QUESTION PERIOD < Friday >

Picture 051, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

ORAL QUESTIONS 11 QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 1/12
Senior Citizens
Mr. S. Graham: The budget speech does nothing to address the urgent need for adequate care for
the frail elderly in our nursing homes. in fact, the DMR consulting study, in February of 2002,
concluded that the dependency on medical needs has risen sharply since 1987, that the number of
seniors confined to bed was up by nearly 20%, and that the number of frail elderly requiring special
treatment like tube feeding and dialysis was up by 48%. I am sure you will agree that these cares
will continue to grow.
My question to the Premier this morning is very simple: why has he not included funding in this
budget to increase the hours of care that patients receive in our nursing facilities throughout New
Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I think that before the Leader of the Opposition jumps to conclusions, he should
wait for the estimates, because there was so much good news in this budget that we could not deliver
it in just one day. There is more good news coming for the people of New Brunswick from this
budget, and it will be delivered through the estimate.
I would have to say that I am extremely pleased with the measures we have announced already—the
measures to protect the homes of seniors. I am more than willing to contrast our policies with those
of the Liberals. The Liberals put in place a policy to take away the homes of the hardworking seniors
of this province. They put that in place. We took it away. Now, we are protecting the assets of
seniors.
Mr. S. Graham: Today’s residents are vulnerable. They are defenseless people. They are truly the
frailest of the frail in our nursing home system. I will describe for the Premier this morning the
profile of nursing home residents, from a recent publication of the New Brunswick Association of
Nursing homes called A System on the Edge.
The average age of a resident in a nursing home today is 82. The average length of stay is 2.8 years.
Eighty percent are admitted to nursing homes from hospitals. Eighty percent have cognitive
impairment, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Seventy-eight percent need total assistance with
dressing, grooming, and hygiene, 75% require incontinence management, and 42% require
significant or total feeding assistance.
The Premier stands up today and says he wants to help. The challenge to him this morning, then, is
this: His own Premier’s Health Quality Council report recommended, in 2003, that there be an
immediate increase in the hours of care per resident per day, from 2.5 to 3 hours per day. This was
never done by your government. The hours of care remained at 2.6 hours of care per day. Why have
you not followed the advice of your own studies, to act to ensure that our seniors get the care they
need and deserve in our nursing homes?
HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULE
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 2/12
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am very pleased with the budget that has been tabled this week, because again
this year, we are taking new steps, additional steps to improve the care of seniors in this province.
When I look back to seven years ago and what was funded then, and when I look at what is funded
today and how many seniors we are helping, there is a world of difference, and that world of
difference can be expressed by over $1 billion more per year in health care and senior care for the
citizens of this province.
I look forward to hearing the estimates from the Minster of Family and Community Services,
because the Leader of the Opposition will, in fact, see that there is additional time for care for
seniors included in this budget.
013 10:55
Mr. S. Graham: Surely the Premier will want to put aside the political opportunism and announce
today that his government is prepared to commit to 3.0 hours of care per day, as recommended by
his own report and studies. The report says that we must strive to move toward 3.5 hours of care per
day. Make it very clear: This is about dignity. This is about offering effective care, because poor
care in our nursing homes ends up costing more. Our party, and my colleagues, are committed to
seeing this goal happen. If this government is not prepared to share with the people of New
Brunswick today and with the nursing homes in the province that it is committed, then it does a
disservice. The budget has been tabled. Stand up today and tell us that you are committed to moving
immediately to 3.0 hours of care per day, with the goal of 3.5 hours.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I will be pleased to contrast the new investments that we have made in the last
seven years for seniors, how we are protecting the dignity and the respect that we show our seniors,
and how we are helping them protect their assets, compared to the neglect and the threats of the
Liberal Party of the 1990s. In the 1990s, when these people were in government, what did they do?
They separated seniors who had been married for years because they were not assessed at the same
level. One had to live in one building, the other had to live in another building. That is the legacy
of the Liberals. They would threaten seniors with taking away their homes to pay for nursing home
care. We abolished that, and we have added funding.
The Ombudsman, who was a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party, stated that in their
10 years, they had neglected the social side. That neglect has ended, and it has been replaced with
new investments each and every year, including in this year’s budget.
Mr. S. Graham: I am sure that the seniors throughout New Brunswick today who are watching the
debate occur in this Legislature have not heard the Premier answer the question. Very clearly, the
DMR report that he had in 2002 outlined the steps to move to 3.5 hours of care per day in nursing
homes. His own health council report that he received in 2002 adopted measures. He has failed to
act on the recommendations given to him in the studies. He has failed to move forward. Now, today,
HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULE
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 3/12
he wants to fight the battles of elections past. Well, we on this side are prepared to fight for the
seniors in the future.
What we are debating today is what is not in this budget. What is not in this budget at this time is
a clear commitment to move immediately to 3.0 hours of care for seniors in our nursing homes with
the goal of 3.5 hours. You have failed to answer that question.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am happy to repeat for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition and the benefit
of everyone in this House that there is so much good news in this budget: new investments that we
are making for people, new investments for children, new investments for seniors. We will see more
of the details when the estimates are tabled. The Leader of the Opposition will see that there is an
increase in the hours of care. The Minister of Family and Community Services will be more than
happy to give those details.
There is a big difference. While the opposition likes to showboat once in a while and yell and
scream, and they want to fight with everybody, we love getting results for people. The results we
are getting for people are that the seniors of this province have better care and more care than before,
and their homes are now protected.
Mr. S. Graham: It comes down to an issue of trust, of how you can trust this Premier. With respect
to the Public Trustee Act, we introduced legislation to put in place a procedure to help seniors in
New Brunswick who do not have loved ones to be able to address their care through a public trustee.
This government asked us to withdraw our legislation. That is why, almost 10 months ago, we
worked with them to bring forward their bill, which we adopted on June 1, 2005, for a new public
trustee in New Brunswick. My question to the Premier is this: Why have you not proclaimed this
piece of legislation? Why is there not a public trustee up and running in the province today?
014 11:00
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am happy to answer the question. We have worked in cooperation with the
opposition on this bill, as we have on other bills. We invite the opposition to work in cooperation
with us. The information that I have from the Minister of Justice is that that process is well under
way, and it is only a matter of a short period of time.
Mr. S. Graham: Ten months ago in this Chamber, this government asked for our support. It asked
us to withdraw our bill, to which we agreed. A public trustee is needed, as we know, at the New
Brunswick branch of the Canadian Bar Association and at the New Brunswick Advisory Council
on Seniors. Hospital and nursing home administrators have all identified a need for a public trustee
or a public guardian. When people lose the ability to make their own decisions about personal
things, such as health care or finances, it puts their loved ones in a very difficult position. They have
to apply to go before the Court for authorization for someone to make the appointed decisions. Many
of the families in New Brunswick today lack the resources.
HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULE
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 4/12
I see the Premier getting briefed. The bottom line is, he should be on top of this file. Why has it
taken over 10 months? You have not even proclaimed the legislation. Why do we not have a public
trustee up and running today to help seniors in need?
Hon. Mr. Lord: Maybe some day I will have all the knowledge and all the information that the
Leader of the Opposition has. In the meantime, I am very pleased to receive additional information
and advice from my colleagues. On this side, we like to work as a team. I am very pleased to be
supported by a strong team of individuals and people who want to work for the benefit of New
Brunswick. Maybe the Leader of the Opposition does not have the same benefit on the other side.
Perhaps that is why he never gets any briefings from any of these caucus members. I think the
briefing he is getting is that they would like to replace him.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. May I refer the members to the Standing Rules. In this game, it is two
strikes and you are out. I ask each member to study the Standing Rules of the House this weekend.
This week is the first week. This is not a school of young children. You are adults representing your
ridings. Respect one another. When I say order, that means order. Respect the member I have
recognized and who has the floor. This is the last warning. Please, this weekend, take the Standing
Rules home with you and study them. Thank you.
Honourable Premier.
Hon. Mr. Lord: As I was saying, I am very pleased to be supported by a team. The information I
have is that this process is coming along quite well. The money is in the budget to deal with this
situation in the current year.
Mr. S. Graham: The team approach seems to be the slow approach. This government addressed it
as its priority during the last session of the House. It came to us looking for our help. We passed the
legislation. Now, 10 months later, the bill has not been proclaimed. The Premier stood up and gave
a political answer, but he did not answer the question that New Brunswickers are waiting for today
as to why his government has not implemented a public trustee.
Child Protection
In fact, my next question to the Premier is this: On April 1, 2005, your government proclaimed and
put into force the Child and Youth Advocate Act. It was passed in this House on June 30, 2004, but
it did not come into effect until April 1, 2005, as per our agreement. Now, an entire year has passed,
and this government has yet to appoint a Child and Youth Advocate for New Brunswick. It comes
down to a matter of trust. You say you are going to do one thing. You say you are going to consult
the team. However, you never follow up with an actual commitment to do it.
My question to the Premier is this: Why have you failed, after one year, with the budget in place,
to protect children at risk in New Brunswick?
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 5/12
Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition is stretching his facts, because we are protecting
children at risk in New Brunswick. I would respectfully ask the leader: There has to be a better way
than to try to scare people to win their votes. Where are the days where the Liberal Party was the
party of hope and vision. Now it is the party of fear and negativity. If that is the territory this party
wants to occupy, that is all for them. Our government is looking forward. We have opened up the
position of the Child and Youth advocate. There have been over 100 applications. They are being
screened. We want to make sure that we select the best individual.
015 11:05
Mr. S. Graham: May I remind the Premier that his government has had since June 30, 2004, to do
the recruitment process for the Child and Youth Advocate. When children die under the custody of
the province of New Brunswick, we have a responsibility to put in place protection services to make
sure that these instances are not repeated. It comes down to being responsible and making sure that
we are protecting the most vulnerable in our society. We make no excuses for standing up on this
side of the Chamber to protect children at risk. That is why this Premier gave me his word, which
he broke. It was in the budget last year, and that money did not go toward helping children at risk,
because this government failed to appoint a Child and Youth Advocate.
If you are saying that there is a lot of work to be done and there are many applicants to go through
the process, why did you not run that advertisement on June 30, 2004? The Child and Youth
Advocate could have started on April 1, 2005, when your budget was approved. That is how you
help children—by actually acting.
Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition does this every once in a while. He brings in a
personal conversation and distorts the facts. If he wants to talk about action for children, I am more
than happy to talk about that. This budget contains record investments for the children of New
Brunswick, for their education, for their development, for their wellness, and for their care. That is
real action. The action of the 1990s, when the Liberals were there, was cuts to education and the
neglect of social services. Now they want people to forget those days. The fact is that we have been
acting, and we have worked in cooperation with the opposition. When the opposition members bring
up sensible, reasonable ideas, we work with them. We have passed similar bills, and we are prepared
to pass others if they bring bills to this House that are worthy of the support of the whole House.
We will continue to do our job for the people of New Brunswick. The children of New Brunswick
are not at risk the way the Leader of the Opposition wants to portray it. He is using the politics of
fear. We are here, building a better tomorrow for our children and for future generations.
Health Care System
Mr. V. Boudreau: My question is for the Minister of Health. Statistics Canada states that, in 2003,
New Brunswick registered the second-highest rate of hospital admissions in Canada. The Institute
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 6/12
of Health Economics states that, in 2004, New Brunswick registered the second-lowest per capita
spending on health in Canada. The Health Council of Canada states that, in 2005, New Brunswick
was the only province in Canada not yet reporting on wait times, and did not even have wait time
standards. In fact, Nova Scotia will have spent double on addressing the issue of wait times in 2004-
05 than New Brunswick will in the current and next year combined. All this is despite the fact that
the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal provided tens of millions of dollars to
New Brunswick.
My question is obvious. Just what has New Brunswick been doing for the past three years on the
issue of wait times?
Hon. Mr. Green: In point of fact, we have been doing a great deal on the issue of wait times. There
are benchmarks in place for this province and across the country that were agreed to by First
Ministers and Ministers of Health. If you go onto the Web site of the Department of Health of the
province of New Brunswick today, you will find information, on Search, about wait times across
this province. We have been engaged in a comprehensive review of our surgical services in all 16
surgical sites across this province, looking to make efficiencies in the surgical system.
There is another statistic from StatsCan that the member opposite did not happen to mention, and
that is the fact that over 90% of New Brunswickers feel that we have an excellent health system and
that they are well served.
M. V. Boudreau : Les spécialités chirurgicales sont divisées en neuf catégories au Nouveau-
Brunswick. Les listes d’attente dans la majorité de ces catégories sont plus longues en 2006 qu’elles
l’étaient en 2003. Il y a 17 000 Néo-Brunswickois et Néo-Brunswickoises sur les listes d’attente en
2006, soit 1 300 de plus qu’en 2003. J’aimerais que le ministre pose la question à ces gens-là à
savoir s’ils sont satisfaits.
Le Nouveau-Brunswick a reçu 30 millions de dollars du gouvernement du Canada depuis 2004 pour
traiter la question des listes d’attente. On nous dit, dans le budget de cette année, qu’on procédera
à l’examen opérationnel de 16 blocs opératoires.
016 11:10
Si ce gouvernement n’a même pas commencé à examiner là où il pourrait faire des gains efficaces
dans le système, ma deuxième question est tout aussi prévisible que ma première. Le gouvernement
peut-il nous confirmer où au juste ont été dépensés les 30 millions reçus du gouvernement pour
traiter des listes d’attente si ce n’est pas pour les réduire?
Hon. Mr. Green: The member opposite speaks of $30 million. This government, this coming fiscal
year, is investing $2.46 billion in health and senior care for the people of this province.
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 7/12
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Hon. Mr. Green: Across this province, in every single region, we are making significant
investments in our health care system. These are investments that are better serving the health needs
of the people of this province and investments that are reducing wait times for surgical procedures.
Again, I go back to the fact that the majority of the people in this province, by a strong
margin—more than 90%—say that they are satisfied with the health care system in New Brunswick.
That is because we are delivering results.
Mr. V. Boudreau: Earlier this week, the member for Kent South said that the budget was spin. That
is exactly what it is. This government proposed $4.4 million to improve surgical access in New
Brunswick. It will work on the development of a computerized registry of all patients awaiting
surgery from the time that they have met their surgeon to the time that they are booked in the
system. What this budget does not talk about is the other wait list that exists between the time that
your family doctor refers you to a specialist or a surgeon and the time that you get to meet that
specialist. In 1993, that took 4.1 weeks to accomplish in New Brunswick, the best time in the
Maritime Provinces.
In 2005, it took three times that, or, more specifically, 12.9 weeks to do the same thing in New
Brunswick, the very worst in the country. The people in need of surgery are waiting to wait in New
Brunswick. We now know that this government is incompetent in addressing the wait times between
surgeons and surgery. What does this government intend to do to address the ever-growing wait lists
between GPs and surgeons in New Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Green: I am happy to talk about competence. I am happy to talk about a government that,
since 1999, has attracted a net gain of 207 new doctors to this province, many of whom are
specialists. I am happy to talk about a government that delivers a health care system which provides
more New Brunswickers with access to a family doctor than virtually every other province in this
country. Again, this coming fiscal year, $2.46 billion in health and senior care spending is a record
of which to be proud.
Aide au revenu
M. Landry : Ma question s’adresse à la ministre des Services familiaux et communautaires.
Cependant, avant de poser ma question, je voudrais vous féliciter, Monsieur le président, pour le
poste que vous avez su si grandement atteindre. Je pense que cela donne espoir aux petites gens
ordinaires du Nouveau-Brunswick, comme vous et moi en parlons habituellement. Cela leur donne
espoir. Cependant, quand on regarde le budget présenté mardi dernier, ces mêmes gens bénéficiaires
de l’aide au revenu, les gens qui ne peuvent pas suivre le système… Comme le ministre des
Finances le dit, le meilleur outil pour ces gens est la formation. Il y a quand même des gens au
Nouveau-Brunswick qui ne pourront jamais suivre le système. J’ai entendu le député de TracadieORAL
QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 8/12
Sheila dire, dans un même élan mercredi dernier, que les plus démunis de la province étaient
contents du budget.
Madame la ministre, ma question est ceci : Les gens de la région de Tracadie-Sheila, de Centre-
Péninsule et du Nouveau-Brunswick — ceux qui sont bénéficiaires de l’aide au revenu — ne sont
pas contents de ce budget car il ne contient aucune annonce pour eux. Comment avez-vous pu, en
tant que ministre des Services familiaux et communautaires, laisser ce gouvernement présenter un
budget qui n’a rien pour les bénéficiaires de l’aide au revenu?
L’hon. M Dubé : On voit encore que le député d’en face s’amuse à lancer me er des chiffres en l’air et
à dire qu’il n’y a rien dans le budget. Je me demande s’il a écouté attentivement mon collègue, le
ministre des Finances, faire des annonces dans différents secteurs. Ce budget-ci a des choses pour
les gens les plus démunis. Différents services seront aussi ajoutés. Nous en présenterons encore dans
mes prévisions budgétaires. Il y a une augmentation en ce qui a trait à l’aide au revenu. Il y a de
l’aide en ce qui a trait à l’électricité.
017 11:15
Il y a certainement une augmentation au niveau de l’aide au revenu et une aide pour aider les gens
avec leur facture d’électricité, leur chauffage et leur logement. Je pourrais continuer en nommant
la formation, le transport et j’en passe.
On peut voir, d’après les chiffres de la province, qu’il y a une nette réduction du nombre de gens qui
recevaient de l’aide sociale. Il y a maintenant de plus en plus de gens qui sont sur le marché du
travail. Pour ce qui est des plus démunis, nous avons le devoir de les aider, et c’est exactement avec
le gouvernement de Bernard Lord que nous le faisons.
M. Landry : Comme ça, Madame la ministre, vous seriez prête à me donner des chiffres, car je n’en
ai mentionné aucun. Je demanderais ceci à la ministre : Avec ce présent budget, combien d’argent
les gens auront-ils pour acheter leur épicerie pour nourrir leurs enfants? Dites-moi combien d’argent
de plus ces gens auront pour nourrir leurs enfants?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre à la question, et je pense qu’on s’entend sur une
chose : nous avons besoin de venir en aide aux gens les plus démunis. C’est ce que nous faisons, et
ce, de front avec différents secteurs. On arrive à leur aide. Premièrement, nous augmentons leur
chèque d’aide sociale, c’est-à-dire un engagement de 6 % — 2 % encore cette année. Nous allons
respecter ces engagements.
On aide aussi ces gens en ce qui a trait aux médicaments. Nous aidons les gens qui sont malades,
en leur accordant des moyens de transport pour ceux qui ont des difficultés et des défis dans la vie.
On aide les plus démunis en ce qui touche le logement. De plus, on aide ceux qui peuvent obtenir
de la formation et qui veulent aller sur le marché du travail — il y a des besoins pour les travailleurs
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 9/12
aussi au Nouveau-Brunswick. On aide ces gens dans leur démarche professionnelle. Il y a 27 % de
moins de gens sur l’aide sociale. Je peux vous dire qu’il s’agit d’un taux de 37 % dans la Péninsule
acadienne.
Alors, quand on parle de la pauvreté, on ne peut pas juste dire qu’on donne un chèque aux gens et
que c’est fini. Il faut aider ces gens dans leur qualité de vie. Pour ceux qui sont vraiment dans le
besoin et qu’ils ne peuvent aller sur le marché du travail, eh bien, nous avons des programmes et des
services, et c’est ce que nous ajoutons sur tous les fronts.
M. Landry : Peut-être qu’il y a une élection qui s’en vient dans le prochains jours.
(Exclamations.)
M. Landry : C’est peut-être drôle, Monsieur le ministre, mais, de mon côté, je ne trouve pas cela
comique. Comment pouvez-vous aller cogner aux portes pour dire aux gens du Nouveau-
Brunswick…? Les assistés sociaux ont de la difficulté à la fin du mois, car ils n’ont rien à manger.
Avec quelque 270 $ par mois, pour certaines personnes, c’est difficile de joindre les deux bouts.
Ce que j’ai dit à la ministre, et j’aimerais qu’elle me prouve cela, c’est qu’il n’y a rien dans le budget
actuel pour améliorer la situation des gens qui reçoivent l’aide sociale au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
M. Landry : J’aimerais ajouter que cette situation n’existe pas seulement dans la Péninsule
acadienne. Quand j’ai visité la région de Saint John, j’ai réalisé que la pauvreté était grande là aussi.
Les appels téléphonique que j’ai reçues au cours des derniers jours prouvent qu’il n’y a rien de bien
pour ces gens dans le nouveau budget.
Madame la ministre, je vous demande encore cette question : Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans le budget
actuel pour les assistés sociaux qui ne peuvent pas recevoir de formation parce qu’ils ne peuvent pas
suivre le système actuel?
L’hon. M Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de me lever encore une fois à la Chambre pour me parler des
gens qui ont besoin d’aide. Je peux vous dire que, lorsque je regarde ce que l’opposition a fait… Et
le député de Centre-Péninsule qui me demande ces questions ce matin faisait partie du
gouvernement libéral précédent.
On pourrait peut-être l’aider à se rappeler combien l’ancien gouvernement a négligé les programmes
sociaux. Notre gouvernement regarde justement d’améliorer nos programmes, de tendre la main à
ces gens-là et d’aider les plus démunis. Je viens juste d’énumérer une grande liste et je réponds très
bien à votre question ce matin, Monsieur le député, si vous voulez bien écouter. Nous avons une
série de mesures qui fait en sorte que nous aidons ces gens-là. Il y a 37 % de moins de personnes
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 10/12
sur l’aide sociale dans la Péninsule acadienne. N’importe quand, je suis prête à aller cogner aux
portes, parce que ces gens sont maintenant fiers d’avoir un emploi et de pourvoir aux besoins de leur
famille. Il y a 27 % de moins de personnes sur l’aide sociale dans toute la province. J’ajoute ceci :
le gouvernement de Bernard Lord n’a pas fini.
Housing
Mr. Doherty: Thank you very much. I would like to direct my questions to Hon. Mrs. Dubé. I am
not going to talk about statistics. I am going to talk about real life situations. In these past few
months, the government has expressed great concern with respect to affordable housing and low
income. Let me give you a couple of examples of situations in my riding.
018 11:20
Mary is a 75-year-old lady who recently lost her leg to diabetes. She lives on the fourth floor of a
building which should be condemned. The only way she can escape, in case of fire, is by jumping
out the window. Then there is Billy, who lives in a boarding house on Princess Street. Billy lives
in a room with absolutely no electricity.
With the introduction of my slum landlord bill, An Act Respecting the Protection of Low Income
Occupiers, landlords will essentially be forced to fix up their properties. Those living in poverty will
be forced to find affordable housing.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Doherty: Madam Minister, I pose the following question: What are the government’s plans to
assist landlords who will be forced to meet minimal standards and health standards to provide
affordable housing for those living in poverty?
L’hon. M Dubé : Merci de nous apporter la question du logement, je sais que ce sujet est me très près
du coeur du député d’en face et certainement près du coeur de l’ensemble des parlementaires. Ce
gouvernement-ci a fait beaucoup dans la question du logement, et il n’a pas encore terminé. Nous
avons un bon plan avec des mesures en place. Nous avons augmenté le supplément de loyer, nous
avons des programmes pour aider les propriétaires à rénover et à réparer les immeubles résidentiels
ou les appartements. On a aussi un programme pour les aider avec l’électricité lorsqu’ils ont des
défis. On est prêt à s’asseoir avec les gens et à regarder ce qu’il est possible de faire pour leur venir
en aide. Alors, j’invite à nouveau le député — je l’ai déjà fait — à s’asseoir avec nous, au ministère,
pour regarder l’ensemble des projets, des programmes et autres. Cela me fera plaisir de discuter avec
le député d’en face et de lui donner la panoplie de services que nous sommes en train de mettre sur
pied et que nous avons déjà mis sur pied.
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 11/12
Mr. Doherty: Madame Minister, I must inform you that I did, in fact, meet with your staff in Saint
John. They are a wonderful group of people to work with, and I congratulate you on your fine staff.
It is with pleasure that I look forward to meeting with you.
The second question that I have is also not a statistical question, but it is a real-life question with
reference to walking down St. James Street in Saint John. In Saint John, we have the oldest housing
stock in our country. Many windows are covered with plastic, and drafts are prevented by stuffing
gaps with blankets. In this budget, the government has allotted $12 million to the new Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Agency. Will the government agree to specifically allot funds to our
aging housing stock, rooming homes, boarding houses, and cooperative housing, to improve energy
efficiency?
L’hon. M Dubé : Je suis heureuse de dire au député d’en face que les programmes me rammes en place sont
pour l’ensemble de la province ainsi que pour la population de Saint John. Elle peut en bénéficier.
Si je regarde les fonds qui ont été accordés à Saint John dans l’entente fédérale-provinciale sur les
rénovations des logements, on parle d’un investissement de 18 % spécifiquement dans la région de
Saint John. Nous savons qu’il y a des défis et des besoins et nous les abordons au fur et à mesure.
Si le député d’en face veut me parler d’un cas particulier, qui connaît certaines difficultés, je l’invite,
encore une fois, à venir s’asseoir. Vous avez fait allusion à notre excellent personnel. Je pense qu’on
est en mesure de travailler avec l’opposition pour les gens qui vivent des situations spéciales.
Notices of Motions
Mr. Foran gave notice of Motion 50 for Thursday, April 6, 2006, to be seconded by Mr. Brewer,
as follows:
That an address be presented to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, praying that he cause to be
laid upon the table of the House all names of physicians and their specialties who were recruited
to Region 7 (Miramichi Regional Health Authority) from June 1999 until present, and;
All names of physicians leaving Region 7 (Miramichi Regional Health Authority) from June 1999
until present, and;
All names of physicians who have reduced their services within Region 7 (Miramichi Regional
Health Authority) or changed their services, including those who moved from general practice in
the community to work in the Miramichi Regional Hospital Emergency Department from June 1999
until present.
019 11:25
Oral Questions
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 12/12
Hon. Mr. Lord: I would like to revert to the end of question period, to provide an answer to a
question from a previous day, if that is agreed to.
Hon. Members: Agreed.
Power Rebates
Hon. Mr. Lord: On Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition asked how much each percentage
point above the 8% cap cost New Brunswick taxpayers. We needed a breakdown by percentage
point. I said at the time that it was between $10 million and $12 million. it is approximately $11
million per percentage point.
Mr. S. Graham: The reason this question was raised was that with the 8% cap that is now in place,
if the PUB makes a determination that because Orimulsion is not in the inventory to burn at Coleson
Cove, then, indeed, bunker C may end up costing the utility in the range of $100 million more per
year, as we know. An 11% increase is warranted. We were trying to determine today what the actual
amount would be in terms of the provincial treasury if the cap were above the 8%. The Premier has
indicated today that each percentage point is approximately $11 million. If the rate comes in at 11%,
can the Premier confirm today that that 3% increase has been budgeted in this fiscal period?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am very pleased to answer the question. Yes, the worst case scenario is budgeted
in the budget, in the sense that if the PUB determines that NB Power requires the full increase, and
if we cap it at 8%, the difference is budgeted in the budget.
I want to add that Coleson Cove is burning fuels other than Orimulsion. The plant has been designed
to be able to burn more than one type of fuel. That was the main reason we proceeded with the
refurbishment of Coleson Cove, and there were environmental reasons, as well. The benefits are
being felt, throughout southern New Brunswick and mainly in Saint John.