South Coast Today - nova scotia NDP

Opinion: Nova Scotia workers deserve to be treated fairly

Guest Editorial — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:30:41 +0000

The past two years under the McNeil government have been a trying time for workers in our province.

The Premier and his Liberal government placed thousands of good jobs in our screen industry at risk by slashing the film tax credit. New graduates have lost a program that helped them pay down education debt when the McNeil Liberal government eliminated the Graduate Retention Rebate.

Now thousands of teachers, nurses, home care workers, paramedics and other public sector employees are facing the loss of benefits won in past rounds of collective bargaining or a five year wage freeze. And according to Stephen McNeil they didn't deserve the wage increase they got in the last round of bargaining.

To make matters worse the McNeil government has used its majority on multiple occasions to strip away the hard-earned collective rights of workers. First it was home care workers with Bill 30, then it was health care workers with Bills 37 and 1, and finally it was faculty, staff and students at our universities with Bill 100.

Meanwhile, the McNeil government is planning to sell off valuable provincial assets like the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which could cost our province hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenues to pay for things like hospitals, schools and roads.

Hard-working Nova Scotians deserve better. They deserve a Premier that will invest in good jobs, better healthcare, a stronger social safety net and a more prosperous future for our young people. Instead all they’ve received from Stephen McNeil is two years of austerity with more to come.

That’s why on Monday I urge you to join me and thousands of other Nova Scotians to commemorate Labour Day. After two years of constant attacks by the current government, it’s important we all stand in solidarity with Nova Scotia’s workers and their families. It’s time the Liberals get the message that they can’t continue to jeopardize public services and our economy by forcing more and more people to leave Nova Scotia. It’s time Stephen McNeil starts treating Nova Scotian workers with respect.

Maureen MacDonald
Leader of the Nova Scotia NDP

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Casey should stop sitting on her hands and protect school libraries, says education critic

Timothy Gillespie — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:35:38 +0000

NDP MLA and education critic Lenore Zann says in a news release Tuesday that Education minister Karen Casey must ensure that the needs of rural schools are being met and she is calling on the minister to take action to prevent elementary school library cuts in the Tri-County Regional school district.

This summer the school board was forced to eliminate over 30 jobs due to the McNeil government’s budget cuts, says the release, including 20 teaching positions and 4.3 (FTE) elementary school library technician positions - which means all elementary school librarians have been eliminated in the region.

“The Liberals made big election promises when it came to education funding, but in rural communities families are seeing nothing but cuts and school closures,” says Zann. "To make matters worse they set up the Hub School model in such a way that it was doomed to fail. It’s time the McNeil government starts keeping the promises it made to students and families in rural Nova Scotia. A good place to start would be to reverse these cuts to school libraries and staff.”

In 2012 Karen Casey was quoted as saying, “Libraries are the hub of learning and research in schools but librarians are essential in fostering independent learning, literacy, and in preparation for post-secondary education.”

Three years later Zann wants the Minister to stand by her words.

“If the Minister truly meant what she said just three years ago, she will stop sitting on her hands and do what’s necessary to protect school libraries in the Tri-County region,” adds Zann.

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NDP plans bill to protect film, television and digital media industry

Timothy Gillespie — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:01:06 +0000

FINANCE MIISTER DIANA WHALEN SAYS THE FILM INDUSTRY HAS BEEN TREATED VERY WELL UNDER THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT

“The Premier should never have allowed things to reach this point."

According to a news release Tuesday, the NDP intends to introduce legislation that say will ensure mandatory industry consultation before any changes can be made to the film tax credit. The bill would not only apply to the changes the McNeil government introduced in the recent budget, but any potential future changes as well.

“It’s clear the McNeil government does not understand the impact its decision to slash the film tax credit will have on Nova Scotia’s vibrant film, television and digital media industry,” says NDP leader Maureen MacDonald. “This bill will give the Premier and his Finance Minister an opportunity to take a step back, to meet and consult with industry, and reconsider a bad decision that places thousands of good jobs at risk.”

Independent television producer Geoff D’Eon of Halifax says in the release consultation with the industry is crucial.

“The film and television sector has been rocked at how last week’s budget made such sweeping changes without any real consultation. An entire sector that generates tens of millions of dollars in economic activity was turned on its head. No prior discussion, no impact studies, no dialogue between government and people in the industry. There has to be a better way,” says D’Eon.

MacDonald adds, “The Premier should never have allowed things to reach this point. Major policy changes that can negatively impact an entire sector should not be made unilaterally without proper consultation. This bill ensures that future governments won’t be allowed to repeat this mistake."

Opposition bills have not had an easy ride under the Liberal majority government, with only one bill reaching second reading. The bill may be dated as soon as Thursday.

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