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HALIFAX, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Sixty-third General Assembly

Second Session

9:00 A.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Kevin Murphy

 

DEPUTY SPEAKERS

Ms. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Mr. Brendan Maguire

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

PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

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

MR. EDDIE ORRELL « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition, the operative clause being: We, the undersigned citizens of Nova Scotia, are "calling on the Government of Nova Scotia to take action on the current healthcare crisis . . ."

Mr. Speaker, it is signed by over 400 people who attended a rally in North Sydney last Saturday, and I have affixed my own name, as per the Rules of this House.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The petition is tabled.

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

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

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HON. MARK FUREY « » : I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MR. FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, joining us in the gallery today are Christine Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, and André Cain. I'd ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)

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

HON. MARK FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission Annual Report.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The report is tabled.

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Premier.

RESOLUTION NO. 306

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

Whereas Treaty Day in Nova Scotia, marked annually on October 1^st, launches Mi'kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia; and

Whereas since 1986 we have come together with the Mi'kmaq to build upon our shared past so we can create a better tomorrow for future generations; and

Whereas Treaty Day is a time to renew promises and an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Mi'kmaq elders and youth, and a time for all Nova Scotians to learn and share the culture and heritage of the Mi'kmaq people;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly recognize the importance of Treaty Day in Nova Scotia, and through awareness and understanding we will create an environment where reconciliation, respect, and friendship can be fostered - We are all Treaty People.

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

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

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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 Premier.

RESOLUTION NO. 307

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

Whereas Orange Shirt Day started in 2013 after residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad shared her experience as a six-year-old child arriving at a residential school for the first time and having her new orange shirt taken away from her; and

Whereas Orange Shirt Day is held on September 30^th in Canadian schools and communities to bring awareness about residential schools and for people to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope; and

Whereas the date was chosen because it is the time of year in which Indigenous children across Canada were taken from their homes to residential schools;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly and all Nova Scotians join students from across the province in recognizing Orange Shirt Day on September 30^th.

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 Health and Wellness.

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HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MR. DELOREY « » : I'd like to draw the attention of members to the east gallery where I'd like to introduce a special guest. Barbara Stead-Coyle, Chief Executive Officer for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, please rise and receive the warm welcome of the House. (Applause)

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

RESOLUTION NO. 308

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

Whereas muscular dystrophy is a group of neuromuscular disorders caused by genetic mutation that weakens the body's muscles over time; and

Whereas causes, symptoms, age of onset, severity, and progression vary depending on an individual diagnosis; and

Whereas September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, a time to show support for those people affected by muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House acknowledge September as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month.

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. MARK FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MR. FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, I draw my colleagues' attention to the east gallery where we're joined today by Deputy Chief Darrell Beaton of Sheriff Services. He's accompanied by two heroic deputy sheriffs who we're here to recognize today: Andrew Doane and Jenn Pothier. I'd ask my colleagues to bring them a warm welcome from the House. (Applause)

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

RESOLUTION NO. 309

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

Whereas Deputy Sheriff Andrew Doane and Deputy Sheriff Jenn Pothier witnessed a single-vehicle accident on September 5^th while transporting a youth from a court appearance; and

Whereas both immediately jumped into action, calling for emergency response and assisting the driver and lone passenger out of the smoking vehicle and provided emergency first aid while awaiting the arrival of EHS and fire; and

Whereas Deputy Sheriffs Doane and Pothier put themselves in harm's way, and with their actions prevented further possible injury or loss of life, all while ensuring that the person in custody remained safe and secure;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House join me in recognizing the bravery of Deputy Sheriff Andrew Doane and Deputy Sheriff Jenn Pothier, and thank them for their quick response.

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. (Standing Ovation).

The honourable Minister of Immigration.

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RESOLUTION NO. 310

HON. LENA METLEGE DIAB: Monsieur le Président, à un date ultérieure je demanderai l'adoption de la résolution suivante:

Attendu que la loi sur les langues officielles est une loi fédérale qui est entrée en vigueur il y a 49, ans en 1969, accordant au français et a l'anglais un statut égal au sein de gouvernement du Canada; et

Attendu que Monsieur Raymond Théberge est le nouveau commissaire aux langues officielles du Canada et un champion de la promotion et de la préservation des langues française et anglaise dans la société canadienne, y compris dans les institutions fédérales est les communautés linguistiques minoritaires; et

Attendu que à titre de ministre des Affaires acadiennes et de la Francophonie, j'ai eu le plaisir de rencontrer le commissaire hier matin pour discuter l'importance de l'appui à nos communautés minoritaires de langues officielles et pour trouver des façons de faire en sorte que les services dont elles sont besoin soient offerts en français pour contribuer à leur croissance et à leur prospérité;

Par conséquent, qu'il soit résolu que les membres de l'Assemblée législative se joignent à moi pour féliciter monsieur Raymond Théberge, le nouveau commissaire aux langues officielles du Canada.

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

Whereas the Official Languages Act, la Loi sur les langues officielles, is a Canadian law that came into force 49 years ago in 1969 which gives French and English equal status in the Government of Canada; and

Whereas Monsieur Raymond Théberge is the new Commissioner of Official Languages and a champion for promoting and preserving both English and French languages in Canadian society including in federal institutions and in language minority communities; and

Whereas, as Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the commissioner yesterday morning to discuss the importance of supporting our official-language minority communities and to find ways to ensure that the services they need are available in French to help them grow and thrive;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in congratulating Monsieur Raymond Théberge as Canada's new Commissioner of Official Languages.

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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 Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister of Agriculture.

RESOLUTION NO. 311

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

Whereas the aquaculture industry's farm gate value doubled to over $116 million in 2017, creating employment and prosperity in our rural and coastal communities; and

Whereas the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia have represented aquaculture farmers and their suppliers for four decades; and

Whereas aquaculture produces quality shellfish and finfish in the cool, clean waters of Nova Scotia creating a renewable resource and sustainable food supply for our rural maritime culture;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia on their 40th anniversary of supporting the industry's sustainable growth.

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.

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The motion is carried.

The honourable Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

RESOLUTION NO. 312

HON. LENA METLEGE DIAB: Monsieur le président, à une date ultérieure je demanderai l'adoption de la résolution suivante:

Attendu que depuis sa création en 1968 la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse a travaillé avec diligence pour promouvoir la vitalité et le développement de la communauté acadienne et francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse; et

Attendu que la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse a été la voix principale de la population acadienne et francophone et facilite les consultations et les partenariats entre ses organismes membres grâce à des services et à des programmes qui répondent aux besoins de la communauté acadienne; et

Attendu que la FANE poursuit son travail visant à promouvoir la culture dynamique et le riche patrimoine de la communauté acadienne auprès de tous les néo-écossais;

Par conséquent, qu'il soit résolu que les membres l'Assemblée législative se joignent à moi afin de féliciter la FANE pour ses 50 années de dévouement à la communauté acadienne et francophone de notre province.

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

Whereas, since its creation in 1968, the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse has worked diligently to promote the vitality and development of Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone community; and

Whereas the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse has been the main voice of Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone population and works to facilitate consultation and partnership among its member organizations through services and programs that meet the needs of our Acadian community; and

Whereas la FANE continues its work in promoting the vibrant culture and rich heritage of our Acadian community with all Nova Scotians;

Therefore be it resolved that members of the House of Assembly join me in congratulating la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse on 50 years of dedication to our province's Acadian and francophone community.

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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 Health and Wellness.

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MR DELOREY: Thank you. I'd like to draw the members' attention to the east gallery where I would like to introduce two special guests. Susan Tilley-Russell is the Executive Director for the Arthritis Society Atlantic Region and Jone Mitchell is the Director of Development for the Arthritis Society Atlantic Region.

I'd ask the House to join me in giving them a warm welcome. (Applause)

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

RESOLUTION NO. 313

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

Whereas arthritis is a chronic disease that affects more than six million Canadians, causing pain, swelling and stiffness; and

Whereas the Arthritis Society promotes public awareness, provides help to those living with arthritis, and supports innovative research to help find a cure for this debilitating disease; and

Whereas September is Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to promote education and greater understanding of arthritis;

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Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House recognize September as Arthritis Awareness Month.

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. 314

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

Whereas when two apartment fires tragically took the life of a resident of Primrose Street in Dartmouth and displaced about 150 tenants earlier this year, the Canadian Red Cross and other emergency response volunteers worked to provide temporary shelter, clothing, food and other essentials to those displaced by the fire; and

Whereas I wish to thank the local councillor Tony Mancini, the local member for Dartmouth North, and mayor Mike Savage, for reaching out to the Department of Community Services, which manages the response to such emergencies through an agreement with the Canadian Red Cross; and

Whereas I wish to further thank the member for Dartmouth East who, together with the councillor, organized moving vans for those who had been displaced even though these fires did not occur in his riding;

Therefore be it resolved all members of this Legislature recognize the valuable work of all those who stepped up to help those in need following the fires in Dartmouth North.

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

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

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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. 71 - Entitled an Act Respecting the Prevention of Pressure Sores in Long-term Care Facilities. (Ms. Karla MacFarlane)

Bill No. 72 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes 1989. The Motor Vehicle Act. (Ms. Lisa Roberts)

Bill No. 73 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 211 of the Revised Statutes 1989. The Housing Act and Chapter 213 of the Revised Statutes 1989. The Housing Nova Scotia Act. (Hon. Pat Dunn)

Bill No. 74 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Motor Vehicle Act, Respecting Cyclists. (Ms. Susan Leblanc)

Bill No. 75 - 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, Respecting Inclusionary Zoning. (Ms. Lisa Roberts)

Bill No. 76 - An Act to Limit Increases in Rent for Residential Premises. (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 Pictou West.

READ BY THE SEA FEST. (RIVER JOHN): VOLS./PARTICIPANTS - THANK

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, the 19^th Annual Read by the Sea Festival took place in the village of River John in July. It was a weekend full of events which highlighted the importance of reading and literature. This festival is free to all, to make sure everyone can participate.

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Some of the events included in the festival are a story walk with Mi'kmaq educator and author Gerald Gloade and another with the River John Historical Society. Another highlight was the Pitch the Publisher event where hopeful authors pitched their writing projects.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the volunteers, participants and attendees who made this event so successful. Thank you very much.

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

CUPW - SUPPORT

MS. SUSAN LEBLANC « » : Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has long been one of the most active and progressive labour unions in Canada. Postal workers have worked hard to defend good union jobs in our community and have used the collective bargaining process to make gains for the entire working class, including their landmark strike in 1981 which resulted in the federal government creating universal maternity leave benefits for all Canadians.

Today postal workers are again on the verge of strike action, this time to demand that rural mail carriers, the majority of whom are women, receive equal pay for equal work.

I ask that the members of this House of Assembly join me and my colleagues in the NDP caucus in supporting our postal workers in their campaign to defend good union jobs in our province and our country. Thank you.

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

BLESSING OF THE BOATS - SS ATLANTIC HERITAGE PK.:

REV. C. RAFUSE - RECOG.

HON. IAIN RANKIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Reverend Cheryl Rafuse of St. Paul's Anglican Church for the service provided in the annual Blessing of the Boats ceremony at the SS Atlantic Heritage Interpretation Park.

Almost completely surrounded by water, Nova Scotia has a rich history with the sea and is well-known for its high tides. Unfortunately, the high tides are not always kind and claimed the lives of all passengers aboard the SS Atlantic when it sank off the coast of Terence Bay in 1873.

To honour those who lost their lives on the SS Atlantic when the vessel sank, St. Paul's Church in Terence Bay hosted a multi-denominational service to bless the local fishing boats and recreational boats. The service has been an annual event for 35 years. At this year's event, Reverend Cheryl Rafuse's grandson, Logan Henderson, also contributed with a reading.

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I would ask the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to join me in congratulating Reverend Cheryl Rafuse, Anglican congregation of St. Paul's Church, for hosting this important event.

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

MR. TIM HALMAN « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MR. HALMAN « » : Mr. Speaker, in the west gallery we have Leo MacKenzie and John Brownlow, councillors from the Better Together organization. With them are Mark Deckert, Luke Elwood and Brent Kerr who reside at the Hilton Drive group home in Dartmouth East. We also have Kathleen MacMillan from Rosewood group home, and we have Chelsea Leroy, a former student of mine at Prince Andrew High School and a Special Olympian. I ask our guests to please stand and receive the warm welcome of the House of Assembly. (Applause)

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

BETTER TOGETHER GROUP: VOLUNTEER EFFORTS - RECOG.

MR. TIM HALMAN « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary work being accomplished by the Better Together group home located in Dartmouth East. There are amazing volunteers at Better Together who have such passion for helping others. From volunteering at Margaret's House to tending the garden at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, to Earth Day community clean-ups, to volunteering at the Terry Fox Run, Better Together reminds us of the importance of giving back to your community.

Our province is a better place because of Mark Deckert, Brent Kerr, Luke Elwood and Chelsea Leroy. Along with their councillors, Leo MacKenzie and John Brownlow, their desire to help others is an inspiration. I ask all members of this House to recognize the outstanding work being done to help others by the Better Together group home.

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

RAND, JACOB: CONCOURS CULINAIRE WIN - CONGRATS.

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HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring the success of Jacob Rand's culinary career to the attention of the House. The 23-year-old chef who hails from Lower Sackville is currently working at Fleur de Sel in Lunenburg and has won the prestigious Concours Culinaire competition - an international achievement rarely bestowed on someone so young.

A graduate of the Nova Scotia Community College Akerley campus, Jacob will travel to Paris in May to be the first Canadian ever inducted into the French Toque Blanche Society. He is already receiving job offers in Europe since winning this two-day competition over the weekend. I look forward to following the career trajectory of Jacob Rand who has made Lower Sackville very proud.

I ask the House to join me in congratulating him on his success and the successes yet to come.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Sydney-Whitney Pier.

WILTON, DAVID - NEW SKATEBOARD PARK: HARD WORK - CONGRATS.

MR. DEREK MOMBOURQUETTE « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a great community leader, and no stranger to this House, David Wilton of New Waterford. David Wilton is a tireless community advocate. He's a former MLA, and he has advocated for millions of dollars of infrastructure in his community.

We've learned today that David was responsible for a new skateboard park in New Waterford, and he has been advocating for millions of dollars of infrastructure improvements in schools, health care and community organizations across the community.

I rise in my place today to congratulate Dave on his hard work for this new skateboard park for the kids in the community and congratulate him on his successful businesses and his community leadership.

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

MR. TORY RUSHTON « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 4-H members from across this province who will gather in Bridgewater this weekend for the 41^st 4-H Nova Scotia Pro Show. It is the largest 4-H show in Canada. There are almost 2,400 members, 900 leaders and 100 4-H clubs in Nova Scotia. It is an organization dedicated to young people with the motto of Learn To Do By Doing.

4-H members work all year to earn their spot to compete at this show. Over 40 projects, 90 classes, more than 24 entries will be displayed throughout the weekend. The weekend will include livestock auctions, dog obedience and handling trials, showmanship classes, young speakers for agriculture and much more.

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I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved in organizing the 4-H Pro Show this weekend and wish all participants the best of luck.

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

WAVERLEY LEGION - HONOUR NIGHT: AWARD WINNERS - CONGRATS.

MR. BILL HORNE « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the honourees at the recently-held Waverley Legion awards and honour night. My wife and I were honoured to attend the annual dinner, which acknowledged and thanked the members for their service and volunteering their time.

Special awards were given to Diane Moore and Mildred Casey for 40 and 55 years of membership in the Ladies' Auxiliary; to Sheila Pickrem for membership and Legionnaire of the Year; to Gerald Burgess for 2^nd Vice; and to Cheryl Sinnott, who received the Appreciation Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature - and I have affixed my name - to join me in thanking and congratulating all award winners and volunteers for their dedication and the work they do on behalf of Dieppe 90 Waverley Legion.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Victoria-The Lakes.

BOULARDERIE MAMMOWARRIORS: FUNDRAISING - THANKS

MR. KEITH BAIN « » : Mr. Speaker, for many years the volunteers of the Boularderie MammoWarriors have made our community proud of their hard work and fundraising efforts to assist the Cancer Patient Care Fund and training for the annual Dragon Boat Festival. This dedicated team is comprised of women and men of Boularderie Island who have volunteered together for 11 years and have raised over $200,000.

After fundraising all year, the team was led to their boat on August 11^th by bagpipes playing "Scotland the Brave" for the 9:30 race on the Sydney waterfront. The first race landed them a three-way tie for first, and they finished fourth in the second race. The team was the top fundraising team this year, raising $30,057 - well over half the total money raised during the festival.

I would like all members of this Legislature to join me in congratulating the Boularderie MammoWarriors team for their outstanding fundraising accomplishment and thanking them for their dedication to the Cancer Patient Care Fund.

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

PATRICK, ANNE - SMBARTA CHAIR: RETIREMENT - CONGRATS.

MR. HUGH MACKAY « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Anne Patrick, who recently retired as the chair of the St. Margaret's Bay Area Rails to Trails Association. During her three-year tenure as chair, Anne and her team performed a total upgrade of the entire trail from Hubley to Hubbards that featured a new connection to the Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park, upgrades to several bridges, resurfacing much of the trail, and removing excess overgrowth of trees and shrubs.

To give a measure of her effectiveness, Anne is being replaced by two co-chairs. Fortunately, Anne will stay on the board as past chair. The association itself underwent a restructuring with securing new volunteers, obtaining financial grants, and becoming part of the renowned Rum Runners Trail Association in Nova Scotia.

I would like the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to join me in congratulating Anne for the great work she accomplished with the St. Margaret's Bay Area Rails to Trails Association and to wish her well in her future endeavours.

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

BAUMHOUR, NICK/FELIX, RILEY: U18 FOOTBALL N.S. - CONGRATS.

MS. BARBARA ADAMS « » : Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize two constituents, Nick Baumhour and Riley Felix, for making the U18 Football Nova Scotia team.

The U18 national tackle football championship, the Football Canada Cup, was hosted in Calgary this year and Nova Scotia last year. The players gained experience from playing other teams from across the country, and also gained exposure from scouting groups from across the country.

Nick Baumhour and Riley Felix play high school football at Auburn High School. They both look forward to playing football at the university level. Riley was just recently selected for Team Canada's 2018 U18 All-Star Team.

I ask all members of the Nova Scotia Legislature to join me in congratulating Nick Baumhour and Riley Felix.

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

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MARTELL, JOYCE/ BRITISH HOME CHILDREN DAY (2018) - RECOG.

MR. BRENDAN MAGUIRE « » : Mr. Speaker, on February 7, 2018, the House of Commons passed a motion declaring today, September 28^th, national British Home Child Day.

From 1869 to 1948, over 100,000 British boys and girls were brought to Canada as child immigrants and indentured labourers. Many of those children were from orphanages, but some were from families that had fallen on hard times and were sent to Canada with the promise of a better life. It is estimated that approximately 4 million Canadian descendants are from the British Home Children movement.

One of these descendants is Joyce Martell. Joyce's father was brought to Canada to work on a farm. Joyce said her father managed to build a good life in Canada and was fortunate that he was taken in by a good family. Not all of the home children were so lucky. Many had a life of hardship and abuse that they could not escape until they were 18.

Mr. Speaker, this day of recognition is so important to the descendants of the Home Children, like Joyce Martell. The young children were taken from their country and sometimes their family and were brought to a strange land where they were often overworked and not cared for.

Joyce, along with many descendants of the Home Children, is pleased that the National British Home Children Day was declared, finally bringing attention to a part of our history that is seldom recognized.

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

HON. ALFIE MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 4^th Annual Caleb's Superhero Walk, which is being held on Sunday, September 30^th, at Petersfield, in Point Edward.

Caleb's Walk was inspired by three-year-old Caleb. It was created by his mum to commemorate him and all the amazing little cancer warriors who battled yesterday, who are battling today, and who will battle tomorrow.

Caleb lost his battle on March 24, 2015. Caleb's parents, Nicole and Mike, now help other sick children in Cape Breton and have renovated the Pediatrics Room in a superhero theme to honour their little boy. Caleb's Courage is now working on an endowment fund in Caleb's name to help children for many years to come.

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I am humbled to thank Nicole and Mike for their commitment to help make life a bit easier for other families who face these tragedies far too often.

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

LATTA, EMILY - SPECIAL OLYMPICS: MEDAL WINS - CONGRATS.

MS. SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Emily Latta, of Oak Hill, on her recent accomplishments at the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games. Emily competed in the Special Olympics held in Antigonish from July 31^st to August 4^th and brought home three medals. Emily received a gold in shot put, a silver in the 100-metre and a gold in the 4 x 100-metre relay.

Kody Latta, Emily's father and chosen coach for Team Nova Scotia, said that he was very proud of all the members from Lunenburg-Queens, who had an exception showing, as well as all the athletes of the provincial team.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and all members of this House of Assembly please join me in congratulating Emily Latta on her success at the 2018 Special Olympic Games.

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

ZWICKER, MARGO: VOLUNTEER EFFORTS - THANKS

MS. KIM MASLAND « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the huge volunteer contributions of Margo Zwicker from Mill Village, in Queens County. Earlier this year the monthly Queens Crime Prevention Breakfast, which started back in 1991, had to cease because this stalwart volunteer was unable to continue and her shoes were simply too big to fill.

Over the years she has donated her skills and time to many not-for-profit groups, and still does, including the Seniors Activity Group, whose membership has grown to 60+ members with Margo at the helm.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honour Margo for all her community work and thank her for her years of volunteer service on behalf of the many groups that have benefited.

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

OGILVIE, ROBIN: PHARMACIST OF THE YEAR (2018) - CONGRATS.

[Page 989]

MS. RAFAH DICOSTANZO « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pharmacist in my riding who is creating new and efficient practices in the industry.

Robin Ogilvie has managed the Guardian Rockingham Pharmacy on Farnham Gate Road since 2011. He is known to go far beyond his duties to help his patients. This October Robin will be awarded the Top Pharmacist of the Year, presented by the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia Conference and Gala. Robin graduated from Dalhousie's Pharmacy Program in 2008 yet still donates his time and talents by mentoring the future generation of pharmacists.

Robin also helps coordinate the operations of eight other Guardian Pharmacies expanding from Shubenacadie to Spryfield. He is currently working on many projects, such as the coagulation testing pilot and collaborative care with Dr. Mishra.

Mr. Speaker, would this House of Assembly join me in congratulating Mr. Ogilvie on his remarkable achievements - and thank you, Robin.

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

LAFORTE, STEWART: ST. JOHN AMB. LIFE SAVING AWARD - CONGRATS.

MR. EDDIE ORRELL « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Stewart LaForte. Stewart is a Westmount resident who heroically tried to save the life of his neighbour who had suffered a heart attack. He kept his neighbour alive until paramedics arrived.

Because of his extraordinary efforts, Stewart was awarded the St. John Ambulance Life Saving Award. These awards recognize individuals who have administered first aid while saving or attempting to save a life.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Stewart for receiving this important award, and thank all St. John Ambulance volunteers for their service to our communities.

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

[9:45 a.m.]

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

ROBUST LEGOCY: ROBOFEST COMP. FINISH - CONGRATS.

MR. KEITH IRVING « » : Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize robotics team Robust Legocy representing Horton High School in Greenwich.

Earlier this year, team Robust Legocy completed and finished second at RoboFest, Acadia's robotic programming competition hosted by the Jodrey School of Computer Science. Teams were challenged to build and program their robots using imagination alongside computer, logic, mathematic, and engineering skills.

[Page 990]

Their second-place finish qualified them, this past May, to compete at the Robofest World Championship at Lawrence Tech University in Southfield, Michigan. Robust Legocy team members Aiden Karcha, Austin Oickle, Ethan Bullerwell, and Lex Zacharias attended the event, along with their coach Andy Pitter and mentor Jeanne Caldwell.

I would like the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to join me in congratulating the members of Robust Legocy on representing Nova Scotia at the 2018 Robofest World Championships.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Cape Breton-Richmond.

MS. ALANA PAON « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MS. PAON « » : I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to my colleagues here in the House and who are sitting in the Speaker's Gallery - and I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for accommodating my mum today to be able to sit there - my beautiful mother who has come all the way from Cape Breton early this morning with my fiancée, Chuck Boudreau. Marie Elizabeth Paon, who is a life-long resident of Isle Madame: strong, beautiful, and always there for me and always reminding me to try to be my best and to stay true to myself. We welcome you to the House today. (Standing Ovation)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Cape Breton-Richmond.

PAON, MARIE - TRIBUTE

MS. ALANA PAON « » : Mr. Speaker, one of life's most precious gifts is being a mother. My mother Marie has tirelessly dedicated her entire life to the well-being of her children. My father worked away in Ontario most of our lives. My mother is like so many other women who, for generations in Nova Scotia, continue to be faced with husbands working away in order for their families to thrive. These mothers take the responsibility of raising children on their own, and in my mother's case, there were five of us, spirited and sometimes a handful.

My family is from a tightly-knit rural community in Cape Breton. We love, are respectful, and compassionate to one another in our moments of greatest need. These are core values that were taught to me by my mother and my father. I would like to thank my mother and my father for these gifts that last long past death and, if valued and nurtured, carry on, as they will in my family, for generations.

[Page 991]

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

SMITH, VIRGINIA (GINNY) - SWIM COACH: RETIREMENT - THANKS

HON. ZACH CHURCHILL « » : Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Yarmouth County's Virginia Smith, or as she is more affectionately known in Yarmouth as Ginny. After nearly five decades of coaching the Yarmouth Y Whitecaps Swim Team, Ginny has put away her stopwatch and retired.

Ginny spent over 45 years volunteering her time and energy to the Whitecaps, both at the YMCA pool deck and travelling with her Whitecap swimmers as they practised and competed throughout the province and country. Ginny is a highly respected and revered coach throughout the Canadian swim community. She has been described by her former swimmers and colleagues as an individual whose selflessness is unparalleled, who has touched thousands of lives, is a wealth of knowledge, and who is irreplaceable in every sense of the word.

I ask this House to join me in wishing Ginny Smith a happy and healthy retirement and thanking her for her 45 years of wisdom, support, and friendship to countless Yarmouth Y Whitecaps swimmers and their families, both in and out of the pool.

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

MS. ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize Bill Digdon, Peter Rushton, and Mike Johnson for organizing the fourth annual Bordertown Biker Bash in Amherst from June 13^th to June 15^th.

The Biker Bash includes a long list of events, including the Burn Out Competition, the Hub City Stunt Riders, and high-flying acrobatics from the Pure Adrenaline Stunt Riders. This year was the most successful Biker Bash yet, with the highest turnout and most enthusiastic community support.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to thank the organizers of the Bordertown Biker Bash for putting on another successful event, and I wish them well as they begin planning next year's bash.

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

MCMULLIN, AL - PUBLIC HEALTH: RETIREMENT - BEST WISHES

[Page 992]

HON. MARK FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, Al McMullin retired in July after serving 35 years with the province as a public health inspector. Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Al moved to Lunenburg County to work with the Department of Health in 1983, and over the duration of his career has also worked with the Department of Environment, the Department of Agriculture, and back to the Department of Environment. Al enjoyed working in Lunenburg County his entire career, but also appreciated the opportunity to travel province-wide as a go-to guy for his knowledge and expertise in public health enforcement, management, inspection, and education.

Al is a people person. His outgoing, engaging personality made it easy for him to relate to all people, and says that the best part of his job was getting out and about and working with the public on a day-to-day basis. Al was also fortunate to be involved with the development of the province's regulations, guidelines, policies, and programs concerning public health. Al won't be slowing down too much in retirement. He plans to continue educating people about food safety, and volunteering with the RCMP Auxiliary and the YMCA Board of Directors.

Congratulations and best wishes to Al McMullin on his retirement.

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

STONE, MATS/STONE, NATE: BASEBALL ACHIEVEMENTS - CONGRATS.

MR. TORY RUSHTON « » : Mr. Speaker, the baseball bar has been set high in Springhill by the Stone brothers.

Seventeen-year-old twin brothers Mats and Nate Stone have each won five AAA minor league baseball titles in five years: three provincial titles, one Atlantic title, and one national elimination title that captured them the chance to go to the 2018 national championships in Fort McMurray this year.

Nate plays shortstop and second base, while Mats plays catcher and third base. Both of the boys have been thankful to their coaches, who have taught and supported them throughout the years. Now at their end of their minor baseball careers, both brothers hope to continue playing in Truro next year, but once a Springhill Fencebuster, always a Springhill Fencebuster.

I ask all members to join me in congratulating Mats and Nate Stone on their outstanding achievements in their baseball careers, and wish them the very best of luck in the future.

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

TURNER, LEW: 90^TH BIRTHDAY - BEST WISHES

[Page 993]

HON. KELLY REGAN « » : Mr. Speaker, I'd like to wish a special Bedford resident a happy birthday in advance of his celebration tomorrow.

Lew Turner is well known in Bedford. He's an active volunteer, especially with the Ford Sackville Foundation and Scott Manor House. He's up early each morning taking stunning photographs of nature. You can see them on Facebook, which Lew joined fairly recently.

Lew is one of those people you look forward to seeing at events. He's kind and smart and thoughtful, and I want to wish him a happy 90^th birthday and a terrific decade ahead.

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

SINCLAIR, SEN. MURRAY: RECONCILIATION - MOVING FORWARD

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, I was lucky to attend a speech by Senator Murray Sinclair earlier this month, hosted by Dalhousie University as part of its 200^th anniversary celebrations.

Today, on Orange Shirt Day, I want to thank Senator Sinclair for his generosity and clear thought as he shared with a full theatre how we can move forward with reconciliation. Reconciliation requires that we first accept and sit with the painful truth of how our beloved country was founded - and in some ways, continues - as a colonial project.

Today, we remember how that played out in the lives of children taken from their families and communities, punished for their language, separated from their culture. Today, we witness the struggle and resilience of Indigenous people across Turtle Island and can offer ally-ship, as We are all Treaty People.

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

COOPER, CAROLYN & JOE/VOLUNTEERS: LIMOUSIN SHOW - CONGRATS.

HON. KAREN CASEY « » : Mr. Speaker, from August 1^st to August 4^th, 79 junior members from across Canada participated in the Canadian Junior Limousin Impact Show at Balamore Farm, located in Great Village, Colchester North.

The juniors were accompanied by 97 Limousin cattle. Large tents were erected at the Balamore Farm to host the juniors, as well as the 300-plus people involved in watching or participating over the four days of fun, competition, showmanship, and Nova Scotia hospitality.

[Page 994]

The juniors had a chance to learn about various aspects of life on the East Coast including clam digging, watching the fishermen gather from the weir, picking strawberries, and enjoying bonfires, competitions in judging, oral marketing, and fitting a heifer in 20 minutes. The weekend finished with a banquet and fireworks on the beach, typical of the East Coast.

Many volunteers worked to make the weekend a huge success, but special thanks and congratulations belong to Carolyn and Joe Cooper, the owners of Balamore Farm.

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

MR. EDDIE ORRELL « » : Mr. Speaker, in the gallery behind me, I'd like to introduce my beautiful daughter. She takes a keen interest in politics and watches Question Period regularly when she is not studying to be a doctor in this province. She is here today to observe Question Period, to see some of the answers, and hopefully someday she'd like to be part of the solution with her other international medical graduates. (Applause)

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

SURETTE-LOMBARD, DONOVAN/ BRIMICOMBE, SYDNEY:
HARD WORK - THANKS

MS. BARBARA ADAMS « » : Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize two Eastern Passage Pirates Midget baseball players, Donovan Surette-Lombard and Sydney Brimicombe. Both Donovan and Sydney will be aging out of minor baseball this year. Their countless hours as volunteer workers for the Eastern Passage Minor Baseball Association over the years has not gone unnoticed. They are well known for using their free time to help with the opening day, along with other tournaments, bottle drives, and winter ball camps, just to mention a few of the things they do for us. It is bittersweet to have to say goodbye to such great role models in our community and their association.

I ask all members to join me in thanking Donovan and Sydney for all their hard work and kind efforts, and wish them well in their future endeavours.

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

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MS. ROBERTS « » : Thank you. In the gallery opposite I introduce my constituent and friend, Kendall Worth. Kendall is a frequent correspondent of many members, anyone who has served on the Community Services Committee would know that he frequently shares his experience as a single adult living with disabilities and dependent on income assistance. Thank you very much, Kendall, for gracing us with your presence today. (Applause)

[Page 995]

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

KHOURY, JOSEPH & FAMILY: 42 YEARS IN CANADA - TRIBUTE

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : On September 7, 1976, Joseph Khoury and his family, including his mother, his father, and four siblings, arrived in Canada from Lebanon. Joseph was 11 years old. During the Lebanon Civil War their home in Beirut was occupied and they were forced to run. For two years they were internally displaced refugees and were constantly moving from one friend or cousin to another.

They left Lebanon and landed in Mirabel, Quebec, with just a few dollars and only able to speak Arabic. They made their home in Ottawa where his aunt and her family had previously settled. Joseph lived in Ottawa until 2004, when he moved to Antigonish, accepting a teaching position at St. F.X. University.

Today, Dr. Khoury is a professor at St. F.X., who is a well-known renaissance scholar specializing in Shakespeare, an author, and an active volunteer in the community. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to pay tribute to Joseph and his family, and recognize their recent anniversary of 42 years in Canada.

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

MS. ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to make an introduction.

MR. SPEAKER « » : Permission granted.

MS. SMITH-MCCROSSIN « » : I'd like to introduce my husband of 27 years here today, Dr. Murray McCrossin, and thank him for all his love and undying support. (Applause)

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

ROBAR, KELSEY: 30^TH BIRTHDAY - BEST WISHES

MS. KIM MASLAND « » : Mr. Speaker, anyone who is a parent knows that nothing can compare to the love of your child. Today, I'd like to wish my daughter Kelsey, who lives in the Northwest Territories, a very happy 30^th birthday. Kelsie is a beautiful, strong, independent, compassionate woman, and she is an amazing mother to my grandson. I am so proud of her accomplishments and how brave she is, travelling to many communities of the Northwest Territories with her husband, who is with the RCMP.

[Page 996]

I ask all members to join me in wishing my beautiful Kelsey Robar a very happy birthday today.

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

MUBIRU, CONST. FREDERICK: RCMP TRANSFER - WELCOME

MR. GORDON WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Constable Frederick Mubiru into our area. As elsewhere in our province, we want to make people make our communities their new home. They may arrive as strangers, but quickly become our friends and part of our community. Constable Mubiru grew up a long way from Digby, growing up in Uganda and arriving in Canada 10 years ago as a refugee. For Frederick, becoming a police officer was only a distant dream until he emigrated to Canada, then he was determined to become an RCMP officer.

He returned to school, became an associate professor in a church, and organized an association to support youth and immigrants.

He was accepted at the RCMP academy and graduated at the top of his class, receiving the highest score in applied police services. He also became the first person . . .

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The time allotted for Statements by Members has expired.

[10:00 a.m.]

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORAL QUESTIONS PUT BY MEMBERS TO MINISTERS

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

PREM. - PRIVACY LAWS: EXPERT OPINIONS - DISAGREE

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Today is the last day of Right to Know Week. I'll bet the Premier and many others will be counting down the hours to the end of today.

Yesterday, Canada's privacy watchdog said there is an urgent need for stronger laws to protect personal information. Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien said, "Respect for those laws must be enforced by a regulator, independent from industry and the government, with sufficient powers to ensure compliance."

[Page 997]

When it comes to privacy laws, the Premier disagrees with all the experts. Why does the Premier refuse to give our privacy commissioner the independence and authority everybody but his government agrees she's needs to have to do her job?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honourable member for the question. The privacy officer makes a number of recommendations across our government, and we continue to accept those and implement the changes. We'll continue to work with her to ensure the information she's looking for is out there, at the same protecting the information of Nova Scotians - that is their private information.

MS. MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, the disrespect the Premier has shown for transparency in Nova Scotia is astounding. It's disrespect for the commissioner and he has gone out of his way to correct me actually and other members when we refer to Ms. Tully as the Information and Privacy Commissioner, which is the correct title for her.

The annual reports from Mrs. Tully's office for 2016-17 clearly refer to the office as that of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, not officer. The website refers to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Why does the Premier use every opportunity to diminish the importance of the office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotians?

THE PREMIER « » : The information officer in this province continues to do her work. We'll continue to comply when FOIPOPs come in. We continue to respond to those. Over 82 per cent of those are done in 30 days - the highest reported in the province. We continue to make sure that we improve that.

We have an open data portal. We continue to improve that. We put Cabinet Ministers and Executive Council expenses online for all Nova Scotians to see them. We continue to make sure and we'll continue to work to open up the process for the information that is available to be shared with Nova Scotians - we'll continue to share it.

MS. MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, the contempt this government feels for Nova Scotians has become obvious in the past few weeks in this Legislature. Last week, he called his 2013 promise to expand the powers and mandate the FOIPOP commissioner a mistake that didn't mean anything because it wasn't in his platform. He defended his deputy's refusal to allow an EA to talk to the privacy commissioner about a secret email address. His government has attempted to drastically reshape the Public Accounts Committee to avoid scrutiny.

Will the Premier admit that he will use every maneuver possible to avoid embarrassing scrutiny and real transparency for Nova Scotians?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank the honourable member for the question. If she goes back and looks at the FOIPOP that was submitted by a reporter - she asked for the email addresses in a certain period of time. All of those were turned over to the applicant who asked for that information. That's open and transparent. They had that information.

[Page 998]

When it comes to the Public Accounts Committee, we've actually put in front of it the Auditor General. I'm not sure why the Opposition would actually be the ones to set the agenda instead of letting the Auditor General set the agenda. They talk about independence from government. He is clearly independent from us.

At the same time, we responded to the request of Opposition Parties to create a new committee on health. How much more open and transparent can you be, than to allow an independent person to set what sits on the record in the Public Accounts Committee and allow the largest budget item to be scrutinized in its own department. Shame on that Party for openly fighting against openness and transparency.

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

PREM. - BEDSORE MONITORING: PROGRAM ENDED - EXPLAIN

MR. GARY BURRILL « » : According to a news report published yesterday, which I'll table, the monitoring and reporting of bedsores, mandated by the government in June in response to deaths in long term care has been a short-lived program. The government is no longer requiring the mandatory reporting of Stage 1 and Stage 2 bedsores. Can the Premier explain why this reporting requirement was discontinued at just the time when we're needing more, not less, information about long-term care in order to address the crisis there?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, there are a number of categories he is referring to. We asked an independent expert to go out and do an analysis. They were in homes working with their partners, our partners, to be able to ensure that we have the appropriate recording of bedsores in the province. They put out protocols on how we should report those.

She is also part of our panel that is out looking at long-term care, which will be reporting back in the end of November and I look forward to hearing the recommendations that they bring forward.

MR. BURRILL « » : This same news report on nursing home bedsores says, ". . . efforts to obtain more recent information about the number of bedsores . . . have been hampered by secrecy." It also speaks about having to file freedom of information requests in order to receive information about nursing homes that in the majority of the rest of the country, information that is in fact available online.

I want to ask the Premier to explain: What possible purpose is being served by secrecy about nursing homes?

[Page 999]

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank the honourable member for the question. As he would know, we had an expert go out to work with our partners to deal with this very challenging issue. We'll continue to work with them, the guidelines associated around how we deal with and report - especially when it comes to bedsores. Also, as he would know, the committee that is out there looking at long-term care will bring back recommendations.

We asked them to come back by November 30^th. It allows us to take those recommendations, review them and put them in the budget process. We continue to make investments, ensuring that we can deal and allow that we're providing people with the appropriate care, make sure that we continue to invest not only in long-term care, as we've done in Cape Breton Island with an extra 50 beds, but continue to invest in home care.

Many Nova Scotians tell us they want to continue to live at home as long as possible and we'll continue to strike that balance.

MR. BURRILL « » : The Canadian Institute for Health Information gathers and receives information on a range of incidents in nursing homes, falls and incidents of over-medication, also incidents of bedsores. In the majority of provinces in Canada, this is something that is done by every nursing home in the entire province. But in our province, the total number of nursing homes that are providing this information to the Institute for Health Information is one.

I want to ask the Premier to explain: If we are looking and hoping to improve the quality of care in nursing homes, why is the government not gathering as much data as we can possibly get our hands on in order to address what needs to be improved?

THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, that's exactly what was happening. It's why we hired an expert in this very issue, to send them into the long-term care facilities to identify why the reporting wasn't happening and why, in some cases, it was being reported differently, why some bedsores were being ranked differently than others, to make sure that the process was being done properly.

It is why they are part of the committee that is looking at what are the other issues associated with ensuring that we can continue to improve the care that we provide in our long-term care facilities across the province.

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

INT. SERV. - FOIPOP PORTAL BREACH: 2018-2019 REPORT - OMISSION

[Page 1000]

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : Mr. Speaker, I rose in Question Period yesterday on a question about the 2017-2018 FOIPOP annual report and the complete omission of the FOIPOP portal breach in that report.

The minister's response from yesterday was that the breach didn't occur in the reporting period and I found that response a little vexing. So Fact No. 1: by the department's own admission and verified by police, the breach occurred between March 3 and March 5 in 2018. Fact No. 2: the report covers the fiscal year from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. And Fact No. 3: March 3, 4 and 5, 2018, all occur before March 31, 2018.

In order for the minister's response to be accurate, one of these facts must be incorrect. Could the minister identify which one is the erroneous fact?

HON. PATRICIA ARAB » : Mr. Speaker, as I explained to the member yesterday, the activity of the breach took place outside of last year's fiscal period. It would not be captured in last year's fiscal annual report. Also, I encourage the member and all members to listen to this: we have been actively engaged with two independent bodies that will look at the issue of this breach, a breach that we take very seriously, and make sure the proper procedures and follow throughs take place based on those two independent reports.

MR. D'ENTREMONT « » : I will table a calendar for March 2018, which does show that those dates come before March 31, 2018.

The government has chosen not to report the FOIPOP breach, which clearly demonstrates that it occurred within the reporting period. If the breach was detected after the report was published, I could understand the omission. But the breach has been known for about six months, and I believe the government is intentionally choosing an interpretation that allows the government to put as much distance as possible between the breach and their obligation to report on it. I think this interpretation pushes the boundaries of departments' obligation to report.

Will the minister retract the report and publish a new one that accurately reports the events of 2017-18?

MS. ARAB « » : While I appreciate the member's question and his ability to try and teach me how the dates of the month work, I would like to inform him and inform all members that I am putting my trust in the two independent reports in regard to this breach, even if that member chooses to disregard them.

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

FIN. & TREASURY BRD.: HOUSEHOLD DEBT - ADDRESS

[Page 1001]

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : My question is for the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. Yesterday, we received a budget update from the minister and the government. As we all know, there are many factors that can cause budgets to change. The risks currently watched by the department include high levels of household debt and related low levels of household spending. I guess average Nova Scotians, Mr. Speaker, are still waiting for all that economic prosperity to trickle down.

I would like to ask the minister: Can the minister tell us how the government plans to address the serious issue of household debt facing many families here in Nova Scotia?

HON. KAREN CASEY « » : I suggest that every member of this House has a legitimate concern about the ability and our desire to have every Nova Scotian be able to provide for themselves and their families. Our government has demonstrated, through a number of different departments, our initiatives to try to do that and try to put more money in the hands of all Nova Scotians, in particular low-income Nova Scotians who are struggling in some cases to provide for themselves and their families.

Some of those programs, as the member would know, would be from Finance and Treasury Board. Some would be from Community Services. Some would be from Service Nova Scotia. Some would be from Education and Early Childhood Development. It certainly is something that we as a government recognize and have taken some initial steps, and will continue to take those steps, to help those in need.

MR. DAVID WILSON « » : In keeping with this government's claimed desire to be open and transparent, the budget update included a $36-million appropriation for non-wage corporate initiatives. When pressed about exactly what that meant, Mr. Speaker, department staff explained that it was government's commitment and initiatives that were yet to be announce. Since it is the final day of Right to Know Week, doesn't the minister think Nova Scotians have the right to know what government is doing with the $36 million of public funding?

MS. CASEY « » : To the member opposite, I would suggest that he may want to harken back. From the mid-1990s on, there has been a line in the budget for restructuring. We will continue to make sure that we have funds available in a restructuring account so that if and when there is a project that we want to introduce, and it has been fully detailed, when that is complete, it will be announced as soon as it is ready, and that member will know as soon as I do.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Victoria-The Lakes.

TIR - WEST MIDDLE ROAD: CULVERT REPAIR - TIMELINE

[Page 1002]

MR. KEITH BAIN « » : My question is to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The West Middle River Road is trying to reclaim its fame as one of the worst roads in Atlantic Canada. Years of neglect and band-aid solutions have many constituents calling my office wondering when the minister's department will finally do the necessary repairs to ensure the road is properly maintained. They were happy when it was announced some new blacktop would be laid on the road.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, during the project, a culvert has been washed out and residents now have to endure a 15- to 20-minute detour while the work takes place. So, my question to the minister: How did pre-work inspection of Middle River West Road miss the comprised condition of the culvert?

[10:15 a.m.]

HON. LLOYD HINES » : I thank the member opposite for the question. I'm very pleased to say that, yes, we are doing some significant work in that area and we do have a slope failure, which occurs regularly across the province, it's dependent, of course, on weather events, particularly heavy rainfalls and in coastal areas, erosion and we've certainly taken that into consideration in this instance.

MR. BAIN « » : Mr. Speaker, residents are concerned this work won't be properly completed because they had asked for a culvert to be replaced before. They're concerned that recent paving going on this is just lipstick. I would like to see a total reclamation of this road to ensure crews will be back in two years' time. Winter is approaching and the residents don't want to be facing this detour in the snow because the roads are not plowed on a regular basis. So, my question to the minister: Will he provide the scope and timeline of this very important project for my constituency?

MR. HINES « » : I thank the members opposite for the question, Mr. Speaker, and, yes, former governments had said they were going to do things. This government is doing things. We're doing things with our road system and I'm very, very happy to report to the member and to the good people of Middle River that the culvert will be replaced. It will be replaced before the snow flies. We're currently looking for an emergency permit from the Department of Environment to work in the waterway and we're going to take care of that problem that other governments didn't.

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

L&F - MELMERBY BEACH: DRINKING WATER PROB. - EXPLAIN

MR. TIM HOUSTON « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Lands and Forestry. Melmerby Beach is a real crown jewel of the Northumberland Strait. It's a very popular tourist and local destination in the summertime and it's just a beautiful beach, which was on the front of the Doers & Dreamers Travel Guide at one time. The website claims that there is drinking water at the beach, but often there are signs posted that warn people not to drink the water. My question for the minister: Is the minister aware of the drinking water problems at Melmerby Beach and can he speak to the root cause of the problem and the go-forward plan?

[Page 1003]

HON. IAIN RANKIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. To my knowledge, I don't have that information about the water issues there. It is one of the most popular beaches across the province, which is why the department provides many amenities there that not all beaches have. We have lifeguard services there all summer long, we have amenities such as, the washroom facilities, ample parking. I will look forward to seeing what the reports are in terms of the water and I'll see if we can remedy that.

MR. HOUSTON « » : Mr. Speaker, a former Minister of Natural Resources offered to go for a walk on the beach with my colleague from Pictou Centre. Maybe the current minister will as well, but the beach is a fantastic destination. The drinking water issue has underscored a different problem and that issue is there are no food services at the beach. There's nothing really near by for families and other visitors to get a bite to each or a splash to quench their thirst. It requires a long drive. So, over the years, there have been attempts to bring services to the beach. My question for the minister is: What opportunities is the minister looking at and will the minister consider to bring food services back to Melmerby Beach?

MR. RANKIN « » : Mr. Speaker, indeed, I already did commit to his colleague, the member for Pictou Centre, to take that walk along the beach, but I'd be happy to join the other member as well. It is an important beach and, in terms of availability for food vendors, there was one last year for the summer season in 2017. Unfortunately, that food vendor did not reapply for this year but when we put out our tenders this winter for more food services we hope that there will be someone bidding on that project. I would encourage both members, all members from Pictou to engage their network if they know vendors that are interested in providing that service to get them to bid on that tender.

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

TIR: TRENTON CONNECTOR INTERSECT. - UPDATE

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. During the Spring session, my colleague the member for Pictou East and myself questioned the minister about the junction of Abercrombie Road and the Trenton Connector in Pictou County and how dangerous this intersection is and, all too often, the scene of many and, unfortunately, fatal accidents. We asked the minister if his department was considering a roundabout and the minister's answer was, "Last Fall, we did brush cutting at that intersection. We put new signage in, and we will consider looking at that for future improvements." I can table that. So, my question is: Can the minister provide an update regarding further improvements?

[Page 1004]

HON. LLOYD HINES « » : Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. We are reviewing that particular intersection, as we are in many other instances where we see that evolution in traffic patterns has resulted in different requirements. That intersection is particularly unique because there has quite a bit of industrial traffic that goes through there, and I believe there has been a recent traffic study done on that and I'll endeavour to find out where's that's at.

MS. MACFARLANE « » : I think the study was done in 2015. During Spring Estimates, the minister agreed to meet me in Pictou County to review the Trenton connector, the Pictou rotary, and the Westville Road. We were going to spend the day together; in fact, he indicated we should meet before the end of June. The minister requested I write a formal letter, though, to invite him so I wrote a letter April 9^th, and I'll table that letter, but I had no reply back. I followed up with another letter June 1^st and had no reply back.

Mr. Speaker, the pain of rejection is overwhelming (Laughter). I just want to know why the minister keeps standing me up?

MR. HINES « » : Thank you to the member for the question. I apologize that our schedules weren't able to mesh to be able to keep that engagement. However, I did take the opportunity to go down and visit those intersections and have had a look at them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get you in my company, but we'll try and correct that the next time I'm in the area.

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

H&W - PARK VIC.: PUB. HEALTH ISSUES - ACTION

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minster of Health and Wellness. Tenants at Park Victoria in the South End of Halifax are experiencing infestations of ants, cockroaches, and bedbugs. The few sporadic attempts the landlord has made to get rid of the bedbugs have not been effective and they have spread to seven floors. I'm sure the minister would agree that this is a public health concern and tenants are frustrated that the landlord has failed again and again to do anything about it. My question for the minister is: How is he working with other departments to make sure this public health issue is dealt with quickly and doesn't continue to occur?

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Mr. Speaker, the work of the Public Health Office and the Chief Medical Officer of Health does take place. I rely extensively on the recommendations and the input provided by the Chief Medical Officer through public health. The inspector staff for the Public Health Office is actually part of the Department of Environment now; that's a change made back in 2015. Any work that would be done from an inspection and an assessment of situations as the member has described would actually take place by employees within the Department of Environment.

[Page 1005]

MS. ROBERTS « » : My follow-up is for the Minister of Service Nova Scotia. Even though Park Victoria fails again and again to deal with the infestation, its tenants are still paying the same high rent and at least one tenant has even had their rent increased during the infestation. Some tenants have tried to move out, but there are not many places they can afford to go in Halifax's rental market. My question is: Does the minister acknowledge that if Nova Scotia had rent control like other provinces, big landlords wouldn't be able to demand increasing rents for decreasing quality?

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN » : Mr. Speaker, with respect to residential tenancies, the Act; in the role that Service Nova Scotia has in brokering relationships and keeping the communications open between tenants and landlords, we talk about a lot of issues. Many of the issues are around the state of facilities, of the units that are rented, and all the things that go along with that relationship between the tenant and the landlord.

Rent control is not something that has come up in the numerous consultations we have had with respect to this Act that we have here before the House now. Rent control is not an issue that either side is focused on in all the conversations that we've had over the last year since I've been here. I don't think that's the solution here, but I will continue to work together on things, like this particular example. These things are unacceptable, so if we have a role to play, we'll certainly do that.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Cape Breton-Richmond.

H&W - STRAIT RICHMOND HOSP. RENO.: FUNDING - FAIRNESS

MS. ALANA PAON « » : Like so many of our health care facilities, the Strait Richmond Hospital is greatly in need of renovations to modernize the facility. The hospital was built in the early 1980s and because of its age it doesn't have accessible washrooms, nor does it have washrooms anywhere in the emergency department. Literally patients are having to use a commode if they can't get to the washroom.

Patients visiting a surgeon have to first walk through the emergency department and while donors and the NSHA are committed to providing some money, it is going to be up to the hospital foundation to find the balance of the $2.3 million for the renovations.

Does the minister think it's fair to ask the foundation to fundraise that much money for badly-needed renovations?

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : I thank the member for the question. Indeed, we work with our partners and the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK to bring forward the prioritized investments for infrastructure and equipment.

[Page 1006]

Mr. Speaker, both in my former role as Finance and Treasury Board Minister and now as Health Wellness Minister, I have met with representatives of hospital foundations throughout the province. They made a number of requests about the approach that we take as a government when it comes to working on capital campaigns and expectations, how we roll out, in partnership with these organizations, capital fundraising.

We've made several changes in the last year in line with what we've been asked to do.

MS. PAON « » : Mr. Speaker, at the Strait Richmond Hospital - I'm going to give you some stats - registrations last year were 28,264; in-patient admission 609; and when the ER was open, which it wasn't a lot of the time, we had 9,577 emergency admissions.

This is an important hospital to our area. The catchment area is not only Cape Breton-Richmond, it's Inverness, it's Guysborough and it's also actually within the Health Minister's district of Antigonish. I get phone calls from that area as well about how important this hospital is.

We have a private donation of $300,000. The hospital foundation is willing to put in $300,000 as well. What is the minister willing to put into the $2.3 million to renovate the Strait Richmond Hospital?

MR. DELOREY « » : As I'm sure the member can appreciate, hospital infrastructure, our health care infrastructure throughout the province is very important to all communities. The investments and the sequence of the investments into new infrastructure projects and equipment, we do rely on the health authorities - the IWK and the Nova Scotia Health Authority - to bring forward their recommendations and requests for investments. That's how we prioritize.

We then move forward with our budget to invest in those projects that we can. We'll continue to knock projects off that list as we move forward.

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

TIR: HWY. NO. 103 (EXIT 32 INTERCHANGE) - PRIORITY

HON. CHRISTOPHER D'ENTREMONT « » : My question is for the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. It's a subject that I've raised in this House through a number of different ministers - the interchange at Exit 32 on Highway No. 103 in Argyle Head.

Back in 2016, the good former minister said the intersection mattered and was seen as a priority by the district director. I'll include the conversation that I had with the minister at that time in debate. As we sit today, there has been no work done at Exit 32, even after two years of acknowledging that it was a dangerous intersection that needed work.

[Page 1007]

My question to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal: If this intersection was a priority two years ago, why hasn't it been improved?

HON. LLODY HINES: I thank the member opposite for the question and for bringing this to my attention. All areas of the province where we have significant traffic implications which involve safety are of great interest to the department. I'll check for the member and see just exactly where that one is at.

MR. D'ENTREMONT « » : You know, we started a long time ago trying to identify the dangerous intersections on Highway No. 103, and of course on other highways across this province. The Exit 32 in Argyle Head-Glenwood was identified as the top third most dangerous intersection in Nova Scotia and we acknowledged that. We acknowledged there are problems there.

The former minister acknowledged there were concerns for long-term safety and I thanked the minister for looking at it when he drove by a number of times. The people are looking for a solution.

Will the minister please advise the House or please tell the House the cost of the short and medium-term fixes and just let us know when the work can begin?

will the minister please tell the House the cost of the short- and medium-term fixes and let us know when the work can begin?

[10:30 a.m.]

MR. HINES « » : I thank the honourable member for the question. On Highway No. 103, we're doing significant work on our twinning aspirations, as the members and the province are aware. We are moving forward with some of the most dangerous pieces of our highway.

We don't have this particular intersection as part of that program, but I will undertake to see where it lies in terms of priorities.

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

 

H&W - CHILDREN'S DENTAL CARE: UNIV. COVERAGE - CHANGES

MR. ALLAN MACMASTER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Wellness. Recently there was question about whether this government was moving away from universal dental coverage for children to only providing the service to those whose families meet an income test, which would seem compassionate. Now, I know this work isn't always the most profitable for dentists, as private dental plans pay more for the work than the government rates, and restless children in the chair sometimes take more time. But think of the money we save in fewer dental surgeries for children whose cavities land them in the emergency room because they have not gotten dental care.

[Page 1008]

The change had been sold based on the idea that dental care was not reaching those most in need. Can the minister confirm whether government made the changes, and table a report on emergency dental surgeries for children to see if these statistics are improving?

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : Mr. Speaker, we haven't made changes to require income testing. What we have done is moved forward with increasing the coverage for some services for children, relating to - not fillings, but some fluoride treatments and a couple of other treatments. In the last round of agreement that we entered into with the Dental Association, those are the moves that we made.

MR. MACMASTER « » : I'd like to thank the minister for that response. I do accept his response.

I want to table for the benefit of the members of the House a news report that referred to a 2015 report. I think there was some movement within the department on that matter, but I take the minister's word here today as the current state of affairs.

Universal dental care is comparable to universal health care. Who in this Legislature would argue against the value of that? Many in health care would suggest that dental care is just as important, and we know that dental issues quickly become broader health problems for those who have them.

Can the minister table evidence that this government has been able to increase the number of children getting the regular dental care that they need? This has been a problem that does need to improve.

MR. DELOREY « » : The last time I gathered some information and was being briefed on the topic, one of the things that seemed a little bit challenging was awareness in some areas of the population. I think it's important for members here to let their communities know that there are services for youth to receive dental care.

There have been some examples where individuals have come in too late, a little bit older, and some of the decay was greater and required surgery, where had they been seen earlier, perhaps it might not have been the case. At times, those individuals coming into the dentist's office hadn't realized that they could have gotten some preventive care earlier.

Again, I encourage all members to let their constituents know that this is a service that is available.

[Page 1009]

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

L&F: ECOLOGICAL FORESTRY - PRACTICES

MS. LISA ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Lands and Forestry. While the minister sits on the Lahey report, irresponsible cuts are still happening in Crown forests. The most recent proposed cut of note is in Queens County, where there will likely be 2-stage clear-cuts just adjacent to the border of the Dunraven Bog, which is a wetland of international significance, according to the UN.

Mr. Speaker, forests take a very long time to grow and very little time to cut down. My question for the minister: If he's so committed to ecological forestry, why can't the department shift practices now before more damage is done?

HON. IAIN RANKIN « » : Mr. Speaker, in that proposed harvest plan there is a combination of some partial cuts and some clear-cuts. As I've said, and as the Lahey report also says, in certain circumstances clear-cuts are the appropriate treatment, after looking at the soil conditions and the vegetation types and the site conditions on the ground. It also has positive comments on our forest ecological classification system.

Of course we look forward to looking at the report in earnest and looking at the different science-based systems within the report and looking at the technical papers and the appendices and ensuring that we're incorporating all those things to ensure that we are obviously looking at managing our forests to promote those mixed species, multi-age. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MS. ROBERTS « » : Mr. Speaker, this hardly seems like an appropriate location for a plantation forestry on Crown land. The proposed cut poses real risks to the ecosystem, including depletion of already low soil nutrients, more soil acidification that will result in slower regeneration. The cuts will also disrupt the connectivity of wildlife habitat, including for the mainland moose.

The Lahey report clearly identified that the department should not allow clear-cuts adjacent to lands like these. It also found that the department's policies don't pay adequate attention to wildlife or soil quality. The proposed Queens County cut is another example of why we can't afford to delay changing our practices.

My question for the minister is: When will cuts like these be stopped?

MR. RANKIN « » : Our Integrated Resource Management Team, which include biologists, continues to look at pre-treatment assessments proposed. These are proposed cuts and to my knowledge they don't abut against the protected land areas.

[Page 1010]

The report did mention areas around where we can have setbacks around protected areas. We're fully engaged in that process, talking with our Crown licence holders, but we also want to acknowledge that this timber will go to support sawmills across the province. It's an important industry and continues to be. It's a $2 billion industry for this province, for this government and this Party is committed to finding that balance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

H&W: HEALTH CARE SUMMIT - COMMIT

MS. KIM MASLAND « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Wellness. Based on the number of stories I've received from concerned constituents, it is clear that the government's response to ambulance wait times is not satisfying to Nova Scotians. A constituent from Queens informed me that it took an ambulance a little over an hour to arrive at her home, while her son suffered in excruciating pain.

The union representing paramedics knows this is unacceptable and wants the minister to host a health care summit to address offloading issues at Nova Scotia emergency departments.

My question to the minister is: If this is a reasonable government, will he commit to hosting an event? Simply yes or no.

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : This is an area that I've acknowledged needs work to be done. It's work that has begun in this area, Mr. Speaker. There has been a review initiated about EHS services, as well as a program that was implemented about 10 months ago at Dartmouth General. The evaluation of that initiative is being conducted so that we can see the results tangibly, which we anecdotally are aware of.

I've heard from paramedics, nurses. I've been to the site, Mr. Speaker. I've heard from health care professionals at other sites who are aware of the positive impacts at Dartmouth General, so we are taking it very seriously and looking at ways to improve the offload of our ambulance services.

MS. MASLAND « » : Mr. Speaker, it's great that the minister has listened to paramedics but it's not enough to hear about it, it's time for him to live it - experience going to a call and arriving after an hour that the person has called, experience sitting for hours in hallways or emergency departments waiting to offload your patient, experience the frustrations that our hard-working paramedics have to go through each and every day.

My colleague tabled a letter from the union representing Nova Scotia paramedics, affirming the need for the minister to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

[Page 1011]

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the spirit of the day, talking about walks on the beach and invitations, will the minister take a drive with me to Queens, sign a confidentiality agreement and join the hard-working paramedics at Queens base for a full 12-hour shift?

MR. DELOREY « » : Mr. Speaker, as I've previously noted, I did spend an afternoon in an ambulance facility. They took me out, while we were waiting for calls. It did happen to be a day where the call volume was lower than average, I believe an indication that they were getting an average of about 600 calls. At that time we were at about 400 calls on the day so it was a slower day.

I guess the advantage of that was when we went into the hospital there were a couple of paramedics with patients waiting. I had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, where we were able to actually have a detailed conversation, to hear about their experiences both at that time and other experiences. It's where I first heard directly from front-line people about the changes that were taking place at Dartmouth General Hospital and the benefit of those changes.

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

H&W - IMGs: RESIDENCIES - NUMBER

HON. ALFIE MACLEOD « » : Mr. Speaker, my question through you is for the Minister of Health and Wellness.

There is a shortage of family doctors in Nova Scotia, but international medical graduates - IMGs - struggle to find opportunities to get licensed here. That's a hard pill to swallow for IMGs who have to wait patiently for residency spots while hearing about the 100,000 Nova Scotians without a family doctor. There are many Nova Scotians who went abroad to attend medical school at no expense to the province and want to come home and work closely with their friends and family.

My question to the minister is: How many international graduates, who are Nova Scotia-born and raised, are presently doing a residency here in Nova Scotia?

HON. RANDY DELOREY « » : I'm not sure what the exact number is but I will certainly put the inquiry in and provide it to the member. What I can say, though, is that Nova Scotia recognizes those challenges, recognizes the challenges of students who have graduated medical school looking for opportunities for residencies. That's why Nova Scotia is the only province in this country which has expanded its residency positions: 10 seats in family medicine and 15 seats in specialties. We are the progressive province in this country, looking to provide opportunities for medical graduates to complete their residency training.

[Page 1012]

MR. MACLEOD « » : I look forward to that information and I could also recommend a good physiotherapist for the minister where he keeps on patting his own back.

This minister believes that if he builds it, doctors will be lining up to call Nova Scotia home. However, Doctors Nova Scotia is on record arguing that Nova Scotia's chronic physician crisis is primarily due to the poor compensation that is given to doctors in this province.

With much fanfare, the Nova Scotia Government announced 10 residency spaces for medical students. It's a good move and I would say that. My question to the minister is this: With the 10 residency spaces just recently announced, how many of those will be available to international medical graduates who are Nova Scotians who want to come back home to provide care in the communities in which they grew up?

MR. DELOREY « » : I'm not sure I can answer the question fully in 45 seconds, but I'll do my best . . . . (Interruption)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please.

MR. DELOREY « » : The residency positions that provinces make available are part of a national program. We add to the national pool and it's that program that identifies and matches the medical student residents to the position. In that sense, we don't have dedicated residency seats based upon where people study.

However, the Nova Scotia students who are studying at Dalhousie University Medical School through the medical program are mostly Nova Scotians. The other thing that's important to note is that about 75 per cent of all residents stay in the province where they train. That's information that was provided to us from MarDocs which is the Maritimes Resident Doctors association here in the Maritimes.

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

TIR: PARRSBORO ABOITEAU BRIDGE - INSPECTIONS

MR. TORY RUSHTON « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Recently, my constituency office received an email from a concerned citizen in Parrsboro about the Parrsboro Aboiteau bridge. I will table the photos they sent in.

The lake that once existed seems to be disappearing. By looking at the pictures over time, it's obvious that the water levels have receded significantly. This is worrisome to the local residents.

[Page 1013]

My question to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is: Is his department responsible for the maintenance of this aboiteau bridge in Parrsboro and, if so, when was the last inspection?

HON. LLOYD HINES « » : The member brings up a significant matter that faces Nova Scotians. In the province, we have over 90 aboiteaux, some of which date back over 100 years. They've been effective, simple solutions to tidal estuaries in the past, but, of course, after 100 years, a lot of things get to the end of their best-before date.

In this particular instance, this one has not been brought to my attention but we'll take a look at it and see just what the circumstance is.

[10:45 a.m.]

MR. RUSHTON « » : I thank the minister for the response. Just to update, repairs for this infrastructure are scheduled for 2022-23. Constituencies are concerned, as well as mine, that this may be too long for the boaters, swimmers, and the residents in the Parrsboro area. The province has been struggling to keep up with the repairs of aboiteaux all over as we have heard in Hantsport and the causeway in Windsor. I would like to invite the minister to come visit Cumberland South and see if we can expedite the repairs for this aboiteau.

MR. HINES « » : I thank the member for the question and appreciate the invitation. We'll make an effort to accommodate that. In terms of who the ownership is on the aboiteaux, they are a little bit different. In some instances, they are the responsibility of this department; in other instances, they were placed there for agricultural reasons so we have a mixed arrangement there on them. It's a bit of a quandary in terms of looking after the responsibility; however, it's our commitment to make sure that we meet the requirement of the residents in these areas and continue to have these as functional pieces of infrastructure in our communities.

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

COM. SERV. - CHILD PROTECTION: SOCIAL WORKERS - LACK OF

MS. SUSAN LEBLANC « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Community Services. Between 2013 and 2017, the total number of child protection referrals across the province increased by almost 1,000, and I can table that document. Between 2016 and 2017, applications to the Family Division of the Provincial Court under the Child and Family Services Act increased by 8 per cent, and I'll table that. Prior to changes brought in by this government, these numbers were on a downward trend.

Can the minister explain why there has not been an adequate increase in the number of social workers in the department to correspond to this increase in need?

[Page 1014]

HON. KELLY REGAN « » : I'd like to thank the honourable member for the question. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we have been able to move resources around so when we find out that there is a spike, and sometimes that happens in an area for one reason or another, we can actually move social workers in - move managers in - to assist in that. What I can tell the honourable member is the number of cases per social worker is well within national guidelines, but I would note that sometimes we have a caseworker who might have a series of complicated cases, and we do take that into account because sometimes five cases can be more work than 15. Thank you.

MS. LEBLANC « » : When children are taken into care, there are a number of placement options. These options include foster homes, residential care facilities, and places of safety. Places of safety are hotels or apartments where children are housed when other options are unavailable or inappropriate. Will the minister table for this House the number of children housed in hotel rooms over the past year?

MS. REGAN « » : I want to thank the honourable member for the question. I would note that we're in the process of looking at our continuum of care options for children who come into the care of the minister. It is clear to me that upon arriving at the department that this is an issue of some importance and we expect to have information on this in the near future.

MR SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings North.

TIR - SHERMAN BELCHER RD.: SPEED REDUCTION REQUEST - HEED

MR. JOHN LOHR « » : My question, Mr. Speaker, is for the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Last year, I presented a petition of 300 signatures asking for a speed reduction in Centreville. The speed reduction was implemented everywhere in the community but the road directly in front of the Centreville Park. The stretch of road I'm referring to is Sherman Belcher Road in the heart of the Kings County hamlet.

Like any other park, Centreville Park is a destination for families and children and should have a safer speed limit. My question for the minister is: Will the minister heed the petition and lower the speed limit in front of Centreville Park on Sherman Belcher Road?

HON. LLOYD HINES « » : Thank you to the member opposite for the question. I'm beginning to feel like the Minister of Health and Wellness today.

I hear what the member is saying and on the issue of speeds and speed reduction and posted speeds, I can assure the House that there is a lot of science that goes into that. There's a standardized process across the province and we are actually reviewing some of those at the present time because we are getting a lot of requests from municipal units, in particular, to adjust speeds depending on traffic patterns that are there. So, I will undertake to go back and take a look at that again.

[Page 1015]

MR. SPEAKER « » : Thank you very much. The time allotted for Oral Questions Put by Members to Ministers has expired.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

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

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN « » : Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Bills.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The House will now resolve into the Committee of the Whole House on Bills. We'll recess while we set up.

[10:50 a.m. The House recessed.]

[11:03 a.m. The House resolved into a CWH on Bills with Deputy Speaker Ms. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft in the Chair.]

[11:36 a.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Kevin Murphy, resumed the Chair.]

MR. SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:

THE CLERK » : That the committee has met and made some progress on:

Bill No. 29 - Labour Standards Code

and begs leave sit again.

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

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Public Bills for Second Reading.

PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING

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

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 67.

Bill No. 67 - Securities Act.

[Page 1016]

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

HON. KAREN CASEY « » : Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 67, amendments to the Securities Act, be now read a second time.

Bill No. 67 will harmonize Nova Scotia's securities regulations with other Canadian jurisdictions, in keeping with our commitment as part of the Council of Ministers, and promote the improved enforcement of securities laws across Canada.

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission exists to provide investors with protection from activities that undermine investor confidence in Nova Scotia capital markets. The Securities Commission protects investors through education, compliance, registration, and enforcement of Nova Scotia's securities laws. These amendments will do a number of things.

First, they will enhance enforcement of securities regulations by extending certain powers of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission to the recognized self-regulatory organizations that it oversees. Such organizations would include the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada. These enhancements will provide these organizations with the power to file administrative orders with the court, enabling the collection of fines and costs as if they were civil judgments, compel evidence from witnesses during an investigation and during a hearing, and provide statutory immunity to the self-regulating organizations' staff, directors, officers, and agents.

Mr. Speaker, these amendments will make the work of these self-regulatory organizations more efficient and their process less cumbersome.

We are also repealing the section of the Act that requires the Attorney General's consent to initiate quasi-criminal proceedings. With these changes that decision will be made by the Securities Commission. Currently these types of proceedings are very infrequent, seeing only one every few years.

The amendments will also add provisions to establish the regulatory financial benchmarks which will be adopted by all Canadian securities association jurisdictions. Provisions will be added to enhance community economic development corporation regulations, allowing the Securities Commission the ability to administer these regulations and make amendments as required.

Additional provisions will also extend existing immunity for employees of the commission from being called as a witness in private civil proceedings, or being required to produce documents and written evidence obtained from their duties at the commission. This will prevent paid staff's time being taken up with participation as a witness in a private civil dispute that does not have a public interest aspect.

[Page 1017]

Mr. Speaker, we are making these changes to align with the securities regulations established in other provinces. To date, amendments extending enforcement powers to self-regulatory organizations have been made across Canada. Consultation between the commission and its regulatory counterparts in other jurisdictions has confirmed that. Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut have already extended those enforcement powers. Both Ontario and Prince Edward Island have made similar amendments that will give more power to those self-regulating organizations. Most other provinces currently have similar provisions like the one we're making to extend immunity to employees of the Securities Commission.

The proposed amendments to the Securities Act will improve standards and efficiencies and ensure that Nova Scotia remains consistent with other Canadian provinces. These amendments are designed to provide the best possible protection for investors in Nova Scotia. The proposed amendments to the Securities Act will improve standards and efficiencies and, again, keep us consistent with other jurisdictions across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I await the comments from the other members.

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

MR. ALLAN MACMASTER « » : Mr. Speaker, and Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, thank you for the opportunity. I believe that at heart, the purpose of security laws is that they are ultimately for the consumer, but they are also for the industry itself. They are there to protect the integrity of the industry. If people were investing and there were no rules and people were getting hurt, they would stop investing.

I also believe that with self regulation, we are allowing influential industry players to create rules to control the revenue streams. It may be a bit controversial for me to say that, but I think there is an interest by the industry to control revenue streams, and who could blame them? People want to make money.

As proof, I offer mutual fund fees in this country. We have some of the highest mutual fund fees in the world. I believe that is proof enough that the industry, with self regulation, has an ability to control the revenue streams. Whether that's for people who belong to the MFDA or for - and they keep changing the name of the other organization that would be representative of advisers who are selling stocks, bonds, and other instruments directly to consumers.

The reason I'm raising this is because I believe that a lot of the revenue earned by Nova Scotians working in this industry finds its way to Bay Street in Toronto. That's just the reality of it. I believe some Maritimers do benefit, but most do not.

If we look at the pension consultation in the province a few short years ago, I remember going through the report - and it was before I was elected - and reading about something called "safe harbour." The whole purpose of it is to allow - for a lot of people now, we don't see defined-benefit pension plans anymore, where you put money in and you're guaranteed to get a certain amount back. The government pension plan is an example. Most people out there have a defined-contribution plan, so the money they put in - what comes out at the other end when they retire depends heavily on how it's invested and the circumstances in which it's invested.

[Page 1018]

The idea behind a safe harbour would allow advisers to give people who belong to a defined-contribution plan - let's say university professors, as one example - to give those professors advice not only on what investments they could choose but also on broader financial planning issues that have proven, statistically, to sometimes make more of a difference in terms of what they retire with, in terms of their pension and their savings.

The purpose of safe harbour would be to protect the university, their employer, from any liability associated with the advisers helping them with their defined-contribution plan.

That has been proven to be more effective than - I'll call them robots, or computer software, that is used by a lot of the big players in the industry who don't want money going to advisers, like individual advisers here in Nova Scotia, but prefer that money to flow through the computer software, which would help those professors choose investments and that's it, no other advice. It would flow those revenues. The fees are nice and low. But the reason the fees for advisers are high is because those same companies that want the fees going through the computer software are clipping a high percentage of the fees that individual advisers charge, and those advisers are Nova Scotians. They are people who are small-business owners, and I want to put that on the record.

[11:45 a.m.]

When we look at the pension consultation from a few years ago, it doesn't surprise me that some people who have ties to the industry, who have been very successful in the industry, and who hold shares in the big firms of the country - many, many shares - I'm not talking about somebody who owns 200 shares in TD Bank. I'm talking about somebody who may be a director at TD Bank or somebody who might have thousands of shares of one of the big banks, investment firms. (Interruption)

I heard a member say, "Not me." Well, that's true and most of us don't. Most Nova Scotians don't, so most Nova Scotians may have a different opinion than those people but, yet, it was that opinion that was carried forward in the pension consultation and the result of the report.

I raised it with the minister before in Budget Estimates. I just raised it to put it on her radar so that we don't think, when we hear a couple of people who we may consider to be in the know in Nova Scotia, to think they're looking after our interests - or perhaps all the independent advisers out there, or perhaps in the case I've just made, for the investor, which is the most important person that we should be thinking about here in this Legislature. But I also think we should be thinking about the independent business owners, the advisers out there. I think I've covered that part.

[Page 1019]

I think I've made the case that there is opportunity, and it may be a little bit separate from this bill, but I want to put it on the record as part of general discussion. There's potential to create more employment for Nova Scotians - potential to, because we need more of them. If we're not using computer software to advise people on their defined contribution plans, we need Nova Scotians to do that instead, and I think I've covered all this by heart. I'm looking at my notes, but I've pretty well covered it.

I want to say I'm not against harmonization of securities regulators, but I cannot help but feel there's an opportunity lost. As we move more towards harmonization, it consolidates more of the control into the hands of the industry, which I don't believe is always acting in the best interests of consumers and not always in the best interests of the people working for their firms, because they are more interested in ensuring they're clipping the maximum amount of revenue they can from the people who are working from it. That's just business. I don't criticize them even for doing that, but as somebody standing in this Legislature who knows better, I feel it's my duty to state that and to make that known for people who may not be aware of that.

I do think we could be creating an industry here in Nova Scotia where more of these investment-fee revenues stay in our province instead of landing in the pockets of people on Bay Street. I believe more Nova Scotians, as advisers, could be offering advice monitored by more Nova Scotians working at our securities regulator giving Nova Scotian investors more tailored financial advice, which has been proven to improve their financial health in retirement.

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

HON. DAVID WILSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to see I have a few moments to speak on Bill No. 67, the Securities Act. We know here in Nova Scotia it's important to make sure our regulations that oversee the Nova Scotia Securities Commission are updated as needed but, more importantly, are aligned with some of the other jurisdictions and changes we've seen in neighbouring provinces across the country.

I think it's important, even though we're a smaller province in Canada, the efforts of the Securities Commission here in Nova Scotia are met with strong legislation that supports their work and the work they do. I think the minister outlined a little bit the reasons why the changes are needed to make sure that those who do work within the Securities Commission do what Nova Scotians need them to do. That's to monitor the field itself.

[Page 1020]

We know there's been some very high-profile cases of mismanagement, corruption, illegal activities in the past when it comes to investors. Enron Corporation stands out the most, and others that we've seen. Many people lose their whole wealth because of their actions. We need to make sure here in Nova Scotia that we are keeping up with what the trends are across the country and around the globe to make sure the Nova Scotia Securities Commission can do its job appropriately.

Many Nova Scotians may think, why bother even paying attention to the Securities Act that we have or the Securities Commission because they may not physically or directly invest in bonds or the market itself. But, as my colleague has mentioned, many pension plans, if they aren't defined pension plans, which we are seeing less and less of in Nova Scotia, are driven by the market. They are driven by those investments being made. We want to make sure that those companies and those organizations that are doing that on behalf of the pension plans of Nova Scotians and Canadians, for that matter, are doing so in a way that meets all the requirements and the laws we set out.

We hear those heartbreaking cases, time and time again, of pension plans having to be clawed back after someone has retired because, for example, the company has gone bankrupt or closed down. I think of Sears, for example, more recently. That may be another issue, but it just shows how important it is to make sure that the Securities Commission here can do the work, has the legislation behind them to make sure that people, organizations, and businesses are acting appropriately when they're dealing with such things as pension funds for Nova Scotians.

We look forward to this moving forward. Sometimes it is a bit complex and hard to understand exactly what's going on. But I think we all look for support, help, and guidance sometimes, and we'll continue to do that through this process. It will be interesting to see if anybody has concerns or issues brought forward at Law Amendments Committee, and we'll move from there.

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

The honourable Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

HON. KAREN CASEY « » : Thank you to my colleagues on the other side, who brought some very important concerns to the floor of the Legislature here. In particular, the comment was made about the purpose of securities laws. I guess there's really four. There is the industry, there is the investors, there is the independent advisers, and there's the consumers. All need protection from any kind of legislation that we have. I believe we have that protection within the Securities Act; however, there are some areas that need to be amended to perhaps further enforce those bits of protection and security, so I appreciate the attention that the member for Inverness, in particular, has brought to the floor of the House.

[Page 1021]

Also, to the member for Sackville-Cobequid who has made a very good point that Nova Scotians in general probably pay little attention to this, however, directly or indirectly, it will now - or it will in the future - have an impact on them. Although it may be seen as a not-too-exciting piece of legislation, it does have, and the potential to have, a great impact.

I want to thank the members who spoke for their words and their acknowledgement that there is a need to make some amendments to keep us in line with the harmonization across Canada. I look forward to Law Amendments Committee. With those few comments, I will close debate on second reading of Bill No. 67.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The motion is for second reading of Bill No. 67. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

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

The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. GEOFF MACLELLAN « » : Mr. Speaker, that concludes the government's business for today. I move that the House do now rise to meet again on Tuesday, October 2^nd, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Following the daily routine and Question Period, business will include Committee of the Whole House on Bills to consider Bill No. 29, as well as third reading on Bill Nos. 27, 32, 38, 42, 44, 45, and 48.

I would also note that the Committee on Law Amendments will meet Monday, October 1^st, at 3:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The motion is for the House to adjourn, to rise again on Tuesday, October 2^nd, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

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

The motion is carried.

The House now stands adjourned until Tuesday, October 2^nd, at 1:00 p.m.

[The House rose at 11:56 a.m.]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

[Page 1022]

RESOLUTION NO. 315

By: Hon. Leo Glavine « » (Communities, Culture and Heritage)

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

Whereas for over 25 years Dr. Howard Wightman has been an innovative and dedicated cardiologist whose work was inspired by the idea that coronary disease could be positively impacted by diet, exercise, and aggressive risk factor reduction; and

Whereas in addition to his professional and caring approach to his cardiac patients, Dr. Wightman has committed to improving the health of his community through the creation of Extended Warranty II, a supervised exercise and nutrition program, in addition to working with like-minded volunteers to promote events like Hearts on Ice and Life Cycle, which celebrate the healing power of healthy living; and

Whereas his patients and the community at large have benefited from Dr. Howard Wightman's professionalism, outreach, and advocacy;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly join in congratulating Dr. Howard Wightman for his leadership in health promotion, and for having a considerable impact on improving the well-being of Nova Scotians through his professional skills, coupled with his passion for advancing healthier lifestyle choices.

RESOLUTION NO. 316

By: Hon. Karen Casey « » (Finance and Treasury Board)

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

Whereas on September 24, 2018, the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia and member pharmacies hosted the 2^nd Take your MLA to Work Day, to provide MLAs with an up- close- and- personal view of the many services that pharmacy teams provide throughout Nova Scotia; and

Whereas MLAs got to see such things as collaborative care and chronic disease management services, prescription renewals, injections, minor ailment assessments, medication reviews, and compliance packaging, to name a few; and

Whereas this year MLA Karen Casey joined Todd MacKinnon at Bayside Guardian Pharmacy in Bass River, which serves the communities along the Cobequid Shore, the only one between Truro and Parrsboro;

[Page 1023]

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly recognize pharmacists throughout Nova Scotia for providing extremely important health care services, and especially services to the rural areas.