Province Will Press Ottawa on Devco Issues

The Government of Nova Scotia will continue to press the federal government to ensure it treats Devco miners and their families with the dignity they deserve, Premier Russell MacLellan said today.

"It became evident last fall that the federal government had lost its will to continue supporting the coal industry in Cape Breton," the premier said in Sydney. "You could talk to bureaucrats about better ways to handle Devco and Cape Breton coal. You could cajole them, you could exhort them. But they weren't listening, and they were never going to listen."

Now, it is up to Cape Bretoners to move forward and build a better future for their children, and the provincial government stands ready to help where possible in creating opportunities, said the premier.

He said the provincial government's first concern is for the miners and their families. The federal pension and severance packages are not as generous as he would have liked, said Premier MacLellan, and he will continue to press the federal government on this and other issues relating to Devco.

One major unresolved issue is the sale of Devco assets. The premier noted that Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale was unable Thursday to reassure Cape Bretoners that proceeds from any asset sale would remain in the community.

"Let me be clear about the position of the province on this issue: If Ottawa wants to clear Devco off its book, and write off the value of its assets, that's one thing," said the premier. "But we will not accept any garage sale held later to generate funds at the expense of an economically deprived region. Our position is that any proceeds from assets sales must stay in the community."

Addressing fellow Cape Bretoners, Premier MacLellan asked them not to view the federal decision as the end for Cape Breton island. Unlike three decades ago when coal markets collapsed and 8,000 mining jobs faced extinction, today Cape Bretoners and other Nova Scotians have more opportunities in a stronger, more diverse economy.

"We have within our grasp the ways and means to build a better future here for our province," said the premier. "If we work together, we can tackle our problems and preserve a community and a culture that is a marvel to the rest of the country and the world."

Next week the premier will reconvene a premier's advisory committee of senior deputy ministers and community leaders, and expand it to include labour. The purpose of the committee will be to determine a path for economic growth in Cape Breton, growth that is locally driven and locally managed.

"In concert with the work of this committee, the province will aggressively pursue the opportunities for new companies and industry in Cape Breton," Premier MacLellan promised. He said the province will soon be making announcements concerning long-term investments in Cape Breton.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm satisfied with the plan Ottawa revealed yesterday," he said. "I will say that it is an improved picture compared with the one that was coming into focus late last year. I believe we've been able to cushion the blow, and now this community has some time to prepare for what happens next, especially in the next two years.

"I am certain that this time next year our confidence will be much stronger than it is today, and that two years from now, we will be stronger still."