Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 50e 3e Discours du Trône 9 Février 1972 Victor de B. Oland Lieutenant-gouverneur LIB Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, Third Session of the 50th General Assembly, February 9th, 1972 I am pleased to welcome you to this the Third Session of the 50th General Assembly of Nova Scotia. I extend my best wishes to each of you, particularly to the two Members who will be serving for the first time at this Session. The past year has been a trying and difficult one for the nations of the Western World. Honourable Members will recall that the year reached its economic low point in mid-August with the announcement by the President of the United States of a series of severe measures designed to revive a lagging American economy. Following that announcement, all sectors of the Canadian economy experienced a period of major uncertainty. During the period there were considerable doubts in the minds of many regarding the economic prospects for the next decade. In recent weeks, however, statesmen of the western world have reached agreements which give promise of much improved economic prospects for the years ahead. The people of this Province are deeply affected by changes in the pattern of international trade. Consequently, my Government is most encouraged by these new developments which have raised hopes for a better economic future for Nova Scotia. The future potential of Nova Scotia changed significantly with the announcement in September of the discovery of oil on Sable Island. Several major oil companies are now intensifying their exploration activities off the Nova Scotia coast. Already these activities have had real and visible effects on the economy of this Province. During the past year, a new contract worth nearly Fifteen Million Dollars was awarded to Halifax Shipyards for the construction of an off-shore oil drilling rig. This is the fourth such rig to be built in Halifax and has established Halifax as a high technology centre for the construction of major pieces of equipment related to off-shore oil and gas exploration. Even more recently, a contract has been awarded to Ferguson Industries Limited of Pictou for two drill rig service vessels. The initial discovery, and the potential, of off-shore oil and gas reserves affect all aspects of the Nova Scotian economy. To the current generation of Nova Scotians, successors to a long tradition of sea- faring people, off-shore oil and gas opens new vistas undreamt of by their forefathers who manned the wooden ships in Nova Scotia's golden era. Nova Scotia's young men are once more going down to the sea in increasing numbers, this time as highly paid specialists on drilling rigs, as the crewmen on supply and maintenance ships and even as the pilots of sophisticated aircraft. On-shore development is no less spectacular. Major employment is being provided at provincial shipyards, at supply firms and in maintenance shops, and the wages of these workers are giving a significant boost to the economy in general. It is the aim of my Government to ensure that Nova Scotians receive the maximum benefits of off- shore oil and gas discoveries. To this end, my Government will introduce a series of measures relating to off-shore exploration and production. You will be asked to consider a measure relating to the payment of royalties and license fees by firms involved in the off-shore oil and gas industry. A second measure to be presented for your consideration will deal with the control and regulation of oil and gas pipelines. You will be asked to consider legislation relating to the conservation of oil and gas resources through the establishment of the Nova Scotia Oil and Gas Conservation Board. This Board will also have the responsibility of developing policies aimed at protecting Nova Scotian waters and coastline from environmental damage. Without a sound economic base it will be impossible for this Province to support and expand those social services which my Government believes are of fundamental importance to the quality of life to all Nova Scotians. To expand and strengthen this Province's economic base, my Government authorized the Nova Scotia Power Commission to make an offer for the shares of the Nova Scotia Light and Power Company Limited. My Government believes that the creation of a single energy utility is essential for the expansion of existing industrial development potential and will be seen to be even more essential for industrial development following the arrival on-shore of gas and oil. In addition, my Government believes that significant economies of scale, with resulting savings to the taxpayers of Nova Scotia, will result from the creation of one large energy utility. During the year, considerable progress was made toward the expansion of the Nova Scotia Power Commission's thermal generating plant at Point Tupper. Contracts totalling nearly $11,000,000 were awarded for the construction and installation of new equipment at the plant. In addition, a 25-megawatt gas turbine installation, the first of its kind in Nova Scotia, has been started at Tusket in Yarmouth County. It is anticipated that the Nova Scotia Power Commission will continue to expand its power generating facilities at a rapid rate. It is estimated that between now and 1980, 500,000 kilowatts of new generating capacity will be required in Nova Scotia. During the current fiscal year, my Government successfully completed negotiations with the Government of Canada respecting the future of the Deuterium of Canada Limited heavy water plant at Glace Bay. As a result of these Government negotiations, the Government of Canada has agreed to rehabilitate the plant and bring it into production. The conclusion of these negotiations provides an eventual solution to one of the most onerous problems which those responsible for the administration of affairs of the Province have ever faced. The multi-million dollars modernization of the Sydney Steel Corporation plant is well under way. My Government is confident that this modernization and expansion program will guarantee many more years of unparalleled productivity at the plant. During the year, new dormitories for the School for Boys in Shelburne and the School for Girls in Truro were completed. Additions to Provincial Government buildings in Sydney and Antigonish are planned. Construction of new facilities for the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth and the Children's Home for the severely retarded in Digby is planned. Further improvement in the trunk highway system throughout the Province is essential if Nova Scotia firms are to move their products quickly and efficiently to their markets. During the present fiscal year, significant improvements were made in the Province's trunk highway system with emphasis on Highways 101, 102, 103 and 7. Many miles of new trunk highways through Western Nova Scotia were opened to traffic. My Government intends to continue this trunk highway program in 1972. In addition, the opening of Lakeview Drive has substantially decreased the time required to drive from downtown Halifax and Dartmouth to the Halifax International Airport. This road includes the Province's first four lane interchange at Miller's Lake. Work has commenced on the widening of Route 102 to increase it to four lanes between Halifax and Truro. Construction of the Bear River Bride was started this year. This bridge will provide a most badly needed transportation link for the Annapolis Valley. During the past year, my Government undertook an extensive program of maintaining and improving secondary roads throughout the province. My Government intends to continue this program with increased vigor during the coming year. My Government believes that the tourist industry is vital to the economic development of this Province. During the past year, the Department of Tourism was formed and immediately undertook several new and innovative programs in tourist promotion. The Province of Nova Scotia was represented by prize- winning floats in both the Grey Cup Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. My Government believes that the natural resource industries of our Province must be improved and strengthened. To this end, legislation will be placed before you to amend the Forest Improvement Act so that better and more effective Forest Improvement Boards can be established throughout the Province. A study has been initiated under the Canadian Forest Economics Research Institute in cooperation with the Department of Lands and Forests to explore the overall impact of forest related industries on the Provincial economy. Once this study is complete, my Government expects to introduce new programs and measures designed to yield increased returns to all segments of the forest industry. My Government will continue its programs to promote the optimal utilization of our timber resources. To this end, my Government was pleased that a large forest based industry has started an on-going silvaculture program under an agreement with the Province. My Government hopes that additional forest conservation programs will soon be implemented throughout the Province. The fisheries industry continues to demonstrate a strong capacity to maintain, diversify and increase its production. In spite of sudden dislocations, such as the loss of the swordfish fishery due to mercury contamination, and the problems associated with declining catches due to the intense fishing activities of foreign fleets off our shores, this industry will record for 1971 a rise of about ten per cent in the weight of all fish landed and possibly as much as seven per cent in the total value of all landings. My Government is aware of the economic importance of this industry in many communities throughout the Province and will continue to place great emphasis on the importance of sound development policies and programs in support of the fishing industry. My Government believes that increased emphasis must be placed on the economic importance of the farming industry. To this end, the Department of Agriculture and Marketing will undertake a campaign to encourage increased consumption of Nova Scotia agricultural products. It is hoped that this campaign will improve the economic base of this vital resource industry in Nova Scotia. My Government intends to implement a policy whereby it will share in crop insurance premium costs on the same basis as is now done by the Federal Government. Recognizing the importance of the apple industry to the economy of Western Nova Scotia, my Government will undertake an expanded program for the control of apple maggots. At the same time, my Government will expand the program of applied research at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in an effort to keep Nova Scotia farmers abreast of recent developments in the agricultural industry throughout the world. The Department of Agriculture and Marketing will also introduce a new program of financial assistance to 4H Clubs and 4H Club leaders. The aim of this program is to allow the various counties in Nova Scotia to expand the amount of technical assistance available to 4H Clubs. The Federal Government, through the Department of Regional Economic Expansion, has been most generous in its assistance to the economy of Nova Scotia. During the past year, the Government of Nova Scotia signed a one-year 520,000,000 agreement with the Federal Department of Regional Economic Expansion. This agreement will provide significant assistance for the construction of infrastructure in the Halifax-Dartmouth and Strait of Canso areas. In addition, the economic development of Nova Scotia was further enhanced by a 520,000,000 highway development agreement signed with the Federal Government this year. A good relationship between management and labour is fundamental to the continued economic development of our Province. In this respect, my Government will introduce a series of measures designed to improve and strengthen labour-management relations. You will be asked to consider major amendments to the Trade Union Act dealing with the accreditation of employers' associations and the certification of councils of trade unions in the construction industry. The revised Trade Union Act will include important changes that will have general application, including expansion of provisions relating to unfair labour practices, a model arbitration clause, and 48 hours' notice to Minister of Labour prior to a strike or lockout. A Labour Standards Code will be introduced which will update present labour standards legislation. New features will include the establishment of a labour standards tribunal with quasi judicial powers to enforce the legislation, provision for paid holidays, maternity leave, notice of termination of employment and recovery of wages protection against dismissal because of garnishment or assignment of wages for debt assurance. Some provisions of the Code will include coverage for certain commercial fishermen and domestic servants. During the past year my Government proclaimed amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Act to extend protection, increase widows' pensions and provide certain other benefits, in line with the most advanced thinking in the workmen's compensation field in Canada. A long-standing need for the stabilization of salaries of various hospital workers has been met by the introduction into the Department of Public Health of a special team designed to assist hospital boards in their negotiations with their employees. Utilization of this team will promote more equitable settlements throughout the Province and lessen the chance of disharmony in a most essential service. My Government is determined not only to search out all possible new means of improving the economic base of Nova Scotia but also to administer the affairs of the Province with modern business practices wherever these are in the public interest. This requires the introduction of greater efficiency in day-to-day governmental operations and at the same time restoring a proper balance between expenditures and available revenues. To assist in achieving these twin objectives of increased efficiency and economy, my Government will introduce a revision of the Finance Act which will formalize the establishment of the Provincial Treasury Board. The Treasury Board, which has been operating for nearly a year, will be given substantial powers and duties to review and control Provincial Government expenditures. During the past year, the Department of Development has been established and has introduced new measures designed to bring a more business-like approach to the Government's Development policy. A major step in this regard has been the establishment of the Nova Scotia Resources Development Board which includes the merger of the Fishermen's Loan Board, the Industrial Loan Board, the Farm Loan Board and the Timber Loan Board into a single lending agency. In accordance with its belief that a successful partnership of government and industry is essential for the economic development of Nova Scotia, my Government will place before you legislation to permit the Government to take equity positions in ventures designed to expand the Province's industrial base. In the past year, employment generated by the efforts of Industrial Estates Limited continued to rise. The sixteen new or expansion projects approved by IEL's Board of Directors in the last calendar year, together with the production increases scheduled for the next year at the two Michelin tire plants, will see the generation of more than two thousand new jobs. The recent general improvement in the economy is reflected in the seven projects considered by IEL's Directors in January and by the large number of active inquiries from manufacturers outside and within Nova Scotia. In order to stimulate the growth of existing local industries and to foster the start-up of new Nova Scotia businesses, IEL formed a small business financing division which, to date, has assisted nine small Nova Scotia firms. The forms of assistance available under this program were designed with an emphasis favouring smaller firms and should prove to be uniquely beneficial. During the past year, my Government was represented at five meetings of the Council of Maritime Premiers. You will be asked to consider a measure concerning the Council of Maritime Premiers. As a result of meetings of the Council, significant steps have been taken to increase co-operation among the three Maritime Provinces. It is hoped that during the current year, the Maritime Provinces Post-Secondary Education Commission will become operational and increased co-ordination of activities will take place between the Nova Scotia Research Foundation and the New Brunswick Research and Productivity Council.. Significant progress has also been made towards increased cooperation and integration of several other services among the three Maritime Provinces. Most notable has been the recent decision of the Provincial Governments of the three Maritime Provinces and the Government of Canada to jointly support the continuation of the Engineering Services Establishment at Amherst. My Government believes that further steps such as this will result in considerable savings to the taxpayers of Nova Scotia without, in any way, infringing on the independence and autonomy of this Province. Legislation will be placed before you to establish the Nova Scotia Communications and Information Centre. It is anticipated that this Centre will result in improved efficiency and the more effective use of the personnel and resources of the existing Nova Scotia Information Service. Moreover, because of my Government's belief in the people's right to adequate knowledge of governmental services, programs and policies, the Nova Scotia Communications and Information Centre will include an inquiry service whereby all Nova Scotians may request and more readily receive information on the activities of their Government, and more easily make known to Government their views on those activities. Closely related to my Government's belief in the people's right to know and to be heard, is my Government's belief in the people's right to the preservation of a high quality of life. To this end, my Government will introduce legislation to establish a Department of the Environment with strong powers to ensure that all Nova Scotians continue to enjoy those advantages inherent in the location of this most fortunate Province. In particular, you will be asked to consider a measure establishing a Nova Scotia Public Advisory Council on the Environment. This Council will keep both the Government and the public informed of impending dangers to the environment and will recommend to the Government what steps should be taken to remove these dangers. Included among the measures related to the environment will be a bill to control and regulate the distribution and use of pesticides. Under this, it is proposed that a person will be prohibited from selling pesticides or operating a business as a pesticide applicator unless he is licensed to do so by the Minister. You will also be asked to consider a measure relating to the disposal of abandoned motor vehicle bodies. My Government believes that an active program should be undertaken to eliminate the visual pollution caused by discarded automobile bodies scattered along our Province's highways. You will also be asked to consider a measure designed to avoid aesthetic and environmental damage by approving regulations controlling the location and operation of gravel pits and quarries. In addition to introducing measures designed to enhance the economy and to improve the efficiency of Government, my Government will propose a series of measures for the benefit of the individual citizen of Nova Scotia. These measures will include amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act which will enable a licensed operator to subtract four points from his driving record after successfully completing a course in defensive driving. In addition, a proposal will be introduced whereby the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will be permitted to grant driving privileges to a first offender whose license has been suspended but who needs a means of transportation to and from work. A measure will be placed before you to review the points system for infractions of the Motor Vehicle Act. On behalf of my Government, the Attorney General entered into an agreement with the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society providing for the creation of Legal Aid offices in various areas of the Province. The process of establishing such offices, and recruiting personnel, is now under way and an expansion of these services to the financially underprivileged among our people, is planned for the coming year. This program is a significant step towards assuring all Nova Scotians equal access to legal advice. The Night Courts Act which permitted Magistrates to hold night courts at least once a month, and in some cases weekly, has proved a great convenience for those working during the day. My Government proposes to introduce at this session a new Judicature Act which will revise and bring up to date the existing Act. Members will be asked to consider legislation relating to credit reporting and credit reporting agencies. Deriving from my Government's belief that an individual has the right to full and complete knowledge of his credit record, this measure will require credit-reporting agencies to divulge to an individual his record at his request. My Government desires to provide encouragement to the very large number of citizen groups and individuals interested in helping aged persons. Legislation will be introduced to help these groups and to focus attention on the needs of older people in the community. You will be asked to consider amendments to improve the efficiency and administration of the Social Assistance Act, the Children of Unmarried Parents Act, the Wives and Children's Maintenance Act, the Adoption Act, the Child Welfare Act, the Female Prisoners Maintenance Act, and the Family Court Act. My Government strongly believes in the principle of equal pay for equal work. To this end, when the minimum wage is raised to $1.55 an hour effective July 1st of this year, it will apply equally to men and women in all parts of the Province. My Government will introduce amendments to the Education Act which will enable school boards to enter into agreements with other civic bodies and organizations for the mutual use of facilities and services. My Government is most concerned about the increased use of dangerous drugs by young Nova Scotians. My Government will therefore introduce legislation to expand the scope of activities of the present Alcoholism Research Foundation to include drug abuse control programs. My Government intends to introduce comprehensive services and preventive programs to attack problems caused by drug and alcohol dependencies. My Government, through the Nova Scotia Council of Health, has established a task force to examine the cost of prescription drugs. The aim of this task force is to recommend means whereby the price of such drugs at the consumer level can be reduced. My Government will begin a program of new hospital construction. The badly needed facilities, which will be constructed under this program, will be designed to make more efficient use of the financial resources that are available for health services. During the past year, the Nova Scotia Housing Commission greatly expanded existing programs and introduced a number of innovative programs designed to make it easier for Nova Scotians to won their own homes. The Nova Scotia Housing Commission enjoyed its best year to date with a record total of 1,825 public housing units either under construction, awaiting contract award, or in planning stages. 1971 saw the first complete phased housing program ever undertaken in Nova Scotia. In addition, a program offering individual mortgages to co-operative group members was initiated. My Government believes that the provision of adequate housing for all Nova Scotians is essential and further programs in the housing field will be introduced this year. In order to provide greater service to the citizens of Nova Scotia, the Human Rights Commission will establish a regional office in Cape Breton. You will be asked to consider legislation to amend the Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. My Government will table the first annual report of the Ombudsman. The Graham Royal Commission on Education, Public Services, and Provincial-Municipal Relations has been holding public hearings throughout the Province during the past year. My Government is awaiting with interest the report of the Commission which is expected by the end of the next fiscal year. As announced last year, my Government intends to introduce legislation increasing Provincial income tax rates, as well as legislation allowing for Provincial occupancy of the death and gift tax fields which were vacated by the Federal Government on December 31, 1971. It is my Government's view that such measures are required in order to provide Nova Scotians with the level of public services which they desire. The public accounts of the Province for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1971, will be presented for your consideration. An interim statement of the revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year as now estimated will be placed before Estimates for the next fiscal year to begin on April 1, 1972, will be presented to you for your consideration. To these and all of the matters which may come before you, I ask your most careful attention, praying that Divine guidance may guide you in all your deliberations and decisions.