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On June 9th, Nova Scotians made an historic choice. I want to thank the
residents of Sackville-Cobequid for their continued support and for allowing me to be part of the first NDP Government in Nova Scotia. It is truly an honor to have
represented you for the past
six years in the Nova Scotia
Legislature.
People decided that it was time to turn a new page, and elect a government with fresh energy and new ideas to make our province an even better place to live, work, do business and raise a family.
Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia said;
"In the recent election, our commitment was to genuine change . . . positive change . . . that will make life better for you and your family. We know that our loyalty is to you, the people of this province. And our goal is to make sure that the decision you made on June 9th will prove to be a positive choice for Nova Scotia. We will go to work every day, knowing we must meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that face this province.
We understand the great challenges facing us:
We have a practical, balanced plan and we have already set about putting into effect that better deal for today's families. We made seven key commitments, with specific, costed steps to achieve those commitments. Those commitments are the road map as the NDP enters government. "
- The world-wide economic crisis;
- The concerns about health care;
- And the fact that this province, more than any other in the country, needs to live within its means.
I look forward to my new role as Deputy Government House Leader and the
challenges that lie ahead. I have also been asked to chair the Government
committee that will oversee the legislative agenda that our Government will
bring forward in the next Legislative session. I will also be sitting on the
executive of several committees, L'Assemblée Parlementaire de la
Francophonie for the Province of Nova Scotia and on The Council of State
Government Eastern Region. I look forward to these new roles and
responsibilities.
Again, I want to thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
"What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all. To this end, may we take our share in the world's work and the world's struggles."
J.S. Woodsworth
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Watch for my Political Speak column in the Bedford Sackville Weekly News |
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As I sit down to write this column, the headline on the newspaper to my right reads “Buy-American provisions won’t apply to Canada.” “Buy American” was a clause in the $787-billion U.S. economic stimulus package. It specified that all public works projects funded by the stimulus plan could only use materials produced in the U.S. Currently the U.S. accounts for 80 per cent of Canadian exports and this protectionist measure would have been harmful to our national economy. Fortunately Canada has been granted an exemption, meaning all goods produced here in Nova Scotia and across the country will continue to have open access to the U.S. market as outlined in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
One of the main groups pushing for this exemption was The Council of State Government — Eastern Regional Conference (CSG/ERC). This not-for-profit and non-partisan organization is comprised of legislative, executive and judicial branch officials from Maine to Maryland, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and six Eastern Canadian provinces including Nova Scotia. The purpose of the CSG/ERC is to promote region-wide cooperation, advocate for East Coast issues, and educate policymakers and the public on regional priorities and trends. Recently I was appointed co-chair of the CSG/ERC Canada-U.S. Relations Committee, alongside Sen. William Doyle of Vermont and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger of New York. I’m excited about this opportunity and I'm looking forward to working with other leaders to develop strategies for growth and development for communities on both sides of the border.
On my local front, I’ve long been an advocate of providing the people of Sackville and surrounding communities with greater access to government services. This fall I was happy to see this issue finally addressed with the opening of an Access Nova Scotia location at 486 Sackville Dr. At this facility you can do everything from registering your vehicle, applying for your home-heating rebate, or receiving a business permit. Access Nova Scotia is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and for your convenience Registry of Motor Vehicle Services remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, call 1-800-670-4357 or visit www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/access. I started with a headline and so it’s only fair that I end with what’s been in the headlines. Obviously the findings in the Auditor General’s report have people talking. The Auditor General’s office did not contact me or my office about my expenses during his investigation or reporting period. Having said that it is important my fellow MLAs and I all work together to clarify the rules that outline spending so the claims we have recently heard about do not happen again. Clearly the system needs to be fixed and our government is committed to fixing it.
This fall we took drastic steps to eliminate MLA expense practices we believed were inappropriate. We removed the $45,000 special payment defeated or departing MLAs received, and we stopped the practice of MLAs selling their office furniture and keeping the profits. Clearly more work needs to be done, but I assure you we are just getting started. To discuss any issue with me just call 864-0396.
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To view more Political Speak columns by Dave Wilson, visit http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?cid=468&sc=611 |
David Wilson MLA
| Business Address: |
Constituency Office: |
| NS New Democratic Party Caucus Office 1660 Hollis Street, Centennial Bldg, Suite 1001 PO Box 1617 Halifax NS B3J 2Y3 |
David A. Wilson MLA Constituency Office 51 Cobequid Road Suite 105 Lower Sackville NS B4C 2N1 |
| Phone: (902) 424-4134 Fax: (902) 424-0504 Email: dave@davidawilsonmla.ca |
Phone: (902) 864-0396 Fax: (902) 864-8409 Email: dave@davidawilsonmla.ca |