McNeil’s broken promise to industry damaging to our economy
HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative Natural Resources critic and MLA for Pictou Centre, Pat Dunn, is condemning the McNeil government for failing to keep its promise to the mining industry to phase in a motive fuel tax rebate.
Today in the Legislature, Dunn introduced a bill that would create a similar tax exemption for the mining industry, like the one that already exists for the forestry, fishing and farming industries.
“The McNeil government’s incompetence and broken promises are costing jobs and driving away people and investment,” says Dunn. “How can the McNeil government be trusted when they say one thing but never follow through?”
The McNeil government promised the mining industry a phased in motive fuel tax rebate in 2014 and said it would be phased in starting with the 2015/16 budget. That didn’t happen. It was also not in the 2016/17 budget.
The 2015 Fraser Institute’s annual global survey of the mining industry, ranked Nova Scotia as the least attractive province in Canada for mining investment.
“It’s common sense. We must attract investment and more jobs in order to rebuild our economy. A growing economy is the best way to pay for important services like healthcare and education,” said Dunn. “The McNeil Liberals have no plans for revitalizing our rural economy through resource development, including mining. Breaking their word to job creators is not any way to manage the province.”