Will the Premier realize how deep the harm is for the cuts that remain in this budget?

CLAUDIA CHENDER : Speaker, that's the answer now, but it wasn't the answer last week. This government is still cutting millions from program and sectors that help build our economy.

Andrew Stauffer, an artist and arts administrator, is planning to move to Nova Scotia from B.C. with his wife for her residency program at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Andrew wrote the government about these cuts, saying: "Our hope has been to land in a city that has strong support for clinical psychologists and the arts so that my wife and I can both contribute meaningfully to the community."

With the cuts in this budget, he no longer sees a future for his family here. Will the Premier realize how deep the harm is from cuts that remain in this budget?

THE PREMIER: Speaker, I want to assure Andrew and people like Andrew who are thinking about this: Nova Scotia is exactly the place, Andrew, for you and your family. The investments that we have made in the health care system will be welcome for your partner. They will find a health care system that is functioning much better than it was four years ago, much better than it was a year ago, and it will continue to improve in the future. Andrew, I want you to know, as Nova Scotians, as Bluenosers, we love and value our culture. You will be joining a province where the provincial government invests $66 million a year.

Andrew, my final point: When we can, we invest more. We do that through additional appropriations.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: Responsible governments do that through budgeting and transparency. Nova Scotia just decimated the cultural sector and cut grants. Love doesn't pay the bills. Andrew and his wife didn't have to choose Nova Scotia. They wanted to move here because of our strong, vibrant arts and culture - not just for Andrew's work, but because it makes our province so great. Andrew said Halifax wasn't a top choice for his wife's clinical psychology program, but it was the strong arts scene that assured them that Nova Scotia was a place they could stay long-term.

What does the Premier have to say to Andrew and his wife and workers like them who are second-guessing building their lives here because of the cruel cuts in this budget to arts and culture?

THE PREMIER  : I want to speak directly to Andrew, because this is really important. I'll do that - he's not in the Chamber. I'll speak to Andrew through you, Speaker.

THE SPEAKER : Order. You can't . . . (interruption) They never turned on your microphone. Hold on. The honourable Premier.

THE PREMIER  : Andrew, this is exactly the place for you and your family . . .

THE SPEAKER: Order. We can't speak to people outside the Chamber. You have to speak to me. The honourable Premier.

THE PREMIER: If there's anyone out there who's considering Nova Scotia, I want you to know, as your Premier, I will welcome you with open arms when you get here. When you get here, give me a call, my friend, and I'll be happy to show you around a little bit. Because what you may hear from the Opposition benches is the same stuff you will hear from the Opposition benches across this country. I'll tell you the real story about how great this province is.

THE SPEAKER : Order. Just a reminder, people are to speak to me, not Andrew or the TV. (Laughs) Seriously, everybody, to me.