STERLING BELLIVEAU: Now, Mr. Speaker, that is just a backdrop of where we are. This has been ongoing since 2015 and we are placed in a scenario here in the last 72 hours that now we have an emergency debate in this House. In the next few minutes, I'd like to just kind of underline the severity of the weather conditions that we encountered in the last 72 hours. I know there are a number of other people in this historic building, and I have spent a lifetime paying attention to weather conditions. I can assure you that what I am going to point out now certainly got my attention.

MS. LISA ROBERTS: Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Premier. On Friday just outside this Chamber we saw the Premier engage in a personal and inappropriate exchange with a journalist. A Halifax Examiner article, which I can table, described the Premier's comments as ". . . exactly what the term mansplaining was invented for."

EDDIE ORRELL: ... My question to the minister is, how could anyone trust this government and this minister when these kinds of shady hiring practices and insider jobs can leave a cloud of suspicion around the inner circle?

MR. SPEAKER: I'd like to remind the honourable member the term "shady" is unparliamentary.

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.

HON. TONY INCE: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the Cole Harbour and Area Business Association for their continued dedication to supporting local businesses and in turn, helping develop community spirit. The Cole Harbour and Area Business Association has had a busy year, accomplishing several goals. One of the association's main objectives was to create a current mission statement that would reflect boundary changes, and would engage a more inclusive membership pool.

HON. JOANNE BERNARD: Last evening, I had the pleasure to attend the Foster Parents Appreciation Banquet, where long-time foster parents are honoured for their dedication and commitment to children in the care of the minister. These extraordinary men and women open their hearts, their homes, and their lives, by welcoming and supporting children who have suffered abuse, neglect, and other unimaginable situations in their birth families . . .

KARLA MACFARLANE: ... I want to just touch on education for a moment. I had an opportunity two weeks ago, on a Friday evening - I sat with a number of teachers and listened to their concerns. If I am allowed, Mr. Speaker, I just want to read a letter from one of the teachers. I'm not sure if I'm allowed.

MR. SPEAKER: You can read from it and then table it.

MS. MACFARLANE: Sure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker:

HON. ALFIE MACLEOD: Mr. Speaker, when I was growing up I was told to say what you mean and mean what you say.

On June 10^th the members of this government attended a hastily organized press conference about a collaborative health practice for Sydney. This was only a cheap political trick to try to downplay a public meeting June 12^th that was held to voice concern . . .

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I remind the honourable member that "cheap political trick" is unparliamentary, and I'd ask him to retract that phrase and rephrase his question.