For more than 30 years the fleet separation and owner/operator policies have protected the independence of Nova Scotia's inshore fishing fleets, while helping to maintain good jobs in coastal communities across the province and here in Shelburne.

As Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and a proud fisherman myself, I recognize that these policies are the cornerstone of Nova Scotia's fishing industry and the provincial government supports them.

In recent weeks, many individuals and organizations from all regions have contacted me with concerns over a discussion paper released by the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Future of Canada's Commercial Fisheries speaks about sustainability, economic viability and predictability, but fails to address questions about the fleet separation and owner operator policies.

As I said, I know how important these policies are to the future of Shelburne County and all of Nova Scotia's coastal communities.  That is why I took it upon myself to speak directly to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield.

At a meeting with my provincial and territorial colleagues, I asked Minister Ashfield to clarify how these long-standing policies fit into the future management of the Atlantic fishery.  He said he wants to keep the consultation process open to all points of view, however, I believe that Nova Scotians deserve answers to these important questions.

I also expressed my concerns with the current consultation process.   Thus far I do not feel this process has adequately allowed fishing communities to provide feedback to the DFO about the future of the fisheries.  I have specifically asked Minister Ashfield to extend the deadline for feedback so all concerned groups and individuals have enough time to have their say.

Rest assured I am standing up to Ottawa to protect Nova Scotia's coastal communities and that many people employed in the Atlantic fishery.

The province is investing $236,000 to upgrade Shelburne Medical Clinic so it can better meet the health care needs of people in the community.

This investment will help provide better care to people in Shelburne by modernizing a key part of the local health care system.  The upgraded clinic will have improved space for health care teams to work together to provide care to patients and will help recruit and keep doctors.

This investment is part of a health care plan, which includes making the delivery of health care more collaborative and patient-centered.

Shelburne is back in ship shape, busy repairing ships again, thanks to the province's investment in Irving Shipbuilding's Shelburne Ship Repair.

Shipbuilding is in our blood in Nova Scotia.  I believe in the people of Shelburne County and the future of shipbuilding in our area.

The upgrades modernized the cradle and marine railway, as well as the wharf.  The restoration strengthens the economy and sustains employment for local residents in the long term.

A viable shipyard is significant to the economy of Shelburne and its surrounding communities.  This means good jobs in a vibrant sector for years to come.

Over the past 20 years, Nova Scotia's economic growth has been lower than any other province in Canada. It's time to do things differently.  It's time to coordinate efforts and scarce resources in the service of a singular growth strategy.  With the challenges Nova Scotia faces today, the status quo is not an option.  jobsHere is the plan to grow the economy of Nova Scotia.

The jobsHere plan will:

1.  Help people learn the right skills for good jobs

2.  Grow the economy through innovation

3.  Help business be more competitive globally

4.  Introduce and reinforce programs such as the clean Technology Fund, Film Industry Tax Credit and the Productivity Investment Program to help business across sectors thrive

Read the plan.  Go to:  www.gov.ns.ca/jobsHere

Government is making changes to help people make ends meet and reduce poverty.

1.  Providing $11 Million in Personal Tax Relief to Nova Scotians by increasing the Basic Personal Exemption amount by $250 per person

2.  Increasing the Nova Scotia Child Benefit by 22% per month

3.  Fixing Canada's weakest Student Assistance program by providing $42.5 million in targeted financial support, keeping undergraduate tuition at or below the national average

4.  Introducing 250 more child care subsidies, making child care more accessible

5.  Ensuring seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement and paid provincial income tax receive a refund, returning $8.2 million to about 18,000 low income seniors

6.  Reducing the small business tax for the second year in a row

7.  Removing the provincial portion of the HST from home energy, children's clothing and footwear, diapers and feminine hygiene products

8.  Passing fair drug pricing legislation so seniors and others covered by Pharmacare programs pay less for most prescription drugs

9.  Increasing income assistance personal allowances, enabling approximately 31,000 adults to better provide for themselves and their families

10.  Investing $32 million in affordable housing giving more than 6,000 families, seniors and persons with disabilities safe, affordable homes

I have been working hard in our communities and in the House of Assembly to make life better for you and your family.

I have been meeting with residents and staff from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal about the road conditions in our area.  I am happy to report that some of the worst roads in our communities will be repaired such as the Clyde Road, Bear Point Road and Shore Road, a total investment of over $3 million.

Because  fishing is a big part of our local economy, I am pleased that a new loan deposit program will help young people enter the industry.  I have heard from many of our commercial fishers who are getting near retirement that they would like to sell their business, but younger fishers may not qualify for the capital required for such a purchase.  The Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board's new program will lend the required deposit on a license package and help arrange the financial payments, while ensuring both are financially protected.

Please call or drop by my office anytime for more information on this exciting new program or any matters that are important to you.

Here's a recap of some of the recent investments that help make our community stronger.

• The Loan Deposit Program will help young people enter into the fishery by making the purchase of licenses more accessible through the NS Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board

• A $9 million investment to upgrade the Shelburne Ship Yard has allowed them to hire more workers and provide good new jobs in our community

• Committed $100,000 to protect the Lockeport residents and causeway from climate change and severe weather

• Invested $775,000 in the Town of Shelburne Waste Treatment Plant to help them reach provincial standards and keep our environment clean

• Provided over $200,000 to the Nova Scotia Community College to start a Works for You Shelburne Initiative to help provide skills and workplace preparation training to people who are unemployed or lack a recognized diploma

• Age Friendly Community and Seniors Safety Grants totaling over $60,000 help our areas stay safe and accessible

• Awarded  $165,000 to the Town of Shelburne to assist in their water line project

• Granted over $40,000 to emergency services providers for equipment and upgrades to facilities, skills and services

• Funding of more than $4,500 will help local societies and associations increase traffic at tourist attractions and festivals

• An investment in the 2-1-1 service will help Nova Scotians find the community, social, health and government services they need by simply dialing one number

These two years are just the beginning of a bright future for the communities that make up Shelburne.

Emergency room problems like long waits, overcrowding and unplanned closures have plagued Nova Scotia's health care system for many years.  Better Care Sooner is a plan to address these problems by keeping emergency rooms open, reducing patient wait times and providing better health care for Nova Scotians and their families.  Please read about this important plan online or visit my office for more details.

 The Better Care Sooner plan will:

 1.  Improve access to doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals

 2.  Make emergency7 care more streamlined and patient-centered

 3.  Provide better care for seniors, and people with mental illness or complex needs

 4.  Increase use of 811 - the Nurse Line, and 911

 5.  Create new collaborative emergency centres to match the level of services with the needs of residents in the community

 Read the plan.  Go to:  www.gov.ns.ca/health/BetterCareSooner

Welcome to my blog.  With the fast pace of today's world, it is difficult to keep up with all that is going on.

In our continuing efforts to keep the residents of Shelburne County informed of what we are doing to make life better for all Nova Scotians, I have decided to use this blog to report on important events in our County and Province.

I look forward to your input and comments.

Sterling Belliveau