Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 56e 3e Discours duTrône 30 Mars 1995 John J. kinley Lieutenant-gouverneur LIB Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, Third Session of the 56th General Assembly, March 30th, 1995 Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: I welcome you in Our Sovereign's Name to this Opening of the Third Session of the Fifty-Sixth General Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia. This year my Government was saddened by the passing of several prominent Nova Scotians, former Members of this House including : - Percy Gaum, the Member for Cape Breton Nova; - James Harding, the Member for Shelburne; - Dr.Colin Stewart, the Member for Colchester South. Community Leaders, including: - Johanna Oosterveld of Halifax; - Yvon Deveau of Cheticamp; - I.W. Akerley of Dartmouth; - Dr. James Cameron of Pictou County, prominent historian; - J.K. Bell, Labour Leader; - Tara Lynne Tousesnard, musician, and - Aids activists Randy Conners. My Government is pleased that the eyes of the world will be on our capital city this summer as Nova Scotia hosts the Halifax summit of Leaders of the G7 countries. My Government continues with its plan for this Province, one that will put this Province on a secure footing and enable us to control our destinies. We are committed to working with Nova Scotians in developing a Province with a strong future, one where businesses thrive, exports grow, young people find good employment opportunities; one where we have the resources to look after those who are most in need, and one where we build on our unique strengths and showcase Nova Scotia to the world. A climate for economic growth When my government took office 21 months ago, the unemployment rate was 14 per cent and climbing. Today, the unemployment rate is 12 per cent - the lowest in the Maritimes. In the past year, there has been a dramatic shift toward the creation of full-time jobs versus part-time jobs. In 1994, Nova Scotia had the third highest growth in jobs in Canada. Building permits have increased by 12 per cent, urban housing starts are up by 19 per cent, new business incorporations up by 19 per cent, and business bankruptcies have gone down by 7.5 per cent. My government has been a major player in the turn around. My government has made changes to taxation policy, such as: - The elimination of the Provincial Deed Transfer Tax - The income tax reduction to help the working poor - An increase in the research and development tax credit to encourage innovation by Nova Scotia companies - Tax relief for companies who meet international quality assurance standards. We have committed these revenues to enhance economic incentives. Details will be announced in this year's Budget Address. Public/private partnering Public/private partnership will see government and the private sector create new opportunities for economic development and jobs. This year, my government will undertake several unique public- private partnerships to deliver public services in new and innovative ways. The new economy is largely focused on technology. Improved technology means better public services and greater opportunity for attracting economic development and job creation. The Province of Nova Scotia is committed to preparing Nova Scotia to take advantage of emerging technologies. A key part of is my government's Integrated wide area network project This Province wishes to create a long term business alliance with a consortium of companies to provide enhanced mobile radio communication to support emergency services including police, fire protection, and emergency measures. My government will also initiate a bold new approach to building essential public infrastructure through a unique and creative public-private partnership. Last year my government received seven responses to a call for expressions of interest to complete the twinning of highway 104 between Masstown and Thompson Station. The Minister of Transportation and Communications will announce the next step in this process shortly. My government will partner with the private sector on an exciting education opportunity. We have recently selected the first-ever private sector partner to design, build, finance and operate a high-tech public school in Cape Breton. Two other sites for technology-rich schools have been selected and will offer other opportunities for interested private sector companies to become involved in this leading edge initiative. Investment and trade promotion Nova Scotia has many attractions to offer potential investors. New investment is required to expand the existing base of business and to develop new jobs. In the past 18 months, my government has led or participated in major trade missions throughout Europe, the Pacific Rim, South America and the Caribbean. The benefits have included millions of dollars of direct business and valuable contracts that will open doors for Nova Scotia businesses for decades to come. My government will ensure that senior ministers and officials continue to lead the effort to open up new markets for Nova Scotia companies in 1995. Marketing We must ensure that the world knows that Nova Scotia has unique products, skills and business strengths. We must market ourselves aggressively to a waiting world economy. My government has already created The Nova Scotia Marketing Agency to promote Nova Scotian products, and Nova Scotia itself, as a reason for investment and tourism. We have also joined with the private sector to attract jobs and investment. The Province has combined with MT&T to create "CONNECTIONS NOVA SCOTIA". This partnership has been responsible for attracting major investments from Sears-Canada, creating 150 new jobs, and the recently announced CIBC Teleservice Banking Centre, which will eventually create over 530 high-tech jobs. My government will continue to seek more marketing partnerships with other Nova Scotia businesses and industries. Sustainable development The global economy and the environment are inextricably linked. Environmental industries in Nova Scotia employ more than 4000 people and contribute over 300 million dollars to the economy. This year my government will begin the ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRIES PROGRAM. Preparing young people for the future Our young people will be part of the new global workplace. We must prepare them to take their place in a world that demands a firm grounding in essential skills and the flexibility to adapt. My government wants to ensure that the resources we allocate to education are used to the best possible advantage for our children. To that end we are instituting changes that will ensure that education dollars are spent in the classroom, not on bureaucracy. This year my government will also introduce legislation that will put more control of the system in the hands of the parents, teachers and students. My government believes that by reducing the number of school boards and cutting down on duplication of services we can achieve substantial savings which will be redirected toward the classroom. The Minister of Education is now in the process of consulting Nova Scotians on these ideas, recently made public in my government's education horizons--a white paper on the restructuring of the education system. Nova Scotia's Community Colleges are building on their reputation of excellence. Last year we offered 27 new programs in the growing fields of business and applied technology. This year my Government will introduce new programs at the Truro Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College commencing in September 1995. My government will also expand programs in applied arts, business and technology and increase the number of training seats throughout the Province. My government will expand programs offered by the extremely successful College De L'Acadie, North America's first Community College to be developed on a foundation of interactive distance education technology. Universities Universities are a critical component in preparing young people for the future. My government will continue to address recommendations and issues raised in the green paper on higher education and in other reports on the structure of Nova Scotia's university system. Post-secondary institutions, the Nova Scotia Community College, and businesses in the Province will benefit from the creation of 390 internship training plans to help adult students gain invaluable work experience. My government will also build on the principles laid out in the Report of the Black Learners Advisory Committee. DIRECTING RESOURCES FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED Community services Nova Scotians, as a society and as individuals, are proud to be contributing members of their communities. We all strive for a place where our own unique talents and skills can flourish. This year my government will focus on making employment a reality for people who are receiving social assistance. We will promote the financial independence of individuals, families, and communities. My government has developed the framework for a phased-in and single-tiered welfare system that targets assistance for those most in need. This year my government will initiate the first phase of this plan by integrating the delivery of social assistance programs in concert with the reform of municipal governance in industrial Cape Breton. We will expand support and prevention services for individuals, families, children, and communities. For example, this year my government will sponsor the creation of an additional 50-day care spaces to remove parental barriers to employment, and enhance employment equity. My government will intensify its efforts to promote community living for persons who are disabled. This year my government will develop alternative placement, day programs and in-home supports for children residing in the childrens' training centre and the Nova Scotia Youth Training Centre. We will also, after public consultation, adopt policies on community care of adults coping with mental handicaps or disabilities, and on the rules and framework for unlicensed community residential services, such as supervised apartments, for those with mental handicaps or disabilities. Justice My government is concerned that a significant number of women in Nova Scotia are not safe in their own homes. Violence within families is a serious social problem--an abuse of power that robs victims of their dignity and leaves long lasting scars. No single intervention by an agency can control this complex problem, but our Justice system has a clear responsibility to swiftly and responsibly respond to family violence as serious criminal behaviour. My government will introduce a POLICY ON FAMILY VIOLENCE, which will require a pro-active arrest and prosecution response by the Justice system. A comprehensive training program, targeting all Justice workers, will be implemented to promote understanding of the revised policy and procedures. In co-operation with community agencies we will provide enhanced support to victims of family violence. Health My government will continue to improve Health Care services in Nova Scotia. We are committed to ensuring that Nova Scotians live healthier lives by focusing additional resources on disease prevention and by allowing local communities to determine their own health care needs. My government will begin transferring responsibility for the provision of health services to the Regional Boards. My government will dedicate significantly increased resources to the new and enhanced home care program. The new Emergency Health Services Agency will create the best possible emergency services including a new fleet of modern ambulances, high standards for training and consistent service across the Province. Service to Nova scotians In 1993 my government said it would become more open, more client-centred. We said that we would look at the delivery of services through the eyes of those being served. Transportation and communications My government has revised and refocused service delivery in the area of transportation. We adopted new ways of hiring and of acquiring trucks and equipment. We have replaced decades of patronage with open and fair procedures. We have moved decision-making out of Halifax to local managers who best know the roads and conditions in their areas. We are changing the way we purchase and replace vehicles so that capital spending for road equipment is efficient and rational. We are changing the way we purchase and replace vehicles so that capital spending for road equipment is efficient and rational. We have improved overall road safety and service delivery through changing the vehicle renewal system from one to two years, and through the graduated drivers licensing system and the new photo- licensing program. This year the department is pioneering new technologies. Working with MT&T the Department will lead a six-month pilot project that will use electronic service kiosks to deliver registry of motor vehicle services, tourism information, and general government reference material. This project will be one of the most innovative of its kind in Canada and will allow Nova Scotians to receive a number of different government services through one outlet or information centre. Housing and consumer affairs The Province will fully integrate "one stop shopping" for the rental and rooming house programs (RRAP). Over the next two years, both levels of government will contribute up to 11 million dollars in renovations in Housing for people with lower incomes. Municipal affairs My government will continue to support better local government. Last year my government provided for provincial-municipal service exchange. This year my government will achieve a smooth transition for Municipal Service Exchange and rationalization of municipal boundaries in metro Halifax and Industrial Cape Breton. Legislation was enacted to establish the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, effective April 1st 1995. My government will introduce legislation in this session of the House that will establish a new Regional Government for the Halifax-Dartmouth Metropolitan Area and Halifax County. My government will work to assist other municipalities whish to pursue similar opportunities. As a result of these changes savings will be realized for the taxpayer. As well, stronger local government will be better positioned to plan services such as waste reduction, policing and local economic development. A continuing reform of the registries for both real and personal property will be carried out to provide better and more accessible data for the general public and business. Labour My government faced the challenge of saving the Workers' Compensation Fund. My government will continue to work toward establishing financial stability for the fund, and we will implement the many legislative reforms passed by this House in its last sitting, thus securing the future of this essential program for our workers and their families. Human resources My government is dedicated to the principles of fair hiring. My government will introduce reforms to enhance employment equity across all levels of the civil service. The Department will also continue to enhance Human Resource Development and Training. Supply and services Mt government is actively using an innovative new procurement system called co-operative business solutions. There will be an UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PROVINCIAL PROCUREMENT POLICY based on the principles outlined by my government in 1993. The Department is also leading the ATLANTIC CANADA ONLINE INITIATIVE, which is providing for a framework for dealing with the management of a wide variety of government information in electronic form. SUSTAINING OUR RESOURCE INDUSTRIES Natural resources Last year my government was active in promoting sustainable development and sound stewardship of our Natural Resources. A draft Mineral Policy has been prepared to ensure a viable mineral industry. This year my government will implement the policy, which supports exploration, development and marketing of primary and value-added mineral products. This year my government will introduce a NEW POWER PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ACT which will strengthen regulatory authority, and provide a rational framework for energy production and conservation that does not compromise our environment or our economic well being. My government will be challenged this year to work with federal authorities on establishing specific co-operative arrangements for continued development of mineral and forestry resources. My government will provide assistance to the forest industry through focusing on market identification and promotion of forest products, both existing and new. We will also investigate opportunities for innovative and higher value-added products. Fisheries My government has worked intensively with federal authorities to develop initiatives to restructure and economically diversify the East Coast fishing industries. Working with many departments and agencies on such programs as coastal 2000, which provides a model for coastal zone management, we are helping communities deal with this difficult era of transition in fisheries. My government will continue to build on the tremendous progess of the Aquaculture industry by managing the new Federal-Provincial agreement on Aquaculture and Recreational Fisheries. My government will again this year target the development of fish export markets through trade missions. Agriculture My government has embarked on a sweeping review of Agricultural programs. This review will form the basis for a new industry development program. The Farm Registration Program, based on legislation enacted last year, will enable all registered farmers and farms to apply for assistance and services. My government will help the Agri-Food Industry adjust to the new globally competitive environment by enacting the recommendations made by the general agreement on tariffs and trade task force. My government will work this year to improve the income stabilization program. 1995 is an important year for Nova Scotia. The eyes of the world will be on us at a time when we are beginning to achieve economic success. We have turned the corner in gaining control of our finances. We are firmly in control of our destiny. We have secured essential programs. We have established new initiatives. We are setting the stage for businesses to expand and hire Nova Scotians. We have a plan and a framework that will lead us into the next century. My government believes its responsibilities extend beyond the present day. My government will ensure that vital programs and services that Nova Scotians cherish are secure, not only for this generation, but for generations to come. God save the Queen; God bless Nova Scotia; God bless Canada.