Maintaining Strong Economy Government's Top Priority

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Maintaining Strong Economy Government's Top Priority

Nova Scotians should be optimistic about the future and find innovative ways to continue to build our province's economy, Premier John Hamm said today, Nov. 25, during his annual State of the Province address.

"We must build a strong economy through ideas and innovation," the premier said. "We must build our economy to provide for our families and our future."

Premier Hamm said a strong economy will provide Nova Scotians with the resources to invest more in health care and education and to pay down our province's debt.

The premier said that while the pressures on our provincial finances continue to grow, Nova Scotians should be proud of the progress made over the past five years.

"I firmly believe that Nova Scotians have worked hard and that we have achieved a much stronger financial position -- a position that will allow us to withstand economic downturns and to recover faster from them."

In his remarks, the premier called on all three levels of government to work together to build a more productive relationship.

"Our citizens expect all three levels of government to work together -- not to point fingers at one another," said Premier Hamm.

The State of the Province address was delivered to the Metro Halifax Chamber of Commerce at the Westin Hotel in Halifax. A copy of the premier's remarks is available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/prem/ .