I just heard on the news that he said a joke about what's under a kilt in front of some students in the chambers.
On a personal note? I always like this guy but lets see what's going to happen?
Thursday, April 06, 2006
DID ADHD MINISTER KIRK MACDONALD SPEAK BEFORE THINKING LATE THIS AFTERNOON???
THANKS TO BERNARD LORD??? LARGE DRUG COMPAGNIES WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE MONEY ON BEHALF OF THE KIDS!!!
With Bernard Lord as Premier? The drugging and the killings of our children will continue!!!!
Ped Med: The ADHD treatment tradeoff
By LIDIA WASOWICZ
SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 (UPI) -- In the end, treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comes down to a tradeoff.
For hyperactive children with severe disability, a pharmaceutically induced, fast-action reversal of fortune may appear like a godsend, no matter any excess baggage. For the many more with less limiting problems, weighing the benefits against the risks may prove a much tougher call.
Studies indicate stimulant drugs, the treatment option favored by most doctors, can improve the core problems of hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity, flagging self-control, aggression, low productivity and even certain physical difficulties, such as poor handwriting. But the medications, which come saddled with potentially serious side effects, have not been documented to make any major mark on antisocial behavior, reading skills or academic achievement.
The other catch is the drugs do not discriminate, producing pronounced effects in the attention-deficient and full-facultied alike. So much so, researchers warn against using reaction to the chemicals as a measure of the existence of the disorder.
"(T)he ADHD diagnosis cannot be reliably confirmed or excluded based on a positive or negative stimulant response," notes a 2001 review of methods employed to evaluate and treat the condition.
Provided they are properly dispensed and their takers closely monitored, the compounds are generally viewed as safe by most mainstream practitioners. However, as with all medicines, they can cause adverse reactions, even in the short term. These can cover a wide range -- nervousness, weight loss, anorexia, insomnia, headache, rapid heart rate, nausea, tics, stomachache, increased anxiety and/or irritability, among others. A dose adjustment may spell relief in most cases, doctors say, but some 5 percent of children suffer such intolerable side effects, they have to switch treatments.
With prolonged use, the drugs' darker side, either unforeseen or unreported in the pre-marketing phase of testing, may pop to light.
"We know nothing about the long-term safety of ADHD drugs," said
William Pelham Jr., Distinguished Professor of Psychology and director of the Center for Children and Families at the University at Buffalo, who helped develop Concerta and Adderall and conducted numerous trials involving other ADHD stimulant drugs, including the initial testing of a new methylphenidate skin patch designed to be worn during school and homework hours.
"I remain concerned that the medications are used too frequently (nearly 5 percent of children in the U.S. are medicated with one of these drugs), at doses that are unnecessarily high (three times higher than needed) and for much too long a duration for most children (years rather than months)," he said.
U.S. regulators found the connection too far-fetched to warrant action at the time, but Canadian health officials last year temporarily suspended the sale of the one-a-day version of the best-selling amphetamine Adderall, marketed by Shire Pharmaceuticals Group, because of a suspected link to sudden or heart-related deaths in 14 minors and six adults and 12 cases of stroke, including two in children.
Since then, eerily similar findings came to light in a preliminary Food and Drug Administration report that drew a tenuous line between stimulant treatments and sudden deaths, strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure and other serious complications in a tiny number of users. These included children, although none was younger than 7.
Researchers stressed the results were tentative and theoretical. The review did not determine whether all the patients were actually taking the ADHD medicines at the time or account for such confounding factors as preexisting health conditions. However, the regulators considered the risk high enough to warrant immediate monitoring and further study.
Overall, 25 sudden deaths, including 19 in children ages 7 to 16, and 54 cases of serious, though not fatal, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular adverse events, 26 of them in minors under 18, occurred in patients taking the drugs between 1999 and 2003, according to the report. Those who died included 11 children treated with Adderall, one with Adderall XR, three with Ritalin and four with Concerta, the study showed. The death rate was less than one person per 1 million prescriptions, but could, in fact, be higher because "it is not known to what extent under-reporting of cases may result in an underestimate of the incidence of these events," the report stated.
The study of some 676,000 patients also found children prescribed stimulants suffered a higher-than-expected number of strokes, although their rate of heart attacks was lower than anticipated.
What role, if any, the drugs played is difficult to assess because some of the youngsters had underlying heart conditions that could have contributed, the report concluded. Nevertheless it advised: "Under the assumption that there is an independent association between stimulant therapy and pediatric sudden death, it would be prudent for approved product labeling to recommend that clinicians consider the benefit versus risk of stimulant therapy in patients with established structural cardiac abnormalities."
Although the authors stressed no final conclusions about stimulant safety could be drawn from the analysis, released Feb. 8, the following day, an FDA panel took the highly unorthodox step of veering off its assigned course to call for strong new warnings on the drugs' labels and in their advertisements.
The committee -- convened merely to advise the FDA on designing studies to assess ADHD drug risks -- voted 8 to 7, with one abstention, to urge the FDA to order the most serious alerts possible. It unanimously agreed, with one abstention, to recommend the agency include "medication guides" with all the drugs to notify users of the potential dangers.
Drug manufacturers' immediate response ranged from assurance of the adequacy of current labeling to insistence on a lack of evidence against the drugs' relative safety.
The FDA is planning a new study of ADHD drugs expected to take approximately 18 months, meaning more answers may be coming in the summer of 2007.
Last month another FDA-commissioned committee, this one focusing on children's medical issues and looking into reports of psychosis among a small percentage of stimulant users, also urged a beefed-up warning on the drugs' labels -- though not the most dire "black box" type favored by the earlier panel. The specialists took the softer approach in part because of testimony by psychiatrists and mental health officials concerned about frightening families away from needed treatment. They said pediatric patients have a very low overall risk of heart ailments, although they, too, recommended youngsters with cardiovascular problems stay away from the medications.
Both panels agreed patients, parents and physicians should receive clearer information about the potential for such side effects as heart problems, psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations of snakes, worms, spiders, roaches, bugs, jellyfish and other creepy crawlies, manic episodes or aggressive behavior -- effects the drug companies say are no more prevalent among medicated patients than among the general population.
Reports of suicidal thoughts or behaviors also have cropped up in some children and adolescents on ADHD medications, particularly Strattera, a non-stimulant drug that already carries a black box notice of the potential risk.
The FDA is now free to follow the prescription of either or neither of the panels. The decision will come at a time of experimentation with an altered format the agency is adopting for its prescribing literature. New features will include a "highlights" section that details key drug information and a patient-friendly medication guide.
The FDA also is looking into early findings from a small University of Texas study that tentatively linked the stimulant Ritalin to a heightened cancer risk. The researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center detected chromosomal abnormalities in 12 children just three months after they started taking the medicine. The investigators emphasized the results were preliminary and larger studies were needed to confirm them.
Next: Dealing with addiction.
(Editors' Note: This series on ADHD is based on a review of hundreds of reports and a survey of more than 200 specialists.)
EVER WONDERED HOW THEY GET YOUR EMAIL????
While checking my stats tonight? I found someone from Nigeria. Take a look inside at the stats.
Domain Name (Unknown)
IP Address 213.185.106.# (Reassignment to Timasy customer, Nigeria)
ISP Intelsat
Location
Continent : Africa
Country : Nigeria (Facts)
Lat/Long : 10, 8 (Map)
Language English (United States)
en-us
Operating System Microsoft Win2000
Browser Internet Explorer 6.0
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0)
Javascript version 1.3
Monitor
Resolution : 800 x 600
Color Depth : 32 bits
Time of Visit Apr 6 2006 9:36:38 pm
Last Page View Apr 6 2006 9:36:38 pm
Visit Length 0 seconds
Page Views 1
Referring URL http://www.google.co...en&lr=&start=30&sa=N
Search Engine google.com
Search Words 56 2006 emailaddress 1st april "micheal " directory and guestbook"
Visit Entry Page http://oldmaison.blo...dmaison_archive.html
Visit Exit Page http://oldmaison.blo...dmaison_archive.html
Out Click
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Visit Number 73,529
DON'T WORRY BERNARD!!!! YOU'RE SAFE FOR TODAY'S VOTE!!!
I don't believe that Tanker will defeat the Government because he's having way too much fun!!!!
CBC REPORTER JACQUES POITRAS'S WIFE HAS BABY NUMBER TWO!!!
Boy or girl? I forgot to asked his friends....maybe someone can help me here.....Congratulation Jacques!!!
BUTTS FOR THE HOMELESS AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!!!
A couple of days ago, I had a chat with a girl who has a drug problem. After 5 minutes, she said- I got to go and collect some butts.
During my protest, I would see them come around the Legislature late in the evenings and quickly make a exit.
Irving makes its claim to oil
MAINETODAY
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Irving makes its claim to oil
By COLIN HICKEY
Staff Writer
2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
So whose heating oil is it anyway?
That is the question, with an estimated value nearing a million dollars, that a judge in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor is expected to decide this month.
Irving Oil Terminals Inc. and more than a dozen school systems, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit groups in central Maine have a stake in the decision.
Those parties are all involved in a lawsuit, filed by Irving Oil, that centers on the remaining petroleum assets of P.P.C.O.M. Inc., the now defunct Oakland oil dealer that, according to Irving Oil, is $17 million in debt to creditors, including more than $11 million to Irving Oil.
"I think it is important to note that P.P.C.O.M. has essentially broken its promises here," Irving Oil spokeswoman Michelle Firmbach said.
P.P.C.O.M. stored its heating oil in a leased tank at the Kennebec River Development Park in Winslow. At one point last month, Irving Oil said the tank held 435,000 gallons of heating oil -- the last of P.P.C.O.M.'s petroleum holdings, according to the company. With current prices for heating oil well over $2 per gallon, those 435,000 gallons are worth at least $870,000.
"This (lawsuit) allows the bankruptcy court to resolve the Winslow tank issue," Firmbach said.
Irving Oil argues that it has priority rights over every other creditor in regard to the heating oil, with the exception of TD Banknorth, one of P.P.C.O.M.'s other creditors
Those other parties include Oakland-based School Administrative District 47, one of many school systems, municipalities, organizations and businesses that prepaid for fuel from P.P.C.O.M. but have not received all they purchased.
In the case of SAD 47, 92,500 gallons was still outstanding last month, an amount that translates into more than $200,000 in fuel costs at current market prices.
Waterville City Administrator Michael J. Roy last month said P.P.C.O.M. had yet to deliver about $130,000 in gasoline and diesel to the city.
Along with schools and communities, the list of prepaid P.P.C.O.M. customers named in the lawsuit includes Bob's Cash Fuel in Madison, Augusta Fuel Co., Kennebec Sanitary District, Alfond Youth Center in Waterville and the Kennebec River Development Park LLC.
Kennebec River Development Park is a corporation owned by essentially the same people who run Marden's Surplus and Salvage.
Paul LePage, Marden's general manager, as well as Waterville's mayor, said the development park has not received about 17,000 gallons in prepaid heating oil.
LePage, however, said he does not expect the park or any of the other prepaid customers of P.P.C.O.M. to prevail in bankruptcy court.
"I don't think anybody is going to get anything," he said. "I think it is a done deal. I think it is time to swallow hard and move on."
Irving Oil currently has control of the heating oil in the Winslow storage tank with the stipulation that any deliveries must go only to "municipal prepaid customers," according to court documents.
Firmbach said that in the last couple of weeks Irving Oil has delivered heating oil from the tank to 18 former P.P.C.O.M. prepaid customers, including the town of Oakland, Waterville Public Schools and Alfond Youth Center.
Irving Oil has not yet charged for those deliveries but plans to do so if the bankruptcy court judge rules that the heating oil rightfully belongs to the company.
Quenton Clark, superintendent in School Administrative District 58, said his system, which is out 19,000 gallons of prepaid heating oil, decided initially to have no dealings with Irving Oil.
But Clark said the price Irving Oil offered, assuming the bankruptcy court rules in its favor, for the heating oil was too good to refuse.
"We are going to (take deliveries) mostly because of price they've offered is cheaper than we can get anywhere else," he said. "We won't take the full amount (we prepaid for), and we won't do business with Irving next year. We will never do business with Irving again."
Irving Oil Puts Northeast Marketer Into Bankruptcy
Someone sent me this story...
April 3, 2006
Irving Oil Puts Northeast Marketer Into Bankruptcy
Canadian refiner Irving Oil has petitioned to force a Maine marketer into Chapter 7 bankruptcy, claiming the company owes it more than $8.39 million for product, Oil Express learns.
In a federal court lawsuit, Irving Oil Terminals accuses Kathleen S. Marston Thompson of "gross mismanagement" of her company, P.P.C.O.M, Inc., which is "dire financial condition" as a result.
Not only does P.P.C.O.M. owe Irving for fuel, but it has also failed to pay $3.15 million in state fuel taxes, and a bank that is owed $1 million is now trying to sell the company's assets to Fabian Oil, a firm owned by Thompson's brother-in-law, Irving alleges. Irving says it's concerned that proceeds from the sale may be diverted to others as P.P.C.O.M. winds up its business. The remaining assets -- accounts receivable -- would still leave Irving short $6 million.
Irving was not alone in its March 23 bankruptcy court petition to wind up P.P.C.O.M. A Portland, Maine firm, Total Energy Solutions, L.L.C., maintains that it is owed $1.83 million, and Augusta-based Augusta Fuel Co., says it is owed $1.11 million. Bob's Cash Fuel, an Edison, Maine company, says it is owed $145,578.
Irving signed a credit agreement with P.P.C.O.M in 1997, giving the Oakland, Maine firm a $1 million credit line. Under the deal, P.P.C.O.M was to pay Irving by EFT for product within 10 days of invoice date. An 18% service charge was due on any amount not paid within 30 days. In August, 2003, P.P.C.O.M also inked a security agreement and gave Irving an $800,000 security deposit.
However, a bank holds a first priority lien on the same assets as Irving. TD Banknorth N.A., has been trying to collect on the accounts receivable and other money owed to P.P.C.O.M in order to apply them against the $1 million it loaned the jobbership.
Irving says it tried to talk to Thompson about the debts, but didn't get very far. In February, she ordered two Irving execs who turned up for an appointment arranged the day before to get off her property When they asked if she would make a payment of 90% of what she then owed, she refused to discuss the matter, and told them to come back the next day with account records to support their claims.
When the Irving execs returned the next day, Thompson refused to look at the spreadsheets they had brought with them, said she was too busy to discuss the matter, and was unwilling to pay anything, Irving alleges. She has also failed to turn over to Irving her company books and records, and information about the proposed sale.
By March 6, P.P.C.O.M. owed Irving $8.39 million, not including interest and other fees, just for product purchased. Irving has asked for P.P.C.O.M's accounts to be frozen and any assets sales to be halted. It wants to see the company's accounts going back to January 2000, and says a receiver should be appointed. Irving estimates P.P.C.O.M's assets, including receivables, are worth $2.3 million.
A federal court on March 8 ordered P.P.C.O.M to maintain the status quo and give Irving immediate access to the company's books. However, Irving subsequently discovered that P.P.C.O.M had a leased tank containing 435,250 gallons of heating oil, valued at $800,000. P.P.C.O.M said it was not the owner of the oil, since a number of school districts and municipalities had pre-paid for the fuel. The court ordered that control of the fuel and the tank be turned over to Irving, which is to deliver it only to pre-paid customers, after school districts said they would be forced to close schools without the fuel.
TIME FOR A CLEAN UP AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE???
I never saw this during the last four years at the New Brunswick Legislature. Is it time for a clean before the tourist season arrives?
I wonder what cause this ugly site anyway?
QUEBEC SECURITY STAFF SHOULD HAVE SHOWN RESPEECT FOR VISITORS FROM SCOTLAND!!!!
This afternoon while walking to the Legislature, I noticed the Saint Andrew flag flying proudly on the courtesy pole in front of the Legislature.
This is the flag for the Scots.
I remember down the shipyard, I used to have a Saint Andrew and Acadian flag on my hard hat. 
Me mother is born in Scotland so I feel a little connection to my roots!!!
I wanted to take a picture but the flag was all twisted around the flag pole.
Once inside, Andre Ouellette the Quebec Commissionaire was behind the counter.
I haven’t talked much to him since he degraded me in front of the contractor last summer.
But I had a problem and he was the guy I had to chat with so here we go again?
I said - Do me a favor? Can you have someone fix the Saint Andrew flag on the flag pole? 
Just like the ignorant Quebecer he is…. quickly answered – NON MONSIEUR!!!!
Which means- NO SIR!!!!
I shot back - You don’t learn don’t you?
He answered that I was the one who don’t learn!!!
Well? The Quebec security staff at the New Brunswick Legislature should have respect for the people of Scotland who was visiting the Capital.
I know one thing is certain???
If it would have been the fleur de lis from Quebec? 
They would have run outside and fix the problem!!!!
QUESTION PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE! < Jeudi >
ORAL QUESTIONS 14 QUESTIONS ORALES
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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.
ORAL QUESTIONS 14 QUESTIONS ORALES
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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?
ORAL QUESTIONS 14 QUESTIONS ORALES
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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?
ORAL QUESTIONS 14 QUESTIONS ORALES
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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 Ã
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.
A TRUE MOMENT IN HISTORY FOR THE ACADIAN POPULATION IN THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!!!!
I didn’t write no long winded blog yesterday because I was busy.
Yes, even for a so call educated bum like myself? I can have a busy day.
It all began in the morning when I received this package at my door.
At first, I had to listen very closely.
You know - if I heard tick ..tick…tick….lol….
Once opened, it was a nice $500 camera and what a beauty it is!
This individual does not wish to be name and he told me that he wish to help my battle.
It’s beautiful gestures like this that keeps me going and going.
Of course, it’s going to take time to learn all the details of the camera.
Someone send me this site to give me a helping hand.
You can see the camera at ..click here...
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
Off I went on the streets with my proud little camera. Words spread like wildfire that I had a new little toy.
Once at the Legislature, I walked through the Quebec security staff and when downstairs in the cafeteria.
I was approached by a friendly Commissionaire telling me that I forgot to give my camera to the Quebec security staff at the door.
Maybe it was because I was still excited like a little child with a new toy?
But this confrontation was very friendly.
I never met this commissionaire before and I recognized that he had the same French accent as mine.
I said - Excuse me? Where are you from? He told me that he was an Acadian from Moncton.
His name was Yvon LeBlanc!!!
I quickly shook his hand and said- MY GOD???? AN ACADIAN COMMISSIONAIRE IN THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE????
In the four years of being around the Legislature I have never came face to face with a Acadian commissionaire.
This is truly history in the making for the Acadian population.
He told me that he’s here because he’s bilingual.
Yes, he can speak English and French better than those Quebecers at the front door who has a very difficult time speaking English!
I was so excited that this morning, I phoned the talk show in Saint John.
I told them the wonderful news that we have an Acadian Commissionaire in the People’s House. 
I felt like my bigot buddy Jimmy Webb!!!!...lol
These Quebecers are very ignorant with the public.
Of course we have a nice polite black guy working in there and he’s very poilite with the public.
Different cultures from New Brunswick should be allowed to work in the people’s House and this includes Acadians.
Many MLA’S are telling me that they don’t like it and don’t say a word.
Many asked me if I’m running for political office and the answer is always a BIG NO!!!
But if I ran and won?
My first statement in the House would be asking why do we have Quebecers in charge of the People’s House? 
They are so ignorant that they zoomed their cameras in me all the time.
How do I know this?
It takes me minutes to reach the door and Andre the Commissionaire from Quebec has already my name on the guest list.
These Quebecers are telling me that my signatures is not good enough. 
They enjoy to degrade me in front of the Fredericton Police Force but that’s ok!
Every actions is in one of my five ADHD minds and I blog the action afterwards.
They wish to play games? I love games!!!...lol
Yes, it is indeed a moment in history for the Acadian Population to have a polite Acadian in the House.
Ok…yesterday, I felt I was protesting all over again in front of the Legislature.
I called the evicted single mom and she told me that she didn’t have any food for the kids. I might add this woman was really good to me during my protest. In fact? Once the Quebec security staff stoled my tent? She came forward with a new one.
We all know who your true friends are when you're down in the dumps and a friend I am!!!
This woman don’t asked anyone for handouts and I know this so I asked a guy for a ride to the top of the hill to my church and once there?
I would bring them some food.
My God? It wasn’t a simple task! I waited for two hours to find a ride.
Usually, I just in there and quickly disappear.
But the interesting part was a man with a grey beard walked in the House and asked me –If the Government was inside?
Once through the doors, I noticed that the Quebec security staff had him surrounded.
Afterwards, he told me that he was born in Germany and his beef was with the private woodlot owners. I don’t know much about the issue but he seems upset.
He look like a individual who just wanted to chat with someone from the Government. < I wish him the very best of luck with that one? >
At 5:00pm, I finally located a drive < a P.C. worker > and I got lots of food for the evicted mom.
Thank God for Father Brien on this one.
So? I’m still trying to figure out all the details of the camera so stay tune for more pictures. There’s no longer excuses to say that the pictures never took and a BIG MERCI BEAUCOUP to the individual who bought me the camera and lets not forget to thank the guy from Saint John who showed up last November and gave me the other camera.
That little camera took around 4,000 pictures and it did his jon very well! A big thank you to that guy in Saint John also.
When you people give me a helping hand like this? It gives me the courage to continue the battle to educate the public of what’s going on in the Capital! Stay tune for more pictures.
UPTOWN SAINT JOHN WANTS CASINOS???
Another version of this email was previously sent.
Gambling Venues in New Brunswick
The issue of formalized gambling venues is presently being reviewed by the Province of New Brunswick. One or more proposals for gambling venues have been proposed in New Brunswick. The Board of Uptown Saint John Inc. would like to know what their membership thinks on this issue and at their meeting of March 2, 2006 voted to poll the membership with one question.
The question: Are you in favour of a casino in uptown Saint John ?
Please cast your
YES, NO or undecided
vote by sending
an email to:
info@uptownsj.com
EVICTED MOM IS VERY GRATEFUL!!!!!
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me get through probably one of the most difficult times of my life...
Thank you Abel Leblanc for fighting for me to get my apartment and to keep my housing... you are the best!
Thank you Charlie for all you did... and thank you to your priest for helping with the groceries after all my expenses... and thank you to everyone else and their comments and all of the love and support I received... I could never have gotten through this without any of you!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!
Things are definately starting to look up!
Evicted mom with kids
Juanita MacKnight funeral was sad...by Dennis Melanson...
Hey Charlie....
Attended the funeral of Juanita McKnight yesterday morning in Moncton.
The first thing that blew me away was the number of people in attendance at
the service.
It was held in the chapel of a funeral home.
Capacity was about 250. It as full...in fact there was about another couple of hundred in the foyer and reception area.
The Family was truly astounded at how many people came to pay their last repects to Juanita.
Her brother gave the eulogy...truly from the heart.
He held his composure throughout..did
much better than I would have been able to do.
The Funeral home had prepared a slide presentation with music that ran before the service.
Very well done....there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Another beautiful touch during the service was the inclusion of music which Juanita had recorded with her doing vocals and playing piano.
She was truly a multi talented person.
It was truly a fitting good-bye for our co-worker and dear friend, Juanita.
Dennis Melanson
Fred Fm
FOR WHAT PROFIT IS IT TO A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE
WORLD, AND IS HIMSELF DESTROYED OR LOST?
( LUKE 9:25 *NKJV )
Dear Charles,
As you already know in this World today it is very easy to
get caught up in our day to day life. We sometimes even
seem to forget how short our human life is compared to our
Eternal life! After all it is written; WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?
IT IS EVEN A VAPOR THAT APPEARS FOR A LITTLE TIME
AND THEN VANISHES AWAY. ( JAMES 4:14 )
We even see around us many people that are so consumed
by the power of money that they have lost sight of what is
really important! FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS A ROOT OF
ALL KINDS OF EVIL, FOR WHICH SOME HAVE STRAYED
FROM THE FAITH IN THEIR GREEDINESS, AND PIERCED
THEMSELVES THROUGH WITH MANY SORROWS!
( 1 TIMOTHY 6:10 ) For their god has become the almighty
dollar, but when their life is over, all of their money can not
another moment buy!
As Children of God we have an even better life ahead of us!
One with Our Savior Jesus Christ, and a life where; GOD WILL
WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM YOUR EYES; THERE
SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NOR SORROW, NOR CRYING.
THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PAIN, FOR THE FORMER
THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY. ( REVELATION 21:4 )
Therefore what a Blessing it is to be a Child of God! So the
next time that you count all of your blessings, be sure to add
that one as well!
Have a wonderful day Charles, and please do not forget to
attend your Church next Sunday, and Worship your Heavenly
Father, also thank Him as well. Amen.
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant Allen
[ Prayer Requests---Contact Us---Bible Study---*Donations* ]
[ Audio---Subscribe---Change of Address---Unsubscribe ]
at: http://www.godsminute.org
Apostle Paul Ministries, P O Box 55996, Hayward, CA 94545
(c) Copyright 2006 by Apostle Paul Ministries
ABEL LEBLANC'S LETER TO THE IRVING PAPER!!!!
Malley 'deal' takes the cake
I am writing on the issue of Michael (Tanker) Malley becoming Speaker
of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. How disheartening it is to
have this sort of sham take place in the legislature. No wonder the
citizens of New Brunswick question politicians and their motives.
In this instance, the motive is greed. For those who may not know, each
MLA has to have eight sessions to be eligible for a pension. Each
session is constituted by the giving of the throne speech. There is
generally one throne speech per year, however, that can be changed at the whim
of the premier. The last throne speech was made in December, 2005; this
carries through until, supposedly, December, 2006.
Mr. Malley chose to leave the Progressive Conservative Party to sit as
an Independent. He supposedly did so because he was passed over in the
last cabinet shuffle. Although not ministerial material, this man is
now holding one of the most prestigious seats in our province. I must
ask, does this make any sense? How did this happen?
At the 11th hour former cabinet minister Tony Huntjens supposedly
stepped aside for the good of the Tory team, allowing Mr. Malley to step in.
What has this done for the team?
Well, it is allowing l6 Tory MLAs to get the time needed to collect
their pensions. Had this government fallen, those MLAs would have been at
the mercy of the electorate to regain their seats - and earn the time
needed to collect this coveted pension. I've heard of sneaky deals, but
this one takes the cake.
Shame, shame, shame.
ABEL LeBLANC
Liberal MLA
Saint John Lancaster
RICK DOUCET GETTING READY FOR THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION???
He's in no mean the Legend Sheldon Lee but he's dedicated to his cause. 
I felt bad for the guy. He was enjoying a moment of peace and the blogger got him and of course he had to listen to me for 15 minutes!!!...lol
QUESTIONS PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE < Mercredi >
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012 10:50
Mr. S. Graham: At the outset, I welcome the invitation to visit the member for Tantramar this
summer at his farm in Kent County, but I must remind the member that the Zion Church Road is in
such a pitiful state of disrepair because this government, over the past seven years, has neglected
to repair it. It will have to be a Liberal government that will fix the road to his farm.
Child Care
My question this morning is for the Premier. We are concerned about child care in New Brunswick.
In fact, this morning, Statistics Canada released a report on child care trends. These findings identify
the dramatically increasing need for child care spaces in New Brunswick in our urban areas and in
our rural areas. Does the Premier agree that we need significant new investments in this area that
would be provided under the existing $100-million agreement in principle between New Brunswick
and the government of Canada?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am very pleased that our government, in the past seven years, has reversed the
trends that were put in place by the previous Liberal government. The same way that the roads in
Kent County were neglected by the Graham family for over 25 years, the child care system of New
Brunswick was also neglected by the Liberals during the time that they were in government. They
cut subsidies to child care operators in this province. They cut support for parents who needed child
care in this province, and we reinstated that support in the past seven years. This year’s budget
contains new, additional investments to help families and children in New Brunswick.
Mr. S. Graham: I am disappointed that the Premier is starting with personal attacks against our
family this morning.
I can say very clearly that the fact remains that, today, a report by Statistics Canada clearly outlines
the need for more day care programs in New Brunswick. The need has increased dramatically. My
question to the Premier is this. Would you not agree that the agreement in principle of $100 million
would go a long way toward solving this problem?
Hon. Mr. Lord: We have seen the trend this week. The Leader of the Opposition comes to the
House and wants to fight the fight of the Liberal Party of Canada. He wants to fight against the
Conservative Party of Canada. I want to tell you that I am here to work for the people of New
Brunswick.
013 10:55
I want to say very clearly that I support this budget because this budget contains additional
investments for day care and additional investments for parents. That is the important thing. I also
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support the policy of the federal government to give more choices to parents by providing them
directly with $1 200 per child. It will help more parents in more areas of the province than the
proposal of the previous Liberal government.
Mr. S. Graham: It is not a question of choice, because no choice exists in New Brunswick today.
We are the worst in the country for having accessible and affordable day care programs. I make no
apology on this side of the House for standing up and fighting for the parents of New Brunswick
who need acceptable day care programs. The point that we are making today is that there was an
agreement in principle, and today eight Premiers across this country are expressing concern that the
agreement will be broken. Only two Premiers are sitting silent. You are one of them. That is why
we on this side of the Chamber are asking: Would not $100 million go a long way in bringing up
our standards and helping children access affordable day care?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I have been anything but silent on this. I stated very clearly that I support the
approach of the federal government to provide more choices to parents. The days of the Liberal
thinking, that the Liberal government can educate children better than parents can, are long gone.
We believe that parents know how to educate their children, and that is why our government wants
to support parents in that task.
The Leader of the Opposition should know that the $1 200 per child is worth more to the province
of New Brunswick—not to the government of New Brunswick, but to the parents of New
Brunswick—than the current agreement in principle with the previous Liberal government. There
is more funding for children and parents under the Conservative plan than there is under the Liberal
plan.
Mr. S. Graham: The point is clear. Eight Premiers in this country today are concerned that the
agreement in principle that was signed will not be directed toward affordable and accessible day
care. The Premier talks about giving money back to parents. The Caledon Institute of Social Policy
recently released a report. I will share it with the Premier. The fact is that in a two-income family,
earning approximately $36 000 a year, the $1 200 child care allowance will increase the family’s
taxable income so that it will pay $422 more in federal and provincial taxes. The allowance will also
result in a $390 reduction in the Canada child tax credit, the GST credit, and the provincial tax
credit, and the actual net income will only be $388 per family. Is this the type of vision that our
Premier has—$400 of actual income in parents’ pockets, or $100 million to create 6 500 new
affordable day care spaces in New Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The vision and the plan that we have been putting in place has resulted in 2 700
more day care spaces in New Brunswick. This is far better than the track record of cutting subsidies
and cutting help to day care operators in New Brunswick. The Liberal Party of New Brunswick has
no leg to stand on when it comes to protecting day cares and helping parents. They are the ones who
neglected the social side. I bet you that the Leader of the Opposition subscribes to the point of view
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of the big brothers in Ottawa who think that the parents will only spend this on beer and popcorn.
That is the philosophy of the Liberal Party.
Mr. S. Graham: The audacity of this Premier to talk about credibility. The bottom line is that the
main thrust of the throne speech that was presented in December was the new prekindergarten
program that this government announced with great fanfare. We, on this side of the House, took it
that the research had been done, that the consultation had been done, but it is clear today, with
respect to credibility, that this government has none, because it was all about politics. If this
government were committed to the prekindergarten program, it would have committed to it in this
budget. What it was looking for instead was a headline in the newspapers.
014 11:00
Hon. Mr. Lord: This is the style of negative attacks that we are accustomed to from the Leader of
the Opposition and his party. The fact is, they like to criticize everything. The fact is, we are
committed to putting in place a universal pre-K program for four-year-olds in New Brunswick. To
do it right, we believe in consultation before the fact. Did the Liberal Party consult with daycare
operators when it cut their funding? No, it did not. Did the Liberal Party consult with parents when
it cut subsidies to parents for childcare spaces? No, it did not. Will this Conservative government
of New Brunswick consult with parents and daycare operators before we set up a pre-K program?
Absolutely, we will.
Mr. S. Graham: It is very clear this morning that this budget is all about politics and it is not about
people. The Premier wants to fight the election of seven years ago. I welcome fighting the next
election. Very clearly, our position on investing in new childcare spaces will be front and clear.
Why? Because it is not a question of choice when no choice exists in our province. You are willing
to give up $100 million to invest in the children of New Brunswick. Well, a Liberal government is
committed to bringing forward the spaces to both rural and urban New Brunswick.
The Premier announced that he had a plan, that he had a vision, and it was the main component of
his throne speech. It is very clear now that when that was announced in December, he was not
looking to improve early childhood education—he was simply looking for a headline. It is the
children of New Brunswick who have been let down by his lack of leadership today on these files.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am not sure if there was a question, but there certainly is an opening. First of all,
$31 million of the agreement in principle will come to New Brunswick. That spending is outlined
in the budget. On top of that, the parents of New Brunswick will start receiving the $1 200 from the
federal government. This budget is about people. This budget is about the future of New Brunswick.
I want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that I am looking forward to the next election. I am
not going to force an election just because the Leader of the Opposition is scared that he is going
to lose his job from his own party. He has to deal with his own problems. I am not going to force
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an election and ask the people of New Brunswick to pay an extra $5 million to $10 million, just
because the Leader of the Opposition wants to force an election. That would be irresponsible.
What is responsible is investing record amounts in health care. What is responsible is protecting the
homes of seniors. What is responsible is investing record amounts in education.
Power Rate Increases
Mr. Paulin: I would certainly like to tell this government what the people of Madawaska and
Restigouche think about this government. Unfortunately, the rules of this House do not permit me
to use that language. If this government really wants to know what the people think, go to the polls
and find out.
This government announced in its budget and made reference that a power rate increase of 8% is
acceptable, for this year only. God knows what for next year. However, when this government is
questioned on how it will help our mills in New Brunswick, it replies that that is out of their control.
We know that this government does not have any control over anything.
My question to the Minister of Natural Resources is simple: What commitment has he made to
protect companies in New Brunswick against skyrocketing energy costs?
Hon. Mr. Ashfield: We have a very clear plan on this side of the House, unlike the members
opposite who have no plans at all. We introduced a $250-million forestry package, which is
outstanding and uprecedented in this province, to help our industries in this province. One of the
components of that is to look at the energy file.
015 11:05
Forest Products
Mr. Paulin: This government says that it has a long-term vision for the forestry sector in New
Brunswick. We are seeing mills closing, and we are seeing people losing jobs throughout this
province because of the inaction of this government. What is this government doing to promote
value-added jobs in New Brunswick, to save those communities that are in dire straits?
Hon. Mr. Ashfield: Forestry, mills, and pulp mills are all value-added. That is what the forestry
industry is about, and that is what the production is about when we go into the mills. They are valueadded
products. Therefore, I do not know what the actual question of the member opposite is.
Apparently, he does not understand the forestry industry and the role that the mills have in this
province. We look at the continued value-added in some of the smaller sectors that is ongoing. We
have a tremendous small value-added industry in this province. It is important to the fibre of New
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Brunswick, and it creates many, many jobs. We will continue to work with that sector as long as we
are here, and I expect that to be for quite some time.
Mr. Paulin: When this government is cornered to give an honest answer that concerns the
livelihoods of many New Brunswickers, we are criticized for asking questions. I want to say to this
government that, as long as I am the member in Restigouche County, I will continue to ask questions
to this government. I will continue to complain to this government. I will continue to chastise this
government if I need to. However, it will be the people of New Brunswick who will punish this
government.
My question for the Minister of Natural Resources is that there are numerous small- and mediumsized
businesses throughout Restigouche County and elsewhere that received help from the
Department of Natural Resources and that could have created jobs like Sharpe Canoes in Mann
Mountain, the Levesque mill, in Saint-Arthur, and La Scierie Chasse, in Kedgwick. Where were this
government, this minister, and the Department of Natural Resources? Where do you stand on these
requests?
Hon. Mr. Ashfield: I can tell you and assure you that, on this side of the House, we do tell the truth.
In terms of the question posed by the member opposite, we provide assistance, and we are constantly
working with the value-added sector in this province. As requests come in, we deal with them, and
we will continue to deal with them, unlike what took place with the previous government.
Assurance
M. Landry : Ma question est pour le ministre de la Justice et de la Consommation. Dernièrement,
plusieurs personnes me disent que leurs primes d’assurance-maison augmentent.
(Exclamation.)
M. Landry : Non, non, je n’ai pas les chiffres ; je ne me tromperai pas dans mes chiffres ce matin,
Monsieur le ministre des Transports.
Je veux savoir, au moment où les gens commencent à voir la lumière au bout du tunnel en ce qui a
trait à l’assurance automobile — je dis bien « commencent » —, si le ministre a appris hier, comme
je l’ai vu au réseau anglais de Radio-Canada, qu’il y a une augmentation des primes d’assurancemaison.
Hon. Mr. Fitch: As the newly minted Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs, I am glad to stand
up and talk about the record of the government on auto insurance. As the opposition has said, auto
insurance rates are coming down in New Brunswick. I am well aware of the work of Robert Jones
on the CBC, and I am well aware of the type of information that he gives. It was interesting to see
that, as Robert Jones went from house to house to house to ask people about their auto insurance
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rates, they kept saying that their insurance rates had gone down. I guess the reforms that were put
in place by this government have worked.
M. Landry : Je rappelle au ministre que ce n’est pas l’assurance automobile qui me préoccupe ce
matin. Je lui ai demandé s’il était au courant que les gens commencent à se plaindre parce que les
primes d’assurance-maison augmentent au Nouveau-Brunswick. Je veux savoir s’il va attendre aussi
longtemps avant de régler la question de l’assurance-maison que le temps que ce gouvernement a
pris pour régler la question de l’assurance automobile. Ce gouvernement n’a jamais réglé le
problème de l’assurance automobile. Je veux savoir si les primes doivent dégringoler autant avant
que ce gouvernement prenne position.
016 11:10
Hon. Mr. Fitch: As was reported in the CBC interview last night, there are some changes in house
insurance rates. We are certainly well aware of things that are happening within the industry, be it
auto or house insurance. It is interesting to note that the member opposite did not provide any figures
or research. The last research they quoted from national research associates, they had to retract the
next day—that is, Corporate Research Associates. They had to retract it the next day because they
had purchased information that was wrong.
Of course, they took that to the press, and it was on the front page. When they had to retract it the
next day, it appeared on the back. That is the way the Liberals work in this House. They like to
sensationalize headlines. When they are wrong, and when they find out they are wrong, they like
to minimize it and put it on the back page. It is certainly this government’s opportunity that the
reforms we put forward on auto insurance work. Auto insurance is certainly different from house
insurance.
M. Landry : Je voudrais savoir si les chiffres dont on a parlé au réseau anglais de Radio-Canada,
avec M. Jones, sont les mêmes que ceux du ministre. Si oui, j’aimerais qu’il les dépose pour qu’on
puisse, nous aussi, les vérifier.
Hon. Mr. Fitch: I am sorry, the translation was a little muffled. Is he asking me to table the research
that they bought, and that they put forward in the press? From the standpoint of some of the reforms
we did. . . We have an insurance advocate whose name is Mr. Godin. If people have issues with
insurance, they can contact Mr. Godin. The way the New Brunswick Insurance Board is structured
means that it can have the opportunity and direction to also be able to look at house insurance.
We have to remember that auto insurance is mandatory here in the province of New Brunswick;
however, purchasing house insurance is not. A lot of people who deal with banks or trust companies
are required to, but it is not mandatory, nor does it have the reforms associated with auto insurance.
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When it comes to sincerity, we, on this side of the House, are truly sincere in making sure that the
people of New Brunswick have the . . . We ensure the protection of the public interest. The sincerity
on the other side of the House . . .
Mr. Speaker: Minister.
Tourism
Mr. R. Boudreau: My questions this morning are for the Minister of Tourism and Parks. In the last
few years, the tourism marketing budget was reduced significantly by this government, from an
estimated $11.5 million in 2002-03, to $9.5 million in 2004-05. This represents a $2-million
reduction. When we look at the 2006-07 main estimates, we see that $10.5 million has been
allocated to the marketing division. Are we correct in believing that the government has not invested
new money in the marketing budget, but has only put back half the money it took away in 2002-03?
Hon. Mrs. M Alpine-Stiles: It is indeed a joy for me ac to stand in the House and talk about tourism
in this province. The tourism industry is probably one of the fastest growing industries that we have
in the province. We have a tremendous market, and a tremendous group of individuals who are
proud to be part of this industry. The government of New Brunswick has invested in tourism. We
believe in the tourism industry. The marketing budget of the Department of Tourism and Parks is
done in such a way that we maximise the dollars we receive from government. We maximise the
partnerships we have with the federal government.
A very good example is the partnership we have with ACOA, and the $8 million that was just
announced on Saturday for the Fundy Trail. This shows the province of New Brunswick, and the
country, exactly what New Brunswick is about, and all we have to offer. I am very, very happy
about the new partnership with the federal government, and I look forward to our relationship and
more great news to come. Those partnerships and marketing dollars are going to put us on the map.
Thank you.
Mr. R. Boudreau: My second question to the minister is about the budget. I certainly cannot
support this budget. For one thing, when we talk about parks and so on and so forth, we see that
there is nothing in the budget for northern New Brunswick. The Restigouche River, Chaleur Bay,
Sugarloaf Provincial Park—there is nothing there. Why, Madam Minister?
017 11:15
Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: I find it quite appalling that the member opposite would say that there
is nothing in the budget for northern New Brunswick. Northern New Brunswick is a very integral
and important part of the tourism scheme of the province. All you have to do is talk to tourists who
come to the province, as the member opposite must know. He must recognize the wealth and the
opportunities that are in the north. I can tell you that the Department of Tourism and Parks promotes
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the north heavily in all of its tourism brochures and marketing schemes. The proof has been shown
that, indeed, that marketing has worked. Tourists are coming to the province and are enjoying the
northern part of the province. I can assure the member opposite that the parks and all that New
Brunswick has to offer are world-renowned, and they continue to be on the map. New Brunswick
is growing, the tourism industry is growing, and we are making a name for ourselves in Europe, in
Germany, and in the United States. I am more than pleased that we are doing what we need to do
for the tourism industry, and we will continue to work with our federal counterparts to promote the
province of New Brunswick.
Mr. R. Boudreau: This budget is about politics and not people. As a point in question, I have here
a flyer that has been sent throughout the province of New Brunswick. We talk about northern New
Brunswick and all of the money that is being spent, but let me take you on a little trip through there.
First, there is a picture that says “Near Campbellton”. The picture was taken near Mount Carleton,
40 miles away. Second, they talk about festivals in there. Nowhere is there mention of the festival
in Campbellton, the Winterfest, that is held every year.
That is not too bad. However, the third one, since you spent so much money . . . I wonder if the
minister can explain to me and to the people of my riding why, in a winter program, they say:
Looking for the ultimate sledding experience? Take the kids on an alpine slide at Sugarloaf
Provincial Park.
The alpine slides are a summer activity, and they are closed in the wintertime. How could you allow
such an abomination to happen?
Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: I would ask the member opposite to table that. I would like to have
a look at that. I can assure the member opposite . . .
(Interjections.)
Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: Mr. Speaker, could I have some decorum? I do not heckle them when
they have something to say.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Hon. Mrs. MacAlpine-Stiles: I would appreciate the same respect in this House. I never heckle
anyone on the other side. I would appreciate having a chance to speak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Great Northern Odyssey, the White Gold program—all that has happened primarily in the north
of the province, this year, especially . . . Because of the fact that the snow was in the north of the
province, there were tremendous opportunities, and there was tremendous growth in that industry
in the north. For obvious reasons, people migrated there to do snowmobiling and other winter
activities.
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I will take a look at that brochure. I am sure that if it was, it was a typo on somebody’s part. I can
tell you that I have great faith in the marketing division of the Department of Tourism and Parks.
They are an excellent staff who do a tremendous job. I would stand by them and stand up for them
on any occasion, because I know the great work they do and I know that they are dedicated to the
tourism industry and to marketing this great province.
Energy Conservation
Mr. Burke: The Premier and his ministers have been making many promises on the energy file,
some that may look good at face value, but like all of this government’s political spin, the devil is
in the details. Just on Friday, the Globe and Mail published a story saying that the federal
Conservative government has “abruptly stopped funding groups across the country that have been
promoting the One-Tonne Challenge”. There are concerns that this may have an impact on the
funding to the New Brunswick EnerGuide Program, which home grades will be based upon. Can
the Minister of Environment confirm whether these provincial governments will be affected by the
new federal government’s plans to scrap funding?
Hon. Mr. Holder: I am not aware of any federal government decision to scrap funding. I will take
that under advisement and report back to the House, but I can assure the member opposite that we
are going to fight as hard as we can to make sure that New Brunswick always gets its fair share. We
will work with the federal government. We have a great relationship, as we have said many times.
We are going to work with the federal government. We are very much committed to our Five in Five
initiatives. Our new Efficiency NB program is very much a part of that, and it will continue to be
a part of that. I really believe that we are going to look back 20 years from now and see that
Efficiency NB is a legacy of this government.
018 11:20
Mr. Burke: I do not question the sincerity of the Minister of Environment or the veracity of his
comments here this morning when he says that he will check into this. The announcement was made
on Friday, so I would appreciate it if the minister could report back to the House with an answer to
my previous question.
This is my second question. I quote the Globe and Mail again: The Conservatives are also reviewing
roughly 100 other climate change programs set up by the previous Liberal government. My concern
is that the announcement on home energy upgrades, and the more recent announcement on energy
efficiency, are just another example of napkin politics for this government. What I mean is that they
are seeking to gain political points based on weekend dinners, written on the back of napkins,
without any long-term vision policy. My question to the Minister of Energy this morning is this:
Who did you consult before making these policy choices on the impact of the review by your federal
partners? Will these reviews negatively impact on any of your recent announcements?
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Hon. Mr. Holder: The member said the Minister of Energy, but I assume the question is directed
to me. I do not want anybody to think for a minute that Efficiency NB is going to be window
dressing. We are very serious about this. We are very serious about getting energy consumption
under control in this province. We believed that right from day one, from the time we set up this
commission. We are going to continue to do that, and we are not window dressing this for any
purpose. I can assure the member opposite that we are going to continue to make this work and we
are going to continue to put some legs under this.
Prescription Drug Program
Mr. Branch: I have a question for the minister in charge of the drug program for senior citizens.
Many senior citizens are complaining to me about the price of prescriptions going from $2 to
approximately $9. Can the minister give us an outline of why this is taking place?
Hon. Mr. Green: The government of the province, through the Department of Health, makes
substantial investments each and every year in our Prescription Drug Program. As a matter of fact,
it is the single fastest-growing component of the health budget in this province. We have listed on
the drug formulary, just since we took office in 1999, over 225 additional medications. We do
everything we can to make certain that the Prescription Drug Program remains as affordable as
possible. That is why we keep co-payments as low as possible. We will continue to do that.
Mr. Branch: I certainly see this as a really serious problem for senior citizens who are struggling
to meet ever-increasing costs in all facets of their lives. As the cost under the drug program increases
from $2 to $9, it poses a sincere hardship, because these people really need these drugs for whatever
sickness they have. Could the minister not revise this for our seniors? They are the people who built
this province, and we are the inheritors of what they have done. Can you take that back to your
Cabinet colleagues and make a stronger pitch for the seniors of New Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Green: I am not entirely clear on where the member opposite has derived his numbers
when he suggests an increase from $2 to $9 per prescription. I will come back to the member
opposite to try to answer his question in more detail. I can say that not only do we keep costs to a
minimum for the Prescription Drug Program, there is also a cap, a maximum that each senior is
expected to pay over the course of a year. That also helps to keep the program very affordable.
Again, it is the fastest growing component of our budget, and is more than double just since 1999.
We will continue making investments in the Prescription Drug Program to expand the formulary and
to improve service to our seniors and to those who live on small incomes.
Mr. Speaker: That is the end of question period.
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