Liberals blitz West Hants, clarify political vision

BY JENN HOEGG

NovaNewsNow.com

The day after her nomination meeting, Paula Lunn, provincial Liberal candidate for West Hants, is aglow. “Last night (Wednesday, Oct. 24) was just amazing,” she says. “Many more people than we expected were there - 130 to 140; a big crowd for an uncontested nomination.”

Nova Scotia Liberal leader Stephen McNeil is excited also about Lunn’s decision to reoffer. “Paula is the first nominated candidate as we move forward with a team that will engage Nova Scotians,” he said. “I’m very excited that Paula has re-entered her name. Her background will serve her well. “After the last election (which Lunn lost to Conservative MLA Chuck Porter in a tight, three-way race), she recommitted to her party and the process. She has worked incredibly hard, including co-chairing my leadership campaign.”

The excitement is mutual. Lunn is an enthusiastic supporter of McNeil. “Stephen’s vision isn’t based on the number of votes one would get, but what is right for Nova Scotia. Stephen promotes a vision that is right for Nova Scotians, regardless of their political party.”

When asked about the challenge McNeil faces in becoming known to Nova Scotians, she praised his outreach efforts, pointing out, “he has been traveling throughout Nova Scotia talking to people where they are. Also, Diana Whalen, our deputy leader, has been meeting with people in communities. “I think Stephen needs to continue to provide solid, honest leadership and take evidence-based positions, not necessarily respond to the flavour of the day issues.”

Spent two days in the riding

Lunn is particularly thrilled to show off Hants West to caucus and party staff. McNeil and his team spent two days in West Hants around Lunn’s nomination. Eight of the nine-member caucus visited businesses, municipal leaders, daycares and schools in the riding. “They’ve learned a lot about the issues here. We’ve had two days full of issues important to people of West Hants. I think each of our MLAs has had five, six or seven meetings each day,” Lunn said.

She said the visit demonstrates the significance of the area and the support McNeil has in the riding.

McNeil visited Hantsport and then spent time with a group of students at Avonview High School. The Grade 11 International Baccalaureate History students and Grade 12 Political Science classses were not apathetic audiences.

The engaged group of young men and women spent an hour talking with McNeil, discussing topics such as post-secondary education funding, political process, crime and lowering the voting age.

When asked why he thought it important to spend part of his day at Avon View, McNeil said, “we spend a lot of time concentrating on (teenagers) in trouble, not celebrating those doing well. Young people are doing wonderful things in their schools and communities.” With low voter turnout among younger voters, lowering the voting age may seem an odd policy choice. However, McNeil said it would be beneficial because “by lowering the voting age, you’re exposing people to their first election while still in school. It’s a good way of learning about the political process.”

Economic growth on the docket

Other than continuing to allow health care workers the right to strike and possibly lowering the voting age, what can Nova Scotians expect from a Liberal platform?

Certainly, efforts to spur economic growth will be there. “We propose reducing the fuel tax by four per cent to make Nova Scotia more competitive with its neighbours. We’ve been lagging behind,” MacNeil said. “We believe a tax cut will spur growth in the economy.”

The Liberals propose also to deregulate gasoline prices and institute a consumer watchdog program.

Speaking with McNeil, there’s a sense that the provincial party, reduced to third party status in the past decade, seeks something to set them apart from the governing Conservatives and Opposition NDP. With a dedicated but low-key team, McNeil faces a big challenge between now and the next election.

McNeil and Lunn say the rebuilding process is well underway. Lunn said strong attendance at the leadership convention in April surprised many skeptics and is an indication of renewal. McNeil acknowledges, “as a party, we need to rebuild. That’s what we’ve been doing and it’s important to speak to Nova Scotians about issues that matter to them as we do so.”

As an example, in a luncheon with his caucus and Windsor-area business owners at the Cocoa Pesto Bistro Wednesday, Oct. 24, McNeil asked for frank input from attendees. “Don’t be afraid to criticize us,” he said.

He wants his party to grow and he isn’t interested in an election - yet. “We’re looking to make this government work for Nova Scotians,” he said. “That’s why we made our position on essential services legislation clear; the Premier can chose how to act knowing our position.”

Everything else? Nova Scotians will have to wait and see.