Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 56e 2e Discours du Trône 12 Avril 1994 Lloyd R. Crouse Lieutenant-gouverneur LIB Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the 56th General Assembly, April 12th, 1994 I welcome you in Our Sovereign's Name to this opening of the Second Session of the Fifty-Sixth General Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia. This year my Government was saddened by the deaths of several prominent Nova Scotians including: - former Minister of Lands and Forests and Agriculture, and Mayor of Antigonish, Colin H. Chisholm; - former Kings West Member of the Legislative Assembly Frank Bezanson; - former Legislature Sergeant at Arms Israel Pothier; - the last surviving black veteran of World War 1, Sydney Morgan Jones; - Internationally known author Thomas Raddall; - native Activist Helen Clair Martin; and - business Leader Lloyd Shaw. We look forward to the visit to our Province later this year, of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. My government is pleased to recognize that the United Nations had declared 1994 to be the International Year of the Family. Eleven months ago, the people of Nova Scotia gave My Government a strong mandate for change. Since that time, My Government has outlined an ambitious plan to lead the Province toward a better future. Because of this plan, and My Government's achievements, 1994 will be remembered as a turning point in the life of our Province. We are entering a period of great change. Necessary change. Change which will strengthen our Province. We are entering a period of great challenge, and even greater opportunity. As we do, we must leave behind the old ways that will not work in the new world we face together. We must cast aside our worn out and obsolete tools. We must master the mysteries of fascinating and powerful new technologies. And we must govern ourselves in new and better ways. Our ability to care and support each other as we always have, will be challenged. We will be challenged to live as the good neighbours we have always been. But the time has come to open our door wide, to a world which itself is changing dramatically. We must be sure not to leave behind those values which are at the heart of our Province. We must find creative ways to live up to them. We must not forget the lessons of the past - lessons which too often have been learned through adversity and hardship. We must protect what we hold dear. My Government will not forget that our first and most important goal is economic renewal and job creation. My Government is committed to all of these goals. Today, we begin by issuing a bold call to action. My Government extends an invitation to all Nova Scotians to help us transform our Province. Together we can make reform which will ensure economic opportunity, security, and the support necessary for people and communities to grow, and progress. Together we can build on all that is best about our Province. Nova Scotia offers a rich quality of life combining the traditions of a caring coastal Province with those of a global trading, sustaining, and self-reliant economy which is community based. We pride ourselves on our clean environment and compassion for all members of society. We believe prosperity and job opportunities here depend on the commitment of Nova Scotians to be world class in what we do best. We know our wellness, innovation, our level of knowledge and skill will secure the future we are creating for our children. In a changing world, building on our successes and learning from our past we will thrive and prosper. The four pillars supporting these beliefs are: SUBSTAINABILITY - Or ensuring long term prosperity for our children QUALITY OF LIFE - Meaning the health, education, and environment our citizens need. COMPASSION - Or the Respect and concern we must show our fellow citizens, and WORLD CLASS - The commitment to make both the investment and the tough decisions necessary to be competitive with anyone. These principles form the core values of my Government. All of my Government's decisions will be made within the framework they define. This year will bring both hard choices, and tremendous opportunity. My Government will shy away from neither. My Government's primary task is clear. We must get Nova Scotians back to work in a strong, expanding economy based on community and entrepreneurial success. Job creation does not mean government jobs. Jobs created in the new economy will be found in communities, where self-reliant and determined people rise to the challenges we face. Jobs in the new economy will be sustainable jobs, created by the private sector - supported by an effective and focused public sector. Jobs will be created as this Province finds its place - its niche-in the global marketplace. In March, Nova Scotia had the largest percentage increase in employment in the country. Since November, the unemployment rate in Nova Scotia has declined by almost two full percentage points. My Government is helping to create a positive climate for job creation. And My Government will not hesitate to do our part to be more effective, flexible, and adaptable. My Government will not falter from the task of reducing the tax burden on the people and economy of this Province. We will not waste valuable and limited resources, but instead dedicate them to our mission of economic renewal. We know that debt is hobbling our Province, slowing us down, and holding us back. My Government will continue to have the courage to make the difficult choices that must be made to address, the debt problem. My Government's actions in the coming year will include: - Promoting export-oriented, Nova Scotian businesses to the world; - Expanding investment and community economic development incentives; - Continuing to re-organize government departments and agencies to increase effectiveness, and save taxpayers money; - Introducing new and more focused ways to serve people; - Keeping the commitments we have entrenched in law to reduce government spending; - Continuing on with our mission to save the health system of Nova Scotia, and make it a world-class model for excellence in health administration; - Continuing with our vital reform of the educational system to better prepare our children for the new economy, and - Helping Nova Scotians adapt to the workplace needs of the future, through retraining, and the reform of our community services programs. More effective government / Re-inventing service delivery Government currently spends seven times more on debt servicing than it does on economic development. It is clear that there is a need to change the way we serve our people, if we hope to re- direct our resources towards more valuable ends. Finance-expenditure control and tax reform My Government has embarked on the most ambitious and farsighted program of spending control ever undertaken in Nova Scotia. My Government has put into binding law, our commitment to a four-year fiscal plan. As outlined last fall, in each of the next two years, My Government will reduce operating expenditures by three per cent. In each of the following two years, My Government will further reduce operating expenses by two per cent. This should yield annual savings of three hundred million dollars by year four of the plan, or approximately ten per cent of the Annual Budget. Another sixty million, on an annual basis, will be trimmed from government's capital budget. Additionally, My Government will soon release detailed plans, from each government department outlining how each will meet the targets of the Expenditure Control Plan. My Government is determined to lighten the tax burden of Nova Scotians. Taxes imposed by all levels of government, are a drag anchor on our economy, slowing business growth and denying Nova Scotians the jobs they need. The Expenditure Control Plan is a mesured, intelligent, approach to wean government from borrowing to finance existing programs, and to eventually provide tax relief for all Nova Scotians. An emphasis on people-centred government As one major initiative to better serve taxpayers, we will open five one-stop government information and service centres beginning this summer. These multi-service outlets will be located in Bridgewater, Kentville, Sydney, Truro, and Yarmouth. More one-stop center will follow. We are proud to point out that this effort is a cooperative enterprise involving ACOA, Environment Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development, the Nova Scotia Department of Human Resources, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, and the Canadian Federation of Independent business, all of who participated in the development of the centres. People using our one-stop centres will be able to easily gain access to commercial and public information databases. In time they will be able to meet with government specialists and to apply for government programs electronically. At our one stop centres, people will be able to conveniently use a wide range of government services which have historically been less than accessible. ECONOMIC RENEWAL Government has significant resources at its disposal to positively affect the economic destiny of all Nova Scotians. But using these resources to their full potential is a tremendous challenge. The combined Department of Economic Development and Tourism will see a significant change in orientation and mandate in the coming year. In keeping with this major change in mandate, this department will become the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency. Consistent with my Government's desire to help create the climate for job creation, the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency will provide leadership in the following areas: Partnering for economic renewal In partnership with other governments and the private sector, My Government will significantly lower the cost of government services, while making them more convenient and people oriented. The level of our public debt requires that government find new, lower cost ways of delivering public services. My Government has committed to working with private sector partners in delivering needed services to Nova Scotians. In the past year, my government has entered into significant partnerships with private sector firms to participate in the delivery of services traditionally delivered by government. My Government also believes that involving private sector partners in the delivery of public services is a good way to create opportunities for Nova Scotia entrepreneurs. Regulatory reform Businesses both large and small have consistently complained that government's complex regulatory structure is a disincentive to job creation. Some complex regulations and assistance programs came into being to address a short term need, but have since become both redundant and troublesome for entrepreneurs trying to create businesses and jobs. As a matter of policy, ALL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WILL HAVE AN EXPIRY DATE. My Government has recently begun work on the BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS/ MASTER APPLICATIONS PROJECT. This project will make it easier for businesses to get permits and approvals across government departments. My Government will soon issue a call for proposals to develop a master application for business services and people services. Community economic development support system My Government will continue its focus on improving the climate for creating private sector jobs at the community level. My Government will continue to offer planning, financial, and training support to community economic development agencies who are working in their communities to create sustainable, productive jobs. My Government will expand the COMMUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES FUND for C.E.D. projects which have wide community support. My Government will also expand the COMMUNITY BUSINESS LOANS PROGRAM which is designed to provide working capital for small business start- ups. Creation of a new Nova Scotia marketing agency The skills and successes of our Tourism Marketing experts are well recognized and tremendously valuable. Building on that expertise, my government will create a new central marketing agency for the province. The agency will be responsible for marketing Nova Scotia as a prime investment and tourist destination. The Nova Scotia Marketing Agency will work in concert with the marketing departments of private sector companies in joint partnership arrangements. Creation and the economic renewal council and the financial services roundtable My Government will form the NOVA SCOTIA ECONOMIC RENEWAL COUNCIL. Members of the council will be invited from a broad cross section of Nova Scotia's business and industry leaders. The Council will meet regularly to discuss the provincial economy and to advise the government on matters relating to economic renewal. My Government will also form the FINANCIAL SERVICES ROUNDTABLE. Members of the financial services roundtable will be invited from the financial services community including banks, investment houses, credit unions, and trust companies. The roundtable will provide regular consultations between the financial services industry and the Minister of Finance and the Minister Responsible for the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency. The roundtable will specifically provide advice to the government on provincial fiscal policy and economic renewal issues. Creation of an international centre of excellence for technology innovation My Government will create an international centre of excellence in technology innovation. The centre will combine the resources of: - The Nova Scotia Research Foundation; - The Woodside Technology Innovation Centre; - The Council of Applied Science and Technology; - The Technology Innovations Directorate of the Former Department of Economic Development; - The Nova Scotia First Fund; - Department of Environment-Environmental Technologies Initiative; - A number of strategic alliances and partnerships with non-profit public sector institutions such as universities, as well as private sector firms; and - A number of technology related firms. In addition to the separate initiatives each of these bodies are now working on, the new centre will provide policy direction, technical analysis, and funding options where necessary on projects that are provincial or regional in scope. For instance, the new centre could provide leadership toward the establishment of a regional virtual lab - for research, development, and marketing of innovative new technologies. Information highways Complementing this initiative, and under the direction of the Department of Transportation and Communications, the NOVA SCOTIA ELECTRONIC HIGHWAY PROJECT will begin this year. Based on the results of "The Nova Scotia Electronic Highway Study", the project will focus efforts across the public sector for government to become a model user of information technology in order to promote private sector development of the electronic highway infrastructure. My Government knows that it cannot afford to fund the creation of the electronic highway infrastructure. What my government can do is indicate how it intends to deliver services in the future. Allowing private sector companies to build the necessary systems to support that direction and our future information service demands. Under the direction of the PREMIER'S COUNCIL ON THE ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE, to be named this spring, the project will focus on: - Investigating the use of tax incentives to foster development of information technology; - Putting in place a competitive government-wide information technology purchasing plan; - Re-engineering how we deliver government services to more effectively use advanced information technology, and - Putting in place a government-wide information policy that deals with issues involving the collection and dissemination of data by government and public sector firms. This summer, the Department of Transportation and Communications, in co-operation with the Departments of Environment, Natural Resources, and Supply and Services WILL REQUEST PROPOSALS FOR AN UPGRADE TO THE PROVINCIAL INTEGRATED MOBILE RADIO NETWORK. This network will provide the communications backbone of a province wide emergency 911 network. SOCIAL SERVICES - SINGLE ENTRY SYSTEMS AND DECENTRALIZATION Health – from institutional to primary care Nova Scotians and indeed all Canadians, place a great value in our Health Care System. It has served us well for 35 years, but is being challenged daily to be more relevant for the times. We must develop a seamless network of integrated programs throughout each region which provides equitable access to Health Care. Part of that task is to develop a fully integrated Health Care Team, from Home Care Professional, to Paramedical personnel, to Primary Care worker. Our Health Care Plan is based on prevention of illness, and the responsibility of every Nova Scotian and every community to contribute to the establishment of a healthy environment for all. In the next year, my government will specifically address issues raised in: - The Healthcare Blueprint Committee Plan; - The Emergency Health Services Plan, and - Pharmacare Reform Plan. My Government will empower regional Health Boards with decision-making power. My Government will continue to transfer resources from institutional care to community based care. In 1994, my government will expand and renew the Provincial Homecare Program. Linked with this will be the beginning of the development of an integrated emergency health system which will improve province-wide ambulance services. In addition to conventional methods, complementary methods of delivery and care will be component of the new health system. My Government will also implement a new Nova Scotia formulary to guide the effective prescribing and utilization of medications. This will help avoid over prescribing of drugs, and will help my government control the overall cost of the Pharmacare Program. Community service – Active social support As outlined in the Throne Speech last fall, my government will continue the process of establishing a one tiered, single entry social assistance system for Nova Scotia. The goal is to eliminate wide disparities in assistance levels, inconsistent application of regulations. In co-operation with the Federal Government, my government will make a multi-million dollar commitment to provide incentives for helping recipients return to the active workforce. Over the next year, the program will offer hundreds of social assistance recipients job training and work placements. The program will provide a flexible approach to helping recipients acquire the skills, and make the work contacts they need to compete in the active labour force. My Government understands that our social assistance system should not promote dependency, it should offer the help needed to get recipients' back to work. Compass will be a major part of the reform of that process. My Government will also work closely with the Federal Government on the renewal of the unemployment insurance system in Canada. The focus will be in dedicating more of the resources under that program to enhancing recipients' employability, through education, job training and work placements. My Government will begin a process to provide core funding to womens' centres across the province. EDUCATION – SITE BASED MANAGEMENT AND POST SECONDARY RE- VITALIZATION Nova Scotians care deeply, as parents, and as concerned citizens about education. We have always placed great importance on our education system - the excellence of our universities, the strength of our public schools, and the dedication of our teachers. Excellence in education is a Nova Scotia tradition, but we need to work harder to meet the demands of a new era. Public schools My Government continues to make progress on several issues outlined in last fall's Throne Speech, including: - Developing a common curriculum for the Maritime Provinces; - Alternative Education Programs, and - Minority Education issues. My Government will develop an education system which is responsive, accessible, student-centred, effective, and involves parents in decision making. My Government has already committed to a public school system where decision-making is decentralized. Decentralization of decision-making will place the important issues about how our children are educated with the people affected most. This fall my government will begin to operate PILOT PROJECTS IN SITE-BASED MANAGEMENT in the public school system. BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, OVER 15,000 STUDENTS IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS NOVA SCOTIA WILL BE TAKING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. My Government will invite private sector proposals for designing, building, operating and financing a world class prototype high-tech school designed to use advanced teaching methods, with audio and visual links between students, teachers, computer databases and other schools. Community college reform Community College education will be based on excellence. New more relevant training courses will be created with more of an emphasis on: - Information and Technology; - Business and Entrepreneurial Programs; - Providing liberal arts graduates with technical skills to improve their employability; - Providing value added training or shifting from single to multi-skills training; and - Meeting changing workforce needs. University reform My Government will continue an extensive examination of the university system throughout 1994. With the accent on elimination of inefficiencies and costly duplication, my government will act this year on recommendations on the future of teacher training, engineering education, and computer science training at the post secondary level. NEW CHALLENGES IN PROTECTING AND ENHANCING OUR TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC BASE Fisheries My Government continues to be concerned about the effect of the downturn in the fishing industry on Nova Scotia's coastal communities. Continued restructuring and resource depletion are making it difficult for everyone in the industry. MY GOVERNMENT IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WILL ANNOUNCE A MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FISHERIES ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM for Nova Scotia Communities affected by the significant downturn in the groundfish industry. My Government is concentrating its efforts on those parts of the industry that have the greatest potential. My Government recently signed a multi-year $16 million Federal-Provincial Agreement on the development of Aquaculture and Sport Fishing. This agreement will serve as a funding source for community economic development efforts across the Province, especially those communities hit hardest by significant job losses in fish processing. We are helping to develop and market underutilized products such as sea urchins and mackerel. My Government is in discussions with several South American Countries regarding the upgrading of their fishing fleets using idle Nova Scotia ships equipped with the latest in fishing technology. My Government is also in discussions with these same countries on the establishment of joint ventures for training of fisheries workers, processing and marketing of fish products. My Government will continue to seek joint marketing, training and processing ventures with other countries. Environment My Government will continue wide-spread consultation on the new Nova Scotia Environment Act. The legislation consolidates several inconsistent and contradictory statues and regulations, and creates an efficient and user-friendly framework for environmental management in Nova Scotia. My Government will also launch the ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIES PROGRAM. This program will promote the development of the fastest growing employment sector in Canada, Environmental industries. Government will provide promotion, trade, marketing and financial assistance to existing industries wishing to maintain and expand their companies, or new companies with proven, innovative, and exportable technology. Agricultural and marketing Nova Scotia's Agricultural Community is still dealing with the challenge of an evolving trading environment. The impact of the general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) on our marketing board system will profoundly affect the way that Nova Scotia farmers do business. It presents both challenges and opportunities. My Government will continue to focus on helping the Province's agricultural community deal with these trade issues. My Government will support the Nova Scotia GATT Taskforce, which will make suggestions on how Nova Scotia's agricultural community should adjust to a more competitive marketplace. My Government will help Nova Scotia's farmers on marketing value added, and niche market agricultural products. We have some of the highest food production and quality control standards in the world. These are qualities for which consumers around the world will pay a premium. Natural resources Even in a Province with a rich natural environment, it is necessary to take measures to ensure that our environmental heritage is preserved. Recently, my government released the PARKS AND PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS SYSTEMS PLAN which proposes protecting an additional 700 acres of Crown Land from development. My Government will undertake a public consultation process on the plan. My Government understands that the privatization of Nova Scotia Power Inc. has raised several regulatory issues which must be addressed. Therefore, my government will introduce the NOVA SCOTIA POWER PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ACT. This Act will make provincial electricity policy consistent with: - The Provincial energy strategy; - The status of the Province as an arm’s length regulator of a privatized Nova Scotia Power; - Evolving electricity markets which now include a variety of energy sources such as independent power producers and the energy that can be saved through adoption of conservation measures. Concrete action toward municipal reform My Government has taken the first concrete steps towards real municipal reform. My Government recently released a proposal for exchange of service responsibilities between the Provincial and Municipal Governments of Nova Scotia. My Government WILL UNDERTAKE A MAJOR REALLOCATION OF SERVICES AND RESTRUCTURING OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1995. My Government intends to provide the public with a full opportunity to make comments and suggestions on this process. My Government has also established, as part of a widespread land related technology initiative, a Geographic Information Centre responsible for completion, maintenance, and distribution of basic computerized maps of Nova Scotia. The Centre, located in Amherst, will be a showcase of technology to support departmental requirements and, in partnership with the private sector, assist Nova Scotia firms in selling this technology around the world. Labour – Workers compensation Within the year, my government will introduce a new Workers Compensation Act. My Government will also act within the year to resolve the problem of the unfunded liability of the Workers Compensation Fund. My Government will also act to amend the Trade Union Act to deal with outstanding issues surrounding the Steen Decision. Justice My Government will continue the process of reforming the Provincial Courts system through the reduction of management layers, developing new administrative standards to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness, and building needed new facilities. My Government will also continue needed reform of Provincial Correction Facilities. We will explore regional delivery of correction services. My Government will also soon begin a full and complete review of the Office of Public Prosecutions. Supply and services My Government recently commissioned a Management Audit of the Department of Supply and Services. Its recommendations covered: - Creating Government wide policies and providing more efficient central services in purchasing; - The potential for outsourcing a wide variety of government services now under the departments control; - A new government wide communications structure; - Developing a new relationship between design and construction services and private sector contractors; - Cost savings through a new office leasing policy; - Better use of information technology to achieve savings; and - A more effective departmental organizational structure. My Government has already formed an audit implementation team which will soon report on the implementation of the Reports Recommendations. Housing and consumer affairs This year my government will introduce legislation to level the playing field between Credit Unions and Banks. The legislation will encourage Credit Unions to become sources of investment capital for Nova Scotia's small business community. Human resources My Government is committed to setting the highest standards for public service. But we understand that this cannot be accomplished without investing in the establishment of a comprehensive training system for public servants. My Government also wishes to extend thanks to all its employees for their service this past year. Progress – Year one My Government's decisive actions in the year ahead have a firm foundation in our actions of the past ten months. Our agenda in the past year has focused on: - Fiscal responsibility and accountability; - Community Economic Development including consultations; - More effective government service delivery; - Health Care Reform; and - Education Reform. COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Building a consensus My Government has made public consultation a required element in the way it does business. We are prepared to lead the way by making and acting on hard but needed choices. But we believe in directly involving the people of our Province in dealing with the difficult issues we face together. Our 30-60-90 process was one of the most extensive public consultations in the history of Nova Scotia. And my government has acted on the basis of this consultation. We have re-oriented our economic renewal efforts making them community driven. We have increased planning assistance to community economic development groups--and changed the orientation of government loans programs to make them more community driven. My Government has acted to provide needed stability, through loans rather than grants, to existing Nova Scotia Resource and Technology Businesses who employ thousands and who have potential to grow but are facing difficulties because of world-wide economic re-structuring. My Government has acted to help export oriented businesses by leading trade missions to emerging international markets creating jobs for Nova Scotians at home. My Government has also signed a three-year "Partnership In Learning" agreement with Micheline Tire. The agreement allows the Nova Scotia Community College system to operate a computer based program at the three Michelin Plants for math and language skills upgrading. Openness and accountability Since June 1993, my government has taken steps to provide more openness and accountability for the decisions we have made, and will make in future. These measures include: - Providing public scrutiny of government appointments to agencies, boards and commissions; - Introducing a new Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; - Broadening the scope of the Members and Public Employees Disclosure Act; - Empowering the Auditor-General to review budgetary revenue estimates to ensure their reasonableness; - Introduction of legislation governing the four-year fiscal restructuring plan. Conclusion My Government has taken the first steps on the path toward a less dependent, more self-reliant society. My Government is helping to create a climate for job creation through incentives for local investment, regulatory reform, private sector partnerships, and enhanced job training. We have begun the process of making government smaller and more effective. And my government is taking significant measures to help restore faith in our public institutions through reform of the legislature, and of information laws. My Government has initiated decisive action in our first ten months. We have asked the people of Nova Scotia, and our own Provincial Civil Servants to make tremendous sacrifices. My Government expresses its thanks for the contribution that everyone has made in this past year. Serious challenges lie ahead and my government will address these issues in co-operation with the people the decisions will affect the most. My Government places a call to action before you, the people of Nova Scotia. Prosperity and job opportunities will depend on our collective response. Nova Scotia and its people are equal to the task. Our heritage has proven that Nova Scotians can triumph through adversity and answer the call to action placed before you today. Sustainability, quality of life, compassion, and desire to be world class from the four pillars of this call to action. To these and other matters that come before you, I ask for your 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.