Fall Session Builds on Long-term Plans for Better Health Care, Good Jobs

Nova Scotians are seeing progress on important issues like health care and jobs, as well as a more open and accountable government, thanks to the significant steps government took during the fall session of the legislature.

"This government is doing things differently," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "We have launched the plans to improve emergency care, to create and maintain high-value jobs, to improve roads and bridges and to strengthen Nova Scotia's primary industries, like forestry and agriculture.

"We made a commitment to put the legislature back to work and make life better for Nova Scotia families. The action taken does just that."

The second session of the 61st General Assembly wrapped up today, Dec. 10, after 30 days, the longest non-budget session since 1996. During the sitting, government introduced 44 bills and three proceeded from last session, for a total of 47 bills passed this fall.

Government has introduced and passed 106 bills since June 2009. Government unveiled jobsHere, a strategic plan for job creation and strengthening the economy. The plan focuses on learning, innovation and competitiveness to improve Nova Scotia's economic development.

"jobsHere is a targeted plan that will allow Nova Scotia to thrive and compete in the global marketplace," said Premier Dexter. "Focusing on innovation, learning and competitiveness will help us build on Nova Scotia's economic strengths and overcome its challenges, all while creating good jobs for Nova Scotians and growing the economy."

The province also launched Better Care Sooner, a plan that will ensure families across the province get the emergency care they need, when they need it. The plan will reshape how the province delivers emergency care, based on the standards established by Dr. John Ross, provincial advisor on emergency care. Nova Scotia is the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt such standards.

"Better Care Sooner will help create a modern, sustainable emergency care system that better serves the people of Nova Scotia," said Premier Dexter. "That is what Nova Scotians want, and deserve, and with this plan, we will make it a reality."

Premier Dexter and former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams provided the strong leadership needed to reach an historic deal to develop hydro-electricity on Lower Churchill.

The proposed transmission link between the two provinces will provide cleaner and more affordable electricity, while creating thousands of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians. It will also ensure that Nova Scotia meets its aggressive renewable electricity goals.

The province released Nova Scotia's first five-year roads plan for the construction, maintenance and improvement of roads and bridges across Nova Scotia to help ensure a safe and efficient highway system.

It also released its 10-year farm strategy that will ensure Nova Scotia's agriculture industry is strong and successful well into the future.

A new Suburban Priorities Team will take action on the issues facing suburban families in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The team will help strengthen schools as centres of the community, remove barriers to sustainable transportation and allow families to reduce their carbon footprint, no matter where they live.

The province unveiled its Domestic Violence Action Plan to build stronger, safer communities by preventing and reducing domestic violence. A key part of the plan is developing a specialized domestic violence court pilot program in Sydney that will offer better support for victims and their families and provide meaningful intervention with abusers.

Government announced new policy directions for management of Nova Scotia's forests that will serve as the basis for the coming natural resources strategy.

For the first time, the province tabled a capital plan in the fall, ensuring better planned and more efficient construction.

Nova Scotia also showed strong leadership in the significant and groundbreaking legislation that the government introduced and passed this session, including:

• A new Auditor General Act that gives the auditor general better access to government information.
• A new Conflict of Interest Act that will make elected officials and public employees more accountable to the people they serve.
• A new Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act that makes it easier for provincial government employees to come forward with concerns of potential wrongdoing without fear of reprisal.
• A new Tanning Bed Act, the first of its kind in Canada, that bans people younger than 19 from being exposed to beds' harmful UV rays.
• Legislation that indefinitely extends the moratorium on oil and gas exploration on the Canadian portion of George’s Bank.
• Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act that give Nova Scotia the toughest penalties in the country for street racing and using a hand-held cellphone while driving, Canada's first laws to better protect cyclists, and ensure consumers shopping for a used vehicle receive more information about the vehicle's history before they buy it.
• Amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act that better protect tenants and landlords.
• Amendments to the Heritage Property Act that strengthen the rules for altering or demolishing municipal heritage properties and put more focus on the heritage value of protected buildings.
• Amendments to the Trade Union Act that will foster healthy labour relations.

"We set out with an aggressive agenda and I'm pleased with the progress we've made this session," said Premier Dexter. "Attention must now turn to the multi-year plan to ensure that Nova Scotia lives within its means, so that the province can continue delivering important public services, like health care and education."