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HALIFAX, FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

Sixty-second General Assembly

First Session

9:00 A.M.

SPEAKER

Hon. Kevin Murphy

DEPUTY SPEAKER

Ms. Margaret Miller

MR. SPEAKER » : Order, please. Just prior to us starting the daily routine, as Speaker I do want to acknowledge the passing of former Sergeant-at-Arms Noel Knockwood, who passed away yesterday. Noel was our first Aboriginal Sergeant-at-Arms here at the House, serving the Legislature from 2000 to 2005.

Of course he was a well-known Mi'kmaq spiritual leader, a veteran of the Korean War, and a great, great Nova Scotian. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Noel several times as his grandchildren lived in my community of Lake Echo and he did attend our church where his grandchildren were. It was a very moving experience just in the two or three times that I did meet him and had occasion to spend a few minutes with him. I felt much calmer after spending a few minutes with Mr. Noel Knockwood.

So I would ask that all members of the House please rise and observe a moment of silence in honour of former Sergeant-at-Arms Noel Knockwood.

[A moment of silence was observed.]

MR. SPEAKER « » : We will begin the daily routine.

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PRESENTING AND READING PETITIONS

PRESENTING REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

TABLING REPORTS, REGULATIONS AND OTHER PAPERS

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 49 - Entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes of 1989. The Motor Vehicle Act. (Hon. Geoff MacLellan)

Bill No. 50 - Entitled an Act to Amend and Consolidate the Acts Relating to St. Francis Xavier University. (Mr. Lloyd Hines)

MR. SPEAKER « » : Ordered that these bills be read a second time on a future day.

NOTICES OF MOTION

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of the Public Service Commission.

HON. LABI KOUSOULIS « » : Mr. Speaker, on an introduction. I'd like to take everyone's attention to the east gallery. We have with us Fergus Dearden, who is a new graduate of Saint Mary's University and has just authored a book called The Coffee Shop Meditations. A round of applause for our new author. (Applause)

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of the Public Service Commission.

RESOLUTION NO. 1049

HON. LABI KOUSOULIS « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Fergus Dearden is a 2011 graduate of Saint Mary's University who battled tremendous adversity, authored The Coffee Shop Meditations, and founded the One Man on a Mission campaign to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association; and

Whereas Mr. Dearden overcame a serious mood disorder, homelessness, and a gambling addiction to obtain two bachelor degrees and become a published author, and it is his goal to inspire others and give hope where they feel there is none; and

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Whereas Mr. Dearden is an inspirational example of the great potential of our graduates and those coping with mental illness;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly recognize Fergus Dearden's exceptional achievements, dedication in the face of adversity, and outstanding contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

MR. SPEAKER « » : There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

The honourable Government House Leader.

RESOLUTION NO. 1050

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the province has both adjudicative and non-adjudicative agencies, boards, and commissions in place to help government operate and serve the people of Nova Scotia; and

Whereas these agencies, boards, and commissions are made up of engaged citizens who volunteer their time and expertise; and

Whereas today marks the beginning of the Spring campaign asking Nova Scotians to apply for an agency, board, or commission;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House encourage people in their communities to volunteer to serve on one of Nova Scotia's 165 agencies, boards, and commissions.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

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MR. SPEAKER « » : There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

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.

RESOLUTION NO. 1051

HON. MAUREEN MACDONALD « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Noel Knockwood's strength of character was evident from an early age as he overcame the struggles of the residential school system and fought in the trenches of the Korean War; and

Whereas Mr. Knockwood used his own life lessons as tools to teach and mentor others - including members of the Legislature, as the first Mi'kmaq Sergeant-at-Arms, who many of us here were fortunate enough to meet; and

Whereas Mr. Knockwood, a compassionate spiritual leader and elder, passed away yesterday at the age of 81;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this Legislature send our deepest condolences to Mr. Knockwood's family and community, and join them as they celebrate his life and many accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I request waiver of notice and passage without debate.

MR. SPEAKER « » : There has been a request for waiver.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

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ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Mr. Speaker, would you please call the order of business, Government Motions.

GOVERNMENT MOTIONS

MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable Government House Leader.

HON. MICHEL SAMSON « » : Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on Supply unto Her Majesty.

MR. SPEAKER « » : The motion carried.

The House will now recess for one minute while we get set up for Supply.

[9:20 a.m. The House resolved itself into a CWH on Supply with Deputy Speaker Ms. Margaret Miller in the Chair.]

[1:44 p.m. CWH on Supply rose and the House reconvened with Deputy Speaker Ms. Margaret Miller in the Chair.]

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on Supply reports:

THE CLERK » : That the Committee of the Whole on Supply has met and made progress and begs leave to sit again.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

The honourable Deputy Government House Leader.

MR. TERRY FARRELL » : Madam Speaker, I move that the hours for Monday, April 14^th, be 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The order of business will be Government Business, Committee of the Whole House on Supply unto Her Majesty. If time permits we will call second reading of Bill Nos. 35, 40, 43, 44, and 45.

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I move that the House do now rise to meet again from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14^th.

MADAM SPEAKER « » : The motion is that the House rise to meet again on April 14^th between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Is it agreed?

It is agreed.

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

The motion is carried.

We stand adjourned until Monday at 4:00 p.m. Please enjoy your weekend, everyone.

[The House rose at 1:45 p.m.]

NOTICES OF MOTION UNDER RULE 32(3)

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RESOLUTION NO. 1052

By: Mr. Tim Houston « » (Pictou East)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the East Pictou Silver Blades held their annual ice show and awards banquet on March 4^th at the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena in Thorburn, cheered on by a large crowd; and

Whereas there was great cause for celebration as all JumpStart, figure skaters and program assistants received certificates; and

Whereas special awards were presented to CanSkate Champions Quinn Lynch and Gabrielle Young; the Connie Frazee Memorial Award to Kaitlin Kelly; the Derrick Brightman Memorial Trophy to Sydney Swain; and the CanSkater of the Year was Adelle Thomsen;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly congratulate these deserving young skaters and wish them many more successful seasons on the ice.

RESOLUTION NO. 1053

By: Mr. Tim Houston « » (Pictou East)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Brenda Murphy's Grade Primary students at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Elementary School wore pink to celebrate Pink Shirt Day and to raise awareness about bullying and its effects; and

Whereas by starting at an early age, these students will be advocates for anti-bullying throughout their school life; and

Whereas they will be examples and role models of the message they learned in a short video entitled How to be Kind to Each Other;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate these students on their stand against bullying and thank them for embracing the anti-bullying message.

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RESOLUTION NO. 1054

By: Hon. Jamie Baillie « » (Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Noel Knockwood, the first Aboriginal Sergeant-at-Arms, has passed away at the age of 81; and

Whereas Mr. Knockwood was a survivor of the Shubenacadie Residential School, an author and a Korean War veteran, who generously told his story to high school and university students; and

Whereas Noel Knockwood was a keptin of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council and had served as the council's spiritual leader since 1974, was the recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for culture, heritage and spirituality, and will be remembered for ceremonially lifting the curse from the A. Murray MacKay Bridge at its opening;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of the House of Assembly give thanks for the remarkable life of Noel Knockwood and send our most sincere condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

RESOLUTION NO. 1055

By: Mr. John Lohr « » (Kings North)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas the Port Williams Hawks Bantam Girls Division IV basketball team captured a silver medal in provincial championship play this past weekend; and

Whereas the Hawks competed in the tournament with seven other teams before finally losing in the championship game; and

Whereas the Port Williams team has a dedicated group of enthusiastic layers in Kaitlyn and Errol Zwicker; Meghan, Margaret, and Heather MacLean; Caty Sweet; Addie Rand Smith; Lucy Wilkie; Emily Larkin; Michaela Rafuse; Brittany Dell; and Georgia Bauer;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate the 2014 Port Williams Hawks Bantam Girls basketball team on capturing a silver medal at Basketball Provincials.

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RESOLUTION NO. 1056

By: Mr. John Lohr « » (Kings North)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas each year Wealth Professional Magazine recognizes the Top 50 Financial Advisors in Canada; and

Whereas the purpose of the list is to give recognition to Canada's most hard-working and successful advisors, whose dedication to the profession often gets overlooked; and

Whereas David Ritcey, a wealth advisor with ScotiaMcLeod in Kentville, was 45^th on the Top 50 list for 2014;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate David Ritcey on being named to Wealth Professional Magazine's Top 50 List and wish him continued success in his career.

RESOLUTION NO. 1057

By: Ms. Karla MacFarlane « » (Pictou West)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Tyler MacLean, age 7, of Durham Road, Pictou County, has begun a campaign to collect enough pop tabs to purchase a wheelchair for an 18-month-old toddler diagnosed with a rare disease; and

Whereas Tyler has displayed a combination of humanitarianism and call to action in order to help someone in need, even asking Santa to bring him some pop tabs for Christmas; and

Whereas Tyler is a student at Scotsburn Elementary and has rallied his peers as well as people of all ages to take up the cause and donate;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly thank Tyler for his hard work and congratulate him for making a positive impact in the life of another child and on his community.

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RESOLUTION NO. 1058

By: Ms. Karla MacFarlane « » (Pictou West)

I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas Lucas Technologies and Analytics, owned and operated by Mr. Luke Young, located in the Town of Pictou, has been awarded the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce 2013 Small Business of the Year Recognition Award; and

Whereas Lucas Technologies provides IT service to customers throughout northern Nova Scotia, employing six persons and having doubled its size in the last three years; and

Whereas Lucas Technologies has played an active role in promoting the Pictou business community and has volunteered assistance to several local non-profit organizations with data management and website support;

Therefore be it resolved that all members of this House of Assembly congratulate Mr. Luke Young of Lucas Technologies and Analytics on receiving the award and wish him the best in his future endeavours.