Endorsements Grow for Campaign for Fairness

The Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS) has become the latest organization to pledge its support to the Campaign for Fairness. Premier John Hamm updated the OTANS executive on the campaign at a meeting this morning at Province House.

"I am delighted that the leading association for Nova Scotia’s offshore oil and gas industry is supporting this important cause for the people of our province and for all Canadians," said the premier. "As a government, and with the support of Nova Scotians and other Canadians, we will continue to press Ottawa to live up to its commitment under two signed agreements with the people of Nova Scotia."

OTANS Chair Bill Johns noted that the organization has been supportive of the campaign since it was launched by the premier in January. OTANS co-sponsored luncheons regarding the campaign featuring the premier in Halifax and Sydney, lobbied federal members of Parliament, and sent representatives to Calgary events in support of Premier Hamm.

"OTANS''s interest in this issue comes from the point of view of improving the economic climate," said Mr. Johns. "Oil and gas royalties could be used to help improve Nova Scotia’s standard of living and could play a big role in ensuring we carry our own weight as a partner in Confederation. This is, in business interests, a good investment for the entire country."

The Campaign for Fairness has also received support from the following individuals and organizations:

• executive committee, Acadia University Board of Governors;
• Antigonish Town Council;
• Canso Town Council;
• Annapolis County Council;
• Inverness County Council;
• New Glasgow Town Council;
• Bridgewater Town Council;
• South Queens Chamber of Commerce;
• Shelburne County Women’s Forum;
• federal PC Party, NDP and Canadian Alliance MPs;
• former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed;
• Alberta Premier Ralph Klein; and
• Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik

All three parties represented in the House of Assembly also endorsed the Campaign for Fairness in a resolution passed last month. The premier urged all Nova Scotians to express their support for the campaign in writing by any of the following means:

Mail: PO Box 726, Halifax, NS, B3J 2T3
Fax: 902-424-7648
Telephone: 1-800-267-1993 (toll-free)
E-mail: [email protected]

Nova Scotians can also show their support by leaving a message on the province’s Campaign for Fairness Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/fairness.