Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Finance for arriving just in time for my question.
Last year, when the Minister of Finance broke the Atlantic accord, he came up with a two tier replacement arrangement that created a second equalization formula offered to only two provinces. The second equalization formula includes a 3.5% escalator clause for these two provinces.
At the same time the minister stated that the government would resolve Nova Scotia's crown share claim and announce that settlement on March 15.
I respectfully ask the minister to tell the House what year Nova Scotia might first get a benefit from the 3.5% escalator clause equalization formula, and does he have any idea when we can expect the March 15 announcement of the crown share settlement?