Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 53e 2e Discours du Trône 24 Février 1983 John E. Shaffner Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the 53rd General Assembly, February 24th, 1983 I welcome you in our Sovereign's name to this Opening of the Second Session of the Fifty-third General Assembly of the Province of-Nova Scotia. My Government was saddened by the passing during the past year of four distinguished former Members of this House. Senator G.I. Smith -- former Premier, soldier, lawyer, statesman -- left his imprint on many of the institutions of our; and his, below Province, and he will be missed and remembered as one of the greatest of Nova Scotians. The former Member from Cape Breton West, Judge Allan Sullivan, served with distinction as a Member and Minister, displaying great sensitivity throughout his years of service. Mr. George Lohnes, former Member for Lunenburg Centre, served this House and his constituents with commitment and good humour. Mr. Osborne Fraser, the former Member from Cape Breton The Lakes, was a highly respected Member of the House of Assembly at the time of his untimely death. We extend our sympathy to the families of these Nova Scotians who, while providing leadership at different levels and in different ways, did so unselfishly, and in the best interests of the People of this Province. My Government reaffirms its loyalty to the Crown. In 1983, Nova Scotia will host Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales. We are extremely pleased that our invitation has been accepted and we look forward to welcoming them in the Nova Scotian tradition. This year the Province of Nova Scotia celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the coming to Nova Scotia of the United Empire Loyalists. The Loyalists, together with Nova Scotia's other early colonists, worked under great adversity to establish our Province of which we are so proud. The descendants of the Loyalists have made a significant and continuing contribution to the economic and social life of Nova Scotia. We join in wishing them well as they undertake their celebrations. My Government extends sincere congratulations to the Women's Institute of Nova Scotia as that most noteworthy organization celebrates its 70th Anniversary in 1983. My Government was pleased to participate in a most successful Women's Initiatives Conference at Mount Saint Vincent University last year. Recommendations from that Conference have been placed before my Government and are under active study. My Government extends its congratulations to those young Nova Scotians proudly representing our Province at the Canada Winter Games and expresses best wishes for their success. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the birth of steel production in British North America, in Trenton, Nova Scotia. My Government is pleased that Nova Scotia will once again this year be hosting the International Gathering of the Clans. My Government is also pleased that the Nova Scotia Tattoo will be held again this year. The Tattoo is a cooperative effort of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Province of Nova Scotia, which provides a stage for hundreds of young Nova Scotians to demonstrate their many talents to audiences of thousands. The Tattoo has become a Nova Scotian tradition. Significant strides have been made by my Government towards a greater understanding of the unique problems of native people. My Government fully supports the view of native people that they and their lands are a total federal responsibility. My Government will vigorously support their demand for improved federal performance of its responsibilities to the native people at next month's Constitutional Conference. My Government recognizes the importance of striving to develop and maintain a good relationship with the Government of Canada. A spirit of cooperation has been maintained in many areas of mutual interest and efforts are continuing in this direction. Since I last spoke to you, my Government has hosted the annual meeting of Canada's Premiers in this Historic Building. Much of the discussion focused on Canadian economic matters, particularly unemployment, inflation and high interest rates, and their negative effect on all Canadians. My Government expressed its concern about the resultant effects on the economic and social well-being of the Canadian people. Recent weakness in the national economy has led to unacceptable levels of unemployment and underemployment and to hardship for many people and business enterprises in our Province, however, my Government looks forward with optimism and resolve to the challenges and tasks ahead. The latest independent economic forecasts, including that of the Conference Board of Canada, indicate Nova Scotia will be a leader among Canadian provinces in economic strength and growth this year. Industrial and related development opportunities promoted by my Government have injected strength into our economy. This direction of progress for Nova Scotia in the 1980's will mean maximization of our resources, greater employment opportunities and improved income prospects for Nova Scotians. The strategy for the direction of progress must be based on strengthening traditional resource industries; building on our value added economy; expanding capabilities of the service sector; attracting investment and technology; developing export-led market growth; and working with Nova Scotians to take advantage of progress. My Government is committed to further Nova Scotia's economic advancement in cooperation with our people involved in the great primary resource industries of Nova Scotia - agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining and tourism. My Government recognizes that these resource sectors, including processing, are the foundation of our economy. These, supported by diverse manufacturing, construction and service industries combine to form the basic economic thrust of my Government. Support for small industry and business continues to focus on marketing, product development, financing, venture capital and assistance to industrial Commissions with favourable results. My Government recognizes the increasing competitiveness of the international marketplace, and is placing a high priority on trade promotion support. The World Trade Centre is under construction and is targeted for completion in early 1984. This world- class Centre will provide Nova Scotia with a facility to attract national and international trade shows to our Province which will offer a wide variety of business opportunities for Nova Scotians. The Market Development Centre will expand its efforts to assist Nova Scotia manufacturers to develop markets in Central and Western Canada as well as a greater share of markets in Atlantic Canada. With respect to the offshore development, my Government has taken a leadership role in guaranteeing that the optimum long-term benefits will accrue to Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians. The Nova Scotia offshore is unequalled since Confederation as an opportunity for Nova Scotians to share more equitably in the national economy. My Government is making ready for its development, not to the exclusion of other resources and initiatives, but as a singular opportunity of enormous potential benefit. My Government is working toward the introduction of legislation with respect to agreements reached between my Government and the Government of Canada relating to offshore oil and gas. My Government is determined to look beyond short-term economic spinoffs and to support investment and technological innovation which will lay a solid base for economic development into the next century. A priority of my Government is to use the offshore opportunity as a means to assist in maximizing the utilization of the existing supply side of the Nova Scotia economy. The achievement of this goal will translate into increased utilization of existing manufacturing capacity, greater markets for our natural resources, new opportunities in the service sector and expanded utilization of our professional capabilities. Industrial and service sector activity accelerated in 1983 with the signing of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Agreement. Contacts with offshore employers and industry have been strengthened and every effort is being made to promote favourable procurement policies and active participation by Nova Scotian firms and institutions. Canada and Nova Scotia benefits targets have already been established as part of the Exploration Agreements now signed between the Province and oil companies. These cover labour participation and the procurement of goods and services by project sponsors. Mechanisms have been put in place to monitor their performance. As to the provision of equipment and products used in the offshore, my Government will continue to help local firms to position themselves as suppliers of high value, sophisticated products serving domestic offshore requirements and those further afield. Reviews are underway to identify supply gaps and the potential to fill these locally. My Government's sponsorship of the Offshore Resources Exhibition and of regional seminars will continue to provide opportunities for matching local capabilities with procurement requirements. My Government accepts the challenges and welcomes the opportunities flowing from the development of our offshore resources. My Government is committed to the continued development of power from tidal energy. The Tidal Power Project at Annapolis Royal is progressing on schedule and will be opened this year. The 1982 Tidal Power Update concluded that a major tidal power project is economically viable. The next phase of the development is now under discussion with government and utility officials in Canada and the United States. Equally, my Government is committed to the extension of coal mining and research. My Government's strong support of Nova Scotia coal has resulted in substantial reduction in the use of oil for electrical generation. To maximize employment opportunities, specific provisions are contained in the Offshore Agreement which will ensure that Nova Scotians are properly trained and qualified to fill manpower needs. The provision of an education and training fund under the Agreement will support a sustained training effort. Various offshore-related training courses have already been established in various institutions, covering a broad range of skill requirements. These will be added to in 1983 and expanded when necessary. The Nova Scotia offshore brings new challenges to Government. My Government will work with the Federal Government, the petroleum industry and the medical profession to meet these new challenges brought on by increased activity on the Nova Scotia offshore. Comprehensive studies of the current methods and practices, life saving systems and appliances which will form the bases for the highest possible degree of sea safety and survival are now underway. The Marine Emergency Duties Course has been significantly expanded to meet increasing demands for Sea Safety Survival Training. My Government will continue to pursue the recommendations of the Select Committee of Inquiry into The Workers' Compensation Act. Many of the recommendations requiring legislation have been passed by this House and the Workers' Compensation Board continues to assess and develop the policy changes necessary to improve the present system of workers' compensation. Legislation will be introduced to establish the Port Development Authority and the final report of the Grice Committee on port promotion will be tabled. My Government has also taken the initiative in negotiating a cost sharing agreement with the Government of Canada for protection for the Halifax-Dartmouth bridges. The recent arrival and the imminent completion of the Panamax Drydock will favourably position Halifax Industries Limited to capture international ship repair business as international trade and ocean shipping revive. My Government will continue to provide ready access to all government programs and services along with a counselling service to the business community through the fully decentralized field offices of the Department of Development. There will be greater priority given to enhancement of industrial productivity and technological capabilities through management training programs, technical advisory services and transfer of technology from Nova Scotia's research and educational institutions. Under the Federal/Provincial Training Agreement signed in September, more training resources will be devoted to technical fields, especially those associated with marine industries and manufacturing. My Government, while continuing to maintain existing jobs, is working to create new jobs; to foster economic growth; to efficiently deliver services to people; and to manage the Province effectively. My Government recognizes and supports the commitment of Nova Scotians to those things which are basic to our way of life: Family, Church, Community and Work Ethic. My Government deeply values the Nova Scotia way of life and economic development will always be measured with regard to our traditional quality of life. It is the combination of these basic attitudes which influences and directs the policy priorities of my Government. The primary goal of my Government is to continue to develop policies and programs which are responsive to the needs of our people. Young Nova Scotians, in these times of great technological change, face many challenges as they make choices which will affect their future. My Government believes that young Nova Scotians deserve every opportunity to go forward and to take their proper place in shaping the events of our future. Our society, to be successful, requires no less. Therefore, my Government will establish the Young Nova Scotians Initiatives Office to work with Government in developing policies and programs aimed at preparing young Nova Scotians to go forward to meet the educational, social and technological challenges of our time. My Government is committed to assuring that our young people can take advantage of the opportunities arising from the continuing promise of our resource industries. My Government therefore will continue to emphasize education and training programs at all levels so that young Nova Scotians will have the skills to ensure that they can fully and effectively participate in their chosen careers and activities. In response to the need for the development of an education program emphasizing fundamental knowledge and skills, after consultation with district school boards, my Government will implement a core program of studies. To provide better opportunities for young farmers in advancing agriculture technology, my Government is completing new and improved facilities at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. To provide jobs, my Government will carry out a Summer Employment Program with emphasis on students and unemployed young people. To help deserving Nova Scotians cope with the consequences of current economic conditions in their personal lives, my Government has strengthened its social services responses. Additional cost-sharing has been provided to municipalities to help them with their responsibility to maintain persons in need. My Government has responded to budgetary adjustments requested by municipalities for this purpose in 1982 and has assured them of its continuing financial support in 1983. Additional accommodation in Homes for Special Care has been completed or approved in Amherst, Arichat, Bridgewater, the Town of Digby, the Town of Lunenburg, Neil's Harbour, New Germany and Sheet Harbour, and approval has been given for a further one hundred beds for private-paying residents in Homes throughout the Province. New measures have been introduced to support emergency shelters for battered women and their children, and for the maintenance of essential services in Homes for Special Care; regulations under the Children's Services Act have been strengthened in respect of child abuse and adoption procedures; a Task Force on Day Care has been established to recommend further development measures by order of priority; and a Task Group has been convened to examine and make recommendations affecting all aspects of Homes for Special Care, including requirements and locations for additional accommodations during the remainder of this decade. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Family Benefits Act, the Family Maintenance Act and the Children's Services Act. My Government will introduce legislation establishing more effective procedures whereby a deserving spouse or child can enforce a maintenance order beyond the boundaries of the Province. The Homeowners Incentive Program of my Government has been a major impetus to all trades in the house building industry and single-family dwelling starts have increased dramatically. My Government is considering measures for the restructuring and reorganization of the Nova Scotia Housing Commission. Recognizing not only the need for new single family housing but that carpenters, plumbers, electricians and all other related trades obtain viable employment in the construction of homes, my Government will extend its $2,000.00 rebate to December 31, 1983. My Government believes that this will be a catalyst in a bold effect to achieve a goal of five thousand single family housing starts. My Government appreciates the importance of maintaining the existing housing stock and the special problems faced by the Province's senior citizens in maintaining their homes. Therefore, my Government will continue to provide the Senior Citizens Assistance Program to allow seniors to undertake needed home repairs. Affordable loans for home repairs will also be available for families with limited income. My Government will continue to support home ownership and the residential construction industry through the residential land development program. This year a major land-servicing program will be undertaken to ensure an adequate supply of serviced residential lots. My Government recognizes the need of low-income families and senior citizens for affordable rental housing. Rent-to-income housing will continue to be developed to meet this need. Nearly 235,000 Nova Scotians live in rented accommodations. My Government has appointed a three- person commission to enquire into the present Rent Review Program and report to my Government. My Government is pleased that in the area of hospital construction the renovations and expansion of the Annapolis General Hospital were completed in the Fall of 1982. The Harbour View construction program has been completed and the renovations and new construction at the Northside General Hospital are continuing. Phase 1 of the Aberdeen Hospital is progressing and nearing completion. The site for the Glace Bay General Hospital has been approved and final planning is in progress for an early construction start. Planning is continuing for the long-term psychiatric unit at the Nova Scotia Hospital. The Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation facilities will be completed in May, 1983. The Victoria General Outpatient and Ambulatory Unit will be opening in April, 1983. Advances in the administration and financing of the school system have taken place and are proceeding. Many of the benefits are being realized. A Royal Commission on Post-Secondary Education in the Province has been appointed and is beginning its most important task. You will be asked to approve a number of amendments to the Education Act, to the School Board Membership Act and the Nova Scotia School Boards Association Act. You will also be asked to approve a number of amendments to the Teachers' Pension Act. To study the means to maximize the economic strength of the forest industry in Nova Scotia and ensure continued employment in that sector, my Government appointed a Royal Commission on Forestry. My Government looks forward to receiving the Report and being able to use the Report as the basis for development of a vigorous industry. To ensure the maintenance of thousands of jobs, capital modernization projects cost shared by the Federal and Provincial Governments are underway at major pulp and paper mills. My Government has negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government to ensure the most efficient and effective use of the forest research capabilities of the two governments and to enhance the contribution of Federal research programs to the management of our forest resources. To strengthen employment opportunities in the farm community, my Government has successfully negotiated and signed a $48.3 million Federal/ Provincial Sub-Agreement on Agriculture in October, 1982. This will help ensure the continuing growth and prosperity of that sector. To meet new challenges emerging in agriculture, additional research facilities at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, together with expanded food technology research elsewhere in the Province, will perform important support role to the farming community and processing industry. My Government will place high priority on the clearing and improving of farm lands, along with the marketing of agricultural commodities in the further development of the agricultural industry. My Government will introduce a new Beef and Sheep Production Program to further encourage the development of the livestock industry in the Province. My Government will continue to support and seek improvements for the fishing industry in Nova Scotia. Throughout the recent recession our fishery has more than held its own due in large part to the strong entrepreneurial efforts of individuals in the industry. My Government will continue to promote and help develop the strengths of our fishing industry. In light of the fact that more than 30 per cent of our exports are fish products, my Government will continue to work with fishermen and processors in the area of quality control, thereby increasing the sales attractiveness of our seafood in the marketplace. To meet the rapid technological changes in the industry, my Government will pursue a training program for fishermen and plant workers through the Pictou Fisheries Training School and Mobile Training Centers. My Government is committed to the maintenance of programs that provide incentives to the fishery for the acquisition and improvement of infrastructure necessary to improve quality, productivity and safety. This commitment extends, as well, to the delivery of financing arrangements for the purchase of new vessels and other capital acquisitions through the Fisheries Loan Board which currently has in excess of $110 million invested in the industry. Detailed examination of the Task Force Report on the Atlantic Fishery is underway by my Government. In addition, Nova Scotia's Fisheries Advisory Council has been asked to carefully review the Report. An aggressive marketing approach in Tourism Development has resulted in Nova Scotia leading Canadian provinces in terms of an increased number of tourists coming into our Province, providing strong employment results in this important service sector. My Government will investigate the potential of Oak Island as a tourist attraction and make recommendations with respect to how this can best be accomplished. My Government will introduce legislation to establish the Schooner Bluenose Foundation to ensure the continued presence of the Bluenose as a symbol of our Province and demonstrating our pride in our seagoing tradition. Coal continues to be a cornerstone industry in Nova Scotia and it is expected that production levels will be maintained. During 1982, a number of positive activities took place which reflect the long term optimistic outlook for the coal industry: - Construction of the Donkin Mine is progressing, - A second coal reclamation project was initiated in 1982 in Cape Breton, - A pilot project to test technology for the construction and operation of a 150 Megawatt fluidized bed combustion unit is being built adjacent to the Nova Scotia Power Corporation's generating station in Point Tupper. - Coal thermal generating plants Lingan Three and Four will be completed in 1984, - Planning is ongoing for the development of additional coal thermal generating plants. My Government is pleased with the success of recent negotiations with C.N. Rail on behalf of the Sydney Steel Corporation which resulted in obtaining orders which averted a potential shutdown of the steel plant and assured continued employment for employees at that plant. The Sysco modernization program developed by the Provincial and Federal Governments is proceeding on course. Indications are that mineral exploration activity for 1983 will show an increase over 1982 levels. Exploration work in 1983, as in the previous years, will focus primarily on tin, tungsten, gold and barite. Interest in mining barite for drill mud in the offshore exploration program was renewed in 1982. Activity in the Lake Ainslie area of Inverness County increased greatly. Under the terms of the Canada-Nova Scotia Cooperative Mineral Development Agreement, many important new geological suneys were started during 1982. Again, in our successful efforts to be cooperative with the Government of Canada, my Government awarded more than $2 million in grants for energy conservation and renewable energy projects under three Federal-Provincial programs. The Enersave Program, jointly funded with the Federal Government, expanded in 1982 to meet the continued high demand for this service. More than 300 individual audits of energy use in business, industrial, and public buildings were conducted and potential energy savings of 21 per cent or $2.8 million annually identified. Active residential energy conservation information and promotion activities of my Government received international recognition in 1982. Nova Scotia Conservation advertising won awards nationally as well as internationally. My Government has completed the fourth field season in its peat inventory program. To date, fuel peat resources equivalent to 10 million tons of coal have been identified. Following extensive consultation with those affected, my Government will introduce legislation enabling it to play an effective role in the rapidly changing field of telecommunications. My Government will introduce amendments to the Police Act that will implement many of the recommendations of the Green Commission. My Government will introduce amendments to the Credit Union Act which will serve to improve the terms of reference for the effective operation of credit unions. My Government proposes to introduce amendments to update and revise the Securities Act. My Government will appoint a Commission to continue the work of the Sullivan Commission which was to report on provisions concerning conflict of interest appropriate for Members of the House of Assembly. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Judicature Act to provide for an additional Judge for the Appeal Division of the Supreme Court and two additional Judges in the Trial Division of the Supreme Court. You will be asked to consider legislation necessary to implement my Government's public sector wage and salary policy. Amendments to various provincial Acts including the Corrections Act, Assessment Act, Municipal Act, and other Acts will be submitted for your consideration. The Public Accounts for the year ended March 31, 1982 will be presented for your consideration as will estimates for the fiscal year to begin April 1, 1983. To these and all other 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. God Save The Queen; God Bless Nova Scotia; God Bless Canada.