Premier Rodney MacDonald has made a campaign promise to keep emergency rooms opens.
The Chronicle-Herald, Thursday, May 21, 2009, p. A1 Amy Smith; David Jackson Provincial Reporters
Premier unveils new ER at QEII; MacDonald brushes off criticism that he used event to boost profile
"My commitment is that not only will they stay open, but we will do everything we can to get them to 100 per cent."
Reality Check:
The truth is the Premier can’t even keep his promises during the campaign why should Nova Scotians believe he would keep them after the campaign.
Since the election was called emergency rooms in Nova Scotia have been closed 750 hours. (listed below)
Cape Breton District Health Authority:
Northside General
May 6, 4pm - May 7, 8am
May 7, 8am - May 8, 8am
May 9, 4pm - May 10, 8am
May 10, 4pm - May 11, 8am
May 11, 4pm - May 12, 8am
May 18, 4pm - May 19, 8am
May 26, 4pm - May 27, 8am
May 28, 4pm - Mau 29, 8am
New Waterford Consolidated
May 9, 6am - May 10, 8pm
May 16, 6am - May 17, 8pm
May 19, 3pm - May 20, 8am
May 23, 6am - May 24, 8am
South West DHA:
Digby General
May 6, 8am - 8pm
May 11, 8am - 8pm
May 13, 8am - 8pm
May 20, 8am - 8pm
May 21, 8pm - May 22, 8am
May 25, 8am - 8pm
May 27, 8am - May 28 8am
May 28, 8pm - May 29, 8am
Roseway
May 11, 8am - 7pm
May 13, 8am - 7pm
May 15, 8am - 7pm
May 21, 8am - 7pm
May 22, 8am - 7pm
May 26, 8am - May 27, 7pm
May 28, 8am - 7pm
Cumberland DHA:
South Cumberland (Parrsboro)
May 12, 8am - May 13, 8am
May 13, 2pm - May 15, 8am
May 25, 8am - May 7 26, 8am
North Cumberland (Pugwash)
May 13, 8am - 8pm
May 14, 8am - May 16, 8am
May 27, 8am - 8pm
May 28, 8am - 8pm
Colchester:
Lillian Fraser
May 5, 8am - 8pm
May 7, 8am - 8pm
May 8, 8am - 8pm
May 12, 8am - 8pm
May 14, 8am - 12pm
May 19, 8am - 8pm
May 21, 8am - 8pm
May 22, 8am - 8pm
May 25, 8am - May 26 8pm
May 28 8am - 8pm
Premier Rodney MacDonald has made a campaign promise to keep emergency rooms opens.
The Chronicle-Herald, Thursday, May 21, 2009, p. A1 Amy Smith; David Jackson Provincial Reporters
Premier unveils new ER at QEII; MacDonald brushes off criticism that he used event to boost profile
"My commitment is that not only will they stay open, but we will do everything we can to get them to 100 per cent."
Reality Check:
The truth is the Premier can’t even keep his promises during the campaign why should Nova Scotians believe he would keep them after the campaign.
Since the election was called emergency rooms in Nova Scotia have been closed 750 hours. (listed below)
Cape Breton District Health Authority:
Northside General
May 6, 4pm - May 7, 8am
May 7, 8am - May 8, 8am
May 9, 4pm - May 10, 8am
May 10, 4pm - May 11, 8am
May 11, 4pm - May 12, 8am
May 18, 4pm - May 19, 8am
May 26, 4pm - May 27, 8am
May 28, 4pm - Mau 29, 8am
New Waterford Consolidated
May 9, 6am - May 10, 8pm
May 16, 6am - May 17, 8pm
May 19, 3pm - May 20, 8am
May 23, 6am - May 24, 8am
South West DHA:
Digby General
May 6, 8am - 8pm
May 11, 8am - 8pm
May 13, 8am - 8pm
May 20, 8am - 8pm
May 21, 8pm - May 22, 8am
May 25, 8am - 8pm
May 27, 8am - May 28 8am
May 28, 8pm - May 29, 8am
Roseway
May 11, 8am - 7pm
May 13, 8am - 7pm
May 15, 8am - 7pm
May 21, 8am - 7pm
May 22, 8am - 7pm
May 26, 8am - May 27, 7pm
May 28, 8am - 7pm
Cumberland DHA:
South Cumberland (Parrsboro)
May 12, 8am - May 13, 8am
May 13, 2pm - May 15, 8am
May 25, 8am - May 7 26, 8am
North Cumberland (Pugwash)
May 13, 8am - 8pm
May 14, 8am - May 16, 8am
May 27, 8am - 8pm
May 28, 8am - 8pm
Colchester:
Lillian Fraser
May 5, 8am - 8pm
May 7, 8am - 8pm
May 8, 8am - 8pm
May 12, 8am - 8pm
May 14, 8am - 12pm
May 19, 8am - 8pm
May 21, 8am - 8pm
May 22, 8am - 8pm
May 25, 8am - May 26 8pm
May 28 8am - 8pm
Stephen McNeil said on May 13th that one of the first things he would do is scrap gasoline regulation and that he “ ...has opposed gasoline regulation from day one.” Gas Prices
Stephen McNeil forgets as a member of the Liberal Caucus in May 2005 he voted to support the Petroleum Pricing Act. The Liberal release from May 19, 2005 “Liberals to Support Independent Gas Retailers” said that “it’s clear that we are dealing with the livelihood of these retailers, many of whom are in rural
Nova Scotia...” and that “its time to work on a solution that helps retailers and protects consumers.” Liberal Caucus Press Release, Liberals to Support Independent Gas Retailers, May 19, 2005.
Reality Check: Tenders for infrastructure work on hold
Last week Rodney MacDonald was deliberately misleading Nova Scotians when he said the opposition has forced the government to put tenders for infrastructure work on hold.
"Now we have hundreds if not thousands of people that are going to be impacted and we're going to have a construction season, which is very short, that's just become shorter."
The Chronicle-Herald Metro,
Friday, May 8, 2009, p. A4 Election a bump in the road; New tenders stalled until after the vote - Ian Fairclough; Lois Legge
Rodney MacDonald continued misleading Nova Scotians last week when he said “...it would look pretty bad if the government went beyond what we are supposed to go forward on, in the midst of an election, and go and spend millions upon millions of dollars when the House of Assembly voted against it.”
The Chronicle-Herald
Friday, May 8, 2009, p. A4 Election a bump in the road; New tenders stalled until after the vote - Ian Fairclough; Lois Legge
The Truth
Darrell Dexter was showing genuine leadership when he pointed out the tools in the Provincial Finance Act available to the Premier to continue these projects even though a budget hadn’t been passed.
Yesterday the Premier changed his position and signed the necessary papers to ensure the work would continue.
In the 2006-07 Budget, the province announced a $1000 over 4-year plan to increase the Basic Personal Allowance (the amount before which income tax comes into effect on someone's income). They costed this plan at $92.9 million.
“Mr. Speaker, government has more good news for
Nova Scotia families. Again, effective January 1, 2007,
Nova Scotia will raise the basic personal exemption - by $250 over each of the next four years.” P. 18 2006 - 2007 Nova Scotia Budget Address
“Under the Tory plan, the amount Nova Scotians can earn before they start paying any provincial income tax would be $9,231 when the full $1,000 is added. Mr. MacDonald said that would leave about $200 in Nova Scotians' pockets, while the province would forgo about $50 million in tax revenue.” Chronicle Herald Online May 7, 2009 Premier Promises Tax Break
Premier Rodney MacDonald takes every opportunity to mislead the public by claiming the NDP would raise taxes.
The Canadian Press National News, May 5, 2009, Premier declares Nova Scotia election a two-horse race between Tories and NDP Keith Doucett
CBC Nova Scotia (web site) Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Nova Scotia election set for June 9
The Reality Check
Rodney MacDonald’s Conservative Government has a clear track record of raising taxes.
2009
The Chronicle-Herald Front, Tuesday, April 7, 2009_David Jackson, p. A1_Government travel costs take rapid rise;
Last week, Finance Minister Jamie Muir announced that about 1,400 user fees are going up by three per cent because the cost of providing services is up. He estimated the increases would amount to $5.2 million.
It's all part of doing business,” MacIsaac says. (Angus MacIsaac)
2008
Cape Breton Post Front, Wednesday, April 30, 2008, p. A1 Tories under fire for 'broken promise' in bringing back heating fuel taxes, Michael Tutton THE CANADIAN PRESS
The change means the province will spend $28 million less on electricity rebates, with about 78,000 fewer households qualifying for that part of the rebate.
Darrell Dexter, leader of the NDP Opposition, slammed the shift, saying it will place an added tax burden of about $100 a year on tens of thousands of Nova Scotians.
"The average Nova Scotian is going to see an eight per cent increase in their power bills," said Dexter.
The Chronicle-Herald Front, Friday, March 21, 2008, p. A1. 9% more pain for us, $3 million for them; Province to hike the price of 1,400 user feesby April 1
The Chronicle-Herald Metropolitan Front, Wednesday, April 1, 2009, p. A1: Ponying up more for services; Province raises 1,400 user fees Amy Smith
"On this day, they are truly the tax-and-spend Tories," the New Democrat said. (NDP Leader Darrell Dexter)
Reality Check: Is federal stimulus money hinged on a passed provincial budget?
Premier Rodney MacDonald says the provincial share of the agreement to create 400 new housing units hinges on the spring budget passing.
"So if the capital stimulus package doesn't get through, that means these projects are unable to move forward with regards to the provincial portion," the premier said Friday.
The Chronicle-Herald May 2, 2009, p. A4 Premier: Housing funds hinge on budget Amy Smith
and
"If they trigger an election, the projects I have just outlined and many more will be put on hold," he said. The Canadian Press Atlantic News, Thursday, April 30, 2009
The Reality Check:
Peter MacKay says - “Once these projects have been announced the money is secure. Come what may, these projects are going to get underway within weeks, we hope, if not days," said MacKay. "This is rock solid money." The Canadian Press Atlantic News, Thursday, April 30, 2009
Nova Scotians can rest assured that agreements are signed with governments, not with political parties.
It is fact that all departments are allowed to spend the equivalent of up to 50% of the previous year’s budget in the current fiscal year.
No infrastructure project will be “gone” because Rodney’s MacDonald’s budget doesn’t pass. Projects are cancelled only by the will of government.
And
In any event section 29 of the Provincial Finance Act provides for “special warrants” in the event that the spending authority provided in the previous section is insufficient. Special warrants are rare, but they’re available precisely to avoid the government “running out of money”.
Former Premier John Hamm was the last to use a special warrant. After winning the 1999 election in July, he took until the fall to pass his first budget. He used a special warrant to ensure that government would continue to operate smoothly.
Reality Check - What comes first the budget or the bill?
Premier Rodney MacDonald and
his Finance Minister Jamie Muir have both stated publically that the budget for
this fiscal year could not be tabled in the House of Assembly until the bill
that amends to the Provincial Finance Act is passed. This bill gives the
government permission to spend Revenue from the Atlantic Accord instead of
placing it on the debt as stated by law.
In an excerpt from the Cape Breton Post on Thursday April 30, the premier
clearly states what must come first.
Cape Breton Post
Front, Thursday, April 30, 2009, p. A1
Election looms large
N.S. legislature begins sitting for spring session today
Keith Doucette
THE CANADIAN PRESS
But the premier said he wouldn't speculate on how quickly the procedure
surrounding planned amendments to the Finance Act would unfold, or on whether
the government stood any chance of making it through to next week to present
the budget.
"The budget can't be introduced until that bill is passed," is all
he would offer.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jamie Muir continued to make the government's case
for enlisting opposition support during the last of a series of pre-budget
speeches before the Halifax
Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Muir told the business audience that "a spring vote is not in the best
interests of Nova Scotia's
economy."
The Reality Check:
The government announced today that the bill will be set aside so the budget
can be tabled on Monday May 4th, a clear contradiction to their
previous claim.
Canadian Press Audio Clip from Halifax
at 2:45pm Atlantic time.
HALIFAX.
x--10s. The Nova Scotia
government will present its spring budget on Monday. Premier Rodney MacDonald
says the decision means he can put to rest speculation about an imminent
election call.
TAG: Government house leader Cecil Clarke says the government will set aside
debate on changes to the Finance Act in order to present the budget.
Originally, the government said it needed changes to the finance bill before it
would present the budget.
Clarke says the plan is to return to the bill once the budget is tabled.
Premier Rodney MacDonald has
said several times over the past few days that he is not focused on an
election:
Chronicle Herald, May 1st, 2009-05-01
MacDonald to McNeil: Let’s make a deal
The premier, who met with Mr. McNeil and Opposition Leader Darrell Dexter
separately on Wednesday, said he’s made it clear that this is not a good
time for an election.
"This is a time to focus on the budget, pass the capital stimulus plan
and then move forward," Mr. MacDonald said.
"At some point in time, whether it’s in six months or a year, there’s time
then. Nova Scotians want us to focus on the problem that we have with respect
to the economy."
The Reality:
In a CBC radio story broadcasted in Halifax
on March 5, 2009, the Premier’s focus was clear.
Nova Scotia Senator Jigger Phalen’s retirement from the Senate this month
has shifted the political rumour mill into overdrive. Phalen turns 75 at the
end of the month.
That’s the mandatory retirement age for senators. Some think Stephen Harper
might name his political ally and friend Rodney MacDonald as a replacement. But
the premier says he’s not even thinking about that right now.
“I’m quite happy where I’m at. I love my job as premier of Nova Scotia. We have a great team. Looking
forward to the next election and that’s the only the place that I’m focused on.
Question from broadcaster - (would you consider a move to the senate if that
was offered in the next few months?)
I’m focused on being premier and I plan on running in the next election.”
Rodney MacDonald
said passing the budget is critical to building projects going ahead; "If
it doesn't, it will impact the economy of our province." (The
Chronicle-Herald, April 24, 2009, p. A3 Premier: Budget or election;
MacDonald hints he'll go to polls if opposition won't back,David Jackson)
It is fact that all departments are allowed to spend
the equivalent of up to 50% of the previous year’s budget in the current fiscal
year.
No infrastructure project will be “gone” because Rodney’s MacDonald’s budget doesn’t
pass. Projects are cancelled only by the will of government.
And
In any event section 29 of the Provincial
Finance Act provides for “special warrants” in the event that the spending
authority provided in the previous section is insufficient. Special warrants
are rare, but they’re available precisely to avoid the government “running out
of money”.
Former Premier John Hamm was the last to use
a special warrant. After winning the 1999 election in July, he took until the
fall to pass his first budget. He used a special warrant to ensure that
government would continue to operate smoothly.
On their negative campaign website, the MacDonald Conservatives say that the NDP will bring in a carbon tax and use this quote to make their point:
"We do support a revenue-neutral carbon incentive such as is being pursued in British Columbia." - Graham Steele House of Assembly May 1, 2008.
Not true.
The Conservatives creatively ignored the preceding sentence -
“This Caucus does not support a carbon tax; we do not think that is the right way to go. We do support a revenue-neutral carbon incentive such as is being pursued in British Columbia." - Graham Steele House of Assembly May 1, 2008.
Also -
Steele points out that 60 percent of Nova Scotians heat their homes with heating oil, one of the highest rates in the country. He says that adding to the "astronomical" increase expected in home heating costs with a carbon tax would be "just cruel" to folks with low to medium incomes.
In the same article Rodney's own minister is quoted, "A carbon tax is one of several options available to government but recent increases in energy costs would make it difficult to implement at this time."
The Coast: Carbon Tax Death or Taxes: Bluenosers pick the former, Canadians pick the latter
by Chris Benjamin July 17, 2008
click to expand
