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.

WOLFVILLE – Local residents concerned about the condition of Miner Bridge will soon travel over a new bridge, Kings South MLA David Morse said today.

Nova paving Ltd., has won the contract to replace Miner Bridge. The project is expected to be completed by mid-September.

“The Department of Transportation and Public Works delayed this project until the eastern Section of Gaspereau River Road was first repaired,” Mr. Morse explained. “I appreciate how patient residents have been is allowing the department the time to get the job done right. These repairs should serve us all for a long time to come.”

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter is inviting Annapolis Valley residents to join him in commemorating Open Farm Day 2006.

Farms across the province will open their doors Sunday, September 24 to show all Nova Scotians how their food is produced.

In Nova Scotia, agriculture creates 16,000 jobs and contributes over $1 billion annually to the provincial economy and more than 50 different kinds of vegetable crops are grown in the province.

For a complete list of all farms participating in Open Farm Day 2006, go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/agaware/ .

HALIFAX - Nova Scotians can now apply to receive their eight per cent energy rebate, Truro-Bible Hill MLA Jamie Muir said today.

Applications for Your Energy Rebate will be available at all Access Nova Scotia centres, and on the Internet, as of this week. Your Energy Rebate program is expected to save each Nova Scotian household an average of $200 per year.

Your Energy Rebate is the province's program to help people with household energy costs by rebating the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). People who use wood, wood pellets, cylinder propane, kerosene, and coal, need to apply for the rebate.

"For the first time, through Your Energy Rebate, Nova Scotia is providing a sales tax break on all forms of home energy, no exception, including wood, wood pellets, kerosene and cylinder propane," said Mr. Muir. "Our government wants to make sure that every Nova Scotian who is eligible, receives the full benefit of this tax rebate."

For other home energy products, such as oil heat or natural gas, the eight per cent rebate should automatically come off bills dated Dec. 1 and later. For electricity and natural gas, the eight per cent rebate should come off bills dated Jan. 1, 2007 and later.

Nova Scotians who buy wood, wood pellets, coal, cylinder propane or kerosene for home heating Dec. 1 and later, must submit receipts and a Your Energy Rebate application to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations for the eight per cent rebate. Applications are available at any Access Nova Scotia centre, online at www.yourenergyrebate.ns.ca or by calling 1-800-670-4357.

KENTVILLE, NS -- The MacDonald government is taking steps to safeguard the futures of displaced Maple Leaf employees and the long-term economic health of the Annapolis Valley, Progressive Conservative MLAs Mark Parent and David Morse said today.

Government opened a transition office at the plant today, January 24, designed to prepare Maple Leaf employees to re-enter the workforce as quickly as possible. These free services to employees will include: employee assessments and skill upgrading, answering questions on employment insurance, plus matching people with available job opportunities.

Recently, 380 employees of Toronto-based Maple Leaf Foods learned they would lose their jobs in April when the poultry processing plant in Canard will close.

“Our government has moved swiftly to open a transition office that will help Maple Leaf employees prepare for new employment opportunities," Kings South MLA Mr. Morse said. "We hope this will enable these hard working Nova Scotians to find work here at home.”

With the unexpected announcement of the plant’s closure last week, both MLAs have been working along side the affected employees and chicken farmers to explore options and opportunities. Last week, Mr. Parent urged Maple Leaf Vice President Scott McCain to treat affected employees fairly and to provide the maximum transition support possible. Both MLAs have held talks with Kings County poultry producers and support their efforts to develop a future processing and marketing plan that will maximize returns to local farmers.

“Our government and community are pulling together to work on a solution that benefits us all,” Kings North MLA Mr. Parent said. “I encourage all those affected by the shut down of the plant to take full advantage of the services available at the transition office.”

SYDNEY – Cape Breton residents, businesses and tourists will benefit from the collaboration of the MacDonald government and the Federal government that will see a portion of Highway 125 twinned, Progressive Conservative MLAs Alfie MacLeod, Keith Bain and Cecil Clarke said today.

The $21 million dollar project will twin 5 kilometres of Highway 125, from Balls Creek to Sydney River through a Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) contribution agreement between the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada.

“Highway 125 will be completely twinned when this important project is finished,” Mr. Clarke, MLA for Cape Breton North said. “This is great news for business and for all drivers who use the highway.”

The federal and provincial governments will collaborate on a contribution agreement for this project. Financial support is conditional on meeting applicable federal and provincial requirements, including the successful completion of environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

“This is a great example of two levels of government working together to make this important transportation corridor safer and more efficient for thousands of drivers,” Mr. MacLeod, MLA for Cape Breton West said.

The MacDonald government has committed $17 million to complete this project as well as the twining a portion of Highway 104. The Federal government will contribute $15 million.

“The project will join two existing four-land segments at Balls Creed interchange and at Coxheath Road interchange at Sydney River,” Victoria-The Lakes MLA Keith Bain said. “The MacDonald government will call tenders to begin the twinning of Highway 125 as early as fall 2007.”

The announcement to twin highway 125 is the latest in a series of important road improvements moving ahead in Cape Breton. Recently, tenders have been called for six kilometres of repaving in the Marion Bridge Highway, 5.8 kilometres of re-paving on Groves Point Road, 4.5 kilometres of repaving on Highway 125, from east of Exit 2 until the twinning and 1.6 kilometres on Highway 105, from east of highway 125 easterly to bridge structure.