Uncertainty Shadows NS Economy For 2012 Says Premier Darrell Dexter

Curt Greene

SoNaztee.com

Jan. 3, 2012

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says that his government will work this year to make Nova Scotia more economically competitive in the face of lingering uncertainty on world markets.

He adds that means looking at tax measures, although he's not offering any details.

Dexter says that any help for the middle class will have to wait until the province balances its books on a projected 365 million dollar deficit in 2013.

Both opposition parties say that more action is required to lower business taxes and to tackle power rates, which recently rose another 10 per cent in the new year.

Despite landing some high profile mega projects, Dexter cautions that this year could still be rough economically for the province.

Pointing out that the benefits of landing the 25 billion dollar federal shipbuilding contract are still roughly a year away, while the 6.2 billion dollar Lower Churchill hydro project is still in the planning stages.

In the meantime he says, "almost every economy is feeling pretty volatile.''

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Minority ridings could lose status, says opposition

In addition to the latest tax hike jargon, a legislative committee has recommended changes as to how electoral boundaries are set within the province, but opposition members say the changes will end protection for minority ridings.

The all-party committee remains split on the recommendations thus far.

The NDP members want all ridings to have roughly the same number of voters, with a variation of no more than 25 per cent.

Leonard Preyra, Halifax-Citadel MLA, stated, "Every constituency should be roughly equal in terms of the number of votes they have and that's one of those fundamental principles of democracy."

However, opposition members of the committee said the new rules could mean three predominately Acadian ridings, including Argyle and Claire, and the Preston riding, which is predominately African-Nova Scotian, could lose their special minority status.

"the voting power of the linguistic minority or of the African Nova Scotia community has pretty much been watered down," said Richmond MLA, Michel Sampson.

The committee report sets the terms of reference which will guide the Provincial Boundaries Commission.

The commission is expected to report to the legislature in the fall.