Government Committed to Better Health Care, Jobs and Fiscal Responsibility

Premier Darrell Dexter said today, Oct. 27, government will continue to focus on providing better health care and good jobs for Nova Scotians, while introducing measures to help the province live within its means.

The premier said that these core priorities are the basis of a strong agenda to make life better for Nova Scotia families. In order to advance that agenda, the premier noted that government will have to make some tough financial decisions in the coming months.

"We need to deal with the financial mess that we inherited when we came into government if we want to provide better health care and other services that are important to Nova Scotians," said Premier Dexter. "That is why we are putting the legislature back to work, introducing significant and ground-breaking legislation that will make life better for families in all regions of this province."

Premier Dexter said that one of government's most anticipated announcements will be the new jobs strategy. The detailed plan will respond to many of the suggestions brought forward in a report by Donald Savoie, a noted economist and member of the Premier's Economic Advisory Panel.

"People need good, secure jobs if they are going to put down roots and raise a family here in Nova Scotia," said the premier. "Our plan identifies opportunities for investment that will help promote the province's vast potential, create thousands of good jobs and encourage economic growth in all regions of the province."

Other legislative changes planned for the fall include a conflict of interest act, a new auditor general's act, a new elections act and whistleblower's legislation.

Government will also introduce its five-year paving plan to help fix rural roads and highways, build stronger communities throughout the province and a 10-year farm strategy to inject life into Nova Scotia's significant agriculture industry and help grow the provincial economy.

Earlier this week, Dr. John Ross, the province's advisor on emergency health care, presented his report and recommendations to government on how to improve access to emergency care across the province. Government is now reviewing the report and will respond to Dr. Ross's recommendations in the coming weeks.

In addition to canvassing departments on options to reduce spending, government will introduce the province's first-ever capital budget in a fall session. These steps will help the province live within its means, so that it can provide better health care and other important services for Nova Scotians and their families.

The second session of the 61st general assembly resumes at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28.