Campaign for Fairness Launched

PREMIER'S OFFICE -Campaign for Fairness Launched

Ensuring that Nova Scotia is the primary beneficiary from the province's offshore is a key element of the provincial government's Campaign for Fairness, Premier John Hamm announced today.

In a speech to the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce -- North America's oldest chamber of commerce -- Premier Hamm called the campaign his "most important task" since assuming office.

"I want Canadians to know that Nova Scotia wants to earn economic independence by our own means and once again be social and economic equals within this great country," said the premier. "All we are asking for is to be treated as others were before us. We are asking only for what Nova Scotians were promised -- as the revenues from our offshore oil and gas grow, the additional financial benefits should flow to Nova Scotians."

Describing offshore resources as the province's "best opportunity since Confederation," Premier Hamm noted that, under current federal-provincial fiscal arrangements, for every dollar generated by oil and gas over the next 15 years, 81 cents will end up in Ottawa, with only 19 cents remaining in Nova Scotia. The premier said this breaks the promise made in 1986 under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Accord, which states that Nova Scotia is "the primary beneficiary" of the province's offshore oil and gas.

"Right now, Nova Scotia stands to lose tens of billions of dollars over the next 30 years," said the premier. "Without fiscal fairness, Nova Scotia will only make modest gains."

Earlier this week, the premier and senior officials from Intergovernmental Affairs briefed the province's Liberal and New Democrat members of Parliament, including new federal minister Robert Thibault, on Nova Scotia's leading priorities with the federal government. A briefing for the province's Progressive Conservative MPs is scheduled for next week.

Premier Hamm also has speaking engagements and meetings related to the campaign scheduled over the next several months in Calgary and Ottawa. He will also continue to work with his provincial and territorial colleagues to advance matters of mutual concern.

"On issues such as offshore resources, equalization, transportation infrastructure -- when Nova Scotia wins, other provinces win too," concluded Premier Hamm. "We just want the tools that other provinces have used to gain economic independence...the tools to lower taxes to grow the economy, to invest in education and training for a skilled workforce, to strengthen our health-care system and to build the infrastructure required for a 21st-century economy."

The premier added he is optimistic the province's dispute with Newfoundland and Labrador over the Laurentian sub-basin will be resolved to the benefit of Nova Scotians, particularly in industrial Cape Breton. A federal arbitration panel will hear oral arguments from both parties in March, with a decision expected in the spring.

"Resolving the dispute has been a priority for me and my government and we have a solid legal case," noted the premier, who will be speaking in greater detail on the issue in Sydney on Friday.

Note to Editors: Background information on the Premier's Campaign for Fairness is available at www.gov.ns.ca/fairness, by e-mailing: [email protected] .