Building a Better Future for Nova Scotians

Nova Scotians will see a healthier, stronger province, thanks to the progress made during the spring sitting of the legislature, said Premier John Hamm.

As the legislature wrapped up today, May 30, the premier reviewed the highlights of 17 government bills passed this spring, notably the first balanced budget in 40 years, the toughest smoke-free law in Canada and a new distribution system that will get natural gas more quickly to Nova Scotia consumers.

"Thanks to the historic budget passed this spring, our government has protected the priorities of our children for years to come," said the premier. "We have kept our commitment to Nova Scotians, while putting more dollars into health care, education and roads. This spring, we took a major step to building a better future for all Nova Scotians, particularly the next generation of Nova Scotians."

The government also moved to protect the health of Nova Scotians, especially children, with the adoption of the Smoke-free Places Act. Passing anti-tobacco legislation was a major element of the provincial anti-tobacco strategy launched last fall by the premier and Health Minister Jamie Muir.

"Make no mistake, thanks to the support of health-care organizations from one end of this province to the other, Nova Scotia now has the strongest provincial smoke-free law in Canada," said the premier. "I am proud that after so many years of successive governments refusing to act, we have moved our province forward to fight tobacco like few jurisdictions in North America."

Rules regarding the distribution of natural gas were also changed to make it easier for households and businesses to take advantage of the province's new energy source.

"Quotas and targets clearly have not worked," said the premier. "By opening up Nova Scotia markets for natural gas, our government is ensuring that Nova Scotians have natural gas at the first available opportunity."

Other bills passed this spring will provide greater protection for volunteers and volunteer firefighters, provide greater support for single parents in need of maintenance payments, further streamline government and raise the standards for public safety.

"We continue to take a balanced approach to providing good government to the people of Nova Scotia," concluded the premier. "Over the next several months, I look forward to travelling throughout the province to discuss with Nova Scotians our government's progress in keeping our commitments, as well as discussing our plan to build a better future."

This summer, the premier will conduct his annual tour of Nova Scotia communities, meeting with individual Nova Scotians, as well as business, community and municipal leaders.

NOTE: The following is a list of government legislation passed this spring.

Bill 9 Pension Benefits Act Bill 72 Electronic Evidence Act Bill 87 Cosmetology Act Bill 98 Volunteer Protection Act Bill 101 Fire Safety Act Bill 105 Elevators and Lifts Act Bill 106 Guardianship Act Bill 107 Land Registration Act Bill 108 Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act Bill 109 Financial Measures (2002) Act Bill 111 Motor Vehicle Act Bill 112 Gas Distribution Act Bill 113 Agriculture Administration Amendment (2002) Act Bill 115 Justice Administration Amendment (2002) Act Bill 125 Smoke-free Places Act Bill 129 Amendments to Assessment Act and Municipal Grants Act Bill 134 Volunteer Fire Services Act