MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. I will call the House to order at this time. Expecting that there are no introductions this morning, I will go directly to the daily routine.
PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Finance.
HON. BERNARD BOUDREAU: Mr. Speaker, I want to inform members of the House that the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has asked Nova Scotia's Auditor General to perform an independent audit of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The Gaming Corporation is charged with the responsibility of protecting this province's interests as a shareholder in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. In exercising that responsibility, the Gaming Corporation concluded, and I agreed, that an independent audit was required. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is owned by the people of the Atlantic Provinces. Nova Scotians, and our neighbours in the other three provinces, have a right to know if the Lottery Corporation is operating efficiently and effectively.
Mr. Speaker, this action is not intended to raise any suspicions about the operation of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Rather, it is an expression of this government's commitment to the principle of accountability. Publicly-owned institutions must be accountable to the people for their actions and their operations. As an agency that operates games of chance, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation must not only be above reproach, it must constantly strive to gain and maintain public confidence in the integrity of all facets of its operation. This government has established high standards of open, accountable gaming operations in Nova Scotia. We want to confirm that those standards apply to all gaming activities in which Nova Scotia has an interest.
Nova Scotia's Auditor General has expressed an interest in auditing the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The timing and the scope of the audit is now at the discretion of the Auditor General. We look forward to the results. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Applause)
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Kings West.
MR. GEORGE MOODY: Mr. Speaker, I want to say that I am pleased with this announcement. It is something that I think I had brought before this House before. It is something that I am pleased that the government has taken the initiative. There is no question that Nova Scotians have an interest in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation to make sure that it is run efficiently and effectively and I don't know whether the other Atlantic Provinces are going to allow their Auditors General or how they get permission to go in there, I am not sure, but from Nova Scotia's point of view, I commend the government on this announcement and look forward to the Auditor General going in and doing an audit, and for all Nova Scotians, at some point, to get that result.
So, this is an announcement, Mr. Speaker, that I am very pleased with and I commend the minister on making the announcement in the House.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I, too, very much welcome the minister's announcement. It is something that the Auditor General for the province has been asking for permission to do for quite some time, and it is also something that, I understand, the Public Accounts Committee of this House has also asked for. I would suggest, and I think that it is only appropriate, that the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, or any corporation that is acting on behalf of the province, should be publicly accountable. So, I look forward to the results.
The one question that I am still not sure of with regard to this, because, of course, the Auditor General has been attempting to perform an audit of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation in the past and has been blocked in the past by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. My question really, in a way of a rhetorical one, because we aren't in Question Period, is whether or not the corporation has itself now given permission for the Auditor General to conduct that audit, or if that can still be blocked or limited. Also, if there is an agreement with the other provinces as to how that will be done, because, of course, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation works for all four provinces. So, whether it is going to be a joint audit by the four Auditors General or how it is going to be done.
I am pleased to hear that there will be an audit. I look forward to receiving some details from the minister at the first opportunity on some of the other details that are not included in the announcement. Thank you.
GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 63 - Entitled an Act to Permit the City of Halifax to Grant Tax Exemptions to the Operators of Container Terminals Located on Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin. (Hon. Gerald O'Malley as a private member.)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
NOTICES OF MOTION
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants West.
MR. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a Dalhousie doctoral student, doing research at Acadia University, recently presented a research seminar on anti-clotting drugs; and
Whereas research undertaken by Hermes Chan opens the potential for direct bedside measurement of how drugs can be used and the action they might have in forming and breaking down clots indirectly; and
Whereas the medical laboratory at the Hants Community Hospital in Windsor and the Medical Biotechnology Research Centre in Hantsport played a prominent role in assisting Mr. Chan with his very important research;
Therefore be it resolved that members of this Legislature commend Hermes Chan, staff at the medical laboratory of the Hants Community Hospital in Windsor and the Medical Biotechnology Centre in Hantsport for their dedicated research and assistance in making Nova Scotia a healthier place to live.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: Is that agreeable to the House?
It is agreed.
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the federal Transport Minister has ignored the economic impact and ordered a December 29th winter shutdown of MV Bluenose services between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor; and
Whereas the federal government is also withdrawing its support from smaller ports throughout Nova Scotia, leaving economic and safety issues up in the air; and
Whereas meanwhile, the federal Fisheries Minister is imposing fee hikes and cost shifts that will force hard-pressed coastal communities and fishers to pay for much of his department's operation;
Therefore be it resolved that this House deeply regrets the abandonment of federal participation in transportation and fishing operations that are key to Nova Scotians' successful participation in a united, prosperous Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I would request waiver of notice and passage without debate.
MR. SPEAKER: I hear a No.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
MR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas for 50 years the CBC has been keeping Canadians who are living, travelling or stationed abroad in touch with the news of their provinces and country; and
Whereas Radio Canada International service has even kept loved ones in touch during what might have been a lonely holiday season for those who must be out of the country; and
Whereas the numbers also seem to support a continuation of the RCI service, it was reported that not only does it reach listeners in 126 countries but of the 126 countries who in turn have an international service, 121 are funded by their government;
Therefore be it resolved that the government, led by the Premier of Nova Scotia, ask the Prime Minister for a reversal of the federal decision to shut off Canada's voice to the world at the end of the 1995-96 fiscal year and review alternatives to what would be considered a great loss.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for waiver of notice.
MR. SPEAKER: Is that agreeable to the House?
I hear several Noes.
The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Pictou West.
MR. DONALD MCINNES: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas telephone fraud is one of the largest frauds in Canada; and
Whereas statistics indicate that Canadians have lost up to $60 million in fraudulent related telephone scams in the past year which includes a woman from New Glasgow who lost $28,000 to two fraud companies; and
Whereas over 100 telephone fraud companies operate across Canada;
Therefore be it resolved that the Ministers of Justices as well as Housing and Consumer Affairs meet with consumer organizations such as the Better Business Bureau of Nova Scotia to discuss possible alternatives in keeping telephone fraud artists from preying upon unsuspecting Nova Scotians.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas Thomson Newspapers has, from a great distance, threatened closure of the Cape Breton Post, unless workers knuckle under to management demands for more layoffs; and
Whereas it insults Cape Bretoners and all Nova Scotians for an absentee owner to show such disregard for the vital exchange of information and views in a successful well-rooted newspaper; and
Whereas Cape Bretoners have proven their ability to take back control and make a great success of businesses shut-down by absentee owners;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges all feasible assistance to any Cape Bretoners who are prepared to ensure that the Cape Breton Post carries on with local ownership and investment if Lord Thomson's representatives truly intend to walk away from Cape Breton or to use brutal force to try and break the strike.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Hants West.
[8:15 a.m.]
MR. RONALD RUSSELL: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas the Liberal Government continues to hide an Inter-departmental Committee Report on Uranium Mining; and
Whereas Nova Scotia's Freedom of Information Review Officer recently urged the government to reconsider their decision to keep this information secret, citing the desire for more openness and good, strong freedom of information; and
Whereas numerous Nova Scotians have expressed grave concerns over the resumption of uranium mining in this province;
Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Natural Resources stop hiding this report behind closed doors and allow all concerned Nova Scotians to carefully review the Inter-departmental Committee Report on Uranium Mining completed in June 1994.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings West.
MR. GEORGE MOODY: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas numerous Nova Scotians are falling through the cracks of Nova Scotia's Home Care Program because they simply do not know how to access it; and
Whereas this government has not produced a single brochure that would provide Nova Scotians with information on one of the most critical components of its so-called health reform agenda; and
Whereas the same Liberal Government, which has not seen fit to publicize the expanded Home Care Program, has spent thousands of dollars in newspaper ads defending its health reform agenda;
Therefore be it resolved that instead of wasting precious tax dollars defending the indefensible, this Liberal Government redirect thousands of advertising dollars it has wasted trying to prop up its sorry public image into something useful and that it immediately launch a campaign to notify Nova Scotians about the availability of Nova Scotia's Home Care Program.
AN HON. MEMBER: Waive notice.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
MR. JOHN HOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas correctional officers will hold their fourth information picket in Amherst tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. where they will be joined by colleagues from New Brunswick; and
Whereas despite years of study and consultant contracts, this Liberal Government has not once explained why it is pursuing the goal of having Americans come here to run Nova Scotia jails; and
Whereas the Liberals have not even agreed to stop dealing with the Florida-based Wackenhut corporation, despite concerns serious enough that the great privatizer, Frank McKenna, dropped them;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the Justice Minister to encourage his Cumberland County colleagues to join tomorrow's picket and seize this opportunity to finally agree that the government will not bring in Americans to run our jails.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Kings North.
MR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a recent Inverness Oran editorial said, "One has to wonder, both voter and votee, how a government elected just two years ago with 40 seats is in peril for its life when the next provincial election rolls around"; and
Whereas the editorial said, "there is definitely a strong undercurrent of resentment which could result in a change of government in the next provincial election"; and
Whereas the editorial continued in saying, "the Liberal Government has stripped our hospitals to the bone, striking fear into the hearts of rural residents that no new and improved system is taking the place of the old";
Therefore be it resolved that as indicated in the editorial, when it comes to consultation, "this Liberal Government not make Nova Scotians feel as if they have not only missed the boat but were never asked on board to begin with".
MR. SPEAKER: Well, the notice is tabled but Beauchesne is very clear that remarks in the House cannot consist of a series of quotations from any publication simply joined together by a word or two.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: In fairness, Mr. Speaker, I think it is the first editorial this year they have been able to use.
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow the notice to be tabled.
The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas on August 12, 1995, the Health Minister told Nova Scotians that he would have a policy on midwifery ready within the next little while outlining where it could be practised and the roles of both doctors and midwives; and
Whereas midwives represent one of the community-based, non-institutional forms of health care delivery that have long been advocated by the Health Minister; and
Whereas midwives have since patiently endured excuses, delays, ignorance and a breakdown of consultation with this government;
Therefore be it resolved that this House urges the Health Minister to bring forward a policy and any necessary legislation on midwifery before he seeks any further approval of legislation dealing with the medical profession.
MR. SPEAKER: The notice is tabled.
The honourable member for Cape Breton West.
MR. ALFRED MACLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas a recent Bridgewater Bulletin editorial said, "arrogance is the common denominator for the entire Nova Scotia Government"; and
Whereas the editorial said, "Arrogance is like Vitamin A - the body must have some but too much poisons the system"; and
Whereas the editorial continued in saying, "unfortunately, so many cabinet ministers have overdosed on arrogance that our democratic system has turned into a group dictatorship";
Therefore be it resolved that this Liberal Government at least make an attempt to understand that Nova Scotians do not want a dictatorship, they want consultation and a legitimate say in their destiny.
MR. SPEAKER: All right. Now, that is the second one we've had. I know that the honourable members have gone to considerable trouble to prepare these resolutions. I will allow them today, but I want to point out that Beauchesne makes it very clear that members are supposed to express their own views, and not to extensively quote other publications or sources. (Interruptions)
AN HON. MEMBER: Mr. Speaker, it is entirely possible they may not have news of their own.
MR. SPEAKER: If there are no other notices of motion, that would appear to conclude the daily routine.
We will now advance to Orders of the Day.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
MR. SPEAKER: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
[8:22 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Bills with Acting Deputy Speaker Mr. Russell MacNeil in the Chair.]
[3:12 p.m. CWH on Bills rose and the House reconvened with Acting Deputy Speaker Mr. Alan Mitchell in the Chair.]
MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Bills reports:
THE CLERK: That the committee has met and made considerable progress and begs leave to sit again.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, would you please revert to the order of business, Presenting Reports of Committees.
PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Law Amendments, I am directed to report that the committee has met and considered the following bills:
Bill No. 52 - Barristers and Solicitors Act.
Bill No. 47 - Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Act.
and the committee recommends these bills to the favourable consideration of the House, with certain amendments.
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that these bills be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Introduction of Bills.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Bill No. 64 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 3 of the Acts of 1994. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Act. (Hon. Bernard Boudreau as a private member.)
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
The honourable Minister of Labour.
HON. GUY BROWN: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to introduce a bill entitled, An Act to Amend Chapter 508 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Workers' Compensation Act.
Mr. Speaker, we will be asking for - we have already discussed it - unanimous consent for second reading today.
Bill No. 65 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 508 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Workers' Compensation Act. (Hon. Guy Brown)
[3:15 p.m.]
MR. SPEAKER: Ordered that this bill be read a second time on a future day.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, I would ask for the unanimous consent of the House to have this bill read for a second time, at this time.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it agreed?
It is agreed.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Would you please call the order of business, Public Bills for Second Reading.
PUBLIC BILLS FOR SECOND READING
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, would you please call Bill No. 65.
Bill No. 65 - Workers' Compensation Act.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Minister of Labour.
HON. GUY BROWN: Mr. Speaker, I move second reading of Bill No. 65. I want to publicly thank the Official Opposition as well as the Third Party with regard to agreeing to this. It is a very minor amendment to straighten out some mistakes that we have made over the past number of years. I would ask members to support it.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Atlantic.
MR. ROBERT CHISHOLM: Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say that we support this amendment and to add that it is a minor amendment, perhaps, but it has a major impact. It primarily affects those people receiving disability pensions, or those who will be receiving disability pensions as a result, for instance, of hearing loss or other disability that is created, which does not necessarily result in an earnings loss. It clarifies some problems that existed in the Act and we certainly support the passage of this amendment.
MR. SPEAKER: The honourable member for Hants West.
MR. RONALD RUSSELL: I had not intended speaking on this bill, Mr. Speaker, but I think I should say a few words. First of all, I think it is of great importance that we do put this bill through because, as the member for Halifax Atlantic has just said, although it is a very small amendment, a very minor amendment, it does have tremendous repercussions. In fact I believe there are something in the order of 2,000 claims out there that hinge on the passage of this particular amendment to the Workers' Compensation Act.
So, we are certainly in support of the amendment and we will do everything possible to get that amendment through as rapidly as possibly can be done in order to accommodate those 2,000 persons out there whose claims, as I said before, are dependent on the rapid passage of this piece of legislation.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is for second reading of Bill No. 65. Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Ordered that this bill be referred to the Law Amendments Committee.
The honourable Government House Leader.
HON. RICHARD MANN: Mr. Speaker, that would conclude Government Business for today. We will meet on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The order of business will be Public Bills in Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
I move that we adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
MR. SPEAKER: The motion is carried.
We stand adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Monday.
[The House rose at 3:19 p.m.]
