Campaign School

Her first try at politics didn't win her a seat. But it's been a very busy year for Denise Peterson-Rafuse. In 2004, she made an unsuccessful run at a seat on Municipal Council. This year, she ran for the NDP in Chester St. Margaret's, winning the seat and earning a place in cabinet. And she's paying some of that forward. The Minister responsible for the status of women is helping with a campaign school next week trying to encourage more females to enter politics and bring the numbers up from about one in four. The school is being run at Mt St Vincent University this coming weekend. Brochures and application forms are available at www.women.gov.ns.ca or by calling 1-800-565-8662.

A first for both the province and a newbie south shore MLA. Pam Birdsall rose in the House of Assembly as the first government member to respond to the Speech from the Throne. Birdsall moved that the first NDP Government Speech from the Throne be accepted as read by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Mayann Francis. She calls it an honour adding it is a special day for her as a new MLA and for the first NDP Government in Nova Scotia. The House of Assembly re-convened yesterday for the 61st sitting.

NDP Throne Speech

Government's plan for a better life for Nova Scotians and their families was outlined today, Sept. 17, in the speech from the throne, which focused on keeping the promises made to Nova Scotians.
"Nova Scotians have put their trust and faith in me and my government to make their lives better, and over the next fours years, I will work everyday to make that happen," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Taking the provincial portion of the HST off basic home electricity, stimulating the economy with the new home construction rebate, and living within our means are just a few of the ways we will build a better Nova Scotia together."
The throne speech outlined how making life more affordable for Nova Scotians will be a priority. Government will work to ensure seniors can stay in their homes longer, employment support and income assistance programs are more responsive to individuals, and seniors and other residents no longer have to provide a security deposit when entering a long-term care facility.
Fostering economic growth in Nova Scotia during a global recession has already been top of mind for government. The province will continue to make good use of federal infrastructure funding, encourage investment with an increase in the equity tax credit and develop programs to keep Nova Scotia's best and brightest here to put down roots and build a good life.
Government will also focus efforts on providing better access to health care, improving and modernizing infrastructure, keeping communities safe with effective crime prevention strategies, and supporting lifelong learning for Nova Scotians.
The speech from the throne was delivered by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis. It can be viewed in its entirety on the web at http://www.blogger.com/www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/house_business/throne.html .

Baker Named to Order

Long time cabinet minister and Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker who passed away in March is being honoured posthumously as a recipient of the 2009 Order of Nova Scotia. Baker is one of five Nova Scotians being recognized this year for their outstanding contributions and achievements. Baker was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1998, representing the constituents of Lunenburg. He served in cabinet as the Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Minister of Finance. During the final years of his tenure, he continued to provide exemplary service to the people of the province despite his own personal battle with a life-threatening and debilitating disease. His untimely death cut short a lifetime of dedicated, and committed service to Nova Scotia and its residents. The 2009 recipients will be recognized at an Investiture Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Province House. The Order of Nova Scotia was established in June 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the province.

Carolyn's New Job

Former Lunenburg West MLA and defeated cabinet minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, has a new job. Bolivar-Getson will head up operations on the South Shore-Annapolis Valley as a field representative with the P.C. Caucus. She's one of four staff who will undertake those duties across the province. In July it was announced that the 11 new caucus positions would be advertised through an open and fair competition process. While some staff decided to apply for these positions, others did not. The positions include two communications officers, two researchers, the four field representatives and three caucus office staff who will handle senior administrative and MLA support.

Liberal Health Concern

With a week to go before school starts, Liberal health critic Diana Whalen says the government has not armed parents with necessary information about H-1-N-1. The school boards’ pandemic plans have yet to receive final approval and school staff have not yet received procedures to be followed when dealing with a possible outbreak, Whalen says. The Liberals say parents and school staff must be informed of plans and new procedures prior to the school year.

Furey Returns

His journey from top cop to politician and back again is completed. RCMP Senior Management have officially returned Mark Furey to the job of District Commander for the Lunenburg County RCMP. He officially started his duties as Staff Sergeant on Monday. Furey left his job on April 15th on unpaid leave to run as the Liberal candidate in Lunenburg West. He finished third with 25 percent of the popular vote in the June election where Gary Ramey was elected MLA. Two-term MLA Carolyn Bolivar Getson finished second. Furey is a 29-year veteran of the RCMP and is back in the saddle again.

Political Mailboxes

The NDP member for Lunenbug West says Canada Post must make rural delivery a priority. Gary Ramey says rural mailboxes are a necessity for many seniors, people with disabilities and those living on fixed incomes, Ramey says. Canada Post needs to ensure this essential service will continue. His comments come in light of a flyer being circulated by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. The flyer says Canada Post is replacing rural mailboxes with community boxes to ensure the safety of mail carriers. Lunenburg County residents who are concerned about their mail delivery should call the Canada Post customer service line or contact South Shore-St. Margaret’s MP Gerald Keddy.

Back To Work

After dipping his toes into the political pool, the Detachment Commander for Lunenburg County RCMP is expected back in the office soon. Mark Furey went on an unpaid leave of absence back on April 15th when he announced he was running for the Liberal party in Lunenburg West. Staff at the detachment office in Cookville say he is scheduled to be back in his office on Monday. Staff Sergeant Furey is a 29-year veteran of the RCMP. At the time of his nomination, there was no guarantee he'd reclaim the district commander's job or that he'd remain with Lunenburg County's RCMP following election day. New Democrat Gary Ramey was elected as the MLA for the area, defeating former Cabinet Minister Carolyn Bollivar Getson.

Cabinet Swearing In

It's still a mystery whether or not any of the five M-L-A's on the south shore are up for a cabinet post in the New Democratic government. The official swearing in ceremony is being held tomorrow evening at the Cunnard Center on the Halifax waterfront. Members of the Executive Council will be sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis Friday evening. And a spokesman in the Premier's office says the names will be released only after they are being introduced at the event. Both Vicki Conrad in Queens and Sterling Belliveau of Shelburne are returning N-D-P Members of the Legislative Assembly. Pam Birdsall, Gary Ramey and Denise Peterson-Rafuse will be on the government side of the house representing Lunenburg, Lunenburg West and Chester St. Margaret's. There's word today, eleven members of the new N-D-P government will be getting an important phone call today. Premier-designate Darrell Dexter will be telling them they'll be serving in his cabinet but we won't find out about it untill tonight. The event will be held at the Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Rd., Halifax. It can be viewed online at http://gov.ns.ca/stayinformed/webcast/ .

Retraining Money

It's close to 90-thousand dollars from the federal government to help unemployed workers in Eastern Lunenburg County. South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced the funding today for the South Shore Community Service Association. The money is going to the Chester Career Resource Center. He says the Conservative government is pleased to help unemployed Nova Scotians develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to move forward. The Center will help 200 new unemployeed workers with job search support, skills workshops, career exploration services and referrals for appropriate interventions. The funding will also allow the organization to continue providing services to approximately 120 existing clients in Chester municipality.

Campaign change

2009-06-08 06:39:32

A political scientist says when voters get in a mindset that a change is needed, there's no fighting it.  The Conservatives have been asking for another mandate based on experience and leadership.  But Dr Michael MacMillan of Mount Saint Vincent University says government's aren't elected, they're defeated. He says opposition parties wait for opportunities for the government to discredit itself, make mistakes or voters just get tired of them. Dr MacMillan says when making up their minds they look at the parties first, leaders second followed by issues and local candidates. He says opinion polls rank well below those factors when it comes to people making their minds up about who to vote for.

The head of a leading market research firm says Nova Scotians are in the mood for a big change. Don Mills, C-E-O of Corporate Research Associates, says the major theme of the 35-day election campaign was ``change in a substantive way,''  The Halifax-based pollster has been tracking Nova Scotia politics for two decades. His quarterly polls show the N-D-P has been the preferred choice for voters for almost three years.

Itineraries of the Nova Scotia party leaders for Monday, June 8:  
Rodney MacDonald, Progressive Conservative party:
    IONA: Canvassing. 10:30 a.m. 
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing. 12:00 p.m.   
    ESKASONI: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.
      
Darrell Dexter, New Democratic Party:
    BRAS D'OR: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 366 Park Rd. 8:15 a.m.   
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 7 Blowers St. 8:45 a.m.
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Northside Community Guest Home and Extended Care, 11 Queen St. 9:15 a.m.
    MILLBROOK: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.   
    SALMON RIVER: Canvassing along Birch Street. 2:30 pm   
    TRURO: Canvassing along Young Street. 2:50 p.m.
    BIBLE HILL: Canvassing at Bible Hill Estates. 3:30 p.m.
    PUGWASH: Canvassing along Victoria, Prince Albert and Black streets. 5:00 p.m.
  
Stephen McNeil, Liberal party:
    DARTMOUTH: Waving at traffic on the Angus L. Macdonald bridge. 7 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing at Seniors Apartments, Jamieson Street. 10:00 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing along Virginia Avenue. 11:30 a.m.   
    WINDSOR: Canvassing along Water Street. 2:00 p.m.   
    NEW MINAS: Waving at the Atlantic Superstore. 3:00 p.m.   
    KENTVILLE: Canvassing on Main Street. 4:00 p.m.   
    ANNAPOLIS: Canvassing. 6:00 p.m.

Regulation Situation

2009-06-04 06:16:29

An independent retailer says some smaller gas stations in Nova Scotia are still closing in spite of government price regulation that's supposed to save them.    Dave Collins of Wilson Fuels expects that will continue to happen until regulators raise margins so the smaller operators can make more money.    But, he says that would be political suicide.    Collins suggests government get out of regulation and let business address the price issue.    He says governments run a business for headlines while the focus of business is profit.    Collins says the taxes generated can help pay for social programs. (CKBW)

Friday Politics

2009-06-01 06:19:43

Liberals in Lunenburg West are challenging a statement by Conservative Candidate Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.  Mark Furey is speaking out against a statement she made at a debate in Bridgewater this week.  Bolivar-Getson made the claim her Conservative government had produced eight consecutive balanced budgets.  Furey adamantely denies that.  He says the only way they could have balanced the spring budget was if they broke the rules.  A proposed amendment to the Finance Act had to pass for the Conservative financial plan to balance. That change would have allowed them to spend extra money on programs instead of putting it on the province's 12-billion dollar debt.  Furey says it's time for the Conservative government to be accountable for their actions and realize Nova Scotians are smarter than that.

Political rhetoric, or a pledge to set the record straight?   Pam Birdsall has paid for a print ad to refute what she says are untrue statements by Premier Rodney MacDonald.   The NDP candidate in Lunenburg says the premier claimed publicly the Firefighter tax credit would be cancelled if the government changed.  Birdsall says the $500 credit for 2009 is law and was approved in the Legislature in 2007 with the NDP fully supporting the measure.  She says the election makes no difference to the law or the ammendment extending it to ground search and rescue along with firefighters.

Judy Streatch is calling on the South Shore Region School board to keep Big Tancook Elementary school open.  The facility is one of the last one-room schools in the country and it sits on an island in the waters of Mahone Bay.  Declining enrollments at the school in recent years have lead board members to order an impact assessment report.  Streatch says Big Tancook Elementary has a long standing history of educating the children who call the islands home.  She adds it is a wonderful school in a unique situation and she says that has to be remembered in any move forward plan for the P-5 facility.  It's thought there will be an enrollment of between five and ten students over the next five years.  Streatch says she does not support closing Big Tancook Elementary and will work to make sure parents have input on where their kids are educated.

It's a political challenge of a different sort. Rick Welsford, the Liberal candidate in the riding of Lunenburg has challenged the other candidates to remove their signs from the Towns lawns and gardens. Welsford issued his challenge during his closing remarks of a candidates debate in Lunenburg last night.  He planned to remove his signs immediately after leaving the debate.

Lunenburg Debate

2009-05-29 06:20:44

It was standing room only at the Lunenburg Fire Hall for the candidates debate last night sponsored by the Lunenburg Board of Trade. The riding will be represented by a newcomer taking over from MLA Michael Baker who died this March after losing his battle with cancer.  Vying for the seat are Conservative Peter Zwicker, Liberal Rick Welsford, Pam Birdsall is representing the NDP, and Milton Countway is running as an Independent. The candidates were previously submitted with four questions dealing with tourism in the town, road maintenance stimulating the economy in the riding and health care.  Questions submitted from the floor ranged from what the candidates would do to ensure the festivals and arts continued in Lunenburg, to supporting an outright ban on uranium mining. A new school for the town, as well as the closure of Riverport Elementary were also touched upon. And each candidate was also asked about their campaign members and if they were brought in from other parts of the province.

Green Leader

2009-05-29 06:01:01

Nova Scotia's Green Party is trying to offer an alternative for voters in this campaign.  Party Leader Ryan Watson tells CKBW they have a candidate in all 52 ridings to provide that option.  He says some people are running full campaigns while others are letting their name stand to give that choice.  Watson acknowledges a full slate does also give them money for every "x".  Watson says he's proud they have 20 women running for seats - the most of any party - especially since that is the way it turned out, not because of any specific policy.  Be listening for more from the leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia this weekend on South Shore Sunday Morning.

Another Debate

2009-05-26 06:31:24

A busy week for candidates on the south shore as the campaign heads into the home streatch.  Chester/St. Margaret's is the latest riding to announce a debate.  Tomorrow night at the Chester Legion Hall, the four candidates will be discussing the issues that will decide the upcoming election.  Ryan Cameron of the Green Party, Liberal Jo-anne Grant, Denise Peterson-Rafuse of the NDP and P-C Judy Streatch will be in the hot seat.  The event is being put on by the Village of Chester Tourism and Development Association.  Wednesday night will also see the candidates of Lunenburg West and Queens squaring off in debate.  And Lunenburg candidates will be in debate on Thursday.

Leader's Tour

2009-05-22 07:12:26

The Conservatives and New Democrats are kicking off their election activities today (Friday) with campaign statements in Dartmouth.  Premier Rodney MacDonald has scheduled a morning news conference at the Dartmouth East campaign headquarters. While the premier speaks, N-D-P Leader Darrell Dexter will talk about the future for young people at the community college's waterfront campus before heading to the south shore. He'll be campaigning with Garey Ramey and Pam Birdsall this afternoon. Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil will spend the afternoon campaigning with Mark Furey in Bridgewater, Wayne Henley in Liverpool and Darian Huskilson in Shelburne. MacDonald is also fanning out with several candidates later today.

East River Plank

2009-05-19 06:08:31

Tough economic times across North America are being felt in Chester St. Margaret's.  Judy Streatch, Education Minister in the MacDonald Government, says it's unfortunate the housing market has taken a dip in the states and that is being felt here.  She says she'll do all she can to help the workers being laid off from Louisiana Pacific in East River.  Louisiana Pacific manufactures wood products for export around the world. It's restructuring plan will see the layoffs of 66 employees and four managers.

Queens Ballot

2009-05-12 06:15:20

It's now official - the ballot is set with all three candidates in place.   Kerry Morash is the Conservative party candidate in Queen's.  Morash - a lifelong Queens resident - was first elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.  He was acclaimed as candidate at a nomination meeting Monday night.    He has served as caucus chair and held two portfolios in cabinet and most recently was Rural Outreach Coordinator.  Morash was defeated by the NDP's Vicki Conrad in 2006 - the first time the Tories lost in Queens in fifty years.  Many said it was the lack of a Liberal candidate in the riding that allowed the NDP to take the seat by 55 ballots last time. The Grits have Wayne Henley on the ballot this time.  Conrad is fighting to hold onto the seat for the New Democrats heading into a very competitive campaign.