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HALIFAX, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017

Sixty-second General Assembly

Third Session

1:00 P.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Kevin Murphy

DEPUTY SPEAKERS

Mr. Gordon Wilson, Mr. Keith Irving

MR. SPEAKER » : Order, please. Before we begin the daily routine, the honourable Leader in the House of the New Democratic Party.

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege.

I came to this House yesterday hoping that the government was ready to take action to lay out a plan outlining how the electoral boundaries issue would be resolved before the next election. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed. I take this to mean that the Premier is officially refusing to address this issue before the next general election.

Mr. Speaker, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has ruled that the process for establishing electoral boundaries currently in use was unconstitutional. We, as Canadians, are entitled to be protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms speaks of fair and effective representation, yet Shelburne County, that I might add was never completely consulted, remains split in two on the present electoral map under the present-day configuration.

Mr. Speaker, the present municipal units within Queens-Shelburne, which this member represents, are requesting that the electoral boundaries map be adjusted before the next general election - and I will table those documents now.

Mr. Speaker, without the adjustment the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal granted to the Acadian communities, I strongly feel that my fair and effective representation protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been diminished. Redistributing the three Acadian seats - Argyle, Clare, and Richmond - will ensure my rights of effective representation.

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Entering into an election with boundaries established by an unconstitutional process dilutes the citizens' votes unduly, as compared with another citizen's vote. This runs the risk of providing inadequate representations to the citizens whose votes are diluted.

Mr. Speaker, some may suggest there is not enough time for the boundary review within this government's mandate. I want to state that there is ample time to do this since the present Liberal Government has until October 2018 in their present mandate. We need to look no further than P.E.I. to witness a similar situation unfolding in regard to a boundary review.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that we live in different jurisdictions but we all - I repeat, we all - live in Canada. P.E.I. - Prince Edward Island - has been proactive in engaging their Electoral Boundaries Commission which started in late 2016 and is winding down as I speak. In fact, with the advancement of technology, P.E.I. has its own Facebook page as regards the boundaries process.

Mr. Speaker, technology is changing the way we live our lives. With the advancement of technologies we are able to complete more tasks in less time. It is never the wrong time to do the right thing. My P.E.I. example clearly shows to me that there is ample time to correct the electoral map before the next general election in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly speaks of fair and effective representation. We have a Nova Scotia Court of Appeal decision protecting the Acadian communities. All Nova Scotians are affected by this decision, and we have ample time to do or correct this before the next general election.

I might note, Mr. Speaker, because of the possibility of minority governments from today forward, governments could face several elections without this issue being addressed.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to your consideration of this very serious matter. I look forward to your ruling on my point of privilege.

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

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I look forward to your ruling as well. In fact, you did provide a ruling yesterday in which you made mention of the decision that was provided by the Court of Appeal.

I would be remiss if I didn't remind the honourable Leader in the House of the New Democratic Party of how rich it is to hear him talking about electoral boundaries when he was a senior minister in a government which trampled over the rights of Nova Scotians. They were the ones who were the actual government that interfered in the process. His former colleague the Minister of Justice and Attorney General was found by the Court of Appeal to have (Interruption)

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I find it amusing to hear other colleagues who were members of that government as well who sat there silently and allowed this to take place, when there was clear political interference which happened. For them now to be saying that suddenly this should be fixed - what's more ironic as well, Mr. Speaker, is when the Leader in the House of the New Democratic Party says there's lots of time to fix this. It's his Leader who launched their campaign last Sunday preparing for an election. On one hand, they say there is lots of time for the government to fix this - they have till October 2018. But they launched their campaign in Dartmouth last Sunday.

I know that their Leader can't be on the floor of the House to speak for himself; maybe he's up in the gallery again. But maybe he can explain why it is, if they are so concerned with having ridings corrected, that he would launch a campaign last Sunday based on the current ridings which exist.

Mr. Speaker, again, I think you had a ruling yesterday which spoke on this, so I won't say any more, but just remind Nova Scotians the reason there was the decision of the Court of Appeal is because of the interference of the former NDP Government, of which he and other members of that caucus were a part and sat silent while they interfered in the independent electoral boundary process of Nova Scotia.

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

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : I, too, look forward to you ruling on this issue. I'm sort of stuck between two wrongs not making a right in this particular case.

Quite honestly, their intervention in the process prior created the boundaries that we have today. But we have a government that has something before them that could have started a boundary commission a couple of months ago, but has not. They could actually go out and consult with communities like Shelburne, like Argyle-Barrington, like Queens-Shelburne, like Clare-Digby, like Richmond, and like Preston - all of these places that could be affected by any change in the boundaries and therefore feel that their Charter rights of effective representation are affected.

We have called for the government to move forward on this. Again, two wrongs don't make a right in this case. Mr. Speaker, we do look forward to your ruling on this. Finally, I'll say that it's one of those pieces of work, we're now aware of it, and we should just get on with the job that's at hand.

MR. SPEAKER « » : I'm not so sure that it's a point of privilege, but I will take it under advisement, and I'll come back to the House.

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We'll now move on with the daily routine.

PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

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

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : I beg leave to table a petition signed by hundreds and hundreds of Nova Scotians. The operative clause reads:

"We call upon the Government of Nova Scotia to reverse the funding cuts to Long-Term Care, respecting the dignity of patients and fairness for those who deliver the care."

I have affixed my own signature to the petition and table it for the benefit of all members of the House.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.

The honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid.

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : I beg leave to table a petition from hundreds of Nova Scotians who are also concerned with the cuts to funding to long-term care where the operative clause states:

"Therefore, we call upon the Government of Nova Scotia to reverse the funding cuts to Long-Term Care, respecting the dignity of patients and fairness for those who deliver the care."

Mr. Speaker, I have affixed my signature.

[1:15 p.m.]

MR. SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.

The honourable member for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage.

MS. JOYCE TREEN « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a petition on behalf of the member for Eastern Shore. There are 230 signatures and the operative clause is:

"We, the undersigned parents, school staff and citizens of Eastern Shore, are requesting the Nova Scotia government to provide capital funding for the construction of a new stand-alone primary to grade 12 school as replacement for École des Beaux Marais . . ."

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I have affixed my signature to the document. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.

The honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect.

MR. IAIN RANKIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition, the operative clause being:

"There is a major need for an ambulance to be stationed in area. There was a recent incident in the area where 911 was called for a young heart attack victim. Fire Dept took approx. 15 min to arrive and ambulance took approx. 30 min to arrive. This is unacceptable. We are intitled [sic] to service and care same as city people. We pay taxes and are entitled to vital services."

We ask the government to provide an ambulance stationed in the Prospect or Shad Bay area.

There are over 1,000 signatures and I have affixed my own. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Thank you. I'll take that one under advisement while I review the prayer.

The honourable member for Chester-St. Margaret's.

HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition on behalf of the Healthy Forest Coalition. The operative clause says:

"Premier McNeil, please ban clear cutting, favour selection management on Crown land and cancel WestFor's license."

There are hundreds of signatures, Mr. Speaker, and I have affixed my signature. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

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MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Immigration.

HON. LENA DIAB « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update my fellow members on our efforts to attract more immigrants to Nova Scotia.

It's my extreme pleasure to report that we've had a remarkable year for immigration to Nova Scotia. Almost 5,550 people immigrated to our province in 2016, the highest number of immigrants in any year since the Second World War. Given Nova Scotia's demographic challenges, immigration is critical to help build our province, grow our economy, and to make Nova Scotia a vibrant, dynamic society.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of these results; they reflect the hard work that we've been doing to grow our population and make Nova Scotia a more diverse and welcoming province. With almost 5,550 new people coming to Nova Scotia last year, we are well on our way to achieving the One Nova Scotia report's stretch goal of welcoming 7,000 immigrants per year by 2024. (Applause)

We also welcomed the record of 1,350 nominees through our Provincial Nominee Program last year. For comparison, we had only 600 nominees in 2013. On behalf of the Assembly I thank all 14 settlement partners for helping our new residents adapt to life in the province. Last year organizations like the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, the YMCA, the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, and others, served more newcomers and did it very well.

To help all our new residents adapt to life in our province we're investing more in immigrant settlement services, including supports for language instruction, and we are transitioning some of this work to the YMCA. My sincere thanks as well to the many people in communities across Nova Scotia who have stepped forward to welcome our new residents. We've done this together.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to another outstanding year for immigration. We have a total of 2,150 spots to fill in 2017, that is the 1,350 spots for our Provincial Nominee Program and 800 spots in our new program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. We're on track to break more records. Thank you very much.

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

MR. JOHN LOHR » : I'd like to thank the minister for her remarks on this in advance. I want to congratulate the minister on her success in seeing these numbers grow. I know that it was early in her mandate as minister that she travelled to Ottawa and the then-Harper Government to see those PNP numbers first start to increase, and was successful in negotiating an increase that has been a key point in seeing these numbers grow. I commend her on her efforts and her courage to do that at that time.

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Every number is a personal story. One of the numbers in the PNP was a family that I was involved with, and I deeply appreciate the minister's and the minister's staff's efforts on their behalf. I've told you about that in the House before. Most of us in this room - likely all of us - can trace back to some form of immigration that brought us here to this country. My own family is no exception, post-World War II. The wreckage of Holland - the Dutch Government and the Canadian Government co-operated to bring Dutch farmers to Canada, and many Dutch farmers came to Nova Scotia and settled here and transformed agriculture.

Immigration is an important part of the history of our province, and immigration because of tragedy in the homeland is part of that, unfortunately. I know the minister could tell that story, too, of her own Lebanon. We see that in Syria - the trouble in Syria now - and in fact, in my own church and my rotary club - unusually; I think it may be the only rotary club in the country, certainly in Atlantic Canada - my Kentville Rotary Club has sponsored a family, and my church has sponsored a family. A number of churches in Kings County have.

Nova Scotians have reached out again to see people from war-torn parts of the world brought into the community and looked after. I commend the minister and all Nova Scotians on that effort.

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

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to rise in the House and welcome the news that the Minister of Immigration has shared, just as I welcome the 5,550 people who immigrated to Nova Scotia last year. We do need new immigrants to Nova Scotia - to add to our tax base, to add to our volunteer base, to add to our communities and schools and creative economy.

The increase in numbers last year was largely a result of external factors, especially the refugee crisis and the federal government's response to citizens' interest in responding to that crisis. What we have greater influence on here in Nova Scotia, and as a provincial government, is how many of those 5,550 people will stay and make Nova Scotia their long-term home. Will we make the changes we must make, as a province, to ensure that not only immigrants but all Nova Scotians can flourish here?

The public school system, for example, needs additional resources. We need a real English as an Additional Language program, so that students are supported as they enter our system, and then we need smaller classes all the way from Primary to Grade 12, so that teachers are able to respond to diverse needs in their classrooms.

We need adequate income assistance rates. Some government-assisted and privately-sponsored refugees, now permanent residents, will be relying on income assistance while they continue to learn English and create their homes here. Like all individuals and families in Nova Scotia, they need to live, and our assistance rates don't currently allow that with any dignity.

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We need to support and build new capacity in Nova Scotia in terms of private sponsorship of refugees. ISANS, the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, briefly had additional support from the Office of Immigration to support all the private sponsorship of refugee groups that just sprang up across the province, but we should be looking at that as a long-term resource, a long-term plan, particularly family-linked sponsorship. That's a way of attracting more Nova Scotians to our province and encouraging newcomers to stay.

Finally, in this era of precarious employment, we need a channel for skilled entrepreneurs to become permanent residents even if they don't have a link to one employer who's ready to make a multi-year commitment to them. We have lost, and we will lose too many people with a desire to live in this province, to build this province, to build our economy, and those are people we desperately need. Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Just before we move on, a couple of housekeeping items. I forgot to mention earlier the topic for late debate as submitted by the honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid:

Therefore be it resolved that the government's failure to act on the doctor shortage has had extreme consequences for thousands of people in Nova Scotia, particularly the 106,000 people without a family doctor.

That is late debate at the conclusion of Opposition Business today.

Also, I have had a chance to review the petition as submitted by the honourable member for Timberlea-Prospect, and unfortunately I have to reject it. The petition is not in order in a couple of items. There is no ask identified here that is within the power of government to do and also the prayer is not on the signature pages. They are stand-alone signature pages and unfortunately that does not meet our minimum requirements.

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of the Public Service Commission.

RESOLUTION NO. 1091

HON. LABI KOUSOULIS « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas today, April 26^th, is Administrative Professionals Day; and

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Whereas the work of administrative professionals requires knowledge and skills in communications, office technology, accounting, project management, and strong organizational abilities; and

Whereas at this time we celebrate their leadership and hard work that is essential in efficiently organizing the operations of private industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations every day;

Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature acknowledge and celebrate our hard-working and talented professionals, and recognize their many contributions to our province.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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. 1092

HON. JOANNE BERNARD « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas April 26, 2017, is Denim Day, acknowledging women in the Italian Parliament who came to work wearing jeans, in solidarity for a victim of sexual violence who was told in court that wearing tight jeans implied consent, leading to a rape conviction being overturned; and

Whereas wearing jeans on Denim Day has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault; and

Whereas there is no excuse and never an invitation to rape, and this is a message that needs to be shared widely during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and beyond;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the House of Assembly join me in solidarity to raise awareness of sexual violence and to support survivors.

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Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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.

HON. DIANA WHALEN « » : Mr. Speaker, before I read my resolution I'd like to, if I could, draw the attention of the members to the east gallery. We are joined today by very special guests. I would ask members of the House to join me in welcoming Maxine Farmer. Maxine is the wife of a long-time member of our Justice family, if I could say, as an employee for over 25 years, Gary Farmer, who passed away last year.

As I say, Maxine is joined by a large number of Gary's colleagues who all really respected and loved working with him. They are happy to be here today to join Maxine. Perhaps I'll ask you all to stand as I say your name. Maxine, maybe you'd like to stand so we can see you, and Sean Kelly, John Scoville, Tammy Vella, Cathy Richards, Doug Leck, Janis Aitken, Nadine Blair, Jill McCarthy, Paulette MacKinnon and Reverend Ogueri Ohanaka.

If we could, I would ask that we all give them a warm welcome as I read my resolution. Thank you very much. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Justice.

RESOLUTION NO. 1093

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

Whereas Gary Farmer, who passed away in 2016, is remembered by his colleagues and friends as an exceptional and well-respected Department of Justice youth worker and former deputy superintendent at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility for over 25 years; and

Whereas Gary was a talented musician and much-admired member of the province's African Nova Scotian community; and

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Whereas Gary's life was celebrated with a Heritage Award in his memory at the 19^th Annual African Nova Scotian Music Association award ceremony held in Halifax in February;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House extend sincere gratitude for Gary's extensive contributions as a public servant, musician, and remarkable Nova Scotian.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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

HON. DIANA WHALEN « » : Mr. Speaker, I have another number of people to introduce in the gallery if I may with your permission. We are joined today by a number of representatives from the Human Rights Commission and I know we are all very interested in that organization that serves us so well. This year is the 50^th Anniversary and that's why they have joined today.

I would like to introduce Christine Hanson, director and CEO of the Human Rights Commission, and Eunice Harker who is the Chair of that wonderful commission. They are joined by some of their wonderful staff of the commission: Adria May, Lisa Richard, Allison Smith, Pam Osborne, Angela Shrider, Késa Munroe-Anderson, Lisa Robinson, Mahogany O'Keiffe, and Angela McLellan - all from the Human Rights Commission. Please welcome them today. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Justice.

RESOLUTION NO. 1094

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

Whereas 50 years ago, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission was created through implementation of the important Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and the appointment of the first commissioners; and

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Whereas over the past 50 years, we have achieved great human rights milestones including improving gender, affirming treaty rights of Mi'kmaq to fish commercially, recognize the right of same sex couples to marry, eliminating mandatory retirement, and recognizing the right of transgendered persons; and

Whereas the commission continues to this day to advance equity and dignity, foster positive and respectful relationships, and actively protects and promotes the human rights of all Nova Scotians;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House congratulate the Nova Scotian Human Rights Commission on their 50^th Anniversary, and join us in celebrating their progress and their ongoing efforts to advance human rights in our province.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

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

The motion is carried.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 84 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 18 of the Acts of 1998. The Municipal Government Act, and Chapter 39 of the Acts of 2008. The Halifax Regional Municipality Charter. (Hon. Zach Churchill)

Bill No. 85 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Motor Vehicle Act. (Hon. David Wilson)

Bill No. 86 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 18 of the Acts of 1998. The Municipal Government Act, and Chapter 39 of the Acts of 2008. The Halifax Regional Municipality Charter. (Mr. Stephen Gough)

Bill No. 87 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 25 of the Acts of 1998. The Real Estate Appraisers Act, and the Election by Widow Regulations. (Ms. Lenore Zann)

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Bill No. 88 - Entitled an Act to Amend the Occupational Safety General Regulations. (Hon. Sterling Belliveau)

Bill No. 89 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 1 of the Acts of 1995-96. The Education Act, and Chapter 300 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Municipal Elections Act. (Ms. Lisa Roberts)

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

NOTICES OF MOTION

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Inverness.

GAELIC: INVESTMENT - CONTINUE

MR. ALLAN MACMASTER « » : A Labhraiche Urramaich. Mar Ghaidheal, chunna mi dol sios ar canan agus ar dualchas nuair a bha mi a'fas suas. Tha an da chuid gle chudtromach dha'n mhor-roinn seo ann an iomadh doigh.

Ged a tha mion-chananan a'crionadh, agus ann an cunnart air feadh an t-saoghail, tha mi toilichte a radh gu bheil ath-bheothachadh canain agus cultuir air chois a'seo ann an Albainn Nuaidh.

Chi mi an deagh-bhuaidh a th'aige seo air na Gaidheil, sean is og, agus tha mi toilichte gu bheil Riaghaltas na h-Albann Nuaidh air a bhi cuideachail a thaobh seo, fad, co-dhiu, coig bliadhna diag. Tha iomairt mhath air chois a'seo, agus bu choir dhuinn barrachd taic a chumail rithe.

Mr. Speaker, as a Nova Scotian Gael, I have seen my grandparents speak Gaelic and understand it is part of who I am. What I have found strange is that Gaelic seems to be disappearing as this generation of Nova Scotians passes on to the next world.

Linguistic diversity is in severe decline around the world. We are losing cultural richness and all that it adds to our lives. Yet, we are supporting the revitalization of Gaelic here in Nova Scotia. I have witnessed this personally, even within my own family. We must keep it alive for the many Nova Scotians who share this heritage.

The efforts of the provincial government over the past 15 years have made a difference. It strengthens identity, creates confidence in one's culture, creates bonds between young Nova Scotians and their families and communities, giving them reason to stay here in this province. It also creates enormous economic return.

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Based on this success, let us have continued investment in this important cultural resource.

MR. SPEAKER « » : With the unanimous consent of the House, we will revert to Government Notices of Motion.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

[GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION]

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Gaelic Affairs.

RESOLUTION NO. 1095

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Tapadh leat, Mr. Speaker. I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Gaels in Nova Scotia through Gaelic language, culture and identity, make and have made numerous educational, social and economic contributions to the Province of Nova Scotia; and

Whereas 2017 marks the 21^st Anniversary of Gaelic Nova Scotia Month and the many contributions of Gaels over 150 years in our country; and

Whereas Nova Scotia represents the only remaining area outside of Europe where Gaelic language, culture and identity are shared and passed on from generation to generation in community with approximately one-third of the province's population having Gaelic connections;

Therefore be it resolved that every member of the House recognize and celebrate the cultural, social and economic contributions that Nova Scotia Gaels make to our province, and participate in opportunities that both honour and raise awareness of the value of the language, culture and identity of Gaels in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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

Is it agreed?

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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 Communications Nova Scotia.

RESOLUTION NO. 1096

HON. ZACH CHURCHILL « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas most days we, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, enjoy a healthy working relationship with the media, especially our press gallery; and

Whereas we are fortunate to have as the head of our gallery, in the oldest Legislature in Canada, an esteemed employee of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; and

Whereas it has come to our attention that Jean Laroche has walked or run these hallways providing exemplary service for what is now three decades; (Laughter)

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House congratulate Jean Laroche as he celebrates his 30^th year of service providing important coverage on issues that matter to Nova Scotians. (Applause)

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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 on an introduction.

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, it gives me pleasure to introduce to the House Unifor members, some of whom I know from their work at Northwood in Halifax Needham, who have joined us today in the west gallery. We are joined by Shauna Wilcox, Linda MacNeil, Wendy Chaput, Jason Pottie, Marcus Hanrahan, Linda MacLeod, Wendy MacKinnon, Marly MacAulay, Marion Poirier and Jessica Smith. Thank you very much, thank you for your work and welcome to the House of Assembly. (Applause)

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Opposite, in the east gallery, there are also a number of people here from the advocates for care of the elderly, including Ian Johnson, Susan Brown, Karen Gibbons, and perhaps Gary MacLeod has returned to his seat. Welcome to the House of Assembly. (Applause)

[1:45 p.m.]

[STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS]

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

MS. PATRICIA ARAB « » : I beg leave for an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MS. ARAB « » : I have a couple. I'll start off by drawing members' attention to the east gallery, where we are joined by Mr. Ray Anjoul, who is my right-hand man. I ask him to stand and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)

AN HON. MEMBER: Hardest job in politics.

MS. ARAB « » : Dealing with me, definitely.

Next to Ray is Sarah Dobson. I would ask her to please stand and receive the warm welcome of the House, and maybe stay standing while I proceed to a member's statement specifically. (Standing Ovation)

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

DOBSON, SARAH - DAUGHTERS OF THE VOTE FORUM

MS. PATRICIA ARAB « » : I would like to recognize Sarah Dobson for her recent involvement in Daughters of the Vote. Sarah was selected to represent the riding of Halifax West in an all-female forum held on Parliament Hill on March 8, 2017, International Women's Day. As such, she also had the honour of acting as Speaker of the House, a task she did with grace and ease.

Sarah, a political science graduate of Dalhousie University who will head back to Dal in the Fall for law school, was an active member of the Dal Student Union and a former Page here in the House of Assembly. She is a remarkable woman whose passion for humanitarian and human rights issues is inspirational.

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It was an honour to be in Parliament to see Sarah and all of her incredible peers from across our country shine at this historic event. Imagine a Legislature of only women.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and the members of this House join me in acknowledging Sarah on this great accomplishment and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Northside-Westmount.

HEALTH CARE CRISIS: HEALTH PROFESSIONALS - DIFFICULTIES

MR. EDDIE ORRELL « » : The crisis in health care has reached epidemic proportions in Nova Scotia. Places like Cape Breton are losing specialists like infectious disease specialists.

On the eve of a government budget, I would like to speak for some people who often get lost in this health crisis: our health care professionals. There's a huge domino effect when hospitals, for example, are under-resourced to the breaking point. We have a recent story about the unthinkable happening to Mr. Webb and others about Code Census becoming normal.

Nova Scotia's health professionals should never be placed in that situation. No family should ever be subjected to it. Platitudes and budget band-aids won't fix this problem.

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

BOUNDARIES DISCUSSIONS: MIN./ACADIAN FED.

- SECRET MEETINGS

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Earlier this year, all Nova Scotians learned about the Court of Appeal's decision regarding the boundaries review. Since that time, the Minister of Acadian Affairs has confirmed that secret meetings have been ongoing with the Acadian Federation. However, I want to remind the minister that all Nova Scotians are affected by this decision. Most Nova Scotians, Mi'kmaq, and African Nova Scotians have been left in the dark about any negotiations regarding any future boundary changes.

This is the government that pledged to be open and transparent. I would like to remind the present Liberal Government of Section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that proceeding with secret negotiations is not a fair, open, transparent process.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville on an introduction.

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MR. BEN JESSOME « » : I would have all members of the House direct their attention to the east gallery. Today, we're joined by a fellow Highland Parker, David Gillett. He's the owner of the Everwood Ave Brew Shop. Please welcome him to the House today. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville.

GILLETT, DAVID: EVERWOOD BREW SHOP - SUCCESS CONGRATS.

MR. BEN JESSOME « » : I would like to recognize David Gillett of Highland Park for his success with his small business, the Everwood Ave Brew Shop.

David began his brew shop out of his home in 2013 with a desire to contribute to the home brew culture. He stocks products for beginners to advanced brewers, and it's one of the most significant shops of its kind in the area and, I think, throughout the nation.

David has worked hard and tirelessly over the past few years to grow his business, which has resulted in him recently opening a new, larger location in Sackville. In the new location, he continues to sell the best products for the best prices. There is a deal of the day, and sometimes more than one, encouraging people to check the daily deals for the best deals. It's a one-stop shop for all your brewing needs.

Everwood Ave is a great example of how starting a small business in Nova Scotia can turn into a success story and an opportunity for employment here in the province. I ask all members of the House to join me in congratulating David and Everwood Ave Brew Shop for a success as a small business here in Nova Scotia.

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

DEWEY, GEORGIE - TRENTON VOL. OF YR.

HON. PAT DUNN « » : Mr. Speaker, the efforts of one person can truly make a difference in their community. Volunteering has many positive benefits both for the volunteer and the community.

Georgie Dewey was selected as Trenton's Volunteer of the Year. She has quietly volunteered her time and talents to many organizations in her community. including: Explorer leader, Sunday school teacher, superintendent of her church's Sunday school program, board member for the MacLennan Memorial Camp, and secretary for the First United Church and the Pictou County Council of Churches for more than 20 years. She's also the editor of her church newsletter, a member of the UCW, has assisted Shepherd's Lunchroom, and was a secretary for the Order of the Eastern Star.

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She has offered her time and talents to her community for decades. I encourage all members of the Legislature to join me and thank Georgie Dewey for her volunteer work.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Inverness on an introduction.

MR. ALLAN MACMASTER « » : Mr. Speaker, in the west gallery, I'd like to draw attention to a former Premier of the Province, Rodney MacDonald, who is President of the Gaelic College with us today, and we have some guests with him from the college: Margie Beaton from Mabou - I was going to try to get the names. I think I have Colin up there, I believe, and I should have the name of the other individual. Unfortunately, I don't have it, but I would like to welcome them here to the Legislature. I'd ask them to stand and ask the members to give them applause. (Applause)

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

ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM: JUST SOCIETY - RESTORE

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of being welcomed by members of two historic churches in Halifax Needham recently. Cornwallis Street Baptist Church celebrated their 185^th Anniversary this weekend. They have been firmly rooted in Halifax's north end longer than Canada has been in existence. That church will soon be renamed graciously and out of empathy with Mi'kmaq neighbours whose ancestors were targeted by Cornwallis.

On Easter Sunday, I attended a sunrise service in Africville in the rebuilt Seaview African United Baptist Church. Along with lyrics for hymns, we were all given a church bulletin from the last Easter Sunday service in Africville in 1967. It listed the services scheduled for that week - Monday, Pastor Bryant in charge; Tuesday, women's night; and so forth - in a little white church near a dump located there because of environmental racism, just weeks before the church was bulldozed.

We can and must know our history and have our eyes and hearts open to our present and work towards a just, kind, and restored society.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Lunenburg.

SHEPPARD-DIXON, EVA - ABRIEL MEM. SCHOLARSHIP

MS. SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Eva Sheppard-Dixon on receiving the David & Heather Abriel Memorial Scholarship. Eva will attend a weekend highlighting Celtic music at the North Atlantic Tionól 2017 this June in Prince Edward Island, a Celtic musician celebration that showcases a variety of workshops and performances.

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Eva is 16 years old and has played the fiddle for the past 10 years under the musical direction of Eilidh Buchanan, who spawned Eva's love for Celtic music. The scholarship is provided by and named from the late Dr. David and Heather Abriel who were known all over the province for their contributions to both the medical and musical communities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all members of this House of Assembly please join me in congratulating Eva on receiving the scholarship - its very first - and wish her well at the North Atlantic Tionól 2017.

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

PICTOU ACAD. EDUC. FDN. - SCH. FUNDING OFFER

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Pictou Academy Education Foundation for their magnanimous offer to the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. The foundation has offered the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board $1 million over five to seven years to be used for enhancements for a new Primary to Grade 12 school, if it is located within the Town of Pictou and is named Pictou Academy.

In 2016 Pictou Academy celebrated its 200^th Anniversary, 200 years of providing the youth of Pictou and surrounding areas with an exceptional education.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the opportunity that the Pictou Academy Education Foundation has presented to the school board. This is a real opportunity in a truly unique set of circumstances to which I hope the school board gives careful consideration in the future.

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

PREM. - CABINET MEETING ATTENDANCE

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, just this Spring we witnessed in Ottawa our federal NDP Leader suggest to the Prime Minister of Canada that if he only attended one Question Period a week that he could easily be replaced with a cardboard cut-out.

Mr. Speaker, could this lack of political interest be spreading to Nova Scotia and the provincial Liberals? We observed this very Premier only attending 60 per cent of Cabinet meetings so far this year. Will we be next to possibly have cardboard cut-outs in this Chamber? Perhaps you'll get more answers from these cardboard cut-outs than we received from the Premier and his ministers over the last three and a half years. Thank you.

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

BURGESS, ADEE - KARATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

MR. KEITH IRVING « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impressive achievements of a talented, young New Minas athlete, Adee Burgess. Adee is only 14 years old but she has been participating in karate for most of her life. She has enjoyed tremendous success in competitions, winning 43 of her first 50 fights, and accumulating dozens of medals.

In March of this year she travelled to Quebec City, as part of Team Nova Scotia, to compete in the National Karate Championships. In her second trip to the Nationals she competed in the Cadet 54-kilogram class and ended up capturing a bronze medal. She hopes to again participate at Nationals in 2018 when the national competition will be held here in Halifax.

On behalf of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, I congratulate Adee on her continued success in her chosen sport and wish her all the best in her future competitions.

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

MILLS, COURTNEY: ASD - TRAINING ASSISTANCE

MR. LARRY HARRISON « » : Mr. Speaker, where some see barriers others see opportunities. In Grade 6, Truro Heights resident Courtney Mills was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a subtype of autism spectrum disorder. Now an adult, she recognized a lack of resources for assisting autistic individuals and worked with Autism Nova Scotia to offer training designed to help paramedics, firefighters, and other first responders.

Recognition of the need for this type of training is beginning to spill over into the business community as she just completed a training session with staff, crew, and some of the businesses in the Truro Mall.

I wish to commend Courtney Mills for her leadership, strength, and courage in using her personal insight perspective and life experiences to educate others.

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

TIR: SAND-SEALED ROADS - GRAVEL CONVERSION CONFIRM

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HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Mr. Speaker, is it just me or is there an election in the air? I think the Liberals' recent announcement of a $10 million gravel road program is a good indication that an election is indeed on the way.

I do want to remind the Liberals that since they sold off the province's mobile asphalt plant Nova Scotians have been paying more for less paving. Perhaps that's their plan, Mr. Speaker, to give up paving altogether and just have gravel roads, because with this recent announcement of a gravel road program people are concerned that sand-sealed roads will not be chip sealed but, rather, they will be turned back into a gravel road.

I've been informed that this is exactly the plan, Mr. Speaker, so will the Minister of TIR confirm that sand-sealed roads in our province now will all be turned back into gravel roads and not chip sealed?

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Antigonish.

H.M. MACDONALD ELEM. SCH. - SCH. BD. VOTING

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Tonight, members of the Strait Regional School Board will be receiving presentations from residents of Antigonish to learn more about the value of, and the academic success of, H.M. MacDonald Elementary School. I hope that the members of the Strait Regional School Board keep the best interests of students in mind when they are voting tonight on motions that will be tabled. Thank you.

[2:00 p.m.]

MR. SPEAKER « » : The House will recess until further notice.

[2:00 p.m. The House recessed.]

[2:03 p.m. The House reconvened.]

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS TO MINISTERS

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

PREM.: BAYERS LAKE LAND - PURCHASING POLICY

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HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : I'd like to start Question Period today by tabling the Nova Scotia Sustainable Procurement Policy, which guides government purchases. The policy states, "This policy has been designed to drive best value for the expenditure of public funds . . . through maximizing competition, . . . and conducting open, fair and transparent procurement processes." I'll table that for the benefit of the House.

This is a policy that was put in place to protect taxpayers from bad deals - like a government that pays 12 times the assessed value when it's buying land.

I'd like to ask the Premier if he can tell the House what steps his government took to ensure that the purchase of the Whopper Dropper land in Bayers Lake followed their own purchasing policy?

HON. STEPHEN MCNEIL « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. I said to him yesterday, we're a generation with an opportunity to reshape the health care delivery model in the province. We're excited about the fact that the outpatient clinic will be happening out where the majority of the citizens of HRM who would be using that facility are. It's also in a location where the 60 per cent of us who live outside HRM and come in to access those facilities will have easier access to it.

I told him yesterday that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal went around and looked at a number of sites that were in the area, looked at the roads coming in, and what it would cost to get those sites set up. The honourable member is referring to an assessment on a property that was woodland. It had no work done to it at all. But the price that he's using, that we bought it for, is as a fully accessible site - one that has water, sewer, roads. The pad is ready for building.

We're excited about the fact that Nova Scotians are joining our government to continue to move forward to improve the health care system in Nova Scotia.

MR. BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker what Nova Scotians are doing is questioning the integrity of the Premier's government because they see an untendered land purchase at 12 times its assessed value and a government Leader who won't share why that was done, how they came to that purchase price. Why did they not look at any other properties through a tendering process which would clear all this up?

I have tabled the government's own purchasing policy and I have asked the Premier to explain how he ensured that it was followed. He did not answer. That is because they did not follow it, they sidestepped it even though there is more than one property in this province that meets the needs of our health care system but, yet, they picked this one without tender.

So I would like to ask the Premier directly, why did you sidestep your own purchasing policy?

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MR. SPEAKER « » : I would like to remind the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition not to refer to the members opposite directly.

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to tell the honourable member we are excited about the fact that we get a chance reshape the health care delivery model in our province, the fact that we get a chance to do the outpatient clinic that will move out in part of our capital city where a huge number of people are a growing population, those who would use the facility on a regular basis. At the same time it is a great location for those of us who live outside the converge of Highway Nos. 102 and 103 Those are all positive signs.

I also want to assure the honourable member that the good people of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal went out and looked at a number of sites - I think in total there were 15 sites - they narrowed it down to couple of sites, gone through the negotiations with a number of landowners and this came up to be the one with best value, the best deal.

Mr. Speaker, again he stands in this House recognizing, he is quoting a price that a person paid for forest land, he is not acknowledging in this House the fact that site will require blasting, they will need roads built in, water and sewer have to be delivered - and everyone in this province knows the costs associated with that. We are looking forward to working with all Nova Scotians so we can continue to improve the health care system that Nova Scotians want not only for this decade but for the next number of decades.

MR. BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotians will not be satisfied by a Premier who refuses to answer basic questions about why he ignored his own purchasing policy and did not tender that purchase. In fact, every time the Premier stands up here and dodges the questions they don't get more comfortable, they get more suspicious that something fishy happened because there is no good reason not to tender that land purchase. Tendering would have cleared up these questions; not tendering leads to questions.

We have asked, even basically, will the Premier break out the purchase price between the improvements on the land that he is citing in his answer here this afternoon and the actual purchase price, and his own government refuses to provide that information. We asked him to table every document related to this purchase, he says no. Share with the Auditor General and he says no.

If it's such a good deal, Premier, why won't you show Nova Scotians all the details?

MR. SPEAKER « » : I would like to remind the honourable Leader of the Official Opposition not to refer to the members opposite directly.

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, that is not what I said. Any time the Auditor General required information from our government we have continued to provide all the information. The honourable member asked the Auditor General to come in and if the Auditor General thinks it is necessary he will do so. We will provide him with all the information he requires. We are very confident that we have the best value for Nova Scotian taxpayers, and we will continue to move forward.

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One thing I am certain, one thing Nova Scotians are getting tired of - it's the negativity of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader in the House of New Democratic Party.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: NURSING HOME CUTS - PREM. APOLOGIZE

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : My question is to the Premier. Over the past two years this government has cut more than eight million dollars from budget of nursing homes. Nursing homes and administrators have told this government that these cuts have reduced food quality and recreation programs for residents. Will the Premier apologize to Nova Scotians for taking money out of these facilities that house our most vulnerable seniors?

THE PREMIER « » : I thank the honourable member for the question. I thank all the Nova Scotians who work in nursing homes across our province to continue to make sure that our loved ones are cared for when they enter those facilities. We made the decision a year ago to reduce by 1 per cent. We believe that funding could have come from administration of nursing homes across the province. There were issues brought to our attention. The Minister of Health and Wellness is continuing to work with those nursing homes to deal with some of those issues. I am looking forward to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board standing up and tabling his budget in the coming days.

MR. BELLIVEAU « » : Residents in long-term care facilities need the care provided by the dedicated staff who work in these facilities. This government's $8 million cut has resulted in positions being left vacant and hours of work being reduced. Families of residents are worried about the impact on the quality of care. Can the Premier promise Nova Scotians that cutting budgets of nursing homes has not put seniors at risk?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to tell the honourable member that the men and women across this province who work to care for our seniors are providing top-quality care. I would put it up against not only care in this province but any province across the country. Again, I want to tell the honourable member there were nursing homes that, after the budget of last year, raised issues with the Minister of Health and Wellness. The Minister of Health and Wellness sat down with each one of those nursing homes and worked through those challenges. Again, I'm looking forward to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board standing up and tabling his budget tomorrow.

MR. BELLIVEAU « » : Tomorrow, when this government tables their budget, it will be nothing to be proud of. The people of Nova Scotia will not applaud this Premier. They will blame him for balancing a budget on the backs of the seniors of this province. Will the Premier agree to restore the millions in funding he took from nursing homes that care for our most vulnerable seniors?

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THE PREMIER « » : I'm very proud of the work our government has done to make sure that we continue to make the investments in home care, ensuring that seniors who want to stay in their home as long as possible have the option to stay there, making sure that we're investing in classrooms across the province, making sure we're investing in economic opportunities to provide job opportunities for young Nova Scotians here. We led the country on a per capita basis of retaining young people last year. At the same time, we did that by improving the fiscal health of this province. That now is providing us with options that we didn't have when that gentleman was in Cabinet.

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

TIR - SAFER HIGHWAYS: SOLUTION - DETAILS

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : For the past year, this government has told Nova Scotians the only way they can have safer highways is if they're prepared to pay a toll for that privilege. In fact, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal himself is quoted repeatedly as saying, and I'll quote from one example, it would be decades before the roads could be twinned unless Nova Scotians are prepared to pay a toll.

Today, you know what, Mr. Speaker, we find out that that's not true. After all this kerfuffle, after all these studies, the expensive consultations that went on, Nova Scotians saw through that and have said no to tolls, and suddenly now there is another way to get safer highways.

Why did the government spend all that time and money trying to tell people they needed to pay a toll to have safer highways when, in fact, there was always a better way?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. As he would know, we went out and consulted with Nova Scotians about what would have been the largest highway twinning project in our history, which would have been a couple of hundred kilometres. We said we could do that through the process of tolling.

Nova Scotians came to those meetings. The minister went out. The people of TIR went out. They engaged them. They listened to them. We responded to them.

It was announced today that, working with the federal government, we would be able to look at and work at 78 kilometres, substantially less than the 200 kilometres we were talking about. We will be moving forward on that, and I'm very grateful to those Nova Scotians who stood up and recognized and applauded our government for the work.

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I want to thank the Leader of the New Democratic Party, who recognizes that these are good highway projects. Let's hope we can make it unanimous.

MR. BAILLIE « » : Let's call this what it is. This is a charade. This is a government that said it would be decades if you want safer roads unless they could dig deeper into your pockets. Now, on the eve of an election, suddenly it turns out the tolls aren't needed to cover off the most dangerous sections. Nova Scotians saw through that charade, fortunately for them, because they're already digging deep enough into their pockets to pay the taxes and tolls that are imposed on them every day.

I've got to ask the Premier, why did he put Nova Scotians through this charade when there was money in Ottawa, infrastructure money available before he started asking them for tolls? Why now is he suddenly changing his tune and finding that better way?

THE PREMIER « » : Again, I want to thank all those Nova Scotians who came out and engaged the government when we were talking about tolling 200 kilometres of highway across the province. I want to thank the minister and staff at TIR, who did a tremendous job. I'm very proud of the announcement today, of the 78 kilometres that will be part of the Highway No. 104, Highway No. 101, Highway No. 103, and the Burnside connector. Those were the important priorities that we heard about when we were in those communities.

[2:15 p.m.]

We are going to continue to work with those communities to make those investments. I think it's also important for the honourable member to recognize that part of the money from the announcement today - about $30 million - would also deal with areas such as the Clare area, below Digby, not where the highway is being twinned, but as a safety issue we continue to improve. We will continue to work on that and we heard very clearly from Nova Scotians. The honourable member once stood up in this House and told us to engage Nova Scotians, and now he is complaining about the fact that we did. We are going to continue to work with Nova Scotians. (Applause)

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

PREM.: ER OVERCROWDING - RESPONSIBILITY ASSUME

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The code census report released by the NSGEU shines a light on his government's lack of attention to ERs in this province over the last three and a half years. Patients' rooms are being double or triple-booked and patients are flowing out into hallways and family rooms. Meanwhile, this government has been busy creating a super board that no one asked for, a super board with a main purpose to relieve the minister from his responsibility as the head of the health care system.

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I'd like to ask the Premier, as the Leader of this province, when is he going to take some responsibility for overcrowding in ERs under his Liberal Government?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union worked with us to eliminate wait-lists for home care. We are very proud of that and we want to thank him for the work. We have been working with them on a piece of legislation that we will introduce tomorrow. We are encouraged by that and I want to assure the honourable member that regarding the report he is referring to, we will look at the recommendations that were brought forward by the union and our employees.

I want to tell him and all Nova Scotians that when you enter a health care system in our province, you are dealing with professional people working and safe environments. People should feel that they can go into these facilities and receive the top-quality care that they have come to expect.

MR. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, the snowball effect created by this government's inability to manage our health care system is putting the lives of patients and staff at risk. The lack of long-term care is backing up hospitals, which is backing up ERs. The signs are all around us, and yet it is the health care workers' and patients' families, not the Minister of Health and Wellness or the government, who are having to come forward to bring these issues to the public's attention.

I'm asking the Premier, why hasn't he stepped in, as Leader of this province, to put a stop to his government's neglect of the health care system that is putting patients and health care workers at risk?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. I want to thank the Minister of Health and Wellness and the health care providers across the province who are working to ensure that when Nova Scotians require service, it is there for them.

I want to remind the honourable member that not long ago he was Minister of Health, and the QEII issue that was on his desk was ignored and left there. We have been continuing to work (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The honourable Premier has the floor.

THE PREMIER « » : We're going to continue to work, as we improve the investment in our infrastructure. We know that when the third and fourth floors are being finished, the fifth floor in Dartmouth and the eight OR theatres that will be created in Dartmouth will alleviate some of the pressure that is being felt downtown because of cancellations.

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The investment in home care is continuing to allow more seniors to receive care at home where they want to, for as long as possible. We are going to continue to invest in long-term care facilities so that when a Nova Scotian senior requires support, they will have it.

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

PREM.: WEBB CASE - FAILURE ADMIT

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : This week Nova Scotians heard the heartbreaking story of Jack Webb, a man who died at the QEII in February. His story shows the chaos that occurs in our hospitals when people can't get the care they need.

Jack's story stirred many emotions in all of us, and in all Nova Scotians who know we can be doing better than this. Quite frankly, they see this as proof that this government has let Jack Webb and his family - and too many other Nova Scotians - down.

Would the Premier agree that the government has failed Jack Webb and his family just when he needed their care the most?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. Again, as I said yesterday, I want to give my sympathies and condolences to the family. We want every Nova Scotian family that comes into the health care system to return home.

I also want to thank the health care providers who are working in our health care system, providing top-quality care. There has been a level of neglect on infrastructure in this province for decades. We continue to work to make sure that we can alleviate some of that pressure.

The honourable member stood up on his very first question complaining about the purchase price of a piece of land that will help alleviate some of the pressure that we're feeling down in the core of the peninsula, and complains about the fact that we are not quick enough to invest in Dartmouth when we're continuing to make investments. It's the first time in the history of this province that we continued on a parallel path to have multiple health care projects going on - not waiting for one to finish, because there has been a level of neglect for decades. We're now making those investments and we're going to continue to make sure that we deliver those services to Nova Scotians.

MR. BAILLIE « » : Quite frankly, Jack Webb's family will take cold comfort from that answer where the Premier defends overpaying for land by $7.5 million, which came out of health care, which could have actually gone into providing the doctors and the services that Jack Webb needed when he needed a government that cared the most. He didn't get it, and it's happening far too often.

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In fact we've been asking the Health Authority, how often do you call a Code Census in our hospitals? You know what? They don't even track that anymore, or if they do they won't share it with the public. Well the time has come to shine the light of day on the chaos going on in our hospitals.

If the Premier wants Nova Scotians to know the truth, will he agree to ask the Health Authority to release the information we're all looking for - how often do our hospitals reach the point of crisis by calling a Code Census - before the end of this week?

THE PREMIER « » : I completely disagree with the fact that the health care system is in crisis. Day in and day out, health care providers are caring for Nova Scotians. (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The honourable Premier has the floor.

THE PREMIER « » : Again, I disagree with the premise of the question. Health care is not in crisis in this province. We're continuing to work with health care providers across the province. We are handing out our sympathy and condolences to those families - Mr. Webb's family. In no way was I equating what the price of land is. There are certain things that should never be used for political purposes, and this is one of them.

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

PREM.: MACDONALD/ANDREWS CASE - DETAILS

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, the Premier should tell Diane MacDonald there is no crisis in health care because for her husband - for Reg Andrews - he watched his wife have a stroke one week after her doctor retired, and has spent a year since then trying to find her a doctor to get the care that she needs, without success. To Reg, to Diane, there absolutely is a crisis in health care and it starts with a lack of family doctors and the long waits that too many Nova Scotia families have to endure in order to get the care that they need.

I would like to ask the Premier to tell Reg and Diane that he believes their problem is not a crisis in health care in Nova Scotia.

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank Reg and Diane - I think the minister has met with them a number of times. He met with them today, I believe. The Minister of Health and Wellness has met with them. We worked with this family, as we work with families across the province. We're continuing to bring physicians into our province. At the same time we're expanding the scope of practice - nurse practitioners, family practice nurses in collaborative care centres.

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These are all positive changes that are coming. We know it has taken a long time. For successive governments, they continued to try to deliver service. They didn't respond to the fact that health care workers wanted to work in a different environment. We've listened to health care workers and that transition is taking a period of time, but we're seeing very good results in communities across the province.

MR. BAILLIE « » : This is a Premier who promised a doctor for every Nova Scotian. Now it turns out in order to get one, you have to actually have a meeting with the Minister of Health and Wellness on the eve of an election. Wouldn't it be better if we actually had access to doctors every day of every year and not just in the run-up to an election campaign? Wouldn't it be better if they were actually out recruiting doctors today instead of telling people that five or 10 years from now we might have a collaborative care centre for them when they actually need doctors now?

There is a crisis because there are too many people like Reg's family who are going without a family doctor. In fact we've asked the Health Authority, how many doctors have you recruited in the last four years? Do you know what they told us? They told us we'll have to get back to you on that - a month ago.

This week in the Legislature, will the Premier commit to tabling the actual recruitment numbers of doctors across Nova Scotia before the week is out?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. I want to thank, again, those communities out there who are working with government to continue to make sure we deal with the issues that have been neglected for decades in communities that are grateful for that, as we are grateful to work with the Municipality of Shelburne.

We have two new doctors, a nurse practitioner, and a family practice nurse who are very pleased to be in New Waterford, talking and working with members of that community who've come up with an innovative solution to primary health care delivery. I'm looking forward to going down there and cutting a ribbon on a new facility. They've done a tremendous job.

I was in Pugwash - all of those people are optimistic about the future of this province. I am going to continue to work with them to ensure that we continue to move our province forward.

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

PREM.: FED. HEALTH FUNDING NEGOTIATIONS - DETAILS

[Page 2410]

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : In August 2015, the Premier said he was opposed to a federal formula for health funding that did not take our province's aging population into account. In February of this year, the Premier said it would be difficult for any government to make changes to the funding formula.

It seems the Premier likes to take a hard line on bargaining here at home but has a different approach to negotiating with his federal Liberal friends. I'd like to ask the Premier, why did he leave money on the table instead of fighting for the best deal for Nova Scotians?

THE PREMIER « » : Again, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. We had a chance to negotiate a 3 per cent increase in health care spending from the federal government. We have a substantial amount of money on the table to deliver home care, to add on top of the delivery of home care that we're doing now, which is a priority for Nova Scotians.

There's also a tremendous amount of money there for adolescent mental health. That money will start coming in and will be directly invested in ensuring and providing those services and care that Nova Scotians require. We're going to continue to work with the national government and we'll continue to represent the interests of Nova Scotians. We'll continue to stand up for Nova Scotians - and we'll continue to treat our employees fairly, with a wage increase that we can afford.

MR. DAVID WILSON « » : That's not what he told Nova Scotians, Mr. Speaker. He said that Nova Scotia's aging demographic had to be taken into account, and it wasn't.

On December 23^rd, the government announced that it had reached a deal with the federal government. Two weeks ago, in Public Accounts, we heard from the Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury Board that the government did not, in fact, have an agreement, and that a per capita funding formula will hurt provinces like Nova Scotia.

I'd like to ask the Premier, does the Premier agree with the Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury Board that the deal - or whatever was signed in December - will hurt our province's ability to provide health care to our aging population?

THE PREMIER « » : What I can tell the honourable member is that there is specific targeted funding for home care, which will be directed toward seniors, delivered investment - we have a 3 per cent increase on the total envelope coming from the national government. That money will be directed into helping all Nova Scotians to access primary health care.

A big priority of our government, and all Nova Scotians, is adolescent mental health. We know there's targeted money that will go specifically into mental health.

[Page 2411]

Again, I'm looking forward to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board tabling his budget tomorrow.

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

TIR - BURNSIDE EXPRESSWAY:

COMMITMENT - COMPLETION ASSURE

MR. ANDREW YOUNGER « » : My question is for the Premier. Today Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal again promised to move ahead on the Burnside Expressway, but that promise, of course, has been recycled for 28 years. This time, TIR didn't even bother to include the Greater Burnside Business Association as a stakeholder in the stakeholders sessions, instead issuing an apology to them through the department's warden, Brian March, for missing them. I will table that.

Now there is a new possible start in 2018. The last time the department promised to start the project in a year, all we got was a sign. What can the Premier offer to prove that this new commitment is anything more than a new sign like last time?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. Again, I want to thank the people from Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The minister has gone and engaged Nova Scotians. We know the importance of this connecter. We've gone through it. There have been a number of parcels of land that we had to get access to, and we have access to that.

We've made a commitment, and we'll follow through on that commitment. All four of those projects are going to continue to move forward within the next seven-year timeline. They will be completed, and I was very pleased to hear about the way they've been received in those communities - in a positive way.

It's unfortunate when the honourable member across the floor has become as negative as everyone else on that side.

[2:30 p.m.]

MR. YOUNGER « » : In September 2010, the now-Premier was quoted in the Burnside News - and I'll table this - as saying the completion of the expressway would be a top priority for a Liberal Government. That was in 2010. The previous NDP Government - and I will table this - said the project would be completed by 2012; it wasn't. Today we heard the project will take at least seven years after a possible start, which is over a year away.

Can the Premier explain how this project is a priority if it is now so far from completion? No construction or clearing has begun. The $17.5 million originally allocated and announced by the feds has expired because of delays and there is nothing new since the sign went up under the previous government.

[Page 2412]

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. Again, I'll go back to the fact that we now have access to our property. We have made a commitment with dollars in capital spent. We're going to continue to move that process along. We've demonstrated every time we have made investments in important infrastructure in this province that we do these in parallel. We continue to stage-gate them.

We'll move forward on that project. We will continue to work with communities across this province to improve not only infrastructure in those communities, but also the economy of this province.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg.

PREM.: HEALTH CARE CRISIS - ACKNOWLEDGE

HON. ALFIE MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, my question through you will be to the Premier as well. I stand in awe today of a Premier of this province who can stand in this House and tell people there is no crisis in health care. I can't even believe that. I can't wait to see Hansard to make sure that what I heard is correct.

I have here, Mr. Speaker, a note from a doctor in our area. It says: medical care has deteriorated in Cape Breton over the past two years, we have lost a critical number of specialists, and our mental health service is in crisis. It is signed by Dr. Jeanne Ferguson.

Now, Mr. Premier, you say that things have been neglected for years. You are at the helm, your minister said…

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. I'd like to remind the honourable member not to speak directly to members opposite. Do you have a question?

MR. MACLEOD « » : I certainly do. Thank you very much for putting me on the right track, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER « » : You're welcome.

MR. MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is: how can he stand here and tell the people of Cape Breton Island there is no crisis when they have no family doctors, no specialists, and no psychologists? What can this Premier tell the people of Nova Scotia about his plan for health care?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. We continue to work with health care providers across the province, making sure that those communities that are underserviced will have access to primary health care. We continue to make investments in doctors, nurse practitioners, family practice nurses.

[Page 2413]

We're seeing positive changes in communities. In some communities that change has not happened as quickly as we would like and as quickly as the communities would like. But we're going to continue to work with them and partner with them to make sure they have access to the primary health care that every Nova Scotian should have in their communities.

MR. MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, my question through you will be to the Minister of Health and Wellness. Cape Breton has lost a number of specialists. We have no vascular surgery, no thoracic surgery, no infectious control doctor, and no physical medicine doctors. Two geriatricians have left, and a number of psychiatrists have left as well.

Mr. Speaker, all these people were in place when this government took over. Can the Minister of Health and Wellness tell the people of Cape Breton Island how they are supposed to access these specialists when, under his watch, they have left because of the disrespect paid to them by this government?

HON. LEO GLAVINE « » : Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. As the member opposite well knows, those positions in fact have been posted to find doctors to replace those who have retired. Yes, some have left the area.

We have recruited for Cape Breton over the past three years. I should correct that, by saying that the Nova Scotia Health Authority has recruited for Cape Breton over the last number of years and, in fact, yes, there can be a few specialist positions, whether it's the IWK or the Halifax Infirmary or Cape Breton Regional from time to time. What I know is that aggressive recruitment has been going on.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Northside-Westmount.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: NORTHSIDE GEN. HOSP. - PLANS

MR. EDDIE ORRELL « » : My question is also for the Minister of Health and Wellness. The actions of the Minister of Health and Wellness and this government have caused fear, frustration, and uncertainty among the people who depend on the Northside General Hospital. Rumours are swirling throughout the community that this government plans to close the hospital. With so many people without family doctors, Northside General is their only option for front-line health care. My question to the minister is, will the Minister of Health and Wellness put an end to these rumours once and for all and reveal his plan for the Northside General today?

HON. LEO GLAVINE « » : What I can tell the member opposite is that yes, while there is some work going on in terms of planning, today I can stand in my place and say with confidence that there isn't a plan for any closure at Northside. It plays an extremely important role in the community. In fact, if the member opposite could actually get in his place, he could list some of the services that have helped re-purpose Northside as services moved over to Cape Breton Regional Hospital some years ago. In fact, all governments have committed to keeping Northside viable for now and for the future.

[Page 2414]

MR. ORRELL « » : The plan, I think, is to re-purpose the emergency room. By cutting the wages of emergency room doctors at the Northside General, the Minister of Health and Wellness has fuelled rumours of plans to starve out the hospital and close it. His irresponsible actions have increased the anxiety of thousands of residents in need of primary health care. There is also a call to have a hospitalist within the hospital to deliver primary care for patients who are in-patients.

My question is, will the minister end the speculation about the Northside General by reversing this wage cut to ER doctors and commit in writing to keeping the Northside Generally emergency room and the hospital open?

MR. GLAVINE « » : I thank the member for an important question. In terms of a hospitalist looking after patients in hospital, that's a standard of care right across Canada, in fact. That's nothing new, nothing different. We know that's an important role, to have that consistency of care while a patient is in hospital.

I know the member opposite asked the question on the basis of information that may have been misconstrued, misunderstood, from last night's meeting. What I can tell the member opposite and all the good residents of his riding and neighbouring communities is, there will be no change in the pay schedule of the emergency room doctors at Northside.

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS - CECs: OPENINGS - DELAY EXPLAIN

HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : A 2014 evaluation of Collaborative Emergency Centres found that CECs provide patients with better access to primary health care services. They decrease emergency room closures, and CEC patients are far more likely to have access to the right provider at the right time and in the right place than they did before CECs were introduced. In the Public Accounts Committee this morning, Doctors Nova Scotia said they saw how CECs brought stability to access to emergency care in rural communities.

We know the model works, but this government has been more focused on amalgamation than addressing the growing crisis in our emergency centres. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Wellness why this government hasn't been able to open one single Collaborative Emergency Centre.

[Page 2415]

HON. LEO GLAVINE « » : We know that that model has brought positive results to some of those communities, but in many ways it is a primary care model. It is not emergency care. There is some urgent care looked after when the paramedic is on duty during the overnight period. But there are other models of care and team-based practice that incorporate mental health care, dietary, and a number of other specialists who move in and out of the collaborative practice that has, in fact, proved to be a strong way of delivering care that keeps people out of emergency in the first place.

MS. PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : That certainly does not address when you have an emergency. This talk about preventative instead of talking about those who have an emergency. That's what we're talking about.

The NDP opened the first Collaborative Emergency Centre and it reduced ER closures four years in a row. In 2014, the minister said that the CEC in Lunenburg would have a definite date very shortly. In 2015, the minister said that CECs would be coming to North Sydney, Lunenburg, Glace Bay and New Waterford. In 2016, the minister said a health services review would determine where communities would have CECs. They've had more than three years and we have seen no progress and the same excuse over and over again.

Why has the minister spent three years rearranging bureaucrats instead of making sure Nova Scotians have access to emergency centres?

MR. GLAVINE « » : I have toured all of the CECs in the province. They are there for the purpose of primary care and urgent care - not emergency care. In those communities when they have an emergency, they call 911. They call for the paramedics to take them to one of the regional hospitals.

In fact, we have opened a collaborative care centre in Guysborough. We have stabilized Lunenburg. They like the fact that they have top rate emergency service through the day and into the evening. That suits those residents because they know just down the road in Bridgewater, they have an outstanding emergency care service in that hospital.

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

PREM.: MUN. AFFS. MIN. - APOLOGY ORDER

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, my question through you is to the Premier. Yesterday when the Minister of Natural Resources was under fire for what the Ombudsman characterized as indulgent and opportunistic spending, the Premier came to his defence. The former warden charged thousands of dollars in personal expenses to the municipal credit card and what amounted to a number of short-term loans from the taxpayers.

[Page 2416]

My question is, will the Premier direct the minister to apologize to the taxpayers of Guysborough County for spending their money?

THE PREMIER « » : I want to thank the Minister of Municipal Affairs. He tabled a bill today to deal with issues that were brought to government's attention by the Ombudsman's report. Not only dealing with the Municipality of Guysborough, the municipalities across the province. We continue to work with them.

I do want to acknowledge the member for Guysborough not only for his time in working as a member of the Executive Council and being elected to this House but for his 25 years of service at the municipal level and continuing to work with the good people of Guysborough to move that county forward. (Applause) They're seeing positive economic development, economic opportunities for the citizens of that riding. The people of Guysborough will determine that member's fate whether or not he comes back to this House or not.

MS. MACFARLANE « » : Despite the embarrassing revelations made about his spending habits in the Ombudsman's report, the Minister of Natural Resources declared that he is actually very pleased with the report. Even the Premier is watching what he has to say on this one. In fact, the Premier said yesterday, "Minister Hines, since he has been working in our government, there has been no inappropriate spending." The operative word being 'since'.

My question is, does the Premier actually believe that the ethical standard for ministers is simply, don't do anything inappropriate in my Cabinet?

THE PREMIER « » : That's a good starting point, but I would also want to tell the honourable member what the Ombudsman said, that the honourable member did nothing wrong. What the Ombudsman said was there were issues. The honourable member said there were issues around the municipal table across Nova Scotia. The good member for Yarmouth, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, took action and he tabled a bill today that I hope the honourable member will support.

[2:45 p.m.]

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

INTERNAL SERV.: AVAILABLE LANDS - PROPOSALS CONFIRM

HON. JAMIE BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Internal Services, because it turns out that it is the Minister of Internal Services who is responsible for enforcement of the government's purchasing policy. Nova Scotians have seen the government that paid 12 times the assessed value for the Whopper Dropper lands and they hear the Premier saying that was the best value. We will never know because it was not tendered. In fact, Nova Scotians are wondering if they already own land maybe by another level of government that could have been used and saved the $7.5 million for something else in health care.

[Page 2417]

I would like to ask the minister responsible for the purchasing policy if he can tell the House if any proposals were received or any discussion happened between either the Government of Canada or the Halifax Regional Municipality about available lands that they had that could have been used for this purpose.

HON. LABI KOUSOULIS « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the question. In this process we did follow all procurement practices. In all of our acquisitions we don't have to RFP for every purchase that government makes. There are other ways government purchases. There is direct negotiations and in this instance we provided the best value for the taxpayer.

The Leader of the Opposition keeps misleading Nova Scotians trying to compare the value of buying woodlots to what the developer has to incur, which is blasting the bedrock, which is running services. He has to run water, he has to run sewage, he has to run electricity in there. HRM put out a notice that the cost of that can be $300,000 to $500,000. I think the taxpayer got a great deal on that land.

MR. BAILLIE « » : Mr. Speaker, the only person misleading Nova Scotians is the Minister of Internal Services right now. (Interruption)

The Minister of Internal Services is following his Premier's lead in not answering the question. I asked him if there have been any discussions or proposals from another level of government that has land that the taxpayers already own that could have been used. He didn't answer that question, leading to more concern that there is something fishy going on here. His response that we are getting a good deal for taxpayers, he won't even answer the basic question did he or his officials talk to HRM or the Government of Canada about land that they already own.

So, I am going to ask him two things. One, table any discussion - answer the question first of all, did you or did you not, and secondly did he also or his officials have any discussion with the sole provider of that land, which is the developer, and if so table the times and dates and content of those meetings so he can show for himself what he did to enforce this policy.

MR. KOUSOULIS « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to have a correction. If the Opposition would stop heckling they could hear the answer. Sole source implies that only one person was consulted, that's not what happened here. We spoke with over 10 landowners. I would like to add that we negotiated heavily down to two sites and the best site was chosen for the taxpayers of Nova Scotia.

[Page 2418]

The Leader of the Opposition wants to talk about savings. Well yesterday I tabled a report that amounted to $50 million of procurement savings for the taxpayer of Nova Scotia. Mr. Speaker, in that report there were over $20 million of savings in health care alone. Finally, I would like to point out, comparables in Bayers Lake, the land we bought was the cheapest land for the amount of land we bought.

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

PREM.: PHYSICIAN PROVISION FAILURE - APOLOGIZE

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, three and half years ago the Premier told voters he would ensure there was a doctor for every Nova Scotian. Today there are still over 100,000 people without a family doctor. The Premier has focused on rearranging the health authorities instead of focusing on the promise he made to Nova Scotians. So, on the eve of an election I would like to ask the Premier, will the Premier apologize to Nova Scotians for his failure and the Liberal Government's failure to meet his promise of a doctor for every Nova Scotian?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. I was in Shelburne this weekend an announced two doctors in family practice and nurse practitioners. We are providing an opportunity for nurse practitioners to practise their whole scope, bringing in family practice nurses, and bringing in all health care providers to the team to make sure that Nova Scotians across the province have access to primary health care. We know our communities are still without some access to that primary care. That's why we continue to work with our partners to make sure that we have those health care providers in the communities across this province.

MR. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, that's cold comfort to those who don't have a doctor here today that took the Premier at his word. Today, at the Public Accounts Committee, we heard from Doctors Nova Scotia. They said the doctor shortage in our province is more pronounced now than it ever has been. There are 118 physician vacancies. They're indicating we need to recruit over 100 new doctors every year for the next 10 years. This government introduced the tuition rebate program for 25 doctors per year, which we hoped would contribute to attracting doctors, but they haven't used that program. This government has no plan. So, I would like to ask the Premier why he has spent three and a half years sitting on his hands hoping doctors would come to Nova Scotia.

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. When he was Minister of Health, the neglect that the department suffered regarding the delivery of health care was a tough order to overcome. We had nine different fractured systems across the province. We came in, and there was no HR plan at all. There was no way to know when doctors or nurses were retiring. We ended up coming in and putting together a plan. We've worked with health care providers. We respect the role of the nurse practitioner. We respect the role of the family practice nurses. We've brought them together to provide primary health care in communities across the province.

[Page 2419]

We know there's more work to do; we're going to continue to work with the health care providers, we're going to work with those communities who have come to the table with solutions. We've been seeing that in Shelburne; we're seeing that in Pugwash; we're seeing that in other communities such as New Waterford. We're seeing communities coming together because they're getting tired of the negativity coming from the other side of the House, and they're joining to work with government to deliver services to Nova Scotians.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. Time allotted for Oral Questions Put by Members to Ministers has expired. We'll now move on to Opposition Members' Business.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS' BUSINESS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable New Democratic Party House Leader.

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Private Members' Public Bills for Second Reading.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable New Democratic Party House Leader.

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 21.

Bill No. 21 - Health Authorities Act.

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

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to be able to stand for a few moments to discuss this piece of legislation. I think it's extremely timely that we recognize the need to try to improve and change the course that the current government is taking regarding our health care system.

Over the last three and a half years, we've watched the government sit on their hands instead of making health care a priority. What they wanted to do was amalgamate the district health authorities, and they spent a lot of time and energy doing that. Day after day we have seen more and more people going to the media, trying to get the attention of the government to tell them that the direction they've taken over the last three and a half years has not improved health care delivery here in Nova Scotia. I'm very proud to be part of our caucus and our past government because of the initiatives that we set out in health care to make it a priority.

[Page 2420]

We have Collaborative Emergency Centres today across communities in Nova Scotia that are allowing those ERs to stay open. Unfortunately, we're seeing an increase in ER closures now under the Liberal Government over the last three and a half years, when we had seen the opposite trend in the four years of the previous government. We know that people were getting access to ERs - they were staying open longer and weren't closing as much - but more importantly, with the same-day, next-day appointments, people were getting access to primary care and health care in their communities, and that is so important. I know I've visited many of the communities that have . . .

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. I'd like to remind everybody that the honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid has the floor.

MR. DAVID WILSON « » : I've met and toured the province, engaging with people, not only the residents who can use these CECs but the health care providers who actually were the key component to introducing a new model of care.

It wasn't easy, Mr. Speaker, trying to go into a community and say we're going to do things differently. A lot of hesitation from those communities, not only the people but the health care providers themselves. But through that engagement, through a transparency, through the fact that we sat down and spoke with not only the community and those who provide health care but everybody who had concerns, that we needed to move in this direction to address the needs - we had seen decades and decades of closures time and time again - and I'm proud to be part of that.

Today at Public Accounts Committee we had Doctors Nova Scotia here, the organization, the association that represents some 3,900 doctors in this province. They are the ones who are the voice of the physicians in this province. Interesting in their opening comment, Mr. Speaker, about how we need to move forward but there are some positive things happening in the province.

One of the first things they mentioned was their support for the Collaborative Emergency Centres and that it brought stability to ER closures and the access to primary care in communities that have them. Yet we've seen this government, after three and a half years, not open a single Collaborative Emergency Centre in this province. They even did a report early on in their mandate that indicated the positive outcomes that we've seen from the people who tried to access health care in those communities that had seen chronic closures of their emergency rooms.

Even with that supportive report, Mr. Speaker, we still didn't see the government move on opening Collaborative Emergency Centres, even though the Premier himself indicated prior to the last election that he would honour the commitments and the plan that was in place around infrastructure of this province, around the plan to open more Collaborative Emergency Centres in this province. The Premier agreed to it, he agreed as Leader of the Liberal Party, but yet three and a half years into it we haven't seen one of them open.

[Page 2421]

The next thing Doctors Nova Scotia mentioned in their opening comments today was that they supported Dr. Ross and his report, an emergency room physician who is well-respected in this province, who toured the province and worked in every single emergency room in Nova Scotia. I said that correctly, Mr. Speaker. He worked in every single emergency room in this province so that he could see first-hand the challenges that those health care workers had in communities from one end to the other. So he created the report and he created the possibility of moving and changing the model of care.

Doctors Nova Scotia recognized that and, interestingly enough, the report indicated that it wasn't all on the shoulders of the doctors. We didn't have to depend solely on physicians in this province to try to improve access to care. You would think that they wouldn't support anything that said we are going to use nurses and nurse practitioners, we're going to use paramedics to provide care instead of a physician, and that was the big concern at the time.

They realized that this new model of care improved health care delivery. It improved the lives of their members, as physicians. I don't know if you know an emergency room physician, Mr. Speaker, or a physician who works in a rural setting. They work extremely hard. Not only do they most of the time have a patient load, but they do rounds in the hospital if any of their patients are at the hospital. They also cover the emergency rooms.

One of the stories and situations that stood out the most for me was when I was speaking to a physician from the Parrsboro area, Mr. Speaker, that indicated it was very difficult for him to even go and watch a hockey game of his grandson because he knew he would have to say I can't cover the hours at the emergency room because he had worked probably pretty much 72 hours straight by that point.

[3:00 p.m.]

This new model of care allowed physicians to be utilized to the best of their ability at times when there is more of an urgency or more pressure on volume when it comes to accessing primary care. That model worked very well and Doctors Nova Scotia supported that.

It was interesting today hearing that from them, after three and a half years of our current government there was no mention of any new initiatives that the Liberal Government brought in that helped Nova Scotians, until I asked them directly, can you name some new initiative that was introduced by the Liberal Government that will improve health care delivery? I wish I had video tape of Public Accounts Committee. They all looked at each other and there was a pause, a hesitation. The one thing they could come up with was MyHealth Nova Scotia, the e-records of patients, which is important.

[Page 2422]

I agree, it's important but my Lord, Mr. Speaker, when you have emergency room closures skyrocketing, when you have 100,000 people with no doctor, when you have the congestion that we see at our ERs around this province, when you know that people are in hospital beds that should be in long-term care beds and who can't get it, e-filing your medical records helps zero with that.

That should be alarming for Nova Scotians because when I heard that answer it was very clear to me that over the last three and a half years I was right with some of my criticism of the government, that they were not placing a higher priority on health care delivery and ensuring that what they should be working on is improvements to delivery of health care, looking at new ways of providing care. I know that was true with those answers we got today from Doctors Nova Scotia.

With this bill, Mr. Speaker, one of the things it sets out is it requires the provincial Health Authority and the community health boards to work together in the preparation of the health services business plans as they relate to community health boards. One of the things we're hearing more and more from community members, from people on community boards, patients, residents, is that now with this super board - and we've heard it before in other jurisdictions - that when you have this super board, those communities lose their opportunity to have a voice. They lose the opportunity to make sure that the issue that is concerning to that community will be addressed.

We know that's happening. The Province of Alberta went through this a few years ago when they amalgamated their district health authorities. And what they did in turn a few years later is realize that they had to come up with a way to somehow give those communities the ability to make sure that their issues in that community are heard at the top level of a health authority. They reverted to regional-based kind of boards and decision making. I think this piece of legislation would support the government in their idea of a super board is better than what was there before.

We worked hard, Mr. Speaker, in the last government to reduce health administration costs. When we took power in 2009 we were one of the highest, if not the highest. We had the highest health administration costs in the country. I think Nunavut was the only one that was above us. By the end of the mandate we were below the national average. There was a lot of work being done to reduce health administration costs, at the same time improving access to care.

I mentioned just a few of the things that we did under the former government's sphere - Collaborative Emergency Centres. We went from a concept, we went from a physician going around working at every ER in the province, to a report, to the concept of this new model of care, to announcing the implementation of that and then opening eight Collaborative Emergency Centres, all in four years.

[Page 2423]

To hear the government say it's going to take time now to create these collaborative centres, as they're calling them, that will answer all the issues in health care, supposedly, especially access to primary care. It's going to take years. We heard today it could take 10 years, in the opinion of Doctors Nova Scotia, to reach the time when we have a system here in Nova Scotia where these collaborative centres will be effective, up and running, and people will have access to primary health care through a family physician or those collaborative clinics - 10 years is way too long.

One of the criticisms we heard was in the paper that Doctors Nova Scotia recently released. A lot of things in there, 11 recommendations, deal with the fact that the current government and the Nova Scotia Health Authority have changed some of the policies prematurely. Restricting privileges for physicians in this province - it's premature to do that until you have and you can show, and you can tell Nova Scotians the collaborative centre you're going to go to. It's premature, and that's obvious.

Privileges are great. You need privileges. I think there was talk about physicians still being allowed to practise anywhere in Nova Scotia if they want to. They're allowed, they just won't get the privileges to order tests, bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs. How can a physician best serve patients if they can't get privileges to provide and ask for these tests? We know that the Province of British Columbia tried to do this a number of years ago - they were taken to court and the government lost.

Today we heard a few other things of concern but, more importantly, what I heard was physicians - family physicians especially in this province, Doctors Nova Scotia and others - are more than willing to work with the government to make sure that we get to a point where we can all say, yes, that change improved health care delivery. They feel that that hasn't happened yet. Yes, recently because of the report two or three weeks ago, the government reached out to them and they're going to start to discuss what they can do.

But there's an example that three and a half years have been wasted - I believe, and I know a lot of Nova Scotians believe - on the reorganization of the Health Authority and not enough priority placed on what's important, and that's delivery of health care and access to health care here in the province.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville on an introduction.

MR. BEN JESSOME « » : I invite all members of the House to direct their attention to the east gallery, where we are joined today by my girlfriend, the lovely Elizabeth Shaw. Let's welcome her to the House, everybody. (Applause)

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

[Page 2424]

MR. GORDON WILSON « » : It's with a lot of pride that I get the chance to stand up here today and share my time with the Minister of Health and Wellness and have the fortune to go first in talking about the bill that's brought forward here, an Act to Amend Chapter 32 of the Acts of 2014, the Health Authorities Act.

Just briefly, the points in this bill are fairly straightforward. They're asking for the provincial Health Authority and community health boards to work together in preparation of health business plans in the communities, and require the board members to keep information relating to these things confidential. The confidentiality I think stands in its own place.

But Nova Scotians want and deserve the best health care that they can get; there's no question about that. They want timely access to health care, they want efficient and effective health care, and they want quality health care delivered safely in the most efficient way possible.

I think before I start I would like to mention that we do have, within our health care system, some tremendous people who serve us every day in that world. I want to thank them personally for the work that they do. I know myself, I hear it a number of times. Every time I talk to somebody - a cancer patient, a patient who's had major surgery, major health issues with their heart, cardiac things - they cannot say enough about the tremendous system, that once they get in there and get looked after, the quality of people that we have. I think it's important for us to not lose sight of that today: that within our health care system we have some great people serving us each and every day.

This government has done a lot of different things by merging nine different health authorities. I just want to speak briefly on my experience in the past. Before I became an MLA, I worked for the Municipality of the District of Digby as a deputy CAO. I watched a lot of conversations around health care within the municipal units, and I watched their frustration.

We saw divisions, or silos, I guess you could call them. There was a lot of fragmentation within the nine different health authorities. For example, there was a health authority line in one community, and people from one community weren't allowed to cross that line to get health services in another. There were opportunities for collaboration between close communities and for mentoring doctors that never happened in the past.

These are just a few examples. But I think we're starting to see the differences from having one shared vision within the province. I can cite examples right now in which new family practice doctors coming into a community are going to be mentored by doctors from outside of that zone altogether. That would not have happened in the world of nine different health authorities. That would never have happened and those doctors would never see the opportunities that are coming.

[Page 2425]

The work that went on within the municipal units was one of a competition - competition with each other, within zones - and it wasn't a true picture of where we wanted to go as a province.

Today in Question Period, we saw the Premier stand and answer a question, echoing the concerns about fragmentation. There was no HR policy, there was no hiring plan in place that showed us how we were going to move forward as a province; a province of 960,000 people with nine different authorities trying to lead.

I think we've seen that all change. One person I would like to thank as part of that change is Dr. Peter Vaughan, who as the deputy minister, led this province through a very challenging time, to change the face of health care that has been dogging this province for years.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority was created on April 1, 2015, and there have been many improvements that were only possible through a province-wide health care system. We have also been able to completely eliminate home care wait-lists through targeting investments with close planning with the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Nova Scotians now have shorter wait-lists for MRIs. About 300 additional MRIs are being completed each month with little to no increased cost. Having one health authority allows us to better track physician departures and retirements, and plan recruitment as a province-wide system.

For the first time, we have had a provincial Need a Family Practice list, which allows us to better track the areas most in need of expanding primary health care. We're also doing more surgeries in the province. NSHA has been able to have physicians travel from Halifax to use hours of available OR time in Colchester, for example: ensuring patients get the surgeries they need sooner.

I can cite a couple of other good examples showing that this merger of the nine authorities has benefited the Province of Nova Scotia. I mentioned mentoring, and I'll mention it again. When we work together as a unit, we certainly see the fruits of that.

Planning for the future is important. In my community, I am now going to be served by a dialysis unit. This is something that was brought forward by the previous health authorities that never made the capital list. It's something that made the capital list in my community, simply because with a provincial look at it, it was the best decision to make. It made sense. If we did not have that overall look, I don't believe we would be seeing a dialysis unit in my community. I want to thank the minister and the Premier for their support and vision, and the Health Authority, in ensuring that happens.

[3:15 p.m.]

[Page 2426]

Understanding what we've got at a provincial level makes it possible to see where we have this kind of capacity so we can better use the resources we have. We've also seen costs come down in many areas - administration, furnace oil, even medical devices like catheters and pacemakers - through group purchasing. Every dollar we save is a dollar more that we can spend in health care for front-line people.

When the NSHA was created, people were concerned about how local voices won't be heard. Well, Mr. Speaker, I can state that in my community I am very proud that we have been able to build a collaborative working group between the key leaders, the people who have a stake in delivering health care - the warden, the mayors, the head of the health foundations, the key people in all of my health clinics that I have worked directly with the Health Authority. It's a very open opportunity for us to share what the community feels and not only that, deliver to the Health Authority exactly what the challenges are and how we can work together as a community. I think it's an example for us in the future on how we can deal with those concerns that this bill simply addresses in moving forward and working together.

I'd like to close and pass this on to the minister by simply saying that we are committed to moving forward and building a better health care system for Nova Scotians. We are working towards doing that. We wouldn't be making the ins that we are making now if it hadn't been for the consolidation of those nine. I think it is going to bear more fruit in the future as we build on those opportunities and get it underneath our feet. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'll take my seat.

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

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : Mr. Speaker, it's my privilege to stand and speak for awhile on Bill No. 21, the Health Authorities Act. It has been interesting to hear the comments from my colleagues here about the crisis in health care. Just a few moments ago we had the Premier stand here and say that there is no crisis in health care, yet every day in my constituency office, and I know in constituency offices across this province, there are people calling, looking for help because they cannot get it from our health care system. It amazes me when a Premier is so disconnected from what is actually going on in this province.

I think this bill is pretty wide open on what you can really talk about because it encompasses such a large piece of health care delivery in this province. If we want to talk about the merits of the Health Authority itself or the new Nova Scotia Health Authority, it encompasses I think every bit of delivery in this province now, where before it wasn't necessarily the case.

The challenges that we're hearing and I know at late debate my colleague from Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg will be talking about doctor shortages because of course in Cape Breton, especially in his constituency, the doctor shortage is very acute. I know he hears about that a lot, so I'll stay a little bit from that discussion.

[Page 2427]

I do want to talk about the challenges I think that the hospital system continues to have today, no different than what the previous government had to try to address and, quite honestly, things that we had problems with that we were trying to correct during our time.

First I'll talk about long-term care because that is, I think, part of the problem we have of overcrowded hospitals. It used to be called Code Orange, somehow it got changed to Code Census along the way. (Interruption) The NDP didn't like it called "orange" so we ended up calling it Code Census along the way, but really nothing changed. What it really means, Mr. Speaker, is that the hospital is running at over 100 per cent. So that means every single bed is filled within that hospital. That means that probably every single hallway and reception area has an overflow of patients, because there's really no place for them. (Interruption)

Well, you can explain the census along the way. I'll leave that to the minister to fully explain it.

What I know from my constituents is that the hospital is chockablock full of people. What ends up happening is that we don't have the staffing, in some cases, to try to take care of all these people, and if we do, we're overworking those individuals to perform their jobs.

Long-term care has been a challenge for the last two governments, I think. The Continuing Care Strategy that was brought forward had a number of pieces within it that would allow the expansion of that long-term care system, and then hopefully a contraction of that as those beds were probably not needed within our system over time. We know that the silver tsunami that's coming toward us, as that group of (Interruption)

Yeah, it sounds great. The "silver tsunami," where we have a number of people of a certain age who are now requiring the services of our health care system. I believe The Globe and Mail were the ones who penned it; if not, it was The National Post.

We have that challenge of a population aging in place and requiring the services of our health care system. The responses of the last two governments have been pretty similar when it comes to this group, but if you ask a senior, or someone who requires either home care or long-term care, "Where do you want to be?", they'll say, "I want to be at home." All fine and good, when we can provide them with the services they require to stay at home.

Like I said, we've had two governments now who have done, I would say, a reasonable job of trying to do that. There are still some challenges, there's still some money required, and there are still some staffing requirements, but at least I think it's moving in a relatively good direction.

[Page 2428]

Where the fall-down happened is the lack of appreciation for long-term care. If we look at who's in the hospitals today, those individuals who I would call bed blockers - I think that's what the term is within the system - those people are waiting for long-term care. They're not waiting to go back home, for the most part. There are a few rehab options that some of these seniors can have to get back home, but quite honestly, they are waiting for a long-term care bed. Because of the lack of availability across the province, they can sit in a hospital for six or eight or ten months, continuing to keep the hospital from being able to offer its services - its surgeries, its treatments, even its emergency room. Everything gets blocked up because of that.

Quite honestly, I think we're about 1,000 beds short across the province now. I don't know what the last long-term care wait-list was; it was sort of in that 1,000 range.

AN HON. MEMBER: It was 1,100.

MR. D'ENTREMONT « » : There you go. It was 1,100. So in my mind, somewhere between 1,100 and zero is probably how many beds we would need in the system. I would say probably closer to the 1,000 than the zero.

How does a person access long-term care when we have a system that's full? They have to wait until someone passes away. You can't plan on that stuff, so our system continues to be blocked up by long-term care. There needs to be an investment in and appreciation for that. We need to have more Nakile Homes for Special Care. We need to have more Bay Side Homes. We need more long-term care options for our seniors, and I think what we'll see is an adjustment to the wait time that we have for many of the other health care services that we have in the province.

The second point I have revolves around wait times. I don't have all the data before me right now, but I do have a constituent in my area who has been waiting - I believe he's at - I figure it's about 400 days now that he has been waiting to get a hip replacement. This individual continues to work. He's 70-odd years old. He's the sole breadwinner in his family, and has been waiting for a hip replacement, and is of great value to the company that he works for.

It's to the point now that the company that he works for is contemplating helping him go to a private clinic to get his hip replaced because he has waited so long for his replacement here in Nova Scotia.

That, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable. Why is that happening? I think part of our problem is the availability of those surgeons and their ability to get OR time. But that of course is the availability of beds within our system. They're all interrelated, interconnected, and things that we need to address sooner rather than later.

[Page 2429]

We've dropped the ball. The ball has been dropped by a couple of previous governments when it comes to access to long-term care in this province.

The other points that I wanted to bring forward in the last six minutes or so of my time revolve in and around the creation of the super board. I know the NDP call it the super board. I'll call it the Nova Scotia Health Authority because it is the system that we have.

What has really happened here is that there has been a wholesale transfer of programs and responsibility for our health care system from the minister's office, from the department, directly to the Health Authority - the board and the CEO. In a way, I think this government has tried to get themselves out of the problem by farming out all of that work to someone else. The problem here is that the minister is responsible for it. The Premier is responsible for doctor shortages in this province. They're the ones who should have the vision to bring our system forward.

There was a report done a number of years ago, and those of you who have been around for a while will remember it - it was called the PHSOR, or the Corpus Sanchez Report - which looked at our health care system for ways to improve it, to be able to do the things that we wanted to do. And the recommendation that's in it - when it talks about the amalgamation of the health authorities - is that we shouldn't actually do it, because of the chaos it creates when you start shifting all of those responsibilities around.

We're now three and a half years into this transfer. Well, we're two years into the transfer, and it has been three and a half years since the Liberals became the government and started this work. But two years later, we're still in that transition phase and we have lots of people who don't know what they're responsible for.

If you call the Nova Scotia Health Authority and ask them, how does the organizational chart work? Who is now responsible for hospitals in Yarmouth? Who is responsible for hospitals in Kentville and other hospitals around the province? Quite honestly, you don't get a straight answer because they're not too sure where everybody fits within the system.

MS. SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT « » : I have a chart.

MR. D'ENTREMONT « » : You have a chart? Well, it's funny, because I couldn't get that chart when I asked for it. The member for Lunenburg tells me she has a chart. I hope I can get a copy of her chart because it would be the first time I've seen it. It is unacceptable.

From there, what does government promise? They promised that with the change of the Health Authority, there would be savings - administrative savings - in how this worked. I can't wait for tomorrow to see the budget that's going to come forward, to see after the second year, what kind of administrative savings we're going to have from the amalgamation of the health boards. I'm going to bet - I'll bet someone five bucks - that there's not one bit of savings within it, and that they're actually spending more money than they ever have trying to address all the shortcomings that we have. It's almost a more decentralized system. There's no money to put back into the system because they haven't saved anything.

[Page 2430]

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I do want to talk about a couple of issues that dog my area, which the Health Authority is unable to give a straight answer about, and I wish that they would. Of course, the doctor shortage is one that's important to us. But I have been talking about a dialysis unit for the Barrington area for a number of years now.

It frustrates me to no end when I see Kentville get a new dialysis unit, and when I see Digby - congratulations to Digby, I'm glad they got it because they've been asking for it for a long time too - I see Bridgewater getting a new dialysis unit, and I see the people of Barrington being ignored once again. I mean, they got a straight-out "no, we're not going to it for you because we don't have enough money to do it for anybody." Then, guess what? Guess what? All of a sudden, from the heavens opens up all this money to be able to invest in communities outside of Barrington Passage.

[3:30 p.m.]

I want to know what these members - especially the Liberal members - can say to the constituents of Argyle-Barrington, especially for those people in Cape Island that have to travel an hour away to get their dialysis three times a week in all times of the year? In the middle of winter, in the middle of rainstorms, in the middle of snowstorms they go for that life-saving service in Yarmouth. Can you tell me why they can't get it in Barrington Passage where they deserve to have it?

We need a government that can actually seriously look at those small communities, those communities that are maybe a little bit further out of the way - and I know the member for Clare-Digby knows what I'm talking about. When you're an hour away from things, it's really, really difficult to be able to get to things. It's good that the people of Digby got it, but we've been asking for the same amount of time for a dialysis unit - even a small one - so those individuals can get the service that they require, Mr. Speaker, to stay alive.

We have people that made decisions today whether they take the service or they just give up and die. That is unacceptable in my world and I hope that it's unacceptable in everybody else's world, sitting in this Legislature. Thank you very much.

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

HON. DENISE PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Mr. Speaker, we know that Bill No. 21 is a good bill. It's a bill that we need because we have seen that the Nova Scotia Health Authority has not worked on that level. Yes, there are many aspects of combining services that work, but to go from the community level to the far end of the spectrum is not the way to do it. It needs to be more balanced.

[Page 2431]

There are many problems that I've seen as the MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's with respect to the Nova Scotia Health Authority. It's just like my colleague just said, it's knowing who to contact. The member for Lunenburg that she had the chart with the names and the phone numbers - I would ask her to send that to my office, please, because it's been virtually impossible for my office to be able to get the numbers and know who is doing what in this Health Authority.

For example, I was really surprised when I met with Janet Knox in our caucus office and saw that her business card doesn't even have a phone number on it. It took my office literally two weeks to try to track down a phone number for the CEO of the Health Authority. As it was, I still could not get a direct number to her even when I asked for it from her - I was told, go through my assistant. Now, being an MLA who is representing people of Nova Scotia who have a great deal of health issues that they're bringing to my office's attention and to my attention, I should be able to pick up the phone when necessary and talk to the CEO of the Health Authority.

When we had them divided and we had rural health authorities, I could get hold of who I needed to. I could get hold of the CEO - now you don't know who to get hold of. You know, there's not an MLA in this House that would abuse the use of having the CEO's phone number, to get in touch with her when they felt it was an emergency situation. Like I said, it took well over two weeks.

I asked people in the community that are very much involved in health issues, who used to have contacts within the Department of Health and Wellness and within the district health authorities, and used to actually sit on community health boards if I could get the CEO's number from them and they didn't have it. That is very problematic, Mr. Speaker. That is what we have talked about from day one with this amalgamation, that you are going to lose the contact with the rural communities. Our rural communities have lost their voice. In the Chester area, the community has come together and many people have worked diligently to open a collaborative health care centre. That is something that wouldn't exist if it wasn't from the community members.

I was proud, when I was in government, to be able to provide funding for that centre. However, their struggles right now are that everybody is doing a great job with the resources they have, but they don't have enough resources. This government and the Minister of Health and Wellness keep touting that collaborative health care centres are the way to go and we agree with that. But you can't build a building and then not provide the appropriate resources to run it, like a collaborative health care centre. That is what has happened in this province.

[Page 2432]

I know that in the Chester area they certainly needed to have more community involvement when it came to establishing who is in the health centres, but more so, they need to have more doctors there. There are doctors who have expressed a sincere interest to be in the Chester area but the government will not give the extra billing time, so therefore, a collaborative centre to most of us, what it means is that it's open, that the doctors are sharing patients, and you have more opportunity to get in.

Here's myself, as you can hear, I have a little viral infection affecting my throat. I tried to get in to my doctor. I was told that the booking was not until the middle of May so I said, could I go to see another doctor at the collaborative centre? What was it? That doctor was all filled up. So the whole idea of a collaborative centre where it expedites your time as a patient to get in, is being challenged in our beautiful collaborative centre, the OHC in Chester, because this government will not provide the resources to allow it to run like a true collaborative health centre, yet on the eve of an election we're seeing the money pouring out everywhere.

It's pouring, it's raining money in Nova Scotia. However, those who have come to this government in the last three years who have been rejected, like the mental health organizations, like CNIB and other organizations that are in our province that have looked for funding to help them and have had funding in the past, it was cut. But yet, when the sky is open and the pouring of this money came this last month and a half, those groups didn't get any money from this government.

You would have thought that having the Premier standing in this House and telling Nova Scotians that we worked together to make sure we had a balanced budget, that all of a sudden, we have a lot of money. Well they must have found it on Oak Island. I'm going to ruin the story of the Oak Island treasure hunt because next year the series will be telling you the money was found by this government just before the election and the money was being given out to everybody but not to those organizations that had asked this government for support. This government has ignored them in this round of giving money out.

Mr. Speaker, trying to get in touch with somebody in the Health Authority, trying to speak to the appropriate people is virtually impossible. We do have our rural hospitals that are being challenged. This government just cut the fees for ER doctors in the Lunenburg hospital, which should have been a CEC.

I asked the minister a question today, I asked the minister a question last year, and I asked the minister a question about that the year before, ever since this government got in - oh, we're going to be announcing it in several months, we'll have an announcement in the Fall. The only reason they haven't opened CECs is because it was the NDP that opened them and they were recognized throughout Canada.

Now when a new government comes in, what is more foolish than saying we're not going to open that, because even though it's successful and we even had studies showing it is successful, another Party did that so we're not going to touch that with a 10-foot pole? No wonder the public gets upset with the political world, you can't blame them.

[Page 2433]

Here we have proof that CECs work, and this government hasn't opened one CEC in three and a half years. In fact, this year the stats are showing that the ER closures have been up by 6,000 hours. That's 6,000 hours that somebody has gone to an emergency room and it was closed. What does that tell you? What it's telling you is that it's not working. Over 6,000 hours. That is shameful.

The Premier stands in this House and says that health care is not in crisis. There is no crisis? What planet is he living on? Well it's not this planet of Nova Scotia. All you have to do is go to a hospital, or try to find a doctor, or be on the waiting list for a hip replacement or knee replacement, for which we are in last place in Canada in terms of wait times.

We have a government that has not opened one long-term care bed. The NDP opened 1,000 and they were rallying in Opposition against us that it wasn't enough. Not one long-term care bed.

I, like anybody else, support seniors staying home as long as possible, but the government doesn't even have suitable programs that allow seniors to do that. What did they do? They cut a program on the South Shore that seniors could access for mowing their lawns, piling their wood, and shovelling their driveways. Those are the little things, along with the health components, that allow a senior to stay home. Yet this government cut them, and expected volunteers to fill that gap.

Has that worked, when we have an aging population and it's extremely difficult to get volunteers - and a lot of our volunteers are seniors? They're having trouble shovelling their own driveways. How does that make any sense?

What I have seen in the last three and a half years is a big facade. We talk about how wonderful things are, but when you're really out there in the community? That must be where this government has missed out. They can't be in the communities, because you cannot go into a community and say that there is not a problem with our health care.

We have Shoreham Village. I've brought it up a number of times. How can anyone say during an election, yes, we are going to rebuild that; if the NDP said they're going to do it, we're going to do it. You have seniors and staff in that home who are excited about the rebuild. Three and a half years later it's not even on a list to be rebuilt. The place is falling apart. The staff are working so hard.

We have a Premier and a minister who are always saying, I want to thank staff for doing this, I want to thank staff for doing that. Yes, they deserve it. But do you know what they really deserve? Our resources to do their job, so that they don't have to be so stressed out, and they don't have to see seniors getting a bath only every two weeks, instead of once a week, or have to spend $5 at Northwood to feed a senior for a day. It's beyond.

[Page 2434]

We need Bill No. 21 and we need the people of Nova Scotia. They recognize there is a crisis in health care in this province.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. I just want to let the honourable member know that the upper clock is off by a minute, so you have until 3:47 p.m. I just wanted to let you know you've got an additional minute.

The honourable member for Chester-St. Margaret's has the floor.

MS. PETERSON-RAFUSE « » : Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I can always use the extra time.

In the hospital in Bridgewater, doctors are not happy. This is the first year - I've been an MLA since 2009 - that doctors and specialists have actually sought me out to talk about the issues in health care. The Bridgewater hospital is supposed to have three hospitalists. That's your general practitioner that looks after the patients after the ER doctors send them to the floor. There are supposed to be three. There are two there. One is leaving. That leaves one hospitalist. They're supposed to only have a minimum of 18 patients. How is that going to work?

There hasn't been a chief of staff for a year in that hospital. With the ER doctors, there is a lack of overlap at times. It's only two or three hours that you find two ER doctors on at the same time. They are crying for help and nobody is listening to them. The minister isn't, the Health Authority is not listening to them.

As we age, we want to stay home, but we are going to find that there are some people who can't stay home. They need long-term care but there won't be any place to go. They are falling down, so why wouldn't you be investing in long-term care the same time that you're investing in home care. Do it in parallel of each other. It does not make sense, it's got to be embarrassing to be in the Liberal side and know that not one long-term care bed has been open. All of us here have a grandparent or a parent or a relative who needs long-term care.

So I say to the Minister of Health and Wellness and to the Liberal Government, that they need to look at Bill No. 21 and they need to be able to say, yes, we need more rural involvement. The people in rural Nova Scotia feel like people are sitting in their ivory towers in Halifax making decisions about them and not talking to them in rural Nova Scotia, not listening to them. At least, as I said, I hope the member for Lunenburg gives me that list by the end of the week. It would be a starting point for me as an MLA to have at least some names to call in the Health Authority and not a 1-800 number and just be leaving my name. The same as everybody else has to and you don't hear anything back.

[Page 2435]

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order please. Time has elapsed.

The honourable Minister of Health and Wellness.

HON. LEO GLAVINE « » : I am pleased to rise in my place today with just a few minutes remaining, to take part in today's debate. I believe first of all that the health care system needed a different direction. One of the very first discoveries in the Health and Wellness Department that I had discovered as a critic for a couple of years before coming into government was that across our province in the nine districts, we had ad hoc programs of the worst magnitude. Very simple programs that should have had some standard across the province, in fact appeared in six or seven different amounts in different ways depending on which district you were in.

We needed to integrate the system to allow clinicians to move across the province, to allow the patients to move across the province. In my riding now I have come across not one, but four residents who went to Amherst for general surgery because it's a longer wait time at Valley Regional. They do so much emergency surgery, especially for hips and knees and factures of our elderly population. So for people to be able to go within a couple of weeks and have first-class general surgery, it's a win for that area because they were down to about 1,500 surgeries a year and now they have added another 1,000, surgeons going to Truro to do work, working on a highly-integrated system.

I know the member for Northside-Westmount would know this or probably has heard. He is very familiar with the wonderful orthopaedic program that is at the Regional Hospital in Cape Breton. Now at the Regional Hospital, we are a few cases from the first of our five orthopaedic sites reaching the national benchmark. How good is that? We now have had patients from other part of the province go to Cape Breton. We are going to see by doing 800 additional surgeries this year for hip and knee replacement, will move that into 1,200.

We went for a decade and kept hip and knee surgery at the same baseline while the number of patients was going up. We couldn't until we invested over $8 million for a wait list that was very troubling to the senior population of this province. We are going to get to a point where I believe all Nova Scotians will be able to get hip and knee replacements within the national benchmark of that six-month period. That comes about, again, by operating as one - the 22 or 23 orthopaedic surgeons.

As we move to the very highly integrated system, we're actually able to do more work. I would not be very comfortable standing here and saying that we're the first province in Canada since the Second World War to have less than two per cent in growth in health spending if we weren't doing more. That's why I gave the orthopaedic example. That's why we're doing 300 more MRIs a month.

[Page 2436]

This is a case of doing more with great efficiencies in the system. This will be the only way to deal with that huge cohort - those seniors or older adults between 55 and 70, who make up the biggest 15 years of our population, the baby boomers - if we hadn't changed the direction of the system to create efficiencies, and more importantly, a standard of care. That's what's happening across Nova Scotia. It takes some time to do that.

I met with Dr. Drew Bethune this week, who is now in charge of cancer care in this province. He wants to have that same strong standard of care at every place where cancer care is delivered - from Cape Breton to Yarmouth to Amherst to Bridgewater. We now have that opportunity, because we had very different things happening in different parts of the province.

I'm pleased that we now have a hospice program under way. When I arrived in the Health and Wellness Department, I couldn't find one sheet of paper with the word "hospice." There was no plan. We developed the governance, the framework, and the funding for hospice care in this province. We've expanded dialysis.

That's why I see great hope and great possibility, while at the same time saving $75 million to $100 million, by going from nine CEOs to one CEO, from 38 VPs to 8 VPs, and getting provincial contracts for procurement. And we did a little better than that: we now have an Atlantic approach. We had our first Atlantic procurement last year for diagnostic equipment, and on that one order, we saved $2.3 million.

I could go on and list the top 100 accomplishments that our government has had during our time in office.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader in the House of the New Democratic Party.

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 16.

Bill No. 16 - Fair Drug Pricing Act.

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

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : This is one of the many cases in this House where I have to return to Hansard because I wasn't here when you were talking about this issue the first time. But of course, I was following it as a citizen.

I very much remember this government's early stumble, when the Minister of Health and Wellness reneged on his word in the House in March 2015, telling the House that he would not increase the premiums on Seniors' Pharmacare, and then in January 2016, when he announced changes that would have in fact resulted in higher premiums for some 40,000 seniors across Nova Scotia.

[Page 2437]

Of course, there was a great outcry. It was poorly communicated, it was confusing, and that decision was reversed. I want to frame what that decision was about. It was about the pursuit for a balanced budget. That change would have saved the government $10 million.

So much of what we have done in this province is not really saving at all, it's shifting. It's shifting the burden, from all of us sharing the burden together to one group of people sharing the burden. In this case, we would have shifted the burden of $10 million onto seniors, just as we have as with other groups. We've shifted the burden of post-secondary education onto young people.

So there was a reversal of that, but that situation resulted in Bill No. 16, an Act to Amend Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2011, the Fair Drug Pricing Act, which effectively calls on any further change or future change to Seniors' Pharmacare - including respecting the eligibility requirements or premiums or deductibles or co-payments - to actually have to come before the House to be discussed here in the people's House, in the House of Assembly.

I think that this bill is a good bill and a required one at a time when in fact this government has not delivered on its promise for transparency and requiring this House to meet and actually consider issues like this, like how will we pay for Seniors' Pharmacare. It's one way for it to ensure that, that transparency, and also to ensure that all of the best ideas have a chance to come before the House, including through testimony to the Law Amendments Committee.

Canada is the only developed country in the world with a universal health care system which does not also have a universal drug system. So we do suffer for that - and Nova Scotia is a very small jurisdiction. We don't have a lot of purchasing power so certainly the sorts of savings that the Minister of Health and Wellness just referred to in procurement does not surprise me. It's a wonderful thing for us to work together with other provinces, and even indeed nationally, to increase our purchasing power so we can get the sort of drug prices that other jurisdictions around the world have.

I recently borrowed from the Legislative Library Dr. Danielle Silver's new book about the health care system, called Six Big Ideas. She talks about the need for a pharmacare program as idea number two, and one that would certainly save us considerable amounts of money and not only in the most direct mechanism that you'd think about. It's partly, yes, about saving the money on the drug costs but it's also saving the cost to the health care system, when in fact people who cannot afford drugs choose not to fill their prescription or choose to reduce the amount they are taking each day because they know they need that drug but they also need to eat or also need to pay their rent.

[Page 2438]

In the specific case that transpired here in Nova Scotia with the proposed changes to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program that were then rolled back, in that case the impact on seniors would have been direct and some seniors would have faced a doubling of their drug care expenses. That, in a province where the average household income before taxes for seniors is modest - $37,000 is what I have as the average household income before taxes, for seniors.

For so many seniors what they have is maybe, if they are lucky, their one asset which is their home. More seniors own homes than people in other demographic groups, but often that home itself can become a burden as there comes to be issues with roofs or there come to be issues with stairs. Yet seniors are so often both wanting to hold onto that home but also left with very few options for places to move as there is a shortage of affordable housing in our community as rents have gone up and so forth.

[4:00 p.m.]

The gist of this bill again would be to bring any substantial changes to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program before the House. As the newest member of this Legislature, at this time I would like to see this House playing the role that it could play in the governance of our province. It feels to me like we only end up playing the function that was envisioned for us by Joseph Howe, when things go off the rails as they did in February when we were here debating Bill No. 75. I learned a tremendous amount at that time and I think citizens of Nova Scotia learned a tremendous amount as well.

Even though I deeply regret that the Legislature did end up passing Bill No. 75, despite our opposition, there are positive changes that have come and will come, by dint of having that robust public conversation - warts and all - including the many hours of testimony that we heard at the Law Amendments Committee, which unfortunately were cut short.

Right now in Nova Scotia, in this House and in this government, not only did the Nova Scotia Legislature meet fewer days last year than any other jurisdiction in Canada, but also we're seeing frequent cancellations of Cabinet meetings, which is another space where there should be diverse views around a table - bringing different ideas together.

I feel like somehow, we've lost our skills. We've lost our skill to hold space for diverse views, recognizing that the best outcome is not just for one view to prevail. There are other outcomes that we enter into those debates and conflicts without anticipating. So, I welcome both this piece of legislation and other pieces of legislation that the NDP have brought in, which remind us of the potential of the House, the Legislature and all of us - as representatives of the citizens of Nova Scotia - to play a significant role, not only in oversight but also in proposing solutions to the challenges that we face.

[Page 2439]

I am glad to see that now on the Seniors' Pharmacare website it is anticipated that there will be no change in premiums for 2017-18. I fully expect that is what we will see in the budget that will be tabled in this House tomorrow. My concern is whether the enrolment in Seniors' Pharmacare has decreased based on that blip in the mishandling of the program in 2016. It is a program that operates like an insurance program, so the more people who are signed up in sharing the burden, the better it is for us as a province, and for each of the individual members. I'm taking my lessons from my colleague, the member for Sackville-Cobequid in this matter and suggesting to any constituent who comes to me that yes, it makes sense to sign up, to do it early, and to do it before you are ill.

Many seniors in this province are going into retirement without significant savings - maybe with their homes, but not with RRSPs. That is a reality and an option for very few among us. When you are trying to balance your budget and control your household expenses, it's easy to see why somebody might delay signing up for the Seniors' Pharmacare Program as it exists now, if they are in a position where they have to pay premiums.

Thank you for your attention. I'm going to take my seat.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Just before we move on, I want to point out that early in your remarks you used the language in terms of the minister reneging promises and that, in fact, is unparliamentary language. So just as a reminder to all members of the House, that language is unparliamentary.

The honourable member for Lunenburg.

MS. SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT « » : Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to address the House on matters concerning Bill No. 16, the Fair Drug Pricing Act. As we are all very aware, Nova Scotia has one of the oldest populations in Canada. Older people easily outnumber the young people here in Nova Scotia, especially children. Our birth rates are much lower than the number of seniors that we are having come to the age of 65.

To put this in perspective to members here in this House, we have more than 1,000 Nova Scotians turning 65 each month. We have more than 175,000 seniors living in our province right now. Nova Scotia has the oldest population in all of Atlantic Canada, and we predict that by the year 2030 our senior population will grow to more than 230,000. I will be one of those, and many of the others here in this room will be one of those seniors.

I'm proud of our older Nova Scotians. I represent two of the four towns that have the highest population of seniors per capita. My hometown, Mahone Bay, is number one - we have more seniors living in Mahone Bay than any other town in Nova Scotia - and second comes Lunenburg, which is also another town that I represent in my constituency. I know the Premier's own town is one of the four, and I believe Digby is the other.

[Page 2440]

To many, people would think that is not a good thing, that seniors are not as productive, that they're not as valued, but I can tell you, in my communities they are the movers and shakers. They are the volunteers - the large number of volunteers. We have created a whole new concept in especially the Town of Mahone Bay through their age-friendly community and our seniors programming through the Mahone Bay Centre. We find our seniors are assets to the community and so we intentionally looked into ways that we can make the most of our senior and aging population, and making the most of it is also being age friendly.

For example, Mahone Bay is a wonderful walking town and we have wonderful sidewalks, but there were issues that our sidewalks dipped where driveways were made to accommodate homes. The problem was if you were walking abreast with somebody, you would have maybe one of the people go down in one of those little dips, and often we had people falling. So what we've done is we've been friendly, and through citizen engagement we've painted these areas in a bright yellow so that people walking along see these dips, and it has made a great improvement.

We have many seniors who are engaged in Nova Scotia and they add to our community life. I can tell you that they show a lot of passion in their communities. Though many communities are trying to attract younger families - and I will not say that our towns of Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are not doing that as well, but we also know that we gain a lot because of our seniors community.

We know as our population grows, so does its medical needs. I see that with my parents' aging friends. I have relatives who are aging. They have mobility issues. They have health care issues. We need to make sure all of that is included in the way we plan for seniors.

For example, in Mahone Bay, we have a Seniors Helping Seniors program. We have seniors who can no longer drive or who are too ill to drive partnering up with younger seniors who take them to medical appointments and do errands, or come into their homes to put their garbage out on garbage day. We have people helping to load wood for seniors who can't do that heavy work themselves.

Because of the aging population, our medical costs are rising, and the need for more medication often comes with that aging. I am my mother's health advocate, and my mother is in a long-term care facility. I couldn't begin to list the amount of medication my mother takes to maintain her health status: everything from heart medication to insulin for her diabetes. That is costly. As we age, you may have someone who never took a pill in their life, and then when they become a senior and they age, all of a sudden, they get high blood pressure, or develop diabetes or some type of heart condition.

The medications that many of these seniors are taking have prolonged their lives. Not only do we have a growing population, but also because of the health care and medications that seniors are receiving, they're living longer. Many seniors in this province rely on the Seniors' Pharmacare Program to ensure that they are receiving the drugs they need when they need them.

[Page 2441]

Our local pharmacies are also great assets to our seniors, because they provide all sorts of counselling. They give out information to our seniors. They will meet one-on-one with patients and clients. They provide immunization. They provide foot care. They have punch-out packaging now so that you can have your medication all sorted for you. That's a service that many seniors require.

They certainly do benefit from the Pharmacare Program. We have more than 120,000 seniors on the Pharmacare Program, and we have more coming every day as the number of seniors in Nova Scotia increases. I believe it is our duty to support older adults in the best way we can, and we are doing that.

In January 2016, there was a proposed change to Pharmacare. Our seniors spoke out. They were loud and they were clear. I'm sure there wasn't an MLA here in the House who did not hear from their seniors - that they did not like the changes that were being proposed by the government, to their co-pay and eligibility for Pharmacare.

When I look back at my years here in the Legislature, that was one of my prouder moments, when I saw our caucus unite and go to the Premier and the minister and say, we have to do something about this, we are hearing it loud and clear. I'm not just talking about seniors who are marginalized; I'm talking about all seniors. They were really concerned about the program that we were proposing. When we brought that to our caucus, we sat down, and we spent a lot of time debating this. It was not long before our Premier said, let's put a hold on this, let's take this to consultation, let's do this right.

[3:15 p.m.]

That was a proud moment for me, Mr. Speaker, because it's not very often that you have a Premier who will stand up and say let's step back a bit, let's look at this, we need to see what is best for Nova Scotians. Our Premier did that, and I must say I'd like to know how many times in this Legislature and in this province we saw a Premier who was confident enough and believed enough in the voice of the people to say that.

I have to say that was a proud moment for me, and it's something that I relate to constituents all the time when they come to me and they say, you know it's no bother even talking to you because your government never listens, politicians never listen. I can tell you, we listen - we stopped the whole process and it's going to consultation. It's not happening right now, but it's going to and we're going to see some consultation in the next two years.

I want to say that those will take place in 2017, in 2018, and in 2019, and it's going to take awhile, but we're always hearing people, oh, you're fast tracking, you're trying to do things too quickly. Well, we're not going to do this quickly; we're going to do it right. We're going to take our time, we're going to consult, we're going to use research, we're going to use facts, and we're going to combine them all before we roll out another Pharmacare Program. I think that is the right thing to do, and this is best for the citizens, and it's best for the government.

[Page 2442]

I'm sure there are people who will say too much time, you're taking too much time. But we're going to take the time this time, and I can respect the fact that the Opposition has brought this bill forward because they want the same things I do. They want more support for seniors and a stronger program. And I'm getting closer to that age - you know, I'm no spring chicken - I'm a grandmother. I know I don't look as old as I am, that's a good thing for me, but I want to stress that we're all going to be there.

I'm part of that sandwich generation - I have a grandchild, I have a child who is just graduating from university, and I'm looking after my mother. I have all those responsibilities, and it's really important for me to know that my mother is getting the care she needs and the Pharmacare Program is helping her meet her needs, and that someday I will need that. I won't have my Blue Cross and my Great-West Life insurance policies when I turn 65. I will be on Pharmacare, and I want that program to be good and strong when I'm on the Pharmacare Program and when I am eligible for it.

Anyone who has served time in government can tell you that sometimes the best decisions are not always the most popular, but the best decision for seniors is that we take the time to do this right. This government has said there will be a consultation process and there will be policy and program decisions and changes, and there won't be decisions and policy changes made through legislation. That is not effective. What is effective is looking at the best available evidence, consultation, and looking at all our options.

One of these options came in February of this year. Our Premier and his Atlantic counterparts agreed to explore new and innovative ways to work together to make our publicly funded drug plans, including the Seniors' Pharmacare, stronger. That is through collaboration and collaboration through our Atlantic partners, and we share the common challenges in this area with our Atlantic Canadian counterparts, and I believe we must work together to support older adults in our region. We are committed to improving our Seniors' Pharmacare Program, and we will take the time. We need to do it right.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak.

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

MR. LARRY HARRISON « » : When we were in caucus today, this was brought up and it was either myself or my colleague from Pictou Centre who was going to get the opportunity to speak to this. I will let you decide what that reason was. We do agree with this bill. There are a couple of things that have always concerned me since I became a part of the Legislature. One is transparency and the other of course is consultation. These were the two things that really struck me as being needed in the Legislature.

[Page 2443]

Seniors work their whole lives and it's not the kind of Walton atmosphere right now like the Walton family. Things have certainly changed in our society and a lot of seniors do not have the resources. I am lucky I paid into a pension for years and years, but there are a lot of seniors now who worked their whole lives and really have nothing but what government is able to give them. They get very concerned about how long that money is going to last them. They have certain things that they have to pay for and there is not a lot left over, that's for sure.

Since the government's decision to reverse their overhaul of the Seniors' Pharmacare Program, they promised Nova Scotians that they would negotiate. Negotiation to me should always take place before any decision is made. If a decision is made with respect to doctors, then you talk to the doctors and find out what that situation is before a decision.

With Seniors' Pharmacare you really need to talk to seniors to know how it is going to affect them before any decision is made. As my colleague said a few moments ago a consultation will take place and that was promised by the government, but at the present time nothing has been put in place for that consultation. It has been halted. Seniors have worked and they have contributed their whole lives to our community, to this province, and we owe it to them to provide the service necessary to allow them to enjoy their retirement and to also respect them and also to be considered in decisions.

This bill, while it's a good idea, it's sad in a sense that it had to come to this, because if consultation and transparency were upfront in the first place, we may not have to make these kinds of bills in this Legislature. Many seniors are concerned that the changes to Pharmacare will impact the coverage of certain drugs. We need to ensure that the drugs on the provincial formulary are reflective of the health care needs of all Nova Scotians.

Now there are many ways we can save money to reinvest in the health care system. The time between now and throughout the consultation process will give member the time to really decide where these priorities are going to lie. Seniors don't like to be surprised. I am finding that out, but it happens. They have a right to be concerned about that because, like I said, they don't have a lot of resources to work with and when anything comes in that is going to impact those resources they get scared, because they are not sure they are going to be to handle the change.

If they can't handle the change, they have to give up something. Unfortunately in some cases they will give up their medication, they will give up going to see a doctor, and that is sad. That really is a sad thing to happen. Seniors don't deserve to be surprised this way. Many live on fixed incomes and they don't have the luxury of rapid change in their expenses either.

[Page 2444]

As unfortunate as it is that this bill had to be drafted, I hope the government will consider the fact that we do need to consult before any decision is made, and to be transparent and upfront with all the groups that are affected by this. As my colleague said, we're getting to the stage - well, I'm past that stage - where we're going to be on Pharmacare. But we need to put in place the best system possible for those who really cannot afford outside health care. I hope we always keep that in mind before we make any decisions or impact the lives of Nova Scotians. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this time.

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

MR. TERRY FARRELL « » : I just thought I'd stand up today and make some remarks with respect to this bill that might help wrap things up a little bit and move us forward. I think it's pretty clear that this is a bit of legislation that was brought about as the result of some changes that were proposed to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program. I think it's important that we get the history on those changes correct. At the time there was an attempt to reform…

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River on a point of order.

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Mr. Speaker, my colleague had stood up before this gentleman did and we would like to be recognized and say a few words on this bill first. (Interruptions) Yes, he can go after, it's just that this is the order, sorry.

MR. SPEAKER « » : We'll return to the order.

The honourable member for Queens-Shelburne.

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Actually, I'm going to stand.

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

MS. LENORE ZANN « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say a few words about Bill No. 16, An Act to Amend Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2011, the Fair Drug Pricing Act. It's a very simple bill that just requires any change in eligibility, premiums, deductibles, or co-payments in a Seniors' Pharmacare Program to be approved by the House of Assembly. I believe the reason this was introduced is because earlier in 2016 there was an attempt to make some changes without any of us weighing in on them. We were not happy with those changes that were made, and the seniors of the province were not very happy and made their voices well heard at that time. We would like to make sure that something like that never happens again.

[Page 2445]

Another thing I want to talk about is the cancelled changes that would have occurred to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program. It would have meant, had it gone through, that 14,000 low-income seniors receiving the guaranteed income supplement would have paid Pharmacare premiums starting on April 1^st of that year, 2016, for the first time, which is 2,000 more people than the 12,000 who would no longer have to pay premiums.

It was touted as something that would help more people to not have to pay premiums, but in fact there were 2,000 more people. All seniors receiving the GIS are exempt from paying Pharmacare premiums but for some seniors, this year premiums would have increased by up to 200 per cent - 200 per cent. That's a lot. That would have been the first increase since 2007 under the Rodney MacDonald Progressive Conservative Government. Our previous New Democratic Party Government froze Pharmacare premiums. Increased Seniors' Pharmacare fees would have resulted in $10 million more, or 20 per cent, the next year while cutting government funding by this same amount. It would have cut government funding by $10 million, but it would have cost seniors more.

[4:30 p.m.]

On January 29, 2015, the Liberal Health and Wellness Minister estimated the funding ratio that required the government to pay 75 per cent of that cost to operate the program with the seniors paying the remaining 25 per cent. Then on March 27, 2015, the Acting Leader of the New Democratic Party at that time, Ms. Maureen MacDonald, introduced legislation to enshrine into the Fair Drug Pricing Act the cost-share ratio used to fund the Seniors' Pharmacare Program at 75/25, a split between the government and seniors, respectively. On that day, after being asked by our New Democratic Party Health Critic, the Liberal Health and Wellness Minister responded, "What I can tell the member opposite, and all Nova Scotians, while I'm Minister of Health and Wellness there won't be an increase in premiums in Seniors' Pharmacare."

Just to recap, on March 27, 2015, the then-Liberal Health and Wellness Minister - and still the Health and Wellness Minister - stated in the House of Assembly, "What I can tell the member opposite, and all Nova Scotians, while I'm Minister of Health and Wellness there won't be an increase in premiums in Seniors' Pharmacare." However, in January 2016, this same minister announced changes to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program that would have resulted in higher premiums for approximately 40,000 seniors.

This government backtracked on the decision when there was a hue and cry from the seniors population and from the lobbyists in particular. There was a major hue and cry, so the government backtracked, which was a good thing to do. However, they shouldn't have gone there in the first place.

Then they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads and letters apologizing to Nova Scotia seniors. All of this is a waste of money that could have gone into helping the seniors of this province instead of having to do damage control on something that should never have been attempted in the first place.

[Page 2446]

In April of that same year, our New Democratic Party caucus, therefore, introduced Bill No. 16 in order to protect Seniors' Pharmacare, which would prevent the government from making any major changes to the Seniors' Pharmacare Program without a vote in the Legislature. However, this Liberal Government did not support our bill, and sadly, it has not been passed.

Mr. Speaker, in their rush to try to balance the budget by tomorrow, the day that they announce the budget - which they've already said they're going to say is balanced - they're trampling on the most vulnerable citizens in Nova Scotia - seniors, people with mental health disorders, people who lobby for people with all kinds of different health issues like eating disorders, like people with hearing disorders, like people who have any kind of mental health disorder. There have been cuts right across the board, and to the seniors of all people. First of all, they tried to do it this way - they tried to cut $10 million from seniors by sneakily saying that it was going to be in their favour.

After that didn't work, what happened next? They cut $8.5 million to nursing homes across the province. Somebody in government decided they were going to cut approximately $10 million from seniors. If they couldn't get it one way, they did it another way. I have to say, $5 a day for food, per senior, is outrageous in this day and age. They've been living like this for a few years now, and $4.85 is what I'm told the seniors living in Dartmouth, at one of the big seniors' complexes there, have been existing on.

In my riding, I've been meeting with many of the people who work there, and they tell me that the seniors are getting showered only once every two weeks now because of cuts to staff. They're telling me that there's less laundry done now. They're telling me that there's less cleaning that's able to be done, and people are being run off their feet - too many hours, and some young, inexperienced workers are being stuck overnight looking after 25 clients. It's just too much.

We should be a compassionate, caring province with a compassionate, caring government, and I have to say, although my colleague from the Liberals was excited that her Leader had stood back from the precipice on this one, most likely the reason was not out of compassion but out of pure, cold political thinking. He would have been told, oh, the seniors vote, and they have families who vote, so you'd better not go down this road.

We've already had 2,000 people around this Legislature screaming and crying to stop the cuts to the film industry - only $24 million. It's a drop in the bucket compared to the $180 million that that industry used to bring into this province.

It was the same recently with the teachers. We had close to 2,000 teachers around the Legislature as well. Did they listen? No. They stomped all over them.

[Page 2447]

I really don't think that is the way to unite Nova Scotia. This government acted on a theory, an idea, a slogan of "One Nova Scotia," but instead, they've been dividing Nova Scotians - playing the divide-and-conquer game, trying to make some Nova Scotians winners and other Nova Scotians losers and trying to pit the two against each other by trying to divide some of the public from the teachers, or divide teachers from teachers, or divide the public from the creative industry by saying oh, they don't pay any taxes - kind of like Stephen Harper said, oh, they like to pat each other on the back and wear fancy dresses from time to time - but really, the tax credit is too rich for Nova Scotia.

Well, I'm here to say that nothing is too rich for Nova Scotia. This is a beautiful province with beautiful, wonderful people - caring, kind, compassionate people who worked very hard their entire lives. Many of them are seniors now. Every month 1,000 people turn 65 years old. My dad is going to be 85 this June. My mom is turning 80 this year. And I'm going to tell you, I want them looked after. I know every other Nova Scotian wants their parents looked after, and someday we will all be there too. Would we like to be treated like this? I don't think so.

We can do better. I would hope the government learns this lesson, and I hope that the people of Nova Scotia have also learned the lesson. I'm told there's probably an election coming someday soon, so I guess the proof will be in the pudding when people go to vote at the ballot box.

Mr. Speaker, on that note, I'd like to sit down and say thank you very much, and hand it over to my colleague. Thank you.

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

MR. TERRY FARRELL « » : I'll try this again, Mr. Speaker.

I want to start out by talking a little bit about the situation surrounding Seniors' Pharmacare and around the previous attempt by our government to make some changes, which I think from the beginning were well intentioned, if not well received.

The intention there - and I don't think we should ever lose sight of this in discussing it - was to ensure that 12,000 fewer Nova Scotians would pay premiums under the Seniors' Pharmacare Program. My understanding is that there are 120,000 people enrolled in that program, and the government set out with reforms to that program to reduce or eliminate premiums for 12,000 of those people. That's 10 per cent. I'm not an accountant, but I think I've got that part right.

The change was not well received and it caused many members on this side, including the Premier and the Minister of Health and Wellness, to rethink that plan and to listen to the voices of Nova Scotians and to make substantive changes to that plan. I think that's an excellent example of democracy at work. It is responsiveness to the wishes of the people of Nova Scotia.

[Page 2448]

What happened when that occurred? When those voices were heard and when those people called my office and called other offices and wrote to me and I spoke to them and I heard their voices? It was perfectly clear what Nova Scotians wanted. We didn't step back. The Premier and the Minister of Health and Wellness and the good civil servants involved in that case didn't step back and say, we'll just undo it all and we'll put it back to where we were.

They maintained focus on the goal, which was to make the program more affordable for the most vulnerable Nova Scotians, to move forward with that plan, to eliminate the premiums and make that program more accessible and affordable for 12,000 additional Nova Scotians, and to ensure that the rest of the people who were enrolled in the program - the rest of the seniors - were not affected by any rate increases.

Mr. Speaker, I have a hard time understanding how that can be characterized as anything but a government responding to the needs of Nova Scotians - to the voices of their constituents - and acting on that. I'm a proud member of this government and I'm a proud follower of our Leader, the Premier. When the Premier knows he's right, he has a strength of resolve greater than possibly anyone else in this House. He has a courage that has not been shown in previous governments. He has the ability, when he knows he's right, to take something and move forward in the face of adversity and to not back down, to do what he knows is right for the province. But he also has a clarity of vision to say, I may have misstepped on this one, I may have misspoken on this one, I may have misunderstood the situation.

In spite of his strength of resolve, which is certainly leading Nova Scotians to a better place, he was able to stand back on this case and say, here's what's right for Nova Scotians and I'm happy to make this change and adjust this program. I think that's a case of all's well that ends well. We can't lose sight of the fact that 12,000 Nova Scotians are better off because of the adjustments made to Seniors' Pharmacare.

I am a senior in this province, at least according to the standard of Lawtons Drug Store. If I go in there and I think about it, I can get my senior's discount, and I'm probably part of a majority here in our caucus, so we don't lose sight of the issues that are facing seniors today. We don't lose sight of the needs of seniors in our society because we are those people. We are responsive and we understand because we are them.

We've certainly moved on seniors' issues, especially with respect to health care, and wherever I am next week, I'm going to be proud to speak about our record on health care and how that relates to seniors and how we've done things to make health care better, and Nova Scotia a better place for seniors to be.

[Page 2449]

We've heard some remarks from others in this debate today and in the debate on the previous bill with respect to long-term care, how we have dealt with issues surrounding it, and how we've made some adjustments with respect to funding there for long-term care facilities.

[4:45 p.m.]

I think that what that loses sight of, if someone is just to draw attention to one aspect of that, maybe a reduction in funding to long-term care, is the fact that long-term care is a last resort for Nova Scotians. It's not something that most of us want to do. We don't want to leave our homes to go to nursing homes to be cared for by others. We want to stay in our homes, where we're happy and comfortable, where we can be surrounded by our friends and family, where we can live in familiar surroundings as we age.

That is something that seniors and others - on this side of the House at least - recognize and that our government has recognized in a very meaningful and substantial way. Let's not focus on putting people in long-term care. Let's not focus on nursing homes. Let's focus on keeping people in their homes longer. Let's focus on how we can support them to do that and how we can make the resources available to make that happen.

Every now and again, from where I sit as a private member - some call it the backbench - I have a moment when I say, jeez, I wish I had thought of that. In the course of doing our work here, when I look at the problems associated with long-term care and the escalating costs associated with respect to long-term care, all of a sudden, we say, let's shift the focus away from that. Let's shift the focus on to putting the resources into keeping people in their homes longer.

I'm here to say, Mr. Speaker, that that has been a resounding success. I know we've increased funding. I'm not prepared to say the exact number right now. I think it's somewhere north of $50 million over the last couple of years that we've increased in spending on home care services for seniors to help them stay in their homes longer. That is what people want. That is an effective use of tax dollars, and it's something that will resonate with people, that people can understand, and that will make people feel that they've been well taken care of by the province. (Interruption)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. I would like to ask all members to keep the chatter down. The floor is taken by the honourable member for Cumberland North.

MR. FARRELL « » : The increase in spending on home care, the switch in emphasis from moving people into long-term care facilities to keeping them in their homes, that is a successful initiative, Mr. Speaker. That is about what seniors want and what seniors need. That is an effective use of Nova Scotians' tax dollars. It's a lower-cost solution, and it's a better solution for all Nova Scotians.

[Page 2450]

I'm happy to say that, in Cumberland County, that has resulted in a situation where we currently do not have any seniors waiting in hospital for long-term care beds. That wait-list has been eliminated in Cumberland County. We also do not have a wait-list for home care services. I'm very pleased and proud to be from Cumberland County and to be able to say that.

I have a side interest there because my wife, Nancy, of course is a care coordinator in that system. I know the good work that they do there. I hear about it every single day over and over and over again.

You can say all you want from the other side of the House. You can pick on how the Pharmacare Program is rolled out or what effect it had on people. But in the final analysis, that made things better for people. This government is moving forward to make things better for seniors on an ongoing basis.

I'm probably going to wrap up by talking a little bit about seniors in a different context, and that's with respect to infrastructure spending. There have been some infrastructure announcements recently. Some of them may have been in Cumberland County. One of them might have been with respect to a much-needed replacement for an aging health care facility in Pugwash. I know that has been criticized by the Leader of the Official Opposition. He seems to want to side with the Auditor General rather than with the people of Cumberland County, with respect to that particular announcement.

I, myself, have a high level of respect for the work of the Auditor General, Mr. Speaker. I have the privilege of sitting on the Public Accounts Committee frequently as a substitute, and I get to hear the good work they are doing and I get to witness the effect that has on the various departments across the province. I think in some cases the Auditor General focuses on the books and the Auditor General does not focus on the community.

I want to tell you something about the community of Pugwash and the North Shore of Cumberland County, Mr. Speaker. It is one of the few areas in the province where the population is growing. The population is not growing, fortunately or unfortunately, it's not because of the birth rate and it's not generally because of immigration, although we do have some immigration from outside of the province or outside of the country. The population of the North Shore is growing because it's a great place for seniors to be and a great place for seniors to live.

One of the attractions to bring those people there is quality health care, and one of the requirements of quality health care is good infrastructure. The better our infrastructure is, the more likely that that influx of people is going to continue and the more likely that we are going to be in a position to effectively recruit and retain physicians to take care of that population in that area.

[Page 2451]

With those few words, Mr. Speaker, I will conclude my remarks for today. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader in the House of the New Democratic Party.

HON. STERLING BELLIVEAU « » : Mr. Speaker, that concludes the Opposition Business for the day. I'd like to hand it over to the Government House Leader to call business for tomorrow.

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

MR. TERRY FARRELL « » : Mr. Speaker, upon the conclusion of the Opposition Business I move that the House do now rise, to meet again tomorrow between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At that time, we will call Government Business, Bills for Third Reading, Bill No. 59, and such other government business as may be necessary.

With that, I move that the House do rise.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The motion is that the House now rise to meet again tomorrow, April 27^th, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

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

The motion is carried.

We have now reached the moment of interruption and the topic for late debate today, as submitted by the honourable member for Sackville-Cobequid is:

"Therefore be it resolved that government's failure to act on the doctor shortage has had extreme consequences for thousands of people in Nova Scotia, particularly the 106,000 people without a family doctor."

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5)

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS: PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE - CONSEQUENCES

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, I am glad to speak to that resolution. I made reference in some remarks earlier, during our Opposition Business and the debate on Bill No. 16, I recently had the pleasure of reading a great book about the Canadian health care system, Six Big Ideas, by Dr. Danielle Silver (Interruption) Danielle Martin, thank you. I knew I was getting that wrong - Dr. Danielle Martin, my apologies.

[Page 2452]

The first big idea which she comes back to again and again in the book is the importance of relationship-based care. No matter what your health care problem is, no matter whether you are a mom with kids who needs vaccinations and regular checkups, or whether you are a woman expecting her first child, or whether you are a senior with a complicated set of interrelated health care problems, or whether you are a person fighting cancer, or whether you are basically well but just need to follow the best practice of screenings for your age and stage of life and gender and so forth, the most important thing, and in fact the cornerstone of our health care system is that you have, each of us as a patient needs to have a relationship. We need to have a health care home, and without that health care home nothing else works.

In fact my colleague from Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley asked an excellent question yesterday to the Minister of Health and Wellness about where do specialist referrals or test results or anything else go if one does not have a health care home, if one does not have a family doctor or a collaborative care practice or is a patient of a community health centre somewhere in this province. As I look at the minister's response, there just isn't a very satisfactory one.

Frankly, it's no good if a doctor at a walk-in clinic says yes, you know, I think you need to have your blood work done or I think you need to have an MRI or an ultrasound or what have you, and you don't have a relationship with that physician because there is nowhere for the results to go. So, not only are we not dealing effectively with people who have health care issues that have already been identified, but it actually makes it more difficult to identify health care problems which get detected through the relationship because everything comes back to that office.

Certainly, as I think some of my colleagues heard today at Public Accounts Committee, it's positive under this government that some of that record keeping is going to happen with electronic records, that a patient will be able to access and hold on to. But there's nothing in our health care system that replaces a relationship with a primary care provider. That could be a nurse practitioner, it could be a GP. Wonderful, I'm fully supportive if it can be a collaborative team practice where there's maybe also a social worker and maybe also somebody doing just vaccines so you don't have a doctor doing vaccines and there's a family practice nurse and maybe a nurse practitioner, particularly providing care for the people who need longer appointments and have chronic conditions that need ongoing follow up but there needs to be a place. There needs to be a home. Each of us needs that if we are to get effectively any health care that is cost effective and effective for our health care.

Right now, we have more than 100,000 patients in a province of less than one million people who do not have that. So, I don't know what definition of crisis we're working with here in this House but for each of those 100,000 people, particularly if they're actually undergoing any sort of health care issue that they want follow-up for, I suspect that they might define this as a crisis. The thing that gets me about this is that it's a crisis that might have been avoided. It's a crisis that might have been avoided because instead of restricting billing numbers and telling family practices no, sorry, you cannot replace that doctor who is retiring because we want you to move to a collaborative care model, this government could have managed a transition.

[Page 2453]

One of the deputy ministers, I'm not sure actually if it's the Deputy Minister of Community Services or the Deputy Minister of Health and Wellness but one of the deputy ministers whom I have heard testify in my last eight months here likened a major reform process - I think it was Community Services because I think it was around the Income Assistance transformation - to refurbishing a 747 while it's flying. Well, it strikes me that in the primary care aspect of our health care system instead we've kind of crashed it. Now, we're trying to take off again except, you know, everybody was on their journey already. Sorry, that metaphor was a bit of a mess so my apologies for that.

All the same, I've spoken with health care professionals and, like my colleague from Chester-St. Margaret's, I am also being approached by people in the health care system wanting to just vent and share with me the frustrations that they're experiencing and there are actually resources that are available to us which are being poorly managed right now, in part because with the new single Health Authority, while it appears that there is one big body in charge, on the ground it feels like in some cases nobody is empowered to actually make decisions.

I'm hearing stories of wonderful, innovative, cost-effective, health-effective programs not continuing or not being supported because there isn't the ability to immediately make that standard across the whole province, and so we are no longer going to do something that was working really well in one district because we don't immediately have the ability to make it standard.

It's one thing to say we're going to have a standard of care and then allow health care providers on the ground to work toward accomplishing that standard of care, using the resources that they have and maybe having to grow toward that. But to expect there to immediately be unanimity across the province is simply not realistic.

What I am hearing about is a frustration of leadership that existed and that had been allowed to innovate and to contribute meaningfully at the level of, in this case, what is now the Central Zone - the old Capital Health District - now feeling completely disempowered watching work that they had done be dismantled, because the leadership is now somewhere up there, but also inaccessible or non-responsive.

I think we are in a moment where there are some really drastic consequences for those many people who are waiting for family doctors. I have constituents in my district who have, over years, gone from family doctor to family doctor to family doctor within a practice that was not a "collaborative health model" but a practice that had one home, one filing system, and one receptionist who they knew for years. They had continuity of care as one doctor retired or moved and another one came in, and now, for the first time, they are without a family doctor.

[Page 2454]

I don't think that is acceptable in this province, and I think it could have been avoided with a different approach. Thank you very much.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Health and Wellness.

HON. LEO GLAVINE « » : I am pleased to join the debate today about doctors - the doctor shortage, doctor recruitment and retention - in the province.

I think all of us - all Nova Scotians, in fact - would first of all look at this issue today as one perhaps more complex than years ago, when a doctor would come into a community and every doctor would have a solo practice. They may be three or four or five in one office, in one building, but every one had a number of patients in their practice and were solo practitioners.

As change goes on toward providing the right number of primary care providers - because we know as well that the team practice will, in time, have Nova Scotians in front of the right clinician, the right health provider, at the right time.

Building those teams of practice is a journey that we have began. It's not one that the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the Department of Health and Wellness or the minister decided upon. Right across the med schools in Canada, this now is number one by the widest margin - 95 per cent of all medical students want to practise in a team practice. There is a new dimension on how doctors are going to practise, so it's going to take us a little while to get to strong team practices in every one of our communities.

In that process of building, we realize that there's absolutely a place for the walk-in clinic. There's absolutely a place for the traditional practice of two, three, four, or five doctors in a clinic carrying on their solo practice. But there is transitioning going on, and the transition is actually helping us meet a considerable number of patients who don't have a primary care provider.

When we announced, for example, the Digby practice - and it's a good one to take a look at because this was an area that had phenomenal problems for 15 years, having adequate doctors, adequate primary care. My former colleague here in the House, Junior Theriault went so far as to bring in doctors and get help in putting them up at the Pines to try and get them looking after patients as tourists flocked in the area and there was more demand on the ER and on doctors, and also to bring them in and let them get a flavour for the community and the area.

[Page 2455]

Let me tell you, it is an absolutely wonderful area of our province, but for a host of reasons doctors came in and left. I think it has been a really brilliant idea to find doctors who have strong collegial ties, and personal ties, to support one another. Now there's going to be three doctors and three nurse practitioners who, in fact, can build up to service anywhere between 8,000 and 10,000 patients. This is really good news for this community. They will start in summer to carry that out.

I look at how residencies are helping to recruit doctors. As my colleague here in the House, from the Queens-Shelburne area, knows, they've had problems with primary care physicians. With the residency program in Yarmouth, young residents are coming down to Shelburne to come under the mentorship of a couple of really tremendous local doctors. Furthermore, a medical clinic that now will be built to support them, they've actually been able to recruit two new doctors, one in each of the past two years, as well as a nurse practitioner, as well as expanding the scope of paramedics to work in the ER.

We are working on different models to fill the need for primary care practitioners across the province. In fact, we have done very well with recruitment, but the new practitioner that I've referenced is not taking on, as some of our traditional doctors did, 2,500 or 3,000 patients. In fact, two doctors in my community cover 6,000 patients.

There's a practice in Kentville, and I just met with the primary lead there, with six doctors, and they get a bit of help from other specialists who come into the clinic. But six doctors said, with great flow and great organization, they look after 22,000 patients.

So there are many different models. When I talk about the models of care and new doctors taking on fewer patients, especially as they build up their practice - and I agree with that - you get to know your patients and have the doctor be comfortable, whatever number suits them. In that one practice in my hometown, if you went doctor for doctor, you would need five to replace two.

Really, we have to look at this new model. We have to involve nurse practitioners, family practice nurses, and a dietitian or a mental health provider one or two days a week. This new practice is certainly emerging.

Do you know what I really like about the team-based practice, collaborative care model? I've gone into 11 of them now across the province, and the strength is no two are alike. No two are alike. Each one will look at what the needs of the community are. They'll look at the needs of the community. In my area, they're not going with two or three nurse practitioners. They're going with one nurse practitioner, but two family practice nurses because adjacent to the military community there are still a lot of young families. Monitoring and looking after the development pattern of young children is still a great need in my community.

[Page 2456]

For communities on the South Shore, rather than building a facility to look after the opioid replacement program, a doctor in a collaborative practice - in fact he was Canadian Rural Physician of the Year, Dr. David Martell - went and looked at the best practice in Canada to integrate opioid replacement methadone suboxone into family practice. Instead of having a stand-alone clinic where people would march in and out on a daily basis and be stigmatized, they were integrated with a family doctor who knows his patients very well. That was the one strong note that Dr. Danielle Martin left with us, when she came to Halifax. Our doctors need to develop strong relationships with their patients, no matter how many they have.

When we talk about not having sufficient doctors, I look at communities like Neil's Harbour - they are happy to have two new doctors. Baddeck is happy to have their two new doctors. Glace Bay is certainly happy to have their new doctor. Digby is happy to have their three new doctors. Shelburne is very happy to have two new doctors. Bridgewater has a new doctor. I can go around the province. In fact a gentleman asked me today, where are the 70 new doctors? I didn't have time to tell him every community and every clinic where they are located. I've already met a significant number: the two new doctors in Kingston, the new doctor in Middleton, the new doctor in Berwick. I can keep going. I've been fortunate to see and meet a number of them.

This is a very good recruitment year and we'll see a number of doctors in communities right across Nova Scotia. So we will get to a point in time where we will have the number of doctors that Nova Scotians need. I think we all look forward to having a doctor for every Nova Scotian who asks for one. I have been told that not everybody looks for a doctor. We've had a lot rely on walk-in clinics, but if you have a condition or need a specialist report, that's when it's different. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg.

HON. ALFIE MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, this is a very important topic that we are talking about here today and I listened intently to what the Minister of Health and Wellness had to say. I don't think anybody would disagree that times are changing, collaborative practices are important, and nurse practitioners are part of what we need.

But I feel bad that the Minister of Health and Wellness has overlooked the most important aspect of what is taking place. He talked very passionately about how we are transitioning into a new type of health care in the province. He talked about how, eventually, we are going to have doctors and health care in place. But sadly, he didn't talk about the 100,000 Nova Scotians who don't have a doctor today. That is who we need to be concentrating on. That is who is coming to us and saying, "I haven't had a doctor for four or five years".

Last year in June we had an emergency meeting in Sydney and over 1,000 people showed up. They wanted to talk about the fact that they didn't have family doctors. Three or four days before that meeting, the Department of Health and Wellness or the Health Authority orchestrated an announcement about a collaborative care practice that would be opening in the Fall.

[Page 2457]

Well here we are in April of the following year, 10 months later, and that collaborative practice still isn't off the ground the way that it was promised to be. For people who don't have a doctor - whether it's the lady who is six months pregnant and has been looking for a family doctor to get her through where she needs to be or whether it's the senior who can't go to a doctor to get a prescription filled for something that he needs or she needs to sustain their life - going to emergency rooms and having to wait and eight or 10 hours is not a suitable solution.

[5:15 p.m.]

I feel that this government has failed those thousands and thousands of people. They've failed them because they did make a promise of a doctor for every Nova Scotian. That's a big dream to fill, but the reality is that people took them at their word and now find themselves in a position where doctors aren't available for their services.

What we see happening in Cape Breton is, we're losing specialists. Specialists have been leaving, person after person after person, specialists who make a difference to people. If specialists are not there, people have to travel to the centre, to Halifax, and for a lot of them, there's a burden that goes along with that travel. The burden is, I can't afford the trip. The burden is, where do I stay when I'm there? The burden is, how long am I going to be away from home? The burden is, all my family is back there, and I have to go to Halifax to get something done that I used to be able to get done at home.

Something as - and I shouldn't say "simple" - but the infection control doctor that we had in Sydney left. I stand before you as someone who knows the value of having someone like that located in Cape Breton. I firmly believe that, had we not had an infection control doctor at hand at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, I wouldn't be standing here today talking to you and the rest of the members of this House. When you need a specialist, you don't need a specialist who's five hours away. You need a specialist who's right there.

What about the patient who might have an aneurysm, and there's no vascular care for him in Sydney? Does he make it to Halifax? Do they put him on a helicopter and create pressures on the helicopter that may cause a life-threatening event? For us to stand here and say all the nice things about the future - and the future is important - but the present is what has to be looked after. It's the present that people are concerned about.

My father-in-law was taken to the hospital a couple of weeks ago. He landed there in an ambulance and got the best of care because the people who do work in this system are fine people and they do a good job. The waiting room in that ER was filled to capacity. There were people standing around because they couldn't find a chair to sit on. We went in, and I tended my father-in-law for a while. I went out because I had to go somewhere and pick someone else up. Some of the people that were there the first time I landed in the morning were still there when I came back at suppertime. The demands on our physicians and on our health care system are great.

[Page 2458]

People will say, look, all of them politicians are up there, and they're just trying to grandstand. They're trying to say this is a big thing. Oh my gosh, there must be an election coming.

Mr. Speaker, I'm going to read you a couple of letters, and I'll be glad to table them, that came from doctors, doctors who are involved in the system on Cape Breton Island, doctors who I had an opportunity to meet with on the weekend, doctors who say that it is a crisis. Yet earlier today in Question Period, the Premier of this province said there was no crisis in the health care system in Sydney or the health care system in Nova Scotia. But doctors, the very people that the minister talks about, the people who are the answer to the issue, are crying out, looking for help. They tell us, we send letters off to the Department of Health and Wellness, we send letters off to the people at the Health Authority and we get no return calls, we get no answers. There's nobody accountable on site to answer some of the things that have to be answered.

This one doctor, Dr. Jeanne Ferguson: Medical care has deteriorated in Cape Breton over the last two years. We have lost a critical number of specialists and our mental health service is in a crisis.

Mr. Speaker, this is a letter from the Cape Breton Medical Staff Association. They are worried about the Northside ER that we heard about earlier in the day. They say that over the last two years they have seen a significant loss of family doctors and specialists from Cape Breton. This is negatively affecting the health of many Cape Bretoners. These include the loss of vascular surgery, infectious disease, physical medicine, family medicine, two geriatricians, and a severe shortage of psychiatric care.

Do you know, Mr. Speaker, that if you were to go to an ER in Cape Breton today at six o'clock in the evening and you needed the help of a psychiatrist, it's not available. It's not available because there are not enough people to do what needs to be done.

Do you know that the Nova Scotia Health Authority wait times website notes that a patient requiring a mental health appointment in Halifax will have to wait 80 days but if they were in Sydney, they would have to wait 354 days - a year, Mr. Speaker. How can you say that is satisfactory? How can you say that there isn't a crisis in Nova Scotia? That's only one example of the growing gap between Halifax and Cape Breton. These physicians, and there's many of them, they are asking for the Health Authority and the minister to meet with the Medical Staff Association to talk about the severe shortages. They are asking for people to join the doctor-sponsored health rally scheduled for May 7, 2017, in North Sydney at Memorial High School so they can answer the questions of local Nova Scotians.

[Page 2459]

As much as the health care professionals that are in place are doing a good job, as much as collaborative care is the wave of the future, Mr. Speaker, what about the 100,000 Nova Scotians who don't have a doctor today? There's little comfort in the statements of the Minister of Health and Wellness. Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Thank you very much. That concludes the time allotted for late debate.

The House now stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

[The House rose at 5:23 p.m.]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

[Page 2460]

(Tabled April 25, 2017)

RESOLUTION NO. 918

By: Hon. Stephen McNeil « » (The Premier)

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

Whereas April 23 to 29 is National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate the selfless contributions and many acts of generosity that Nova Scotia carry out each day; and

Whereas last week I was honoured to present 65 awards to dedicated and passionate Nova Scotian volunteers at the Provincial Volunteer Awards ceremony; and

Whereas it is encouraging to know that in this province we are surrounded by people who generously give their time, help strengthen our communities and enrich the lives of so many;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly will join Nova Scotians in showing sincere appreciation to the countless people who contribute to their communities each day, and take the time this week to thank a volunteer who is making a difference in their community.

RESOLUTION NO. 919

By: Hon. Kevin Murphy « » (The Speaker)

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

Whereas Anne and Darrin Butcher of Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, are the owners and operators of Atlantic Tiltload Limited; and

Whereas Anne and Darrin have been supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children and youth dealing with life-altering medical conditions; and

Whereas Anne and Darrin's annual Night of Three Wishes has raised over $300,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2010, making dozens of dreams come true for children and youth who need it most;

Therefore be it resolved that Members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Anne and Darrin Butcher for their selfless support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and for improving the quality of life of countless children along the way.

[Page 2461]

RESOLUTION NO. 920

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas the annual Lebanese Diaspora Energy (LDE) conferences endeavour to further strengthen ties between Lebanese across the world; and

Whereas on May 4, 5 and 6, 2017, the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun, and His Excellency Minister Gebran Bassil, invite Lebanese across the world to find their way back home again, bearing success stories, initiatives and a lot of love to share with their fellow countrymen; and

Whereas I had the opportunity to attend this high-caliber event last year in New York, where I celebrated the success of my Lebanese brothers and sisters throughout their journeys in different countries;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly congratulate the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants for launching this initiative in 2014, and thank the Lebanese Diaspora Energy (LDE) for organizing committees, volunteers and Lebanese residents who make this event, which establishes connections across the world, possible.

RESOLUTION NO. 921

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas Natalie Ann Ghosn and Walid Haj will celebrate their marriage on May 20, 2017; and

Whereas their family and friends will gather to witness them commit their relationship publicly and officially at a special wedding ceremony, followed by a celebratory reception; and

Whereas Natalie and Walid will be starting a new chapter in their lives together;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly congratulate the couple on their wedding and wish them a life marked by many healthy and happy years.

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RESOLUTION NO. 922

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas Laura Tannous and Tony Ramia will be united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony on June 10, 2017, at Our lady of Lebanon Church; and

Whereas their parents, Elie and Denise Tannous, together with Elie and Claudette Ramia and many family members and friends, will gather to witness the marriage ceremony, followed by a beautiful reception; and

Whereas Tony and Laura will be starting a new chapter in their lives together;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of the House of Assembly congratulate the couple on their wedding and wish them a life marked by many healthy and happy years.

RESOLUTION NO. 923

By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas April 25, 2017, is designated as World Malaria Day by the World Health Organization; and

Whereas this disease affects an estimated 212 million individuals in 91 countries around the world; and

Whereas raising awareness and funding prevention efforts remain critical priorities in our global community to combat this challenging health issue;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature acknowledge the importance and significance of World Malaria Day on April 25, 2017.

RESOLUTION NO. 924

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By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church was established in 1832 by the Reverend Richard Preston, the son of a slave who came to Nova Scotia from Virginia; and

Whereas the church has been a mainstay in the African Nova Scotian and Halifax community for 185 years; and

Whereas the church continues to provide spiritual leadership and community outreach through steadfast ministry to individuals of all ages;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Cornwallis Street Baptist Church on the historic occasion of their 185^th Anniversary and for their tireless service and commitment to our community.

RESOLUTION NO. 925

By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas the Alexandra Children's Centre was established in 1971 as a "centre for exceptional children"; and

Whereas the centre operates as a non-profit child care centre in Halifax's North End, providing quality care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; and

Whereas the centre continues to provide much-needed programs for children and support for their families;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate Alexandra Children's Centre for 46 years of tireless service and commitment to our community.

RESOLUTION NO. 926

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By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas Kendall Worth, a resident of Halifax's North End, has shared his experiences living on income assistance through numerous published articles; and

Whereas Mr. Worth volunteers his time with community groups, including the Benefits Action Reform Group; and

Whereas Mr. Worth provides a compelling voice for those struggling with poverty;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature commend Kendall Worth as a tireless advocate for those living on income assistance in our communities.

RESOLUTION NO. 927

By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas Theo Thompson-Armstrong, a resident of Halifax, is a Grade 8 student at Gorsebrook Junior High School; and

Whereas Theo successfully won the Nova Scotia provincial spelling bee in February 2017; and

Whereas Theo will be representing Nova Scotia in the 90^th Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May 2017;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature commend Theo Thompson-Armstrong for his remarkable scholastic achievement and wish him every success in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 928

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By: Ms. Lisa Roberts « » (Halifax Needham)

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

Whereas Northwood was established in 1962 in Halifax to provide much-needed services and housing for senior citizens in the community; and

Whereas Northwood now assists over 6,500 people each day, and is the largest not-for-profit continuing care organization in Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Northwood continues to offer a multitude of programs, services, and residential care to seniors and vulnerable community members;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Nova Scotia Legislature commend Northwood on their 55^th Anniversary and for their tireless dedication and their service to the people of this province.

RESOLUTION NO. 929

By: Hon. Keith Colwell « » (Agriculture)

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

Whereas since the first event in 2000, Team Diabetes has raised over $36 million for Diabetes Canada and has had more than 11,000 participants; and

Whereas after months of training and fundraising over 20 Canadians plan to travel to Italy to hike the Amalfi Coast on July 7, 2017; and

Whereas one of the Team Diabetes members training and fundraising to hike the Amalfi Coast is Tracey Preeper of Dartmouth, who is participating to support family and friends who live with diabetes;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House congratulate Team Diabetes and Diabetes Canada for another successful year, and wish Tracey Preeper every success with this endeavour.

RESOLUTION NO. 930

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By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas Betty Hebb has dedicated nearly 30 years of her life as a volunteer, event coordinator, and supporter of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada; and

Whereas Betty Hebb was recently awarded the National Laura Cole Award for Volunteer of the Year, by the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, in recognition of her incredible devotion to the children of Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Betty Hebb has brought great credit to the Valley subchapter of the Children's Wish Foundation, the riding of Kings West, and the Province of Nova Scotia, by receiving national recognition for her decades of service;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate and commend Betty Hebb for her unwavering service to the children of Nova Scotia and her role in making wishes come true.

RESOLUTION NO. 931

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas Brianna Northcutt was Princess Berwick 2016 and executed the role of First Lady in Waiting to Queen Annapolisa 84^th, along with her child attendant Maleigha Lutz; and

Whereas Brianna balanced her academic pursuits at Mount St. Vincent and Princess Berwick to the highest standard, with the outstanding support of her parent, Carol Boylan Hartling, and the community; and

Whereas Brianna embodied the leadership and Valley ambassador roles as promoted by the Apple Blossom Festival;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly wish Brianna Northcutt, and her child attendant Maleigha, the very best in future endeavours.

RESOLUTION NO. 932

[Page 2467]

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas mental health initiatives and supports are a priority for this government and the citizens of Nova Scotia; and

Whereas Arleen Lively has personally championed the cause by organizing the Comedy for Quality of Life Tour for PTSD Awareness and Mental Health, with proceeds going to Canadian Forces members and their families who are dealing with mental health issues; and

Whereas the Comedy for Quality of Life Tour hosted a highly successful opening event at 14 Wing Greenwood on March 3^rd, which was well received by the hundreds in attendance;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly rise and congratulate Arleen Lively and the minds behind the Comedy for Quality of Life Tour for their work towards supporting mental health in our communities and for providing medicine in the form of laughter.

RESOLUTION NO. 933

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas Ron and Gail Rogerson have dedicated the past 33 years of their lives to the successful operation of the beloved Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Millville; and

Whereas the Oaklawn Farm Zoo was recently designated as the Mobius Awards of Environmental Excellence Small Business of the Year for their efforts in waste reduction; and

Whereas Ron and Gail Rogerson have been instrumental in implementing the practices that have lead to the Oaklawn Farm Zoo as a model example of sustainability;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly recognize the Rogerson family and the Oaklawn Farm Zoo on their environmentally friendly business model and wish them all the best for continued excellence.

RESOLUTION NO. 934

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By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas the Sisters of Science robotics team from the Kingston/Greenwood area is composed of 10 young female scientists with a commitment towards competition, discovery, and community improvement; and

Whereas the Sisters of Science in the spirit of this year's theme of Animal Allies have decided to dedicate their efforts to improving the lives of feral cats in Nova Scotia; and

Whereas the Sisters of Science are seeking to change local laws to allow stores to donate best before cat food in addition to creating insulated shelters to alleviate animal suffering;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly congratulate the Sisters of Science (Hallie Blatch, Amelia Blatch, Jaymie Trace, Hailey Costain, Carmen Glavine, Maya Costain, Chloe Peckford, Kenzie MacNeil, Emma MacNeil-Comeau, and Kayley Jefferson) for their achievements in the fields of robotics, their community engagement, and their compassionate spirit in taking action to directly improve the well-being of animals.

RESOLUTION NO. 935

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas Howard Selig formed Valley Flaxflour Ltd. to combine gluten-free goods with nutritional expertise to prove consumers with healthier dietary choices; and

Whereas Howard Selig, a registered dietician and Red Seal chef, began milling flax seeds for nursing home providing consumers with an alternative to corn- or rice-based flours that lower cholesterol; and

Whereas Valley Flaxflour Ltd. was awarded Taste of Nova Scotia's Product of the Year for their gluten-free, multipurpose flax flour;

Therefore be it resolved that this House of Assembly congratulate Howard Selig and Valley Flaxflour Ltd. for their successes in business and their commendable work towards improving the health and nutrition of the citizens of Nova Scotia.

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RESOLUTION NO. 936

By: Ms. Joyce Treen « » (Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage)

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

Whereas the Annual Moose Run had their 25^th anniversary on March 19, 2017; and

Whereas they had 243 runners, a record for the event; and

Whereas over the past 25 years the Annual Moose Run has donated more than $30,000 to the community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating all organizers and participants involved in this event.

RESOLUTION NO. 937

By: Ms. Joyce Treen « » (Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage)

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

Whereas Rachel Macleod was awarded the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award; and

Whereas her skill attribute was violin and her physical activity component was yoga; and

Whereas for her Adventurous Journey she completed a cycling expedition from Halifax to Lunenburg;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly congratulate Rachel Macleod on her achievement of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

RESOLUTION NO. 938

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By: Ms. Joyce Treen « » (Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage)

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

Whereas Seniors By The Sea are celebrating their seventh anniversary; and

Whereas they meet every Wednesday at their local Lions Club; and

Whereas the meetings are a great opportunity for seniors to meet, chat, and share some fun with others;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Seniors By The Sea on their anniversary.

RESOLUTION NO. 939

By: Ms. Joyce Treen « » (Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage)

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

Whereas Hazel Joyce was honoured with the Sovereign Medal for Volunteerism; and

Whereas she has volunteered for over 50 years at Ocean View Continuing Care Centre; and

Whereas this medal recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Hazel on her achievement of the Sovereign Medal.

RESOLUTION NO. 940

By: Mr. Andrew Younger « » (Dartmouth East)

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

Whereas the Port Wallis United Church is located in Dartmouth East; and

[Page 2471]

Whereas the Port Wallis United Church continues to offer valued services to the community, including their youth group; and

Whereas the Port Wallis United Church is celebrating their 65^th anniversary this year;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Port Wallis United Church on their milestone and wishing them prosperity in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 941

By: Mr. Andrew Younger « » (Dartmouth East)

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

Whereas housed on Main Street in Dartmouth East, Doull Books is a wondrous place to browse for antiquarian and second-hand books; and

Whereas Doull Books holds the largest collection of Atlantic Canadian and nautical and marine literature in Canada; and

Whereas John W. Doull established his bookselling business in June of 1987, and now has customers worldwide;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating bookseller John W. Doull on his thirtieth year in business.

RESOLUTION NO. 942

By: Mr. Andrew Younger « » (Dartmouth East)

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

Whereas Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) offers support to local artists and art projects; and

Whereas VANS continues to advocate for the importance of art, culture, and creativity in our communities; and

Whereas VANS has recently celebrated their 40^th anniversary;

[Page 2472]

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Visual Arts Nova Scotia on this milestone and wishing them continued success in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 943

By: Mr. Andrew Younger « » (Dartmouth East)

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

Whereas the Centennial Branch Legion is located in Dartmouth East; and

Whereas the Centennial Branch Legion maintains a community-focused atmosphere while promoting veterans services and remembrance; and

Whereas the Centennial Branch Legion has just celebrated its 50^th anniversary this past February;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating the Centennial Branch Legion on their milestone and wishing them prosperity in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 944

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 Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award; and

Whereas the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great reviews on TripAdvisor; and

Whereas winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award is a true source of pride for the entire team at Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse and provides them with a seal of recognition;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse on receiving the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award.

[Page 2473]

RESOLUTION NO. 945

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Al Blades, nominated by Sherry Atkinson for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Al Blades on being honoured by the Town of Clarks Harbour and thank him for his dedication to his community.

RESOLUTION NO. 946

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Alecia MacKinnon nominated by Row for Nanny's Cure for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of this House of Assembly congratulate Alecia MacKinnon on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank her for her dedication to her community.

[Page 2474]

RESOLUTION NO. 947

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Andrew Goreham, nominated by the Barrington and Area Lions Club for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of this House of Assembly congratulate Andrew Goreham on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank him for his dedication to his community.

RESOLUTION NO. 948

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured are Anne and Bert Hulshof, nominated by Bay Side Home for their devotion of time and many contributions to their community;

Therefore be it resolved that all Members of this House of Assembly congratulate Anne and Bert Hulshof on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank them for their dedication to their community.

[Page 2475]

RESOLUTION NO. 949

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Carla Stewart, nominated by Irene Baker, Councillor for the Town of Clarks Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Carla Stewart on being honoured by the Town of Clarks Harbour and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 950

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured are Don and Eunice Scheel, nominated by the Chapel Hill Historical Society for their devotion of time and many contributions to their community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Don and Eunice Scheel on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank them for their dedication to their community.

[Page 2476]

RESOLUTION NO. 951

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Eliza Powell, nominated by the Barrington Regional Curling Club for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Eliza Powell on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 952

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Gary Thomas, nominated by the Barrington and Area Chamber of Commerce for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Gary Thomas on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank him for his dedication to his community.

[Page 2477]

RESOLUTION NO. 953

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Jamie Thomas, nominated by the Clarks Harbour Elementary School for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Jamie Thomas on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 954

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Joel Goreham, nominated by the Shelburne County ATV Association for his devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Joel Goreham on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank him for his dedication to his community.

[Page 2478]

RESOLUTION NO. 955

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Lynne Crowell, nominated by the Cape Sable Historical Society for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

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

RESOLUTION NO. 956

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Marlene Atkinson, nominated by Louann Link, councillor for the Town of Clark's Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Marlene Atkinson on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour and thank her for her dedication to her community.

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RESOLUTION NO. 957

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Morris Nickerson, nominated by Cape Sable Island New Horizons for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Morris Nickerson on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour and thank him for his dedication to his community.

RESOLUTION NO. 958

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Nettie Hopkins, nominated by Louann Link, councillor for the Town of Clark's Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Nettie Hopkins on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour and thank her for her dedication to her community.

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RESOLUTION NO. 959

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Rhonda Chetwynd, nominated by Forest Ridge Academy for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Rhonda Chetwynd on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 960

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Richard d'Entremont, nominated by the Barrington Ground Search and Rescue for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

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

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RESOLUTION NO. 961

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Sheldon Bell, nominated by Cape Sable Island New Horizons for his devotion of time and many contributions to his community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Sheldon Bell on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour and thank him for his dedication to his community.

RESOLUTION NO. 962

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Sherry Atkinson, nominated by the Lighthouse Player's Theatre Group, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Sherry Atkinson on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour, and thank her for her dedication to her community.

[Page 2482]

RESOLUTION NO. 963

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Susan Messenger, nominated by Irene Baker, Councillor for the Town of Clark's Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Susan Messenger on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour, and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 964

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured are Tommy and Kaye Ross, nominated by the Shag Harbour Incident Society, for their devotion of time and many contributions to their community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Tommy and Kaye Ross on being honoured by the Municipality of Barrington, and thank them for their dedication to their community.

[Page 2483]

RESOLUTION NO. 965

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Tracy Swim, nominated by Irene Baker, Councillor for the Town of Clark's Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Tracy Swim on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour, and thank her for her dedication to her community.

RESOLUTION NO. 966

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 volunteers are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's communities, who generously give their time and talents while expecting nothing in return; and

Whereas on Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Barrington and Area Lions Club will host the annual volunteer banquet for the Municipality of Barrington and Town of Clark's Harbour; and

Whereas among the volunteers to be honoured is Wanda Atkinson, nominated by Russell Atkinson, Councillor for the Town of Clark's Harbour, for her devotion of time and many contributions to her community;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Wanda Atkinson on being honoured by the Town of Clark's Harbour, and thank her for her dedication to her community.

[Page 2484]

RESOLUTION NO. 967

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Our Lady of Assumption CWL volunteer Donna Marie Power for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 968

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Louisdale Lions Club volunteer Mike Barrett for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 969

[Page 2485]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Lumberjack Festival volunteer Douglas Landry for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 970

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Petit De Grat Library, Eastern Counties Regional Library volunteer Louise LeBlanc for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 971

[Page 2486]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking MacAskill House Museum Society volunteer Colin MacDougall for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 972

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Adult Recreation Club volunteer Cody Martell for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 973

[Page 2487]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Economic Association for Development volunteer Quentin Mombourquette for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 974

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Lennox Passage Yacht Club volunteer Wayne Poirier for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 975

[Page 2488]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Oceanview Wildlife Museum volunteer Dillon Carter for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 976

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Red Islands Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Jason MacNeil for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 977

[Page 2489]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Petit De Grat Beautification Society volunteer Edwin DeWolf for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 978

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond Branch Retired Teachers Organization volunteer Linda Boulet for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 979

[Page 2490]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond County 4-H Leaders Council volunteer Dorraine MacEachern for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 980

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Louisdale and District Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Brendon Landry for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 981

[Page 2491]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Association des femmes acadiennes de Richmond volunteer Viola Boudreau for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 982

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Seniors Jolly Club volunteer Alice Mombourquette for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 983

[Page 2492]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Louisdale Girl Guides volunteer Stephanie Marchand for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 984

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Ladies Social Club volunteer Elsie Middleton for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 985

[Page 2493]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Little Anse Sampson Cove Social Action Centre volunteer Darlene Short for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 986

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Acadian Festival volunteer Louise Wincey for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 987

[Page 2494]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Louisdale Fleur de Lis Seniors Club volunteer Eileen Burt for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 988

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Men's Club volunteer John Mathews for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 989

[Page 2495]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Loch Lomond Volunteer Fire Department volunteer John Peach for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 990

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Friends of Palliative Care volunteer Anna Bona for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 991

[Page 2496]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking L'Ardoise Community Centre volunteer Alex Sampson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 992

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame New Horizon Seniors Citizen Club volunteers Paul and Linda Martell for their hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 993

[Page 2497]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking La Picasse, Centre Communautaire Culturel volunteer Cathy Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 994

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Lakeside Community Association volunteer Pauline Fougere for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 995

[Page 2498]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Janvrins Island Community Centre volunteer Pauline David for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 996

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Ladies Auxiliary Branch 150 Legion volunteer Lucille Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 997

[Page 2499]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking La Garderie des Petites Étoiles (Arichat site) volunteer Rodney Thibeau for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 998

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Lakeside 4-H Club volunteer Deanna Fougere for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 999

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

[Page 2500]

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame Boat Club volunteer Colette Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1000

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Lakeside Archives volunteer Robert Schumacher for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1001

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

[Page 2501]

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Head of the Bay Seniors Club volunteer Irene MacInnis for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1002

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Comité des aînés du RANE - Isle Madame volunteer Rose Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1003

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Adult Drop-In Centre volunteer Alice Frost for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1004

[Page 2502]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking East Richmond Education Centre volunteer Jamie Lynn Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1005

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre volunteer Rene Samson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1006

[Page 2503]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Camp Rankin 4-H Association volunteer Carolann Wilson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1007

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that Members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Development Isle Madame Association volunteer Brian Boudreau for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1008

[Page 2504]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking D'Escousse Civic Improvement Society volunteer Gail Gallant for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1009

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Bonnie Brae Seniors Club volunteer Allister Jollymore for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1010

[Page 2505]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking École Beau-Port volunteer John Quigley for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1011

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking 824 Silver Dart Air Cadets volunteer Sgt. Chelsea Pickett for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1012

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

[Page 2506]

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Dorothy's Cat Sanctuary volunteer Gerarda Pettipas for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1013

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Black River United Church volunteer Duncan J. MacRae for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1014

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

[Page 2507]

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking East Richmond ATV Riders volunteer Gus Sampson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1015

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking 2842 L'Ardoise Legion Army Cadets volunteer Wayne Douglas Johnson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1016

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Acadiaville Community Centre Society volunteer Rhonda Covin for her hard work and commitment.

[Page 2508]

RESOLUTION NO. 1017

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame Historical Society volunteer Nancy A. Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1018

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame Tourism and Trade volunteer Joël Samson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1019

[Page 2509]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame Fire Department volunteer Dawson Embree for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1020

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame ATV Riders volunteer Tony Pierce for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1021

[Page 2510]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Isle Madame Minor Baseball Association volunteer Michael Diggdon for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1022

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Grand River Presbyterian Church volunteers Buddy and Shirley MacKay for their hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1023

[Page 2511]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Fourchu Development Association volunteer Annabel MacLeod for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1024

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Helping Hands Community Garden volunteer Mary E. Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1025

[Page 2512]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Holy Guardian Angels Pastoral Council volunteer Sarah Pottie for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1026

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Fr. Vincent de Paul K.O.C. volunteer Joseph MacNeil for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1027

[Page 2513]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Framboise Community Centre volunteer Sarah Morrison for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1028

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Islandview Hospital Auxiliary Council volunteer Lorraine King for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1029

[Page 2514]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Framboise/Fourchu Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Blair Gwynn for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1030

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Grand River Volunteer Fire Department volunteers Sandy and Judy Morrison for their hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1031

[Page 2515]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Felix Marchand Education Centre volunteer Sherry Linden for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1032

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Grand River Seniors Club volunteer Anne MacDonald for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1033

[Page 2516]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Filles de Jesus Isle Madame Food Bank volunteer Agnes Boudreau for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1034

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Festival volunteer Theresa Sampson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1035

[Page 2517]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond County Seniors Council volunteer Claire Marchand for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1036

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond Villa Recreation volunteer Martina England for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1037

[Page 2518]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Riverdale Community Service Society volunteer Wolf Klette for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1038

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond County Early Childhood Education Association (D'Escousse Site) volunteer Doreen Gallant for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1039

[Page 2519]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Mariner Society volunteers Harold and Georgie Landry for their hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1040

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond County Literacy Network volunteer Shirley McNamara for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1041

[Page 2520]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond MacAdian Dance Group volunteer Rosemary McLean for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1042

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Economic Development volunteer Sharon Chilvers for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1043

[Page 2521]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Youth Development volunteer Jillian Fougere for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1044

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Riverdale Club 55+ volunteer Rodger Fancey for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1045

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

[Page 2522]

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Seniors 50+ Club volunteer Donna Babin for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1046

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking River Bourgeois Community Service Society volunteer Selinda Touesnard for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1047

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

[Page 2523]

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond County Early Childhood Education Association (St. Peter's site) volunteer Patricia Burns for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1048

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Richmond Skating Club volunteer Kim MacDonald for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1049

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Royal Canadian Legion Branch 110 volunteer Ann Gracie for her hard work and commitment.

[Page 2524]

RESOLUTION NO. 1050

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Louis CWL volunteer Jean Marie Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1051

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Seniors Take Action Coalition volunteer Ann England for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1052

[Page 2525]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Joseph's CWL volunteer Brenda Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1053

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Anne Centre Auxiliary volunteer Margaret Herdman for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1054

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

[Page 2526]

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Hyacinths Cemetery Committee volunteer Judy Doyle for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1055

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking South Mountain Arm of Gold volunteer Freeman Sampson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1056

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

[Page 2527]

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Francis de Sales CWL volunteer Stella McCormick for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1057

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. John the Baptist CWL volunteer Anne Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1058

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Royal Canadian Legion Br. 47 St. Peter's volunteer Jim George for his hard work and commitment.

[Page 2528]

RESOLUTION NO. 1059

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Joseph's Services volunteer Magdalen Samson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1060

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150 volunteer John Perry for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1061

[Page 2529]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Louis Parish Council volunteer Eric Day for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1062

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Anne Centre Board of Directors volunteer Karen Pottie for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1063

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

[Page 2530]

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. John the Baptist Parish Council volunteer Wilma Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1064

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Telile: Isle Madame Community TV volunteer Gerry Samson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1065

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

[Page 2531]

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's Community Club volunteer Debra Richard for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1066

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Strait Richmond Community Health Board volunteer Dorothy Barnard for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1067

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Strait Richmond Healthcare Foundation volunteer Shirley McNamara for her hard work and commitment.

[Page 2532]

RESOLUTION NO. 1068

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking The Rocky Bay Irish Club volunteer Al Kehoe for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1069

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Strait Richmond Minor Hockey volunteer Anne Marie Sampson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1070

[Page 2533]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's-Samsonville and Area Water Utility volunteer Pam Martell for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1071

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary volunteer Dianne Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1072

[Page 2534]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's Parish Property and Maintenance Committee volunteer Arnold MacIntyre for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1073

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's and Area Lions Club Marina volunteer Alfred T. Sampson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1074

[Page 2535]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's and District Volunteer Fire Department volunteer Raymond Ferguson for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1075

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Strait Richmond Hospital Advisory Council volunteer Pat Leachman for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1076

[Page 2536]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's Altar Society volunteer Shirley Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1077

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking St. Peter's Lions Club volunteer Paula Sampson for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1078

[Page 2537]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society volunteer George J. Landry for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1079

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking West Bay Pastoral Charge volunteer Donna Flynn for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1080

[Page 2538]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking West Bay United Church volunteer Catherine Skinner for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1081

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking West Arichat & District Village Circle Society volunteer Krissey LeBlanc for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1082

[Page 2539]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking West Bay Community Association volunteer Calder MacInnis for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1083

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Wallace MacAskill Yacht Club volunteer Gordon Kerr for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1084

[Page 2540]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Village on the Canal Association volunteer Florence Landry for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1085

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Zachery Hall Memorial Society volunteer Lisa Kinslow for her hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1086

[Page 2541]

By: Hon. Michel Samson « » (Energy)

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

Whereas volunteers truly are the heart of our community; and

Whereas volunteers give freely of their time to help organizations throughout our county; and

Whereas on Friday, April 28, 2017, I joined councillors and staff at a supper to recognize the 124 volunteers from throughout Richmond County;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in thanking Village of St. Peter's volunteer Donnie Mariner for his hard work and commitment.

RESOLUTION NO. 1087

By: Mr. Iain Rankin « » (Timberlea-Prospect)

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

Whereas the Western HRM Community Learning Network was born from identified needs in the community in the late 1990s and formalized as a not-for-profit society under the Societies Act in 2004; and

Whereas individual goals are identified by the learner and incorporated into a personalized learning plan, ranging from upgrading numeracy and literacy skills to obtaining the coveted GED certificate; and

Whereas the WHRMCLN has assisted hundreds of learners in meeting and often surpassing their initial goals at locations around the rural/suburban fringe of HRM, bringing people together from a variety of backgrounds and diversity of needs with one common goal, to better themselves through learning;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in congratulating Deborah Ratcliffe, the programs coordinator, and the dedicated volunteers whose commitment has helped so many to succeed.

RESOLUTION NO. 1088

[Page 2542]

By: Mr. Iain Rankin « » (Timberlea-Prospect)

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

Whereas Emily Turner, mother of four children, has been advocating for a new accessible playground at BLT; and

Whereas one of her children, Lila Turner, experiences rare infantile spasms and had to undergo many tests, with the seizures getting worse; and

Whereas Emily was the special guest speaker at the Purple Day 2017 Gala to tell her story and help raise awareness for epilepsy, with her husband, Rob, and Lila by her side;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House wish Emily and her family our support as they care for Lila and advocate for everything she needs as she grows up in BLT.

RESOLUTION NO. 1089

By: Mr. Andrew Younger « » (Dartmouth East)

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

Whereas the Port Wallis Church is located in Dartmouth East; and

Whereas the Port Wallis Church continues to offer valued services to the community, including their youth group; and

Whereas the Port Wallis United Church is celebrating their 65^th Anniversary this year;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Port Wallis Church on their milestone and wishing them prosperity in the future.

RESOLUTION NO. 1090

[Page 2543]

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Health and Wellness)

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

Whereas Mary Magee has impacted thousands of youth within the riding of Kings West as a volunteer with 4-H over the past 44 years; and

Whereas Mary has served as volunteer, leader, councillor, and committee member who has dedicated countless hours to writing references for colleges, bursaries, scholarships, and awards; and

Whereas Mary Magee was recently named Kings County Volunteer of the Year for her work with 4-H, the South Berwick Girl's Choir, and the Berwick Gala Days pageant;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature congratulate and commend Mary Magee on being recognized by the Province of Nova Scotia for her dedication and volunteer service to the community and children of Kings West.

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

[Page 2544]

(Tabled April 26, 2017)

RESOLUTION NO. 1097

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas Halifax Armdale resident Mark de Jonge is an Olympic-calibre kayaker who has represented our city, province, and nation at the highest level in his sport; and

Whereas Mark's wife, Lee Anne Boutilier, is an accomplished scientist and manager of Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics at the IWK Health Centre; and

Whereas on March 9, 2017, the couple welcomed into the world their first child, Maxim Philip de Jonge, a beautiful baby boy;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly join me in congratulating Mark and Lee Anne on the newest addition to their family and wish the very best to these new parents and to Maxim Philip's proud grandparents as well.

RESOLUTION NO. 1098

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas this year the Maritime Sikh Society will celebrate the 12^th annual Vaisakhi Festival at the Greek Church Hall in Halifax Armdale; and

Whereas the Vaisakhi Festival has a religious, social, and cultural significance for Sikhs all over the world and marks the start of the New Year in the Sikh calendar; and

Whereas the Maritime Sikh Society has, for over 50 years now, welcomed Sikh immigrants to Nova Scotia and helped them to practise their faith and celebrate their unique culture here in Halifax;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly join me in wishing a Happy New Year to all Maritime Sikhs and congratulate the Maritime Sikh Society on organizing a wonderful Vaisakhi Festival again this year.

RESOLUTION NO. 1099

[Page 2545]

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas my youngest sister, Mally Therese, has always been especially dear to me and fills my life and those of my family with joy and laughter; and

Whereas on April 24, 2017, Mally celebrated a very special birthday, marking a major milestone in her life; and

Whereas I was delighted to join my family for a wonderful party for Mally on her birthday weekend, where she was surrounded by her loved ones;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly join me in wishing Mally Metlege a very happy birthday and many more years of health, happiness, and good fortune.

RESOLUTION NO. 1100

By: Hon. Kevin Murphy « » (The Speaker)

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

Whereas Anna and Sam Anjoul are the owners and operators of Anna's Café & Grill at 5151 George Street in the Halifax Regional Municipality; and

Whereas Anna, Sam, and their dedicated team have served members of the Legislative Assembly and the public with professionalism and courtesy since they opened their original location in Scotia Square in 1980; and

Whereas Anna and Sam have enriched our community and local economy since they immigrated to Canada in 1976 from Lebanon by founding a small business and thereby creating employment in our community;

Therefore be it resolved that members of this House of Assembly join me in expressing our sincere gratitude for Anna and Sam Anjoul's exemplary customer service and cordial hospitality and for their outstanding example of entrepreneurship for our citizens and ongoing commitment to the success of our province.

RESOLUTION NO. 1101

[Page 2546]

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 anniversaries are an occasion for family and friends to gather together to celebrate the life of two individuals united as one; and

Whereas it was once said that a marriage anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance, and tenacity, but the order varies for any given year; and

Whereas on October 1, 2016, a very special occasion took place when Wendy and George Belliveau of Woods Harbour celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary.

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Wendy and George Belliveau on this remarkable milestone in their life together and wish them many more happy years.

RESOLUTION NO. 1102

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on February 18, 2017, Priscilla and James Woods welcomed their daughter into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Priscilla and James on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1103

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 2547]

Whereas the birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on December 19, 2016, Krista Smith and Byron Nickerson welcomed their daughter into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Krista and Byron on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1104

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on September 20, 2016, Charity Atwood and Gilson Chase welcomed their daughter into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Charity and Gilson on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1105

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 2548]

Whereas the birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on September 3, 2016, Amber and Matthew Jamieson welcomed their daughter into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Amber and Matthew on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1106

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on October 28, 2016, Alexandra and Roman Atwood welcomed their son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Alexandra and Roman on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1107

[Page 2549]

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on November 6, 2016, Alice and Richard Fry welcomed their son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Alice and Richard on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1108

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on November 15, 2016, Geri-Lynn and Josh Ross welcomed their son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Geri-Lynn and Josh on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1109

[Page 2550]

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road, where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on August 27, 2016, Jennie and Brandon Crowell welcomed their son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Jennie and Brandon on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1110

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road, where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on June 4, 2016, Jessie Quinlan welcomed her son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Jessie Quinlan on this miraculous event in her life and wish her many more happy years as a parent.

RESOLUTION NO. 1111

[Page 2551]

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road, where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on November 15, 2016, Corean and Nicholas Nickerson welcomed their son into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Corean and Nicholas on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1112

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 birth of a child is a momentous event and marks the beginning of a very satisfying journey down a long road, where the rewards far outnumber the challenges; and

Whereas a new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities, author Eda J. LeShan wrote; and

Whereas on September 1, 2016, Tiffany and Devin Conrad welcomed their twin boys into the world;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Tiffany and Devin on this miraculous event in their lives and wish them many more happy years as parents.

RESOLUTION NO. 1113

[Page 2552]

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas Administrative Professionals Day is annually celebrated in Canada on the Wednesday of the last full week of April; and

Whereas a minister's executive secretary is responsible for providing administrative and other assistance such as carrying out duties to Nova Scotians, organization, scheduling, casework, and other services as required; and

Whereas my executive secretary, Sandra Bennett, has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support me and to serve the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration since August 2015;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature thank Sandra Bennett for her service to all Nova Scotians and wish her continued good health and lots of happiness with all her family.

RESOLUTION NO. 1114

By: Hon. Lena Diab « » (Immigration)

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

Whereas Administrative Professionals Day is annually celebrated in Canada on the Wednesday of the last full week of April; and

Whereas a MLA constituency assistant is responsible for providing administrative and other assistance to the elected Member of the Legislative Assembly by carrying out duties to constituents, including communication, public relations and marketing, organization, scheduling, casework, advocacy, and other services as required; and

Whereas my constituency assistant, Conor Matthias Noseworthy, has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the constituency of Halifax Armdale since May 2016;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature thank Mr. Conor Matthias Noseworthy for his service to the constituents of Halifax Armdale and wish him continued success.