I don’t feel like writing a blog but I feel that I must with this one.
Juanita McKnight will be buried in the morning and it is indeed a sad story.
Once I heard the emotional story late on Friday evening? At first, I just couldn’t or wouldn’t believe it.
I phoned a friend and he told me that it was true that Juanita died earlier in the day.
What really got me was when the caller told me she was a mother of three young kids.
I met Juanita twice.
The only reason I went to 92.3 Fred FM was the way she was rallying the troops on the air.
In the past, I heard her encouraging the troops to give 1,000 winter jackets for the poor people.
This time around she was going all out for the Fredericton Soup Kitchen. 
92.3 Fred FM heard the Soup Kitchen was broken into and they were coming to the rescue.
The damage was over $10,000 but she had in her mind that the radio station was going to collect $15,000!!!
At the end, the Soup Kitchen received over $30,000!!! 
Myself, I just had to meet this General who was rallying the soldiers to help the poor. 
She should have heard her voice??? That voice will stay in my mind till the end of times.
Once at the station, I was introduced to Juanita. She was very friendly. She just sat behind the mike and smile.
I told her to wave her arms in the air as she was rallying the citizens for money. 
Days later, I showed up 20 minutes after the deadline and this was the last time I saw her alive. 
I received this note from her-
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:40:38 -0800 (PST)
From: "charles leblanc"
Subject: THANKS....
To: Juanita@fredfm.ca
Thanks for the mention...
This was the last time I heard from her beside her voice on the radio.
I took this news very hard even if I hardly knew her as a person.
So once again, it was debate time with my best friend of 40 years the Priest. 
I just couldn’t understand why this should be allowed to happen?
Months ago, it was Father Daniel Thivierge who died at a very young age of 31 years old.
Why do outspoken jerks like myself keep on living while good decent individuals dies?
Dominick Eden is another one who comes to my mind.
Ohh that’s right??? The good die young!!!..lol…Sorry this is not a joking story but seriously?
Think for a minute of all the people who dies at a very young age every single day around this Globe that we will never heard about????
The question is why????
It sure puts your faith to the test??? 
As my Priest often say - It’s not for us to understand now but we will truly understand later.
Can you imagine if there was no life after death? Very scary tought?????
Juanita will be buried in the morning and the whole crew of 92.3 FRED FM will be there. 
You won’t heard any voice from the radio station Tuesday and my blog will not allowed comments in respect of this fine individual.
I confronted Kelly Lamrock this afternoon and her name will be mentioned in the Legislature tomorrow.
There’s nothing more than I can do but to tell everyone that she was a fantastic human being! 
As George Piers said - When she said that she was going to get something done? She truly got it done! 
She sure did and we have lost a fantastic human being.
I walked into the station this morning and the crew allowed me to take this picture. 
The atmosphere isn’t a happy one and who can blame them?
My deepest sympathy to her family.
Her three kids range between the age of 5 and 10!!!
Maybe the radio station with the help of the Soup Kitchen can set up a trust fund for her kids but that’s outta my league.
Good Bye Juanita!!!!
You sure left your mark in the Capital and we will never forget you!!!
God bless and good bye!!!!
You can read a note left by the staff at 92.3 Fred Fm by clicking here -
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
___________________________
04/03/2006 MCKNIGHT, JUANITA C. Juanita C. McKnight, 31, of Irishtown, passed away at The Moncton Hospital on Friday, March 31, 2006 as the result of a pedestrian-car accident in Moncton on Thursday, March 30, 2006. Born in Moncton, Juanita was the daughter of Grant Davey of Irishtown and Carol-Ann (Beers) Davey-Gallant (Romeo) of Irishtown. Juanita was employed as a disc jockey with 92-3 FRED-FM in Fredericton and formerly with Rock 103, Moncton. Juanita attended Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church and was a graduate of Moncton High School and Atlantic Baptist University. She was a former member of McKee's Mills 4H Club and former Short Horn Lassie with the NB Short Horn Association (1991) and was a very active member of the Irishtown Boys and Girls Club. She was a former youth ambassador of Moncton and she presented a scroll desk to the then Governor General Honorable Ray Hnatyshyn. Juanita was very musical, she enjoyed playing the piano, writing and composing her own music and was a former member of the musical group Over Joy. An avid reader, she also loved to barbecue on the deck. Besides her parents, Juanita will be sadly missed by her husband, Brett and their 3 children, MacKenzie, Alex and Mikey; maternal grandparents, Ivan and Jean Beers of Irishtown, paternal grandmother, Dorothea (Dolly) Davey of Pictou, NS; sister, Tami Davey, Irishtown; brothers, Danny Davey (Cara) and Chris Davey (Angelina) both of Indian Mountain; one niece, Layne; one nephew, Hayden; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation at Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995), Monday, 2-4, 7-9pm. Funeral service at Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home Chapel, Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 11am, Rev Sterling Penney officiating. Reception following the service. Interment Fairhaven Memorial Gardens. In Juanita's memory, donations to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital (Pediatrics) or memorial of choice would be appreciated by her family. www.fergusonknowlesfh.com
[Daily Gleaner]
Maybe she was an angel? Sure looks like it by this picture.
Monday, April 03, 2006
JUANITA MCKNIGHT WILL BE BURIED IN THE MORNING!!!! GOOD BYE JUANITA!!! YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED BY MANY!!!
INTERESTING MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT IN FREDERICTON
http://www.greenspiration.org/
April 4 - Fredricton, NB
• 7 pm
• Underground Cafe
• 740 Charlotte St.
EVICTED MOM WITH TWO KIDS IS MOVED BUT THERE COULD BE A NEW PROBLEM???
I helped her moved last Saturday but there could be another problem. Stay tune....
A STRONG ADVOCATE VOICE FOR THE POOR IS GONE FOREVER!!!! JUANITA MCKNIGHT - 1975-2006
Her funeral is in the morning. In respect of this fine individual,this blog will shut down Tuesday till 6:00pm!
I'll write a detail blog in this very emotional story this evening.
AMATEUR GOT PICTURE OF STEPHEN HARPER! < Look like McFarlane is fighting to get up front? >...lol
See? Anyone can take a picture and send it to the blog.
Hi Charles, I don't know if you can use this photo or not. It's a photo I took with my disposable camera last Friday, when Stephen Harper and Mr. Lord were in Saint John. I took it down by the Hilton, down by the waterfront.
I had a chance to have my picture taken with the both of them together, and I blew it!!!
They were not that many people down there, maybe 100, but security was very tight. I was standing along the Boardwalk there near the Hilton. Harper came right along after I took this picture and asked me my name. I told him my name is ??????. He then asked me if I wanted a picture with him and me.
I said sure, I was excited. Then I realized I HAD NO FILM LEFT!!
You will notice in the picture if you look hard Bernard Lord and Norm McFarlane in the background.
Norm was a snob that day, wouldn't talk to anyone, but Mr. Lord also came along, didn't ask me my name but was willing to take a picture with me, and so I had to tell him too I was out of film! I had taken too many pictures before of them out on the Boardwalk because I didn't know there were going to come over and walk beside me!
Well bad luck. but I wanted you to see this one, I just got them developed yesterday.
Art Connolly's speech at a internation Agent Orange conference Hanoi Vietnam on March 28, 29 2006.
Art Connolly
119 Gerald Cres
London Ontario
519-649-4284
____________________________
My name is Art Connolly and I am Vice President of the Agent Orange Association ofCanada. I am honoured and I thank you for the opportunity to attend this conference and share Canada’s story regarding the poisoning of so many of its people by chemical defoliants.
In May and June of 2005, the Canadian media reported that the chemical defoliant agent orange was "tested" by the U.S. military at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada.
At the invitation of the Canadian government the U.S.military tested Agent Orange, along with other chemical defoliants, in order to determine their effectiveness for use in Vietnam. Canada’s Department of National Defence cooperated with the U.S military to test the defoliant’s effectiveness for its own brush control use in Canada.
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown at 1100 sq. kms is the largest military base in the British Commonwealth and officials argue that control of its dense vegetation is necessary to prevent it from being ignited by unexploded ordinance.
According to Assistant Deputy Minister of National Defence Karen Ellis, only two barrels of the toxic defoliant "agent orange" were sprayed "under carefully controlled conditions" on 83 acres of land for a total of 7 days in 1966 and 1967.
Assistant Deputy Minister Ms. Ellis did not reveal that in the summer of 1966 the military also used the chemical defoliant Agent Purple. Agent Purple contained more than three times the level of lethal dioxin as Agent Orange. It was also laced with arsenic. Agent Purple is considered so harmful that the American military stopped its use in Vietnam, one year earlier, in 1965.
Documentation obtained from Canada’s Department of National Defence via the "Access To Information Act" shows that Ms. Ellis’ statement was lacking in its disclosure regarding herbicidal spraying at CFB Gagetown.
The document proves that from 1956 to 1984 there was over 1.3 million litres of liquid defoliants and 2 million lbs of dry chemical defoliants containing deadly dioxin and hexachlorobenzene were sprayed over 181,000 acres at CFB Gagetown.
Dioxin is considered to be the most dangerous substance known to science. Dioxin poisoning has been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including skin disorders, nerve disorders, type 2 diabetes and numerous cancers. Dioxin is a human carcinogen that can damage the liver, thyroid, intestinal track and nervous system. Dioxin is fat -soluble and therefore can be passed up the food chain from animals to humans. There is no method for removing dioxin from the body. It is important to note that dioxins have a half-life of five to 10 years.
In 1964 while the DND was administering its herbicidal spray program there was a "spray application accident." Increased winds carried the spray to the Upper Gagetown and Sheffield area. The results of that accident was that the Government of Canada paid approximately $250,000 to several market gardens in the area as reparation for the damage to their crops. Many believe it was monies paid to silence the farmers and an admission of liability. According to local news reports "spray application accidents" occurred on a regular basis. In 1965, for a number of reasons, one being the spray accident, DND switched to spraying "Tordon 101" for the next 20 years, until 1984. "Tordon 101" is what the Americans called Agent White. It contained picloram and 2,4-D in a 4:1 ratio. The picloram contained an inert agent called hexachlorobenzene that has been identified by both the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and the World Health Organization as being a persistent bio-accumulative toxin that causes cancer.
The Environmental Protection Agency has established that hexachlorobenzene harms the liver, kidneys, blood, and lungs and the nervous, immune, and gastrointestinal systems. Yet for 20 years DND sprayed this deadly poison on the training area, where human contact was inevitable.
According to the U.S. EPA website, "Because Hexachlorobenzene...is persistent and bioaccumulative, it stays in our environment for a long time and contaminates our food chain. Hexachlorobenzene can cause severe health problems for humans...." It damages bones, kidneys, and blood cells. It can harm the immune system. It lowers the survival rate of young children. It can cause abnormal fetal development. It harms the liver and the endocrine and nervous systems, and it may cause cancer.
In 1985 in a briefing to members of the province of New Brunswick Cabinet, Major Mike Rushton admitted the government knew about and was concerned by dioxin and therefore decided not to use it after 1964. Yet the Department of National Defence knowingly used it as an ingredient in 8 of the tests conducted at CFB Gagetown in 1966 and 1967.
As this story drew more media attention in the months following its original release the Canadian public started questioning and demanding answers from the then governing federal Liberal Party government of Canada.
Response from the Department of National Defence and the Government of Canada has been less than forthcoming. DND has been notoriously reluctant to admit anything regarding the use of chemical defoliants. They tend to admit only what has been revealed by other sources. DND and the federal government would not acknowledge the spray program outside of 1966 and 1967 even though their very own documents prove that the spraying occurred.
According to the Department of National Defence there were 200,000 military personnel at CFB Gagetown from 1956 to 1984. This figure includes troops from Britain, Scotland and the United States have trained at CFB Gagetown.
This tragedy is not only about the soldiers who have had their health affected. It is also about the soldier’s spouses and children who have died or are sick. It is about the civilian employees and their spouses and children who have died or are sick. It is about the civilians who lived in the area and their spouses and children who have died or are sick.
It is important to realize that the military base was not merely a location for military activities. Soldiers and families engaged in activities on the base such as berry and apple picking, hunting, trout fishing and drinking from streams. Thousands of children and wives were exposed to and poisoned by dioxin and hexachlorobenzene over a period of almost four decades.
For the Canadian government to say families were not exposed to the defoliation chemicals in any way is not only a callous dismissal of fact, but also a heinous lie, and it infuriates and frustrates the people who were there and who are sick.
DND records reveal that spraying frequently took place in relatively close proximity to surrounding communities. Distances ranged from 1 to 7 kilometres.
The Department of National Defence and the Government of Canada are not being truthful and forthright about this tragedy. It has been proven that DND sprayed deadly dioxins and hexachlorobenzene-laced defoliant from 1956 to 1984 at Gagetown. DND did not volunteer this information. DND did not take the opportunity to divulge information about the other defoliants when first questioned about Agent Orange. DND was NOT transparent in any sense of the word.
DND is now asking the world to believe it is being honest and up front. DND's previous actions have spoken much louder than its present-day words. Based on DND’s past actions those who are sick and those who have lost loved ones will NEVER believe them. The public will NEVER believe the effort being put forth to resolve the situation as long as DND is leading that effort. DND has no credibility in the eyes of the sick, the survivors, and now the general public
In answer to the outcry from the public the Government of Canada has created the Base Gagetown and Area Fact Finders Project. The project is led by the Department of National Defence. This begs the question why is this investigation being led by the accused?
This project is being presented as a public inquiry. It is not a public inquiry! It has no legal authority to subpoena or protect any witnesses that come forward to offer evidence.
The Project has two key responsibilities. The first is to be a conduit of information between those with concerns and the Government of Canada. The project is to hear the concerns of the community, ensure those concerns are communicated to both government and those completing the fact-finding tasks, and is to inform the community about the fact-finding work being conducted for the government.
The second responsibility is that the Coordinator of the project will provide a report to the Government of Canada through the Minister of National Defence documenting his discussions with people, including some personal comments. The Coordinator is not permitted to offer recommendations but is to merely submit facts to the federal government. This report will be an important consideration in subsequent policy decisions made by the Government of Canada.
It is the opinion of the Agent Orange Association of Canada that this project is merely a public relations exercise put in place by the federal government to appease the public.
The Fact Finder Project has 3 tasks:
Fact-finding Task 1 will seek to identify and contact, former and current serving Canadian Forces' members, and former and current civilian employees of the Department of National Defence (DND) who were present at CFB Gagetown during the spraying of the herbicides in question. Greg Thompson, the present day Minister of Veteran Affairs, has stated "The government has those records now and could actually release those in an afternoon"
The Agent Orange Association of Canada notes that there is no mention of the spouses and children of soldiers, civilian employees and no mention of civilian neighbours. Civilian employees are advised that they must apply for Workers Compensation benefits. Spouses, children and civilians are left to leave their fate with the courts. This "divide and conquer" response by the government has not gone unnoticed by the victims and families. The government’s response is offensive and insulting to those not recognized. Consequently a class action lawsuit has been instigated and is being led by the prestigious Canadian law firm The Merchant Law Group.
Fact-finding Task 2 will be a review of the history and science of the spraying of herbicides at CFB Gagetown from 1952 to present day and an assessment of their environmental fate and impacts.
The Agent Orange Association of Canada suggests that the government look no further than their own documentation easily obtained through the "Access To Information" Act . It gives a complete listing of all chemicals sprayed during the years in question.
Fact-finding Task 3 is divided into two parts: Part 1 is a health study that will assess potential risks to human health from the herbicides used at CFB Gagetown, based on the properties of these products and the probability and degree of exposure.
Part 2 is a descriptive epidemiological study, which would determine whether there is a higher incidence of illnesses in the population in the area surrounding CFB Gagetown, versus a control population from elsewhere.
The Agent Orange Association of Canada believes that an epidemiological study of the present population would not show true results. The 200,000 troops and their families that were at CFB Gagetown between 1956 and 1984 are no longer residents.
The Agent Orange Association of Canada believe that the Base Gagetown and Area Fact Finder project has to be dismantled. After 50 years of lies and deception from the Department of National Defence they should not be leading this investigation. The project cannot and will not be trusted.
On March 10 of this year the Department of National Defence issued a press release stating that of soil samples already tested ten percent were above accepted levels.
The other 90 percent did contain dioxins but were below Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment (CCME) soil quality guidelines for dioxins. Considering the half life of dioxins are five to ten years, one must question what the levels would have been when the defoliants were sprayed up to 50 years ago. The soil samples were only testing for 17 of 76 possible dioxins. There has been no hexachlorbenzene testing results as of this writing.
Veteran Affairs Canada, the federal government department mandated to look after Canada’s veterans, has been less than stellar in this affair. The year 2005 was the "Year of the Veteran". Unfortunately that was only in name not in practice. Although Veteran Affairs claims that it gives veterans "benefit of the doubt" when they apply for benefits it appears not to be the case when they apply for benefits due to illness from chemical defoliants.
As of March 14, 2006 reports state that were 1453 applications received, of those 17 have been approved.
In January of 2006 the Canadian public elected a new Conservative Party government. The newly elected Prime Minster Stephen Harper during his election campaign promised to provide medical testing and compensation to victims of toxic herbicide spraying by Canada's armed forces at CFB Gagetown.
Note that Prime Minster Harper said medical testing and compensation to "victims" of toxic herbicide spraying. The Agent Orange Association of Canada takes that to mean all victims including spouses and children of military personnel as well as civilians. The Agent Orange Association of Canada also takes that to mean all toxic herbicide spraying and not only agent orange.
Media reports have stated that the newly elected government will move the Agent Orange file from the Department of National Defence to the control of Veteran Affairs Canada. As of this date that has not happened.
The Agent Orange Association has received thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from the victims of this tragedy that describe death, sickness and despair. They describe lives ruined by illnesses that in the minds of so many were unexplained. In Canada there is a lack of medical professionals that are familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of chemical poisoning. The victims have no one to turn to for medical assistance.
The Agent Orange Association of Canada believes that the Canadian government should mirror the Americans' actions and adopt a "presumptive clause" whereby if an individual both military and civilian is identified as being at CFB Gagetown during the years of spraying and is suffering or has suffered from a disease related to these chemicals then they are awarded compensation. One compensation plan should be in effect for all.
The Government of Canada must establish testing programs, and provide funds for medical care expenses not covered by medi-care. Grief and psychological counselling must also be made available. The Agent Orange Association of Canada is calling for a public inquiry into the poisoning of generations of military and civilian personnel. Finally there is one more thing required for the victims who have died, their loved ones and those who are now sick. It is the most important thing of all. An apology.
In closing I welcome you to watch what Canada does as a nation. I welcome you to watch and see if Canada’s newly elected government fulfills its promises to do the right thing. I pray to God that my country Canada makes me proud and seizes the opportunity to be the world leader in the humane treatment of individuals suffering from chemical defoliant poisoning.
In a world that becomes smaller each and every day it is imperative that we as human beings learn to realise that chemical defoliant poisoning has happened for far too long. We need to make those responsible take accountability for the pain and suffering of the poisoned around the world. I ask each and every one of you delegates to educate me and in turn let me educate you to the things we know so that we can return to our homes and educate the world to the tragedy that so many have suffered.
GOD'S MINUTE!!!
BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, DO NOT FEAR OR
BE AFRAID OF THEM; FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS
THE ONE WHO GOES WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT LEAVE OR
FORSAKE YOU.
( DEUTERONOMY 31:6 *NJKV )
Dear Charles,
Those words were spoken by Moses to all the children
of Israel.
The Prophet David wrote, IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST;
I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"
( PSALM 56:11 )
Our Savior Jesus Christ said, AND LO, I AM WITH YOU
ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.
( MATTHEW 28:20 )
Those words are as true today as when they were spoken
by Jesus, David and Moses! For our Heavenly Father is
always with us, helping, guiding and protecting us as we walk
the pathway of this life. With help like that why be fearful of
the future or anything else?
Therefore as a child of God do not fear another person,
place or thing! After all what is fear but the opposite of faith!
So put all of your faith in God and you will be able to say,
"I SOUGHT THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME, AND
DELIVERED ME FROM MY FEARS." Amen.
( PSALM 34:4 )
Have a Wonderful Monday Charles, and may God Bless
You!
NOTE: We are now looking for people to serve on God's
World-Wide Prayer Team. If you are interested in doing so,
please contact me at:
Then you will receive the prayer requests of others by email,
and you may serve the Lord by praying for them in your own
home!
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
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Still kicking....
I first came face to face with this woman during my protest. I believe the dog name is Sally!
Anyway? The dog was just a small puppy. Pretty big dog these days.
TREVOR HOLDER TOLD ME THAT THEY WON'T OVER RULE THE FINAL VERDICT OF THE BEAUBASSIN COMMITTEE!!!
Last week, I bumped into Trevor Holder < Minister of the Environment >
I confronted the Minister of the decision of the BeauBassin Committee a few weeks ago denying the Irvings the rights to build a new rock quarry in Memramcook.
Trevor told me that the Government will not over-rule the decision of the Beaubassin Committee.
Myself, I just don’t trust those Irving’s bureaucrats in the Capital.
These are pictures of the current rock quarry taken from someone in Memramcook.
The Irvings owns the land in the background I guess.
Everyone in this Province should take pictures of their concern problems and send it to this blog. 
Hey? This is what bloggling is all about right?
So? The Government has till June to grant a permit to the Irvings.
Will Trevor Holder sign those papers? Time will tell. Stay tune!!!
92 VIDEO KING STORE WILL SHUT DOWN ON EASTER!!!!
I was told last week the store at 92 Regent Street will close its door on Easter.
I feel bad for all the employees who will lose their jobs.
Anyone looking for a good hard working honest individual?
This girl is a good worker and she's very honest.
Anyone looking to hire this individual? Go and see her this week at 92 Video King on Regent Street.
She's a sweetheart.
TRUE FAMILY BUSINESS!!!
These two brothers have been around for a very long time.
I found it strange that this store has never been robbed by someone on drugs.
I was told that if that sad action ever happen? The people on the streets would take care of them.
These two brothers are very well respected by all walks of life in the Capital.
ERIC ALLABY HASN'T DECIDE IF HE'S GOING TO RE-OFFER!!!
From what I'm told? The changes of the electoral bounderies will help Bernard Lord MLA's to get re-elected.
Was this all a set up from the start???
HE SURE MOVES FAST!!!
This is a friend of mine. He was hanging around my tent during my 6 months protest in front of the Legislature.
I shouted his name and he quickly hide from the camera.
Afterwards he continued on his merry way!!!
A TRIBUTE TO JUANITA MCKNIGHT - 1975-2006!!!
JEAN-PAUL DIED ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!!!
GOD'S MINUTE!!
I CALL ON YOU, O GOD, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME;
GIVE EAR TO ME AND HEAR MY PRAYER.
( PSALM 17:6 *NIV )
Dear Charles,
I truly believe that prayer is one of the most powerful things
on this Earth! I have personally witnessed what many call
miracles, as the result of prayer!
King David wrote; I CRIED OUT TO HIM WITH MY
MOUTH; HIS PRAISE WAS ON MY TONGUE. IF I HAD
CHERISHED SIN IN MY HEART, THE LORD WOULD
NOT HAVE LISTENED; BUT GOD HAS SURELY
LISTENED AND HEARD MY VOICE IN PRAYER.
PRAISE BE TO GOD WHO HAS NOT REJECTED MY
PRAYER OR WITHHELD HIS LOVE FROM ME!
( PSALM 66:17-20 )
Now the same thing holds true for us as well. So; DO
NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY-
THING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH
THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD.
For THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL
AND EFFECTIVE. ( JAMES 5:16 )
Now Charles, I would like to share one of my favorite
poems with you, it is called "Just A Little Prayer."
God is ever there for those
Who really, really care,
He helps dispel your cares and woes
With just a little prayer.
Invite the Lord into your heart,
He has much love to spare,
A love He gladly would impart
With just a little prayer.
Let Him know where things go wrong,
No matter when or where.
He can fill your heart with song
With just a little prayer.
It matters not your race or creed,
God does not compare.
He can fill your wants and needs
With just a little prayer.
No power on earth can give a man
God's immortal blessings rare.
He is the only One who can
With just a little prayer.
Poet, Joseph Ferrara
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
Saturday, April 01, 2006
QUESTION PERIOD < Friday >
ORAL QUESTIONS 11 QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
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Senior Citizens
Mr. S. Graham: The budget speech does nothing to address the urgent need for adequate care for
the frail elderly in our nursing homes. in fact, the DMR consulting study, in February of 2002,
concluded that the dependency on medical needs has risen sharply since 1987, that the number of
seniors confined to bed was up by nearly 20%, and that the number of frail elderly requiring special
treatment like tube feeding and dialysis was up by 48%. I am sure you will agree that these cares
will continue to grow.
My question to the Premier this morning is very simple: why has he not included funding in this
budget to increase the hours of care that patients receive in our nursing facilities throughout New
Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I think that before the Leader of the Opposition jumps to conclusions, he should
wait for the estimates, because there was so much good news in this budget that we could not deliver
it in just one day. There is more good news coming for the people of New Brunswick from this
budget, and it will be delivered through the estimate.
I would have to say that I am extremely pleased with the measures we have announced already—the
measures to protect the homes of seniors. I am more than willing to contrast our policies with those
of the Liberals. The Liberals put in place a policy to take away the homes of the hardworking seniors
of this province. They put that in place. We took it away. Now, we are protecting the assets of
seniors.
Mr. S. Graham: Today’s residents are vulnerable. They are defenseless people. They are truly the
frailest of the frail in our nursing home system. I will describe for the Premier this morning the
profile of nursing home residents, from a recent publication of the New Brunswick Association of
Nursing homes called A System on the Edge.
The average age of a resident in a nursing home today is 82. The average length of stay is 2.8 years.
Eighty percent are admitted to nursing homes from hospitals. Eighty percent have cognitive
impairment, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Seventy-eight percent need total assistance with
dressing, grooming, and hygiene, 75% require incontinence management, and 42% require
significant or total feeding assistance.
The Premier stands up today and says he wants to help. The challenge to him this morning, then, is
this: His own Premier’s Health Quality Council report recommended, in 2003, that there be an
immediate increase in the hours of care per resident per day, from 2.5 to 3 hours per day. This was
never done by your government. The hours of care remained at 2.6 hours of care per day. Why have
you not followed the advice of your own studies, to act to ensure that our seniors get the care they
need and deserve in our nursing homes?
HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULE
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
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Hon. Mr. Lord: I am very pleased with the budget that has been tabled this week, because again
this year, we are taking new steps, additional steps to improve the care of seniors in this province.
When I look back to seven years ago and what was funded then, and when I look at what is funded
today and how many seniors we are helping, there is a world of difference, and that world of
difference can be expressed by over $1 billion more per year in health care and senior care for the
citizens of this province.
I look forward to hearing the estimates from the Minster of Family and Community Services,
because the Leader of the Opposition will, in fact, see that there is additional time for care for
seniors included in this budget.
013 10:55
Mr. S. Graham: Surely the Premier will want to put aside the political opportunism and announce
today that his government is prepared to commit to 3.0 hours of care per day, as recommended by
his own report and studies. The report says that we must strive to move toward 3.5 hours of care per
day. Make it very clear: This is about dignity. This is about offering effective care, because poor
care in our nursing homes ends up costing more. Our party, and my colleagues, are committed to
seeing this goal happen. If this government is not prepared to share with the people of New
Brunswick today and with the nursing homes in the province that it is committed, then it does a
disservice. The budget has been tabled. Stand up today and tell us that you are committed to moving
immediately to 3.0 hours of care per day, with the goal of 3.5 hours.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I will be pleased to contrast the new investments that we have made in the last
seven years for seniors, how we are protecting the dignity and the respect that we show our seniors,
and how we are helping them protect their assets, compared to the neglect and the threats of the
Liberal Party of the 1990s. In the 1990s, when these people were in government, what did they do?
They separated seniors who had been married for years because they were not assessed at the same
level. One had to live in one building, the other had to live in another building. That is the legacy
of the Liberals. They would threaten seniors with taking away their homes to pay for nursing home
care. We abolished that, and we have added funding.
The Ombudsman, who was a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party, stated that in their
10 years, they had neglected the social side. That neglect has ended, and it has been replaced with
new investments each and every year, including in this year’s budget.
Mr. S. Graham: I am sure that the seniors throughout New Brunswick today who are watching the
debate occur in this Legislature have not heard the Premier answer the question. Very clearly, the
DMR report that he had in 2002 outlined the steps to move to 3.5 hours of care per day in nursing
homes. His own health council report that he received in 2002 adopted measures. He has failed to
act on the recommendations given to him in the studies. He has failed to move forward. Now, today,
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he wants to fight the battles of elections past. Well, we on this side are prepared to fight for the
seniors in the future.
What we are debating today is what is not in this budget. What is not in this budget at this time is
a clear commitment to move immediately to 3.0 hours of care for seniors in our nursing homes with
the goal of 3.5 hours. You have failed to answer that question.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am happy to repeat for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition and the benefit
of everyone in this House that there is so much good news in this budget: new investments that we
are making for people, new investments for children, new investments for seniors. We will see more
of the details when the estimates are tabled. The Leader of the Opposition will see that there is an
increase in the hours of care. The Minister of Family and Community Services will be more than
happy to give those details.
There is a big difference. While the opposition likes to showboat once in a while and yell and
scream, and they want to fight with everybody, we love getting results for people. The results we
are getting for people are that the seniors of this province have better care and more care than before,
and their homes are now protected.
Mr. S. Graham: It comes down to an issue of trust, of how you can trust this Premier. With respect
to the Public Trustee Act, we introduced legislation to put in place a procedure to help seniors in
New Brunswick who do not have loved ones to be able to address their care through a public trustee.
This government asked us to withdraw our legislation. That is why, almost 10 months ago, we
worked with them to bring forward their bill, which we adopted on June 1, 2005, for a new public
trustee in New Brunswick. My question to the Premier is this: Why have you not proclaimed this
piece of legislation? Why is there not a public trustee up and running in the province today?
014 11:00
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am happy to answer the question. We have worked in cooperation with the
opposition on this bill, as we have on other bills. We invite the opposition to work in cooperation
with us. The information that I have from the Minister of Justice is that that process is well under
way, and it is only a matter of a short period of time.
Mr. S. Graham: Ten months ago in this Chamber, this government asked for our support. It asked
us to withdraw our bill, to which we agreed. A public trustee is needed, as we know, at the New
Brunswick branch of the Canadian Bar Association and at the New Brunswick Advisory Council
on Seniors. Hospital and nursing home administrators have all identified a need for a public trustee
or a public guardian. When people lose the ability to make their own decisions about personal
things, such as health care or finances, it puts their loved ones in a very difficult position. They have
to apply to go before the Court for authorization for someone to make the appointed decisions. Many
of the families in New Brunswick today lack the resources.
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I see the Premier getting briefed. The bottom line is, he should be on top of this file. Why has it
taken over 10 months? You have not even proclaimed the legislation. Why do we not have a public
trustee up and running today to help seniors in need?
Hon. Mr. Lord: Maybe some day I will have all the knowledge and all the information that the
Leader of the Opposition has. In the meantime, I am very pleased to receive additional information
and advice from my colleagues. On this side, we like to work as a team. I am very pleased to be
supported by a strong team of individuals and people who want to work for the benefit of New
Brunswick. Maybe the Leader of the Opposition does not have the same benefit on the other side.
Perhaps that is why he never gets any briefings from any of these caucus members. I think the
briefing he is getting is that they would like to replace him.
Mr. Speaker: Order, please. May I refer the members to the Standing Rules. In this game, it is two
strikes and you are out. I ask each member to study the Standing Rules of the House this weekend.
This week is the first week. This is not a school of young children. You are adults representing your
ridings. Respect one another. When I say order, that means order. Respect the member I have
recognized and who has the floor. This is the last warning. Please, this weekend, take the Standing
Rules home with you and study them. Thank you.
Honourable Premier.
Hon. Mr. Lord: As I was saying, I am very pleased to be supported by a team. The information I
have is that this process is coming along quite well. The money is in the budget to deal with this
situation in the current year.
Mr. S. Graham: The team approach seems to be the slow approach. This government addressed it
as its priority during the last session of the House. It came to us looking for our help. We passed the
legislation. Now, 10 months later, the bill has not been proclaimed. The Premier stood up and gave
a political answer, but he did not answer the question that New Brunswickers are waiting for today
as to why his government has not implemented a public trustee.
Child Protection
In fact, my next question to the Premier is this: On April 1, 2005, your government proclaimed and
put into force the Child and Youth Advocate Act. It was passed in this House on June 30, 2004, but
it did not come into effect until April 1, 2005, as per our agreement. Now, an entire year has passed,
and this government has yet to appoint a Child and Youth Advocate for New Brunswick. It comes
down to a matter of trust. You say you are going to do one thing. You say you are going to consult
the team. However, you never follow up with an actual commitment to do it.
My question to the Premier is this: Why have you failed, after one year, with the budget in place,
to protect children at risk in New Brunswick?
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Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition is stretching his facts, because we are protecting
children at risk in New Brunswick. I would respectfully ask the leader: There has to be a better way
than to try to scare people to win their votes. Where are the days where the Liberal Party was the
party of hope and vision. Now it is the party of fear and negativity. If that is the territory this party
wants to occupy, that is all for them. Our government is looking forward. We have opened up the
position of the Child and Youth advocate. There have been over 100 applications. They are being
screened. We want to make sure that we select the best individual.
015 11:05
Mr. S. Graham: May I remind the Premier that his government has had since June 30, 2004, to do
the recruitment process for the Child and Youth Advocate. When children die under the custody of
the province of New Brunswick, we have a responsibility to put in place protection services to make
sure that these instances are not repeated. It comes down to being responsible and making sure that
we are protecting the most vulnerable in our society. We make no excuses for standing up on this
side of the Chamber to protect children at risk. That is why this Premier gave me his word, which
he broke. It was in the budget last year, and that money did not go toward helping children at risk,
because this government failed to appoint a Child and Youth Advocate.
If you are saying that there is a lot of work to be done and there are many applicants to go through
the process, why did you not run that advertisement on June 30, 2004? The Child and Youth
Advocate could have started on April 1, 2005, when your budget was approved. That is how you
help children—by actually acting.
Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition does this every once in a while. He brings in a
personal conversation and distorts the facts. If he wants to talk about action for children, I am more
than happy to talk about that. This budget contains record investments for the children of New
Brunswick, for their education, for their development, for their wellness, and for their care. That is
real action. The action of the 1990s, when the Liberals were there, was cuts to education and the
neglect of social services. Now they want people to forget those days. The fact is that we have been
acting, and we have worked in cooperation with the opposition. When the opposition members bring
up sensible, reasonable ideas, we work with them. We have passed similar bills, and we are prepared
to pass others if they bring bills to this House that are worthy of the support of the whole House.
We will continue to do our job for the people of New Brunswick. The children of New Brunswick
are not at risk the way the Leader of the Opposition wants to portray it. He is using the politics of
fear. We are here, building a better tomorrow for our children and for future generations.
Health Care System
Mr. V. Boudreau: My question is for the Minister of Health. Statistics Canada states that, in 2003,
New Brunswick registered the second-highest rate of hospital admissions in Canada. The Institute
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of Health Economics states that, in 2004, New Brunswick registered the second-lowest per capita
spending on health in Canada. The Health Council of Canada states that, in 2005, New Brunswick
was the only province in Canada not yet reporting on wait times, and did not even have wait time
standards. In fact, Nova Scotia will have spent double on addressing the issue of wait times in 2004-
05 than New Brunswick will in the current and next year combined. All this is despite the fact that
the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal provided tens of millions of dollars to
New Brunswick.
My question is obvious. Just what has New Brunswick been doing for the past three years on the
issue of wait times?
Hon. Mr. Green: In point of fact, we have been doing a great deal on the issue of wait times. There
are benchmarks in place for this province and across the country that were agreed to by First
Ministers and Ministers of Health. If you go onto the Web site of the Department of Health of the
province of New Brunswick today, you will find information, on Search, about wait times across
this province. We have been engaged in a comprehensive review of our surgical services in all 16
surgical sites across this province, looking to make efficiencies in the surgical system.
There is another statistic from StatsCan that the member opposite did not happen to mention, and
that is the fact that over 90% of New Brunswickers feel that we have an excellent health system and
that they are well served.
M. V. Boudreau : Les spécialités chirurgicales sont divisées en neuf catégories au Nouveau-
Brunswick. Les listes d’attente dans la majorité de ces catégories sont plus longues en 2006 qu’elles
l’étaient en 2003. Il y a 17 000 Néo-Brunswickois et Néo-Brunswickoises sur les listes d’attente en
2006, soit 1 300 de plus qu’en 2003. J’aimerais que le ministre pose la question à ces gens-là Ã
savoir s’ils sont satisfaits.
Le Nouveau-Brunswick a reçu 30 millions de dollars du gouvernement du Canada depuis 2004 pour
traiter la question des listes d’attente. On nous dit, dans le budget de cette année, qu’on procédera
à l’examen opérationnel de 16 blocs opératoires.
016 11:10
Si ce gouvernement n’a même pas commencé à examiner là où il pourrait faire des gains efficaces
dans le système, ma deuxième question est tout aussi prévisible que ma première. Le gouvernement
peut-il nous confirmer où au juste ont été dépensés les 30 millions reçus du gouvernement pour
traiter des listes d’attente si ce n’est pas pour les réduire?
Hon. Mr. Green: The member opposite speaks of $30 million. This government, this coming fiscal
year, is investing $2.46 billion in health and senior care for the people of this province.
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Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Hon. Mr. Green: Across this province, in every single region, we are making significant
investments in our health care system. These are investments that are better serving the health needs
of the people of this province and investments that are reducing wait times for surgical procedures.
Again, I go back to the fact that the majority of the people in this province, by a strong
margin—more than 90%—say that they are satisfied with the health care system in New Brunswick.
That is because we are delivering results.
Mr. V. Boudreau: Earlier this week, the member for Kent South said that the budget was spin. That
is exactly what it is. This government proposed $4.4 million to improve surgical access in New
Brunswick. It will work on the development of a computerized registry of all patients awaiting
surgery from the time that they have met their surgeon to the time that they are booked in the
system. What this budget does not talk about is the other wait list that exists between the time that
your family doctor refers you to a specialist or a surgeon and the time that you get to meet that
specialist. In 1993, that took 4.1 weeks to accomplish in New Brunswick, the best time in the
Maritime Provinces.
In 2005, it took three times that, or, more specifically, 12.9 weeks to do the same thing in New
Brunswick, the very worst in the country. The people in need of surgery are waiting to wait in New
Brunswick. We now know that this government is incompetent in addressing the wait times between
surgeons and surgery. What does this government intend to do to address the ever-growing wait lists
between GPs and surgeons in New Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Green: I am happy to talk about competence. I am happy to talk about a government that,
since 1999, has attracted a net gain of 207 new doctors to this province, many of whom are
specialists. I am happy to talk about a government that delivers a health care system which provides
more New Brunswickers with access to a family doctor than virtually every other province in this
country. Again, this coming fiscal year, $2.46 billion in health and senior care spending is a record
of which to be proud.
Aide au revenu
M. Landry : Ma question s’adresse à la ministre des Services familiaux et communautaires.
Cependant, avant de poser ma question, je voudrais vous féliciter, Monsieur le président, pour le
poste que vous avez su si grandement atteindre. Je pense que cela donne espoir aux petites gens
ordinaires du Nouveau-Brunswick, comme vous et moi en parlons habituellement. Cela leur donne
espoir. Cependant, quand on regarde le budget présenté mardi dernier, ces mêmes gens bénéficiaires
de l’aide au revenu, les gens qui ne peuvent pas suivre le système… Comme le ministre des
Finances le dit, le meilleur outil pour ces gens est la formation. Il y a quand même des gens au
Nouveau-Brunswick qui ne pourront jamais suivre le système. J’ai entendu le député de TracadieORAL
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Sheila dire, dans un même élan mercredi dernier, que les plus démunis de la province étaient
contents du budget.
Madame la ministre, ma question est ceci : Les gens de la région de Tracadie-Sheila, de Centre-
Péninsule et du Nouveau-Brunswick — ceux qui sont bénéficiaires de l’aide au revenu — ne sont
pas contents de ce budget car il ne contient aucune annonce pour eux. Comment avez-vous pu, en
tant que ministre des Services familiaux et communautaires, laisser ce gouvernement présenter un
budget qui n’a rien pour les bénéficiaires de l’aide au revenu?
L’hon. M Dubé : On voit encore que le député d’en face s’amuse à lancer me er des chiffres en l’air et
à dire qu’il n’y a rien dans le budget. Je me demande s’il a écouté attentivement mon collègue, le
ministre des Finances, faire des annonces dans différents secteurs. Ce budget-ci a des choses pour
les gens les plus démunis. Différents services seront aussi ajoutés. Nous en présenterons encore dans
mes prévisions budgétaires. Il y a une augmentation en ce qui a trait à l’aide au revenu. Il y a de
l’aide en ce qui a trait à l’électricité.
017 11:15
Il y a certainement une augmentation au niveau de l’aide au revenu et une aide pour aider les gens
avec leur facture d’électricité, leur chauffage et leur logement. Je pourrais continuer en nommant
la formation, le transport et j’en passe.
On peut voir, d’après les chiffres de la province, qu’il y a une nette réduction du nombre de gens qui
recevaient de l’aide sociale. Il y a maintenant de plus en plus de gens qui sont sur le marché du
travail. Pour ce qui est des plus démunis, nous avons le devoir de les aider, et c’est exactement avec
le gouvernement de Bernard Lord que nous le faisons.
M. Landry : Comme ça, Madame la ministre, vous seriez prête à me donner des chiffres, car je n’en
ai mentionné aucun. Je demanderais ceci à la ministre : Avec ce présent budget, combien d’argent
les gens auront-ils pour acheter leur épicerie pour nourrir leurs enfants? Dites-moi combien d’argent
de plus ces gens auront pour nourrir leurs enfants?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre à la question, et je pense qu’on s’entend sur une
chose : nous avons besoin de venir en aide aux gens les plus démunis. C’est ce que nous faisons, et
ce, de front avec différents secteurs. On arrive à leur aide. Premièrement, nous augmentons leur
chèque d’aide sociale, c’est-à -dire un engagement de 6 % — 2 % encore cette année. Nous allons
respecter ces engagements.
On aide aussi ces gens en ce qui a trait aux médicaments. Nous aidons les gens qui sont malades,
en leur accordant des moyens de transport pour ceux qui ont des difficultés et des défis dans la vie.
On aide les plus démunis en ce qui touche le logement. De plus, on aide ceux qui peuvent obtenir
de la formation et qui veulent aller sur le marché du travail — il y a des besoins pour les travailleurs
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aussi au Nouveau-Brunswick. On aide ces gens dans leur démarche professionnelle. Il y a 27 % de
moins de gens sur l’aide sociale. Je peux vous dire qu’il s’agit d’un taux de 37 % dans la Péninsule
acadienne.
Alors, quand on parle de la pauvreté, on ne peut pas juste dire qu’on donne un chèque aux gens et
que c’est fini. Il faut aider ces gens dans leur qualité de vie. Pour ceux qui sont vraiment dans le
besoin et qu’ils ne peuvent aller sur le marché du travail, eh bien, nous avons des programmes et des
services, et c’est ce que nous ajoutons sur tous les fronts.
M. Landry : Peut-être qu’il y a une élection qui s’en vient dans le prochains jours.
(Exclamations.)
M. Landry : C’est peut-être drôle, Monsieur le ministre, mais, de mon côté, je ne trouve pas cela
comique. Comment pouvez-vous aller cogner aux portes pour dire aux gens du Nouveau-
Brunswick…? Les assistés sociaux ont de la difficulté à la fin du mois, car ils n’ont rien à manger.
Avec quelque 270 $ par mois, pour certaines personnes, c’est difficile de joindre les deux bouts.
Ce que j’ai dit à la ministre, et j’aimerais qu’elle me prouve cela, c’est qu’il n’y a rien dans le budget
actuel pour améliorer la situation des gens qui reçoivent l’aide sociale au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
M. Landry : J’aimerais ajouter que cette situation n’existe pas seulement dans la Péninsule
acadienne. Quand j’ai visité la région de Saint John, j’ai réalisé que la pauvreté était grande là aussi.
Les appels téléphonique que j’ai reçues au cours des derniers jours prouvent qu’il n’y a rien de bien
pour ces gens dans le nouveau budget.
Madame la ministre, je vous demande encore cette question : Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans le budget
actuel pour les assistés sociaux qui ne peuvent pas recevoir de formation parce qu’ils ne peuvent pas
suivre le système actuel?
L’hon. M Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de me lever encore une fois à la Chambre pour me parler des
gens qui ont besoin d’aide. Je peux vous dire que, lorsque je regarde ce que l’opposition a fait… Et
le député de Centre-Péninsule qui me demande ces questions ce matin faisait partie du
gouvernement libéral précédent.
On pourrait peut-être l’aider à se rappeler combien l’ancien gouvernement a négligé les programmes
sociaux. Notre gouvernement regarde justement d’améliorer nos programmes, de tendre la main Ã
ces gens-là et d’aider les plus démunis. Je viens juste d’énumérer une grande liste et je réponds très
bien à votre question ce matin, Monsieur le député, si vous voulez bien écouter. Nous avons une
série de mesures qui fait en sorte que nous aidons ces gens-là . Il y a 37 % de moins de personnes
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sur l’aide sociale dans la Péninsule acadienne. N’importe quand, je suis prête à aller cogner aux
portes, parce que ces gens sont maintenant fiers d’avoir un emploi et de pourvoir aux besoins de leur
famille. Il y a 27 % de moins de personnes sur l’aide sociale dans toute la province. J’ajoute ceci :
le gouvernement de Bernard Lord n’a pas fini.
Housing
Mr. Doherty: Thank you very much. I would like to direct my questions to Hon. Mrs. Dubé. I am
not going to talk about statistics. I am going to talk about real life situations. In these past few
months, the government has expressed great concern with respect to affordable housing and low
income. Let me give you a couple of examples of situations in my riding.
018 11:20
Mary is a 75-year-old lady who recently lost her leg to diabetes. She lives on the fourth floor of a
building which should be condemned. The only way she can escape, in case of fire, is by jumping
out the window. Then there is Billy, who lives in a boarding house on Princess Street. Billy lives
in a room with absolutely no electricity.
With the introduction of my slum landlord bill, An Act Respecting the Protection of Low Income
Occupiers, landlords will essentially be forced to fix up their properties. Those living in poverty will
be forced to find affordable housing.
Mr. Speaker: Order.
Mr. Doherty: Madam Minister, I pose the following question: What are the government’s plans to
assist landlords who will be forced to meet minimal standards and health standards to provide
affordable housing for those living in poverty?
L’hon. M Dubé : Merci de nous apporter la question du logement, je sais que ce sujet est me très près
du coeur du député d’en face et certainement près du coeur de l’ensemble des parlementaires. Ce
gouvernement-ci a fait beaucoup dans la question du logement, et il n’a pas encore terminé. Nous
avons un bon plan avec des mesures en place. Nous avons augmenté le supplément de loyer, nous
avons des programmes pour aider les propriétaires à rénover et à réparer les immeubles résidentiels
ou les appartements. On a aussi un programme pour les aider avec l’électricité lorsqu’ils ont des
défis. On est prêt à s’asseoir avec les gens et à regarder ce qu’il est possible de faire pour leur venir
en aide. Alors, j’invite à nouveau le député — je l’ai déjà fait — à s’asseoir avec nous, au ministère,
pour regarder l’ensemble des projets, des programmes et autres. Cela me fera plaisir de discuter avec
le député d’en face et de lui donner la panoplie de services que nous sommes en train de mettre sur
pied et que nous avons déjà mis sur pied.
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Mr. Doherty: Madame Minister, I must inform you that I did, in fact, meet with your staff in Saint
John. They are a wonderful group of people to work with, and I congratulate you on your fine staff.
It is with pleasure that I look forward to meeting with you.
The second question that I have is also not a statistical question, but it is a real-life question with
reference to walking down St. James Street in Saint John. In Saint John, we have the oldest housing
stock in our country. Many windows are covered with plastic, and drafts are prevented by stuffing
gaps with blankets. In this budget, the government has allotted $12 million to the new Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Agency. Will the government agree to specifically allot funds to our
aging housing stock, rooming homes, boarding houses, and cooperative housing, to improve energy
efficiency?
L’hon. M Dubé : Je suis heureuse de dire au député d’en face que les programmes me rammes en place sont
pour l’ensemble de la province ainsi que pour la population de Saint John. Elle peut en bénéficier.
Si je regarde les fonds qui ont été accordés à Saint John dans l’entente fédérale-provinciale sur les
rénovations des logements, on parle d’un investissement de 18 % spécifiquement dans la région de
Saint John. Nous savons qu’il y a des défis et des besoins et nous les abordons au fur et à mesure.
Si le député d’en face veut me parler d’un cas particulier, qui connaît certaines difficultés, je l’invite,
encore une fois, à venir s’asseoir. Vous avez fait allusion à notre excellent personnel. Je pense qu’on
est en mesure de travailler avec l’opposition pour les gens qui vivent des situations spéciales.
Notices of Motions
Mr. Foran gave notice of Motion 50 for Thursday, April 6, 2006, to be seconded by Mr. Brewer,
as follows:
That an address be presented to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, praying that he cause to be
laid upon the table of the House all names of physicians and their specialties who were recruited
to Region 7 (Miramichi Regional Health Authority) from June 1999 until present, and;
All names of physicians leaving Region 7 (Miramichi Regional Health Authority) from June 1999
until present, and;
All names of physicians who have reduced their services within Region 7 (Miramichi Regional
Health Authority) or changed their services, including those who moved from general practice in
the community to work in the Miramichi Regional Hospital Emergency Department from June 1999
until present.
019 11:25
Oral Questions
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
March 31, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 31 mars 2006
S:\HANSARD\HANSARD DAILIES - FASCICULES\2005-2006 55-3\16 2006-03-31 BL\16 2006-03-31 BL.wpd 12/12
Hon. Mr. Lord: I would like to revert to the end of question period, to provide an answer to a
question from a previous day, if that is agreed to.
Hon. Members: Agreed.
Power Rebates
Hon. Mr. Lord: On Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition asked how much each percentage
point above the 8% cap cost New Brunswick taxpayers. We needed a breakdown by percentage
point. I said at the time that it was between $10 million and $12 million. it is approximately $11
million per percentage point.
Mr. S. Graham: The reason this question was raised was that with the 8% cap that is now in place,
if the PUB makes a determination that because Orimulsion is not in the inventory to burn at Coleson
Cove, then, indeed, bunker C may end up costing the utility in the range of $100 million more per
year, as we know. An 11% increase is warranted. We were trying to determine today what the actual
amount would be in terms of the provincial treasury if the cap were above the 8%. The Premier has
indicated today that each percentage point is approximately $11 million. If the rate comes in at 11%,
can the Premier confirm today that that 3% increase has been budgeted in this fiscal period?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I am very pleased to answer the question. Yes, the worst case scenario is budgeted
in the budget, in the sense that if the PUB determines that NB Power requires the full increase, and
if we cap it at 8%, the difference is budgeted in the budget.
I want to add that Coleson Cove is burning fuels other than Orimulsion. The plant has been designed
to be able to burn more than one type of fuel. That was the main reason we proceeded with the
refurbishment of Coleson Cove, and there were environmental reasons, as well. The benefits are
being felt, throughout southern New Brunswick and mainly in Saint John.
FREDERICTON SOUP KITCHEN SHOULD HELD A BENEFIT GATHERING FOR Juanita MacKnight 1975 -2006
I must approach George Piers on this one. Fred FM and George could get together and raise a lot of money for Juanita three little kids.
I was told that she was a single mom.
ROOMERS TRULY HAVE NO RIGHTS!!!
EVICTION NOTICE
FOR CHARLES LEBLANC
It has been bought to my attention that you have been bloggling too much and taking too many pictures without consent of individuals.
You must leave the premises in one houe as of this time and date. 7:15am April 2/06
Thanks
Millie and Jim
Juanita MacKnight 1975 -2006
I'm taking this sad news very very hard. She was the backbone of the large amount of money collected after the Soup Kitchen got broken into.
She was a single mom with three kids!!!!
It's very very very sad.
It's stories like this one that often test a person faith.
But as my Priest always say- It's not for us to understand now but we will truly understand later.
It's a very sad story. My God...I still have tears in my eyes while doing this blog.
Life goes on I guess and Juanita has truly left her mark in Fredericton!!!!
