Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Nouvelle-Écosse 53e 1re Discours du Trône 18 Février 1982 John E. Shaffner Lieutenant-gouverneur PC Nova Scotia: Speech from the Throne, First Session of the 53rd General Assembly, February 18th, 1982 I welcome you in our Sovereign's name to this Opening of the First Session of the Fifty-third General Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia In particular, I welcome new Members of the House of Assembly who are taking their seats for the first time today. I am certain that they will continue the traditions of service that have characterized Members of this House throughout its history. On behalf of my Government, all Members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and all Nova Scotians, we extend our most earnest sympathies to all the families of those who lost their lives in the capsizing of the Ocean Ranger. 1982 PREMIERS' CONFERENCE My First Minister will host and preside over the 1982 Conference of Canadian Premiers from August 24 to August 28. My Government looks forward to welcoming the Premiers of our sister provinces to Nova Scotia and to continuing the worthwhile dialogue among our provinces. Since I last spoke to you, my Government has participated in two First Ministers' Conferences. The first, a Conference on the Constitution, resulted in ten of the eleven governments of Canada agreeing to a new written Constitution. All Nova Scotians were heartened by my Government's attitude of moderation and accommodation which was so evident during the Conference and which contributed so much to attaining the result. In this regard, we look forward, as loyal Canadians, to the visit to Canada, later this year, of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, which will mark the beginning of a new chapter of Canada's rich history. My Government deeply regrets, however, that the second Conference, a conference on Canada's economic problems, was not successful. Canada is suffering economic recession marked by high unemployment, high inflation and high interest rates. My Government is deeply concerned about the effects of the recession on the lives and the prospects of every Nova Scotian. An atmosphere of unilateral federal decisions on economic and social policies is viewed as unacceptable to my Government. For its part, my Government is determined that the failure of this Conference will not signal an end to effective cooperation with the Government of Canada on economic and social matters. A quickening deterioration of economic conditions, and the abrupt imposition of fiscal restraints by the federal government, dictate that 1982 be a year of review and preparation by my Government. Stock- taking now will result in superior economic performance when the economy strengthens. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT My Government has formed a Resource Development Committee within the Policy Board. This Committee will provide the coordination between resource related departments so necessary for effective and efficient use of provincial expenditures on resource development. My Government, while regretting the loss of the Federal Department of Regional Economic Expansion, is determined to do its utmost to secure for Nova Scotia the maximum benefits possible under the new federal economic development structures announced in January. A major tool available to the Resource Development Committee of Policy Board will be a new Economic Investment Fund. The Fund will include provincial contributions to existing federal- provincial cost-sharing agreements as well as other provincial moneys to be used for medium and long- term resource related economic development projects. The Fund will allow my Government to effectively coordinate future federal-provincial spending on economic development as well as provincial spending within the guidelines of provincial Priorities. Other changes in government structures will respond to anticipated resource developments of the 1980's. Nova Scotia Resources Limited will assume a higher profile in resource and energy developments. To complement work in the secondary manufacturing and high technology service sectors, Industrial Estates Limited will be given a new mandate. The reorganization of the Department of Development, announced last year, is complete. The reorganization of the Department of Mines and Energy is nearing completion. The coordination roles of the Resources Development Committee and the Economic Investment Fund, and the reorganization of the Provincial Departments and Crown Corporations should ensure that benefits to our Province are maximized. My Government's objectives with respect to the resource development offshore Nova Scotia are clear. Nova Scotia desires a negotiated settlement with the Government of Canada covering management of, and revenues from, these potential resources. The development of these resources must provide an optimum level of industrial and employment benefits for Nova Scotians. Following lengthy discussions and negotiations, my Government has entered into a new highway strengthening and improvement agreement with the federal government. My Government continues to place a high priority on reaching agreements with the federal government for agriculture and forestry, so that cooperative efforts in these resource industries can be continued. Significant reviews of policies and programs are underway. The Members of a Royal Commission on Forestry will be appointed to recommend measures to provide for the continued development and management of forest resources. My Government is encouraged by the positive response of the agricultural community to the expansion and upgrading of programs and facilities at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Young farmers will now be better able to further their agricultural knowledge in their own province. My Government has removed the Change of Use Tax on farmland being developed by a member of the immediate family of the farmer. This is in keeping with my Government's belief that our rural way of life should be strengthened. Removal of this regressive tax has encouraged retention of the family farm in the Nova Scotia tradition. My Government has appointed a Commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act to examine the implications of uranium exploration and mining in the Province. An Action Committee on Port Development has been formed to study methods of increasing activity in the Port of Halifax-Dartmouth. My Government continues to be concerned about the harmful impact of railway ownership of shipping lines and representations on this matter have been made before the Canadian Transport Commission. My Government will continue to press for appropriate harbour facilities and services in Nova Scotian ports, including bridge-pier protection and fireboat services. My Government has established the Nova Scotia Fisheries Advisory Council embracing all segments of the fishery, thereby ensuring that all views concerning this vital industry, including those of the fishermen themselves, are heard. As enunciated through my Government's Fisheries Policy of 1981, legislation will be introduced to reflect the precise intentions of that document as it relates to those independent, boat-owning fishermen who desire to associate for their own advancement. A lengthy process of sector-by-sector examination and consultation through the Voluntary Economic Planning Board will result in the completion of a number of economic development strategy papers this year. The essence of these papers will be combined into a White Paper on Economic Development by late 1982. The response to my Government's tourism promotion of "Old Home Summer" has been overwhelming and all Nova Scotians look forward to greeting returning family members and friends. The business plan and the federal-provincial modernization program at the Sydney Steel Corporation are progressing well. The project management team is in place and engineering work is underway. Consultants have been hired to investigate the feasibility of replacing the plant's coke ovens with a new world-scale facility, for both local use and for coke exports. The Annapolis River tidal power plant is proceeding on schedule. This tidal power plant is the first of its kind in North America. This marks another step toward realizing the objective of harnessing the tides of the Bay of Fundy. Nova Scotia Resources Limited, the Cape Breton Development Corporation, Nova - an Alberta Corporation, and Gulf Canada Limited are continuing to explore the feasibility of coal liquefaction. A number of different technologies in this field are being evaluated together with site selection. My Government's action now in the resource and manufacturing sectors will have a positive impact on Nova Scotia as the economic upswing of the 1980's gathers force. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES My Government has established a Social Development Committee of Policy Board to provide greater coordination of programs designed to ensure the improvement of human resources and the quality of life in Nova Scotia. My Government's commitment and activities related to social development parallel those related to resource development. My Government will inquire into certain aspects of labour legislation in Nova Scotia. A Commission which will include representatives from labour and management will assess relevant legislation and practises in other jurisdictions which advance the interests of employees, employers, unions and the public. My Government will also address various recommendations of the Report of the Select Committee of the Legislature on Workers' Compensation and will present amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act. My Government will establish methods for closer consultation and cooperation among all parties involved with worker safety and education including employees, employers, unions and government. The objective is to determine the most effective and appropriate means of bringing about improved Occupational Health and Safety legislation. My Government has been active in developing offshore safety and survival training programs. The recent tragedy in Newfoundland accents that nature does not willingly relinquish her riches. In cooperation with the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland, and with industry, my Government will continue its efforts to have such training programs established in the region. To better meet Nova Scotia's housing needs during the 1980's, my Government is initiating a review and assessment of the Nova Scotia Housing Commission's structure, mandate, and services. The results of this study will be used to improve our Province's housing services for years to come. My Government will place before you legislation to establish new administrative structures and a new basis of financial support for the public schools. In total, these amendments will be the most significant education finance and administration reform in Nova Scotia in the Past quarter century. In recent years, Nova Scotia has led all provinces in Canada in the funding of postsecondary education as a percentage of gross Provincial expenditure. My Government will not allow that substantial investment to be at risk and therefore, will commission a study of all aspects of post-secondary education in Nova Scotia. This inquiry will consider administrative and budgetary arrangements, organization and financing and the legislative and administrative Provisions related to our post- secondary educational institutions. My Government recognizes the importance of matching our Manpower Training Programs to our future job needs. My Government is accelerating its efforts to identify Trades Training that will be developed to meet the skilled trades demands of the future and to increase employment opportunity for our youth. My Government is committed to cooperating with the federal government and with industry in matching job training with job needs to ensure the recognition of provincial and regional training priorities, and to avoid waste and duplication in the achievement of common and crucial provincial and national objectives. My Government looks forward to receiving three reports this year related to senior citizens and retirement. The Royal Commission on Pensions created in 1981 to investigate the adequacy and the effectiveness of pensions in Nova Scotia is expected to place recommendations before the Government later this year. The Senior Citizens' Secretariat has been charged with the responsibility for developing a Comprehensive Statement on Aging, to guide future government policy and strategies as the proportion of senior citizens in our society grows. The Nova Scotia Senior Citizens' Commission will consider and report to government on retirement age. My Government will place even greater emphasis on entrepreneurship development to help the number of Nova Scotian businesses increase and their survival rates to improve. Many more entrepreneurs will be needed in Nova Scotia if we are fully to respond to the requirements of energy development and labour force growth anticipated for the middle and late 1980's. My Government will continue to pursue a new federal-provincial agreement on management training. The existence of two nationally-regarded management training institutions in Nova Scotia must be supported. Early agreement with the federal government would enable the expanded program recommended by the Province's Task Force on Management Training to be carried out. Taking a substantial lead in the field, Nova Scotia will this year become the first province in Canada to provide a computer assisted career and educational counselling system in every high school in the province. My Government will encourage the extension of cable television service to many areas of Nova Scotia not now served to make available to them a greater variety of entertainment and information programming. My Government will introduce legislation concerning the College of Cape Breton. My Government will consider policy responses to a study of young single mothers and their children to help address the needs and concerns of these members of our society. My Government will invite public comment on proposed new telecommunications legislation. My Government will introduce amendments to the Condominium Act. My Government's Interdepartmental Committee on the Disabled will continue the progress made during last year's International Year in helping all Nova Scotians to achieve full equality and personal dignity. My Government is pleased to have assisted with the Pan-American Wheelchair Games to be held in Nova Scotia this year. This year, Nova Scotians will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment at Antigonish of 4-H Clubs in Nova Scotia. My Government salutes the volunteer leaders and the thousands of members who contribute so much to the fabric of rural life in our province. In cooperation with the 4-H movement, and to mark this occasion, my Government will offer a number of 1982 anniversary scholarship awards to 4-H members for their "Ideas on Rural Life in Nova Scotia in the Year 2000." The Public Accounts for the year ended March 31, 1981 and Estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1982 will be presented for your consideration. To these, and all other matters which may come before you, I ask your most careful attention, praying that sound judgment and Divine Providence may guide you in all your deliberations and decisions. God Save The Queen; God Bless Nova Scotia; God Bless Canada.