Journals and Proceedings
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JOURNALS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION 2003 Begun and holden at Halifax on Thursday, the fourth day of September in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and three in the fifty- second year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her Other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. __________________________________________________________ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 __________________________________________________________ The House opened at 11:00 A.M. {The First Session of the 59th General Assembly was opened on an overcast day.} The Honourable The Premier read the following message from Her Honour, the Honourable Myra F. Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia: “Hon. John F. Hamm Premier of Nova Scotia 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 GREETINGS: WHEREAS the present General Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia was summoned to meet on Thursday, the fourth day of September next, then to be begun and held at Halifax, from which date the said General Assembly will meet for the dispatch of business; AND INASMUCH as I cannot conveniently be present in the said Legislature until the Members who have been elected to serve in the House of Assembly have elected their Speaker; NOW THEREFORE I have thought fit to require and command you, and do hereby require and command you, to convey and declare to the Members of the House of Assembly that I will defer declaring the causes for which I have summoned them to assemble until the House of Assembly has elected a Speaker who shall be presented in the said House for my approbation. GIVEN under my Hand and Seal at Arms this 4th day of September, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and three in the 52th year of Her Majesty’s Reign. Myra A. Freeman Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia” The Chief Clerk then tabled the Returns of the most recent General Election and reported that 52 members had taken the Oath and signed the Roll. ELECTION OF SPEAKER The Chief Clerk then stated that he would now accept nominations for the position of Speaker. The Hon. The Premier then moved the nomination of Murray Scott, Member for Cumberland South for the Office of the Speaker. There being no further nominations, the Chief Clerk declared Mr. Murray Scott, Member for Cumberland South, elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. Mr. Speaker thereupon addressed Honourable Members as follows: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 3 “I thank the House for the great honour that has been bestowed upon me today. I will do my best to uphold the prestige and high tradition of the Speaker’s Office. I respectfully ask the assistance and co-operation of all Members, as I have had in the past.” ELECTION OF DEPUTY SPEAKERS Pursuant to the order, the Hon. Mr. Russell, Government House Leader then called upon the Leaders of the three parties to bring the name of their nominee for Deputy Speakers forth. The Hon. The Premier, submitted the name of Mr. James DeWolfe, Member for Pictou East. Mr. Dexter, Leader of the New Democratic Party submitted the name of Ms. Joan Massey, Member for Dartmouth East. Mr. Graham, Leader of the Liberal Party submitted the name of Mr. Russell MacKinnon, Member for Cape Breton West. The question being put by Mr. Speaker, the motion for the appointment for all three Deputy Speakers was carried. At 11:15 a.m. Her Honour, the Honourable Myra A. Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia, came to the Chamber of the House of Assembly and took was seated in the Speaker’s Chair. The Hon. The Premier then addressed Her Honour as follows: “May it please Your Honour, the House of Assembly, agreeable to Your Honour’s command, has proceeded to the choice of a Speaker and has elected Murray Scott, Member for the electoral district of Cumberland South, to the Office and by its direction, I present him for the approbation of Your Honour.” The Lieutenant Governor: “I approve of the Speaker whom the House of Assembly has chosen.” Mr. Speaker then addressed Her Honour as follows: “Your Honour’s ready approval of the choice with which I have been honoured by the House, having constituted me, in due form Speaker of the House of Assembly, it has now become my duty in the name of the 4 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 representatives of Her Majesty’s loyal subjects, the people of this Province, respectfully to demand all their accustomed rights and privileges and that they shall have freedom of speech in their debates, that they may be free from arrest during their attendance in Parliament, and that I, as their Speaker, may have free access to Your Honour’s person.” The Lieutenant Governor: “I most cheerfully grant your request and declare that this House is now in session.” INTRODUCTION OF BILLS The Attorney General, pursuant to leave given, introduced the following bill and the same was, on motion, read a first and ordered to be read a second time on a future day: An Act Respecting Oaths of Office (Hon. Mr. Baker - Minister of Justice) GOVERNMENT NOTICES OF MOTION Pursuant to the order, the following notices were passed in at the Clerk’s table: Res. No. 1 - Rules of the House: Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker {Rule 11} - Suspension - Hon. The Premier Res. No. 2 - Standing Committees: Special Committee Appointed {Rule 60} - Hon. The Premier Mr. Speaker adjourned the House to meet September 25th, at 2:00 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 5 {The First Session of the 59th General Assembly was ceremonially opened on a bright, sunny day.} At 2:00 o’clock P.M. this day, the Members of the House of Assembly being present, Her Honour, the Honourable Myra A. Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia, came to the chamber of the House of Assembly, and being seated, was pleased to open the First Session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly with a speech as follows: Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, ladies and gentlemen: Welcome to the first session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly of this historic House. It has been almost six months to the day that My Government put forward its last Speech from the Throne. A time marked by the sad anniversaries of the Swiss Air Tragedy and the horrific events of September 11th, as well as the passing of Nova Scotians of great humanity, strength and kindness. In a very short span of time, Nova Scotians said goodbye to both Margaret Savage, and our former Premier, Dr. John Savage. Their contribution to their province, their community and numerous charities brought literally thousands of Nova Scotians to this House. Nova Scotians who were moved - not just by their generosity in life, but by the strength they showed, knowing they faced death. Both will long be remembered for their courage, their character, their commitment to their family and their province; for doing so much to support those in need both at home and abroad. And on the same day this year, Nova Scotia lost two former members of this House. William (Bill) Campbell and Thomas Robert MacQueen will be remembered for their service to their province and their valuable contribution to public life. Johnny Miles served his province in another way, bringing great pride to Nova Scotians as the two-time champion of the Boston Marathon. Well over a half a century after his remarkable victories, Johnny Miles remains an inspiration to young athletes across our province. 6 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 Since this House last met, Nova Scotia also celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Arnold Burden, Alex Colville, Shirley Elliott, Buddy MacMaster and Sister Dorothy Moore. My Government thanks these distinguished Nova Scotians for their contribution to our province and congratulates them on being chosen as the latest recipients of the Order of Nova Scotia. And recently, Nova Scotia welcomed home the men and women who proudly served a tour of duty as part of Operation Apollo. My Government joins all Nova Scotians in thanking the crews of HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Fredericton, and all our military service men and women, for the personal sacrifices they make in serving their country abroad. And of course, we are all extremely proud of Gary Beals. Gary’s giant talent and down-to-earth nature won the hearts of Nova Scotians and millions of Canadians from coast to coast. My Government joins his family, the very proud community of Cherry Brook, and his many friends and fans, in wishing him all the best as he embarks on what is sure to be an amazing career. We also salute the incredible talent of New Waterford’s Richie Wilcox who was among the top 11 finalists. These two young men, along with Nova Scotia’s other top 100 Canadian Idol finalists, Kevin Murdock, David Anderson, Mark Marsman and Ryan Somers, show, that while we may be a small province, we’re home to some very big talent. As we begin the first session of our second mandate, My Government also congratulates the men and women who have once again been honoured with the confidence of their fellow Nova Scotians. As well, we extend our sincere best wishes to the men and women who proudly served their province in this Legislature and who will now go on to serve Nova Scotia in new ways. To all of the members who are taking their place in this House for the first time, you have been given a special honour to serve your province and to help your communities grow and thrive.