HALIFAX, N.S. - Although there are still no details, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald says his government is developing a stimulus package to help the province's economy weather the world economic downturn.
In a year-end interview with The Canadian Press, MacDonald says the province will focus on investing in infrastructure in 2009 as the best way of providing long-term benefit to the economy.
He says work will continue to develop the Atlantic Gateway, and the province will also look to invest in programs aimed at boosting workers' skills and sectors that require help, including forestry and the fishery.
However, the premier says the government will have to take every opportunity to "leverage" federal dollars and be creative by entering partnerships with municipalities and the private sector.
He says the province simply doesn't have the money to "spend in every direction."
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil says the lack of detail on the economy points to a government with plans to hoard federal dollars in order to tee up big announcements in advance of an "election run."
