NewsMakers

[NORTH SYDNEY, NS] Cabinet will consider Marine Atlantic ferry funding, says Baird: Transport Minister John Baird said further infrastructure funding for Marine Atlantic will be discussed with his fellow cabinet ministers heading into the March 4 budget. “There’s no doubt that the age of the fleet and the cost for keeping it in operation is significant, so I did a lot of listening and I’ll be reflecting on that with my colleagues in the weeks and months ahead,” said the Conservative MP for Ottawa West-Nepean. “Obviously, this is not only important for the region, it’s really part of the national highway system, it’s part of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s important for both Nova Scotia and particularly for Newfoundland, so I don’t need to be convinced of its importance. “We have to measure this with the other demands on our budget. That’s why it’s important for me to come first-hand to see the need, see the story face to face.” Baird was in North Sydney on Saturday for a tour of the Marine Atlantic facilities, to meet with company representatives and to announce the continuation of the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare this year from May 1 to October 31. — By T.J. Colello, The Cape Breton Post, Transcontinental Media

[YARMOUTH, NS] Back to Balance session held in Yarmouth: The people who turned out at the Burridge Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College Friday evening to talk about how the provincial government should try to balance the books had plenty of ideas. Many cited the importance of investing in education, building the economy and having the right infrastructure and services in place where they’re needed, including a ferry in southwestern Nova Scotia. Streamlining government, investing in small business, generally making the province a more attractive place for businesses to operate, were among the points raised. Efforts should be made to retain more of the province’s youth and encourage immigration, participants said. A more pro-active approach to health care would help reduce health-care costs, it was suggested. The February 19th session was the latest in a series organized by the province’s finance department as it hears what people have to say about Nova Scotia’s financial situation and how to fix it. The province projects a $1.4-billion deficit by 2013 if nothing is done. The Yarmouth session drew an estimated 130 to 140 people, according to one finance department official, making it one of the best-attended sessions so far. — By Eric Bourque, The Vanguard, Transcontinental Media

[SYDNEY, NS] Canada’s Economic Action Plan delivers additional stimulus for Cape Breton Island: The Government of Canada, through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), is investing more than $1.8 million in 20 community and recreational infrastructure projects on Cape Breton Island under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. These investments are being made through either the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program or the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), both of which are key economic stimulus initiatives under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The total cost of these projects, including the federal contribution, represents an investment of more than $5.3 million in local communities. Nineteen projects are receiving a total of $1,363,717 under RInC. In addition, one project is receiving CAF funding valued at $500,000. These projects are in addition to the 36 Cape Breton Island RInC and CAF projects that have been announced over the last six months representing a total Government of Canada investment of more than $8 million. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[SHELBURNE, NS] Shelburne amalgamation recommended by provincial advisor: The province won’t force anything, but is ready to help any Shelburne County municipalities interested in pursuing amalgamation, said advisor Paul Wills. The municipal affairs advisor spoke to representatives of three local municipal units last week about the potential benefits of amalgamation. Those benefits could include, improved services, improved governance and increased economic development potential, among others. “We don’t see any real cons,” said Wills. The municipal advisor talked to representatives of the municipality and the town of Shelburne as well as a few representatives from the Town of Lockeport. He warned that while regional cooperation on issues like solid waste and recreation was beneficial, that those agreements should not be counted on. “Regional cooperation between municipalities works for a while but tends to fall apart,” he said, noting several provincial examples of inter-municipal agreements imploding. — By Greg Bennett, The Coast Guard, Transcontinental Media

[SYDNEY, NS] Councillors ask for more details about sustainability plan: Councillors expressed concerns over the lack of details during the latest update of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Friday’s meeting was arranged to bring councillors up to speed on the plan schedule and to give them an outline of the final components of the consultation program. However, concerns surfaced while John Heseltine of Stantec Consulting was outlining proposed economic objectives. “We have to appear we are trying to do something for ourselves here,” said councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger. “I wanted this thing to be a plan for us and I’m not seeing it yet.” Councillor Kim Deveaux added that she was looking for a list of actions that can be taken. “I’m looking for what our role as council is. I’m not really seeing that.” Heseltine told the councillors that details would be available in the final report, as will specific actions. CBRM’s sustainability plan needs to be finalized by March 30 if the municipality is to qualify for $28 million in federal gas tax revenue. A draft is due by March 2. — By Greg McNeil, The Cape Breton Post, Transcontinental Media

[TRACADIE-SHEILA, NB] Tracadie-Sheila manufacturer gets financial boost: The provincial government is providing a $2-million loan guarantee and a $320,000-investment to help multi-purpose machinery manufacturer Lamtrac International Inc. The financial support will help the company diversify its product line, maintain 20 jobs and create eight jobs at its Tracadie-Sheila facility. Lamtrac produces two-track and four-track multipurpose vehicles used for land clearing and mulching on rough terrain and snow. The vehicles are often used in the oil and forestry industries, where their reduced ground disturbance due to their weight distribution, their versatility and the stability of their drive systems are advantageous. The company has sold hundreds of vehicles in western and central Canada and is now focusing on markets in Texas, Florida, California and Colorado. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[GRAND FALLS, NB] Investments made in snowmobile trails: New Brunswick will soon offer improved snowmobile trails to the 12,000 snowmobilers who use the 7,000-km provincial trail system annually as a result of investments made by the federal and provincial governments. The announcement was made on Saturday by Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Hédard Albert (who is also acting minister of tourism and parks) and Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen. “With New Brunswick as a four-season destination, the snowmobiling experience is an important activity in the products we have to offer tourists during the winter,” said Albert. “Our investment for upgrades on the snowmobile trail system will ensure our entire province continues to enjoy the economic benefits generated by the snowmobiling industry.” The Government of Canada is investing $302,500; the Province of New Brunswick, $185,000; the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, $30,000. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] PSAC local calls for enhanced pensions: Instead of considering cuts to federal pensions, the federal government should improve the retirement finances of all Canadians, says the head of the Public Service Alliance of Canada in Prince Edward Island. Mary MacNeil is part of a group that is calling for an enhanced Canada Pension Plan and old-age pensions. MacNeil said the Canadian Labour Congress is pushing for a doubling for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), significant increases to the old-age pension, as well as insurance to protect private-sector pensions, even if that company goes bankrupt. “The federal government needs to take a lead role in this,” said MacNeil. According to a poll conducted for the Royal Bank of Canada and released last December, 32 per cent of Canadians in 2009 said they hadn’t started saving for retirement, compared with 24 per cent in 2008. Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy supports the Canadian Labour Congress’s proposal. He’s still not sure whether the increases in CPP should be compulsory or optional, but that debate needs to take place, he said. — By Wayne Thibodeau, The Guardian, Transcontinental Media

[SUMMERSIDE, PE] City gets low-cost loan for wind farm: The city of Summerside and town of Stratford have been approved for more than $8.2 million in low-cost loans as part of Canada Mortgage and Housing’s Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Summerside received the lion’s share of the announcement — $8 million — to help defray the costs of the St. Eleanors wind farm. The announcement was made on Friday in Summerside by Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister and Egmont MP Gail Shea. Shea said the $8-million low-cost loan to Summerside will towards funding the electrical generating wind farm including the four turbines, already installed and operational, the interconnection of the electrical grid and the construction of related transmission infrastructure. Deputy Mayor Bruce MacDougall said the significance of the loan is the city’s ability to borrow funding at a lower cost. This enables projects such as the $30-million St. Eleanors wind farm to be undertaken whereas traditional borrowing rates would make it more difficult to finance. — By Staff, The Journal Pioneer, Transcontinental Media