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Dear Resident:
On
January 11th, 2011, I had the honour of accepting the invitation of
Premier Darrell Dexter to join his Cabinet. I was sworn in as the Minister for
a new department, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. It has
been really exciting to be at the ground level of a new department that
oversees cultural and heritage activities, the provincial archives
and library
and gaming in Nova Scotia.
The legislative session just ended with this government continuing to make life better for today’s families. Since being elected in 2009 the Nova Scotia Legislature has sat a total of 139 days keeping our commitment to putting the legislature back to work for Nova Scotians. This exceeds the number of days the legislature sat for the entire period that Rodney MacDonald was Premier.
At the two year anniversary of our election I am very proud of the work that this government is doing to achieve a better life for Nova Scotians. In 2009 the NDP campaigned to Make Life Better for Today’s Families - we’ve lived up to this commitment by achieving our campaign commitments, such as:
Launched a 5 year Road Plan
Launched
a 10 year Farm Strategy
Created 250 new seats at the Nova Scotia Community College targeted to high demand trades and professions
Increased the provinces renewable energy targets to 25% by 2015 and 40% by 2020
Ended security deposits for seniors in long-term care facilities
Created the Graduate Retention Rebate - a tax rebate for newly graduated university students worth $15,000 over six years
Expanded the program Caregiver Benefit Program by $1.85 million
Helped to cover travel and accommodation expenses arising from out-of-province medical care
Increased the number of nurse practitioners to augment care in nursing homes
Created a Personal Alert Assistance Program and provided up to $480 per year for eligible seniors to purchase a personal alert device
I
look forward to my new role as Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage
and the challenges that lie ahead. I continue in my role as a member for the
Province of Nova Scotia on The Council of
State Governments - Eastern Region and I am looking forward to hosting my
colleagues from across the Eastern Region as they visit Nova Scotia for The Council of State Governments annual conference in August.
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 Weekly News - Bedford-Sackville |
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Status of the Artist Legislation will Recognize Creativity (appearing in the April 24, 2012 issue) For the past few weeks, I have been busy representing the people of Sackville-Cobequid in the House of Assembly as well as with my duties as Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. There are a number of important pieces of legislation coming forward this session, and I would like to tell you about one piece that is particularly meaningful to me. I have always been a supporter of the arts community in Nova Scotia. Previous governments cut programs and initiatives in support of our master crafts-people and artists. When I was appointed as Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, I knew our government had to do more to recognize the contributions of artists to the culture and economy of Nova Scotia. Last year, I committed to bring Status of the Artist legislation to Nova Scotia to recognize the role of artists and creativity in developing our communities. A few weeks ago, I proudly stood in the House of Assembly and introduced that bill. This legislation will encourage fair treatment of artists by government, acknowledge their unique working conditions, ensure government has the necessary tools to support the arts community and ensure all Nova Scotians have access to artistic training and education. While developing this legislation, our government consulted with many artists across the province. I look forward to seeing our government's work for the arts help our creative economy thrive. Over the years in Sackville-Cobequid, I have had the opportunity to work with many talented musicians and artisans who are always remarkably dedicated to their craft. I am pleased that this legislation will help protect and share their work as we continue our to put the much-deserved spotlight on our provincial culture. As in every spring session of the House, our government introduced a new budget for the new fiscal year. I am pleased that once again we are making life a little easier for Nova Scotians by offering more relief for first-time new home buyers, providing personal income tax reductions and committing to reduce the HST by one point in 2014 and an additional percentage point 2015. When the House is in session, I look for to hearing your thoughts and concerns. Please feel free to contact me at davidawilsonmla@eastlink.ca or by phone at 864-0396.
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| 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 |