September is an exciting time for many Nova Scotia families. The start of a new school year means getting reacquainted with old friends, making new friends and preparing for the challenges and fun of learning.

Last week, almost 134,000 public school students began school in our province. One of my government’s key priorities is to give these young people the tools they need for a successful future, to educate to compete.

HALIFAX, NS - Premier Rodney MacDonald says he is fighting the idea of a carbon tax because it would be bad for his province, not for any other reason, as suggested by provincial Liberal leader Stephen McNeil.  
 
“I can’t think of an issue that is more important to Nova Scotians than the price of home heating oil, and other energy costs,” said the Premier.  “For Mr. McNeil to suggest this isn’t an important provincial issue shows he really doesn’t understand what the people of our province are facing.”

Carbon tax estimator now available at www.pccaucus.ns.ca
 
HALIFAX, NS -  Premier Rodney MacDonald wants Nova Scotians to see the impact of a carbon tax on their family budgets.
 
The Liberals are proposing a $15 billion dollar tax the Premier says will disproportionately impact Nova Scotians.
 
“I want Nova Scotians to get the full picture of this proposal,” said MacDonald.
 

Good morning.

I'm honoured to be in Cape Breton today to recognize the invaluable contributions of Canada's peacekeepers by designating Highway 125 as Peacekeepers Way.

For many people around the globe, the maple leaf is a beacon for freedom and justice. And the thousands of Canadian Forces members, police and civilians who have served as peacekeepers are a natural extension of Canada's commitment to these ideals.

Few things are more important to Nova Scotians than the health of their families. Timely access to health care is critical to Nova Scotians and to our provincial health care system. That's why reducing wait times is one of my government's five key priorities.

Already we have invested in new MRIs and expanded and added oncology clinics. We are making good progress towards our goal of a wait-time guarantee of eight weeks for patients needing radiation therapy. Wait times for cardiac in the Capital District have greatly improved and are within national standards.

With the hot, humid weather we've been experiencing this summer, the upcoming winter season may not be at the top of mind for all Nova Scotians. I want to take this opportunity to tell you what our government is doing in preparation for the winter heating season.

Rising oil prices will be a concern to all of us this winter, so we are moving now to ensure Nova Scotians are ready for the heating season..

What a great day to be a Nova Scotian and a proud Canadian.

Who said patience, perseverance and a few prayers wouldn’t pay off.

Minister MacKay
Minister Baker
Mr. Keddy
To my caucus colleagues, members of the House of Assembly
Elected officials
Ladies and gentlemen . . . .

Maritime Fire Chiefs Association Conference 2008
Lunenburg Community Centre, Lunenburg
July 9, 2008
Good evening.

It’s a real pleasure to welcome all of you to Lunenburg. I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay.

You know, it’s no accident that so many little children want to be fire fighters when they grow up. It’s because you are real life heroes.

MABOU, NS - The Dalbrae Academy Remotely Operated Vehicles team have a big fan in Premier Rodney MacDonald.

“These students from Dalbrae Academy should be very proud of their accomplishment,” said the Premier. “They have done a great job representing Nova Scotia.”

The Dalbrae team finished third at the 2008 Marine Advanced Technology Education Centre’s International ROV Competition at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. Twenty-six teams from around the world competed in the high school category. The Dalbrae Academy team finished third and was named the “Most Safety-Conscious” team.

“Educating to compete has been a motto of my government and watching this local team advance to a world-class competition and finish in the top rankings is just fantastic,” added the Premier.

The Dalbrae team is captained by Milton Lywood. Team members are Isaac Matheson, Danielle van Zutphen, Gerald Mouland, Alex Heukshorst, Alexis Dunphy, Carolyn Murphy and Amanda Lowe. Their teacher is Ed Dunphy.

The Dalbrae students used the wave tank at the Nautical Institute of the Strait Area NSCC campus to test their remotely operated vehicle. They won a competition, funded by the government’s Department of Labour and Workforce Development, at the NSCC in Dartmouth. The Department of Energy also assisted financially to develop this opportunity for students. Each department contributed $20,000 to the competition and program.

“I am a firm believer that we need to help our young people showcase their abilities on the world stage,” said the Premier. “As we’ve seen with Milton Lywood’s team, our students can compete with the best in the world.”

Fire Fighters
Police officers
Mayor Kelly - great to see you back on your feet
Ministers
Darrell Dexter
Stephen McNeil
MLAs
Councillors

Ladies and gentlemen.

HALIFAX, NS - Premier Rodney MacDonald is touring Richmond County today and says it is good to see the results of his government’s investments moving forward.

“Roads and education are important to the people of Richmond County and we are making sure these priorities are reflected in the government’s investments,” said the Premier.

MacDonald illustrated this commitment by announcing plans for 4.5 kilometres of new road work.

“We will be repaving Bona Road, from Rocky Bay to Cap La Ronde and Bay Road from the end of the previous work to Bona Road,” said Premier MacDonald. “Better roads and infrastructure are priorities of my government and we are well on track to achieving our goal of 2,000 kilometres of roadwork. We’ve completed 1,075 and will do 425 kilometres this year.”

The latest paving announcement from the Premier comes on the heels of a number of other paving projects including 7.9 kilometres on Trunk 4 from Black River Road to South Side River Bourgeois, Highway 104 from River Tillard Bridge westerly to end of the highway for half a kilometre and the Highway 104 and Trunk 4 connector at Exit 47 for three quarters of a kilometre.

The Premier also pointed to the $7.5 million addition to the East Richmond Education Centre as an example of his government’s support of education in Richmond County. With the construction season now underway, the addition is progressing well. Students housed in the Grades 5 - 8 building are expected return to the newly renovated building by December 2008.

“Richmond will also see the benefit of $141,200 in fuel cost relief for the Strait School Board area,” added the Premier.

The Premier also remarked about several other investments from the provincial government such as $62,000 in funding for upgrades to municipal sports fields in Port Hawkesbury, funding for Port Hawkesbury and L’Ardoise Fire Departments and $120,000 for the Strait Area Transit Co-operative to begin a transit service pilot project.

HALIFAX – Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker has announced he will take time off later this month to deal with a pressing health issue.

However, he intends to run in the next election as MLA for the constituency of Lunenburg.

"Last week I was diagnosed with a form of cancer. I will have an operation on May 11 to remove a tumor from my neck," said Mr. Baker. "I expect to recover in hospital, and then at home, for two to three weeks after the surgery."

Mr. Baker has been MLA for the constituency of Lunenburg since being first elected in 1998.

"I have been honoured to serve the people of Lunenburg as their Member of Nova Scotia’s Legislative Assembly over the past eight years," said Mr. Baker. "I have every intention of continuing to serve my constituents and will re-offer in the next provincial general election."

Mr. Baker will continue his duties as MLA and Minister of Finance in the days leading up to the surgery. He will introduce the Province of Nova Scotia’s budget next week.

HALIFAX – Highlights of the MacDonald government’s balanced budget include more money for roads, schools and hospitals and a Household Energy Rebate, Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said today.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works’ overall capital budget for 2006-2007 has been increased by almost $39 million to about $199.1 million. About $172.2 million of that amount is targeted to make improvements to the roads, bridges and highways.

“By improving and expanding our roads and highway, our government is providing safer and more convenient economic and social links between communities,” Mr. Porter said.

In recognition of how important modern equipment and facilities within our education system are to young people, this year the MacDonald government will invest $38.5 million in school construction across the province. The budget also includes $16.3 million for additions and alterations to schools.

Nova Scotia consumers will get an eight per cent rebate on a wide range of fuels used for residential heating, starting January 2007. The rebate will also be applied to residential electricity used for non-heating purposed.

“This is a measure that will provide relief to about 400,000 households in Nova Scotia,” the Hants West MLA said. “We estimate the average household in Hants West will save about $200 each year.”

Other highlights of Budget 2006 include:

- extended prescription drug coverage for children of low-income working families;
- $1.2 million investment in Nova Scotia’s student debt reduction program;
- $40 million in capital grants to district health authorities – $38 million for hospital improvements and $2 million for medical equipment; and
- the gradual lowering of personal income tax.

BROOKFIELD – The MacDonald government’s balanced budget makes important investments in communities, Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MLA Brooke Taylor said today.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works’ overall capital budget for 2006-2007 has been increased by almost $39 million to about $199.1 million. About $172.2 million of that amount is targeted to make improvements to the roads, bridges and highways.

“That is a substantial amount of money that will bring concrete improvements to the roads we drive every day,” Mr. Taylor said. “That will improve our communities’ economic links as well as the quality of life for residents.”

In recognition of how important modern equipment and facilities within our education system are to young people, this year the MacDonald government will invest $38.5 million in school construction across the province.

“The budget also includes $16.3 million for additions and alterations to schools,” Mr. Taylor said.

Well maintained and well equipped hospitals are essential components in the health care system. This year, capital grants to district health authorities will total $40 million – $38 million for hospital improvements and $2 million for medical equipment.

Other highlights of budget 2006 include:

- extended prescription drug coverage for children of low-income working families;
- $1.2 million investment in Nova Scotia’s student debt reduction program;
- the Household Energy Rebate of 8 per cent on a wide range of fuels used for residential heating; and
- the gradual lowering of personal income tax.

LUNENBURG – Students and communities on the South Shore will benefit from a new school that will provide better facilities and quality services, Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker said today.

Following an update to provincial school construction schedules, it was announced today that a new French language school will be built on the South Shore, instead of renovating the existing school in Blockhouse as originally planned.

The new South Shore school will be home to up to 350 French first language students from the region. It will cost $12 million and should open in September 2009. The new school replaces École de la Rive-Sud in Blockhouse.

“Our government’s emphasis on improving quality education is reflected in this decision to provide a new school for the South Shore,” Mr. Baker said. “The new school will be a great asset to the students who will attend it and is sure to become a hub of community activities.”

In 2003, the Hamm government approved construction of an additional 12 new schools. School boards submit their priorities for new schools and renovations to the Department of Education. The department ask its School Capital Construction Committee to review the boards' priorities in order to develop a provincial priority list. The committee includes representatives from the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, and the departments of Education, Finance, and Transportation and Public Works.