New holiday, fracking wastewater ban among promises in Nova Scotia throne speech

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil looks on at a press conference following the 2013 Council of the Federation fall meeting in Toronto, Friday November 15, 2013. (Mark Blinch / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's Liberal government says it will introduce bills in the fall legislative sitting to establish a new holiday in February and ban the importation of hydraulic fracturing wastewaster.

In its throne speech, the government is promising to bring in 10 pieces of legislation, including one that would amend the province's contentious first contract arbitration law.

Premier Stephen McNeil is also promising to introduce legislation aimed at breaking the monopoly of Nova Scotia Power and measures to tighten the rules and increase transparency around government loan programs to business.

McNeil says there will also be legislation to amend the act covering the government's information arm, Communications Nova Scotia.

The government is also promising an immediate and independent review of politicians' salaries and benefits, pensions, living allowances and other expenses.

This is McNeil's first throne speech since his Liberals won last month's election, taking 33 of the legislature's 51 seats.