I was ready, energized, and focused. I wanted to give Nova Scotians an alternative. Spotlight: It has been considered an upset, when you and the Progressive Conservative party won a majority government in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election. Why do you think Bluenosers gave you their votes and electing the party and seeing you becoming the first Progressive Conservative premier since 2009? Premier Houston: We used our time in oppo- sition to study the issues and understand what was possible. The state of healthcare had been ignored by the previous government for too long and Nova Scotians weren’t seeing that the Liberals even accepted there was a problem, let alone had the desire to fix it. On the other hand, we started putting forward solutions to fix primary healthcare, long term care and access to addictions and mental health a full year before the campaign. We’ve been honest that it is going to take time, bold action and big investments. That is what I committed to and that is what our government is following through on. Spotlight: Spotlight on Business has a primary business readership, so what would you like to tell our readers and business leaders who are either doing business in Nova Scotia now or that are thinking about doing business in Nova Scotia, what they can expect from your government? Premier Houston: They can expect action. We have no interest in moving backward, our only goal is to move the province forward. We will listen, but we will act. That means we may make a few mistakes along the way, but Nova Scotians should know that we only have one objective: growing the province in every way.
This is a great province with so much potential. I’m excited about the possibilities for Nova Scotia. A province where anything is possible. Our government has a strong vision for economic growth and a solid plan to lead Nova Scotia forward. There is a large focus on helping to start and scale new businesses, helping businesses improve their sustainability and focus on growing the green economy, leveraging our unique attributes to help Nova Scotia stand out and looking at how we attract new businesses to Nova Scotia. We have launched a marketing campaign to help recruit more skilled workers to our province and we will also work with employ- ers to offer the Better Pay Cheque Guarantee, where a portion of corporate taxes will go to workers. The potential of more and better jobs will help to attract more talent to Nova Scotia and will establish a new level of loyalty between the province, the employer and everyone working for a tax paying corporation. Manufacturers and distributors will choose Nova Scotia. Existing businesses that have been building and pounding away for years will be respected and rewarded. As a government we are com- mitted to new ideas and bold solutions to better support our existing businesses and be the catalyst to attract newcomers to our shores.
“ We have no interest in moving backward, our only goal is to move the province forward. We will listen, but we will act. That means we may make a few mistakes along the way, but Nova Scotians should know that we only have one objec - tive: growing the province in every way.”
Photos courtesy of Premier’s Office
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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