Reply to the Speech from the Throne
I am pleased to rise today as the Leader of the Official Opposition to deliver a few initial remarks in reply to the Speech from the Throne on behalf of the Liberal Caucus and on behalf of all Nova Scotians.
I would like to acknowledge our Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Mayann Francis, the Speaker of the House, Premier Dexter and his cabinet and newly-elected Members of all parties. I believe we have an obligation to work together, in a positive and constructive manner, to ensure that government operates in the best interests of all Nova Scotians.
As the Official Opposition, the Liberal Caucus is committed to holding the government accountable for the promises they’ve made to Nova Scotians. Accountability in government means taking responsibility for promises, actions, policies, decision, and providing transparency in decision-making. Mr. Speaker, we may have a new party sitting on the government benches, but from what I have seen, there’s nothing new about this government.
This is a government that has two sets of standards – one for the former government and one for themselves.
I am very disappointed in this Speech from the Throne. It is full of platitudes instead of plans for this province. This government calls our primary industries the backbone of our economy, yet there are only six sentences about our forestry sector, the fisheries and our farms.
We have been waiting to hear from this party for months, and now this government, on a plan for stimulating the economy of the province. Nova Scotians waited during a lengthy election campaign, they waited all summer and they are still waiting. If Nova Scotians were looking for a solution to the closure of ER’s in this province they are still waiting. If they were looking for a clear plan for our energy security in this province they are still waiting.
Phrases such as “next year” or “first steps” or “open to working with” tell us a lot. It means this was a party so eager to get to government it forgot to make a plan. In fact, the only plan hinted at in this document is one designed to allow this government to back away from promises it made just weeks ago during an election campaign.
I am disappointed by this Speech from the Throne. Once again, Nova Scotians are being asked to wait. However, it is not only the role of opposition to criticize. It is our role to make constructive suggestions and comments.
At this time I would like to welcome those elements of the Speech from the Throne that addresses the Poverty Reduction Strategy and a promise to extend benefits to children and their families. We agree with government, and I am sure with all opposition members in this House, that we must make progress in the fight against poverty. This government has given us no real plan for tackling the serious economic conditions in this province.
On Monday, the Finance Minister admitted that Nova Scotia does have a deficit and that deficit is more than twice what they were predicting. The government intends to amend the Finance Act to allow for a deficit budget; a move they opposed while in Opposition.
We also learned that the Finance Minister has shifted next year’s university funding to this year’s budget. They’ve chosen to make an advance payment to the universities, hoping to shift the blame back on the Conservatives for the deficit and put themselves in a better position to balance next year’s budget. The NDP government has taken a page directly out of the former government’s playbook. The difference is the former government was upfront with Nova Scotians about their intentions.
It’s not alright for the government to say “trust us, we’re new, we’re different than the others”. Government must earn that trust. We will be watching to make sure this government keeps their promises, conducts business in a transparent manner, and tells us exactly how they intend to meet their commitments. We are here to ensure that government is fair, that decisions are transparent and that people always come first.
I look forward to reviewing the Throne Speech and addressing the House of Assembly in greater detail tomorrow.
Thank you.
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