MEDIA RELEASE: Union Calls On Premier to Honour Written Commitment

In light of the process currently underway to privatize Nova Scotia’s Motor Vehicle, Joint Stock and Land Registries, NSGEU President Joan Jessome is calling on Premier Stephen McNeil to honour the written commitment he made just two years ago, when he signed onto the “Five Point Quality Public Service Protection Plan for Nova Scotia” (see below).

“The Premier promised – in writing – to engage in a full and open public review, to ensure that these deals would be made in the best interests of all Nova Scotians,” says President Jessome.

“Instead, the Premier has now entered into secretive discussions with his own campaign manager acting as a paid lobbyist, according to CBC News reports.”

Rather than the open and transparent review he committed to, McNeil is preparing to hand millions in government contracts over to Teranet, a private-sector company who got the Premier’s ear by hiring the former Liberal campaign manager to lobby McNeil on their behalf.

“We are calling on the Premier to honour the promises he made to Nova Scotians leading up to the election,” says Jessome.

“Nova Scotians who will end up paying more to buy and sell houses, register their vehicles and businesses deserve an open and transparent process, not a Liberal backroom deal.”

Signed Five Point Plan

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The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents over 30,000 women and men who provide quality public services Nova Scotian’s count on every day.

For more information, please contact:

Holly Fraughton, NSGEU Communications Officer
902.424.4063 (office)
902.471.1781 (cell)
hfraughton@nsgeu.ca