HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia legislature opens for its fall sitting today with a throne speech that Premier Stephen McNeil says will contain no surprises.
McNeil says he intends to show the public that his election campaign commitments weren't just talk.
The Liberal premier says two key commitments will be among those in the throne speech -- legislation to break Nova Scotia Power's monopoly and to strengthen rules around government assistance to the private sector.
Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie is promising to hold the government's feet to the fire on its promises and is already critical of McNeil's intention to hold a short session of the house.
He says problems dogging the economy such as outmigration and unemployment along with high taxes and power rates need to be addressed immediately.
Acting NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald says she wants to see how the Liberals propose to deal with the previous government's legislated commitment to reduce the HST by two percentage points, beginning in the next fiscal year.
The Liberals say they won't commit to the tax cut unless the province's books are balanced.
