Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouveau-Brunswick 52e 4e Discours du trône 7 février 1995 Mme Margaret Norrie McCain Lieutenant-Gouverneur PL Madam Speaker, and Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly, On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, I am most pleased to welcome you to the Fourth Session of the 52nd Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick. This is my first opportunity as your Lieutenant-Governor to preside over the opening of a Session of the New Brunswick Legislature. It is an honour and a privilege to act as Her Majesty's representative in New Brunswick, and I look forward to serving you in the future. My Government wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge with affection and respect, our former Lieutenant-Governor, the Honourable Gilbert Finn, and Madame Finn. On behalf of all the people of this Province, we sincerely thank them for their years of service and dedication to New Brunswick. I am sure I speak for all New Brunswickers in saying how pleased we are that the Honourable Roméo LeBlanc is about to become Canada's next Governor General. He will be the first Acadian, and indeed the first person from the Atlantic Provinces, to hold this distinguished office and we congratulate him on this achievement. Throughout 1994 New Brunswick families and communities celebrated the International Year of the Family. Le Congrès mondial acadien, perhaps one of the largest gatherings to take place in the Province in recent years, stood out as a tribute to the strength and vitality of the Province's Acadian population. Canada has been identified internationally as the best country in the world in which to live. Most Canadians share an abiding commitment to the unity and prosperity of this nation and view the pending Quebec referendum with some apprehension. While My Government recognizes that the people of Quebec must ultimately decide their own future, we, their New Brunswick neighbours, sincerely hope that they will choose to remain part of this great country. World War II ended 50 years ago this coming May, and this year will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. On behalf of all New Brunswickers, and in honour of our veterans, I would like to extend best wishes and reaffirm our support for this great institution of peace. On behalf of all members of the Legislative Assembly, I extend congratulations to those New Brunswick athletes who were successful at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria and other international and national events of 1994. Our best wishes accompany the New Brunswick team that will participate in the 1995 Canada Winter Games, with special tribute to our athletes with a disability who will be actively participating for the first time in this competition. 1995 is a milestone year. We are entering the final five years of the twentieth century and are looking ahead to the challenges of the twenty-first. During the first half of the 1990's, My Government's economic, social, and fiscal policies have brought a new level of stability and prosperity to New Brunswick, and placed it in a framework leading to a strong and healthy future. In 1995, My Government will continue its work to realize our vision of a self-sufficient society. Jobs for all New Brunswickers will remain the central priority. Opportunities will be available for both rural and urban New Brunswickers to be active participants in our economy. Jobs will be produced in traditional resource sectors as well as new economy industries. Emphasis will be given to a more stable, accessible and affordable social safety net, one that is sensitive to people in need. Prudent fiscal management will take us into the next phase of control over the public debt. Initiatives such as deregulation and quality service will provide greater accountability to our citizens. For decades progressive change to meet anticipated challenges has been a hallmark of public policy in New Brunswick. Dramatic demographic changes are ahead, creating risks for the unprepared and opportunity for the far-sighted. My Government will establish a Committee of the Legislature to examine the public policy implications of these changes. New Brunswick will be ready for the twenty-first century. Jobs in a Global Economy 1994 was a record breaking year as more New Brunswickers than ever were engaged in full-time employment. Our economy is well into a recovery phase and an even stronger performance is expected for 1995. My Government will strengthen its economic restructuring initiative, by continuing to position New Brunswick as a leader in the new economy. Development and renewal of the resource sectors will parallel the growth in "new economy", ensuring that people living in rural areas and smaller communities are active participants in our restructured economy. It is our rural areas and smaller communities that benefit the most from the resource sectors. Initiatives will be undertaken by My Government in agriculture, forestry, mining, energy, fishing, and aquaculture, with an emphasis on increased primary production and value-added activity. Agriculture My Department of Agriculture will assume the lead role for rural economic development in the Province. A new Rural Economic Development Plan will be tabled early in this Session for your consideration. The fundamental goal will be to create jobs in rural areas, and the emphasis will be on the agri-food sector. The Minister of Agriculture will be announcing the details later in the Session. Agricultural production and marketing activities will be significantly increased for soybeans, apples, cranberries, pork, poultry, blueberries and other commodities. The potato industry will be dramatically expanded with an immediate target of an additional 4,000 acres cleared for production. Many jobs will result from this increased agricultural expansion. The Department of Agriculture will undertake a number of deregulation initiatives in order to make it easier for farmers and agri-food operators to do business. A number of Acts will be eliminated, and a new Agricultural Land Use and Development Act will be presented this Session for approval. You will also be asked to consider amendments to the Dairy Products Act and the Farm Products Marketing Act. Forestry In the forestry sector an extended silviculture program on Crown land will result in the creation of a large number of primary sector and manufacturing jobs in rural New Brunswick. Initiatives will also be undertaken to create opportunities for private woodlot operators to participate in an expansion of the forest industry. My Government will continue to pursue new approaches to ensuring that all available quantities of wood supply are directed to more value-added uses. Aggressive efforts will be made to establish processing facilities to use more waste material, creating more jobs for New Brunswickers. New Medium Density Fibreboard mills will be pursued for New Brunswick to make greater use of sawmill residue. Similar efforts will be made to ensure that more manufactured wood products are made in the Province. To give impetus to the Government's value-added industries, a new Woodworking Training and Value-Added Development Centre will be established in the Northeast. Training will be offered in both official languages. The development component will concentrate on helping industry to keep up with new technology and be more competitive internationally. A new fish and wildlife policy will come into effect in New Brunswick this year, following public input through the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board. Mining and Energy In the mining sector, My Department of Natural Resources and Energy will launch initiatives to locate new base metal deposits. An agreement is being concluded with the Federal Government for a major exploration initiative in the northern part of the Province. The Junior Mining Program will also be continued in the Bathurst region. Natural gas as a premium fossil fuel for the twenty-first century remains a priority for New Brunswick and its Maritime partners. My Government will work closely with Nova Scotia and the private sector in pursuit of East Coast natural gas and the possibility of a pipeline to New Brunswick. My Government recognizes that many tradespeople have been seeking work. A comprehensive Energy Efficiency Retrofit Initiative will be initiated for households, institutions, and commercial establishments throughout the Province, in partnership with the private sector. Part of this initiative will include a pilot Weatherization Program for Seniors. A project will also be launched to undertake private sector-financed energy efficiency improvements in government buildings. A significant number of year-round jobs are expected to be created in both rural and urban New Brunswick from energy audits and renovation activities by the trades sector. A new policy will be established to integrate industrial co-generation into NB Power's generation supply mix to meet future in-province energy needs. At Point Lepreau a Spacer Location and Repositioning process will be used to extend the life of the facility. This will create a large number of local jobs, and the Province will save millions of dollars through this process. Fisheries In the fisheries sector, additional efforts will be pursued to support the herring industry in order to diversify their markets and products. A Shrimp Fleet Revitalization Program will be initiated to assist in the construction of new trawlers over the next three years. My Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is working with its Federal counterparts to pursue the development of a new aquaculture species development program, with an emphasis on halibut, haddock, winter flounder, and shellfish. All of these initiatives will create more jobs for our fishing communities. In all of these resource sectors My Government will be encouraging women and men to participate in trades and technology occupations. Tourism The New Brunswick tourist industry enjoyed unprecedented success last year, and the number of jobs reached a level of 24,000. The Province is now on the leading edge of the 1990's trend towards activity-based tourism. My Government will build on this success by establishing, through partnership arrangements, a number of Day Adventure Centres in the Province. These centres will be the basis of a growing network of outdoor-based tourism activities throughout New Brunswick. The economic and job creation impact of this initiative over the four year period of implementation will be felt in many of the smaller communities throughout New Brunswick. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism will be the first public agency in Canada to apply new technology to access potential vacationers through CompuServe, and other forms of computer on-line communication. As part of an Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership initiative, direct marketing programs will be aimed at outdoor adventure consumers in eastern United States and to the seniors' market in Quebec and Ontario. As part of the effort to promote outdoor adventures, My Government will work in partnership with a Provincial Trails Task Force to implement an action plan to create a multiple use community-based Provincial Trail System throughout New Brunswick. A new Fundy Hiking Trail will also be developed. These projects will link New Brunswick to a Trans Canada Trail and provide additional jobs throughout the Province. My Department of Natural Resources and Energy will announce measures to assist the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to develop and maintain first-class snowmobile trails throughout the Province. More tourism packaged tours will be added to this growing segment of winter vacations. Other tourism developments will include beach improvements along New Brunswick's coastline, and the redevelopment of the popular Rocks Provincial Park. Environment My Government will pursue the establishment of environmental industries within New Brunswick. The Department of the Environment, in cooperation with its Atlantic counterparts, will work in partnership with industry to further the establishment of a privately-operated waste tire management system. NB Power is working with the private sector to establish a plant at Belledune that will process the waste gypsum by-product from air emission equipment and export it for use in wallboard. Information Highway The creation of the Information Highway Secretariat has enabled My Government to place New Brunswick in the forefront of the emerging global economy. This leading edge focus on technological change and the transition to an information society has brought national and international recognition to our Province. It is indeed a sign of the times that this Throne Speech will be available worldwide on the Internet, for the first time, sharing our aspirations with colleagues around the world. The growing critical mass of call centres and other information highway businesses is an indication of the potential in this area, a potential My Government intends to fully exploit as we move into the second half of the 1990's. Discussions are being held with a number of national and international companies, and investment will be promoted in all regions of the Province. Efforts will be made by this Government to integrate the resource sector and smaller communities into the new economy and the information highway. Government and its public service must become model users of information technology. Partnerships with institutions and the private sector are key to the process and expected to leverage more high quality jobs. The process has already begun in such fields as revenue management, Medicare, human resource development, education, and justice. A major deregulation and modernization initiative will be undertaken by the Geographic Information Corporation. New technology, the electronic information highway, and quality service to customers are at the forefront of these changes. Substantive legislative amendments will be presented in the areas of land ownership and real property assessment. My Government will be asking you to consider several amendments to the Registry Act, to allow New Brunswick to transfer from the traditional document retention system to a computerized registry. Changes to the Standard Forms of Conveyances Act will extend the concept of notice-based financing to real property registration, and will result in a reduction in paperwork and significant savings to the public. The Assessment Act and the Residential Property Tax Relief Act will also be presented for amendments. Small Business Small business is the major engine of job creation in the Province, and New Brunswick has been recognized as the most attractive location in Atlantic Canada for small business. My Government is committed to ensuring that we have one of the most competitive environments in all of Canada for this growing sector. A major deregulation initiative is being initiated in all departments and agencies of the public service. A number of these proposals will be presented for the approval of this Assembly. The objective is to substantially reduce regulatory and administrative procedures that impact on the business community as well as citizens. A 25 percent reduction in the regulatory burden has been mandated this year with a further 25 percent reduction targeted for 1996. The New Brunswick Chamber of Commerce has taken the leadership to identify, through a survey of its membership, the experiences and problems of the small business sector with the government regulatory environment. The results of this survey will assist significantly in the identification of further deregulation initiatives. The Department of the Environment will develop a streamlined interactive information-based service to assist businesses and individuals in understanding environmental requirements and obtaining regulatory approvals. The Partners Program will be expanded to create more permanent jobs in the small and medium-sized business sector. Over time My Government forecasts thousands of new jobs from these small business initiatives. Economic Development My Government will intensify its economic development efforts in investment, trade, and business development. The Province will participate in programs to make more venture capital available to entrepreneurs. Initiatives will be taken to encourage women in business. A new value-added program will be introduced for the remainder of the decade, aimed at creating further product enhancements in all industrial sectors. The aboriginal citizens of New Brunswick want to share in our economic restructuring. My Government will explore with the native community joint approaches to business development and employment training. New Brunswick is currently hosting a National Symposium on Aboriginal Development Financing, and My Government extends best wishes to the participants who have come from all parts of Canada. The Province intends to conclude negotiations early this year with the Government of Canada for a new economic and regional umbrella cooperation agreement for New Brunswick. A five-year extension of funding for the 12 regional economic development commissions will be implemented, as will funding for the Community Assistance Program. The Government will pursue further negotiations with the Federal Government to develop the Port of Belledune as a major deep water facility in northern New Brunswick. Work will also be continued on the Road to Resources between Bathurst and Saint Quentin. Assistance will be provided to the municipalities of Moncton, Saint John, Campbellton, Miramichi, and other locations to help revitalize their downtown areas and create more employment in the service industry. My Government will work closely with Saint John Shipbuilding to ensure a strong future for its highly skilled work force. My Government will be taking further steps to help attract new companies to the Province. We will provide one-stop shopping assistance for on-the-job training, skills training to meet new job requirements, and recruitment services. This initiative will be further supported by a new Skills Warranty initiative which will guarantee the competence of our New Brunswick work force when training is provided by our New Brunswick Community College. Education and Training New Brunswick's education and training systems have undergone considerable reform to meet the needs of the 1990's, and My Government will continue its investments in this area. Although job opportunities may not always match the availability of employment skills, this Government remains firm in its belief that a citizen who is educated can compete more successfully in the job market and live a fuller life. My Government will position New Brunswick as a leader on the information highway, through the establishment of a new on-line computer learning and information service called NetLearn/Réseau du savoir. It will be New Brunswick's learning lane on the information highway. This bilingual, user-friendly service will be made available to both rural and urban residents, and it will also be accessible world-wide through Internet. The system will play a key role in lifelong learning, especially for our children, our young people, and for women who may have less flexibility of movement because of family commitments. It will also promote New Brunswick world-wide. The long-term intent is to take on institutional and private sector partners, and establish NetLearn as an independent, not-for-profit corporation. In 1995, My Government will implement phase II of the initiative Using Networks to Integrate Technology in Education. The remaining schools in the Province will be connected to local and wide-area networks including SchoolNet and Internet, opening up new worlds of knowledge for all our children. The Community/School Information Centres Project will be expanded as part of a cooperative effort with the Federal Government. These centres will be of particular benefit to rural areas, and citizens will have after-school access to new technology and information on government services and programs. The Youth Apprenticeship Program will be extended to all school districts this year. The inclusion of Grade 9 in high school will continue. In the Anglophone sector, Grades 6 to 8 will be organized as Middle Schools. In the Francophone sector, a new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 primary system will be introduced. Children's reading programs will be stimulated and encouraged throughout the system. This year the Government will introduce a computerized catalogue system in public libraries. The repeal of obsolete regulations under the Libraries Act will also be undertaken. My Government will seek to conclude education agreements with First Nation communities in New Brunswick by the end of this year. This would allow for the implementation of a strategy in partnership with First Nations to improve the educational outcomes of aboriginal students. Financing of post-secondary education is a major concern, and this Government will make representation to the Government of Canada to maintain an adequate level of funding for university operations and research. Negotiations will continue with Federal and university officials to ensure that access for our young people is not threatened. Our educational institutions will need to respond to these imperatives by ensuring more flexibility and focus in their programs. The new economy and the electronic information highway will generate highly skilled, high paying jobs, and will open up opportunities for our university and community college graduates. My Government will work to ensure that our institutions of learning are positioned to be centres of excellence in educating and training our people for the skill levels required for the twenty-first century. The Province, with the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, will be exploring ways and means of targeting funding to priority areas. In cooperation with the Federal Government and the university, My Government will work to establish a multimedia courseware development and telecommunications conference centre at Mount Allison University. In 1995, the Department of Advanced Education and Labour will continue its leadership in distance education through an expansion into the global community. Courses and software packages will be offered on-line using the World Wide Web and other technologies. A new French language program, "Bureautique", will be delivered on the information highway around the world. Components of the Miramichi Campus's Multimedia Computing and Courseware Authoring programs will be available for global delivery this year as well. The New Brunswick Community College will take another significant step in its transformation to a Virtual College by establishing an Extramural Campus to deliver courses from and among the nine campuses to our rural communities and the world. The Co-op Education Program will also be expanded to make more technology entry level seats available on the co-op format. Aggressive new targets will be established for expanding co-op education at every level. My Department of Advanced Education and Labour will expand its partnerships with the private sector in the delivery of new Community College programs, in an effort to improve the relationship between post-secondary programs and access to good jobs. The Learning Technology Centre on the Miramichi Campus will expand its learning technology entrepreneurship programs, and emphasis will be given to the development of a variety of software products. A significant package of amendments to the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act will be introduced to reflect new economy job tasks and new technology. Policies that regulate private training institutions are being reviewed, and it will result in amendments to the Trade Schools Act. Deregulation initiatives concerning the trades sector will include repeal of the Mobile Homes Act, and amendments to the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act, Elevators and Lifts Act, Plumbing Installation and Inspection Act, and Electrical Installation and Inspection Act. My Government's commitment to job creation in all parts of New Brunswick will serve as the guiding focus for the coming year. These initiatives will ensure opportunities are available for all our citizens. Building from a Strong Base During the first half of this decade, My Government undertook a number of reform initiatives in education, health, justice, income assistance, and other important social services. The foundation has been put in place, and the Province is ready to move on in 1995 and beyond to address those parts of the system that need further adjustment and modernization. A priority will be given to the establishment of a social safety net that is accessible and affordable but responsive to the needs of the disadvantaged. Families and Communities The strengthening of our families and our communities continues to be an overriding policy objective of My Government. Job creation, skill training and development, excellence in education, health care reform, and the redesign of our social assistance program all share this common objective. It is in the strength and well-being of our families and our communities that we can position ourselves for the challenges of the twenty-first Century. My Government believes that significant steps have been made in this direction and looks to the year ahead to consolidate these gains and move forward. The Minister of State for the Family will bring forward, in partnership with colleague departments, specific initiatives to address some of the more challenging issues facing families. Special attention will be given to the issue of single parenthood and the stresses of parenting. After listening to the people of New Brunswick, the Minister will bring forward a Policy Framework for Services to the Family, setting the direction for our future efforts in this area. Special recognition must be given to the hundreds of New Brunswickers who give of their time and energy to the many voluntary organizations that sustain our communities. We will build on this strength and support. Justice My Department of Justice will undertake a number of initiatives to improve the administration and enforcement of family support orders. Particular attention will be given to the establishment of federal-provincial national child support guidelines, the use of new technology to process family support payments, initiatives to tighten financial disclosure requirements, reporting of defaulters to a national credit agency, and improving further access to information data bases. Efforts to combat family violence represent an ongoing priority for My Government. In partnership with the Federal Government and the voluntary sector, a major public education and awareness initiative will seek to influence those behaviours leading to violence. Discussions with Federal officials will proceed in an effort to establish a Unified Criminal Court pilot project in New Brunswick. The Provincial Court Act will be amended to eliminate the supernumerary status provisions. Modifications of certain tort rules affecting liability situations will be considered. A package of legislative and administrative changes to be introduced during this Session will provide further efficiencies for both consumers and the insurance industry. My Department of Justice will be proceeding to co-regulate the real estate sector. Legislation will also be presented to provide for the incorporation of insurance companies, and to amend the Pre-arranged Funeral Services Act. Health and Community Services The effective functioning of our network of health and community services across the Province is central to the well-being of families and communities. The consolidation of the hospital system into eight regional hospital corporations has laid the foundation for a responsive and responsible system, dedicated to providing needed and effectively-managed health care. The addition of significant new technology such as the mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit and the Lithotripsy unit will further enhance the capacity of the system to meet the complex health needs of our citizens. With major reforms and a solid foundation in place, My Government will continue its efforts towards quality health care in a planned system. During this Session the Minister of Health and Community Services will table a document outlining the vision and further directions for the health system over the next five years. As part of this plan, a process will be established to examine certain aspects of hospital corporation accountability. My Government recognizes that hospital waiting lists are a fact of life in Canada's public health care system, and they can create anxiety with our citizens. This year My Department of Health and Community Services will be working with Hospital Corporations on strategies and targets for a reduction to these waiting lists. The expansion of the Extra Mural Hospital across the Province and the Single Entry Point are designed to meet the needs of individuals and families in their own communities. My Government will build on this strong network by refocusing the public health programs to those areas which can significantly decrease injury, illness, and premature death for New Brunswickers. A new Community Health Act will be introduced, consolidating powers regarding health protection and disease prevention. My Department of Health and Community Services will continue to work closely with the health professions and will introduce a Health Disciplines Act. This will set a common framework for emerging health professions and provide common standards for public accountability in existing professional health legislation. The serious issue of abuse of trust through sexual misconduct of health professionals will be addressed. Amendments will be introduced to the Family Services Act to facilitate adoption proceedings and to put in place needed mechanisms to safeguard the rights of children and parents in cases of child protection. Deregulation initiatives will be advanced with proposed amendments to the Change of Name Act, the Marriage Act, and the Vital Statistics Act. My Department will work with the Medical Society to explore alternate payment mechanisms for physicians, which are consistent with the overall objectives of the health system. Efforts will be made to strengthen the role of the nursing profession in the health care system. Education towards the baccalaureate for all future nurses will begin in September 1995. My Government will move forward to strengthen healthy public policy initiatives. The Healthy Active Living Program for Seniors will be expanded to cover the entire Province. The Program will continue to recruit and train seniors to teach other seniors about the benefits of active living, proper nutrition, stress management, wise use of medication, and other lifestyle considerations. The City of Fredericton must be congratulated for being selected as one of four communities across Canada to pilot a Winter Active '95 campaign. This program, supported by the Province and Health Canada, will focus on outdoor winter activities as a part of active living. Social Security My Department of Human Resources Development will provide leadership in the ongoing federal-provincial negotiations leading to fundamental reforms in the national social security programs. The Province will voice its concerns with respect to those reforms which could bring about undue hardships on New Brunswickers, but will also advocate for much needed flexibility in many of their current programs. Special attention will be given to the situation faced by seasonal workers. The restructuring of the Department of Human Resources Development will continue, in partnership with a private sector partner, redefining the way it delivers services. My Government is confident that this initiative will be more cost-effective, and more importantly will lead to a higher quality of service for our clients. My Government is hopeful of reaching an agreement with the Federal Government for a fourth intake of NB Works. This program has confirmed over the last three intakes, the strong desire of New Brunswickers to acquire the skills, training and experience needed to access employment opportunities. Women and men of this Province are being helped to bridge some of the barriers keeping them from the labour force. This is an investment in our people which will ensure that we are ready for the challenges that are ahead. As part of the New Brunswick Housing Strategy, My Government is cooperating with the Federal Government in the reintroduction of two housing programs. The delivery of these rehabilitation programs, for homeowners and for rental properties, will stimulate the renovation industry, improve the quality of existing housing, and result in both the creation of jobs and an increased demand for construction materials. Policing and Corrections My Government will move forward with the development of policing and correctional services in New Brunswick. Cooperative initiatives will continue with municipalities and police forces to establish new policing standards and rationalize police services in some areas of the Province. The RCMP will promote community-based policing as well as the development of our nationally recognized District Policing Concept. The Police Act will be amended to accommodate the RCMP Auxiliary Police Program. My Department of the Solicitor General will increase its emphasis on correctional programming in the community. Multidisciplinary partnerships will be created with community agencies and individuals so that communities themselves have a say in, and a responsibility for, the reintegration of offenders as law-abiding citizens. Work will proceed through public-private sector partnership arrangements to develop the Miramichi Youth Centre and the Dalhousie Correctional Facility. My Government expects to receive and table the report of the Miller Inquiry, and will proceed to an in-depth review and response to its recommendations. Environment A quality environment, the sustainable development of our rural and urban land resources, and a vibrant cultural community must go hand-in-hand with the Province's economic and social objectives of this decade. My Government will move forward in 1995 with initiatives in these important areas, with a strong focus on local participation and local responsibility. A new River Classification System will be implemented, and will provide for greater local input into watershed management. A ground water protection program will set out guidelines for municipalities to use in protecting their well fields. Other initiatives for 1995 will focus on municipal water use efficiency. My Government will work in cooperation with local authorities and individuals to improve septic system operation and septage disposal. Three departments of Government will work in partnership with neighbouring jurisdictions to foster the adoption of innovative pest management techniques that will reduce dependence on chemical pesticides. Local community groups will be established in designated Air Resource Management Areas to manage local air quality issues. As part of the Government's energy efficiency thrust, strategic initiatives will be adopted in a national and international effort to reduce air emissions and address the problem of climate change. This year New Brunswick will endorse a national biodiversity strategy, and will work towards encouraging individual as well as the collective stewardship of unique natural areas and other special places. Implementing the recommendations of the Commission on Land Use and the Rural Environment remains a priority. A new flood plain policy will be presented for public discussion. A number of other land-use policy proposals will be developed this year through extensive public consultation. Culture Arts and cultural activities are a vibrant force in our Province. They not only contribute to the quality of life, but add significantly to our economic well-being as employment generators. My Government looks forward to participating in the Arts Forum in May. The 1995 Canadian Heritage Fair will be held in Moncton this year, again in partnership with the national CRB Foundation. The fair is a celebration of our country's heritage and the creativity and ingenuity of our youth and their teachers. Legislation will be brought forward to allow for New Brunswick's participation in a Maritime Film Classification Board. The Historic Sites Protection Act will be amended to permit the further implementation of the new Heritage Policy. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Municipal Heritage Preservation Act to enable municipalities to simplify the process for approving certificates of appropriateness. Appointments to the New Brunswick Arts Board will be streamlined. Building on this strong foundation, My Government is confident that the quality of life in New Brunswick will continue to be protected and enhanced. Fiscal Management and Accountability to Our People Prudent and responsible management of the Province's public finances, and an efficient public service are My Government's commitment to the people of New Brunswick. It is the intention of this Government to build on the success achieved to date, and to make New Brunswick one of the most financially stable provinces in Canada by the end of the decade. True accountability to the people can only be realized with responsible control of public expenditures. Revitalization and reengineering will be continued within the public service, with an emphasis on service quality and deregulation. Balanced Budget Later in this Session My Minister of Finance will demonstrate the Government's success in meeting the commitment of a balanced budget on the Ordinary Account. New Brunswick is now positioned to begin to reduce the net debt in the coming fiscal period. My Government will present to this Assembly a new fiscal policy for the next four years. You will be asked to approve even more aggressive balanced budget legislation to cover this period. With this legislation New Brunswick's net debt will not be permitted to grow, and the coming year will mark the first reduction in the net debt since 1979-80. Part of the challenge will also include maintaining tax levels that are competitive nationally and within the context of a global economy. Limitations will continue to be placed on the growth of capital expenditures for the remainder of the decade. Our highways will continue to be improved, and vital infrastructure projects will be carried out, but the financing to undertake these initiatives will be managed so that our children's futures are not mortgaged. Service Quality As part of this Government's pledge to be more accountable to the people of New Brunswick, major initiatives will be launched in service quality, and a more efficient program measurement system will be established. My Government will create a provincial Service Quality Centre within the Department of Finance. A major review will be completed of all programs, infrastructure, work processes, and organizational structures within the public service, with the objective of creating a total client focus. A competitive, quality-driven public service is essential to our long-term strategy to position New Brunswick for the twenty-first century. The Minister of Finance will also serve as the Minister of State for Quality, providing the leadership for this initiative. Additional Service New Brunswick outlets will be established in Moncton, Saint John, and Grand Falls. A computerized kiosk information program in shopping areas and other strategically-located service outlets will be added during the year. Other electronic service delivery outlets will be announced over the coming months. The effectiveness of many policies and programs is difficult to measure and equally difficult for our citizens to judge. Beginning in 1995 and continuing for the remainder of the decade, all departments and agencies of this Government will establish public benchmarks and other measurement devices for those programs that they administer. This is our responsibility to the people of New Brunswick. Highways The development of the Trans-Canada Highway and the New Brunswick portion of the National Highway System remain central priorities as efforts continue to secure a financial arrangement with the Federal Government. As tangible evidence of our determination, My Government will introduce legislation to establish a New Brunswick Highway Corporation that will be given the responsibility to finance, design, build, maintain, and own key sections of the National Highway System in the Province. New Service Models Continued emphasis will be placed on having certain capital and other service delivery mechanisms transferred to the private sector through privatization and partnership arrangements. Other public services will be managed on a cost-recovery basis, and net budgeting will be employed where practical. My Government will ensure that all such opportunities will be evaluated for service quality, cost, and employment generation capability. Public sector employment levels will be managed to ensure that cost-effective program delivery is maintained. New management procedures will be put in place to allow for a fair, orderly, and equitable transfer of public employees to the private sector, should it be necessary. All departments and agencies of Government will initiate alternate employment arrangements including job sharing, flexible working hours, and other non-traditional working arrangements such as telecommuting to help family members balance work and family responsibilities. Municipal and Local Government The role of municipal governments is central to the effective functioning of our communities. A consultative process will be put in place to review the role of municipalities with the intent of strengthening decision-making at the municipal council level. Part of this process will include a full review of the Municipalities Act and the Community Planning Act. This year, rural New Brunswickers will assume more responsibility for decisions on how their communities will evolve and develop. Through the Rural Community concept, rural and non-urban citizens will be able to elect representatives to make planning decisions for their local area. A study on a pilot project in the Beaubassin Planning District will be tabled, along with a framework for how the Rural Community concept will be implemented elsewhere in the Province. The report of the panel reviewing issues of municipal labour relations will be tabled for your consideration. My Government will take the first major step in 1995 to implement the NB 911 emergency response system, beginning with a pilot project in the Greater Saint John area. We will be cooperating with municipalities and rural community organizations to carry out the civic addressing needed to operate this province-wide system. Public safety will be further enhanced as My Government introduces amendments to legislation which will strengthen fire prevention and protection standards. You will be asked to approve amendments to the Teachers' Pension Act, Social Services and Education Tax Act, Income Tax Act, Revenue Administration Act, Liquor Control Act, and repeal of the Admission and Amusement Tax Act. As part of an ongoing effort to streamline Boards and Commissions, the role of the Public Utilities Board will be reviewed this year by an independent body appointed by the Government. New Brunswick is one of the few provinces in Canada where motor vehicle insurance rates are set by regulation rather than by free market forces. A careful review is warranted. As part of the Government's accountability initiative, amendments will be brought forward to include school boards and hospital corporations under the Right to Information Act. My Government has laid before you a blueprint for creating a more prosperous, self-reliant society; one which will prepare all New Brunswickers for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The policy initiatives of the first part of this decade have laid a strong foundation for the job creation programs, the social reform initiatives, and the fiscal stabilization measures presented here today which will carry our Province through 1995 and beyond. New Brunswick is on the threshold of the new economy, a leader on the information highway, and in strengthening and revitalizing our traditional resource sectors. All New Brunswickers, those living in both rural and urban communities, will be equal partners in our growing economy. You will be asked to review and approve the Statement of Estimated Revenues and Expenses required to operate the Government for the coming year. Honourable Members of this most distinguished Assembly, I wish you success throughout the Session. May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.