Premier Looks Forward to Working With New Minister

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Premier Looks Forward to Working With New Minister

Premier John Hamm today extended congratulations to West Nova MP Robert Thibault on his appointment to the federal cabinet.

Earlier today, Mr. Thibault was sworn in as Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

"On behalf of the people of Nova Scotia, I would like to congratulate Mr. Thibault on becoming our province's voice at the federal cabinet table," said Premier Hamm. "Certainly, in making this appointment, the Prime Minister has recognized Mr. Thibault's experience in small business and local government."

The Premier added that he expects to meet soon with Mr. Thibault regarding the province's priorities with the federal government. The day after November's federal general election, the Premier wrote to all 11 successful federal candidates to detail these priorities, namely:

• honouring the constitutional guarantee that all Canadians receive a reasonably comparable level of public services at a reasonably comparable level of taxation, regardless of where they live;
• ensuring that Nova Scotians receive the maximum benefits promised under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Accord, including the commitment that Nova Scotians would be the primary beneficiaries of our province's offshore resources; and
• securing meaningful, long-term funding for Nova Scotia's highway infrastructure.

Nova Scotia's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is planning briefing sessions for the province's new members of Parliament later this month on these and other priority issues.

"Nova Scotians are simply seeking fairness from Ottawa on these issues," concluded Premier Hamm. "I look forward to working with Mr. Thibault to ensure that Nova Scotia's priorities are reflected in the decisions made by Ottawa."