2003-04 Accountability Report Released

The government of Nova Scotia released its fourth annual accountability report today, Dec. 23, documenting its accomplishments for the 2003-04 fiscal year.

"Steady progress was made on many government priorities despite challenges such as the 2003 spring floods, winter blizzards of 2004, Hurricane Juan and shortfalls in federal transfer payments," said Michael Baker, chair of Treasury and Policy Board. "Through this report, we are showing Nova Scotians that we are meeting our commitments."

Highlights of the government's 2003-04 fiscal year include:

• delivering the government's second consecutive balanced budget;
• lowering taxes for the majority of Nova Scotians;
• increasing non-salary funding for the district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre by $20 million, and introducing a multi-year approach to hospital funding;
• improving cardiac care and reducing wait times;
• filling 81 per cent of the physician vacancies in under-served areas;
• reducing class sizes in Grade Primary; smaller classes in other grades will follow in coming years;
• helping communities to become safer, more secure, more inclusive; and
• making government services more accessible and more effective.

In addition to the government's accountability report, more than 30 government departments and offices will also publish accountability reports today. Crown corporations file annual reports, with publication dates varying from organization to organization.

The government of Nova Scotia has produced an accountability report for the past four years, after strengthening accountability legislation in 2000.

All of the accountability reports published today are available the government website at www.gov.ns.ca/govt/accountability .