January 21, 2000
(Executive Council)

Agreement reached on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation

Premier Brian Tobin is pleased that the Atlantic Premiers have reached an agreement that will see the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) continue in its current format, with each of the four provinces maintaining their equal 25 per cent shareholdings. This is the culmination of discussions which have been ongoing between the shareholders for several years, and it effectively reverses a decision taken by the previous Nova Scotia government to withdraw from the ALC.

"I am pleased to see that all four provinces will remain as shareholders and partners in the Atlantic Lottery Corporation," said Premier Tobin. "This agreement illustrates that Atlantic Premiers are prepared to work together on regional issues, and this bodes well for the future. Speaking with a common voice on common issues will allow us to achieve so much more than working individually."

With the change in government in Nova Scotia last summer, and the publicly stated desire of the premiers to see the four provinces continuing to work together in the ALC, a renewed effort was undertaken over the last number of months to come to an agreement acceptable to all four provinces. The agreement was reached today.

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Communications, (709) 729-3564.

2000 01 21                                                 12:55 p.m.