Colonel (Ret’d) Stogran was not re-appointed for a second term as the Ombudsman for Veterans Affairs despite many calls for a second term.   Mr. Guy Parent was appointed the new Veterans Ombudsman on November 12^th.

The House of Commons held a ‘take-note’ debate on veterans’ issues in the House of Commons on November 2^nd.  MP Peter Stoffer pushed for this debate in recognition of the very serious issues facing veterans and their families and to ask for an inquiry into the practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also introduced a new bill (C-592) to allow modern day CF veterans’ access to veterans’ hospitals and departmental long term care beds.

“With   regards   to   the   long   gun   registry   debate,   I   would   like   to   make   the   following  comments:

I adamantly oppose the long gun registry.

I believe the registry gives people  a  false  sense  of  security  over  gun control  and gun safety.

But   unfortunately, this   debate   is   no   longer   just   about   the   long   gun registry. It   is   about   wedge politics of the worst kind.

Supporters on both sides of the issue have deliberately misled Canadians in what I hoped would   have   been   a   respectful   and  open   debate   on   a serious   issue.    I am   very   disappointed   and   angry   that organizations on both sides of the debate have used misleading statistical information to sway the  Canadian  public one  way or  another.

The   Conservative   government   had   every   opportunity   to   eliminate   the   long   gun   registry   but   chose   not   to.      They could   have   eliminated   the   registry   during   budget   periods   or   chose   to   introduce a government bill.

And   Mr.   Ignatieff   has   never   promised   that   he   would   re-introduce  the long gun registry if it happened to fail.

During   our   caucus   meetings   last   week, I   asked   Jack   Layton   to   seek   a   compromise   with   Mr.   Harper.    But Harper was not willing to make improvements and rejected the NDP’s suggestions.

What I’ve been hearing over the last few years is that we need legislation that respects First Nations and Metis, long gun owners, sport enthusiasts, rural Canadians, and the provinces. As well we need to respect the individuals and organizations in the country that are concerned about gun violence.

And it is  my  opinion  that  the  long  gun  registry  is  neither  a  gender  issue  nor  an  urban-rural  issue.
Since 1997, as an elected official, I’ve followed the debate very carefully.    I believe that the long gun registry is a failure in principle and policy.

In   the   House   of   Commons, the   seat   that   I   occupy   belongs   to   the constituents   of   Sackville-­‐ Eastern Shore.    A majority of my constituents have indicated to me their personal view that the   registry should   be   saved  - even though   I   completely   disagree   with   them.      As   well, there   are constituents in my riding who I assured that I would help to eliminate the registry.

Again this issue is no longer about the merits of the long gun registry  - good  or bad.    It is about crass politics of the worst kind.
I  want  to  thank  all  of  my  constituents  who  have  taken  the  time  to call or  email me  about  their   views  and  concerns  on both  sides  of the debate as  well  the many  Canadians  across  the  country   who   have contacted   me.      I   thank   all   of   the   members   of   various   organizations   who   have   expressed   their   views   on   this   issue   including   those   involved   in police   associations, transition   houses, and labour.    I also want  to  extend my  sincere  appreciation  to  Mr.  Tony Rodgers of the   Nova  Scotia Federation  of  Anglers  and  Hunters  and Mr.  Greg Farrant  of the  Ontario Federation   of   Anglers   and   Hunters.    Some   of   the   finest   Canadians   I have   ever   met   belong   to   these   organizations   and   the   many   groups  like them.   I have   the   greatest respect   for   these two individuals and their organizations  in  their  work to  conserve  and  protect the  natural resources   and  beauty  of  our country.

It  is  unfortunate  that  the  political  rhetoric  around  this  debate  has  led to  such  deep  divisiveness.     All politicians have a responsibility to bring both sides  together  and  work  to  reach  solutions  that   are  beneficial  to  all people.

But at the  end  of  the  day,  in  a  representative  democracy,  I  must  give very careful  consideration   to   both   sides.      It   is   a   failure   of   my   leadership   not   to be   able   to   convince   the   majority   of   my   constituents of what I  believe  to  be the failures  in  the  registry.    I  have to  heed  to  the  wishes  of   my   employers   ␣   the   majority   of   my   constituents   –   to   vote   the   way   that   they   wish   me   to.  And the majority of my constituents have asked that I vote to save the registry and secure constructive changes. Fro those reasons, I will be voting in favour of the Standing Committee’s Public Safety and National Security motion not to proceed further with Bill C-391.

It is with sincere regret that I am unable to fulfill my commitment to eliminate the registry.”

The history of Government House is vast. The cornerstone was laid on September 11, 1800, by Governor Sir John Wentworth, who had ordered the construction. Inscribed in the parchment in the stone was “Deo Favente” – With the Favour of God.

The lot where the historical structure is erected was originally purchased for a new Province House but was deemed too far out of town for public offices. It was decided the tranquil setting would be more suitable for a new Government House. Built to face Hollis Street and the harbour, it backs onto Pleasant (later Barrington) Street.

The layout of the grand structure was greatly influenced by Wentworth, formerly Governor of New Hampshire, who came to Halifax during the American Revolutionary War with his charming wife, Lady Frances. He was accustomed to stately homes and luxurious surroundings and made a strong and controversial case to erect a fine residence, second to none on the North American continent, for the Crown’s representative. The design of the mansion closely resembles classical traditions that were popular in England during the late eighteenth century. The interior of Government House was magnificent and grand, but incorporated practicality; it was built to serve both as a residence for the governor, his family and servants, and to accommodate state functions, with a ballroom, drawing room, and dining room for formal entertaining.

During her time at the Garden Party, Flavie got to meet many people, including the Lieutenant Governor. The little girl popped here and there, her curiosity taking her across lush green grass, while nibbling petite hourderves and sweets, and enjoying a delicious glass of punch. Tea was also popular among guests. Musicians played for many visitors who came by that day, most dressed in their finest Garden Party attire, including ladies wearing large brimmed sun hats or bonnets.

Flavie says she likes dressing up, and she really liked the variety of hats worn by the women that day. In fact, the nine year old was so impressed she is already making plans for any future Garden Party’s she may be invited to. “I want to buy a hat for myself for the next time!” she said.

In a brief interview with District 2 News, Casey shared a few of her thoughts about her time and experience as leader of the PC party. Casey expressed concern about the effect the NDP governments decision to raise taxes will have on an already fragile economy, saying the decision to do so disappoints her.

“I am disappointed with the direction the new government is taking regarding taxes,” said Casey. “Now is not the time to increase taxes. I do believe the move will have quite a negative impact on residents and the economy; it will have a bigger effect than any gains the decrease gave residents.”

But that is not the only change Casey thinks will negatively affect Nova Scotia taxpayers and small business people throughout the province.

“The decision of the Minister (Tourism) to cancel the CAT was not a good one. I have to wonder how much consideration or thought went into that decision; I don’t think it was thought out well enough” said Casey. “I have spoken to and heard from people all over Nova Scotia.  A lot of small business people here in our province relied on the tourists and travelers who used the CAT to travel to Nova Scotia, and who then drove up along the province, from one end to the other, right through to Cape Breton. Those visitors spent money here. Many Nova Scotians tell me they have lost income since the CAT stopped running; the hotels, restaurants, and stores have lost that revenue.   The people who used the CAT to visit Nova Scotia didn’t just spend money to travel here, they spent money while they were here too, money that helped our economy. More thinking needed to go into that decision; it has definitely had an impact.”

Casey said she has enjoyed her time as leader of the PC Party, but she won’t be throwing her hat into the ring when the next election takes place.

“I have had a wonderful time; and I have definitely enjoyed the time I’ve spent as leader of our party,” said Casey. “It is a demanding position, and it requires a lot of time and energy.” She smiled then continued. “I am pleased with our accomplishments, but I’m sure I’ll be ready to relax a bit in the future, and I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family.”

Last week the House of Assembly management commission voted that money remaining in the January-March constituency budget could be used by the MLA for advertising following the old rules.

“Our Caucus is following the new rules established in the spring session of the House of Assembly,” said Progressive Conservative Leader Karen Casey.  “We must bring spending under control.  The rules have already been established and we need to honour them.”

Casey added that she hopes the other two caucuses will follow the PC Caucus lead and direct their Members to turn over any additional funds.

“The old rules were obviously not working in terms of austerity and transparency,” said Casey.  “By following the new rules we are removing any opportunity for partisan advertising, which is something the Auditor General flagged in his report.”

He explained further. “The two reasons I say that, is there are more urban councillors than there are suburban or rural councillors, so on any and every issue, and project, and item, we start off behind the eight ball – right off the bat,” Dalrymple.   “And the bottom line is, if urban councillors want something, it’s theirs. No matter what happens, we can’t stop them.  And I’m not saying that happens all the time, but it absolutely happens. And it is an absolute basic flaw in the HRM process.”

“The other unfairness about it is, all of the big, populated HRM districts of 20,000 and 21,000 people, are the circle around the outside of the city – Hendsbee’s, District 2, Upper and middle Sackville, Tantallon, St.Margaret’s Bay – they all have 20,000 and 21,000 people living in them. District 2 is the second highest populated district in the HRM. “ Dalrymple stated.

“Right now, you have many, many – let’s call them urban districts – that are down around 14,000 to 15,000 people. And the provincial law on this actually states that all districts are supposed to be within 10% of one another in population,” the councillor explained. “Fourteen thousand compared to twenty-one thousand is way outside those numbers. That is why this boundary review is going on.”

The projections for 2012, suggest there will be 21,000 residents living in District 2 by that time. “We are already up to 20,000 residents here, I don’t doubt it will be up and over 21,000 by 2012,” said Dalrymple. “My question is very, very simple, and I have asked it many times at the Boundary Committee – is it fair for a district of 14,000 to be represented the same as a district of 21,000?  I would say it is blatantly unfair. We went through all the public meetings, all the hearings; from letters and from talking to people on the street, I stated unequivocally at the Committee meeting last week that I have heard enough so that I can completely and honestly say, most people want a smaller council.”

On Thursday, the Boundary Review Committee recommended that council drop from 23 councillors to 20.

“Given the numbers in population, there is no possible way to cut councillors in areas such as District 2, and most districts outside of the city limits have populations that are above and beyond,” said Dalrymple. “What that seems to suggest, is that the cuts to council should come from smaller districts, the areas with a lesser population.”

Dalrymple shared what he stated at the Committee meeting on Thursday. “What I said on Thursday, was that you cannot change the boundary’s in this area. You cannot take 3000 people and give them to Hendsbee who is beside me, because he already has a large population as it is; it cannot be made any larger either. Likewise you cannot take 3000 from here and give them to Brad Johns because he too has a population of over 20,000 already. The proposal that we made was that the districts of 14,000 and 15,000 have to be combined and have to be brought up to the 18,000 to 19,000 range. Reducing council by three will only bring them up to the range where we are. The districts of 13,000 and 14,000 must be brought up to where the other districts of 20,000 to 21,000 are.”

The councilor relayed what had transpired at the Boundary Review Committee meeting. “On Thursday, the Boundary Review Committee passed this motion – that we eliminate three Councillors, and that we also go to four community councils of five people each, and drastically increase the authority and delegation of power to the community councils. In about a month it comes before full council. The final decision gets made by the Utility Review Board.”

However residents may not want to celebrate just yet.  Three years ago this same matter was taken to a vote  – but it was not passed.

Paris recently returned from a trip to India, where he represented Premier Darrell Dexter at a conference on Business Development.

“For the first time, I got to speak to two thousand delegates; it was an opportunity to put Nova Scotia on the map,” said Paris, in an interview on April 3, at his constituency office located in Windsor Jct.

“There are lots of things people are looking for close to the United States; our near shore location is a perfect place to be closer to the largest market in the world, the USA,” he said. “They said “build it and they will come,” but we need to sell Nova Scotia. We need to look for people who will relocate here. I think Nova Scotia can attract some great interest in International Finance.”

Paris was pleased with the results he saw after he spoke to the delegates gathered at the conference in India. “After I spoke, I can say with some confidence that we were the most sought after booth at the conference, including among those from Ireland, Scotland, England, the US, and Hong Kong.”

Nova Scotia is being chosen more and more by International companies as a business location because of the vast perks the province has to offer.

Among the companies locating to Nova Scotia, is DSME, (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering), a South Korean company. It is one of the world’s largest ship-builders. DSME has chosen Trenton, N.S. as it’s North American production centre for wind turbine towers and blades. The company’s Trenton location will create 500 jobs for Nova Scotians.

Nova Scotia has competitive business costs, skilled workers, and it is a wonderful location as it is close to both North American and European markets. The province has very reliable transportation systems and strong, stable, political support.

Paris believes more companies can be enticed to locate to Nova Scotia, but they must know about the province and what it has to offer if we want them to choose Nova Scotia as a place to do business. “I was fortunate,” said Paris, “Not everyone got to speak, (at the conference) but I got to speak – to various people from all over the world. We are in competition globally, and we need to compete to sell ourselves. I told them “Nova Scotia is alive and well, and we welcome you.” The trip allowed the Minister to cement contacts, and attract new business to Nova Scotia.

On his way home after the India conference, Paris stopped in Germany, and attended the film-fest being held there. “As the Minister of both Economic Development, as well as the Minister of Tourism, I thought it was my responsibility to try to cover both items on one trip – the conference in India for Business Development, and the film festival in Germany,” said Paris. It was the first time ever a Minister from Nova Scotia co-hosted a dinner with the Canadian Ambassador. “I got to talk about Nova Scotia to a room full of film producers. $150,000,000 was spent in Nova Scotia by the International film industry. I got to further sell Nova Scotia to International film makers.”

The Book of Negroes was written by author Lawrence Hill, a Burlington, Ont. native, and professional “story-teller”. Hill is the son of a white mother, Donna, and a black father, Daniel, civil-rights activists who founded the Ontario Black History society in the family’s suburban basement in 1978. Daniel Hill was the first director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Ontario’s Ombudsman from 1984- 89.

The Book of Negroes has Nova Scotia connections. It is a documented story about the 3000 “freedom-seekers” who left New York and came to Nova Scotia and other British colonies near the end of the American Revolutionary War. Hill tells the story of Aminata Diallo, a midwife who could read and write, and who survived the ordeal of being kidnapped by slave traders at the age of 11, and ends up in Nova Scotia. She then travels to Sierra Leone, and later England. The book, which took Hill five years to write, shares the journey that Aminata (and other slaves) experienced; how they came from America in search of freedom and a better life; of the reality they faced upon arrival, including a form of slavery all it’s own; to the 1784 attack by gangs of unemployed white men on the black settlement of Birchtown, N.S. – when 20 homes were destroyed, an attack that is now said to be known as the place of the first race-riot in North America. The Black Loyalists, who were angry with the British for the betrayal they suffered, travelled by sea to Sierra Leone only ten years after they arrived in Canada. It was the world’s first return-to Africa journey.

“I was able to meet directly with the producers of that film (The Book of Negroes),” said Paris, “and I explained why Nova Scotia should be a great place to make that film, with the history of Nova Scotia being what it is. Two weeks later, Stephen King had people here investigating the possibility of filming his next film here. People here in the Nova Scotia film industry are so respected in the world. It would be wonderful to see our role in film making grow, and I want to promote that idea.”

What is very obvious to virtually all of our District 2 residents is that we pay the taxes like they do in the urban city with a slight suburban & rural discount, but we get little or no services in return. Just a few examples:

• We all pay transit tax, the difference is that there are buses all over the urban area – virtually none out here.
• Most of the urban areas have both city water & sewer, maybe 20% of District Two gets either and we have to pay for the installation of it ourselves
• All Rec Centres & rinks in the urban areas are paid for by General Tax Rates (everyone pays), out here we pay Area rates (only we pay for them) etc etc

This is obviously brutally unfair, I support and have argued for a new tax system based on three components – those are the Assessed Value of a Home, Services provided, and Income. The problem with the whole issue of Tax Reform is that ultimately there are more Urban City Councillors than there are Suburban & Rural ones, so they will always hold the majority of votes. Last week, the six Dartmouth area Councillors voted against any kind of tax reform preferring the status quo. Ultimately they have voted against this because if we bring any kind of “Services Accountability” into the equation, taxes out here where there are so few services would have to go down; that automatically means taxes in the city where all the services are would go up and urban Councillors are not going to allow that to happen. We continue to work away at this issue to try to bring some fairness to the mix.

The Nova Scotia Home Builders Association had put forth a plan to the PC’s, the Liberals, and the now-reigning NDP party last spring before the provincial election was held. The association had suggested a tax break be made whereby newly constructed home buyers would be able to apply for a 50 per cent rebate on the harmonized sales tax – the provincial portion. With its approval, 1500 rebates will be available through the program, which was originally purposed as a way to generate work for tradespersons by encouraging economic activity.

Although the NDP had promised to implement the program by May 1, it has changed the date to Jan. 1, following the association’s suggestion. The Premier explained the start date was changed to allow for homes already being built between January and May to apply. He said approximately 600 permits had been issued between January and May.

The tax break is not available for income property or cottages. To apply, the rules are as follows: the home has to be the main residence of the owner; the municipal building permit must be dated between Jan 1, 2009, and April 1, 2010; construction of the home must be complete between Jan. 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010; the closing must be complete by March 31, 2010.

$7000 is the maximum tax break available, and applies to homes costing $175,000 or more.

For those interested in following how many applications are submitted for the rebate, they can visit www.getyourrebate.ca

“We have been paying transit tax since amalgamation,” said Dalrymple. “We have been paying to subsidize city transit since then. They buried the transit tax rate in the General rate.”

“People should know this is not a new transit tax that was passed,” Dalrymple said, “it isn’t. This is a new tax structure that will replace the old one.”

The councillor said when he realized the truth about the matter he went to other rural councillors with the information. “Hardly anyone knew it,” he said, “they knew in the city almost from day one.”

Dalrymple said rural residents had been paying the transit tax; it had been combined with the general rate and not many people knew the facts. People living in urban areas of the district were paying $168 based on an average home assessment of $181,000. Suburban residents were paying an average of $268, and people in rural areas were paying approximately $203.

“When I realized what was going on I was absolutely furious. I went to them (Council) and I said we wanted transit, we pay for it and we want it now,” said Dalrymple. “It’s time to get transit into rural areas. I went to HRM finance and told them to find ways and options to make rural transit expansion possible.”

The new transit tax structure has reduced the amount residents living in this district pay. “The vast majority of our residents out here will benefit,” said Dalrymple. “This is massive. There is now uniformed change across HRM; this paves the way for rural transit expansion.”

Under the original plan, when rural transit service comes to this area, any home within a three mile radius was to pay an extra area rate. Dalrymple was not impressed. “I said “no, three-miles is not acceptable, absolutely not. I brought it back and Council passed it,” he said. The new tax structure means residents will pay a fair bit less.

Now only homes within a one-mile radius of a bus stop will pay the extra tax, which is based upon a rate set at 10.8 cents per $100 assessed value. The regional transit tax is 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed value – or approximately $40 for suburban residents who live outside the one-mile radius and approximately $90 for residents living in rural areas.

The councillor said in communities already paying an extra charge, like Beaver Bank, that area tax rate comes off. “Right now, in this taxation year,” said Dalrymple. “Bussing stays.”

Rapid transit is in the works for commuters living in urban and rural areas. “A number of weeks ago, we walked property that HRM has picked to be the new Park & Ride location in Fall River,” said Dalrymple. “We can’t reveal that location at this time because we are in the process of purchasing the land. Special buses have been ordered for Rapid Transit and we are slated to be a go for fall, 2010. As far as local rural transit, we have made great strides.”

The Halifax International Airport is waiting for transit service as well. “Halifax Int’l Airport did its presentation last week and one of the biggest needs for the future is making the connection between the airport and the downtown,” said Dalrymple. “Park & Ride won’t be part of the local bus route; it will be part of the rural express service. Rapid Transit will make stops in Fall River and Elmsdale within a year or so.”

But tax reform is not going ahead without a few bumps in the road, and although the councillor has won the initial battle on transit tax, the war on tax reform is far from over. “The whole transit tax discussion,” said Dalrymple. “We have already begun the tax reform. It is going to be months and months of a year-long war. I am not kidding. City councillors do not want tax reform I think because they realize rural is subsidizing the transit in those areas. I think everyone is asking why we are subsidizing in those areas. For example, green bin collection – city folks get it weekly in the summer. Now they say they will give green bin services every week to us in Fall River, but not to Wellington, Grand Lake, or Beaver Bank. It says to me not only are we second-class citizens here, but Wellington and Beaver Bank are third class. Even when we get a little bit we can’t get it all.”

Dalrymple says it is obvious how lacking services are here in his district compared to the same services supplied to the city areas. “I hardly ever see lawn mowers out here. Last month I emailed one department after another constantly, asking them to mow something out here; they don’t, not the sports park, not sub-streets, ever,” said the Councillor. “I was driving over on Lacewood last week and there were six pieces of equipment mowing there. When was the last time you saw any of our streets being looked after like that, and looking like Lacewood? And when they build the new four-pad rink in the city, we will pay for that one with our general rate, but when we built the new Rec Centre here in Fall River it was not on the general rate, we pay it in an area rate. The Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre is area rated too, but any sports centre in the city is general rated.”

Dalrymple says big-blocks of city councillors vote and get things done, but “when rural want things done, it’s “pay for it yourselves,” he said. “Waterlines in the city – Spryfield and North End for instance. Did they charge those streets local area rates? Rivendale and Fall River Rd. have to pay our own area rate. These are all examples of tax reform. Currently in HRM taxes are based on the value of your home. It has nothing to do with the service you get or your income. I want taxes based a little on assessment, a little on income, and a lot on services rendered.”

The councillor says he thinks this will help the people who need and deserve it and be a much fairer scale for paying. “I want to help the seniors and lower income people but I want it based on municipal services,” he said, “and the city people need to pay their share.”

Dalrymple will soon be announcing a date for a public meeting, where people can come and listen and discuss transit expansion. “I want folks to know, if you’re interested you better be there and fight for it,” he said, “say your piece and see what’s going on.”