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Town Hall Meeting Jan 30

News Release

www.nsliberalcaucus.ca

November 15, 2011

Diana Whalen, MLA
Finance Critic

WHALEN INTRODUCED BILL TO INCREASE IMMIGRATION IN NOVA SCOTIA

(Halifax, NS) Yesterday in the legislature, Liberal immigration critic Diana Whalen introduced the Act to Increase Immigration to Nova Scotia – a bill that would create an entrepreneur immigration stream under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program.

"We are the only province in Canada that does not have an entrepreneurial stream," says Whalen. "This means we are missing out on the significant economic impact provided by immigrant entrepreneurs."

Whalen argues that the premier must improve his efforts to have our nominee cap increased by the federal government. She believes that until the cap is increased, we must focus on bringing innovators and entrepreneurs to Nova Scotia to achieve the maximum return on our immigration efforts.

"We know that entrepreneurs are the major source of job creation in our economy," says Whalen. "They start and run innovative companies that create new jobs for Nova Scotians."

Whalen believes this act will address a shortcoming of the Dexter government's immigration plan and will help repair our image after the failed Conservative immigration scheme.

"We need to repair our image on the world stage, we need immigrants and we need jobs for Nova Scotians," says Whalen. "This act will help achieve each of those goals."

For further information, contact:

Stephen Moore
(902) 476-6601
mooresk@gov.ns.ca

News Release

www.nsliberalcaucus.ca

November 2, 2011

Diana Whalen, MLA
Finance Critic

WHALEN: STEELE REFUSES TO RULE OUT FURTHER TAX HIKES

(Halifax, NS) Liberal finance critic Diana Whalen says that Graham Steele refused to rule out further tax hikes during questioning today in the legislature.

"I asked Mr. Steele if he would hike taxes again to balance the books if worldwide economic conditions continue to erode," says Whalen. "He failed to rule out further tax increases - Nova Scotians deserve better."

Whalen says that the Dexter government GDP forecasts are too rosy.

"We have economists from every sector downgrading their targets for economic growth in Nova Scotia," says Whalen. "Minister Steele continues to bury his head in the sand."

Whalen points to Department of Finance numbers that shows Nova Scotia has the highest taxes in the country.

"Mr. Steele's continued refusal to remove his rose coloured glasses puts Nova Scotia at risk of further tax increases," says Whalen. "We have a finance minister planning for the best case scenario and hoping the worst doesn't happen. That's not responsible and that will limit his options in the future - making tax increases more likely."

For further information, contact:

Stephen Moore
(902) 476-6601
mooresk@gov.ns.ca

News Release

www.nsliberalcaucus.ca

October 25, 2011

Diana Whalen, MLA
Finance Critic

WHALEN: NS RETAIL SALES LOWEST IN ATLANTIC CANADA

(Halifax, NS) Liberal finance critic Diana Whalen says the latest retail sales figures are proof that the Dexter government's decision to increase the HST continues to hurt Nova Scotia's economy.

"Nova Scotia had the weakest growth in retail sales in all of Atlantic Canada over the last year," says Whalen. "With each passing month we see proof that the Dexter government's decision to hike taxes is holding our economy back."

Whalen says that retail sales shrunk by 2.3 per cent over the last month.

"This is proof that there is a troubling long and short-term trend in Nova Scotia's retail sector," says Whalen.

Whalen says that the Dexter government's continued inaction shows that it is not committed to creating a competitive economy in Nova Scotia.

"You cannot have a prosperous economy when it is the highest taxed jurisdiction in the country," says Whalen. "The Dexter government cannot continue to saddle business with high fuel costs, ever-increasing power rates and the highest taxes in the country."

Whalen says Liberals have been advocating for a comprehensive review of Nova Scotia's tax system to ensure Nova Scotians are taxed fairly and that we create a competitive business environment.

For further information, contact:

Stephen Moore
(902) 476-6601
mooresk@gov.ns.ca