Premier Williams extends best wishes to Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm

Premier Danny Williams today extended his best wishes to Nova Scotia Premier Dr. John Hamm who announced he will be retiring from public office.

�Premier John Hamm is a dear friend and valued colleague, and I am so proud to have worked with him during my time as premier,� said Premier Williams. �I have known Premier Hamm for many years and I have great respect for his abilities and knowledge, and a deep appreciation for the role he has played in public life. He has been a tremendous leader for the people of Nova Scotia, and a wonderful statesman in the Canadian Federation.�

Premier Williams and Premier Hamm worked closely together to secure better resource revenue deals with the federal governments. �During our tough negotiations with the federal government, Premier Hamm was a rock upon which we all relied,� added the Premier. �He had fought for many years to achieve a better resource agreement with Ottawa, and his perspective and counsel were critical to our collective success. Premier Hamm never wavered in his determination to achieve great things for Nova Scotia, and I will always admire and be thankful for his steadfast support.�

Leaving behind a successful medical career, Premier Hamm has been a dedicated Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1993 and took the helm of his province in 1999. Since then, Premier Hamm and his team have accomplished great things. �From balancing the budget and eliminating Nova Scotia�s deficit to initiating the Campaign for Fairness, Premier Hamm has always worked to the very best of his abilities to do what is right for the people of Pictou Centre and Nova Scotia. He has left a lasting and indelible mark on the province and will go down in history as a great Premier for Nova Scotia.

�While I will sincerely miss Premier Hamm�s presence on the national stage, I know we will remain friends long after his political career ends. I wish him all the best as he returns to private life and leaves behind a proud legacy of achievement.�

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

2005 09 29                             3:10 p.m.