Job creation continued to be a main point of discussion on Day 3 of the provincial campaign.
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil announced a micro-credit lending program for small businesses at a press conference at The Futon Store, which McNeil revealed was his family home until the age of three.
McNeil said micro-credit loans of up to $25,000 through Nova Scotia Business Inc. would help small businesses get capital to expand.
The plan will cost about $10 million and come out of money currently pegged for the Industrial Expansion Fund.
“Let’s give (small business owners) the tools they need to create jobs and invest in our communities,” McNeil said.
Premier Rodney MacDonald had his own announcement Thursday morning in Beaver Bank. MacDonald said he would increase the basic personal tax exemption by $1,000 by 2014.
The promise is part of a 2006 plan that involved increasing the personal exemption of $250 every year. Thursday’s announcement was to essentially add four more years onto that plan.
“People work hard to get ahead and don’t want to see their taxes increase with their paycheque. My plan means Nova Scotians will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money,” said MacDonald.
The current basic personal amount is $7,981. At the end of the 2014 period it would be $9,231.
