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.
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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.
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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
[ 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
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
ATLANTICA!!!! WILL THE MEDIA IN NEW BRUNSWICK COVER BOTH SIDES BEFORE JUNE 8TH????
I first heard the word - Atlantica a few weeks ago.
I really didn’t know the whole details about this issue until this evening.
Over the weekend, a good senior friend of mine mentioned the same word - Atlantica!!! 
So? If this well respected citizen is saying the same word - ATLANTICA???
She got my attention 100%!!!
I noticed many posters around the City announcing a meeting at the underground Café.
I showed up and I would say there were 25 people present.
I began taking pictures and one individual asked - Who’s the guy taking the pictures? 
I guess I’m not that very well known....lol....
They explain to the audience that I was a blogger. 
They reminded the audience that I was harmless. You know that’s just Charles!..lol..
Yes, Charles can be harmless but if the tides turns? Well..you know the rest of the story.
Ok..never mind that!!!
They showed a little documentary of
WTO Protest against the World Trade Organization in 1999.
Union leaders and youths gathered together voicing their concerns on different issues. The police and the Mayor really took their freedom to protest away.
It was a rough go....
Atlantica could very well turn out to be another Seattle but will it?
This is New Brunswick!
The citizens go on their daily lives to survive and there’s not a darn thing wrong with this.
My main point on this issue is this?
Will the media in New Brunswick promote only one side of Atlantica?
Will they only praise the large businesses?
Of course in New Brunswick we are unique because the Irvings owns all the newspapers!
WHERE’S THE FINAL REPORT FROM THE SENATE ON THE MONOPOLY OF THE IRVINGS NEWSPAPERS IN THIS PROVINCE????
Ok..never mind that....calm down Charlie....
I believe that I’ll go down to Saint John on June 8th for the protest and of course I’ll be there with my little camera.
I hope there’s no violence because this could be a opportunely of a life time for the Government?
Charles being shot by mistake??? Wrong place at the wrong time??
Case close!!!...no investigation...lol...not funny..
From what I heard at the meeting?
People are suppose to zero in on Saint John from all over the region.
Of course, this will be great way to protest the pipeline in Rockwood Park and of course the people could pass their petition against the pipeline in the huge crowd.
It should be very interesting but the question is this?
Will the media in New Brunswick promote both side before Atlantica gets started???
You can visit their website at- < JUST CLICK BELOW >
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
How about a lower Minimum Wage!?!
I DON’T THINK SO!
******protest******
*****************************************************
Reaching Atlantica: Business
without Boundaries
Conference in Saint John NB, June 8 – 10
Gather outside the Saint John Trade &
Convention Centre
Thurs. June 8th: People’s forum (time/place TBA)
Fri. June 9th: Demonstration 9 AM – 6 PM,
Sat. June 10th: Demonstration 8 AM – night
**********Come early, come late, or stay all day(s)**********
Conference and Atlantica details:
www.reachingatlantica.com, www.atlantica.org
***Protest details: http://www.stopatlantica.com/, www.maritimes.indymedia.org
QUESTION PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!! < Mardi >
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Economic Development
Mr. S. Graham: My question this afternoon is for the Minister of Business New Brunswick. A
recent publication of Atlantic Business had a feature story entitled Project HIP: The story of how
Nova Scotia scored the coolest company in Canada. The article goes on talk about Research in
Motion:
RIM’s technical support center, set to open in early 2006, will employ up to 1,200 level three and
level four technical support people over the next five years, with salaries in the $45,000 range. In
total, it’s a deal worth approximately $230 million to the city (of Halifax).
I will quote again from the article.
“The RIM deal is like this ray of light.” It’s also a milestone in NSBI’s (Nova Scotia Business Inc.)
campaign to transfer Nova Scotia—and Halifax in particular—into an IT capital.
This article clearly demonstrates how far New Brunswick’s economic development unit has fallen
in comparison to other provincial jurisdictions. My question to the Minister of Business New
Brunswick is this: Would he not agree that the time has now come to look for a new model for
economic development in the province?
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: Certainly, when the Leader of the Opposition and I both had the opportunity
to attend the KIRA Awards late last week, that was not the case. That was not what we heard. In
fact, we heard how New Brunswick was rapidly becoming the can-do province. There is some
credibility to that, because there are 30 000 people working in the IT sector in this province right
now. It is our fastest-growing sector, and we are continuing to make the strategic investments that
are necessary in order to keep that industry moving forward and growing.
Mr. S. Graham: In comments by one of Canada’s leading economists, Donald Savoie, pertaining
to the research file, he stated boldly:
I think New Brunswick was asleep at the switch and Lord is trying to rationalize his failure. It
doesn’t wash with me and I don’t think it will wash with New Brunswickers. A bit harsh, but frankly,
there is no excuse for this. You can spin it, you can rationalize it, but there is no excuse for being
asleep at the switch.
Those comments were made by Donald Savoie on December 14.
Now, we have a retired civil servant, Michael McBride, who was the director of investment for this
department. He stated publicly, referring to the government, that:
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They have not dropped the ball in the realm of economic development. Indeed they have yet to find
it. It really is time for someone to take a hard look at the economic development platform. Someone
needs to take our “Ship of State, chart a course and to actually sail it.
Mr. Minister, when you have a key civil servant who worked in your department and who is now
saying that it is time to look at a new model, do you not agree that the opportunity does exist, but
that the current model is flawed? I will remind the minister that it was his government that tore apart
one of the most dynamic economic development units in the country in 1999, by creating Investment
and Exports and Business New Brunswick. Remember, in this Chamber, two ministers would stand
because neither could concur on who was in charge of the file.
My question to the minister is this: In light of the fact that a leading economist is stating that we are
missing the boat; in light of the fact that a former civil servant, one of the leading directors of
investment, is stating that the ship has to change its course, will the minister not agree that we do,
indeed, have to change the model?
021 14:35
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: What we have to do in order to keep this province moving forward is to
create an environment that entices private sector companies to come in and set up shop in this
jurisdiction. It is working. We can cite examples like Virtual-Agent Services, which now has 14 sites
throughout this province, and is employing 750 people in this jurisdiction. We can talk about SNCLavalin,
which set up in Campbellton not that long ago. It moved its back-office operations to this
province out of the centres of Montreal and Toronto, and set up shop in this province because it felt
that we had the tools here that it needs to succeed. It felt that we had the workforce here that it needs
to move its company forward.
Mr. S. Graham: It is unfortunate that the minister will not acknowledge the current shortfalls that
exist within his department’s strategy to secure high paying jobs in New Brunswick. In fact, his own
spokesperson in Business New Brunswick stated:
“If a really large centre comes in to an area with well-paying jobs and demanding a certain skill
level, it can sometimes pull the workers away,” she said. “There’s a fear of—the term is called
cannibalization—of the workforce.”
There has to be an attitude change. The reason I am raising this today is that we saw 1 200 jobs, in
the $45 000 range, being allocated in Halifax. Those are jobs that could have come to New
Brunswick. I would like to propose a potential solution to the minister today. The reason why Nova
Scotia was successful is that it has developed a new model called the Nova Scotia Business
Investment Corporation. I think the time has now come for New Brunswick to look at a similar
model where an arm’s length creation, under a Crown corporation, is established for economic
development. Clearly, the CEO of this investment tool in Nova Scotia was successful in the
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Research In Motion project. That is why the time has come to look at the proposal we are
suggesting.
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: I want to take this opportunity to remind my learned colleague across the
floor that these are private companies. At the end of the day, the decision on where they locate is
theirs, and theirs alone, to make. We, on this side the House, will work diligently with each and
every company that presents an opportunity to come and set up in this province, to grow and
diversify the economy of this province. We will meet with each and every one of those companies
and find out what they need in order to build their business, and build their business here in New
Brunswick.
Mr. S. Graham: Nova Scotia Business Inc., which was set up as an arm’s length economic
development unit of government, as a Crown corporation, reports to a private sector board. The
minister and I are in concurrence. The private sector does have the key role in developing economic
opportunities for our province. That is why we are proposing that companies such as CGI would
have a key role in developing this new business model to secure these high paying jobs for New
Brunswick. That is where the opportunity exists.
The article in Atlantic Business Magazine that I am quoting goes on to say:
At a meeting with over a dozen U.S. venture capitalists, Lund,
—who is the CEO—
heard the same question coming up again and again. “Everyone wanted to know, ‘what’s your India
strategy.’”
The article talks about the Nearshore Campaign.
With Nova Scotia’s well-educated workforce, sound IT infrastructure and competitive cost of doing
business
—compared to the Silicon Valley—
Lund believes the province has what it takes to lure tech companies away from the sub-continent.
Can I ask the minister today, since Nova Scotia Business Inc. has an aggressive nearshore strategy,
to indicate to us what his near-shore strategy is?
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: I am familiar with the nearshore strategy of which the member of the
opposition speaks. In fact, I have had lengthy discussions with the companies that are trying to
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advance that strategy of economic development. I can assure the member opposite that where an
opportunity presents itself for New Brunswick, New Brunswick will be at the table.
Mr. S. Graham: Former civil servants in the minister’s own department are saying the exact
opposite. I will quote from a letter to the editor on May 1, 2006:
It is a sad commentary and a demonstration of just how far our great province has fallen in the
competitive business of attracting business. I am, of course, referring to the announcement of the
opening of the new Research in Motion support centre in Halifax.
022 14:40
The writer goes on to say:
Instead, our leaders, including Premier Lord, write glossy strategies full of ‘pillars’ and building
blocks’ and ‘foundations’ and they say things like ‘5 in 5’ [frankly 1 in 8 would be nice]. They really
do not seem to know what is happening in corporate Canada or the world and do not seem to be in
lock step with a competent public service.
When retired civil servants, who led the charge in economic development, are making statements
like this, the time has come to look at a new model. We are proposing a New Brunswick Business
Inc. model, where the private sector will set up an independent board as a Crown corporation, so that
New Brunswick can once again take the charge in economic development. Will you not admit that
it is a good idea, at least?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition can read letters to the editor as much as he wants.
We value the opinions of different people, but the fact that a former civil servant writes a letter does
not, in itself, mean that it is the truth. We can find letters to the editor of past people who worked
for the government that talked about how the Liberals neglected the seniors and children of this
province and about how they could announce the same job five times without even creating that job.
If the Leader of the Opposition wants to look at results, I believe results are far more important than
letters to the editor.
There are over 36 000 more people working in New Brunswick right now than there were when the
Liberals were in office. The GDP growth per capita in New Brunswick was the third-highest among
the 10 provinces in the last seven years, and the average weekly earnings of New Brunswickers have
been the second-highest increase in the last seven years. We are doing far better than before, and we
will continue to do better by investing in people, by embracing innovation, by building strategic
infrastructure, and by lowering taxes—something that the Liberals never believe in.
Mr. S. Graham: I cannot believe that the Premier of New Brunswick is calling into account the
credibility of one of his former civil servants. This is not just any civil servant. He was the director
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of investment for the province of New Brunswick. He is saying that your government is not at the
table compared to other jurisdictions. That is why, today, we are raising the fact that we now need
to look at a new model. Nova Scotia has a model that seems to be having success. Nova Scotia was
successful in securing Research in Motion when this Premier was asleep at the switch.
The Premier likes to talk about his numbers in job growth. Unfortunately, today, people in New
Brunswick are working harder and making less every day. From 2001 to 2005, the average weekly
earnings did increase by 9%. However, provincial income taxes are up by 11%, municipal property
taxes are up by 36%, the cost of electricity is up by 17%, and the cost of transportation is up by 20%,
including insurance.
Yes, there are more people working, but they are working harder, in two jobs. That is why the
opportunity exists today. Let us build upon the success of what Nova Scotia has achieved. Will you
not admit that the time has come to look at a new model for economic development in New
Brunswick, possibly the model that we are proposing today?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The Leader of the Opposition can come here and say that we are asleep at the
switch and all those things, and quote his good friend Donald Savoie, who is a good friend of Frank
McKenna. Everybody knows that. However, the fact is that Donald Savoie also said that the Liberals
failed when it came time to create jobs, and in the 10 years that Frank McKenna was in office,
nothing had really changed. That is the reality, and he is a friend of Frank McKenna.
When the Leader of the Opposition states today that people are making less than before, that is
totally untrue. When he states that income taxes are higher, that is false. We have lowered income
taxes in six of the seven budgets that we have tabled. There are more people working. If he wants
to talk about former civil servants and their strategies, maybe he should tell us what he thinks of the
strategy of Francis McGuire, his personal economic adviser. Francis McGuire was a former deputy
minister, and his position is that we should not invest in the northern parts of New Brunswick. I want
to tell him and I want to tell the Leader of the Opposition that I do not agree with that former civil
servant.
Nous allons continuer à faire des investissements dans le nord du Nouveau-Brunswick. Même si le
Parti libéral veut continuer à abandonner les gens du Nord, nous ne les abandonnerons pas.
023 14:45
Mr. Murphy: There is an expression that applies to that blarney, and it is: Lead, follow, or get out
of the way. They need to get out of the way.
Stephen Harper’s federal government, through Statistics Canada, said a few days ago that we are
second-last now in GDP. I do not know what this Premier is talking about. It is blarney. His own god
says this. Considering the fact that we are now second-last in GDP growth in this country, my
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question to the Minister of Business New Brunswick is this: Does he have any plan to take us back
from the brink of being second-last in this country?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The member for Moncton North can use that language. Maybe we will check to
see whether or not it is parliamentary. He has a tradition and a pattern. One thing we know for sure
is that he does not want to lead. He loves to follow. When he had a chance last week to show his
support to the business community in Moncton by joining them on a flight to New York, he chose
to follow the weak leadership of his leader and to stay and be the obstructionist of the people of
Moncton. That is what the member for Moncton North did. We will not follow the lead of the
Liberals in being obstructionist. We will continue to lead in creating more jobs than ever before. I
invite the member for Moncton North to look at the statistics of Statistics Canada. Our GDP per
capita has had the second-largest growth in the last seven years—not second from the bottom, but
second from the top.
Mr. Murphy: I know weak leadership when I see it, because I am looking at it right now. That is
a fraction of a government. That is not a full government. It does nothing. In 1999, GDP growth,
according to Statistics Canada, was 6.2% for New Brunswick. We are now down to 0.5%. Wage
growth has slowed, investment has declined, and government spending in real dollars has been
reduced, especially in education. My question for the Minister of Business New Brunswick is this.
Does he have any policy initiatives whatsoever that will take us back to where we were in the time
of the Liberal government seven years ago?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I know that the Liberals love to live in fantasyland, and they want to go back to the
past. Sometimes they want to go back to the nineties, and sometimes they want to go back to the
sixties. One thing is clear about the Liberal Party of today: It does not believe in moving forward
into the 21st century. The facts are that from 1999 to 2005, New Brunswick ranked second from the
top in the country for GDP growth per capita. From 1987 to 1999, New Brunswick was in the
bottom half of the provinces. It is far better today than when the Liberals were in office. The
unemployment rate in the past seven years has been just above 10%, while in the miracle McKenna
Liberal years, the average unemployment rate was over 12%. The former President of the Liberal
Party may want to go back to those great days when he had all this power in the Liberal Party. I
much prefer making sure that we keep bringing the unemployment rate down. This year will see the
lowest unemployment rate in 30 years, and we are not done yet.
Mr. Murphy: It is funny that everybody out there is sitting except those people over there. Statistics
Canada says that we are second-last in GDP. The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council says that
we are second-last in job growth. There was a 9% growth in earnings from 2001 to 2005, but we
now pay 36% more in municipal property taxes, 17% more in electricity costs, 20% more in
transportation costs, and 11% more in provincial taxes. We have had nothing from this government
in pocket matters for the people.
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My question for the Minister of Business New Brunswick is simply this: Has he spoken with the
Minister of Finance with regard to reviewing and revising the figures for the economy next year in
light of this bad news from the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and from Statistics Canada?
Is he consulting with the Minister of Finance? What is he doing?
024 14:50
Hon. Mr. Lord: Again, I want to correct the facts that are stated by the member for Moncton North,
because he is incorrect in what he is stating. The fact is that New Brunswick has had the secondhighest
weekly average earnings growth in the country in the last seven years, second from the top.
Those are the facts. The facts are that we have helped New Brunswickers keep more of their money
by lowering their taxes. I want to remind the member for Moncton North that every time that we
have lowered taxes, he and his whole party voted against reducing taxes for hardworking people.
They call that a gimmick. They much prefer taking the money away from hardworking people and
creating some sort of Liberal Sponsorship program. We will not let that happen. The member for
Moncton North can keep yelling and waving paper, but the facts are that New Brunswick has had
the third largest GDP growth per capita over seven years, as well as the second largest weekly
average earnings in Canada and he lowest unemployment rate in 30 years.
Garderies
Mme C. Robichaud : Mes questions s’adressent au ministre des Entreprises Nouveau-Brunswick.
Selon Statistique Canada, la force du travail en 2006, il y a eu une grande augmentation du nombre
de femmes sur le marché du travail. Au Nouveau-Brunswick, en 2006, 49 % sont des femmes et
51 % sont des hommes. En avril 2006, au Nouveau-Brunswick, il y a eu une décroissance du nombre
d’hommes mais une augmentation du nombre de femmes au travail. Comment votre ministère
prévoit-il appuyer l’augmentation du nombre de femmes sur le marché du travail en ce qui concerne
les garderies, puisque 76 % de ces femmes ont des enfants en bas âge?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Cela me fait plaisir de répondre à cette question. La députée d’en face a
mentionné les garderies comme un moyen d’appuyer ces femmes qui sont sur le marché du travail.
Je suis fière de me lever à la Chambre, encore une fois, pour rappeler tout ce que nous avons fait et
tout ce que nous continuons à faire jour après jour pour améliorer les services de garderie, ce que
les gens du côté de l’opposition ont négligé de faire. Ils avaient un pauvre petit million de dollars
et, en dernier, ils l’ont même enlevé, comparativement aux 96 millions de dollars que nous
investissons cette année encore dans nos garderies. Nous donnons de la formation et nous
augmentons aussi le salaire de ces femmes qui jouent un rôle extrêmement important. Il y a
maintenant 3 000 places supplémentaires en garderie au Nouveau-Brunswick. Je vous dis que nous
n’avons pas terminé.
ORAL QUESTIONS 26 QUESTIONS ORALES
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M C. me Robichaud : J’imagine qu’on ne fait pas trop confiance au ministre des Entreprises
Nouveau-Brunswick, mais je lui pose une deuxième question. La semaine dernière, en NouvelleÉcosse,
il y a eu une motion pour appuyer les femmes au travail. Je lis :
Whereas in 2005 Nova Scotia signed a five-year agreement with the Government of Canada to
provide high quality accessible childcare; and
Whereas this agreement was terminated by the new federal government; and
Whereas Nova Scotian families require access to high quality childcare to undertake work and other
family obligations;
Therefore be it resolved that the Nova Scotia Legislature urge the federal government to provide
the multi-year funding necessary for parents in Nova Scotia to have real choices in childcare and
early childhood education.
Puisque nous savons qu’il y a une pénurie de places dans les garderies du Nouveau-Brunswick et
que les femmes sont un élément grandissant du marché du travail, comment prévoyez-vous attirer
des compagnies dans les collectivités qui n’ont pas de garderies? Pensez-vous que ces compagnies
paieront la note des garderies?
L’hon. Mme Dubé : Je peux vous dire que, de ce côté-ci de la Chambre, nous travaillons en équipe.
Je travaille de très près avec mon collègue des Entreprises Nouveau-Brunswick. C’est ce que nous
faisons jour après jour pour créer de l’emploi. Ce matin, le chef de l’opposition a réussi à dire que
plus de gens travaillent au Nouveau-Brunswick. Au moins, je suis contente qu’il a pu le rappeler Ã
la Chambre pour une première fois. En ce qui a trait aux garderies, je peux vous dire que ce
gouvernement-ci est extrêmement engagé. Nous savons que, pour les femmes qui travaillent et les
familles qui travaillent, nos enfants sont ce que nous avons de plus précieux. C’est vraiment
extrêmement important que nos enfants soient dans des garderies enregistrées où d’excellents
services sont à la portée de la main. Avec notre programme, notre budget et le premier ministre
Bernard Lord, c’est exactement ce que nous faisons. Il y a 3 000 places supplémentaires partout dans
la province depuis que nous sommes au pouvoir.
025 14:55
Cette année, l’opposition va voter contre cela. Nous avons 8 millions sur la table pour justement
développer d’autres places dans les garderies et certainement dans les milieux ruraux. Aujourd’hui,
on se lève et on essaie de nous faire la morale, mais, en réalité, les parlementaires du côté de
l’opposition sont contre les garderies, les femmes qui travaillent en dehors du foyer et les familles…
ORAL QUESTIONS 26 QUESTIONS ORALES
May 9, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 9 mai 2006
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Research and Development
Mr. Lamrock: This weekend, Donald Savoie was quoted in the newspapers as pointing out that
New Brunswick, because we have less private-sector spending in research and development, is more
reliant on making maximum use of the research and development done in the universities and in
other public sectors. He is absolutely right. We know that we have fallen further behind the rest of
the country and that the gap is widening in research and development spending, even though R & D
is how we create the really good jobs. We need to do something called commercializing research,
to make sure that we support entrepreneurs who want to take those ideas that are born in our
universities with our researchers, and find ways to build them into companies that create well-paying
jobs throughout New Brunswick. My question for the Minister of Business New Brunswick is this:
What new initiatives in the commercialization of university research will be brought forward in the
next few months?
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: I must say that I am pleased to see that the opposition has placed such a
focus today on the economic development of this province. It is about time that it does. We have
been working diligently as a province to make New Brunswick the smart province and to make it
the investment province. Having questions like this today gives us an opportunity to showcase
exactly what we have been doing. We have established a fund for innovation in the amount of $20
million. In addition, in this budget, we were able to put in $5 million more to help develop this
important infrastructure that we need in this province. It is growing. In fact, it is the fastest-growing
sector of our economy. We are working with our young people through postsecondary education and
training to help grow that as well.
Just to pick up on a question that the member for Miramichi Bay asked, in addition to providing
strategic investments in education, we are also helping to keep drunk drivers off the road.
Mr. Lamrock: The Minister for Business New Brunswick says that the knowledge sector is the
fastest-growing area of our economy under this government. We are second-last in economic
growth. That is like saying it is the best ice hockey team in Ecuador, because under this government,
being highest is not all that impressive. The fact of the matter is that Statistics Canada . . . I realize
that the government likes to say that reality has a liberal bias, but that is how reality is sometimes.
According to Statistics Canada, the gap between us and the rest of the country has grown in research
and development. In fact, the Canadian average in research and development just in the health sector
alone is larger than this government’s increase in the entire research and development silo. That is
the problem with this government. It puts $25 million in the fund, but it does not take it out.
What the Conference Board of Canada, in consultation with a group of 100 top CEOs, recommended
was a new tax credit for angel investors and to cover the full cost of companies who study and look
at using university-based research. Most states we compete with, and most provinces, are already
moving on it. The minister did not answer the first time. Will he answer this time? When will we
catch up with the rest of the country and offer a competitive tax credit for those who use R & D?
ORAL QUESTIONS 26 QUESTIONS ORALES
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Hon. Mr. MacDonald: Just for the member opposite, the comment about ice hockey in Ecuador
was not funny the first time he said it, and it is no more funny the third, fourth, or fifth times that
he said it. However, since he wants to quote Statistics Canada, let’s talk about exports and how our
exports last year grew more than those in the rest of Atlantic Canada combined. That is a fact from
Statistics Canada that we do not hear him quoting today. However, he needs to look at the whole
economy of this province. Certain companies need to be export-ready. We are providing that
assistance to them. Other companies need assistance with developing different trade, diversifying
the overall trade that they do with different companies, and diversifying the overall trade that they
have with different jurisdictions. We have funds in place to address that as well. We are working
with the business community of this province, and we will continue to do so.
026 15:00
Mr. Lamrock: I would say to the minister that the economy was not growing fast enough the first
time he said it, and it is not growing fast enough the fifth time he said it, because we are second-last
in economic growth, because the gap has grown in research and development, and because this
minister put $25 million in the bank, but does not have enough good ideas on where to spend it to
take it out and invest it in companies. He cannot give us any new ideas for commercialization. He
cannot tell us when he is going to move on tax credits, even though the top CEOs in Canada are
saying that is what they are looking for to invest. It is no wonder Captain Kirk was silenced by the
Klingons today. He does not know any of the answers.
My question is very simple. What we should be doing is this: Instead of reaching out to companies
across New Brunswick, we should be creating cluster-based economies to allow companies in
smaller communities to have access to the topflight research done in natural resources, energy,
forestry, and wind power, and use our natural resources. When will this minister have a tax credit
that will really promote equal opportunity by letting companies who invest in rural New Brunswick
and northern New Brunswick have access to university research? When will he catch up with the
rest of the country?
Hon. Mr. MacDonald: If the member opposite truly believes in tax cuts, why is it that each and
every time he had the opportunity to vote for them in this House, he voted against them? If he wants
to talk about tax reduction in this province, he should look at our corporate tax rate and how we have
taken steps to decrease that corporate tax rate. He should look at the small business tax rate in this
province and the fact that, when we took office on June 7, 1999, it was 6%. We have reduced that
to 1.5%, and it is going to reduce again. It is going to reduce to 1%. He does not like what he has
to hear. He is getting up and he is leaving the room. The truth is that we have put our money where
our mouth is, and we have made the investments in the people of this province.
CAN PROUD MONARCHIST BEV HARRISON ORDER THE NEW BRUNSWICK FLAG TO FLY IN THE CAPITAL????
I bumped into the former speaker of the House in the Legislature and told him of the need of a New Brunswick Flag at the Old County Court House.
It is the tallest flag pole in the Capital.
I find it funny with all the snobby bureaucrats walking with their nose up in the air? No one complain about this issue yet.
Lets see if Bev has what it takes to fly the New Brunswick Flag?
PREMIER BERNARD LORD IS NOW TRULY KING BERNARD LORD!!!!!!!!!!
Shame...shame...shame!!!!!
Tories propose rule changes to pass budget
Last updated May 9 2006 04:14 PM ADT
CBC News
The Lord government has introduced changes to the rules of the legislature designed to pass its budget estimates even though it doesn't have a clear majority vote in the house.
The government says the changes are necessary because the opposition is obstructing business.
* FROM MAY 8, 2006: MLAs lament members' bad behaviour
The changes, which have not passed yet, would see budget estimates and new legislation referred to small committees of MLAs where the government has clear majorities and can get its agenda approved.
Two committees made up of all sitting MLAs consider estimates and legislation, making it difficult for the government to pass them with its one-seat majority.
Presently, the house standings are deadlocked, with 26 Liberals, one independent and 28 Tories, including the Speaker. It means the Speaker, Conservative MLA Michael (Tanker) Malley, must cast a tie-breaking vote on virtually every motion.
The opposition claims the changes will restrict the democratic rights of MLAs, but government house leader Bev Harrison says the public wants the budget estimates passed and doesn't care about rules.
"They just understand business, they understand budgets, they understand their pocketbook, they understand life going on. That's the only thing people out there really care about. Rules? What are rules?"
But opposition house leader Kelly Lamrock says the Liberals have been easy to get along with lately, and warns that will change along with the rules if the government's motion is passed."It's been pretty minor so far. I guess we will maybe demonstrate the difference between what we have done and what we could have done."
It's not clear yet when the legislature will vote on the proposed changes.
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