QUESTION PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE! < Jeudi >

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MacKay Report
Mr. S. Graham: My question this afternoon is for the Minister of Education. The MacKay report
set out 95 recommendations with 60 clear deadlines. On page 222, Mr. MacKay says:
Rural areas in both anglophone and francophone communities in particular have great difficulty
attracting to their communities and retaining professionals such as speech language pathologists,
audiologists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists . . . Wait
times to see some professionals are reported to be long: some report waiting periods of six months
to three years.
Mr. MacKay says that within one year of the release of the report—that is by March 15, 2007—the
ratio of speech language pathologists to students should be reduced from 1 pathologist for every
3 767 students to 1 pathologist for every 3 000 students. My question for you this afternoon, Mr.
Minister, is this: Can you give a commitment that this budget contains funding to meet that
deadline?
L’hon. M. Williams : Nous avons rendu publique l’étude MacKay le 15 mars. Nous avons mis un
montant de 5 millions dans le budget justement pour examiner les recommandations avec nos
partenaires. J’ai annoncé un processus étalé sur trois étapes. Une de ces initiatives consiste en un
forum qui aura lieu les 28 et 29 mai. Nous travaillerons avec nos partenaires pour traiter ces
questions.
Mr. S. Graham: While the minister talks about releasing the report publicly, he fails to mention that
his government has had the report for an extended period of time. Now, it is clear from his
nonanswer today that the deadline that Dr. MacKay outlined in his budget will not be met.
My second question is this: New Brunswick children who are waiting to see specialists cannot afford
for this government to stand still. As the minister himself acknowledged, if it is spin, it is spin, but
New Brunswick students need more than spin.
Recommendation 12 states that:
12(a) The Minister of Education in collaboration with her Cabinet colleagues should strike an
interdepartmental committee to identify the extent of shortages in the key outside professional
services that interact with the education of students.
Mr. MacKay says that this committee should be formed within six months—that is by September
15—and that the work should be completed by March 15, 2007, so that we can address the shortages
of psychologists, social workers, nurses, audiologists, and so forth.
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019 12:25
We need our province to become a leader in student achievement, and to do this, we need a
commitment from the minister and his Cabinet colleagues that they are going to meet the deadlines
in the MacKay report. Can you at least commit to that?
L’hon. M. Williams : En réponse au chef de l’opposition, le rapport MacKay a été commandé en
novembre 2004, et l’échéancier était en décembre 2005. L’échéancier et a été rencontré par
M. MacKay. Le 1er février, seulement un mois plus tard, le rapport avait été traduit dans les deux
langues. Mon prédécesseur a reçu le rapport le 1er février, et je l’ai rendu public le 15 mars.
Nous consultons les gens, il y a eu au-delà de 700 personnes qui ont participé à l’étude. Nous
voulons donner la chance aux différents intervenants de prendre connaissance du rapport, et c’est
ce qu’on a fait. J’ai annoncé une autre initiative le 15 mars avec le rapport, et c’est la formation d’un
comité interministériel pour examiner les programmes et services intégrés. Nous poursuivrons dans
la bonne voie.
Mr. S. Graham: It is becoming abundantly clear that this budget is more about photo opportunities
and investing in politics rather than investing in people. The question that we asked you today . . .
Over 700 people were involved in the writing of the MacKay report, and now you are saying that
you want to study the study. All we, on this side of the Chamber, are asking is this: Are you
prepared to honour the deadlines and time frames that were outlined in the MacKay report? Yes or
no?
L’hon. M. Williams : Pour aborder la question du chef de l’opposition, ce n’est pas une
consultation. S’il regarde bien le rapport, le professeur MacKay a recommandé que, en préparation
à l’application ou à la mise en oeuvre des recommandations, on implique les partenaires. Alors, le
forum qui est une des initiatives que j’ai annoncées est justement ce qu’on va faire les 28 et 29 mai.
On consulte les gens et on prend au sérieux ce que nous amènent les 700 personnes qui ont été
consultées et les 26 différents organismes qui ont aussi envoyé des mémoires. On prend très
sérieusement les recommandations du rapport MacKay. On a à coeur l’éducation ici, au Nouveau-
Brunswick.
M. S. Graham : C’est inacceptable que le ministre de l’Éducation ne puisse pas répondre à la
question. Elle est pourtant claire. Le temps pour l’étude n’est pas de faire une autre étude. C’est
terminé, il est temps de prendre des actions et de faire des investissements propres à notre système
d’éducation. La question que j’ai posée à savoir si vous êtes prêt, en tant que ministre, à appuyer les
recommandations et la date butoir du rapport MacKay? La réponse est simple : Oui ou non.
Honorerez-vous la date?
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L’hon. M. Williams : Encore une fois, le rapport a été rendu public le 15 mars, et trois initiatives
ont été annoncées, soit la formation d’un comité interministériel pour regarder à l’intégration des
services et programmes au niveau des différents ministères et l’annonce d’un forum les 28 et 29 mai
prochains justement pour regarder avec nos partenaires et les différents intervenants les
recommandations du rapport MacKay. À partir de cela, on pourra établir un plan d’action et regarder
à la mise en oeuvre des recommandations. On va en discuter avec nos différents partenaires et
intervenants.
Mr. S. Graham: Dr. MacKay clearly outlines the need for accountability and progress updates. That
is highlighted in this report. Today, very clearly, the minister is refusing to honour the dates and
time lines established in the MacKay report. He says that he wants to have further study and further
consultation. If you cannot make a commitment on that, can you at least make this commitment
today? The commitment is very simple. As minister, are you prepared to appear before the Standing
Committee on Education to provide updates to this committee on the implementation of the report?
Will you do that in October 2006?
L’hon. M. Williams : Le rapport MacKay fait partie de notre plan d’apprentissage de qualité. C’est
une des initiatives. Nous avons reçu le rapport, et il a été rendu public. Présentement, les différents
partenaires, les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick, en prennent connaissance. Nous avons annoncé la
tenue d’un forum justement pour discuter du rapport MacKay et lui donner suite.
020 14:30
La semaine dernière, le ministre des Finances a annoncé dans son budget des initiatives qui abordent
certains éléments du rapport MacKay, entre autres, 240 enseignants additionnels. De plus, il y a une
augmentation de 37,5 millions au budget de l’éducation.
Les parlementaires du côté de l’opposition devraient peut-être relire le budget qui a été annoncé la
semaine dernière et il verrait qu’il y a beaucoup d’initiatives, comme la réduction du nombre
d’élèves par classe et les millions affectés dans la composition de la salle de classe. Alors, je pense
que j’ai indiqué toutes ces bonnes initiatives, mais il faut croire que les parlementaires du côté de
l’opposition n’écoutent pas, comme d’habitude.
Mr. S. Graham: I remember the minister’s response last week: If it is a spin, then call it a spin. You
have not broken off message once. The unfortunate reality is that it is the children of New
Brunswick who are suffering, because our investments in education are the investments for our
future. Are you prepared to appear before the Standing Committee on Education in October 2006
to update the House and to see if the deadlines are being met? That was the question. You refused
to answer. I am going to give you one more opportunity. Are you prepared at least to accept that
opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee on Education?
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L’hon. M. Williams : La semaine dernière, les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick ont entendu les bonnes
nouvelles concernant le domaine de l’éducation. En effet, un montant de 37,5 millions de dollars
est un investissement très important. De plus, il y aura 240 enseignants additionnels et une réduction
du nombre d’élèves par classe. Il y a aussi la composition de la classe et le programme spécial qu’on
a en place et qui est mis en action pour un montant de 2,5 millions. Voilà des actions concrètes.
Je vais encore dire au chef de l’opposition que nous avons annoncé une initiative, soit le forum pour
les 28 et 29 mai. Nous allons faire comme nous l’avons toujours fait : nous travaillons avec les gens
du Nouveau-Brunswick pour mettre des initiatives en place. Nous sommes à l’écoute des gens et
nous réagissons avec des actions positives. Un montant additionnel de 37,5 millions en éducation,
c’est un investissement important.
Mme C. Robichaud : Mes questions sont pour le ministre de l’Éducation. Je mets en doute le sérieux
de ce gouvernement, alors que le comité concernant l’éducation ne s’est même pas réuni depuis
2003.
Ce gouvernement semble vouloir attendre avant de mettre en place les recommandations du rapport
MacKay. La recommandation 53 du rapport MacKay se lit comme suit : « Le ministre de l’éducation
doit exiger une vérification immédiate de toutes les écoles du Nouveau-Brunswick. »
M. MacKay énumère les critères qui doivent être examinés. Le vérificateur général a aussi indiqué
qu’il avait des inquiétudes tant qu’à la sécurité de nos élèves dans nos installations scolaires.
Étant donné ces deux rapports, est-ce que le ministre de l’Éducation a réagi aux recommandations
du rapport MacKay, en entamant une vérification immédiate? Sinon, pourquoi ne l’a-t-il pas fait?
L’hon. M. Williams : En réponse à la question de la députée de l’opposition, encore une fois, je
voudrais lui rappeler que, lorsque le rapport a été rendu public le 15 mars, on a annoncé trois
initiatives, entre autres, un comité interministériel. De plus, les 28 et 29 mai, il y aura un forum dans
lequel nous allons examiner les 95 principales recommandations et les sous-recommandations, pour
un total de 250.
Nous allons discuter avec nos différents partenaires, et, ensemble, nous allons travailler pour
améliorer notre système d’éducation au Nouveau-Brunswick. Je dois vous dire que nos partenaires
sont très enthousiasmés par l’approche que nous avons prise pour aborder les recommandations du
rapport MacKay.
Mme C. Robichaud : Bien sûr que tous les enseignants sont enthousiasmés du rapport mais non par
la vitesse de ce gouvernement. La recommandation 55 du rapport MacKay demande une vérification
immédiate de tous les véhicules de transport scolaire, afin d’assurer l’accessibilité du transport pour
les élèves ayant des besoins spéciaux. Le ministre de l’Éducation a-t-il entamé cette vérification?
Sinon, pourquoi?
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021 14:35
L’hon. M. Williams : J’ai entendu la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi parler des édifices et des
véhicules qui sont négligés. Je veux lui rappeler que, cette année, notre budget de capital est de 58
millions de dollars. C’est le plus gros investissement depuis les 20 dernières années. Je veux aussi
lui rappeler que, en 1998-1999, sous l’ancien gouvernement, le budget de capital était de 18
millions. Avec nos 58 millions, on prend les choses très au sérieux. Depuis 1999, on investit
davantage de fonds en éducation. Nous continuerons à le faire.
Mme C. Robichaud : Mon Dieu, si vous avez tout cet argent, comment se fait-il que les vérifications
n’ont pas été commencées? Reconnaissant que l’éducation d’un enfant n’existe pas dans un silo, on
a certainement besoin de prendre connaissance des besoins particuliers et du bien-être de l’enfant.
M. MacKay recommande la création d’un comité de direction pour la livraison des services intégrés.
Le ministre a annoncé la création d’un tel comité, mais avec un partenariat beaucoup plus restreint
que l’avait recommandé le rapport MacKay. Plus précisément, il omet la représentation des
ministères de la Justice, de la Sécurité publique, de l’Éducation postsecondaire et de la Formation
ainsi que des Affaires autochtones. Le ministre peut-il nous expliquer pourquoi il n’a pas suivi la
recommandation de le rapport MacKay avec tout l’argent que le ministère a en main? Pourquoi a-t-il
pris l’initiative d’exclure ces ministres du comité?
L’hon. M. Williams : Le 15 mars, lorsque j’ai annoncé la création d’un comité interministériel, les
deux ministères principaux inclus dans le partenariat étaient le ministère de la Santé et le ministère
des Services familiaux et communautaires. Le comité inclura aussi les ressources des différents
ministères qui travailleront au sein du comité pour valoriser davantage l’intégration des programmes
et services.
Revenons aux commentaires de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi. Le budget de cette année pour le
ministère est d’une valeur de 893 millions de dollars. Il y a un montant de 70,2 millions pour les
investissements en besoins spéciaux. La députée ne se rappelle pas que, la semaine dernière, ce
budget a été augmenté considérablement comparativement à l’époque du gouvernement précédent.
C’est une augmentation de 68 millions à 70 millions. On investit dans l’éducation. On le fait depuis
1999. On continuera à le faire.
Disabled Persons
Mr. V. Boudreau: My question today is for the Minister of Human Resources. There are recent
newscasts about a disabled mother who is being clawed back on her provincial disability cheque
because of monies her children are receiving through the Disabled Contributor’s Children’s Benefit
under the Canada Pension Plan. This government has clearly refused to do the right thing. Other
federal benefits, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the GST rebate are never clawed back
by the province. Without going into the specifics of this particular case, I would ask the minister to
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explain why the province is clawing back the Disabled Contributor’s Children’s Benefit under the
Canada Pension Plan when paying out pensions.
L’hon. M Dubé : Désolé, j’aurais me pu répondre: Allez-y.
On pourrait tout deux répondre à la question, mais j’y répondrai. Si j’ai bien compris la question du
député de Shediac—Cap-Pelé, elle porte sur les personnes qui vivent de l’aide sociale et qui
reçoivent aussi de l’argent du RPC. Est-ce cela? D’accord. Merci.
Mr. V. Boudreau: I did not get an answer to my first question. I guess I will repeat it. There are
recent newscasts about a disabled mother who is being clawed back on her provincial disability
cheque because of monies her children are receiving through the Disabled Contributor’s Children’s
Benefit under the Canada Pension Plan. This government has clearly refused to do the right thing.
022 14:40
Other federal benefits, such as the child tax benefit and the GST rebate, are not being clawed back
by the province. Why is the province clawing back the Disabled Contributors Children’s Benefit,
under the Canada Pension Plan?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Je n’étais pas tout à fait certaine de quelle situation parlait le député d’en face.
Premièrement, le RPC est un programme fédéral. Il y a certainement des règlements. Le chèque pour
les enfants et ceux qui reçoivent l’aide au revenu, est basé sur les besoins et le revenu. Un calcul est
fait tenant compte de l’aide financière et du montant mensuel reçus. Bien entendu, les gens doivent
répondre au questionnaire pour connaître le montant mensuel qu’ils reçoivent et toutes les sommes
supplémentaires au niveau du RPC. Un calcul est fait et un équilibre s’établit entre le provincial et
le fédéral.
Mr. V. Boudreau: I do not know whether or not this counts toward my supplementary questions,
but they are not getting the question. The story of the person in question to whom I am referring has
been all over the news. This is a former employee of the province of New Brunswick, not a welfare
recipient. That is why I directed the question to the Minister of Human Resources, to explain to me
why the province of New Brunswick is clawing back a federal child disability benefit on the backs
of monies that the parents are getting from a provincial pension.
(Interjections.)
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. V. Boudreau: It has nothing to do with welfare.
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Hon. D. Graham: To answer the question asked by the honourable member from the opposition,
this case is before the courts. Because of confidential matters, I will not discuss it on the floor of the
Legislature.
(Interjection.)
Mr. V. Boudreau: I do not think it is four. He made me repeat the same question three times.
I am not asking for specifics about this particular case. The province of New Brunswick has
obviously adopted a policy according to which it chooses to claw back monies being paid from a
federal fund to children of disabled parents in New Brunswick. The government’s budget is entitled
New Investments for People. It is a shame to see that these so-called investments are being made
on the backs of children of disabled New Brunswickers who are former employees of the province
of New Brunswick. Would the minister please explain the province’s position in clawing back these
benefits? I do not want the specifics of this particular case.
Hon. D. Graham: I believe that policy was adopted in 1996.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Hon. D. Graham: As minister responsible, I can assure you that we are looking at that policy. When
we get a direction, we will be back to the House.
Medical Training
Mr. MacIntyre: I could have answered that question, but I did not want to do it on your behalf.
My question is for the Minister of Health. It pertains to the proposed New Brunswick satellite
undergraduate medical education program, which this government announced would be opening in
Saint John next year. All I really want this morning is for the minister to give us the current status
of the project, and perhaps bring us up to date.
Hon. Mr. Carr: I am very happy to answer this question on behalf of the government, for Post-
Secondary Education and Training. It is very clear. The Premier made a commitment to ensure that
there will be an Anglophone medical training program in Saint John. Our department and
government will fulfill that commitment. Thank you.
Mr. MacIntyre: I am pleased that it is the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Training who
is responsible for this file, because, until this point in time, he has done a good job. I do have a
couple more supplementary questions for him. He has only been there a short period of time. When
can we expect the announcement of an agreement between the province and the partnering
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universities? I know that there has been an issue. I am just wondering about the status of the
agreement.
023 13:45
Hon. Mr. Carr: I do appreciate the opportunity to respond to the member opposite. Again, it is very
clear that the Premier has made a very strong commitment to ensure that there is an Anglophone
medical education program. Government is currently working with our Anglophone communities,
in particular with the Saint John region. It is our philosophy, as a government, to work with
communities, and we will continue to do that. The groups are still finalizing the details. Very soon,
we expect to have more news and more progress. The main point is that we are committed to
fulfilling this commitment. Our commitment is clear. By 2007, we will have an Anglophone medical
training program in New Brunswick.
Mr. MacIntyre: I do believe that the commitment is there. I did before I stood up. This school does
have the support of four regional health authorities, which are all very enthusiastic about it. As a
matter of fact, through Crown corporations committee, I am well aware of the structure of the
committees that are working. There are some huge committees working in this area. There has been
one setback just recently with an announcement that one university may not get involved. It does
concern me. I know that the Premier did say that we would partner with any university in Canada.
I appreciate that, too, but that is not as easy as it sounds. I know that is a very difficult thing.
My final supplementary. Have you committed any dollars toward the development phase? This costs
money to develop. It is a huge initiative. Has the government committed in this budget, or last year,
any funds toward the development of this project?
Hon. Mr. Carr: Again, I repeat that we are committed to ensuring that there is an Anglophone
medical education program. The Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training, in
collaboration with the Department of Health, is providing support to the working group as it
develops its proposal. Again, if it is not the preferred universities, we will work with any university,
and we will make sure that we have a made-in-New Brunswick solution to ensure that we have more
access to medical doctors. I am proud of a government that has increased seats for medical schools,
for our doctors, and I am proud to have over 207 new family doctors and specialists in New
Brunswick. We will continue to work hard to ensure that we have access for our patients in New
Brunswick.
Youth
Mr. Foran: I was home in my riding last weekend after the budget came down, and I got the same
message that I have been getting for the last several months. Nothing has changed. There is no doubt
in my mind that the people want an election. The reason they want an election became clear to me.
It is because this budget is about politics, it is not about people. The government is not putting
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people first. For example, this government purports to be on the children’s side, yet everything it
does demonstrates the opposite. It says it wants a Child and Youth Advocate. It said in the throne
speech that a new strategy to deal with youth at risk will be developed, yet nothing has been done.
Actions speak louder than words, and this budget does nothing to help our youth at risk. Can the
Minister of Family and Community Services explain this new strategy and explain how this budget
will help youth at risk?
L’hon. M Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre me à cette question. Lorsque nous serons prêts,
nous serons en mesure de faire une annonce. Bien entendu, nous nous sommes engagés et, lorsque
nous serons prêts, nous nous ferons un plaisir de vous donner les détails.
Mr. Foran: I will try to get an answer to my second question. Youth at risk often fall through the
cracks and are constantly being ignored by this government. They have a hard time graduating, a
hard time getting employment, and risk costing more to society, but with a little help, they can
become great community leaders and great contributors to our society. Therefore, investments in
youth programs are essential to them and to our society. A youth at risk can become an adult in
trouble, and we need to change that. Why is this government not investing in youth at risk?
024 14:50
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre à la question. Le gouvernement en a fait
beaucoup pour les gens, du point de vue social. On peut se rappeler que, à l’époque de l’ancien
gouvernement, le point de vue social a certainement été négligé. Les enfants ont aussi été négligés,
et le député de Miramichi-Centre se dit un défenseur de notre belle jeunesse. Dans notre budget, il
y a encore plein d’initiatives qui s’adressent à notre jeunesse. Je rappelle au député de Miramichi-
Centre qu’il y a eu des initiatives dans sa propre circonscription. Le gouvernement continuera à
investir dans nos enfants de tous les âges. On veut s’assurer qu’ils ont les services adéquats et le
soutien, autant dans la collectivité et dans leur famille qu’au niveau des services gouvernementaux.
Mr. Foran: After two questions, it has become very clear that I did not get an answer to either. That
is why the people want an election. That is why this budget is about politics, not about people.
I am going to ask the minister a very, very clear question. This is one that she can answer very
easily, not having to skate around it or blame it on the opposition. My question to the Minister of
Family and Community Services is this, as I have advocated, as well as the member for Miramichi-
Bay du Vin . . . How much money does the Department of Family and Community Services have
for this budget year to go toward the Miramichi Youth House so that it does not have to keep
coming back to beg year after year?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Je veux rappeler au député de l’opposition que beaucoup de choses ont été
faites, même dans sa circonscription. Il y a déjà eu des investissements. Du côté du gouvernement,
nous travaillons pour les enfants et les adolescents à risque. Il y a plusieurs initiatives dans la
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province, dans différents programmes, de différentes façons et avec divers partenaires. Nous
continuerons à travailler avec les gens des collectivités. La collectivité de Miramichi est un
partenaire. Nous continuerons à livrer un bon service pour s’assurer que nos enfants peuvent se
développer en ayant accès à tous les services dont ils ont besoin pour aller sur le marché de travail
et se sentir bien dans leur milieu. C’est aussi vrai partout dans la province, même dans la région de
Miramichi.
Mr. Speaker: Question period is now over.
Hon. Mr. Green: Mr. Speaker, I have a response to a question from a previous day.
Prescription Drug Program
Yesterday, at the conclusion of question period, I was asked by the member for Nepisiguit about
complaints he was receiving from seniors pertaining to prescription drug costs increasing from $2
to $9. I indicated in my response that I certainly was not aware of any such increase. I am happy to
confirm that to the House. The seniors in this province under the Prescription Drug Program who
are receiving the guaranteed income supplement pay $9.05 per prescription, but they have been
paying that amount since 1996, when it was increased by the previous government from $7.05. Also,
as I indicated yesterday, there is a cap on how much seniors pay under the Prescription Drug
Program: $250 a year for those receiving the guaranteed income supplement. Again, that has not
changed since 1996, when the previous government increased that cap from $120 to $250.
Mr. Branch: Many seniors were complaining to me that, especially when they have several
prescriptions . . . This lady who complained to me said that she could not afford her heart pills. She
was spacing them out way beyond what the doctor suggested, because she could not afford them.
I would like the minister to look into this to see if it can be regulated.
Hon. Mr. Green: If, off the floor of the House, the honourable member wishes to provide me with
information on this particular case, I will be happy to look into it. However, I think it is important
to be clear that the suggestion made yesterday that the cost of prescription drugs for seniors had
increased from $2 to $9 is simply not accurate. This government has not increased the cost to seniors
under the Prescription Drug Program for those seniors receiving the guaranteed income supplement
for the past 10 years. That is in spite of the fact the costs to us, as a government, under the
Prescription Drug Program have more than doubled.
025 14:55
Tourism
Hon. Mrs. M Alpine-Stiles: I want to respond to ac some questions that were raised in the House
yesterday with regard to the Department of Tourism and Parks. The member for Campbellton, I
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believe, was playing antics with semantics. While there is a summer slide called the alpine slide, the
winter insert refers to the word “alpine” as a synonym of the word “downhill”. The material in the
insert suggests that alpine sledding is, indeed, a family activity, and I can assure the member that
it is, indeed, available at Sugarloaf Provincial Park.
The member opposite also took opposite with the photograph that was captioned “near the city of
Campbellton”. I want the House to know that our marketing staff work very closely with the cities
of our province, and the decision to profile Campbellton in association with the Northern Odyssey
was made in consultation with the city of Campbellton.
Also, a concern was raised about Winterfest, and I would like to correct the member opposite; in
Campbellton, it is not Winterfest, but Snowfest. The member stated that it was overlooked in our
promotion. I can assure the member that the development branch of the Department of Tourism and
Parks works closely to follow up and to contact the communities, to ensure that festival listings are
market-ready. However, there is always a deadline. The deadline for this publication was November
14, and it was up to the community involved to make sure the department received the information
when it had been requested. That did not happen, but the Campbellton Snowfest was certainly listed
on the department’s consumer Web site.
This publication went out on December 6, and if it was of great concern to the member opposite, I
do not understand why he did not raise that concern. If he received calls from his constituents, as
he stated on the radio this morning, why did he not contact the department? Neither the department
nor the office in Campbellton was contacted, and that was four months ago.
I know that the Department of Tourism and Parks does an excellent job. I am proud of the marketing
department and of the work it does, and I will stand by it. I believe the department does an excellent
job for the people of New Brunswick.
Mr. R. Boudreau: First, I want to indicate that I never questioned the staff; I find they are a fine,
excellent staff. The only thing I did was to point out several mistakes that were made. All we wanted
the minister to do was to acknowledge that a mistake had been made and that it would be corrected.
Simple. That’s it.
Energy Conservation
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: This is further to comments made by my colleague, the Minister of the
Environment, yesterday in response to a question from the member for Fredericton North, with
regard to the One-Tonne Challenge. I want to share some more information on the topic today.
There are a number of programs that are being reviewed by the new federal government in Ottawa,
which is a completely natural procedure, as I am sure you can appreciate, when a new government
takes office.
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A few weeks ago, we requested a meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, to discuss
issues of importance to New Brunswick, and I will also be in contact with the Minister of the
Environment, Minister Ambrose, to outline our strong support of the EnerGuide program in
particular, which is linked to our program, Efficiency New Brunswick. Efficiency New Brunswick
taps into the EnerGuide program.
Our staff, in conversation with federal officials, have pointed out that the EnerGuide program is very
separate from the One-Tonne Challenge, as mentioned by the member for Fredericton North.
Mr. Burke: I cannot stress enough hoe important the One-Tonne Challenge is to provinces across
Canada. Certainly, we hope that this government, which claims to have a great working relationship
with the federal government . . . I would point out that it is somewhat ironic that with this great
relationship they have with the federal government, the funding cuts were made on Friday and had
to be taken under advisement on Tuesday in order to undertake to provide us with an answer today.
So much for the great working relationship with the federal government.
However, I do not doubt the sincerity of this minister, who believes that both the environment and
energy are certainly very important and are pressing issues for our country, let alone for our
province. We encourage her and this government to implore the federal government to ensure that
funding for these groups that participate in the One-Tonne Challenge does not cease.
026 15:00
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: We all recognize that the One-Tonne Challenge is a very high-profile program,
which has been advertised everywhere. What I am trying to emphasize to the member for
Fredericton North, since he wants to put a political spin on these things, is that there have not been
any funding cuts. Apparently I was not clear when I said that programs are being looked at. The new
federal government is looking at all of its programs to ensure that the money is spent in the most
efficient manner. There have been no funding cuts.