Province to Initiate Legal Action to Enforce Late Fee

Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc confirmed today the Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. will initiate the legal process necessary to enforce the province's $10,000-per-day contract clause for late completion of the new Halifax Waterfront Casino.

"I intend to see that the province does everything within its power to enforce the contract negotiated and signed by the previous government," said the finance minister, who is also responsible for the Nova Scotia Gaming Corp.

"The government's intention is to see that taxpayers receive any and all benefits to which they are contractually entitled."

The decision is in response to the Metropolitan Entertainment Group notifying the gaming corporation that it denies the payment of the $10,000-per-day late-completion fee is due.

The Metropolitan Entertainment Group is the province's operator of casinos in Halifax and Sydney.

The new casino is expected to open in April 2000, and under the late-completion clause the province would be due $2.2 million in late fees.