Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 51e 2e Discours du Trône 3 Février 1975 Clarence Gosse Lieutenant-gouverneur LIB Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the 51st General Assembly, February 3th, 1975 I am delighted to welcome you to this the Second Session of the 51st General Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia. I extend my very best wishes to each of you, and particularly to the newest member of the Executive Council, the Honourable Maynard C. MacAskill, M.D. The United Nations has declared 1975 International Women's Year. Many historic injustices have been removed, but it is for our generation to fully recognize the human rights of women. I urge all Nova Scotians to share in this spirit of this world-wide undertaking. This year marks the 100th anniversaries of the incorporation of two of our largest and most historic towns, Truro and New Glasgow. We wish them well in their centennial celebrations. My Government recognizes its responsibility to exercise a firm hand over public expenditures and to keep growth in government spending to a level compatible with our revenue resources. The current outlook is that most Nova Scotians, like most Canadians, will be able to stay abreast of inflation but that real incomes will show little if any increase in 1975. My Government's policy in these circumstances has already been made clear. There will be no increases in existing taxes and no new taxes will be imposed this year. My Government believes that its primary obligation is to assist those who are unable to maintain their purchasing power, particularly those in the lower income groups. Canada has been spared the worst effects of the oil price spiral. For economic and political reasons, we must, as a matter of national necessity, develop long-range energy policies which encompass both the resources and the requirements of all provinces and of all Canadians. This will demand a sense of national purpose and a degree of co-operation between the provinces and the federal government, between the provinces themselves, and between the private and public sectors of the economy. To develop and co-ordinate our energy policies, my Government established the Nova Scotia Energy Council. This Council is composed of senior officials from several departments and agencies of government, together with a small but expert research staff. The Council is currently at work preparing for the First Ministers Conference on Energy to be held in Ottawa in early Spring. A statement of my Government's position on energy will be presented in due course. In recognition of the need to achieve closer co-ordination between the provinces, my Government's proposal to establish the Interprovincial Advisory Council on Energy was unanimously accepted by the First Ministers Conference last September. This Council has held two meetings to date, under its first chairman, Mr. John C. Smith, Nova Scotia's Deputy Minister of Mines. We are faced once again with the threat that rising costs of transportation will seriously erode our economic progress. My Government, together with those of the other Atlantic Provinces, will continue to press upon the Government of Canada the need for national policies that will mitigate our inherent disadvantages of distance. Seven months ago, my Government received the Report of the Royal Commission on Education, Public Services and Provincial-Municipal Relations. The Graham Report, as it is commonly known, has since become the subject of intensive study, in and out of government. You will recall that you struck a Select Committee of the House to examine the Report and elicit the views of interested individuals and organizations. This Committee is currently holding public hearings. In addition, my Government established a Cabinet Committee to undertake an internal review of the Report. This Committee has met many times and has received assessments from every department and agency whose activities would be affected by the recommendations. Finally, my Government has assisted private sector groups to hold meetings throughout the province for the purpose of enhancing public understanding of the Report. My Government is concerned that every Nova Scotian have the opportunity to make his or her views known before final decisions are made. My Government had committed itself to take over the operating costs of education over a three-year period. Additional financial assistance for the municipalities in keeping with this commitment was announced recently. My Government will extend benefits of The Home Owners Incentive Act to the purchasers of residential mobile homes. Amendments to the Judicature Act will be introduced to permit the appointment of two additional Justices of the Supreme Court, one in each of the Trial and Appeal Divisions. Revisions to the Residential Tenancies Act will be introduced to alleviate a number of Problems which have arisen both for landlords and tenants. An amendment to the Municipal Affairs Act will be introduced to enable municipalities to enter into joint undertakings for capital works. My Government believes that the Liquor Control Act, which has been amended many times over the years, should be studied with a view to consolidation and revision. Therefore, you will be asked to strike a Select Committee of the House to consider the Act and to make recommendations thereto. In recent years, my Government has acknowledged its responsibility to support the arts. An extension of this support will be the presentation of a Bill to establish the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Procedures under the Change of Name Act will be greatly simplified through amendments presented for your consideration. Changes will also be proposed to the Vital Statistics Act. My Government is developing policies to stimulate agricultural production and provide greater prosperity for the farming community of the province. These will include programs on land improvement, farm enlargement, farm land leasing and banking, grain production and storage facilities, as well as specific measures to encourage new farmers to enter the industry. The complex task of developing wise and workable land use policies must proceed from a complete inventory of our land resource. The Land Registration and Information Service, an agency of the Council of Maritime Premiers, is continuing its efforts in this regard. My Government also proposes to establish a Provincial Crown Lands Record Centre to bring together all legal documents and provide for ready retrieval of information pertaining to Crown Lands. My Government expects to complete negotiations under the DREE General Development Agreement within the immediate future for a comprehensive program for the further development of our forest resources. We note with concern the serious problems currently confronting our fishing industry, difficulties brought on by a decline in landings, increases in operating costs and unsettled market conditions. The Department of Fisheries is working actively with the private sector to find solutions to these problems and expects shortly to sign a Subsidiary Agreement with the Government of Canada to provide additional funding for the industry. My Government supports the federal government in its efforts to secure international agreement to the creation of a 200--mile offshore limit. However, should international agreement not be forthcoming, my Government urges the Government of Canada to take unilateral action. My Government's concern for the interests of consumers was shown in the appointment of a Minister Without Portfolio with responsibility for consumer affairs. A number of amendments will be offered in this field. Amendments will be introduced to the Companies Act, the Corporations Registration Act and the Partnerships and Business Names Registration Act to better protect the public from commercial fraud. My Government notes with pleasure the growing importance of coal as a source of energy. The new mine at Lingan, although not in full production, continues to set records. Active planning for additional mines in Cape Breton is underway, and discussions are being held between the Cape Breton Development Corporation and the Nova Scotia Power Corporation to ascertain whether sufficient coal will be available to meet a sizable portion of the province's future electric power needs. Under the General Development Agreement, my Government is carrying out an extensive drilling program as the first phase of a comprehensive inventory of the province's coal resources. Efforts are being made to accelerate the pace of this program beyond that originally negotiated. Recognizing an opportunity for the construction of a major new steel complex in Nova Scotia, my Government is proceeding with negotiations with other Canadian and international interests toward the creation of a consortium for the construction of such a complex in the Sydney area. In addition, determined efforts are being made to increase the efficiency and production capacity of SYSCO so that it can continue to provide vital employment while new facilities are being sought. A high level of offshore exploration for petroleum is expected to continue in 1975. As a consequence of the report of the Select Committee on the Workmen's compensation Act, amendments to that Act will be presented for your consideration aimed at improving the Board's practices and procedures. Legislation to protect the interests of employees in private pension plans will be introduced. In particular, the principle of disclosure and details of any such pension plan will be required. My Government will continue its efforts to provide assistance to small industry in Nova Scotia through the Department of Development and Industrial Estates Limited, and will undertake a program of special assistance to certain regional industrial parks to promote greater industrial growth. You will be asked to enact legislation to provide for the protection of provincial historical sites. This will include safeguarding of areas of archaeological interest. In keeping with my Government's commitment to enhance the quality of life for all Nova Scotians, the Department of Recreation will soon be completing its master plan for recreational facility development. In addition, the Department's municipal assistance program will be expanded, while a provincial physical fitness program will be introduced. Recreation services for disadvantaged persons will be broadened. The four Atlantic Provinces have signed an agreement for the joint provision of facilities for the education of handicapped persons. In addition to joint support for the education of the deaf in Amherst, plans are well underway for a new resource centre for the visually handicapped. During the next school term, my Government intends to discontinue the system of payment of rental fees for high school textbooks. Arrangements are also being completed to revise the present system of providing textbooks and other instructional materials for all school grades. Amendments to the Credit Union Act will be proposed. A new Amusement Devices Act will be introduced. A Provincial Judges Pension Act will be introduced for your consideration. You will be asked to approve amendments to the Labour Standards Code. A number of important measures will be placed before you to assist those persons ed in our primary industries. Legislation will be introduced pertaining to several departments. The 1974 annual reports of the Voluntary Planning Board, the Ombudsman and various Boards, Commissions and departments will be placed before you. The public accounts of the Province for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1974, will be placed before you. Estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1975, will be presented for your consideration. To these and all of the matters which may come before you, I ask your most careful attention, praying that sound judgment and Divine Providence may guide you in all your deliberations and decisions.