

I would hope, Mr. Speaker, that the minister, through his department, in setting up the regulations for this legislation would allow people with expertise who are animal lovers, that they could be called upon from time to time in their role as an animal investigator and see if there is a case of suspected abuse or not.

So briefly, Mr. Speaker, that's really the main point I want to make, to use the community resources of people who are in the area, who have knowledge of animals and how they should be properly cared for. They are setting the example, they are watching carefully on a daily or weekly basis, over animals and they are the ones who could investigate any abuse cases that might be in the local community.

So with those few words, Mr. Speaker, I do think the bill is an important step. I think it's going in a positive direction and I certainly would like to see it move forward, past second reading and towards the Law Amendments Committee state. I would look forward to what other members of the House here may have to say on this particular bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[Page 4777]

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

MS. DIANA WHALEN: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to rise today on Bill No. 186. It's an Act to protect animals and to aid animals that are in distress. This Act will replace the Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, which has previously been the rule around these kinds of issues to protect animals.

Mr. Speaker, my interest in this has gone back really to the time when I became an MLA. I have had e-mails from people whenever there's an event in the city where there has been anything publicized about cruelty to animals. I can tell you, without a doubt this touches a chord with people. I have had many very emotional e-mails from people asking why we don't have stronger repercussions when there's something like this, why it isn't treated more seriously, why the perpetrators aren't punished more severely.

It seems that the current rules have been too lax and they would like to see more done. It is interesting just how much it affects people and how moved they are by acts of animal cruelty. That applies whether it is cruelty on farms or cruelty in the case of domestic animals. It is certainly something that I feel we have to be very firm with.

Other provinces have been bringing in new legislation in the last couple of years. The one that I've read most recently was Ontario, which brought in quite an extensive list of changes and have gone a long way to tightening up their rules and for increasing the penalties for any sort of animal cruelty. They've also given further powers to their officers who can investigate cases of animal cruelty and that's something I would like to see as we look at the contents of Bill No.186, to see if, in fact, it has gone far enough on some of these aspects. I think we could learn from other provinces and their consultation and the work that they've done and what sort of suggestions they've brought back because there are quite a few things still not addressed in this current bill.

To begin with I'd like to look at what's in the bill as it stands. I think one positive thing is that the powers of the SPCA have been more clearly defined and there is now a role as well for the Department of Agriculture as the cases of animal cruelty relate to farm animals and animals that are used in agriculture. I think that will help, Mr. Speaker, because the understanding over the last number of years was that the SPCA, which is a volunteer organization, one that has members and one that is really a non-profit organization, has had difficulty covering the mandate that they had which was to cover all cases of animal cruelty. I don't think that they were able to really do all that was being asked of them. This will help to clarify because now the SPCA will have the responsibility for dealing with the cases of animal cruelty that arise around domestic animals - animals that are pets - and the Department of Agriculture will be responsible where those animals are farm animals. I think that's going to help a lot with that division of duty.

[Page 4778]

At the same time both agencies, the Department of Agriculture and the SPCA, each one will now be required to have a chief inspector and under that chief inspector, one would hope, an army of other inspectors; I'm sure it will just be a few other inspectors, but we need to make sure that they have a good number of staff to cover the complaints that arise under them. It's very clear that we need that. The question around the chief inspector is really whether or not the powers that person has are going to be extensive enough.

In other provinces the inspectors I think are really regarded as peace officers and they have the power, in Ontario for example, to enter buildings if they're investigating an issue of abuse or suspected abuse; they're able to go in and actually see where the animals are held and examine the conditions in which the animals are living. In our bill that's before us now, Bill No. 186, that isn't a possibility. The Act does extend their powers so that they can do something they haven't done before which is to ask that the animals be brought out. If people are asked by one of these inspectors to bring their animals out for the inspector to have a look at they are required now by law - if this were to pass they would be required by law to co-operate and bring their animals forth.

Mr. Speaker, there's a lot that an inspector could learn by seeing the conditions in which the animals are kept. The question of abuse should really cover aspects of the condition where they're living and that would be issues of ventilation, of proper feeding, of being given veterinary care when it's required, to specify those conditions that we would consider abusive. If they're not getting the proper vet care when they need it then that is a question of abuse.

Mr. Speaker, there's nothing in this bill that's speaking to pet stores and that's an issue that has been raised in HRM in the last number of years. A couple of times there has been some attention around the pet stores and the conditions of the animals that are in the store. One in particular that I read a resolution about here in the House had attracted the attention of quite a few people in HRM. They had gone and actually protested outside one of the stores because the animals were not being walked at all. You had little puppies in there for three and four months waiting to find a home and they weren't being moved from the cages that they were in, scarcely ever taken out and walked. In fact one person bought one little puppy that was at the heart of that story that was in the press and found that the legs and hips and so on were not well-developed, that they actually had some medical problems as a result of being so small and being left in one cage for that many weeks, in fact months. So this causes a lot of damage and suffering to the animal and it doesn't socialize the animal and it's not the right condition in which to be selling puppies to become someone's pet. We believe that there should be something further in this Act or in another Act that would address the conditions in which animals are kept for sale.

Mr. Speaker, again there's no mention of puppy mills in this bill. Just for the benefit of the House I have done some research on puppy mills and it's not something we used to hear of in the past. In fact, most of these sorts of operations where people were just breeding

[Page 4779]

animals purely for profit and not taking good care of them - most of them had been centred in the U.S. In 1995, Agriculture Canada began regulating puppy imports from the United States and precisely because of the fact that so many of these animals were sick, had diseases, and were unwell because of the close contact and unhygienic conditions in which they were being kept. So in 1995, Agriculture Canada nationally began to regulate imports from the U.S. and this caused an increase in demand in Canada and led to puppy mills and an increase in the number of puppy mills here in our own country.

We have had cases right here in Nova Scotia that are before the courts even now about conditions that are really inhumane, they are cruel and they are unacceptable in our province. I know that the people who live in my riding and in all of the ridings in this province speak up when they hear of this. It affects them very deeply and they would like to see stronger penalties, I can't stress that enough.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I often wonder why we deal with this particular Act under the Department of Agriculture, really it should be a justice issue. I think there's an argument to be made that it be treated as a justice issue because people feel this is not something about your property - this is something about what is just and what is right. So it's something that we should really be looking at. What's happening, as I say, with these puppy mills is that animals are kept in inhumane conditions. In fact, in the Ontario SPCA, they describe these puppy mills to be a breeding operation in which dogs are repeatedly bred for financial gain and are kept in substandard conditions.

[4:15 p.m.]

That's very important, Mr. Speaker, it's the substandard conditions that we are looking at. It's even where the female dogs are being bred with no care or concern for their health, bred twice a year and just put down when they can no longer have litters of puppies. That's inhumane and the little puppies are not being kept in proper conditions. So we're not talking here about ethical breeders and about the many dog lovers in this province that take good care of their animals and, as I say, register them with the appropriate bodies and really value them and care for them properly. This is not who we're talking about. We're talking about people who are simply breeding animals for financial gain with no care or concern for their health.

We heard just recently about people buying a puppy over the Internet through the Kijiji site and, in fact, when they had received the animal, within a day that puppy died because it had a disease that it had received, you know, prior to being sold. So there's no control over the health and care and condition of those animals and we believe that there has to be some further reference to that, as I said, either in this bill or perhaps in a companion bill that might come along. It's very important as a province that we take this opportunity with the new bill before us to consider whether or not we want to have these conditions

[Page 4780]

going unmentioned in the legislation that we have as a province because other provinces have taken steps, Mr. Speaker, to directly identify these.

Again, I wanted to go back to the fact that I think the inspector should have the power to remove animals if they're in distress of if they suspect that they may be harmed. That is very important that that power be included in the inspector's powers because asking for the animal to come out is not really sufficient. Even though it's a step ahead of where we are today, we don't believe that it does answer the question before us. So I would like to make sure that that is something that we look at and I think it would really be calling them peace officers, giving them the powers of peace officers.

Mr. Speaker, there's also an issue around animal fighting and the use of animals in fights, I suppose for gambling purposes, and that is something we don't talk about very often either but it does exist in this province as it does right across the country and in other countries. I think that we should be looking at that and considering whether that is not something that should also be specifically mentioned in the bill as we talk about what is humane and what is right. Clearly that is not right to be putting animals in harm's way and for amusement at any time. So that's very important and I do think that there is more to be said about that but I wanted to simply touch on it today.

I would like to see an emphasis, again, on the sale and on the breeding of animals so that we can look at what the standards of care are as we go forward so we can look at what the standards of care are as we go forward, so we can spell out the standards of care in animal breeding and animal ownership.

Mr. Speaker, there's also a question of animals that are used in law enforcement and I think that they should also be named in a bill and that there should be specific penalties for any harm that is caused to those animals. Usually we might be talking about dogs, as a rule, but any animals that the police or the law enforcement officials have, I think it's important that we step into that realm as well.

Mr. Speaker, some of the penalties need to be looked at and I don't believe, in this Act, it mentions any lifetime ban on ownership of a domestic animal, or ownership of an animal in the future, if you've had a number of repeated offences. That is something that, again, Ontario and I believe British Columbia have in their Act, that you can actually insist that there be a lifetime ban on owning an animal. That would be something, I think, much more effective, particularly if we're talking about puppy mills and a repeated offence under that legislation that I would like to see. So I think we need to look at that and try and increase the fines and even have jail time as well, if the fines aren't sufficient.

I think a lifetime ban should be included in that, as part of a hierarchy of penalties, as the first, second and third offences come forward. I think it's important that we mention it, and perhaps others will do the same, but when people are guilty of harming animals,

[Page 4781]

there's a strong correlation, especially when it's young people involved, that this moves on and they also harm people. It's a lack of care and concern for life, and if they're willing to harm an animal, it is certainly in that spectrum of crime where they will move on and also harm people, harm children, harm others in their community. I think that's one reason why we have to take this extremely seriously, Mr. Speaker, and make sure that we do all in our power to protect animals.

Traditionally, the laws that guide animals had treated animals as property and they were not really regarded as life or as beings that could suffer. That has changed over time and I know that the laws in the last 100 years have changed to reflect that, but we still have a way to go. I think that's where this bill, and this opportunity for us to discuss it, is the chance for us to say, these are not just property, you don't just own an animal and therefore can do whatever you want with that animal. We used to talk that way about people and their children, that there was no onus to report abuse to children because people felt that was a domestic matter. Well, it isn't a domestic matter - it concerns all of us, obviously, in society. Laws say that you have to report that kind of abuse, if you know of any abuse to children.

This bill will introduce the obligation now for veterinarians, if they're aware of abuse, to raise that and to bring it forward. I believe it should protect them from any liability from having done so, because that may have prevented them in the past, that they could perhaps be sued by the person they reported. That's not the case now. If this bill goes forward, we'll have a onus on veterinarians to report any abuse that they see. I think that has received strong endorsement from veterinarians. They would like to see that in place because they will do the right thing. They don't want to ever see cases of abuse that are in any way condoned.

So again, one of the big things I'd like to see is the ability for us to see where animals are kept and the conditions that they are being kept in, that's very important. There's a need for good definitions on the standards of care and I felt that was missing in this bill as well, that is, exactly how do we expect animals to be maintained and that could cover - and in some other acts, in other provinces, it does cover things like the standards of design, construction and maintenance of facilities in which animals are to be maintained. That's been spelled out in other Acts and not in this Act. So I think that's very important that we do that.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking about the SPCA, there are a couple of new things that have been added into this Act that will relate to the SPCA. I think it's important that we note that there has been some controversy around the way the SPCA has managed its affairs - not so much in its investigation, I think within the Acts they've had they've done their best, but even in terms of their governance. At last year's annual general meeting people were excluded from attending that meeting unless they were current members. This bill has actually addressed that and now says that their meetings must be open to the public. I think that's a recognition that there have been difficulties with the SPCA and the way that they have conducted their affairs, really.

[Page 4782]

A second part of this gives the Minister of Agriculture the authority to revoke their powers if the minister is not satisfied with the way that they are conducting their reviews, their inspections and even their affairs. I think the fact that the meetings must be open now to the public is very significant because it was an embarrassment last year to see that they had some internal disputes and were not being open in public about them, so that will be something much better.

There's also an annual report to the Department of Agriculture that the SPCA will be required to provide and I think that's very important. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I am very interested in accountability - that's a big concern of not only myself but of the Liberal Caucus, that we have better accountability in all of our systems. We certainly think that's an important factor - you can't give carte blanche, a lot of authority to a body like the SPCA and not have the checks and balances built in. That's what's going to ensure that we get good value for our money, that the animals in this province are going to be properly protected and that the organization is going to be able to do it's work properly. There has to be oversight. Time and again we don't have that kind of oversight.

As you know, I sit on the Public Accounts Committee and we hear from the Auditor General about reviews of various programs and departments where the accountability has been lax. The government has allowed programs to run and operate without anybody really asking the tough questions and having some accountability mechanism back. So it's time that we made sure every Act has that in place and here we do see it in this Act covering the SPCA. It says the minister can actually revoke the SPCA's power if they fail to do their work so we really do support that. That's very important, especially given the news we've had around the SPCA in just the very recent months.

There's also a provision here to include an animal cruelty appeal board which is something new for us. That would hear appeals about animal seizures. So whenever the SPCA has seized an animal, if the owner has the wish to appeal that they have an independent body to go to and have that appeal heard. That is important in case there are misunderstandings but I think that appeal board has to be well prepared and well instructed so that they actually are knowledgeable. We can't have them be unprepared in terms of what their duties are so that's very important as well. Mr. Speaker, I think the time is getting a little late this afternoon so perhaps I will adjourn debate for today and we can resume at another time. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

The honourable Government House Leader.

[Page 4783]

HON. CECIL CLARKE: Mr. Speaker, that concludes the government's business for the day. I would ask that you call upon the honourable House Leader of the Liberal Party for opposition business for tomorrow.

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

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, the House tomorrow will sit from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Following the daily routine I will be calling Resolution No. 4510 which is the resolution dealing with the economy and also Resolution No. 4628. In regard to Resolution No. 4628, I would ask for unanimous consent if we put it on the order paper. We tabled the resolution today.

MR. SPEAKER: We're asking for unanimous consent to debate Resolution No. 4628.

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 House Leader of the Liberal Party.

MR. MANNING MACDONALD: I move the House do now adjourn until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER: 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.

The House is adjourned until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

[The House rose at 4:28 p.m.]

[Page 4784]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

RESOLUTION NO. 4628

By: Mr. Leo Glavine (Kings West)

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

Whereas in recent months this government has shown their inability to make responsible fiscal decisions; and

Whereas this was evident in the purchase and subsequent sale under mysterious circumstances of child size ATVs, as well as the funding of research to study the health benefits associated with ATV-related activity; and

Whereas the Premier has changed his position on this issue, at first supporting the initiative and later denying involvement after receiving negative public reaction;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly condemn the Premier and his government for their lack of fiscal prudence, accountability and judgment on this matter.

RESOLUTION NO. 4629

[Page 4785]

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Bethany Warwick, a Grade 2 student at Oxford Regional Elementary School, may graduate high school in ten years, but a part of her will stay with the school forever; and

Whereas Bethany entered the contest to name the new P to 12 school in Oxford and her submission was chosen from over 200 entries; and

Whereas thanks to Bethany Warwick, the new P to 12 school in Oxford will be called the Oxford Regional Education Centre (OREC);

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Bethany Warwick on being chosen from over 200 entries and having her entry, Oxford Regional Education Centre, be the new name of the new P to12 school in Oxford, and we wish her all the best in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 4630

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas a committee of volunteers headed up by children of miners who were killed in the "bump" of 1958 and others, including Valerie Alderson along with her husband, John, and son, Neil, Jim MacDonald, Brenda Boran and many others came together to organize a time of remembrance entitled Remembering 58; and

Whereas a plaque unveiling the commitment of this community was unveiled at the site of the No. 2 and No. 4 pithead and also a candlelight vigil was held on Thursday, the 23rd of October, 2008, in the local community centre, and an evening of song and remembrance was held on Friday, October 24th , including the Men of the Deep along with other local talent from the Springhill area; and

Whereas the final ecumenical service was held at All Saints Anglican Church on Sunday, October 26th , in Springhill, an opportunity for all denominations of this community to come together to pay tribute and respect to the miners who were trapped underground, to those who died, those who came out alive, their families, the courageous heros who went

[Page 4786]

underground to help save their brothers, along with the many volunteers and professionals such as doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, clergy, and so many others who came to the aid of miners when in need;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the Nova Scotia Legislature pay special tribute to the volunteers who organized this memorable event which changed the face of this community forever.

RESOLUTION NO. 4631

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas the Springhill High School and Nova Scotia Community College, Cumberland Campus, did their part this Fall to help stave away hunger in their community; and

Whereas the students at two of Springhill's academic institutions pitched in, helping the Drive Away Hunger Campaign - a food drive - load up and ship out much-needed supplies for families in need; and

Whereas spearheaded at the Springhill High School by the SHS student council, over 406 pounds of food - twice the amount they were shooting for - was collected and is being heralded as a resounding success, and at the Nova Scotia Community College's Cumberland Campus, over 736 pounds of food was collected in their Drive Away Hunger Campaign, while the Academic and Career Connections students at NSCC also organized a BBQ that raised $224 for the effort;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the students of Springhill High School and Nova Scotia Community College, Cumberland Campus, on this outstanding achievement to help drive away hunger in their community and wish them all the best in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4632

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

[Page 4787]

Whereas Jim "Pokey" Melanson from Springhill is a man who has baseball running through his veins, with the proof of his dedication on the staircase and walls in his home that are lined with letters of congratulations, appreciation, and pictures of Jim Melanson and his players over the years; and

Whereas in the summer of 2007, Springhill Minor League Baseball unveiled its new Fencebusters' uniforms, a throw back to the nostalgic attire that the original Fencebusters wore, and on the back of each uniform is the name of one of the original players, which was a dream come true for Jim Melanson who put his heart and soul into this project to revive the memory of the famous Fencebusters; and

Whereas with all these achievements that Jim Melanson has made a reality in his lifetime, now Baseball Nova Scotia wants to acknowledge Jim Melanson by presenting him with a Lifetime Achievement Award which will be placed on his wall with pride and honour with the many other special memories that he cherishes;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jim Melanson on receiving this outstanding award and thank him for his lifetime of volunteering to the youth in his community, and wish he and his wife all the best in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 4633

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas the World Famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs were awarded the long waited World Heritage status by UNESCO in July, 2008, rewarding years of hard work by dedicated community members; and

Whereas the Canadian Delegate on the World Heritage Committee confirmed that Joggins was the second Nova Scotian site to be inscribed on the list of those with Heritage Status behind Lunenburg; and

Whereas the representative for the UNESCO commented that the important recognition granted to Joggins Cliffs was achieved through the efforts of a dedicated group

[Page 4788]

of people from Joggins who have managed to communicate the passion for the site and demonstrate its universal value for humanity;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate the Joggins Fossil Cliffs on receiving this outstanding status and extend our congratulations to all of those who worked so hard in playing a part in Joggins Fossil Cliffs receiving Heritage Status.

RESOLUTION NO. 4634

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Chelsi Cormier, a 2008 graduate of Parrsboro Regional High School, was one of 27 students across Canada to receive the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award with a potential total value of $28,000; and

Whereas Chelsi received this four year, $7,000 per year, renewable award that was presented to her by Anita MacPherson and Michelle Mahoney who are Alumni of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award program; and

Whereas Chelsi received 14 additional bursaries, awards and scholarships valued at over $20,000 which will certainly benefit her as she attends the University of New Brunswick to study at the Facility of Nursing;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Chelsi Cormier and wish her all the best in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4635

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Connie Pettigrew of Connie's Financial Services in Oxford, Cumberland County, celebrated her 10th year in business in the community in 2008; and

Whereas Connie's Financial Services Ltd. began in May of 1998, when Connie took her idea to the CDC and was enrolled in their business start-up program; and

[Page 4789]

Whereas 10 years later she employs three full-time staff and has a large office in Oxford where they provide a variety of services for the general public and business people from tax preparation, bookkeeping to resume writing;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Connie Pettigrew and her staff on their 10 years in business, and wish them many more years of success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4636

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Willard (Wid) Wood is becoming the pumpkin king of Oxford who once again, for the fourth consecutive year, brightened the day of elementary students, staff and teachers; and

Whereas on October 16th, 2008, Wid loaded up his truck and backed it up to the front doors of the Oxford Regional Elementary School where all the excited children got to choose their very own pumpkin for a Jack-O-Lantern; and

Whereas Wid, who grows his own pumpkins, gets so much pleasure out of seeing the excitement on the children's faces as they line up to pick out their pumpkin, which makes their Halloween even more enjoyable;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Willard Wood on this unselfish act of kindness and wish him all the best in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 4637

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas 4-H is a very important part of the community spirit in Cumberland County, with many young men and women participating in this very worthwhile club that for many years has taught our youth the importance of the 4-Hs - My head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country; and

[Page 4790]

Whereas every year 4-H holds an Awards Banquet in Cumberland County and in October, 2008, members gathered at the Lions Den and enjoyed a banquet and an awards presentation; and

Whereas Crystal Siddall of Southampton was honoured that evening as she was one of four recipients of the J & P Scholarship;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Crystal Siddall on receiving this outstanding award and wish her continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4638

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas 4-H is a very important part of the community spirit in Cumberland County with many young men and women participating in this very worthwhile club that for many years has taught our youth the importance of the 4-Hs - My head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country; and

Whereas every year 4-H holds an awards banquet in Cumberland County and in October, 2008, members gathered at the Lions Den and enjoyed a banquet and an awards presentation; and

Whereas Kenneth Rector of River Philip was honoured that evening as he was one of four recipients of the J & P Scholarship;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Kenneth Rector on receiving this outstanding award and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4639

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas 4-H is a very important part of the community spirit in Cumberland County with many young men and women participating in this very worthwhile club that for many

[Page 4791]

years has taught our youth the importance of the 4-Hs - My head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country; and

Whereas every year 4-H holds an awards banquet in Cumberland County and in October, 2008, members gathered at the Lions Den and enjoyed a banquet and an awards presentation; and

Whereas Virginia King of Oxford was honoured that evening as she was one of four recipients of the J & P Scholarship;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Virginia King on receiving this outstanding award and wish her continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4640

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas 4-H is a very important part of the community spirit in Cumberland County with many young men and women participating in this very worthwhile club that for many years has taught our youth the importance of the 4-Hs - My head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country; and

Whereas every year 4-H holds an awards banquet in Cumberland County and in October, 2008, members gathered at the Lions Den and enjoyed a banquet and an awards presentation; and

Whereas John Calvin of Southampton was honoured that evening as he was one of four recipients of the J & P Scholarship;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate John Calvin on receiving this outstanding award and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4641

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

[Page 4792]

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

Whereas Chrissy Dawn Stonehouse of Springhill earned a medal when she participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Chrissy has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Chrissy and her team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Chrissy Stonehouse on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish her continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4642

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Robert Babineau of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Robert has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Robert and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Robert Babineau on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4643

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

[Page 4793]

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

Whereas Terry Black of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Terry has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Terry and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Terry Black on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4644

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Scott Gogeun of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Scott has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Scott and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Scott Gogeun on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4645

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

[Page 4794]

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

Whereas David Moore of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas David has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas David and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate David Moore on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4646

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

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

Whereas Matthew Porter of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Matthew has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Matthew and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Matthew Porter on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4647

By: Hon. Murray Scott (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

[Page 4795]

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

Whereas Jason Rhindress of Springhill earned a medal when he participated in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics recently held in Antigonish; and

Whereas Jason has trained hard for this meet for many months and since competitive swimming has an extremely long season, it can be difficult to maintain focus through to the championships; and

Whereas Jason and his team members are clients of the GOVRC in Springhill and they all worked hard to represent their area and certainly made their community proud;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of this House congratulate Jason Rhindress on earning a medal in the Junior Provincial Swim Championship Special Olympics and wish him continued success in all future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 4648

By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Human Resources)

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

Whereas high school graduates are rewarded as a result of their academic performance; and

Whereas some grads are also rewarded through recognition by their peers; and

Whereas Emily Burtt was chosen to be the 2008 Co-valedictorian at Bridgewater High School;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Emily Burtt for her academic success and for the recognition she was given by her peers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4649

By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Human Resources)

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

[Page 4796]

Whereas high school graduates are rewarded as a result of their academic performance; and

Whereas some grads are also rewarded through recognition by their peers; and

Whereas Justin White was chosen to be the 2008 Co-valedictorian at Bridgewater High School;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Co-valedictorian Justin White for his academic success and for the recognition he was given by his peers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4650

By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Human Resources)

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

Whereas sportsmanship in any game is key; and

Whereas sportsmanship is best used to describe a player's attitude toward others, the ability to laugh at your own mistakes and try your best to fix them; and

Whereas Mike Kendall of Hebbville Academy was presented with the Cameron Smith Memorial Award, which is given every year to a male and female who best demonstrates the qualities of positive attitude, good sportsmanship and who also competes in multiple school sports;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Mike Kendall on being chosen by his coaches for the "Cameron Smith Memorial Award."

RESOLUTION NO. 4651

By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Human Resources)

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

Whereas high school graduates are rewarded as a result of their academic performance; and

Whereas some grads are also rewarded through recognition by their peers; and

[Page 4797]

Whereas Oliver Hatheway was a Governor General's Medal recipient, category pin winner, International Baccalaureate diploma graduate, and class Valedictorian for Park View Education Centre, Lunenburg County;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Valedictorian Oliver Hatheway for his academic success and for the recognition he was given by his peers and teachers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4652

By: Hon. Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Human Resources)

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

Whereas high school graduates are rewarded as a result of their academic performance; and

Whereas some grads are also rewarded through recognition by their peers; and

Whereas Stuart Jobb was a Queen Elizabeth II Medal recipient, category pin winner, International Baccalaureate diploma graduate at Park View Education Centre, Lunenburg County;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Stuart Jobb for his academic success and for the recognition he was given by his peers and teachers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4653

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 is one golfer were to shoot four holes-in-one on the same course in a single round, the odds are forecast at one in 24 quadrillion; and

[Page 4798]

Whereas despite the fact Ron Theriault was not quite able to accomplish such a feat, he still conquered odds of about 12,500 to one when he aced the 15th hole at Avon Valley Golf and Country Club this summer, using his 3 wood while driving his shot 189 yards; and

Whereas holes-in-one are indeed a rarity in golf and if, by chance, one of Ron's playing partners had aced the identical hold that Ron already had, the retired deal of mathematics at Boston University said the odds would have been one in 26 million;

Therefore be it resolved that MLAs in this House of Assembly. congratulate Ron Theriault for his 189 yard-3 wood shot on Avon Valley Golf and Country Club's #15 hole and wish him a fantastic 2009 season of golf.

RESOLUTION NO. 4654

By: Mr. Leo Glavine (Kings West)

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

Whereas the Provincial Autism Centre was founded in 2002; and

Whereas this non-profit, community-based organization works towards a world in which those who have autism spectrum disorders are able to live their lives fully; and

Whereas the Provincial Autism Centre provides support and services to those who are affected by autism spectrum disorders, through education and programs;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House recognize the significant contribution the Provincial Autism Centre has made and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4655

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 Rob Sweet is a seasoned athlete who, I might add, also does some great work for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal; and

[Page 4799]

Whereas long odds never seem to bother Rob and this was certainly the case when he was one of five golfers to ace a hole-in-one at Avon Valley Golf and Country Club during the 2008 season; and

Whereas Rob scored his hole-in-one on #5 using an 8 iron to drive his shot 129 yards and settled for one, probably not realizing that if he had scored 3 holes in one on the same day the odds of accomplishing such a feat are 1 in 488 billion;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly recognize Rob Sweet of Falmouth for his great shot in 2008 and becoming part of the Avon Valley Golf and Country Club's folklore for years to come.

RESOLUTION NO. 4656

By: Mr. Patrick Dunn (Pictou Centre)

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

Whereas a handful of people attended a memorial service in Halifax for one of Pictou County's most impressive sons; and

Whereas members of the James MacGregor Stewart Society remembered the 119th Anniversary of the Halifax lawyer's birth, continuing to quietly revere the pioneer of both the abilities and literary communities in Nova Scotia; and

Whereas a sufferer of polio at an early age MacGregor was left permanently lame and lost the Rhodes Scholarship because of his physical disability and despite these setbacks he became one of Canada's Dollar-a-Year men, handling the nation's coal supply during World War II and he is also recognized for his internationally significant collection of works by Rudyard Kipling, which he graciously donated to Dalhousie University;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House take this opportunity to recognize the great individual from our past and the determination that he had to serve his community and country.

RESOLUTION NO. 4657

By: Hon. Richard Hurlburt (Energy)

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

[Page 4800]

Whereas teenage Yarmouth resident Jake Falls sought to escape the near 30 degree temperature on June 9, 2008, by taking a swim in Lake Vaughan at Tusket Falls, Yarmouth County; and

Whereas on arriving at the lake he and his grandmother were alerted by a number of young people that a friend was caught in a very dangerous and life-threatening situation, having been drawn into a dam spillway through which lay a very high drop onto concrete and into a raging river current; and

Whereas while his grandmother called 911 for assistance, Jake overcame several barriers to reaching the young girl and was able to grab her arms and pull her to safety just prior to her slipping beyond saving;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize Jake Falls for remaining calm and taking quick decisive action resulting in another young person being saved.

RESOLUTION NO. 4658

By: Mr. David Wilson (Glace Bay)

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

Whereas the Glace Bay Kinsmen made a donation to the Glace Bay Elementary School; and

Whereas this year's donation was in the amount of $3,500 for the Glace Bay Elementary School breakfast program which helps to make it possible for the children attending the school to have breakfast, which is considered the most important meal of the day; and

Whereas this cheque was presented to Debbie Madore, Dietitian for the Cape Breton Victoria School Board by Ken MacLennan and Terry MacKenzie of the Glace Bay Kinsmen Association;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly congratulate the Glace Bay Kinsmen Association for their work on behalf of the community.

RESOLUTION NO. 4659

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

[Page 4801]

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Basic American Food has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Basic American Food and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4660

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Inspiration Hair Design has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Inspiration Hair Design and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4661

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Interior and Exterior Painting has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

[Page 4802]

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Interior and Exterior Painting and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4662

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, J-G The Cedar Man has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of J-G The Cedar Man and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4663

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, K&B Electrical and Building Construction Limited has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

[Page 4803]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of K&B Electrical and Building Construction Limited and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4664

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, K9 Connection has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of K9 Connection and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4665

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, KC's Carpet Sales has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of KC's Carpet Sales and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4666

[Page 4804]

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Latter's Roofing has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Latter's Roofing and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4667

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Lobster World has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Lobster World and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4668

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

[Page 4805]

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Louis Gees Pizzeria has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Louis Gees Pizzeria and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4669

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Linda's Jewellery has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Linda's Jewellery and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4670

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Lake Echo Appliance Parts and Repair Limited has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

[Page 4806]

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Lake Echo Appliance Parts and Repair Limited and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4671

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Len's Aluminum Welding has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Len's Aluminum Welding and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4672

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, MacDonald Fencing has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of MacDonald Fencing and wish them continued success.

[Page 4807]

RESOLUTION NO. 4673

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, LW's Roofing and Chimney Services has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of LW's Roofing and Chimney Services and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4674

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Mamie's Unisex Health and Beauty Salon Total Hair and Skin Care has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Mamie's Unisex Health and Beauty Salon Total Hair and Skin Care and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4675

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

[Page 4808]

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, MacKenzie Atlantic Tool and Die has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of MacKenzie Atlantic Tool and Die and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4676

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Maritime Foothold Orthotics has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Maritime Foothold Orthotics and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4677

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Memories Trophies Engraving and Gifts has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

[Page 4809]

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Memories Trophies Engraving and Gifts and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4678

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Mr. Crackfiller has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Mr. Crackfiller and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4679

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Musquodoboit Barber has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

[Page 4810]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Musquodoboit Barber and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4680

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Muscle N'Classic Auto N' Parts has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Muscle N' Classic Auto N' Parts and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4681

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, MLN Excavation Inc. has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of MLN Excavation Inc. and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4682

[Page 4811]

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Newcombe's Auto Refinishing & Fiberglass Repairs Limited has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Newcombe's Auto Refinishing & Fiberglass Repairs Limited and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4683

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Nature's Secret Day Spa has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Nature's Secret Day Spa and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4684

[Page 4812]

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Nathan's Autosound By Design has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Nathan's Autosound By Design and wish them continued success.

RESOLUTION NO. 4685

By: Hon. William Dooks (Tourism, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas through hard work and dedication, Ocean Dream Bed & Breakfast has serviced the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas our communities have benefited from having businesses like these in the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas without companies like these, our communities and families would be at a loss;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House applaud the contributions of Ocean Dream Bed & Breakfast and wish them continued success.