HOWE ROOM: Secrets have a way of becoming public knowledge

Premier Stephen McNeil leaves the podium after making an infrastructure announcement in the Healing Garden at Dartmouth General Hospital on May 14. (TIM KROCHAK / Staff)

Premier Stephen McNeil has remained tight lipped about the makeup of his coalition to oversee the implementation of the Ivany report.

McNeil said the group, which has had one meeting so far, would be unveiled following its next meeting on June 2.

Of course, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Late last week some of the names started to trickle out when it was reported by allNovaScotia.com that former Liberal party leader Danny Graham, Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities president and Kentville Mayor Dave Corkum, labour leader Rick Clarke and Acadian Seaplants president J. P. Deveau were all a part of the esteemed group.

You can add them to the list that was already known: McNeil, Tory Leader Jamie Baillie and acting New Democrat leader Maureen MacDonald.

The Chronicle Herald has since confirmed with multiple sources five other names on the list that represent a variety of sectors.

Rankin MacSween, a former contender for mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the president of New Dawn Enterprises is on the list. So is Martha Crago, Dalhousie University’s vice-president research.

Glooscap First Nation Chief Sidney Peters is part of the coalition as is Jevon MacDonald, the young entrepreneurial dynamo who co-founded GoInstant.com, which he later sold for $70 million. Gaynor Watson-Creed, the medical officer of health for the Capital district health authority and IWK Health Centre is also on the list.

McNeil said last week he didn’t want to name the committee members until they had sufficient time to decide whether they wanted to participate. But with one meeting already under the group’s belt, he also said there appears to be full buy-in and everyone seems to be on the same page.

“We’re very encouraged by the support and at this point no one has said they’re not (interested),” the premier said.

WHALEN STICKING TO PROMISES

The New Democrats have been raising concerns in recent weeks about the Liberal government possibly backing away from a commitment to the film industry, but the finance minister says that’s simply not the case.

Diana Whalen said last week that the show would go on when it comes to supporting the industry.

The Dippers and several members of the industry publicly worried that a film tax credit might be on its way out. But Whalen said the government plans to make good on a campaign promise of a five-year commitment to the film tax and digital tax credits.

Plans are also in the works to make good on the promise of a sound recording tax credit.

“The industry should be, I think, reassured that it will say in place,” said Whalen.

The minister said there have been concerns from the industry about the length of time it takes to handle the credits. Whalen said her department is looking at ways to make the process more efficient.

“Whatever analysis comes out of that will be interesting, but the commitment is there. We’ve made a five-year commitment and we know it’s very important to the industry.”

The Liberals have been making a number of announcements in recent weeks. Several government officials have said the edict from up top is to make good on all campaign promises as soon as possible.