Productive Meeting with Federal Minister

Worker safety, climate change and offshore benefits were among the issues discussed at a meeting Monday, May 13, between Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm and federal Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal.

"Having raised many of these items with Mr. Dhaliwal's predecessor, it's important for our government to ensure he has a clear understanding of Nova Scotia's priorities on files for which he is responsible at the federal level," said Premier Hamm.

The premier reiterated his request, made last year, that the federal government amend the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Accord Implementation Act to strengthen worker-safety provisions. Last fall, the Nova Scotia government introduced amendments to its Occupational Health and Safety Act that would allow for speedy implementation of new safety measures under the offshore accord.

"We want to ensure that Nova Scotia's offshore workers have the strongest workplace protection possible," added the premier. "Our government is ready to proceed, but we need the federal government to fast-track their timetable. Our offshore workers deserve nothing less."

"I agree that the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland should put in place as soon as possible a regulatory regime that protects workers on the often hostile offshore environment," said Mr. Dhaliwal.

The economic implications of the Kyoto Accord were also reviewed. The federal government is bringing forward a "Made in Canada" proposal to a meeting of federal and provincial energy and environment ministers later this month in Charlottetown.

"Any decision regarding Kyoto must respect provincial and territorial concerns," said the premier. "We must have an approach to climate change that reflects Nova Scotia's economic activity in exporting natural gas. This sector of the economy is one of the key reasons we had the second-best economic growth in Canada last year -- growth that Nova Scotia cannot afford to risk."

Premier Hamm and Mr. Dhaliwal also agreed to have the federal and provincial governments begin discussions on a review of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Accord.

"We should review all elements of the accord, including revenue- sharing and offshore-management arrangements," said Mr. Dhaliwal.

"We want this review to be positive and forward-looking," said the premier. "Our government has long advocated that Nova Scotia has not been the principal beneficiary of the offshore, as promised under the accord, so we see this process as an opportunity for the federal government to find a way to deliver on this commitment."

"I also invite the province to work with Natural Resources Canada, Industry Canada and ACOA to develop the ability of Canadian companies to compete successfully for business in offshore development domestically and internationally," said Dhaliwal.

In January 2001, Premier Hamm launched the Campaign for Fairness, with a goal of convincing the federal government to make Nova Scotia the principal beneficiary of the province's offshore resources.