The South Shore Chapter of Council of Canadians encourages public discussion of issues that are critical to the NS of the future. Politicians, in the legislature and during the campaign, seem to avoid discussion. At candidate meetings or on the doorstep, we encourage all citizens to raise fair but challenging questions of the candidates and their parties. The following is a list of questions which we think are important. The quality of the answers will influence how we vote. Please use these questions and add your own to the list. May you have interesting many discussions.

1. Energy Security. Much is said about our oil, gas and wind power resources and yet NS imports the majority of its energy needs. We are becoming a mere energy corridor, exporting our resources with little gain for our citizens and businesses. “How would your government ensure a greater benefit for Nova Scotians from our resources?” “How would you encourage renewable energy development while ensuring local ownership of the resources?”

2. Food security and the plight of NS agriculture. NS farmers struggle with escalating costs and low food prices. Major food stores import food from other provinces and countries resulting in processing plant closures and wasteful transport. “Before we lose more of our farms and farmers, how will your government support Farmer’s markets, local processors and promote “eat local” programmes?”

3. Access to university and community colleges. Higher education is funded per student and as the NS population of college-aged students decline, colleges will be forced to raise fees even more, and/or lower the quality of the programmes . Higher fees are a serious barrier for many students and their families. “How will your government ensure access for all and maintain the quality of our universities and colleges?”

4. Forestry.

a) The October 2008 Working Paper of the Voluntary Planning Forum on NS’s forests reported high public concern about the level of harvesting by clearcutting – around 94% as reported by GPIAtlanyic. While this method is most acceptable in some cases (some say 20%), the GPI report points out that clearcutting cannot sustain natural forest ecosystems nor contribute to stable employment or long-term community vitality. Would your government encourage an appreciable reduction in clearcutting by regulating harvest practices and establishing incentives for selective harvesting and uneven-aged forest management?

b) Forestry used to be a major employer in rural NS. Mechanisation of harvesting and widespread closures of globally-owned mills has severely reduced the workforce. Rural employment would be greatly increased if small woodlot owners were supported in implementing sustainable forest practice and if small scale specialty wood products businesses were encouraged. “Major international companies receive thousands of NS taxpayer’s money for every dollar received by NS woodlot owners. How would your government reverse this pattern and ensure quality rural employment?”

5. Government accountability and transparency We know that many governments have taken steps to become more open and accountable to the public. The fact that Nova Scotians had to wait until the end of April, 2009 for a budget from a government that had not convened the Legislature for approximately 5 months is not consistent with this trend. ”If your party were to form the government, what would it do to deal with this issue?”

6.Women’s Issues “If you were to identify an issue and/or issues which would be of concern primarily for women in Nova Scotia, what would this be? How would your party address this issue(s) if you were to be elected?”

7. Atlantica What are your thoughts regarding Atlantica or the Gateway as it is also called? Atlantica is presented as a means of increasing trade between the Atlantic provinces and  the US northeastern states, but it appears to be primarily geared to carrying goods from Asia via the Suez Canal to an enhanced Port of Halifax and by “truck-trains” on super highways to the US mid-west and via giant corridors to Mexico and other areas. How will Atlantica benefit Nova Scotians?  Also, when the earth is faced with possible disaster due to global warming, is this plan reconcilable with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and our environmental footprint?

8.Uranium Moratorium The current moratorium on uranium exploration and mining can be removed by the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources. Citizens of Lunenburg County feel vulnerable with every change of minister. To ensure the protection of the environment and Nova Scotians’ health, would your government favour and work for legislation to permanently ban all exploration and mining of uranium in Nova Scotia?

9. Health Care

a) Private for-Profit health advocates want to dismantle our health care system.  What is your commitment to defend and improve our public health care system?  How would your government ensure access to health care in rural Nova Scotia?

b) If your party were to form the government, what specific steps would it take to improve the delivery of healthcare to Nova Scotians; in particular, access to emergency room services in rural areas?

10. Public Transit Public transit reduces the use of fossil fuels, reduces demand for more and bigger roads and provides citizens with economic access to medical, social and commercial services. Do you support the introduction of a public transit system in Lunenburg County? If so will you commit to financially sharing in this cost with some of the $3 million allocated to rural transit in the last Conservative budget?

11. Fisheries The importance of the fishery to the Nova Scotia economy has been, and remains, significant, contributing millions of dollars to the economy each year. Yet, we have been told that we could be facing the complete depletion of fish stocks in our lifetime unless there are major changes in fishing practices. Nova Scotia cannot leave these important decisions to the federal government alone. “How will your government support coastal communities and work towards the sustainable development of the fishing industry?”

Questions developed by Council of Canadians -South Shore Chapter

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