Minister MacMaster Has a Discussion with Father Maroun.

Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness Follow Me

Posted this 2023-02-28 12:23 PM AST

The following email has been sent to Minister Allan MacMaster who is the Finance Minister, and the Deputy Premier, of Nova Scotia. Minister MacMaster phoned Father Maroun on Friday past and the two discussed the equalization situation in Nova Scotia. Father Maroun asked that Minister MacMaster have a meeting (in person) with the NSEF and its members soon. Here is that request from Father Maroun: Dear Minister MacMaster. Thank you for the phone call on Friday and I would like to follow up on that call. I have asked a few board members to participate in another call with me and yourself. I was hoping that you could also meet with Charles Sampson and Russ Green as well as myself on the next call. The NSEF has a policy of recording all conversations with politicians and as per our (the NSEF) policy mandates as nothing we discussed on our Friday call can be presented to the NSEF followers because it was not recorded. A second call to further discuss the issues we spoke about would be an ideal opportunity for you to speak directly to our followers and having Mr. Sampson and Mr. Green on the call gives the NSEF the opportunity to present all the facts. We are more effective as a group as each board member has an area of expertise that benefits the NSEF in the pursuit of “Equalization Fairness.” within Nova Scotia. As you know, we are a group of individuals, who volunteer a lot of our time to ensure that the CBRM and rural Nova Scotia are receiving equitable and fair treatment from the Nova Scotia Provincial Government. As you know, we feel that we are not presently. We can certainly have a cordial and productive conversation on this topic and still be 100% transparent to our followers while remaining respectful towards the Provincial Government during our next call. I sincerely hope you will take this opportunity and I look forward to continuing our discussion we had on Friday past. Regards, Rev. Dr. Albert Maroun on behalf of The Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness.

Posted by Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness
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Christine Bonnar Follow Me 2023-03-01 11:17 AM AST Reply 0 0 Father Moroun, I was certainly encouraged that you had a phone call between you and minister MacMaster. Although you are not allowed to say what was involved in the conversation, I would like to know if you found the conversation productive and that your concerns were heard? Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me 2023-03-01 12:06 PM AST Reply 0 0 Thanks Christine. I got the impression that they were concerned about the situation and the call was made to see if our stance could be softened. I was surprised to get the call in the first place but I felt they were trying to justify what they were doing as a government with the funding they receive from Ottawa. I invited him to come down or at least to have a conference call with other members of the NSEF but he did not respond to that request. I believe that he tried to convince me that they (the government) were trying to do what they could. I felt that Mr. MacMaster believed that this funding came unconditional to the province and that they could spend it as they saw fit. We have since the call, sent Mr. MacMaster a request to have another discussion with other members of the NSEF and myself but so far there has been no response to that request. Without quoting Mr. Master, this is as much as I can say and still remain inside the NSEF standards of not discussing conversations with government, that are not recorded. Father Maroun
Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-03 8:09 AM AST Reply 0 0 See my Post on another article added here today"6 YEARS AFTER THANKSGIVING".There is a local problem also. Here we are,a strapped municipality who was given 90 days to clean up their financial act like collecting property taxes or be cut off by Halifax and now this.This stinks to high heavens and I'm on the side of the Municipality Minister.You mean to tell me that after 6 years no one contacted Halifax and said"where's our money?".What happened to our CAO Walsh,lawyer Kachavanas, and why didn't the Mayor and Council ask questions.It should have shown as an Accounts Receivable during the yearly budget process several times.Heads should roll over this one.
Charles Sampson Follow Me 2023-03-03 6:41 PM AST Reply 0 0 Raymond, you are trying to diagnose why our CBRM councillors and mayor are no different than previous CBRM governments, with the one exception. Apparently, they are applying themselves with the same attitude as they apply to the illegal manipulation of the federal equalization transfers. The federal MPs and MLAs have this political virus too. But enough of the voters continue to re-elect them. Is the blame with the politicians or the voters? Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-03 7:06 PM AST Reply 0 0 Charles,I'm starting to think the problem is the local media.Some are simply afraid to report the shortcomings of our local politicians/administrators.Recent examples:Not properly collecting our property taxes,6 years without applying for our Thanksgiving money{except CBC which did today and it's in here also},the terrible treatment of our taxi drivers at Tuesday's Council meeting,the Library fiasco,Barbusci's extension{phoney Container Pier} and the location of his assistant in our Port office,and I could go on and on.Possibly the media is afraid that they will be cut off of future interviews because I hear that happens.Then if that's the case call that out too.Sorry for going off but we deserve better.Companies are eventually gonna be afraid to set up here.
Charles Sampson Follow Me 2023-03-03 7:56 PM AST Reply 0 0 Raymond, the goal is to keep this area lacking in development in order to get as much of the municipal deficiency in tax capacity related to property taxes and miscellaneous revenues, which is just one of the five categories in the federal formula for equalization. The media is also supportive of this too. Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-03 8:02 PM AST Reply 0 0 Here's my answer to a lot of issues which will keep our so called "LEADERS" on their toes: a daily or weekly no holds barred talk show/podcast hosted by David Delaney.Boy would that be something!!!!!!!!!!! Charles Sampson Follow Me 2023-03-04 10:56 AM AST Reply 0 0 Yes, a radio program like that existed in the past called “Talk Back” and the so-called “leaders” had it cancelled. When government is not being transparent, questions will be asked and governments who refuse to be held accountable, which is the case regarding these federal Equalization Payments. When it is obvious that governments at all levels are not being transparent about their own financial data regarding the Equalization Payments or local municipal finances, it is up to the voters to act responsibly and to not re-elect any politicians who are not being honest with their citizens. So far this has not happened. Unless this happens, the corruption will not stop. Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-04 11:06 AM AST Reply 0 0 I remember talkback as a kid with Norris Nathanson/Dave Wilson.Kept our politicians and others in line.Time to bring it back with a guy like Delaney who is not afraid to say it like it is.The world is getting a little upside down out there with all the lies and this would help us at least locally to rein it in. Charles Sampson Follow Me 2023-03-04 11:25 AM AST Reply 0 0 But without such an outlet, the public still can exercise their power by not re-electing candidates who have not acted in the interests of their constituents. The political parties are also the problem as a party member has to decide after being elected whether to represent his/her constituents or to support the party's directives even though this will not be in the best interest of the constituents. Again, this has not happened. With the public condoning this unaccountable conduct, the government unaccountability will continue. Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-04 11:35 AM AST Reply 1 0 We all need a good education on a lot of topics and that could start with an open line talk show where everyone could chime in with an opinion/idea.Would provide all sides to things.Take a look at David Delaney's letter in the CB POST today.
Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-04 11:59 AM AST Reply 1 0 By the way Charles,for your followers,there are 3 former politicians rumoured to be looking to knock the current Mayor out,if she runs.These recycled politicians rarely work out.Too skilled in the art of lying in most cases.
Charles Sampson Follow Me 2023-03-04 1:25 PM AST Reply 0 0 The political/economic payoff is so good and easy to accept in this corrupted political party system and because the electorate does not hold politicians accountable for not representing the best interests of the constituency/constituents, what incentive is there for these dishonest politicians to change? The mafia acts more honourable!
Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2023-03-04 7:15 PM AST Reply 0 0 More nasty politics at the expense of regular folks: CB POST just an hour ago posted another twist in the taxi cab fiasco.Easy to see why the existing outfits are confused and upset.Burt,the by law guy didn't help matters Tuesday night at the televised Council meeting.