This was the first protest this year. Myself, I'm against abortion.
The only instance an abortion should happen if the woman is in danger of losing her life.
Of course, the issue of rape would also be a concern.
It's a very touchy issue.
Ok....let the vultures lose on this one.....
Thursday, May 11, 2006
ANTI - ABORTION PROTEST AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!!!!
QUESTIONS PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!! < Jeudi >
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Disabled Persons
Mr. S. Graham: My question today is for the Minister of Transportation. As we have just heard,
a citizen of this province was applying for mobility assistance under a program for disabled people
which is run by the Department of Transportation. This person was not getting a response to his
application, so he sought help, as many people do, from the local MLA, to make sure that this
application would not be further delayed.
It turns out that the delay in receiving assistance from the minister’s department is not due to the
time needed to process an application for mobility assistance. It is because of a purely political act
of spite. The minister’s executive assistant, a former member of this House, wrote a handwritten
note to the member for Grand Lake, telling him that this constituent would not receive any
assistance at all until the department’s estimates were passed by the Liberal members of this House.
Can the minister tell us whether this policy to deny assistance to disabled people through this
program is being applied provincewide, or is it just restricted to New Brunswickers who live in
Liberal-held ridings?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : Le chef de l’opposition est complètement dans l’erreur cet après-midi. Mon
chef de cabinet n’a pas envoyé une lettre disant que cette personne n’aura pas d’aide sous le
programme. Au contraire, lorsque le député a porté ceci à mon attention, je me suis assuré que la
personne en question reçoive de l’aide du gouvernement. Selon moi, la personne va recevoir de
l’aide du gouvernement selon le programme en question.
Mr. S. Graham: The minister is wrong in his statement today. I will allow one of the pages to give
him a handwritten note, with David Jordan’s signature, which clearly states that assistance will not
be given until the budget is passed, which contradicts the minister’s statement totally. My question
to the minister is this: Did he instruct his executive assistant and former caucus colleague to write
this note to the member for Grand Lake? Can the minister tell us how many other applications for
mobility assistance are currently being put on hold because of this act of political spite on the part
of the minister’s office?
014 13:55
L’hon. P. Robichaud : Le chef de l’opposition veut faire de la petite politique cet après-midi parce
que la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi se retrouve dans une situation critique. C’est ce que le chef
de l’opposition veut faire cet après-midi.
Lorsque le député de Grand Lake a porté à mon attention la situation d’un de ses commettants qui
avait fait une demande sous notre programme qui vise à aider les gens ayant des difficultés de
mobilité, je me suis empressé de vérifier le dossier et j’ai dit au député, la journée même, que la
personne en question recevrait l’aide du ministère des Transports. C’est ce que j’ai fait et c’est ce
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que je continuerai à faire. Ce n’est pas parce que l’opposition a une députée qui se retrouve dans
l’embarras aujourd’hui que vous devez faire la chasse aux sorcières en accusant tout le monde pour
des erreurs que vous commettez vous-mêmes.
Mr. S. Graham: I just sent the minister a copy of the handwritten note that his executive assistant
sent to the member for Grand Lake concerning this case. The minister will note that I have taken
care to exclude any information that would identify the constituent who is applying for assistance.
The minister will clearly see that his executive assistant is clearly and deliberately telling the
member for Grand Lake that his constituent will not receive any assistance until the Liberal caucus
passes the departmental estimates. The trade-off is clear. Vote for the estimates or else your
constituents will be cut off. Call it intimidation, or call it blackmail. Does this minister feel that this
is the best way to serve the people of New Brunswick?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : Encore une fois, on voit la stratégie du Parti libéral. Lorsque le député de
Grand Lake a porté la situation à mon attention, je me suis empressé de régler le problème le jour
même. Je l’ai porté à l’attention du député en question.
Ce que nous voyons aujourd’hui, c’est que le Parti libéral se retrouve dans l’eau chaude avec une
députée qui a commis non seulement une erreur mais au moins trois erreurs dans un manque flagrant
de jugement. L’opposition essaie de faire porter le blâme et l’odieux à des gens du gouvernement.
C’est ce que les Libéraux tentent de faire. On n’a rien à se reprocher dans le dossier. Au contraire,
nous avons réglé le dossier à la demande du député. Je trouve très déplorable la stratégie du député
de Grand Lake et du chef de l’opposition dans le dossier en question.
Mr. S. Graham: We believe that the minister needs to listen more to the information provided by
his Premier and his Government House Leader. According to them, the government, including the
Department of Transportation, had the authority to proceed with program payments until the budget
passed on April 7. However, he does not have to trust what his Cabinet colleagues have to say,
because section 35 of the Financial Administration Act states clearly that the government may make
any payments necessary to provide any services for which appropriations were made for the
previous fiscal year. Section 35 of the Financial Administration Act clearly states that your
government can spend any amount of money without the estimates being passed up until July 31.
Can the minister tell this House on what basis, other than for personal spite, he delayed this
application for assistance from the Department of Transportation? Make no mistake about it. The
information in a handwritten note from your executive assistant to this member clearly states that
until the departmental estimates are passed, an individual suffering from multiple sclerosis, during
MS Week, when we are out here trying to bring forward more services and more benefits . . . Your
government is saying no, because you want to play political games with the health and welfare of
a New Brunswick citizen.
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L’hon. P. Robichaud : La situation est tout à fait contraire à ce que le chef de l’opposition vient
d’affirmer. Lorsque la situation a été portée à mon attention, j’ai réglé le problème. Je l’ai réglé la
première journée que le député de Grand Lake l’a porté à mon attention. Que voulez-vous de plus?
Je me souviens de la réaction du député de Grand Lake. Je me souviens à quel point il était satisfait
de la réponse qu’on lui avait donnée la même journée. Il m’a demandé s’il pouvait appeler la
personne en question pour lui dire que le dossier était réglé. Je lui ai dit de le faire.
Ce que nous voyons présentement, c’est une tactique d’un parti en manque de direction qui se
retrouve dans l’eau chaude aujourd’hui parce que l’une de ses parlementaires a commis non
seulement une erreur mais trois erreurs au cours des dernières semaines.
L’opposition tente par tous les moyens de sauver la face, mais les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick
verront très clair dans le jeu de l’opposition. Le dossier en question a été réglé à la satisfaction du
député de Grand Lake et du récipiendaire.
015 14:00
Mr. Lamrock: My question is also for the Minister of Transportation. The note that has been
provided to him, which is from his executive assistant to the member for Grand Lake, says very
clearly: To Eugene McGinley. The letter will be processed when the budget passes.
I cannot reconcile that note with an intention to process the letter. It says very clearly that it will be
processed. Once the budget is approved, the letters will be processed. This minister, before, had a
letter grow legs and magically appear in the hands of a press secretary that violated privacy law.
When we asked him, he said: It was all the staff person. I had nothing to do with it.
Could the Minister of Transportation indicate if his staff person again did something without the
minister’s knowledge? If so, when is he going to start taking responsibility for the help he surrounds
himself with?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : On voit très bien aujourd’hui que les grands responsables du fiasco du
« lettergate » sont à la rescousse de la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi, autant le chef de l’opposition
que le leader de l’opposition officielle à la Chambre : deux personnes qui avaient été avisées de la
situation des fameuses lettres de Mme Robichaud, mais qui n’ont pas jugé bon de la réprimander et
de corriger la situation. On voit très bien ce que le Parti libéral pense des gens qui sont reconnus
coupables de conduite en état d’ébriété. C’est quelque chose d’acceptable pour le Parti libéral et
c’est quelque chose qu’il appuie. On a encore vu cela aujourd’hui par une autre ovation que les
parlementaires de l’opposition ont offerte à la députée de Baie-de-Miramichi et au chef de
l’opposition officielle.
Je n’ai pas terminé avec vous. Dans le dossier en question, celui-ci a été réglé à la demande et à la
satisfaction du député de Grand Lake et il a été réglé à la demande et à la satisfaction du
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récipiendaire, soit le demandeur ; que voulez-vous plus que cela? Nous avons réglé le dossier à votre
demande.
Mr. Lamrock: I know there has to be one minister over there who can, at some point, take
responsibility for their actions without blaming other people or changing the subject.
Two years ago, when the budget was being considered, there was an objection from this side when
the government began making cuts that were scheduled in the budget before the estimates process
was done. At that time, section 35 of the Financial Administration Act was quoted back to us,
saying: “Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other Act, the Comptroller may make such
payments out of the Consolidated Fund as are required to provide . . . public services.”
The Speaker at the time, the member for Hampton-Belleisle, said: “Although the government’s
budgetary policy is put before the House for approval, its ongoing consideration in no way precludes
the government from continuing to administer the day-to-day affairs of the province.” That would
mean that if anybody is being told the government cannot do something because the budget has not
been passed, it is either a horrible mistake or a damnable lie. I know that one person will be
honourable enough to set the record straight. I ask the Government House Leader: Were you wrong
in your ruling?
Hon. Mr. Harrison: The honourable member is asking a question in my role as Speaker. I cannot
comment on that. That is something out of the past, in another job situation.
Water Supply
Mr. Armstrong: My question is for the Minister of Environment. I wrote a letter to the former
minister dated November 22, 2004, requesting a supply of water for the residents in the Penobsquis
Loop Road area. The minister of the day responded quite positively by arranging for fresh water for
household purposes. The minister also suggested that the department would act immediately for a
long-term supply of water. It is now 18 months later, and we are still trying to obtain a long-term
supply of water. Could the minister inform the House today what steps he has taken to arrange for
the long-term supply of water?
Hon. Mr. Holder: The Department of Environment has continued to work on this file. I have had
many conversations with the member opposite. He has come to me on cases where other wells have
gone dry and an expedient solution was needed to try to get services to those people. Our department
and I have continued to work with the member opposite on that. We will continue to do that. With
respect to the water supply, that is ongoing. We are trying to secure that water supply. We have a
source now, and we are continuing to work with the department and the local community. We will
continue to do that.
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016 14:05
Mr. Armstrong: We can always sit back and say that we are working, we are working, we are
working, but 18 months . . . Can you imagine? After 18 months of continuous work, we do not see
anything yet. There is not a stake in the ground, not a hole drilled, and not a piece of pipe
laid—nothing. I suggest to the minister that all his action has resulted in absolutely nothing up until
this point—18 months later.
I have taken the opportunity to speak to the minister, as he suggested, over the past several months.
He has indicated that they have identified a source of water that is located on a parcel of land that
is leased by the Department of National Defence from the Department of Natural Resources in the
province of New Brunswick. Keeping in mind that it is my understanding that this parcel of land had
been used for military purposes, what steps has this minister taken to ensure that this parcel of land
is not contaminated by substances that would have, or could have, been used by the military?
Hon. Mr. Holder: The member has raised this question with me before, and I have told him that
I have my department looking into it. I do not have any information at this point. We are continuing
to look into it. We do not want to jump to any conclusions and scare the residents that this water
supply may be contaminated when it is not.
Having said that, I take the member’s comments very seriously. We will continue to look into the
matter, and when I have something to report to him, I will. Thank you.
Mr. Armstrong: My third question is to the Minister of Environment. There is a major concern
throughout the community over a source of water that has, over the years, been used for household
purposes as well as for drinking water. It was tested by the Department of Health, and it showed
contamination. The Department of Health has identified this and has displayed signs that suggest
that it is unfit for human consumption.
It has been brought to my attention that this supply of water is still being used in some situations.
I do not want to appear to be an alarmist, but we have to recognize what happened in Walkerton,
Ontario. We certainly do not want a repetition of that. I urge this minister not to play politics any
longer and to ensure that, over the next several months, we see some signs that we are moving
toward a long-term supply of water.
Have the necessary funds been arranged to move this project forward, if and when it has been
identified as a safe source of water, for all intents and purposes? If not, how much delay will we
experience before this funding is in place?
Hon. Mr. Holder: The member opposite is talking out of both sides of his mouth. On one hand, he
is telling me to hurry up and get moving with this project. On the other hand, he is telling me that
there may be a concern.
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Quite frankly, the first time I ever heard of this concern was from the member opposite. I have raised
it with my officials, and we will continue to look into this issue. This is the very reason why we need
to proceed in terms of making sure we have a supply that is safe and that will deliver for the people
in that region.
On one hand, he cannot tell me that he wants us to hurry and then, on the other hand, tell me that
he wants us to be careful. Which is it? I can tell you that we are going to continue to work with the
people in the Sussex-Penobsquis region, and we are going to deliver a water supply that is safe and
reliable.
Médicaments sur ordonnance
M. V. Boudreau : Mes questions sont destinées au ministre de la Santé. L’Institut canadien
d’information sur la santé a rendu public hier un rapport intitulé Dépenses en médicaments au
Canada 1985 à 2005. Ce rapport démontre que les médicaments prescrits continuent à représenter,
de loin, la plus grande proportion des dépenses en médicaments au Canada. De 1985 à 2005, la part
des dépenses en médicaments prescrits assumée par le secteur public, c’est-à-dire le gouvernement,
a augmenté dans chaque province et territoire à l’exception, entre autres, du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Les dépenses en médicaments prescrits par habitant assumées par le secteur privé, c’est-à-dire de
la poche de la population, ont augmenté. Elles varient de 280 $ par personne, au Manitoba, à 475 $
par personne au Nouveau-Brunswick. C’est le plus haut taux au pays. Le ministre continue de nous
dire à la Chambre qu’il investit des montants records, et que le gouvernement fait toutes sortes de
belles choses. Toutefois, en réalité, ce sont les Néo-Brunswickois qui paient de plus en plus cher
pour leurs médicaments. Le ministre peut-il nous expliquer le pourquoi des statistiques dévoilées
hier.
Hon. Mr. Green: I keep talking about the wonderful things that this government is doing in health
care, because that is exactly what is happening. It does not matter what region of the province one
visits—you can see very tangible, positive results of our government’s health care plan in action.
017 14:10
The member opposite neglects to elaborate on the information that came from CIHI yesterday. It
also points out that New Brunswick is, I believe, second in the country in terms of the percentage
of our health care spending that is going to prescription drugs. I also know that, since this
government took office, we have added about 230 new drugs to the provincial formulary under our
Prescription Drug Program, and that is another commitment that continues to grow.
M. V. Boudreau : Le ministre essaie de nous faire croire que ce gouvernement fait des choses en
santé. Nous avons les pires listes d’attente au pays. Cela prend le plus de temps au pays pour
accepter de nouveaux médicaments. Nous avons les taux les plus élevés d’hospitalisations pour les
conditions chroniques au pays. Nous avons les dépenses les plus élevées pour les médicaments sur
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ordonnance. En 2001, nous étions 12 sur 13 compétences a e u Canada. Ce n’est pas quelque chose
dont on peut se vanter, mais toujours pas les derniers. D’après les chiffres les plus récents de 2005,
nous sommes en toute dernière place. La moyenne nationale se chiffre à 640 $, et le Nouveau-
Brunswick est à $702 ; la dernière position au pays. En termes des dépenses privées qu’un Néo-
Brunswickois doit payer de sa poche pour des médicaments prescrits, nous en sommes à 475 $, le
montant le plus élevé au pays.
Le rapport du vérificateur général de cette année a clairement indiqué que nous devons avoir un
programme de surveillance pour ce qui est du Programme de médicaments sur ordonnance.
Mr. Speaker: Ask the question, please.
M. V. Boudreau : Le ministre peut-il nous dire quand ce programme sera en place?
Hon. Mr. Green: On the last point raised by the member opposite, we are definitely moving
forward on the prescription drug monitoring program for New Brunswick. I have spoken of that in
the House before. The program will be in place in either 11 months at the nearest date or, at the
most, 23 months. We are working very well with the pharmacists’ association of the province,
making good progress, we feel. That is another initiative of the provincial health plan, another
positive enhancement of health care in this province. That is why 90% of New Brunswickers said
that they are happy with the health care system in this province compared to a national average of
only 85.5%.
M. V. Boudreau : Le ministre refuse d’accepter que les Néo-Brunswickois paient le plus au Canada
pour leurs prescriptions. Le gouvernement semble être content de ces statistiques. Le rapport du
vérificateur général a spécifié que les bénéficiaires du Programme de médicaments sur ordonnance
comptent parmi les citoyens les plus vulnérables de la province. Il s’agit de personnes à faible
revenus, de pensionnaires des foyers de soins, d’enfants pris à charge et d’adultes handicapés qui
vivent dans des établissements résidentiels et de personnes ayant de graves problèmes de santé. Ce
gouvernement est au pouvoir depuis sept ans, et il a reçu des dizaines de millions de dollars
additionnels du gouvernement fédéral. J’aimerais que le ministre puisse nous donner un plan concret
avec des échéances concrètes à savoir quand nous aurons un programme de surveillance en ce qui
touche les médicaments sur ordonnance au Nouveau-Brunswick.
Hon. Mr. Green: I have been very clear on this point and said just a moment ago that the
prescription drug monitoring program is under development. We are working with stakeholders in
the province, particularly the pharmacists. That process is going well. If the members opposite want
to look at a concrete plan not only for this, but also for every aspect of health care in New
Brunswick, I suggest that they read, once again, this government’s provincial health care plan that
was introduced by my predecessor, the member for Tracadie-Sheila. Throughout this province, in
region after region, there are positive results from a very positive plan.
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Plan provincial de la santé
M. Albert : Mes questions sont pour le ministre de la Santé. Les temps d’attente à l’urgence et les
temps d’attente pour recevoir des soins peuvent causer des séquelles graves et même conduire à un
décès. Le ministre de la Santé nous dit que tout baigne dans l’huile et affirme qu’il est satisfait des
services d’urgence. Pourtant, la semaine dernière, nous avons été mis au courant de deux cas graves
à l’urgence de l’Hôpital de Tracadie, mais il y en a de nombreux autres. Depuis la mise en oeuvre
du plan de santé, des histoires d’horreur s’accumulent, et la population est de plus en plus inquiète.
On met la vie des gens en danger. L’urgence de Tracadie-Sheila ne peut suffire aux besoins de la
population acadienne. Quelles mesures le ministre a-t-il mises en place pour corriger et régler ce
problème?
018 14:15
Hon. Mr. Green: As a matter of fact, in this fiscal year, we are investing $800 000 to upgrade the
emergency room at the Tracadie hospital.
It is very true that, in recent days, we have been hearing about two specific cases at the emergency
room in the hospital at Tracadie-Sheila, so let’s put that in context. How many emergency visits
were there last year at the Tracadie-Sheila hospital? The answer is 31 675.
M. Albert : Le problème n’est pas réglé. Il y a encore de plus en plus de personnes qui ne sont pas
soignées et dont la vie est en danger. Le plan de santé ne fonctionne tout simplement pas, et le
ministre devrait l’avouer. Il ne répond pas aux besoins de soins de santé d’une population de 50 000
personnes. Ce plan a fragilisé — et il le sait — grandement les soins de santé des régions éloignées
et rurales du Nouveau-Brunswick, spécialement dans la Péninsule acadienne. Les temps d’attentes
sont désastreux, et les listes d’attentes pour les chirurgies sont très longues et s’allongent
constamment. Les femmes accouchent dans les ambulances. On nous avait promis un plan de santé
qui permettrait d’améliorer les prestations de services de santé dans la Péninsule acadienne. La
réalité quotidienne confirme le contraire. Le ministre a-t-il l’intention de modifier le plan de santé
et l’adapter afin qu’il réponde adéquatement aux besoins d’une population de 50 000 personnes?
Hon. Mr. Green: I am never going to agree with outrageous statements that are designed to do
nothing more than incite fear and that have absolutely no basis in fact.
The Provincial Health Plan in this province, Healthy Futures, is a very positive, forward-looking
plan that is having tangible results on the Acadian Peninsula and in that whole health region. It is
not only the investment that we are making in the upgrades to the emergency room at Tracadie but
also, for that whole region, the significant upgrades, over $11 million, for the hospital in Bathurst
and the very comprehensive set of services being offered at the community health centre in Caraquet
that was not there before.
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M. Albert : Le ministre n’a rien écouté. Il ne le sait pas et il ne s’informe pas. Un annonce de
L’Écho de Bas-Caraquet informe la population que, à partir du 6 avril, des soins additionnels sont
offerts à Caraquet. Je vous en énumère quelques-uns : réactions allergiques, lacérations et éraflures,
hameçons insérés dans les tissus mous, accumulation de cire dans les oreilles, corps étrangers dans
une narine ou dans une oreille, piqûres de moustiques, administration de Tylenol, contraception
d’urgence, soigner les poux, douleurs et démangeaisons de la région anale, saignements du nez et
évacuation du sang sous l’ongle. On essaie de nous faire accroire qu’on n’offrait pas ces services
avant le plan de santé. C’est ça la réalité. C’est un manque de respect pour l’intelligence des gens.
On veut rire de la population. La Péninsule acadienne paie très cher pour satisfaire aux caprices de
ce gouvernement. Ce plan de santé doit être changé et modifié et ça presse. Le ministre va-t-il le
faire? Si oui, quand?
Hon. Mr. Green: Let’s look at what has happened just within the last month in Caraquet at that
community health centre: an expansion of services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as of the first
week of April. What else is happening at the community health centre in Caraquet? The following
services, among others: lab, medical imaging, electrocardiography, occupational therapy, speech
language pathology, physiotherapy, and an expansion into new areas—oncology, chemotherapy,
pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, pediatric rehabilitation, geriatric day care, pain
management, obstetrics, and feeding clinics.
Video Gambling
Mr. Murphy: I congratulate the Minister of Health on his Percy Mockler imitation.
My question is to the Minister of Public Safety. Forty-two percent of VLT revenue is acquired from
problem gamblers. Since the government took over VLTs through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation,
they have gone from slow-moving, loonie-driven machines to those that now take $5, $10, and $20
bills. Therefore, in the view of some, the definition of “VLT” has changed in the last several years.
019 14:20
Has the minister looked at the existing law to see if the Atlantic Lottery Corporation is acting
outside the spirit of the law by providing these machines?
L’hon. M. Volpé : C’est une bonne question, mais je veux la retourner à l’expéditeur. Le député de
Moncton-Nord est-il pour ou contre les machines à sous? Il y a deux semaines, il nous a demandé,
à la Chambre, de faire en sorte qu’il puisse utiliser ses chevaux sur les pistes de course. Il veut un
casino situé dans un hippodrome chez lui, avec des machines à sous. Aujourd’hui, il nous dit que
ces machines ne sont pas légales. On aimerait connaître sa position sur le sujet.
Mr. Murphy: His comments are not confirmed by the record and, in fact, are not correct. I am
asking about the enforcement of the existing law, and my question to the Minister of Public Safety
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is with regard to whether it is correct, under the existing law, that banking machines are next to these
VLTs.
L’hon. M. Volpé : Je ferai certainement un suivi avec la Societe des Loteries de L’Atlantique.
Celle-ci respecte les règlements et les lois. Je ferai certainement un suivi et je prends les arguments
du député de Moncton-Nord en délibération. J’irai chercher des informations supplémentaires.
Mr. Murphy: I appreciate that the minister believes that ALC is following the law, but what I have
asked is whether he has sought to follow the spirit and intent of the law as it was passed a number
of years ago. There could be certain enforcement measures, such as taking the banking machines
out and taking out these VLTs that strip people of their livelihood by using these $5, $10, and $20
bills. Also, we now have many casinos in New Brunswick where the liquor license allows a certain
number of VLTS in place. They have these additional rooms that are connected; in fact, sometimes,
they have 15, 20, or 30 VLTs under one roof.
I will ask the Minister of Public Safety: Has his department looked into somehow shutting these
operations down?
L’hon. M. Volpé : Comme je l’ai mentionné tout à l’heure, je vais considérer les arguments du
député de Moncton-Nord et faire un suivi. J’aimerais faire quelques commentaires supplémentaires.
Premièrement, je pense que le député de Moncton-Nord devrait se rappeler qui a apporté les
machines à sous au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il était président du Parti libéral du Nouveau-Brunswick
à l’époque, alors peut-être qu’il devrait s’en rappeler. L’autre commentaire que je veux faire est le
suivant : comme je l’ai dit tout à l’heure, le député de Moncton-Nord nous a demandé, il y a deux
semaines… Si ces machines sont vraiment néfastes pour la santé des gens, pourquoi le député de
Moncton-Nord veut-il un casino situé dans un hippodrome à Moncton pour les gens de cette région?
Je ne peux pas comprendre pourquoi le député de Moncton-Nord passe une journée à défendre les
gens qui veulent des casinos situés dans des hippodromes, alors qu’il passe le lendemain à défendre
ceux qui utilisent les casinos situés dans des hippodromes. J’aimerais connaître sa position. Je ferai
certainement un suivi, mais j’aimerais rappeler au député de Moncton-Nord que c’est le
gouvernement du parti qu’il représente aujourd’hui qui a apporté les machines à sous au Nouveau-
Brunswick.
CHARLES TO BE IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA IN THE MORNING!!!
I received an email today and they invited me to be a guest on a program call - The Current.
It's on CBC and suppose to be on the air after 8:30am!
The main issue is to allow bloggers in the press gallery in the New Brunswick Legislature.
Little by little the word is spreading.....
Wish me luck....I'll be ok....just have to explain the issue in hand.
No Anti-Irving and Anit-Bernard Lord rant!!!!
THE ISSUE OF TANKER MALLEY WON'T BE DEBATED IN THE HOUSE!!!
I just learned this one hour ago....I guess the parties has reach a deal!!!!!
GOD'S MINUTE!!!!
MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS I WRITE TO YOU, SO
THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN. AND IF ANYONE SINS, WE HAVE
AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE
RIGHTEOUS.
( 1 JOHN 2:1 *NKJV )
Dear Charles,
Now if you are feeling low because of something that
you have done wrong, or a sin that you have committed in
the past, know that you have forgiveness through our Savior
Jesus Christ. For when you repent it is written; "COME NOW,
AND LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAYS THE LORD,
THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE
WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY ARE RED LIKE CRIMSON,
THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL." ( ISAIAH 1:18 )
Our sins then are not only forgiven, but they are also forgotten
by our Heavenly Father as well! For it is written; "FOR I WILL BE
MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS
AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."
( HEBREWS 8:12 )
So don't beat yourself up, or hold those things back when you
talk with God. Instead, always speak to Him as you would a
loving, caring, understanding Father. After all Charles, that's
what He is! Also remember that; BLESSED IS HE WHOSE
TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN, WHOSE SIN IS COVERED.
BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD DOES NOT
IMPUTE INIQUITY. ( PSALM 32:1-2 ) For Then; WHEN YOU LIE
DOWN, YOU WILL NOT BE AFRAID; WHEN YOU LIE DOWN
YOUR SLEEP WILL BE SWEET! ( PROVERBS 3:24 )
Now have a Wonderful Day Charles, and tonight may your
dreams be sweet indeed! 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
WILL ABEL LEBLANC BE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE???? TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!
The show should be around 3:00pm!!!!! Channel 70.....The issue will be about Tanker!!!!
PRESIDENT BUSH WASN'T AMUSED I GUESS!!!!
Most of us saw this picture on the news.
Myself? I didn't know that Stephen Colbert was present that funny evening.
I guess the President was amused....
I pasted the sites in this blog...check it out!!! It's funny!!!!
You can see the President and his side kick by clicking here -
target="_blank">Charles
Blog 
The Stephen Colbert one is right here. Just click here-
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
A EMAIL FROM SOMEONE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PROVINCE!!!!
Bonjour Mr.LeBlanc,
Well keep talking,keep writing we are all behind you and guess what the people will fallow and we will get the government will have no choice but to listen later down the road.
The kids now a days are snorting crunched perkasets,duladid and ritalin.
And well it is because of the government!!!!
The kids had a center but then the government took it from them and that is why the kids are snorting all these pills!!!!
Did you know that kids of the age ranging from fourteen and up are beating there parents because they can't get money out of there parents!!
Then you have social workers coming to your home taking your kids from you because your kid lied about you beating them!!
Blame it on the government and the school!
You can't slap your kid's hand, you can't punish them either because your child runs and says mom and dad hit me and punished me. So how to deal with kids like that?
But then if we speak up and tell the government to shove it up there rear well that is the end of the world like i wrote before the government is full of it and catch them in there lies.
We catch them stealing from us and that makes them very very nervous ha ha ha,u were caught MR government,they are full of it.
Thank you for listening MR LeBlanc.
THE ONLY SITE TO SEE IN SAINT JOHN HARBOUR IS RAW SEWAGE!!!!
Hi Charlie-- do you see anything in these pictures? Can you PLEASE find another City within the boundries of Canada who has a completely ghostly abandoned Harbour like ours here in Saint John N.B.
Oh and it would really be nice if this Canadian City was also founded by their Harbour and is right in the middle of the downtown.
The reason I'm asking this of you is just so I can get my head around whether Mr.Harper,Mr.Lord or Mr.MacFarlane is trying to be the biggest fool in trying to dupe the Citizens of The City of Saint John as well as The Province of New Brunswick into this weird and wacky dream they all seem to be having that we're prospering right along into the future.
But the trouble with that dream they're trying to sell to us is everytime I go down to the Front Door to this City and look out into the magnificent open Saint John Harbour that we proudly called our Front Door not that long ago Is nothing more than a cesspool of Toiletries,human waste,garbage and debree topped off with a little foam topping complements of the pulpmill at the edge of the Saint John River.
The Real Nightmare is what you don't see,Where are the Ships?,Boats, Hell even a dingy would be a welcome site. I tried to get you some pictures of the Westside walls of the docks but they shadow from the distance They are so delapitated beyond repair its shameful that it ever reached that point without intervention to drum up business with all the smarts we're supposed to be paying for I believe it is time for all levels of government to stand and roll up their sleeves get to work and come up with a plan that will revitalize this port of call once and for all for both Big & Small Business as well as Big & Small Entertainment and Not Ten,Twenty,Thirty Years from now.
If this port would have been kept up to par and working for itself, it indeed could have paid for the much needed clean up of Human Waste we have been trying so hard to get but just can't seem to afford.
Footnote: I bumped into a couple visiting from Ont. this morning and they were leaning over the rail at the Market Square Board Walk area about to take a few pictures of what they thought were chunks of ice,When the Gentlemen's Wife turned to me and said "Isn't it bizzarr that your still getting "ICE" this far into your Harbour this time of year??"
I openly chuckled and then said noo no thats just foam from the Pulp and Paper Mill that gathered a little dirt and dust on the way down here as I pointed out to where the Saint John River flows into the Bay. She then yelled to her husband and said "Hey its o k don't take the pictures and began to tell him what it was and laughed a little.
P.S. I did take a moment to tell them they were actually very lucky to get to see this view at High Tide verses Low Tide and I'm sure I need say no more on that part.
Keep up the great work..........
Now this is a wonderful Irving employee....
She works at the Irving Gas station on King Street. She's really nice and I never told her about Chico.
She really love Chico. Always had a biscuit for him.
ABEL LEBLANC TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST TANKER TOMORROW AFTERNOON AROUND 3:00PM!!!
Once again, the issue of Tanker will be in chambers tomorrow afternoon.
THREE YOUNG NATIVES HANGS THEMSELVES IN THE TOUBIQUE INDIAN RESERVE!!!
Charles,
Since January 2005 there have been several suicide on the Tobique Reserve, for privacy reasons the police reports and newspapers respects the wishes of
the families.
I am not to write about the suicides
or who died, but these are terrible deaths by hanging.
Three young people chose to take their
lives all before the ages of 30.
To me this is way too young.
To think that life is over and that
there is no other option is unjustified, and the way that these young lives are swept under the carpet is not a good way to help with suicide prevention.
The turmoil and the depression that these young youths are suffering are being ignored, but three deaths by
hanging needs to be addressed.
Any suicide needs to be addressed not shoved away like they didn't exist,
somethings wrong, not with these individuals who took their own lives, but the way of life they had lived needs to be looked.
QUESTION PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!! < Mercredi >
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NB Power
Mr. S. Graham: My question this morning is for the Minister of Energy. Given the government’s
recent directive to NB Power to stop the practice of estimating residential power bills, it is clear that
NB Power will need to find new ways to collect meter information. Remote metering, which is
commonly used now on water meters, is one solution, but there is an opportunity to use this change
in policy to implement a metering system that will give consumers more control over their energy
costs and energy usage, leading to lower monthly electrical bills and effective energy conservation.
We are talking about a time-of-day metering system which would give consumers the option of
using less expensive electricity during nonpeak periods during the day. Just as the minister directed
NB Power to stop estimating monthly bills, will the minister direct NB Power to prioritize time-ofday
metering as part of its corporate plan?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: NB Power has had discussions of time-of-day metering. The issue that needs to
be resolved is the fact that it is not cheaper to buy your power in the middle in the night. Those
things would have to be resolved; there would have to be different categories of rates for different
times of day. There are lots of issues to deal with.
Mr. S. Graham: We recognize that the energy file is complex and that there are lots of issues to
deal with. The fact remains that it is useful for decision makers and even Cabinet ministers to
visualize a goal when they embark on new programs or regulatory initiatives. A move toward meters
that would allow for time-of-day savings on billing is a goal that combines energy conservation and
lower costs to consumers. The effectiveness of a system that delivers on both of these goals has been
proven in Nova Scotia, Ontario, South Africa, New England, Argentina, and the United Kingdom.
The time is right for our province, New Brunswick, to benefit from a time-of-day billing plan.
Does the minister know whether NB Power, the Crown corporation for which she is responsible, has
undertaken any feasibility studies or implementation plans for time-of-day metering?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: As I said earlier, it would mean a total change in the rate structure for the
province. Most homeowners do not utilize a great enough volume of electricity to find a lot of
savings at different times of the day. However, this is all being looked at; we are looking at different
metering systems. Yes, we have told the people at NB Power that they will not estimate power bills.
It is very difficult for the people of the province; they receive power bills that are totally outrageous
one month, and then, the next month, when the meters are read, they get a big reduction. One
gentleman told me that his power bill one month was $300, and the next month, because they read
the meter, it was $50.
I really believe that we are looking after the best interest of New Brunswickers. We will continue
to do that. That is one of the reasons we are looking at capping the increases that NB Power can have
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at 8% this year, in all rate categories. At the same time, we are alleviating the provincial portion of
the HST, so that homeowners have this opportunity to look at ways to improve their efficiency.
A time-of-day meter is something that can be addressed as a long-term thing to be looked at. We
need immediate solutions. We need people to be less dependent on the generation of electricity in
this province, and also to find different ways to save money.
Mr. S. Graham: I would like to remind the minister that she also has a responsibility for the longterm
goals, in terms of how we can reduce the demand for electricity in the province. Very clearly,
time-of-day metering and time-of-day billing will mean that the rate structure will have to change,
but it will be an incentive for New Brunswickers to purchase a dishwasher with a timer on it. If the
timer starts later in the evening, power can be purchased at a cheaper rate. That is the point we are
making today: We can give New Brunswickers the choice of when they can purchase electricity at
a cheaper rate, during off-peak load demand times. That is how time-of-day metering has worked
very successfully in other jurisdictions.
What we are saying today is that if the minister is admitting that the task is too big and that it will
require a long-term vision, then get out of the way, because we are prepared to take on that agenda.
My question to the minister is this: Very clearly, she has acknowledged the fact that the rate
structure would have to change. Is she prepared to instruct NB Power to look at a new rate structure
that would give New Brunswickers a choice of whether to purchase electricity at a fairer rate?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: I do not know whether I am pleased to understand that the Leader of the
Opposition is concerned that people with dishwashers in the province should be able to get cheaper
rates in the middle of the night.
004 10:30
There are a lot of people in this province who do not have dishwashers. They do it by hand. Are they
going to get up in the middle of the night to do their dishes or to take a shower to get ready for
work? If time-of-day metering so that people can get discounts is all the Leader of the Opposition
has to concern himself with, I would suggest that he read the energy policy.
Mr. S. Graham: The credibility of the minister . . . If she spent as much time defending New
Brunswickers from rate shock as she did defending her parking spot, we would not be in this mess
today.
I gave the minister an example of how energy-intensive appliances could be put in place with a new
rate structure that will drive conservation and give New Brunswickers a choice. The minister chose
to play petty politics. The reality today exists that, if we give New Brunswickers the choice, such
as Nova Scotia did, Ontario did, and other countries did, then New Brunswickers can indeed save
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money. The point that we are making today is that energy-efficient appliances that have a module
attached to allow them to start at a certain time of day will indeed lessen the demand for power and
lower the price to consumers. That is the example we are using. That is what we are asking the
minister to move forward on. Is she committed to do that?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: I may have to try to clarify something for the Leader of the Opposition. Most new
dishwashers that are on the market are extremely energy efficient. What we need to be addressing
are the homes that have refrigerators that are quite ancient but are still working, so that people are
looking at the amount of power that they draw. An old refrigerator can be one of the most major
energy consumers in your home. Dishwashers are, typically, quite energy efficient, running for very
short periods of time. Old refrigerators that run 24 hours a day have a tendency to drain power. I
think what I would prefer Efficiency NB to do is to focus on the old refrigerators in the province that
are sucking power, so that we are forced to spend more and have more greenhouse gas emissions,
than to worry about the more modern, up-to-date dishwashers that have the ability to work in the
middle of the night because they have timers and are extremely energy efficient to start with.
Mr. S. Graham: Unfortunately, the minister is missing the big picture. We talked about energyefficient
appliances, whether it is a washer or dryer. I am sure the minister will next stand up and
say: Oh, New Brunswickers will wash their clothes by hand at three o’clock in the morning. The
point is that our society is dependent on energy-guzzling appliances. The point that we are making
is that, as a government, if we can give a choice to consumers to purchase power at off-peak demand
load times, then that will be an incentive-based program. The point that we are making today is that
it will take the will of government to bring a program such as this to reality. If the minister is not
committed to that, then it is time that we had a new minister who is committed to giving New
Brunswickers a choice in this province.
My next question to the minister. It appears that the Orimulsion file is back on the front pages of the
newspapers. The question to the minister this morning does not pertain to the court case currently
being undertaken. Orimulsion is currently used at the Dalhousie generating station, and the contract
for the supply of this lower cost fuel runs out in 2010, only a few years away. Given that this
government has mismanaged this file, obtaining a renewal for this contract appears unlikely. The
inability to obtain a renewal would result in an increased fuel cost of at least $30 million per year,
based on the current cost of heavy fuel No. 6. This would equate to at least a 3% provincewide rate
increase, in addition to any other rate increase requested by NB Power. Does the minister have a
long-term plan for the Dalhousie generating station, other than using a more costly fuel?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: I am very disappointed to see, too, that the Leader of the Opposition has written
off the ability of the province to get an Orimulsion contract for that facility. We have not written that
off. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition would prefer to be on the side of the Venezuelans
than on the side of the people of New Brunswick. We stand united over here. We are looking after
the best interests of the people of New Brunswick, and we will do that.
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005 10:40
Mr. S. Graham: Is the minister announcing today that we do have a new signed contract for 2010
for the Dalhousie generating station? That is the question I asked. That contract is set to expire in
2010. What long-term plans is the minister making, either to secure a new contract or to bring in a
replacement fuel at the same cost? That is the question that the minister has refused to answer.
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: I have not refused to answer anything. The member opposite himself, the Leader
of the Opposition, said that the contract expires in 2010. It has not expired. We are working at
ensuring that we have a reliable source of fuel. NB Power is very busy, looking at alternate sources
of fuel for that facility. It does have a contract for another four years. We hope that the Leader of
the Opposition will allow NB Power the opportunity to go out and find its source of fuel, and we
believe that Orimulsion is still viable for that facility.
Mr. S. Graham: Is the minister announcing, then, that NB Power is entering into contract
negotiations for a renewal of that contract? Yes or no?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: NB Power is working on a renewal for the contract. It is also working to come
up with what is going to happen at that facility if there is no contract. I do not believe that NB Power
and I need to take direction from the Leader of the Opposition, as he seems to want more to capture
headlines. He reads about Orimulsion in the paper, and court papers indicate that NB Power had a
deal for Orimulsion. I think that concerns him, because I believe he is working hard to try to ensure
that the province of New Brunswick does not do well in a court case. He is working for Venezuela.
Mr. S. Graham: May I remind the minister this morning that it is this minister who is talking about
the current court challenge. We are talking about the Dalhousie generating station with a contract
that is set to expire in 2010, a contract that was signed by the former Liberal government.
When David Hay appeared before the Crown corporations committee, he stated that they would not
be seeking a renewal of that contract. There seems to be a contradiction of statements coming from
NB Power and from the minister this morning. My question to the minister is this. If you are on top
of this file, will you answer this question: Have New Brunswick and NB Power started negotiations
for a new contract for the Dalhousie station? Yes or no?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: The Leader of the Opposition did tell me something that I was not aware of. I was
not aware that it was the Liberal government that had signed the contract for Orimulsion. I thought
that NB Power had the authority to sign its own contracts. I did not realize the micromanaging of
NB Power that was done by the previous government.
I can understand where they are having such difficulties. NB Power is trying to manage more as a
business. If everything had to be signed by the Liberal government . . . We believe that, as a
corporation, NB Power should be managing its own affairs.
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School Safety
Mr. R. Boudreau: Our schools should be safe places for our young students, a place where they feel
secure and protected. My first question this morning is for the Minister of Public Safety. Can the
minister outline what, if any, work is being done with the Department of Education to ensure that
our children are safe in their schools?
Hon. Mr. Steeves: As we said before, we in the Department of Public Safety always make sure that
the people are safe and secure in New Brunswick.
Mr. R. Boudreau: When an individual has a list of people he wants to shoot and brings weapons
into schools, I think it is a little serious.
006 10:40
My second question is this: A number of North American jurisdictions are creating safety zones
around schools to prevent sex offenders from coming within 1 000 ft of school property. Has the
Minister of Public Safety reviewed this option? Is he looking at enacting similar provisions here in
New Brunswick?
Hon. Mr. Steeves: The Department of Public Safety works with police forces in the province of
New Brunswick. I have all the confidence in the world that they are doing whatever they have to do
to make sure that our children are safe when they go to school, and that the people of the province
of New Brunswick are safe.
Energy Conservation
Mr. MacIntyre: My question is also for the Minister of Energy. The federal budget cuts to the
EnerGuide program provide us with further evidence of the Lord government’s shortsightedness
when it comes to the energy file. It did not seem to know that significant budget cuts were being
made. The Minister of Energy states that she will be discussing this with the federal government to
try to remedy the mistake on the part of her government. It is now more than obvious that the backof-
a-napkin energy announcement was indeed a pre-election, campaign-style attempt to get votes.
The only problem is that government has to make its announcement work without its federal
partners. My question to the minister is this: How is the Minister of Energy going to make the
energy efficiency program work without the EnerGuide program in place?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: On a point of clarification, Efficiency NB has been operating in this province
since last fall. It had nothing to do with the efficiency announcements which were made in March
with regard to what we will do to help the average New Brunswicker. It is part of the picture of what
we will be doing to help New Brunswickers. I can assure the member opposite that Efficiency NB
is working. It still has all its programs in place. There are still EnerGuide contracts in place for
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houses until the end of March, 2007. I do believe that the federal government is looking at programs
which will meet the needs of Canadians, as well as the needs of New Brunswickers, for energy
efficiency. Whether it is called an EnerGuide program or is called by some other name is irrelevant,
as long as it meets New Brunswickers’ needs. We are always prepared to work with our federal
counterparts. I want to assure the member opposite that Efficiency NB and its programs are fully
supported by this province, as the opposition will see in the budget for Efficiency NB, which, this
year, is $11.9 million.
Mr. MacIntyre: The EnerGuide program is an important part of the energy efficiency program. You
cannot simply write it off, and slough it off, by saying that your programs are going to look after it.
There is a major cut here, and it is going to impact New Brunswickers. My question for the minster
is this: How can you assure New Brunswickers that the EnerGuide program will work when the
federal partners have cut the program? How are you going to assure them?
Hon. Ms. Fowlie: There is still funding in the federal EnerGuide program. There is still funding,
until the end of March, 2007, for certain aspects of the program that we are utilizing. What I am
saying to the member opposite is that the province of New Brunswick supports energy efficiency
in this province, and we will do what is within our means to ensure that programs are delivered.
Efficiency NB is moving—it is business as usual, full steam ahead—to ensure that New
Brunswickers have a resource in place so that they can reduce their dependency on electricity.
Hazardous Materials
Mr. Foran: In 2001, this government purchased five HazMat trailers in order to contain dangerous
spills. Certain events, such as spills, have shown the importance of having such expertise across the
province. However, agreements and proper funding are necessary in order for municipalities to take
on such a great responsibility.
007 10:45
Year after years, the Minister of Public Safety repeated that agreements are imminent, agreements
are imminent, agreements are imminent. Can the minister advise this House where this government
is on the remainder of the HazMat trailers, or, once again, are agreements imminent?
Hon. Mr. Steeves: I would like to thank the member opposite for his question, because it gives me
an opportunity to explain to the members opposite just where we are with the agreements. We have
signed an agreement, as you know, with Fredericton. In Saint John, there is a HazMat trailer, and
the agreement will be signed within weeks. We have done everything except sign the agreement.
The other three municipalities are still working, and I will explain to the members opposite that I
will never make a municipality put its people in harm’s way until they are properly trained. When
they are properly trained, we will sign the agreement.
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Mr. Foran: Once again, it is the same answer as last time: We will have an agreement within a few
weeks in Saint John, but there is nothing even close in the other three municipalities. My second
question is fairly simple and to the point. Seeing that HazMat services are necessary for the public
safety of New Brunswick, constant funding for municipalities is required. Obviously, from the
minister’s first answer, we need training for those three municipalities. Can the minister guarantee
that funding for HazMat services will always be available, not subject to cutbacks or to downloading
of the entire responsibility onto the municipalities? Will he always report back that agreements are
imminent, agreements are imminent, as he has done once again this morning? We are no further
ahead than we were three years ago.
Hon. Mr. Steeves: I want to say that we are closer and that they still continue to train. I will let the
municipalities train their people the way that they want to train them. I will not interfere, like the
former government did, with municipal politics. I will work with them, and I will not tell them what
they are going to do. I can assure you that when they are trained, they will always have the funding
as far as this government goes. I cannot speak of what will happen if you fellows get into
government, because you did cut back on everything.
Trucking Industry
Mr. Foran: Once again, the minister entirely avoided the question and did not give a direct answer,
so I will move on to a different minister.
My question for the Minister of Transportation is: Approximately two weeks ago, I brought up the
issue of lift axles on trucks, and I spoke to the Minister of Transportation in the House. His exact
quote, if you go back to Hansard, in response to both of my questions, is that he wants to work with
me on this issue. I am not asking that the minister work with me on this issue. I am asking the
minister to work with the truckers of New Brunswick on this issue. The June 1 deadline for the
opening of the roads is fast approaching. I would like to know from the minister whether he is or
is not going to continue the moratorium on those lift axles.
Hon. Mr. Steeves: The member started his question to me, and I did answer the question. I would
refuse to force municipalities to do something until they are ready. I did answer that quite clearly.
I just wanted to point that out once again. You directed that to me that I did not answer the question.
I am answering the question, and that is the way it stands.
Child Protection
Mr. Lamrock: The AMBER Alert program is one of the most urgent programs when it is actually
needed. AMBER Alert is what allows us to work with telecommunication flyers and television
stations, so that if there is a child who goes missing or is abducted, we can instantly get information
to the public and, hopefully. get that kid home safely.
ORAL QUESTIONS 27 QUESTIONS ORALES
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Most U.S. states and a number of Canadian provinces are now signing agreements with wireless
providers, so that not only can we broadcast AMBER Alerts in times of urgency over television
stations, but mobile phone and cell phone users can instantly get the update. This greatly improves
the chances of a happy ending at a time when we need it. Could the Minister of Public Safety advise
this House as to whether he is currently in any discussions or negotiations with wireless providers
to extend this much-needed child safety practice to New Brunswick?
008
Hon. Mr. Steeves: I am pleased to say that, since I have become Minister of Public Safety, we have
signed agreements with AMBER Alert. We work with the AMBER Alert organization in New
Brunswick. We have had a test project, and it worked very well. I am pleased that we have people
who will continue to work with AMBER Alert, and I will work with their organization exactly the
way they wish.
Mr. Lamrock: The minister’s answer leaves me wondering what it is the minister does. Every time
we ask him a question, he says: I am confident somebody is taking care of that. I am confident they
will take care of it. This group will work on it. I will work with this group.
We do actually pay the minister a salary, and it is not just to read his briefing notes and show up and
cut ribbons. It is, at some point, actually to do something. I am wondering if he could give us the
answer again.
Here is a good idea. It is time to work on it now and not wait until we have an emergency. We
should be getting AMBER Alerts over . . . We do not want to wait as we did for booster seat
legislation or for the other suggestions the opposition has made.
Will he undertake to work with wireless providers to give children in New Brunswick the same
protection they have in other jurisdictions? If there is an urgent matter and we are trying to get a kid
home safely, will that alert go over cell phones? When will he—and not somebody else whom he
is waiting for to do something, or to do his job, for him—be prepared to move on this idea?
Hon. Mr. Steeves: As we stand in this Legislature, I see there is a big difference between this
government and the opposition. This government continues to work with . . .
(Interjections.)
Mr. Speaker: Order, please.
Hon. Mr. Steeves: Thank you. This government continues to work with stakeholders, continues to
work with people, and does not force people, does not force municipalities, and does not cut
municipalities’ budgets. We work with the people, and we will continue to work with the people.
ORAL QUESTIONS 27 QUESTIONS ORALES
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You have your way. I have my way. I am going to work with my stakeholders. I have always been
that way, and I will continue to do so.
Mr. Lamrock: I would ask that the minister send his paycheque to those stakeholders who are doing
his job for him, because he should be embarrassed to cash it, with an answer like that. The fact of
the matter is that a stakeholder was not elected. A stakeholder does not have the power to bring
about changes in AMBER Alert. In actual fact, if you check the regulations, it does not say that a
stakeholder will create deals to protect kids. It does not say some other group will show up and
provide a clue to the minister. What it says is that the minister may make deals and the minister may
make regulations and the minister may implement deals with wireless providers. It is not going to
be a lot of comfort, if we have a kid go missing, to have the minister say: Well, I am sorry. A
stakeholder did not get around to doing something to get that kid back home.
That is the difference between us and this government. We have a few people over here who would
be capable of doing the minister’s job if they had a chance to do it.
For the last time, will the minister undertake to deliver on the same deal other ministers have been
capable of and get protection for kids in New Brunswick by getting updates for AMBER Alerts over
cell phones? Other ministers did it. Why can’t you?
Hon. Mr. Steeves: As I said before, there is a big difference between this government and the
opposition. As you see over there, they are not interested in stakeholders. They are interested in their
views and their views only.
I will tell you, I am going to continue to work with stakeholders. I will continue to work with the
AMBER Alert organization. They came to me and said: This is what we would like to do. I, as a
minister, have an obligation, and I did what I said I would do. I have been known to do that, and I
will continue to work with stakeholders, contrary to what the opposition thinks we should do. That
is the difference between this government . . . We listen, and we implement what they would like
to see done. I can assure you that we will continue to do that.
Influenza
Mr. Armstrong: When animal-borne disease spreads across continents, panic often sets in;
however, this panic can be prevented with a government prepared for such disease. One such disease
that is creating panic is the avian flu. With the avian flu having devastating effects on animals and
farms and individuals, emergency plans are required in many countries, states, and provinces.
Emergency measures organizations of governments take on a greater role with respect to animalborne
diseases and preparedness.
My question to the Minister of Public Safety is this: Has your Emergency Measures Organization
taken on a role to deal with any emergencies brought on by avian flu or similar catastrophes?
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009 11:00
Hon. Mr. Alward: I am pleased to take this question. Very clearly, New Brunswick is ready to deal
with the issue of avian influenza. We have set up a task group, a working group, that is working with
the industry, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and with the various departments within
the provincial government. We are prepared. This summer, we will actually be going forward with
test practices to ensure that our plan is working solidly.
Mr. Speaker: Question period has ended.
an email from a friend....
I find it really weird that people are calling you lazy!
I would like to see them follow you around just for one day.
You put more miles on then they probally do in their cars. If I had the money? I would buy you a nice pair of sneakers.
You really do have alot to whine about.
First of all I was around when you did have a job offer and when they checked the references the Irvings bad mouthed you
You were treated unfairly by the Irvings
You put a complaint in against them with the HRC and this is what you got, bad
references.
You gave up after landing a few jobs < 3 that I can think of > and because of bad references they decided not to hire you.
You had no choice but to protest and who ever would of thought that you would be
doing daily blogs.
I think that the ones badmouthing you are trying to make people think that you are lazy but that is the furthest thing from the truth.
And that is what I think the real problem is that you do not lie and you do tell the truth.
Like the old saying goes, THE TRUTH HURTS.
HOW MANY OF THESE STUDENTS USED PRESCRIPTION DRUG TO PASS THEIR EXAMS???
More students are popping pals' Ritalin to get an edge
Melissa Ludwig / San Antonio Express-News
Students toiling over finals will join a growing number of their peers across the country who are popping pills such as Adderall and Ritalin to stay alert and cram for tests.
The prescription drugs normally are used to treat attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many of those students either bum pills or buy them from friends with prescriptions.
Adderall's effects are "like coffee, but better," says Justin, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Justin declined to give his last name because he doesn't have a prescription for the drug. "It's the opposite of being scatterbrained," he says. "It's like tunnel vision."
The number of students abusing the drugs still is small but growing, according to a recent survey.
Education officials long have been aware that some students abuse Ritalin. But abuse of Adderall is relatively new, some school officials say.
According to the Shire PLC, the manufacturer of Adderall and Adderall XR, side effects include loss of appetite, headaches and insomnia. Misuse can cause cardiovascular damage and sudden death, according to Shire's Adderall XR Web site.
Nationally, about 7 percent of college students say they've used a prescription stimulant nonmedically, according to a 2001 study by University of Michigan researcher Sean Esteban McCabe and colleagues at Michigan and Harvard universities.
In a 2003 survey of undergraduates at an unnamed Midwestern university, McCabe and his colleagues found 54 percent of students who were prescribed stimulants were approached by their peers to give or sell them the drugs.
"A first step is just educating campuses and letting them know this is occurring," McCabe says. "These drugs are highly effective for most students with ADHD, and you don't just want to end all prescription of drugs if they are serving a purpose."
But Keith Anderson, a staff psychologist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., says students are turning to ADHD drugs "for everything from helping them stay awake to weight loss, and some believe they will get euphoria from snorting and injecting it." About 2.5 million children and 1.5 million adults take medication for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to the FDA. The administration's databases contain 25 instances of sudden death in people taking ADHD drugs.
Health risks increase when the pills are crushed and snorted, injected, taken in combination with other drugs or in large doses, according to university health professionals.
Justin, the UTSA student, says he buys pills for less than $5 each, or he gets them from his friend, Paul, who also asked his last name not be used.
Paul, also a freshman at UTSA, says a doctor prescribed him Adderall a couple of years ago after he complained of concentration problems. Paul doesn't take the pills as directed. Instead, he uses them as a study aid or as motivation to clean his apartment. He doesn't take it for fun, but knows people who do.
"If you take it at the beginning of a party, it keeps you up and not so stupid drunk," he says.
Some university counselors say the ballooning number of prescriptions contributes to the problem.
GOD'S MINUTE!!!!
BELOVED, IF OUR HEART DOES NOT CONDEMN US, WE
HAVE CONFIDENCE TOWARD GOD. AND WHATEVER WE
ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM, BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS
COMMANDMENTS AND DO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE
PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT.
( 1 JOHN 3:21-22 *NKJV )
Dear Charles,
Now would you change the way that you live if you
knew that God knew all of your thoughts, heard all of
your words, and knew all the desires of your heart? Well
Charles, He does for it is written, THE LORD KNOWS THE
THOUGHTS OF MAN, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE. For He
even; KNOWS THE SECRETS OF THE HEART.
( PSALM 94:11 ) & ( PSALM 44:21 )
Now when we try our best to have pure thoughts and
desires and follow the Commandments put forth by
God, we often get our prayers answered. For it is
written; THE EFFECTIVE FERVENT PRAYER OF
A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILS MUCH. ( JAMES 5:16 )
So Charles, when you speak be careful of the words you
use, and keep them soft and sweet. For we are to always;
ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND BUILD EACH
OTHER UP. ( 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 )
Most of all, always think before you speak so that;
THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION
OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, O
LORD, MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER. Amen!
( PSALM 19:14 )
Now my friend, have a great day and may it be filled with
blessings indeed!
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant Allen
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