MR. SPEAKER: Just before we move on to the next Member's Statement, I want to take a minute to remind everybody not to speak to constituency members directly but rather, direct your comments through the Chair in the third person. I've heard a number this morning that are reaching out directly to constituencies or people listening at home. So again, messages go directly through the Chair.

MR. GORDON WILSON:... After three years, I would, more than ever, like to thank my wife for her continued support. Deidre, this job would be unbearable without you there to make each and every day one with guilt as I would leave the house for long hours . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I appreciate the sentiment of the honourable member, but please do not directly address someone who is outside the Chamber.

MR. GORDON WILSON: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure if I should apologize to all those people out there at Leg. TV at this point in time.

I'd like to begin by saying (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I'd like to caution the member to not address the public through the television.

The honourable member for Clare-Digby has the floor.

MR. GORDON WILSON: Mr. Speaker, I certainly would like to apologize for that.

DEREK MOMBOURQUETTE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

LENORE ZANN: So, I want to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all of the hard-working teachers across the province. Hang in there, teachers. We love you.

MR. SPEAKER: I want to also remind members not to use Members' Statements to speak directly to constituents.

The honourable member for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.

MS. KARLA MACFARLANE: I think for the record I will read this press release and table it because this will go down in history. The title is, "McNeil government's anti-education legislation results in Province wide teacher strike. The complete lack of respect displayed by Stephen McNeil and his government towards teachers, students and their families has left NSTU members with no choice but to initiate a one-day province-wide walk-out on Friday, February 17. In the entire 122 year history of NSTU, our members have never faced a more anti-education Premier than Stephen McNeil."

HON LLOYD HINES: Thank you, Sheila, for all you do, and it is people like you who make Nova Scotia the wonderful place that it is.

MR. SPEAKER: I'd like to remind all members not to use members' statements to speak directly to constituents, but to direct your thank-yous through the Chair.

MARIAN MANCINI: ... He goes on to say, "The McNeil Liberals did not invent the current problems . . ."

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I would like to remind the honourable member not to use the surname of members of the House even when quoting from documents. Please refer to the Premier as "the Premier."

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you. Before, we begin I would just like to remind all the members - not the previous one but all members before that - that reading letters directly from a constituent and referring directly to the McNeil Government is not proper.

MS. LISA ROBERTS: I would like to share a Sterling Belliveau-ism with the members of the House who don't have the benefit of receiving his advice in our caucus meetings. There is no "I" in team.

... 

MR. SPEAKER: I would like to remind the honourable member for Halifax Needham not to refer to other members by their proper name. He's still a member for a little while yet. A Sterling Belliveau-ism (Interruptions). I understand.