We’ll just have to wait and see.

Premier Darrell Dexter and Health Minister Maureen MacDonald will be at the Provincial Autism Centre on Brenton Street this morning, to release the province’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Action Plan. Joining them will be not one, not two, but THREE other minisiters, including Ramona Jennex, Denise Peterson-Rafuse, and Ross Landry.

For some reason the note to editors lists Landry as the Emergency Management minister, which he is, but is rarely referred to as such. Huh. Anyway, he’ll be announcing a "new initiative to help improve the safety of people with autism and other cognitive disorders." I cannot wait to see how that fits in with emergency management.

The only minister NOT at that announcement is Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and Jobs and NSBI and Minister Percy Paris, who has a bill briefing this morning at 11 a.m. Word on the street, and by the street I mean the person I just called at Communications Nova Scotia, Paris will be introducing changes to the Nova Scotia Business Inc. Act. Exciting!

The house sits from noon to 6 p.m. today, and you can watch it all courtesy of Leg TV. Which is currently profiling the riding of Bedford-Birch Cove and playing some really nice smooth jazz, by the way. Oh Leg TV. You’re the best.

Over at City Hall, council will convene at 2:30 p.m., and they’ve got a long agenda you can check out here. Of particular interest, at least for me, will be the discussions around the Roy Building and the Discovery Centre developments. All the fun will be webcast by haligonia.ca.

Alright, Tuesday. I’ll see you at sundown.

We’ve got a busy one today.

Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse is in Chester this morning to announce "expanded support" for Nova Scotians with disabilities. This has been a big theme for the government recently, and has been making for a much busier-than-usual couple of weeks for Peterson-Rafuse, at least in terms of announcements.

Closer to home, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism et Cetera Minister Percy Paris will be in Dartmouth this afternoon to announce funding under the newly-announced Productivity and Investment Program, part of the Economic Development Strategy That Must Not Be Named (formerly jobsHere [sic]). The total value of the fund is $22.9-million, so don’t expect a big chunk today. The announcement will be held at Ultra Electronics at 1 p.m.

Also, did you know that this week is Education Week? And the theme of this year’s Education Week is Innovative Teaching in the 21st Century? Neither did I. Education Minister Ramona Jennex will be at the Halifax Regional School Board offices in Burnside to "present awards to educators and partners" at a ceremony to kick off the week at 2 p.m.

Now I’m not a gambling man, but I’d be willing to put money on a mention of the "current challenges facing our province and our educators" and the "need for innovative approaches (designed in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, of course) to continue our high-level of educational achievement and/or outcomes in these tough financial times." Less with more, kids.

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald will hold a bill briefing at 2:30 p.m. today, just before the House sits at 4 p.m. No details are immediately available as to what this particular bill is about, but last week MacDonald told us that legislation re: drug prices was imminent. I told her Tuesday worked for us, but it looks like she did me one better.

I’m also expecting the Liberals will have their legal opinion back on Bill 7, "an Act Respecting the Administration of Justice," today. The bill, ostensibly about the administration of justice, caused a bit of stir with the opposition parties during second reading last week. That’s because sandwiched between repealing three laws that haven’t been used since the olden days are amendments to the Civil Service Collective Bargaining Act.

While the amendments look rather innocuous, the ghost of Bill 100 and the subsequent filibuster still lingers at Province House, and so the opposition is going to make sure they understand the significance of "removing the word ‘arbitral’ to eliminate possible confusion over the jurisdiction of interest arbitration boards to arbitrate labour relations issues."

Seriously, this is my life.

We did get plenty of insight on the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty, though.

1. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks

As we’ve established, Estabrooks is a big Bruins fan. And while he certainly didn’t come out and say it was a dirty hit and Chara should be banned from the league forever, he did indicate he was surprised he was surprised Chara didn’t get a fine or a suspension.

Anyway, Bill, any news on the convention centre?

In fact there is! Estabrooks revealed he traveled to Ottawa earlier this week to meet with Infrastructure Minister Chuck Strahl. And while there hasn’t been, like, a date set or anything, Estabrooks is confident the decision is (still) imminent (like it was in January).

Of course, a federal election would throw a rather big wrench in the WTCC2 plans. And boy, does it ever look like there’s going to be a federal election.

"In the middle of rumours about elections and various other things, as the minister responsible for the file here, I wanted to make it quite clear how important this issue is for us," Estabrooks told us.

It’s hard not to read "PLEASE GIVE US THE MONEY BEFORE AN ELECTION IS CALLED AND YOU CAN’T" there.*

2. Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Jennex was asked why the department got axed reading recovery without having the replacement program, which I’m tentatively dubbing readNOW, in place.

Jennex explained readNOW will be ready to go as of September 1. That is all.

3. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald …

… was asked about the Pictou County man who wants to liberation therapy here in Canada. Bill Peart’s declining health means he might not be able to travel to New York for the treatment next month.

MacDonald said the situation was a sad one, but because there is no medical or scientific consensus on the treatment, the "nothing has changed in terms of the position of the government and the department on liberation therapy."

MacDonald was then asked about an elderly Dartmouth couple, who were repeatedly reported to adult protection services by their neighbour, who died within a few days after adult protection services deemed them "OK."

She said there will be no investigation into the incident, and that officials seemed to have followed procedure and acted appropriately.

4. Premier Darrell Dexter

Dexter, being a Habs fan, thinks the more Boston Bruins they can "put in the stockade" the better.

Anyway:

"I think anything that would delay an announcement of funding (for the convention centre) could hamper our ability to complete this process in a timely fashion," Dexter told us, when we asked him about the possible federal election. "And (would) potentially affect the costs associated with the project. And that’s not a situation we’d like to be in."

Dexter said he didn’t really want to speculate further about if a federal election will be called or not, and so didn’t really want to speculate if one is indeed called, would the deadline for the convention centre deal get pushed back again.

So but what was behind Estabrooks’ trip to Ottawa this week?

"We wanted to underline the fact that there are deadlines, there are timelines associated with this project. It means, for our province, literally thousands of jobs (the exact number/type of jobs has been questioned – AB), it means a significant economic generator for the province."

The press corp was pretty much ready to stop there, but Dexter went on to talk about health care, and how Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems to be "talking about more in terms of rural doctors, and investments in medicare" and how that ultimately benefits the province as well.

Dexter then used that as a jumping off point for a six minute discussion of how successful the province’s "prehab teams" have been. Who sounds like they’ve been very successful! So we just kind of let him stay on it until:

"You may remember … I’m trying to remember how I got on to this, but …"

And self-conscious laughs were shared by all.

*What we didn’t talk about with Estabrooks is this. And my understanding is that Estabrooks will not be speaking to it, today. Which is perhaps surprsing – if somebody publicly accuses your government of secretly "colluding" with unions, you’d want to attempt to debunk that, no?

Rosalind Penfound, deputy minister of education, will be appearing for public accounts at 9 a.m. to talk education spending.

Directly after the meeting, Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil is holding a press conference in the foyer of Province House. He’ll be joined by "parents and educators" – I’m hearing between 20 and 30 – "concerned about cuts to literacy programs."

The popular Reading Recovery plan is designed to help children in the first grade who have trouble with reading and writing. Education Minister Ramona Jennex announced the program is on the chopping block on Februray 8, the same day she told school boards to cut two per cent of their budgets, which really was more of a four to five per cent thing, you’ll recall.

If memory serves, Jennex said the program was simply too costly, and that students could be better served by a similar program (perhaps developed by the department itself?). I’m guessing the Grits will be painting this as the department having no replacement for the program, and so what do we tell these parents and educators, which we have conveniently assembled here for photo opportunities with our leader?

May I humbly suggest a replacement? 

Meanwhile, in Dartmouth, Premier Darrell Dexter will be announcing a "business investment" at Maritime Paper. Of course this investment is a strong part of the province’s management-consultant-named jobsHere [sic] strategy. I think the jobsHere [sic] strategy is completely comprised of mentioning the jobsHere [sic] strategy enough times that people will naturally assume there are actual jobs, here.

Dexter will be joined by Stephen Lund, of Nova Scotia Business Inc. fame, and Steve MacDonald, financial vice president of Maritime Paper.

Is it really only Wednesday? I feel like this week has already lasted like 100 weeks. 

To keep us busy until the numbers are released, we’ve got a relative flourish of activity on the committee front.

First up is the standing committee on economic development at 9 a.m., who will be hearing from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Specifically, Atlantic Vice President Leanne Hachey and Amelia DeMarco, a CFIB senior policy analyst.

Later on, around 1 p.m., the standing committee on community services will meet to discuss something called "interdepartmental delivery of services to youth and families." They’ll be joined by Vic Fleury, president of the Nova Scotia School Board Association, as well as Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, the South Shore school board’s superintendent, and Scott Milner, director of education services for the Chignecto school board.

School boards! Remember those?

Speaking of school, Education Minister Ramona Jennex will launch "the student information system" at Sackville High School this morning. I’m not sure what that is, and the way they deployed "the" in front of "student information system," I almost feel guilty about that.

Anyway, with the sudden burst from committees, I feel compelled to set up a ticker to keep track. Follow along on twitter with the #pau hashtag, or on the aforementioned and forthcoming ticker post.

Happy International Women’s Day, everyone. Shall we celebrate with a little Nina Simone?

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is heading to Cookville, Lunenburg County, to attend the official opening of the Centre scolaire de la Rive Sud. She’ll be joined by students, teachers and representatives from le Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

The agenda for this Tuesday’s meeting of Halifax Regional Council should be here by mid afternoon.

That’s pretty much it, I’m afraid. Things are slow out there. Need proof? May I submit:

NOTE TO EDITORS–RPT–4-H Clubs to Participate in National Water Week
—————————————————————–
Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau will announce funding for Nova Scotia 4-H Club projects that help protect, understand and encourage community involvement with water resources.

The announcement will take place on Monday, March 7, at 10:15 a.m. at Shelburne Regional High School, 415 Woodlawn Dr., Shelburne.

-

This notice has appeared in my inbox for the last three days in a row.

Happy Friday, everybody. See you at early happy hour.

DHAs will be asked "to manage with the same amount of funding they received last year." While this isn’t a cut in the technical sense, it means DHAs will be asked to absorb inflating costs – something that we saw with school boards, as well. For the school boards, absorbing inflation and wage increases amounted to another one or two per cent on top of the four per cent cuts they were asked to make. What it means for DHAs is something we’ll have to find out today, of course.

And of course, it’s all part of the province’s better care sooner plan, which again, seems to be grammatically correct, but still gives me the willies.

FIFA announced this morning that Canada - the only country with a bid in – will host the 2014 Women’s World Cup. Expect a slew of reports on what, if anything, this means for the potential Halifax stadium tonight at six, tomorrow in the paper.

The Department of Education sent out a release this morning indicating that they, along with the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, have decided not to move students into Kings County Academy until after the removal of a nearby propane tank storage facility. Which would seem to make sense, no?

The NDP are wrapping up their Cape Breton road trip today after holding cabinet there this morning. If any Cape Breton journos want to do a special guest Political Scrum post, I’d be open to submissions.

And now, may I present: Charlie Sheen quotes as New Yorker cartoons. Great job, internet.

1. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks

Estabrooks is set to take a tour of Highway 118 next week, but is not yet ready to say exactly what changes staff are considering making to the road out by Dartmouth Crossing.

"There’s a review underway and staff is, with some due diligence, be forthcoming with some recommendations."

We then went on to talk about snow tires, and whether Estabrooks thinks the province should introduce legislation to make them mandatory. He doesn’t – repeating a number of times that his jeep (and of course he drives a jeep) has a good set of all-season tires, which are just as good if not better than cheap-to-moderate snow tires, in the opinion of the guy who sold him his jeep.

Estabrooks suggested the population (and car rental agencies) use their head when it comes to winter driving. Which seems fairly reasonable, I think.

Then we asked him about HRM’s stadium. Specifically, Estabrooks was asked if the province would consider chipping in some money for it.

"It’s not something I`ve been approached for. I’m looking forward to, when it is appropriate, this $100,000,000 business plan would be available to all of us whether as politicians or as Nova Scotians."

But then does he think it’s unusual that the city has yet to approach the province on this?

"I actually tried to sit through the HRM council the other night on another topic, OK? When the hockey game came on I switched. Not to be glib about it. I don’t think it`s unusual."

I hear you, Bill.

2. Energy Minister Charlie Parker

Making his second appearence in the post-cabinet scrums, Parker was asked about the transition from Conserve Nova Scotia to Efficiency Nova Scotia. Parker said the province’s energy efficiency programs are "certainly not in jeopardy" in this transition – but noted certain programs are under review. Why are they under review?

"We’re switching from a government-run agency, Conserve Nova Scotia, to a more arm’s legnth organization, Efficiency Nova Scotia, with electric energy programs there as well. So it’s a good time, as we switch, to make sure we have the best possible programs for Nova Scotians."

Parker said there will be an announcement before Conserve goes offline – seven weeks from now – as to what programs are going to be kept, but he can’t say specifically which are going to be kept. He also said that roughly the same amount of money – $20-million-ish – will be devoted to the programs.

Switching gears, we asked about the Lower Churchill project, and where exactly we’re at on that, what with the federal government yet to commit any funds and all.

"We’re continuing to dialogue, we’re continuing to have negotiations with Newfoundland and Labrador and with the federal government … In the end, I think we’re going to have a very good source of renewable energy here for our province."

There you go. Dialogue = continuing.

You’ll recall, astute followers of the political that you are, that Premier Darrell Dexter said when the project was announced that it was going to happen with or without federal assistance. Which struck me as a strange negotiating tactic at the time, and still does today. Is it perhaps because now-retired NL Premier Danny Williams would not go out begging the feds for cash?

3. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald

MacDonald was asked about surgery in Pictou county. Specifically, if it seems right to her that hip surgeries are not going forward unless they’re urgent because the DHA is broke.

"I’m always concerned if a DHA is having deficit problems, and if they’re cancelling surgeries."

To which one reporter, perhaps feeling a touch cheeky after having his question go unanswered for a minute and a half, asked "so, what are you going to do about it?"

"Well, I will be speaking to the DHA with respect to those decisions, but like I said, we have added in additional resources in that DHA … I’m not sure if funding is the answer to this problem, and so those are the discussions that would need to occur."

What about the latest call from the Liberals to expand Lucentis treatment outside the Capital Health District?

"Well, the Liberals should do better research. There are no retinal specialists outside the Capital District."

Oh snap! Balls in your court, there, Liberal researchers.

4. Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Jennex said the Department of Education does want to be "part of the solution" when it comes resolving the Holy Angels High debacle.

"We’ll be working with the board, but definitely we will be part of the solution around Holy Angels. We are very supportive of the school and want to make sure that we want to work with the board and what their wishes are with that."

But does she want to keep it a school? Well that’s up to the board, I’m afraid, not the Department of Education.

You’ll note that Jennex is departing somewhat from former Education Minister Marilyn More, who made it clear to that no extra money would go in to buying the aging building from the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame.

"Well I don’t think that there is any change. We are going to be working with the board, and it sits with the board on what there decision will be, but I want to say we’ll be working with them."

With those words Education Minister Ramona Jennex began a confusing eight minute exchange with reporters she probably would have rather avoided.

Jennex was talking about the "planning exercise" undertaken by school boards at the behest of her department. Boards, you’ll recall, were asked to develop "scenarios" as to what their operations would look like with 22 per cent cuts over three years. As we learned yesterday, the actual cuts will be closer to 4 per cent over one year.

So Jennex was asked why the province chose 22 per cent – did it have anything to do with managing public expectations? And a follow up, from another reporter – what would you say to people who think this is a classic government bait-and-switch?

"I would absolutely say that that would be unfair," she responded.

"If it wasn’t for that exercise, we wouldn’t have had the insights that we have now. So I have to acknowledge the hard work that (boards) went through, and that I appreciate that they went through that exercise so that we could build the budget based on the information."

OK, but where did that 22 per cent number come from?

"Well that number was not a number that we targeted. The department. That was a number that came through … it was a number that was generated out in the media, I suppose. It wasn’t what we were asking for." (emphasis mine – AB)

And now you see why I’m posting this.

"We asked for the (boards) to go and look at reductions. But we did not give them a targeted number."

But they did, in fact, give the boards a targeted number of $196-million back in November. The school boards collective budgets? $880-million. What’s 22 per cent of $880-million? $196-million.

"We were told in that exercise that was given to the chairs that they wanted the boards to look at $196-million cut to an operating budget of $880-million" said Association of Nova Scotia School Boards President Vic Fleury, after Jennex’s presser.

"That’s where that percentage came from."

Staff eventually corrected Jennex, reminding her of that fact.

"I have to be very careful of my words. I don’t want, in any way, to minimize the work that the boards did. But that wasn’t our intent to create any anxiety for people."

Anyone can make a mistake, especially in a high-pressure situation like 10 reporters scrutinizing your every word while you’re on multiple cameras. And those eight minutes will certainly not change the facts of the matter – the 22 per cent cut over three years turned out to be, and maybe was always meant to be, only around 4 per cent over one year.

But I think it bears saying that the 22 per cent number was not "generated out in the media." Generally, numbers don’t generate out in the media. Numbers like this appear in the media when people – like school board chairs and other admittedly self-interested actors – are confused and concerned about what the government is asking of them. And we check those numbers.

Media are being invited to tour the reconstruction site with representatives from the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Lengkeek Vessel Engineering Inc., and something called MHPM Project Managers Inc.

Other than that, it’s slippery outside. Exercise appropriate caution.

Based on the lack of new news, we’ll probably be focused on the fallout from yesterday’s school board cuts/don’t call it a bait-and-switch announcement. As promised yesterday, I’ll be posting about the bizarre exchange between Education Minsiter Ramona Jennex, a group of increasingly agitated reporters, and staff concerning where exactly that 22 per cent cut number came from.

Alright Tuesday. How about a little Zevon?

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=01f36854a7&#34; >Liveblog: Jennex and the Boards</a>

The technical briefing is, as always, not for attribution, but no word if the information will be embargoed. If it’s not, I’ll update you via twitter as soon as I know anything. I’ll live-blog the subsequent presser here, so check back after lunch.

That means, unfortunately, I won’t get to live-blog the Standing Committee on Human Resources. Anybody else going that wants to fill in?

The day kicks off with a meeting of the province’s Standing Committee on Economic Development. They’ll be hearing from the Jim Spencer, president of the Shelburne Chamber of Commerce, Ed Cayer, president of something called Strategic Perspectives Consulting Associates, and Jim Grieg, executive director of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. That gets underway at 9.

Another standing committee – Human Resources – meets at 1 p.m. to discuss the province’s university system. You’ll recall HR meeting on just that two week ago, when Dr. Tim O’Neill appeared before the committee to re-hash/defend his report on post-secondary education in Nova Scotia.

But today, we have Chris Ferns, president of the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, Rebecca Rose, maritime organizer for the Canadian Federation of Students, and Zita Hildebrandt, of the Dalhousie Staff Association and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say they probably have slightly different ideas than Dr. O’Neill.

As promised, I’m going to do my best to live-blog the proceedigns both on twitter and here.

But that depends on the timing of our next item, a meeting between Education Minister Ramona Jennex and school board representatives from around the province. They’ll be meeting at some point today – the notice has yet to go out – to discuss the boards’ funding allocations for the coming fiscal. That’ll put an end to months of public speculation about just how deep the government is willing to cut, and just how the school boards will look afterwards.

Now, while we don’t have a time and a location yet, a spokeperson in Education told me they didn’t believe the meeting would conflict with the standing committee meeting above. Let’s hope.

Alright Tuesday. Sing it with me now…

The museum the sixth national museum, and the first – the first! – national museum outside the national capital region.

He was joined by various provincial representatives, including Labour/Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More, Halifax Citadel-Sable Island MLA Leonard Preyra, and Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Dave Wilson, none of whom had a chance at the mike.

Also at the event were various Pier 21 representatives, including John Oliver, the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

More on the post-event scrum with MacKay to come.

Elsewhere, well … there’s not much going on.

The Standing Committee for Human Resources will meet tomorrow to talk about the university system once again. This session looks to be quite a bit different from Tim O’Neill‘s appearance last week, however – with Chris Ferns, president of the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, Rebecca Rose, Maritime Organizer for the Canadian Federation of Students, and Zita Hildebrant of the NSGEU making presentations.

Of course, the committee meeting may be overshadowed by Education Minister Ramona Jennex meeting with school board representatives, and superintendent’s possibly receiving their funding allocations for the coming year. But never fear, I’ll be live-blogging the standing committee as well as any developments on the P-12 system.

Did you know Mos Def and Jim Jones did a track with the Black Keys? Happy Monday.

You can find the full schedule here. Highlights include a delegates breakfast wherein MLAs, MPs, and Senators serve delegates (!), a luncheon address from Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt, and the annual business meeting and elections.

I’ll be liveblogging Sunday’s events, including the policy forum and leader’s Q&A. I won’t be liveblogging the inter-faith prayer service, although I’m sure it will be lovely.

ANYWAY, back to today. Industry Minister and noted Clash fan Tony Clement, taking a break from recent troubles with the CRTC, will be in town (but not at the PC AGM, huh?) for a couple events today.

First, he’ll be appearing Southdale-North Woodside School in Dartmouth with Education Minister Ramona Jennex to announce "an important announcement regarding a collaborative agreement between the Canadian Space Agency and the Nova Scotia Department of Education."

More importantly, at least from the kid’s perspective, is that they’ll be joined by a Real. Live. Astronaut! Robert Thirsk, who served as a payload specialist to Marc Garneau, and has been to space like, multiple times, will be there for the annoucnement.

Later, Clement will tour the Nova Scotia Community College‘s (Waterfront Campus) Centre for the Built Environment at 2 p.m. The release notes the facility received funding under the Government of Canada’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program. I think it should have been spent on roads!

Back with a jam-packed Required Reading after lunch. This one goes out to you, Minister Clement.

1. Emo Minister Ross Landry

In what must be the quickest scrum in Nova Scotia’s history, Landry spoke for 31 seconds on how the province did with the two days worth of snow. Actually, I’ll transcribe in full:

"Landry: We did very well. Some of the roads are still narrow and danerous, with the ice conditions. There were some delays at the airport, and, in my riding, there’s a power outage, but we’re not certain if it’s the storm or just a faulty transformer.

Reporter: So the infrastructure held up? Bridges, roads…

Landry: Yes, it was very good. So we’re very pleased with that amount of snow, and to this point, I haven’t heard of any buildings collapsing. So that’s a good thing."

Buildings not collapsing = good.

2. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks

Estabrooks was asked whether he was satisfied with the post-storm clean-up on highways. He said there was still some work to do, but by and large, plow drivers are doing "a heckuva job."

From there, we went to Highway 118, out by Dartmouth Crossing there, which has seen quite a few accidents recently. Should anything be done there?

TIR is reviewing the road, and "there should be some changes made." The specifics of which, of course, we cannot get into just yet, because that’d be premature and all.

We then spent the remaining six minutes asking why, exactly, is the province thinking about getting into the road paving business. AllNovaScotia.com reported today that the government is considering having their own ashphalt plant in operation by 2012, in order to take care of some paving a crack-filling themselves. Why?

"Ashphalt in certain parts of this province can be a more competitive business," explained Estabrooks, specifically mentioning the Inverness and Tri-County areas.

"We know the road builders (feel) they can do it better. Well, you know, we’re going to see if they are doing it better. Because there’s nothing wrong with a little competition."

Estabrooks didn’t know off hand how much money the province could potentially save by doing some paving in house. TIR spokeswoman Cathy MacIsaac is working on getting us those numbers, which I’ll post as soon as she does.

3. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse

Peterson-Rafuse assured us the review into Sydney’s Braemore Home will be comprehensive, including governance issues and the numbers of nurses available.

"Years ago, when the services were transferred between municipalities to the provincial level, we became the funder of the facilities, however we didn’t become part of the governance or the ownership of the property," said Peterson-Rafuse.

"So we do need to look at the governance. The municipal councillors that sit on the boards have done a tremendous job … but I think it’s very important to when your on a board that deals with very complex situations, to have community input, family input, along with professional input."

As to specific concerns? No specifics until the review is done, obviously.

4. Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More

So what did More think of the turnout at the protest?

"Well, our government promised to bring undergraduate tuition down to or below the national average, and we’ve accomplished that. And we were able to put in place caps to protect that advantage. We’re actually very pleased that we have a lot of similar goals as the students."

Ah hah! Take that CFS!

Well but the government may have promised to lower tuition, but the party, didn’t the party say while in opposition that they wouldn’t raise tuition? Wasn’t that one of the main issues at the protest?

"Well not at all. The commitment was to bring it down to the national average."

I’ll leave it to others to fish through HANSARD to find conflicting quotes.

5. Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonnell

MacDonnell said the province will not intervene in the King’s County council’s decision to rezone 153 hectares of farmland.

But does he have any concerns about it?

"Well, I think that, we assume that if you were to consider what an advantage we’d have if we doubled our population, if we had two-million people rather than one(-million), we still expect those people have to live somewhere. So as much as we can preserve farmland in places that it actually can be farmed, we don’t crowd them in places where they can’t carry out their everyday farming practices."

Ah … but if we doubled our population, presumably they would have to eat something, right?

"As much as having double the population to feed, we still have to a place for them to live."

(SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!!)

O.K., but so, is the government OK with this, as long as it’s done correctly?

"Well, I don’t think I’ll give you that yet."

Ahem … moving on …

6. Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker

Today was Minister Parker’s first post-cabinet scrum. That is all.

(Just kidding, it was about Nuttby Mountain, and the well-known troubles they’ve had, which are luckily under warranty, but I don’t think we got anything new so there you go)

7. Education Minister Ramona Jennex

The meeting between Jennex and school board representatives has been tentatively re-scheduled until Tuesday, due to the weather. It is likely that boards will also receive their tentative, but pretty close, we think, budget allocations then.

Last week, Jennex said she’d have the tentaive budgets to the school boards by Sunday – but said she wanted to have the sit down before releasing the numbers. But it snowed, ergo the numbers will be held until the meeting takes place. But they’ll be made public! Which is a good thing.

UPDATE: Longtime readers will (and provincial politics reporters SHOULD) know that the Minister of Community Services is named Denise Peterson-Rafuse, not Denise Patterson-Rafuse as it appeared her earlier. We at Politics as Usual regret the error, and have put another pot of coffee on to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Which will be nice, after our city was essentially called off due to weather yesterday.

But not for the students! Who showed up en masse to protest the rising cost of post-secondary education in Nova Scotia, a province repeatedly billed as the knowledge capital of Atlantic Canada or whatever. The King’s students over at unews had fantastic coverage of the event, with a liveblog, video, and photos during, and a wrap up article by Lauren Naish, Samantha Durnford, and Scott Riddell.*

Today looks to be a little less exciting, as we dig ourselves out and return to the normal routine.

It is cabinet day, however, so we might have some news there. Unfortunately, we can’t talk to Premier Darrell Dexter – far and away the favourite target of chants yesterday – about the protest. He’s still on vacation at an undisclosed locale until February 9.

We will, however, get to chat with EMO Minsiter Ross Landry about how/if we all survived the two-day snowstorm. As is our wont these days, we’ll probably also request to talk to both education ministers about various education things.

Check back after lunch for your weekly recounting of the post-cabinet scrums.

HRM winter works road crews are reporting some 85 per cent of P2 streets have had a "cut-through pass," and the remaining will be done within the next five hours.

Snowmeggadon? Psh. Try some METALOCALYPSE.

*Full disclosure: I went to King’s. For philosophy though, so it hardly counts.

Fresh from their respective caucus road trips to Central Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, the Liberals and the Progressive Conservative have returned to sunny Halifax. Premier Darrell Dexter, meanwhile, is still on his pre-Canada Games vacation, returning February 9. 

Things are looking pretty quiet so far this morning, but I expect to see plenty of education-related press releases this week in anticipation of Education Minister Ramona Jennex‘s sit-down with board representatives on Thursday. Just so you have something to look forward to, you know?

The provincial political return coincides with a mass exodus of federal politicians, who are flying back to Ottawa today for the resumption of the house. Lucky! How long the session will last, of course, is anyone’s guess. My personal guess is that we’ll be seeing our MPs sooner rather than later.

On the city front, councillors will be weighing different options in two staff reports on public transit, which will be presented to council tomorrow. There’s also an interesting little document entitled "Advanced Funding for the 2011/2012 Budget Process" which could be fun.

Advanced funding, first employed in HRM in 2008, allows a committee of senior staff to approve some funding decisions in advance of the budget, in order to "take advantage of lower tendered prices," "take advantage of the full summer construction period," and "tender projects which require a lengthy lead time."

Staff is asking for about $16-million to be spent this way, the first money charged against the 2011/2012 budget.

How about a brand-new Classified single to start off your week? Yes please.

1. Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Jennex opened the day with a whopper – school boards will receive their budget allocation within the next ten days.

"They need to look at their planning and they need that information," Jennex told us, as our collected chins hit the floor.

The school boards have been calling for some more concrete funding numbers since this kerfuffle began, which seems so long ago now. But back on January 6, when I asked Finance Minister Graham Steele whether that would be possible, he said:

"No. No budget decisions have been made. We understand as well as school boards do what the timetable is. And, you know, there’s lots to discuss and it’s simply too early to be announcing budget figures from a budget that’s not going to be delivered for another three months or so."

Always save and accurately label your clips, kids.

So we appear to have a shift in the government’s position, here. But not according to Steele, who will clarify his comments below.

Anyway, Jennex reiterated the talking points that both sides have been using, that they’re all about the students, providing the v. best education possible, but these are tough financial times and all partners will have to work to get the province back to balance, &c.

2. Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More

Staying with education, More was asked if the province is looking at doing away with 1,000 teaching positions through attrition, why are we still graduating so many education students?

More said a B.E.D. is, of course, great education for everyone. And, she noted, not all B.E.D. students go on to teach. Some become cabinet ministers! More has a B.E.D., after all.

So take heart, young people of Nova Scotia hoping to study in fields you ultimately will not be able to find work in! You can always become a politician.

I’m not sure what the province can do, re: the number of B.E.D. grads, though. It’s not like they can force Mount Saint Vincent to cut their education program, right? If students continue to pay money to get a B.E.D., universities are going to continue to offer B.E.D. programs.

I suppose that could be part of the upcoming Memorandum of Understanding negotiations, but I doubt it will be. Prove me wrong, Minister!

3. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Dave Wilson

Wilson made his first appearance in a post-cabinet scrum today. He was there to talk about the province’s much-delayed five-year gambling strategy, a file he inherited from Graham Steele in the cabinet shuffle a few weeks back.

Wilson said the strategy is still not ready, but he’s got a draft copy he’s looking over and hopes to release in the Spring. He said, as a new minister, he wants to make sure he’s fully briefed on something before …

… at which point we cut him off, and asked was he briefed on why it was taking so long. Press gallery was cheeky this morning!

"No, the former minister had a job to do. We want to make sure this gaming strategy is right for the government, but most importantly, right for Nova Scotians. And we’re not going to rush it. We’re going to make sure it’s the proper one, and when we’re ready to deliver it to Nova Scotians, we’ll do that."

I am now taking bets on how many more months we’re going to wait. Smart money is on April.

4. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and … Minister Percy Paris

Paris was asked if there’s any money for that hockey museum in Windsor. He said he’s currently in talks with the museum’s new executive, but no decisions on funding has been made. But he said he anticipates "at some point and time, (the government) will be considering some type of funding for them, yes." Good news, alleged birthplace of hockey!

We then moved on to the (potential) sale of certain provincially-owned resorts, such as Ingonish’s Keltic Lodge. For those of you who haven’t been to Ingonish, stop reading right now and go. Just go. I know it’s winter, I don’t care. That place is amazing.

But so the Keltic is a tricky situation, because it’s located in Ingonish National Park, which is, of course,
federal turf. While stressing no decision to sell any resorts has been made (despite a nice big advert in the Globe and Mail), Paris said his department has been in contact with the federal government on various "possibilities." He wouldn’t confirm one of the "possibilities" was selling the resort.

He also, bizarrely, wouldn’t confirm the medium through which the province and the feds are holding said discussion on "possibilities."

"I didn’t say it was a letter. I said we’ve been in communication, with the feds, and that communications was well over a year ago."

5. Finance Minister Graham Steele

OK, so, let’s clarify Steele’s January 6 comments:

"That answer that I gave was sort of a general answer to a general question. And, really the process is no different than it is traditionally … what is different, this year, is that this year because there is no increase in the (school boards’) budget it does matter that things roll out exactly as they have to. But there’s nothing fundamentally different about this year’s time table than in previous years."

I gotta stop asking those general questions. Rookie mistake!

Steele couldn’t say whether school boards received budget allocation numbers in late January, but he assured us the process "would have been very similar."

Also, due to back-to-back-to-back engagements, Premier Darrell Dexter was not able to scrum post-cabinet. So we couldn’t get his thoughts on the renewed push from the Canadian Taxpayers Association Atlantic‘s renewed push for a review into MLA pensions.

But so we focused on the latest convention centre revelations, which are not revelations at all, really, as we’ll see.

1. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks

I asked Estabrooks his thoughts on Peter MacKay‘s comments yesterday. Estabrook’s said he was still confident that the deal will be made, but he understands why MacKay would that the federal government aren’t "the ones holding it up."

"Peter is quite correct that negotiations are underway, and I do understand the fact he was concerned about the timeframe of when the final decision was brought to his attention after HRM and (the province) took some time. I have all confidence that the decision is going to be forthcoming."

Of course, we all know that a decision is forthcoming. What that decision will be, however, we’re all in the dark on. Estabrooks said he doesn’t want to speculate whether a federal election might throw a wrench in the convention centre plans. He also wasn’t aware of any new information that Trade Centre Limited Scott Ferguson brought to MacKay two weeks ago in Ottawa.

Estabrooks defended the province’s decision to apply through the Building Canada Fund. He said that money was not specifically dedicated for roads and bridges, although a "goodly portion" of it went to work on the 100-series highways. He also remained steadfast that the convention centre will not come at the expense of the province’s five-year road plan.

"I put a certain amount of personal credibility and political reputation on the fact of this five-year road plan … Let me assure you and let me assure the people that are probably petitioning me and calling my office in Timberlea or of course my office here in downtown Halifax: in no way does (the convention centre) jeopardize the five-year road plan."

Of course, questions remain as to whether TIR formulated the five-year road plan in with setting aside $46-million of Nova Scotia’s portion of the Building Canada Fund in mind. But I think Estabrooks is right – the Building Canada Fund is not simply for roads. There is nothing wrong, as in outside the funds parameters, in using it in the name of "economic development." Again, as far as I can see.

And the fact that the government is applying through the fund is not new – we knew that in December.

Estabrooks also basically repeated what he said yesterday with regard to Andrew Younger‘s suggestion that he should invoke emergency powers to repeal HRM’s parking ban. Not going to happen.

2. Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Jennex reaffirmed again and again that the Department of Education will continue to listen to the concerns of school boards, that they want to move ahead with … well, not cuts, because she won’t call them cuts, but with the process I guess … collaboratively, and that she remains confident talks and conclude in a way that both best serves students while respecting the fiscal situation the province is in.

She did hint that the province is looking at teacher attrition as one way to save money. Teacher attrition, of course, means letting teachers retire without replacing them. Which should get people nice and angry again!

"We know that we have 1,000 teachers are retiring over the next three years, and we’re losing 7,000 students," she said.

I have not seen or been able to verify those numbers independently as of yet.

Jennex also partially debunked one current theory that the province is painting school boards into a corner in anticipation of eliminating some – or all -of the boards. Asked if we’re going to have the same number of boards going forward, or if the province is looking at reducing the number of boards, she said:

"At this time, I am not looking at anything around reductions of school boards. My mandate right now is to make sure we’re working together with the school boards to provide appropriate and good education to every student in every board."

Not at this time! Later? Who knows.

Like newly-appointed Liberal Education Critic Karen Casey suggesting we should look at cutting high-school French immersion classes. Or the shocking increase in the number of consultants over the last decade, as reported by David Jackson today. Or Charles Cirtwell recommending a short-term infusion of funding in order to save money later. &c.

We’ll probably also get Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrook‘s thoughts on Peter MacKay‘s most recent estimation of how the proposed convention centre project is coming along. As well as the appropriateness of using the Building Canada Fund to pay for it.

There have been questions about that in the last 24-hours, with some reports suggesting the Building Canada Fund is typically set aside for roads and bridges. Which, of course, would make using that money for our great underground economic engine a little strange.

My understanding of the Building Canada fund is that it can be used for roads, yes, but also "major infrastructure projects," "public transit," "green energy," &c. But I stand to be corrected.

Speaking of both "green energy" and Peter MacKay, the minister will be in New Glasgow today to make an "important announcement" for "Nova Scotia’s clean energy production." That’ll be at Northern Pulp at 2:30 p.m.

And speaking of federal cabinet ministers, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney will attend the unveiling of the Wheel of Conscience memorial at Pier 21 today at 1 p.m. Media availability will follow, which sounds like a good chance to speculate about the election to me!

Back after lunch with my full interview with Peter MacKay yesterday, as well as a new edition of Political Scrum. Happy Thursday. I’m late, and I can’t figure out a decent joke to connect the Building Canada fund to Tom Cochrane‘s "Life is a Highway," but man, what a wicked song.

(All responses edited for space, relevance, and all emphasis mine)

Metro: The Premier commented yesterday that school boards have to stop bringing forward "dramatic scenarios" of job cuts and school closures when they apparently know that won’t happen. The opposition, among others, are questioning why the Department would ask boards to go through the "planning exercise" if they have no intention of "letting that happen." What’s your reaction to all of this?

Jennex: Well I think it’s very important to look at the fact that our population has declined, and we don’t have as many children in school. So we have gone forward and asked the school boards to provide with us scenarios at looking at how they can reduce costs around their operations. So they’ve come back with many, many scenarios that we can work with. One of the school boards (Chignecto – AB) did go out and take the absolute worst case scenario of a number they have designed and gone and created a great deal of fear within the community. I’m disappointed to start my mandate by having to start in this form. I would have much preferred to have a discussion around this before this happened. But, you know, it is what it is. From now forward, I’m looking forward to working with the school boards. I just sent out a letter this afternoon actually, (saying) I am looking forward to working with the school boards, looking at all the scenarios. We’re going to be collaborative, we’re going to work together on the best way we can to provide the very best education we can to the children sitting in the classroom.

M: The government has often cited the fewer students in schools statistic. But you yourself must know that 30,000 fewer students across all of the boards does not mean you have one classroom with no students, or one school sitting empty. Don’t we still have to commit those resources?

RJ: You’re right in some of the aspects of those comments. When I started teaching 30 years ago, in the school I was in we were busting at the seams … That same school when I left to go into politics we had empty classrooms … There has been a dramatic change in most schools across the province, there are empty classrooms everywhere. This is a key time now that we can be looking at ways to create efficiencies in our system. Even though I do agree with you, yes, it’s not a uniform decrease across the school boards. But it has been dramatic.

M: It’s a very charged issue. The school boards may, as the Premier suggested, be deploying certain numbers for political purposes. The government, in turn, is saying hard decisions will have to be made. Are you going to be able to make these decisions and bring forward a change that is going to be able to balance the needs of children in the province and the fiscal needs of the provincial government?

RJ: My mandate is to moving this through this department to make sure we’re meeting the needs of the students. And I know we can create efficiencies. I know that there are ways we can reduce our costs as an overall budget. I have to say that I’m very pleased with a number of things that the school boards have identified that we can be working with. Today forward, I’m looking forward to working with the school boards to look at those different scenarios and the best uses of our resources.

M: Is collaboration possible right now? How can you work collaboratively if school boards don’t have concrete figures of how much they have to cut and what they’re going to be expected to do?

RJ: I’m very well aware of how the fiscal year is different than the school year. And I have to say that I have talked with school board superintendents and various members of school boards. And every single person that I’ve spoken to said that they’re more than willing to work together and I know that’s going to happen …This is going to be a collaborative approach. And they very well recognize that changes need to be made. Society has changed. Children in school have changed from when you or I went to school. Every 10 years there are significant changes in our society. No, I’m optimistic … We just have to make sure that the information we get out to the public is accurate, and we don’t want to be premature in passing out worst case scenarios.

But I think it’s worth noting on the outset that this weekend saw the deadline for the WTCC2 project come and go without … well, anything really. No fanfare from boosters, no doomsaying from doomsayers, nothing.

What does that tell us? That January 15 was an imaginary deadline designed to put pressure on at least two, possibly all three levels of government to work out a deal fast? Maybe. Or maybe the price of concrete was projected for a real jump on January 16, and developer Joe Ramia could only guarantee the low, low price of $159-million until then.

Anyway, I’m sure we’ll hear more about the convention centre in the coming weeks, months, and for the rest of our Halifax-living lives.

Speaking of doomsayers, Premier Darrell Dexter had some tough talk for any school boards spreading anxiety about education cuts yesterday.

Talking with the Canadian Press in the home of our hearts, Cape Breton, yesterday, Dexter accused the school boards of bringing forward "dramatic scenarios with job cuts when they know (the province) would never allow those to happen."

He’s referring to the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, who said the proposed 22 per cent cuts in funding will result in the closure of 70 schools and the loss of 4,000 jobs province-wide. Which sounds alarming, and certainly mongers my proverbial fear.

Tory Education Critic Chris d’Entremont did not appreciate Dexter’s comments to the press, posting on his twitter account today that "Dexter looks at Boards with contempt! Cut way 2 big and 2 quick!"

"2 Big and 2 Quick" was actually the name of a short-lived hip-hop duo I participated in back in the early 90′s. Thanks for the shout out, Chris.

Education Minister Ramona Jennex, meanwhile, had very little to say on the matter, which is perhaps understandable, given that it’s like the second week on the job and all.

So it looks like we’ll all be talking about education today, which is something you should probably get used to hearing for awhile. We need something to keep us occupied until budget season, afterall.

UPDATE: One astute reader pointed out the deadline for the convention centre deal has not lapsed – rather, it’s been extended for 90 days. I was talking about the ORIGINAL deadline, which was last Saturday.

Unfortunately, because Bridgewater is far away and it’s technically my day off, I won’t be making it down for post-cabinet scrums. Which is too bad, because there are a few things that we could probably chat about today.

Such as the Nova Scotia Police Review Board ruling that Ambrose Heighton, former Chief of Police in Stellarton, was the one behind the anonymous letter alleging RCMP members engaged in "sex parties" under then-RCMP-Staff-Sergeant and now-Justice-Minister Ross Landry.

The letter, I’m sure you’ll recall, also alleged officers under Landry had affairs, used or stored their weapons improperly, &c. Landry has denounced the letter as malicious and untrue, so it would be interesting to hear his thoughts on the police board’s ruling.

Or, we could talk about education cuts with the new Education Minister, Ramona Jennex. Or the once-again delayed gambling strategy with Dave Wilson and Graham Steele. Or any number of things, really. Alas.

Back in the city, the Liberals sent out a release stating that, once again, the NDP are not leading by example, and, once again, it falls on the Grits to set said example.

The release concerns a vote at Tuesday’s Management Commission meeting to change caucus funding rules. Previously, caucus offices were funded by the calendar year. That changed when the management commission voted to report caucus funding the same way government departments operate – by the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2011.

Except on Tuesday, when the NDP and PCs, in a gesture of cross-partisanship, voted to make an exception just this once and, the Liberals allege, help themselves to $90,000 and $45,000 respectively. You see, parties receive $45,000 for every MLA (with the exception of leaders, cabinet members, and the speaker). Now, because the NDP promoted Dave Wilson to cabinet and Gordie Gosse to Speaker, they weren’t eligible for that funding. Except if you make an exception, which they did, the Liberals say, mere hours before the cabinet shuffle. And the Tories will not lose $45,000 for the defection of Karen Casey under the new rules, but I don’t think they would have under the old rules, so whatever.

The astute reader who has had more than one cup of coffee will note that the Liberals, because they gained a member in Casey, are also eligible for $45,000 in funding. Except they won’t take it, says leader Stephen McNeil in the release, surely making it the most expensive e-mail of the year.

But so the NDP say it’s not $135,000 we’re talking about here, it’s $14,400 per member in question. Of which there are three, so that’s $43,200 in total. You see, the Liberals are calculating the number for what is, in effect, a 15-month fiscal year, ending on March 31, 2012. Whereas the NDP are calculating the number as a 3-month mini fiscal year, ending March 31, 2011. Hence the difference. Does that make sense? I hope that makes sense.

Because I was in Windsor during the meeting, and the Hansard transcript is not yet available, take all of that with a hefty grain of salt.

Meanwhile, the Tories sent out a release hammering the NDP for not doing enough with the whole deficit thing. It seems the government of New Brunswick, just three months on the job, those guys, have already saved taxpayers $43-million through cost-cutting measures.

Of course, they’re still staring down an $820-million deficit, so I wouldn’t want to be them. Also, did anyone else note NB Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is taking a page from Graham Steele’s book, doing a 10-stop dog/pony show/community consultation on the budget? Just an observation.

I’ll be launching a new feature on Politics as Usual today, called Required Reading.  It gathers together a few noteworthy blog posts and articles from this week in the Nova Scotia/Halifax politics. So between banging your head on your cubicle wall, waiting for 5 o’clock to roll around, have a look at what some other people have been writing.

OK, Friday. I love Fridays.

CBC is reporting that Danny Williams, Newfoundland’s Premier-for-Life since 2003, is stepping down.

Provincial affairs reporter David Cochrane is reporting differing timelines for Williams departure – sources saying from two weeks to January to tomorrow – but all signs seem to be pointing to imminent. It was indeed a fortuitous day for Mr. Cochrane to join twitter.

The press conference is coming up at 11 a.m., 11:30 in Newfoundland, and CBC is livestreaming it here.

On this side of the Cabot Strait, the question is what this means for Premier Darrell Dexter’s new message of regional cooperation.Obviously, a big part of that message is last week’s Lower Churchill deal – something Williams has called his legacy project, and what now looks like the last item on his political bucketlist.

Not that Williams departure will put that project in jeopardy. But if Newfoundland is put in leadership flux, it certainly could stall Dexter’s push towards regional decision making.

All of which, I’m sure, will be discussed when the four Atlantic premiers meet in Pictou this weekend.

Anyway, I’ll be heading down to a bill briefing with Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Ramona Jennex, the two ministers with the most annoyingly long portfolio names. There should be a three syllable cap on portfolio names.

The briefings get underway at around 12:30, but I won’t be able to tell you anything about the bills until they’re tabled in the house, which sits today at 2 p.m.