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HALIFAX, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Sixty-second General Assembly

Second Session

4:00 P.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Kevin Murphy

DEPUTY SPEAKER

Ms. Margaret Miller

MR. SPEAKER » : Order, please. We'll begin the daily routine.

PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth East.

HON. ANDREW YOUNGER: Mr. Speaker, as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Law Amendments, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bills:

Bill No. 76 - Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

Bill No. 80 - House of Assembly Act.

and the committee recommends these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, each without amendment.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Ordered that these bills be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

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STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

NOTICES OF MOTION

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Cumberland South.

MacDonald, Hon. Rodney - Destination C.B. Award

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week the Honourable Rodney MacDonald was honoured with the Industry Hall of Fame Ambassador Award at the Destination Cape Breton Association Gala Dinner. Members will remember that former Premier MacDonald served as the Tourism Minister for Nova Scotia during his 11 years as Inverness MLA. His love for Cape Breton Island is well known. Whether as a minister, as Premier, as a noted musician, or as a business person, Rodney MacDonald has been an effective and enthusiastic supporter of Cape Breton, its people, and its culture.

Today I ask all members to join me in congratulating Rodney MacDonald on this well-deserved recognition and in assuming his rightful place in the Tourism Hall of Fame. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Halifax Needham.

FILM & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: STAFF - THANK

HON. MAUREEN MACDONALD « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who worked so hard to build the creative economy at Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia - Lisa Bugden, Kathy Connor, Karen Williams, Linda Wood, Mickey Quase, Carolyn Horton, Leslie Amegavie, Omax Charles, Abbi Hennigar, Marly MacNeil, Melanie Solomon, and Monett McCue, who brought vision and enthusiasm to the table, and gave artists in this province a platform for exporting their products and tools to develop their trade. They worked with the industry as well as the music industry, book publishing, craft, performing arts, interactive and new media. They closed their doors with a heavy heart and their dedication will not be forgotten soon. I wish to say thank you to them.

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

COLE HBR. LIONS CLUB: SPEAKOUT COMP. - CONGRATS.

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MS. JOYCE TREEN « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Cole Harbour Lions Club held their annual Speakout on March 9^th. Students from the Cole Harbour area in Grades 9 to 12 had the opportunity to participate with a four- to six-minute speech on a topic of their choosing.

Deputy Mayor Lorelei Nicoll and I were invited to question the participants about their presentations. Each topic presented was thought-provoking and the competitors certainly put a lot of work into their speeches. Grade 12 student Alexa Johnson won this level of the contest and her speech was on hypocrisy, which left everybody in the room thinking. Alexa moved on to zone level competition.

All the students involved did an amazing job, and I was honoured to be part of this great event. Our youth are paying attention.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Pictou West.

MacNeill, Austin: Good Deed - Recognize

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Austin MacNeill of Halifax - and originally from Pictou. Austin is a clerk at a grocery store in Halifax and was photographed helping an elderly, legally blind woman take her groceries home.

The picture shows the woman holding Austin's arm as he helps her navigate the icy sidewalks while carrying her grocery bags. The photo was uploaded to the Internet and immediately went viral. Austin is quick to point out that it is the way he was raised and he feels good helping people when the opportunity presents itself.

I am proud to thank Austin for his good deed and to recognize his parents, Rick and Gail MacNeill. Thank you.

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

FILM TAX CREDIT - CUTS: MCNEIL GOV'T. - DECISION REVERSE

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, the film and creative industry has asked that no changes be made to the film credit without consultation. Now the entire industry has come together to warn the McNeil Government that they have put over 2,000 jobs at risk.

Imagine This Hour Has Zero Minutes. Instead of Haven, Haven't. Maybe the Trailer Park Boys will move from Sunnyvale to Rosedale; Ontario has a competitive film tax credit, after all.

It took three decades to build up the film, TV, and animation sector here in Nova Scotia. It seems as if the McNeil Government wants to tear it down in less than a year. I'm calling on the McNeil Government to reverse its decision and ensure that these 2,000 families don't have to continue the tradition of going down the road.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : Just before we move on to the next member's statement, I'd like to take a second to grant myself permission to make an introduction.

I would like to draw everyone's attention to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today Ms. Nicole Arsenault, who is our new Clerk at the Table here. (Applause)

This is her first official day on the job and she's getting a bird's-eye view of things today. She is going to be at the Table tomorrow, so you'll notice her there. She comes to us with a background from the federal Department of Justice. We look forward to welcoming her to the team. We want to welcome Nicole.

The honourable member for Sackville-Beaver Bank.

Côt&eacut;, Ernest: Death of - Tribute

MR. STEPHEN GOUGH « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Mr. Ernest Côté, a Second World War Veteran who passed away on February 26, 2015, at the age of 101. Mr. Côté landed on Juno Beach in 1944. He was responsible for logistics for the division for the landing at Normandy and had been one of the few who knew where the landings would take place.

Mr. Côté made headlines earlier this year after surviving a brutal home invasion in December. Although the criminal thought him to be old and frail, Côté said he wasn't afraid, just angry and focused on trying to figure out of the violent situation. He managed to free himself and walk away from the ordeal with minor injuries.

Ernest Côté survived the Second World War and the Juno Beach landings only to be tested again many years later in his own home. Age didn't diminish Mr. Côté's logistical, fighting spirit. He was a soldier to the very end. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Pictou East.

Film Tax Credit - Error: McNeil Liberals - Rethink

MR. TIM HOUSTON « » : Mr. Speaker, the Premier and Minister of Finance and Treasury Board expect Nova Scotia's film industry to adapt to the loss of the Film Tax Credit. Unfortunately, for too many of the job creators and creative professionals, they will adapt by moving to another, more business-friendly province.

DHX Media, the children's entertainment powerhouse in Halifax, employs 155 people. They recently wrapped up production on the first season of Inspector Gadget, a top animation property picked up as exclusive content by Netflix in the United States. DHX says the elimination of the Film Tax Credit has made production of the cartoon's second season in Nova Scotia unsustainable.

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Thousands of jobs and an entire industry are at stake. The sooner the McNeil Liberals rethink this enormous error, the better off Nova Scotia will be.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Queens-Shelburne.

FILM TAX CREDIT: IND. - CONSULT

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, the Premier seems to know one song by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers very well: "Well, I won't back down / No I won't back down / You can stand me up at the Gates of Hell / But I won't back down." It seems to me that what we need is for the government to back down.

It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that what we need is for the government to back down on the Film Tax Credit. These changes cannot be rammed through this House with no consultation. The government needs to do the right thing and take these changes out of their planned cuts and consult - I repeat, consult - with the more than 2,000 families affected by this decision.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Just want to remind the honourable member for Queens-Shelburne that the rules of Statements by Members state that members are not to engage in recitations of poetry, singing of songs, or other frivolous matters.

The honourable member for Kings South.

WALLACE, DONALD: DEATH OF - TRIBUTE

MR. KEITH IRVING « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Donald Wallace, one of Kings South's most prominent businesspeople. Mr. Wallace had the true heart of an entrepreneur, and it is to him that King South owes the excellent Old Orchard Inn in Greenwich, the Slumber Inn in New Minas, and the Canaan Heights subdivision.

Beyond his life as a businessman in the Annapolis Valley, he was also a great family man who lived to see the fifth generation in his great-grandson, Rhodes. Last year he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Frances Campbell Tourism Achievement Award from the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. This recognition speaks to Mr. Wallace's tremendous contribution to Kings South over his lifetime. He will be remembered by his family, colleagues, and community as a generous man with a boundless vision.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Argyle-Barrington.

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Hubbard, Gerald: Retirement - Congrats.

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : Mr. Speaker, after a remarkable career spanning more than 38 years, Gerald Hubbard, manager of the Royal Bank of Canada in West Pubinco, retired on February 27, 2015. After completing his secondary and post-secondary education, Gerald, a native of Wedgeport, was offered a position with the bank in June 1976. Throughout his career, he worked in various positions and different branches, such as Windsor, Meteghan, Campbellton, New Brunswick, and New Glasgow. In 1980 he became manager in Westville, Pictou Country, and in 1985, he was appointed manager in Pubinco, a post he has held ever since.

He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren during his retirement. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Gerald Hubbard on his retirement and wish him continued good health and happiness in his new career. And by the way, he makes a mean, mean meat pie.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Chester-St. Margaret's.

FILM TAX CREDIT: IND. - CONSULTATION

HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Mr. Speaker, I know it will come as no surprise that I am still very concerned about the fate of our film and television industry after the McNeil Government gutted their tax credit last week. What should also come as no surprise is that thousands of people across the province and the country are also very worried. They are surprised that the McNeil Government would make these important decisions with absolutely no consultation. It is only now, after Liberal backbenchers were left trying to justify the cut to irate constituents, that the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board has agreed to a formal meeting with industry representatives. When will the McNeil Government learn that genuine consultations (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The honourable member for Chester-St. Margaret's has the floor.

MS. PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : When will the McNeil Government learn that genuine consultation needs to happen before decisions are made?

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

Samson, Darrell - Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook:

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Fed. Liberal Nominee - Selection

MR. BILL HORNE « » : Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take a moment to congratulate Darrell Samson on his success in being selected as the federal Liberal nominee for the Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook riding. (Applause)

Darrell was selected during a nomination meeting on November 16^th, with more than 350 people packed into a gymnasium at Ross Road School. Darrell is a 30-year resident of the riding, an experienced educator, and a superintendent of the Acadian School Board. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Darrell and best wishes for a successful career in politics.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Kings North.

Farm Works: Economic Impact - Congrats.

MR. JOHN LOHR « » : Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my admiration and congratulations to FarmWorks, who are an example of putting the Ivany Now or Never report (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The honourable member for Kings North has the floor.

MR. LOHR « » : I'll start again, if that's okay. I wish to express my admiration and congratulations to FarmWorks, who are an example of putting the Ivany Now or Never report into action. The purpose of this investment co-op, established by Linda Best in 2011 under the Community Economic Development Investment Fund, is to boost Nova Scotia's small business related to agriculture and farm products. Its 248 stakeholders, who invest at least $100 and qualify for a 35 per cent equity tax credit, have funded 35 businesses so far. Furthermore, every one of those of the existing clients is still in operation and every loan is being repaid. These loans, provided by FarmWorks, have helped businesses create jobs and grow our economy. An inspiring example of building Nova Scotia's economy through job growth, economic impact, and entrepreneurial support. Congratulations FarmWorks.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River.

FILM TAX CREDIT: LIBERAL GOV'T. - REINSTATE

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Mr. Speaker, the film and television industry is not one to take a hit lying down. When the Liberal Finance and Treasury Board Minister hinted at changes to their tax credit a few weeks ago, many in the industry voiced concern, including some of my famous constituents, Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles. When the McNeil Government officially cut the Film Tax Credit beyond recognition last week, hundreds of people took to social media to voice their outrage. The hashtag #SupportNSFilm and #SaveSunnyvale have been retweeted thousands of times and The Coast's online poll asks, "Should the Liberals have eliminated the film tax credit?" Currently 93 per cent of the pubic have said no. In the words of Cuba Gooding Jr. in Jerry Maguire, I'd say it's time for this Liberal Government to show me the money and agree to give the Film Tax Credit back its nature. Thank you.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Fairview-Clayton Park.

CENTENNIAL ARENA: KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE - NOMINATION

MS. PATRICIA ARAB « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank everyone who helped with Centennial Arena's Kraft Hockeyville nomination. It was truly incredible to hear the many stories of people's experiences at the rink for over 45 years. People who fell in love with their life partners, who made new friends, and learned new ice dance moves at the community skates. We heard about generations of people using and appreciating our local rink, future NHL superstars playing for and against our team, the Halifax Hawks, we heard from seniors who attend the senior skate weekly and love the social aspect of the rink. People from ages three to 90 skate and play hockey at Centennial Arena and the entire community is very proud of it.

Unfortunately our rink did not make the top ten finalists for the Kraft Hockeyville Challenge but that has only strengthened our community's resolve for next year's nomination. Again, thank you to everyone who took time to write testimonials and who shared their stories on the Kraft Hockeyville Nomination Page, I think we did our rink proud.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

Stewiacke FD Anl. Awards Banquet: Recipients - Congrats.

MR. LARRY HARRISON « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the dedication and commitment of several local volunteer firefighters. Their volunteer service was recently recognized by their peers during the Upper Stewiacke Fire Department's annual awards banquet. There were four categories of top honours during the banquet. Alan Hamilton took home the honour of Firefighter of the Year; Jon Cox was awarded Officer of the Year; Matt Rennie was named Rookie of the Year; and Bert Carroll was honoured as Junior Firefighter of the Year. As noted, their dedication is commendable and I wish to congratulate each and every one of them being awarded these honours and earning the respect of their colleagues and myself.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Halifax Needham.

NURSES: RETENTION - ADDRESS

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HON. MAUREEN MACDONALD « » : Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In their 2013 platform the Liberals claimed that if they were elected they would create, ". . . a plan that will retain nursing graduates as well as experienced nurses." Many people took them at their word but have come to realize that was a mistake. Since the election, the McNeil Government has done nothing to live up to their promise and nothing to support nurses. In fact, the Premier, his minister, and their entire caucus have downplayed nurses' concerns and picked fights with them and ignored them when they bravely shared their experiences at Law Amendments Committee.

Last week we saw the new Liberal budget and it continues to ignore the challenges faced by health care workers and does nothing to address retention of experienced nurses. In a press release the president of the Nurses' Union reminded the McNeil Government that with a rapidly aging population we need to be attracting and retaining nurses as a priority. Unfortunately, it seems no one in this government is listening. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Colchester North.

Lewis, Judy: Bass River Heritage Soc. Museum - Contributions

HON. KAREN CASEY « » : Mr. Speaker, on February 26, 2015 the Colchester Historical Society celebrated Heritage Night to recognize people who have made contributions to the preservation and promotion of the history of Colchester County. Those being honoured received a 2015 silver maple leaf coin from the Royal Canadian Mint. Judy Lewis, of Bass River, Colchester North received the award for her contribution to the Bass River Heritage Society Museum. Born and brought up in Bass River, Judy's interest in history and genealogy led to her helping the museum in diverse ways, completing extensive genealogical research on local families, contributing to the collection of historic images, and guiding tours for families looking for gravesites.

Judy's dedication to heritage preservation has ensured that much of the history of the area and its residents will not be lost to future generations.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Pictou Centre.

Gennoe, Mayor Joe - Commun. Engagement

HON. PAT DUNN « » : Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure today that I speak about the mayor of Stellarton, Joe Gennoe. Joe's family has lived in the Town of Stellarton for over 100 years. During his years as mayor he has promoted the town as a great place to live. The mayor is proud of his town, which can boast of a rich history in coalmining and the railroad industry. It is also the hometown of grocery empire Sobeys.

Mayor Gennoe, a long-time local businessman, looks fondly on the development of the Stellarton Business Park. Several companies have recently established new buildings at this popular site. The Town of Stellarton is fortunate to have a leader who continues to seek new approaches for sustaining, mobilizing, and engaging the community's stakeholders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

FILM TAX CREDIT: JOBS - SAVE

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, now that the McNeil Government has introduced changes that will devastate the film, TV, and animation industry in Nova Scotia, and now that the industry has made it clear it is not going down without a fight, it's time for the Liberal caucus to meet with the industry, sit down, talk it out, and come up with a solution, because the McNeil Government cannot believe the talking points it has given its MLAs to use.

The idea that we need to choose between growing the creative economy and helping kids with autism is a false narrative, Mr. Speaker. The creative economy creates tax revenues that pay for autism programs, and I know the Premier knows that.

I call on the McNeil Government to sit down with the industry, work things out, and save over 2,000 jobs that depend on the Film Tax Credit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Clare-Digby.

Dugas, Kevin: N.S. Sport Hall of Fame - Induction

MR. GORDON WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, after this weekend's Masters performance that we saw in Augusta, I think it's fitting that I congratulate Kevin Dugas on his recent induction to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.

Originally from Little Brook, Mr. Dugas learned to play golf at a very young age on the new local golf course. He was part of its junior program, where his talents became quickly unmistakable. Some of his earliest accomplishments include the provincial midget championship at the age of 12 and the juvenile championship at the age of 16. At 17 he won the Canadian Junior Championship - the first Maritimer to hold this title since 1950.

In 1984 he won the Nova Scotia Men's Amateur Championship. Since turning professional he has won 16 PGA of Canada Atlantic Championships, including the 2014 PGA Canada Atlantic Assistant Professionals' Championship and he won the PGA Assistant Championship of Canada in 1987 and 1992.

His induction is a well-deserved honour, as Mr. Dugas has been recognized as one of the finest golfers Nova Scotia has produced.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Pictou West.

Morgan, Lorrie: Pictou Co. Wellness Ctr. Concert Organizers/Staff - Congrats.

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the organizers of the Lorrie Morgan concert that was held at the Pictou County Wellness Centre on February 27, 2015. About 1,800 people attended the three-and-a-half-hour show. Wellness Centre staff worked diligently to turn the ice surface into a concert spot and then back into an ice surface.

Pictou County residents are hopeful that this concert has proven there is a market in northeastern Nova Scotia for events of this kind, and that is the first of many concerts to be held at the Wellness Centre.

It is my honour to congratulate the organizers and the Wellness Centre staff for their hard work that made this concert such a success. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Queens-Shelburne.

TRUDEAU, JUSTIN - NOVA SCOTIANS: CONCERNS - HEAR

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, Spring is in the air, and I love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet. It seems as if one candidate for Prime Minister doesn't enjoy these tweets, though. The film, TV, and animation industry took to Twitter to tweet at Mr. Trudeau about the Film Tax Credit. He cancelled a visit to Masstown Market outside Truro, alongside his Tory candidate, Bill Casey. Filmmaker Leah Johnston moved home to Nova Scotia from Los Angeles two years ago because she found more work here than out west. I would encourage Mr. Trudeau to not be afraid of these tweets and come to Nova Scotia and listen to the concerns of the people like Leah Johnston - #NSfilmjobs.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.

RICHARDS, LYNETTE: COMMUN. - WELCOME

MR. IAIN RANKIN « » : I would like to recognize Lynette Richards, who moved to Terence Bay, Nova Scotia, in 2013. Lynette is a stained glass artist in the ancient tradition of European cathedral windows. She uses the same techniques as the medieval artists she admires. She restores heritage windows, designs original windows, and teaches all levels in her studio, Rose Window Stained Glass. Lynette has created many installations in public locations such as schools and libraries. She repairs or restores antique windows. Lynette believes that glass is a versatile and beautiful material that can be used to alter light and make spirits soar.

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Since moving to Nova Scotia, Lynette has joined several volunteer and arts-based organizations and has become an active and valuable member of the community. I would like the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to join me in welcoming Lynette and her unique business to the community.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Pictou East.

Green, Sheila: Painting - Success Wish

MR. TIM HOUSTON « » : Mr. Speaker, today I want to salute a wonderful woman from Westville who turned her empty nest into an artist's studio. Sheila Green waited until her family was grown before she decided to follow her passion to paint. She has not looked back. After attending classes with local artists for three years, she was ready to move forward on her own.

Specializing in portraits, she has the unique ability to really make a subject's eyes come alive. Her medium of choice is oils, which give her the texture she likes. Sheila does do landscapes, but her speciality is portraits, and many of those include her grandchildren. I wish Sheila continued success as she moves forward.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Chester-St. Margaret's.

ENVIRONMENTAL HOME ASSESSMENT PROG. - ELIMINATION

HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Mr. Speaker, over 400,000 people in rural Nova Scotia have private wells and septic systems. In 2006, the government of the day started the Environmental Home Assessment Program, which acted as a resource for people with questions about their well water and septic systems. The program provided homeowners with water and waste-water assessments for their property, a partial rebate on septic tank pumping, and samples of environmentally friendly cleaners. Low-income Nova Scotians were also eligible for a grant of up to $3,000 toward the replacement or repair of failed septic systems.

Now those 400,000 Nova Scotians will have to look elsewhere for assistance, since the McNeil Government has eliminated this program entirely, ignoring the needs of rural Nova Scotians. Once again, the door has been slammed on rural Nova Scotia in Nova Scotia.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.

SPRYFIELD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB:

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100 WOMEN WHO CARE (HFX.) - DONATIONS THANK

MR. BRENDAN MAGUIRE « » : Mr. Speaker, early in March, the Boys and Girls Club of Spryfield was contacted by 100 Women Who Care Halifax, informing the club that they were chosen as one of the three finalists to appear at their March 3^rd meeting at Hampton Inn and Suites. At this time, all three finalists were given five minutes to talk about their organization. After the presentations, the members voted, and the winner received a minimum donation of $100 from each member, with a total donation exceeding $10,000. Darlene MacLean presented on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. The other finalists were HomeBridge Youth Society and the Marguerite Centre.

After the votes were tallied, the Boys and Girls Club was chosen as the recipient of the donation. This was a huge boost for the local Spryfield club. The funds will go a long way in helping the children and the youth of our area. I ask the members to congratulate the Boys and Girls Club on their successful presentation and thank 100 Women Who Care Halifax for their generous donations.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Argyle-Barrington.

Hopkins, NIcole/Ross, Tony/Lobster Shack

- Essence of N.S. Award (2014)

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : I'd like to congratulate Nicole Hopkins and Tony Ross, owners of the Lobster Shack seafood restaurant in Barrington Passage, for receiving the 2014 Essence of Nova Scotia Award. The Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards were established to recognize restaurants that provide exceptional culinary experiences.

This is exactly what you get at the Lobster Shack. The atmosphere pays homage to the lobster industry, decorated with lobster traps and buoys and other knick-knacks. You may even find Tony, in his famous rubber boots, shelling out fresh-cooked lobsters in the kitchen. The duo has perfected their menu, incorporating a wide range of local lobster and seafood dishes, and tries to use local ingredients as much as possible. Once again, congratulations to Nicole and Tony on a job well done.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River.

"BREAK THE SILENCE, END THE STIGMA": FOUNDERS - COMMEND

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Break the Silence, End the Stigma - Mr. Speaker, that's the name of a campaign launched in 2014 by students at Acadia University, who have since expanded the program to include several other universities. The aim of their campaign is to show that anyone and everyone can be affected by mental illness and that we don't have to suffer in silence.

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As a Critic for the Status of Women in one of the 2013-14 faces of mental illness for the Canadian Alliance of Mental Illness and Mental Health, this is a message that I support wholeheartedly. Breaking the silence is key. One in five Nova Scotians suffer from mental illnesses of some kind, but far too many are still too embarrassed to talk about it, especially our young people who may not even be aware that they are not alone.

I commend the young women who started Break the Silence, End the Stigma and I hope that even more universities and colleges participate in this educational event in the years to come.

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

WHITE, DOT: COMMUN. SUPPORT - THANK

MS. JOYCE TREEN « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge a long-time resident of Eastern Passage, Dot White. Dot White has been an active volunteer within the community for years. I actually used to be her papergirl back in the day.

Dot recently resigned from her position with the Fisherman's Cove Development Association and will be greatly missed. She served as secretary and did a fantastic job. For 10 years, too, Dot was also the editor of our local newspaper, The Beacon, as well as a member of the board of directors for our summer carnival for many years.

Our heartfelt thank-you to Dot for her community support throughout the years.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Kings North.

Eisses Farms: Honeycrisp Apples - Achievements

MR. JOHN LOHR « » : Mr. Speaker, the International Fruit Tree Association recently held its 58^th conference and tours in Halifax. Halifax hosted the world and at the awards banquet one of Kings North's finest apple growing operations was recognized for its achievements.

John Eisses Farms of Centreville was recognized as Grower of the Year. John Eisses Farms is one of the largest Honeycrisp growers in Canada and is reputed to get the highest apple yields in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. Eisses has 48 hectares of orchard planted beneath the North Mountain.

Congratulations to John, his son, Peter and family, they have led the way of highlighting one of the great agricultural opportunities in Nova Scotia, growing Honeycrisp apples.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Sackville-Beaver Bank.

Sackville Snow Days Fest. - Success

MR. STEPHEN GOUGH « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sackville Business Association and the residents of Sackville on a very successful Sackville Snow Days Festival. The Sackville Winter Carnival of the 1980s and the early 1990s was a wildly popular event. On January 21, 2014, a group of people representing Sackville, Sackville-based community groups and organizations gathered to discuss the possibility of organizing a winter event in 2015.

The announcement of a February holiday provided the perfect opportunity for a family-oriented event. The Sackville Snow Days Festival was held from February 13^th to February 16^th at a variety of locations around Sackville and offered activities for all ages, including the first Sackville Snow Days Parade of Lights.

The first Sackville Snow Days Festival was a huge success and plans are already underway for an even bigger and better event for 2016.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

Upper Stewiacke FD Anl. Awards Banquet:

Recipients - Congrats.

MR. LARRY HARRISON « » : Mr. Speaker, the Upper Stewiacke Fire Department is made up of over 25 dedicated volunteer members providing firefighting and first response services to their community.

The Upper Stewiacke Brigade recently held its annual awards banquet recognizing their members for their years of service. Members presented with Long-Service Awards include Gerard Comeau, Don Kennedy, and Spencer Volans for 40 years of service; Alan Hamilton, Craig Hamilton and Steve Keddy for 30 years of service; Dave Volans for 25 years of service; and Arlen Kennedy and Leon MacKenzie for 20 years of service.

I wish to extend my appreciation to these brave volunteers for their dedication and service to their community.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Kings South.

FOREST HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH - LADIES GROUPS:

[Page 3614]

COMMUN. SERV. - THANK

MR. KEITH IRVING « » : Mr. Speaker, in rural communities throughout our great province there are people who gather at churches and within community groups to hold suppers, craft and bake sales with the purpose of sustaining communities and helping those in need. In Kings South one such group are the ladies of the Forest Hills Baptist Church in the beautiful Gaspereau Valley. Whenever possible I attend their once-a-month brunches.

The funds raised by these hardy, homemade lunches pays for their pastor, heating and upkeep of the church and their donations go to the United in Mission Fund, the Eastern Valley Baptist Association, and other special needs, such as helping families who have lost their home to fire, or for Christmas food baskets.

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Mary Long, Mabel MacDonald, Marion Gertridge, Necia Meisner, Donna Manthorne, Heather Card, Joan Nowlan, and Judy Sin for their ongoing commitment and service to their community. These ladies represent the very best of what sustains our rural communities. Thank you.

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

FALL RIVER: COMMUN. VOLS. - THANK

MR. BILL HORNE « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to shine the light on some members of the Fall River community who have volunteered countless hours to fight a proposed quarry for the Fall River area. For the past three years, Stacey Rudderham, Jeannette Smith, and Darrell Chase have actively worked with HRM councillor Barry Dalrymple and staff to ensure that the zoning for the development in our community is upheld. They represent many community members who settled in Fall River knowing they are protected by a well-established zoning plan.

Passionate community members are to be valued and thanked for giving their time and support to strengthen their community.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Fairview-Clayton Park.

FRIENDS OF CLAYTON PARK ASSOC.: FEB. HOLIDAY - COMMUN. SKATE

MS. PATRICIA ARAB « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Friends of Clayton Park Association for their role in planning and organizing a free community skate on Nova Scotia's very first February holiday. This year Minister Whalen and myself celebrated Heritage Day by enjoying a nice skate and some hot chocolate at Centennial Arena. I know the community enjoyed the event, and we hope to make it an annual affair.

Thank you to all the Friends of Clayton Park Association for their help on this event and for continuously encouraging accessible community events in our neighbourhood. Thank you.

[Page 3615]

MR. SPEAKER « » : I would like to remind the honourable member for Fairview- Clayton Park not to refer to any ministers or any other member with their proper name.

The honourable member for Clare-Digby.

ADDINGTON, JUSTIN & MAKAYLA:

TEAM N.S. - BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MR. GORDON WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the brother and sister team of Justin and Makayla Addington of Church Point for being named to Team Nova Scotia and going off to compete at the Canadian Youth Challenge Five-Pin Bowling Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. Their family must be very proud of both Addingtons representing the province at such a young age. To qualify for the youth challenge, the bowlers must be between the ages of 13 and 18. Also, its members can be residents of this province or of New Brunswick.

The two siblings train at the local five-pin bowling alley, the Alley 4 Bowling Centre in St. Bernard, and qualified for a spot on Team Nova Scotia at the Youth Challenge Roll-off in Gagetown. This will be Makayla's third trip to the Canadian championship and her brother's second trip to this tournament. I congratulate both of them for representing the province in a sport they both excel at and love.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. MICHEL SAMSON » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Government Motions.

GOVERNMENT MOTIONS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on Supply unto Her Majesty.

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

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, I wish to engage in the debate going into Supply at this time.

I'd like to take this opportunity, as we resolve into Supply, to make some comments on the budget that was presented in this House last week, in particular the drastic effect it will have on the film and creative industry here in the province.

[Page 3616]

I want to put that one measure, that one big error, in the context of the budget as a whole. Now that we've had the weekend to reflect on it, as have all Nova Scotians, I believe that as a province Nova Scotians are starting to come to some conclusions about this budget. After all, for months in the run-up to the budget, there was a lot of attention paid to its preparation - what will be in it, what will not be in it. The reason for that was that the budget a year ago was the budget of a new government that had only been in office for a few months, and it didn't contain a lot of new measures. It looked a lot like the NDP budgets before it.

But the Premier, the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, and the members of the government said at that time, this is too early in our mandate, we have lots of things that we want to study and consult on, and it will be the 2015 budget that will be the real test of the competence of the government and where it wants to take the province. So there was much anticipation about the budget last week.

The budget did come down, Mr. Speaker, and Nova Scotians have now had a few days to think about what it means. As time goes on, it is becoming more and more clear every day that where we were looking for guidance, where we were looking for leadership, we were looking for vision, a plan for the future that was about more than just taxing a little bit here and cutting a program or two there, that there was none.

This is a document that does not point a way forward for the province; it does not contain any vision of what we'd like to see Nova Scotia become in the future. There is no plan for jobs; there is no plan for rural Nova Scotia; there is no plan for our important industries.

After all the studies, after all the town halls, after all the consultation and after all the buildup, we're all waiting to see where does this government - no longer new, but a year and a half into their mandate - where do they want to take the province? We now know the answer is they have no idea - no idea. Other than resorting to the same old, same old of hiking up the user fees of Nova Scotians, 1,400 of them, and announcing a program review and cutting a few things here and there on the expenditure side, there is nothing new. What a great missed opportunity, Mr. Speaker, because Nova Scotians deserve to see a sense of direction.

If I may quote Scripture for just a moment - it is written in Proverbs that "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Mr. Speaker, I was reminded of that as I thought about this budget, there is no vision. There is no vision for our young Nova Scotians up and coming, wanting to make their way in the world here in our own province; in fact they are told that if they want to move on to higher education that will become even further out of their reach, even more expensive for them. Or if they want to work in one of our new and growing creative industries they are told that won't happen because that industry, the film and creative industry, is being wiped away by this budget. If they are working in our traditional industries - mining, farming, or agriculture - nothing in this budget gives a sense of any hope for growth, for jobs, for opportunity.

[Page 3617]

Mr. Speaker, we have a government that, faced with a golden opportunity to create jobs in a new industry, faced with an opportunity to create jobs in onshore gas development, using hydraulic fracturing like many other places have done - at no cost to the government, I might add - actually banned it. They actually banned it. As the unemployment rate goes up and up and more people move away they bring in a budget that does not provide any help for new kinds of uses of our natural resources. (Interruptions)

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

MR. BAILLIE « » : We continue to wait, Mr. Speaker, for some kind of forestry plan to unlock the value of the old Bowater lands, for example, to make sure that our hardwood is available and used for its highest and best use, instead of thrown into a boiler somewhere which is not its highest and best use. We're told by the government that there's plenty of hardwood, but we know from talking to people on the ground that that is not the case. There is no plan for that. (Interruptions)

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

MR. BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, that actually brings me to the Film Tax Credit. One thing we count on a government to do in a budget is if they can't find ways to create or encourage new jobs, to at least not mess up the ones we have. Here we have an industry employing over 2,000 Nova Scotians across the province, mostly young, bright, talented people making a living here and, rather than find a way to work with them to make that industry work while the government tries to fix its own books, they've been wiped away.

You know what, Mr. Speaker? That is not right. When we hear that the Department of Finance and Treasury Board and the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board made no effort to actually project what effect their budget changes on the Film Tax Credit would have on this industry; they made no effort to calculate what its effect might be on jobs or tourism or opportunity, what can we conclude? Last week we were willing to say they made a mistake. They made a mistake, a big expensive mistake, and surely they'll see the error of their ways, and surely they will do the right thing and bring in the industry and work out something that allows the industry to stay, that saves those jobs and allows the government to move on and we don't have to face the job losses that are laid out before us for all to see now.

I still hope they do. This has been called their Yarmouth ferry a number of times already - and you know what, Mr. Speaker? With all due respect to the NDP, they let that mistake live on through the life of their government and they only tried to fix it at the end but it was too late, and then the Liberal Government came in and actually signed the agreement with Nova Star that is in existence today, that is costing taxpayers so much.

[Page 3618]

Mr. Speaker, this government has a choice, they can say we made a mistake and we're going to sit down with industry and we're going to fix it, and we're not going to wait three years, we're going to fix it before the losses happen. And I hope they do and I call on the government to bring in the members of the film and the creative industry to tell them that they are not going to proceed with the changes, extend the deadline for applications from July 1^st to a future date and assure them that they'll work something out that saves that industry, which is so important, and I hope they do.

Mr. Speaker, when you look at the overall theme of the budget and its complete lack of vision for the future of this province, that complete lack of understanding about how a modern, dynamic 21^st Century Nova Scotia economy could work, I worry they won't. I worry they won't. If all their vision is is that we're going to pay for health care by cutting out the film industry and laying a few people off, then this province is never going to get where it needs to go - or raise all the fees again and find hidden tax increases that we can grab out of the pocketbooks of Nova Scotians. That is not a vision; that is not a plan; that is not even a worthy sense of direction for the future.

Here we have this great province, it has all the resources and all the people, and all the schools that it needs to grow in a modern world, and the film industry, ironically, is at the forefront of all of that because it employs our youngest, most creative minds. It has young people in production and, Mr. Speaker, I know there has been a lot of attention on the actors, but let's be clear about who else we're talking about here - we're talking about carpenters, makeup artists, set designers, electricians, caterers, hoteliers, and all the people who supply this industry.

They have jobs and they buy houses, and they put a mortgage on that house, which means they are invested in the future of this province - and in one day last week all of that got wiped away by a government that says we have to be tough on somebody, blind to the effect of what they're doing. Now how competent is that, Mr. Speaker? How competent is that? If the government wanted to sit here in this Chamber and say here is our analysis, independently verify that nothing bad will happen in that industry, that jobs won't be lost, that the province won't shrink - they could do that, but they haven't because they didn't do that analysis, something we count on the government to do.

Now, when confronted, not just by us in Opposition but by literally the entire industry of the effect of what they're doing, what do they repeat back? The tax formula that has been changed. Well, Mr. Speaker, we all know the formula; the formula is not the point. The effect of their decision is the point - the effect on those families, on those households, on those jobs. That is the point.

[Page 3619]

In fact, rather than cutting the legs out from under them when we have bright, young Nova Scotians ready to grow the future economy of this province, we should find ways to step on the gas pedal, to encourage them to go even higher. That's what the government should have done. After all, and I'll say this as a member of the oneNS Coalition, the Ivany report set real goals on foreign direct investment, on immigration, on demographics like keeping young people here and attracting new young people to our province, on exports.

This industry, grown over 30 years, has built up the infrastructure to help achieve all of those goals. But rather than say, you know what, this is going well, and with the state of the economy worldwide and the state of the U.S. dollar and state of the creative industries and all the opportunities to actually grow bigger, and the success of our own homegrown companies that are really just getting started, like DHX Media and many others, rather than say how can we find a way to have you grow even more, they eliminate the whole industry - either through incompetence, or in a deliberate attempt to cut the legs out from the jobs and livelihood of over 2,000 people in this province.

Above all else, and I would say above the accounting exercise of a balanced budget, jobs are what this province needs. There are many ways to get to a balanced budget, and you know the one the government missed? Let's try to grow the economy and create jobs and create taxpayers that pay in. But if you're going to try to balance the budget this year or any year by eliminating jobs, it's going to be a long, hard road with no good results. After all, when we look at revenues and look at expenses, let's look at growing the economy.

They know they made a mistake - I hope they know they made a mistake. They have a chance to fix it before it is too late, too late for 2,000 people and all the associated industries around them. They have a chance to admit they made a mistake and do the right thing - meet with the industry and come up with something that works. And the true test of this budget and that government is whether they actually fix this or not, because if there's one lesson from this debacle that they have created on this Film Tax Credit it is that in that great effort to balance the budget there has to be a plan to sustain the jobs we have and create new jobs at the same time.

Any effort that actually shrinks the economy, that actually wipes jobs out, gets us farther away from that great objective of a sustainable province.

I will just conclude with this - that I saw a member of the government, I think it was the Finance and Treasury Board Minister, say I have to choose between programs for autistic kids and the film industry. What an awful thing to say. That's almost a threat to the 2,000 people who work in the film industry. Why not say we need more dynamic, young, creative talent in the film industry so that they're here and they pay taxes, like they do now, so that we can do more programs for people with autism, instead of telling Nova Scotians such an awful thing that they can't have both - because they deserve both. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[Page 3620]

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River.

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's an honour to rise in my seat today and address the budget that has just been introduced in the House by the Finance and Treasury Board Minister last Thursday.

I have to say that on moving back here to Nova Scotia in 2007, the reason why I moved home to Nova Scotia was because I believed in the future of this little province. As a professional actor, writer, producer, director, for 33 years of my adult life I've travelled the world, I have travelled across North America, I've lived in many cities, I've done many film, television, and theatre productions, and I was lucky enough in my early 30s to discover that I had a voice for animation. I didn't know that before. I had never really thought about it. But suddenly, as an actress who was now no longer 21 years old and playing leading roles, at a time when a lot of my friends were starving and were losing their agents who represented them because they were no longer viable in the system - which is quite sexist as it is anyway - they were now no longer able to get the kinds of roles that would pay for their mortgages and their lives, so a lot of them were dropping out of the business.

It's very sad, Mr. Speaker, because this industry - the creative industry and the creative arts - is something that infiltrates our society from the roots right up to the flowers that are growing on top of the trees. A lot of us don't really notice it. We take it for granted. Those of us who actually live and work in that industry as if it's our life and breath - which it is - we know different. We know all the work that goes into creating incredibly beautiful products for the public to enjoy.

Pretty well everything that you can look around and see that has been created by man was created by somebody who is actually talented and creative, who is imaginative. First of all, you have to think it before you make it. Most people do not necessarily have the creative skills to be able to make a living at doing such a thing. It's pretty tough. All of us can say, oh, I could be an actor, I could do this, I could write this, whatever. We've all got stories to tell and that's what makes this world so interesting.

But the people who actually go out there and put their lives on the line and try to make a living at it - believe me, it is not an easy slog. It's tough. You have to spend many months and many weeks in anxiety, wondering how you are going to pay your mortgage, how you are going to pay your rent, whether you are going to be able to put food on the table. You go from having a lot of money sometimes, while you are doing a film or television or a dramatic performance, to literally starving and eating tuna fish out of cans and eating spaghetti and Kraft Dinner, just like students. I think that's what keeps us young in some ways - we can relate to students on so many levels.

[Page 3621]

I was in my 30s in New York, where I was living on tuna fish and spaghetti out of my apartment. At one point, I had $2 in my pocket. I was in New York because I had just written a play about Marilyn Monroe. I wanted to produce it off-Broadway and I went there. I didn't have an agent; I just thought, I'm going to bite the bullet. I'm going to go there. I'm going to start my life all over again. I've written a play which I want the public to hear and see. So I got an apartment, which was very expensive. But I thought, if I'm going to do it, I have to be there. I have to take a chance.

That's the thing about this industry. We're so used to taking chances. We don't play it safe. We don't have a steady income. We don't even get employment insurance. When we're out of work, we're out of work. You can go for months with no work. That's why many of them have to take jobs as waiters or anything else they can get their hands on just to make a living. I was lucky; I never had to. I would prefer to starve for a couple of weeks than go and do a dead-end job, because I wanted to keep creating and keep writing and keep producing and keep going to as many shows as I could and making as many friends as I could, so that I could get my stories out into the world.

At one point, I found myself in New York with $2 in my pocket. I finally did get an agent and I had an audition uptown in New York. I had to decide, would I spend that $2 on the subway to get all the way uptown - because I was downtown - and then walk home, or would I get a coffee for that $2 and walk all the way up uptown and walk all the way back downtown? Well, I got the coffee. I got the coffee and I walked all the way uptown and I did the audition, and then I walked all the way downtown.

For me, I remember what that was like. I remember the Salvation Army sent out a thing in the mail that if you were starving and you didn't have a Thanksgiving dinner - it was Thanksgiving in November in the United States - you could come to the Salvation Army and they would feed you. I thought, isn't that interesting. For the first time in my life, I am thinking about going to the Salvation Army and getting a Thanksgiving dinner. In the end, I didn't have to because I got a job.

You live on fumes and hope. You live on coffee and hope. You are waiting and hoping against hope that you get that next job and you never know if you're going to. In my case, I did get that next job, but I remembered, so I started paying money to the Salvation Army so it would help pay other people to be able to have the turkey dinner that I knew how desperately I needed at that one point in time.

That is the beauty and the sadness of this industry. We have a lot of young people full of hope and vinegar, you know, ready to just give their lives, to devote their lives to the betterment of society so that society can enjoy their stories, their work, and the beauty that they create. We don't do it for the money; I never did it for the money. You do it for the money in that you need to pay your bills, but you don't do it to get rich and famous. You do it because you love it. I did so many things for free because I loved it, and many of us do.

[Page 3622]

I mean, if the fact be known, most artists make under $25,000 a year. That's why some of them have to go out and get other types of jobs, and if you want to have a family, it's tough. I really take my hat off for the people who actually have families in this industry and who buy houses and put down roots, because it's really hard.

As I've said before, I basically lived out of a suitcase for 30 years because that was the only way I could keep performing. I had to follow the money. I had to follow the film tax credits, because that's where the work was. At first it was in Ontario, and I lived there and I worked there. I worked there for many years. It was great.

Then changes were made. Out in Vancouver, they introduced better film tax credits for the industry. It was good for the industry because many of them were coming in from Los Angeles and doing American TV series shot in Vancouver. It was only a two-and-a-half-hour flight to L.A. for them, for the producers and for some of the actors that would come in, some of the name actors, and then the rest of the people that would get cast were Canadians who lived in Vancouver.

I picked up roots, I left my house in Toronto, I took my cat, and I moved to Vancouver. I was there for the next 12 years doing film, television, and animation, and flying back and forth to L.A. and doing voiceovers and things there as well.

People think it's a glamorous life. They think that we all live to have these champagne parties where we all get dressed up in these fancy-dancy outfits and toast ourselves. I'm sorry, but that is not the life we live. It is a hard life. We work really hard. We put long hours into it. We are passionate about what we do. An 18-hour day is nothing for us, but do you know what? If you're doing a film or television production, you get paid for that. You do get paid more, you get paid overtime, but you get used to the long hours and the camaraderie.

Here in Nova Scotia, when I moved back in 2007, dying to give back to this community and help to create a thriving creative economy and teach young people that you can be successful no matter where you come from. No matter what little rural district, little hamlet you come from, if you have the talent and the drive and you have the desire and the hard work - you have to work really hard and you have to be able to take no for an answer and find another route. The door will keep getting shut in your face, but you just say thank you very much and you go find another route. There will be a door that will always open. You just have to find it. You just don't give up before it's too late, before your time is over. You keep it up. You keep up the fight. That's where I've learned how to survive. It's a survivor's game.

When I moved back to Nova Scotia, I was thrilled that we were starting to have thriving and burgeoning film and creative industries here in Nova Scotia. I was determined to give back to that and help it grow. When the NDP asked me to run for election in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, I thought, well, what better way to be able to give back to your community and to try to help grow the creative economy than to be a voice at the table inside government, rather than carrying a placard with a bullhorn on the outside?

[Page 3623]

I thought, wow, what a great concept. I'll run and I'll talk about the creative economy. I'll talk ad nauseam until people get so sick of it that they actually start listening - and it worked. We started talking more and more about the creative economy. Every economic development meeting I went to, including when we did different studies, I'd say, don't forget about the creative economy, don't forget about the creative economy. I sounded like a parrot.

This is important, and I think what we have seen in the last two weeks now is this creative economy and this creative community of Nova Scotia coming together to be heard, to make their voices heard, to make their passions known, to say enough is enough - we're sick and tired of being kicked around as if we are nothing.

We don't need to take the back door anymore like we used to back hundreds of years ago, in Shakespeare's time. We are people too. We pay taxes too. We have jobs, we have families, and we want to live in Nova Scotia and we want to make our lives here because we believe in this province. We are young and we are proud and we don't want to have to leave here to go off to Ontario or further west. We want to stay right here, and you are making us go away. You are making us leave. (Applause)

You are showing us that we mean nothing to you and that you do not understand our industry. Well, I understand the industry, and I'm here to say, please, please, I beg of this Liberal Government - reconsider this disastrous choice. It's disastrous. It will not help you, it will not help our province, and it will teach many young people that this is not a province they want to come and live in. You couple that with what you've done now to the students in taking the cap off their tuitions and you have a double whammy.

You have a triple whammy when you add in the rural districts. I come from Truro. It's a small town and it's close to Halifax, so it's almost becoming like a bedroom community for Halifax - many people do come back and forth - but it's still considered a rural community, and I'm proud of that. When I lived in New York, sometimes I would fly back and forth. I'd have a cappuccino at Grand Central Station in the morning while I was waiting for the bus to take me out to the airport, and then I'd come back and land at the airport 45 minutes away from Truro, come home, and watch a soccer game in the Tim Hortons Field in Truro and watch my little nephew play soccer, and I'd think, how lucky am I? How lucky am I? I live in a beautiful, pristine province where people are friendly, where people are kind.

People need help. There's a lot of poverty in this province. Many people live and make under $35,000 a year. I'm sorry, but that is not acceptable in this day and age. That's not acceptable. We can do better. I didn't see anything in this budget - nothing in this budget - that will help these people. Nothing. As an MLA now, I see many people coming to my office who need help. They live on the $20 a week that I used to live on, and I look them in the eyes and I go, I know how it feels. I know that fear. I know that anxiety. Trust me, I'm going to do everything I can to help you. And that's what we do as MLAs: we try to help people.

[Page 3624]

So, between the gutting of the tax credit, taking off the caps for the students, and then taking these productions out of rural Nova Scotia, it's really a triple whammy. In my business, we would say a triple threat. A triple threat is a good thing in my industry - it means you can sing, dance, and act, which means that you're going to work.

Since I've moved back home, I've noticed how many great dance companies there are now, how many great dance classes and dance teachers there are. We didn't have that back when I was here. We had Halifax Dance and a couple of others, but in Truro we had nothing. I had to stop taking dance when we first moved to Nova Scotia because there were no classes. So I only got to sing and act.

I'm here to say today that the arts community would thank you, and all those carpenters and seamstresses and all the spinoff economies that are relying on this industry would thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you could talk to your leaders and please get them to reverse their decision about the film and television tax credit. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please.

The motion is carried.

[5:14 p.m. The House resolved itself into CW on Supply with Deputy Speaker Ms. Margaret Miller in the Chair.]

[9:21 p.m. CW on Supply rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Ms. Margaret Miller in the Chair.]

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole on Supply reports:

THE CLERK » : That the Committee of the Whole on Supply has met and made progress and begs leave to sit again.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

The honourable Deputy Government House Leader.

[Page 3625]

MR. TERRY FARRELL » : Madam Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Public Bills for Second Reading.

PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The honourable Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. TERRY FARRELL « » : Madam Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 84.

Bill No. 84 - Statute Law Repeal (2015) Act.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia.

HON. MARK FUREY « » : Madam Speaker, I move that Bill No. 84, the Statute Law Repeal (2015) Act, be now read a second time.

Today, Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to this bill that will repeal 16 pieces of outdated legislation from seven government departments and one agency. As government, we've made a commitment to clean up and eliminate unnecessary regulation that remains on our books. This is the first set of legislation to be repealed, and we plan to do more.

The Acts we are dealing with today are clearly outdated, obsolete, or no longer used. They included the outdated practice of registering livestock through branding, which is no longer used in our province, and the Inebriates' Guardianship Act, which allows for a guardian to be appointed if a habitual drunkard is declared incapable of managing his own affairs by the court. This is clearly outdated legislation and reflects ideas and values from a different era.

The Education Assistance Act of 1989 is no longer relevant. It was replaced by a new provincial funding formula after school boards amalgamated almost 20 years ago.

Madam Speaker, Nova Scotians want and expect legislation that is modern and relevant to meet today's needs, whether it is reducing the burden of red tape for our small businesses or laws that protect our citizens. As a government, we are committed to doing just that. That is why we've created the Office of Regulatory and Service Effectiveness to help streamline government regulations and red tape. We will create an environment that removes any regulatory or legislative barriers or burdens for businesses and Nova Scotians.

The Acts that are being repealed come from Justice; Finance and Treasury Board; Agriculture; Education and Early Childhood Development; Health and Wellness; the former Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism; Communities, Culture and Heritage; and Service Nova Scotia.

[Page 3626]

Now, Madam Speaker, I am not suggesting that some of the legislation being repealed did not serve an intended purpose during its time period, but it should no longer be on the books. This existing legislation does nothing today but clog up the regulatory system in our province. We want a system that's modern. Simplifying regulation is a priority and we will take a multi-year approach to improve and modernize our laws and programs in order to help create a climate that will foster economic growth for our province.

As legislators, we have a role and a responsibility to make government as effective and efficient as possible for all Nova Scotians. That includes streamlining and removing regulatory barriers and burdens from our books. This is simply good government. I will now take my place and look forward to hearing from my colleagues.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Kings North.

MR. JOHN LOHR « » : Madam Speaker, this bill, the inaugural bill of this new department, the Department of Business, is meant to remove obstacles to private business growth, and that is a laudable goal. Part of its mandate is to deal with regulations that somehow impede such growth, so it was with some interest that we received the first official bill of the minister of this new department.

The impact of this bill would appear to be mostly symbolic. We may get a chuckle about the repeal of the Inebriates' Guardianship Act - presumably that isn't one of the ones regulations make unnecessary - or the Narcotic Drug Addicts Act. I also assume that with the winter we just had, keeping the legal requirement to keep able-bodied men ready to shovel the highways isn't one we're getting rid of. Presumably we may still need that one.

Seriously, repealing legislation that is outdated or obsolete or inappropriate is just common sense and really just housekeeping. I would like to suggest that if we were serious about really doing that, we would be doing something to cut red tape in a more substantive way. I don't know if this bill is really doing that. I don't think that the warble fly is really a significant problem anymore. I know one of the bills was to deal with that.

Likely, there are more things in the government books like this. It is housekeeping, but it really isn't going forward. It was only a few days ago that we were talking about governance in this House and a member from the opposite side suggested that we should be talking about things that push the economy forward. Not to say that cleaning up things is not important, but this bill really doesn't push the agenda of this department forward in any significant way.

I noticed in the minister's website that the department would focus on three areas: "Business Strategy & Planning" - this bill does not focus on any of that. "Strategic Projects and Investments" - and again, this bill does not deal with any of those issues. Finally, "Operational Leadership, Coordination & Alignment" - and again, the bill does not deal with any of those things.

[Page 3627]

I would like to suggest to the Minister of Business, though housekeeping is important and I think we all need to do that, we had hoped that the first bill of this new department would deal with more substantive issues that would somehow push business in this province forward. I think of things like the mining industry, and we talked about the fuel tax rebate, which was something that was indicated in the past might be done - things like that.

So there are things that we can do for our industries. There has been much talk about the Film Tax Credit - things like that, things that can push forward our business in this province, but here we are tidying up things. While we do appreciate that that is sometimes necessary, as I said, for the inaugural bill of a new department, we are a little bit disappointed and hope that the mandate of the department might be more clearly brought forward in whatever legislation comes forward in the future.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : If I recognize the minister it will be to close the debate.

The honourable Minister of Service Nova Scotia.

HON. MARK FUREY « » : Madam Speaker, I rise to close debate on Bill No. 84.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The motion is for second reading of Bill No. 84. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

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

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Madam Speaker, that concludes our business for today. We shall meet again tomorrow from the hours of 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Following the daily routine, we will return to Committee of the Whole on Estimates for four hours. Following that, we will go into the Committee of the Whole House on Bills for Bill No. 76, the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, and Bill No. 80, the House of Assembly Act.

With that, I move the House do now rise to meet again from the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. tomorrow.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The motion is that the House rise to meet again on April 14^th between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

[Page 3628]

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

We stand adjourned until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

[The House rose at 9:31 p.m.]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

[Page 3629]

RESOLUTION NO. 1417

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was the memory of Cecil Goodwin of Argyle Sound for the devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly pause with me in remembrance of Cecil Goodwin on being honoured posthumously by the Municipality of Argyle and thank all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1418

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Joan Dulong of Quinan for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Joan Dulong on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1419

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

[Page 3630]

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Lida Crowell of East Kemptville for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Lida Crowell on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1420

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Lindsay d'Entremont of Lower West Pubnico for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Lindsay d'Entremont on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1421

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

[Page 3631]

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Logan d'Entremont, a youth volunteer from Hubbards Point, representing Drumlin Heights, for his devotion of time and tireless effort to his school and many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Logan d'Entremont on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1422

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Mackenzie d'Entremont-Harris, a youth volunteer of Lower Wedgeport representing École secondaire de Par-en-Bas, for her devotion of time and tireless effort to her school and many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Mackenzie d'Entremont-Harris on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO.1423

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Melissa Garron of Tusket for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

[Page 3632]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Melissa Garron on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1424

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Réal d'Entremont of West Pubnico for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Réal d'Entremont on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1425

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Robert Belliveau of East Pubnico for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Robert Belliveau on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

[Page 3633]

RESOLUTION NO. 1426

By: Hon. Christopher D'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Robert Jacquard of Comeaus Hill for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Robert Jacquard on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1427

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Rose-Emma Clairmont of Comeau's Hill for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Rose-Emma Clairmont on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1428

[Page 3634]

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Sharon Doucet of Wedgeport for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Sharon Doucet on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1429

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Shirley Garron of East Pubnico for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Shirley Garron on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1430

[Page 3635]

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Simone T. Muise of Surettes Island for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Simone T. Muise on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1431

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12 to 18, 2015; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Tina Doucette of Argyle Head for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Tina Doucette on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1432

[Page 3636]

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12^th to April 18^th; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Velma Surette of West Pubnico for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Velma Surette on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1433

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12^th to April 18^th; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Annette M. d'Entremont of Lower West Pubnico for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Annette M. d'Entremont on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1434

[Page 3637]

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12^th to April 18^th; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was John MacKinnon of Wedgeport for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating John MacKinnon on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1435

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12^th to April 18^th; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Tommy Muise of Rocco Point for his devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Tommy Muise on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank him and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 1436

[Page 3638]

By: Hon. Christopher d'Entremont « » (Argyle-Barrington)

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

Whereas the 41^st National Volunteer Week runs from April 12^th to April 18^th; and

Whereas on Friday, April 10, 2015, the West Pubnico Fire Hall in West Pubnico hosted the Annual Volunteer Banquet for the Municipality of Argyle; and

Whereas among the 21 volunteers honoured was Wendy Pothier of Sluice Point for her devotion of time and tireless effort to so many organizations in and around the community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Wendy Pothier on being honoured by the Municipality of Argyle and thank her and all volunteers for their dedication to their community.