http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-review-terms-of-reference-1.4068525?__vfz=profile_comment%3D10580100007843

Ex-judge's detailed mission for property assessment review remains guarded

116 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Roger Edwards

This scam has most certainly effected my future voting decisions. This should now become a criminal investigation, its more then just political and that is what Gallant is trying to hide. His political career should be over, he has done enough damage to this province.

David Raymond Amos

@Roger Edwards Don't look for the Conservatives to assist in that regard I just got an email from their new chief of staff and his only concern was that his hovercraft is full of eels. At least Gallant's computer did me the service of acknowledging the aforesaid email.

Mario Doucet

This Acadian liberal government is deceitful, self serving, and totally unaccountable to the voters of NB. How much corruption and incompetence are they allowed before they are put out of office. This province deserves better than the north shore mafia.

Keith Jagger

@Joe Allaire
1 - Donald Arseneault - UdeM Arts
2 - Denis Landry - UdeM courses
3 - Serge Rousselle - UdeM Law Professor
4 - Brian Gallant - UdeM Law
5 - Victor Boudeau - UdeM Political Science
6 - Roger Melanson - U deM Political Science
7 - Francine Landry - UdeM Arts

And that folks is the inner circle.

Mack Leigh

@Keith Jagger

Wonder how many of them had the infamous Michel Doucet as a professor ??

Shawn McShane

@Keith Jagger Charles Boulay appointed as Service New Brunswick’s Executive Director of Property Assessment Services.

Charles Boulay - General Engineering l’Université de Moncton

http://www.amanb-aamnb.ca/program-2016#Charles

Shawn McShane

@Mack Leigh Or LaPierre? The former professor emeritus at the University of Moncton, who lied about his PhD for 30 years...

Jay Boucher-Langlais

I know this will not be posted, but if the word "Acadian" was replaced by any other ethnic or racial group, it would never pass moderators' muster. What does that tell you?

David Raymond Amos

@Keith Jagger Where did Bernie Lord study law? I know for certain his sister taught there

David Raymond Amos

@Jay Boucher-Langlais Duhh? Are not Anglo folks particularly the men put down every day of the week all day long???

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane I wonder how many lawyers in this "Association" attended the University of Moncton

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/crown-prosecutors-collective-agreement-new-brunswick-1.4069267

Jay Boucher-Langlais

@David Raymond Amos, where and when; you tell me!

Jay Boucher-Langlais

@Mario Doucet , this government was voted democratically; so live with it!

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos Seems that every time I respond to Langlais CBC blocks me N'esy Pas?

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David Raymond Amos

@Jay Boucher-Langlais The first three stooges who come to mind are Harper, Cameron and Trump N'esy Pas?

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos Thanks CBC for proving my point about Langlais again

Jay Boucher-Langlais

@David Raymond Amos , poor Martyr!

Fred Brewer

This sounds like a last-ditch, desperate attempt to cover-up the involvement of the Premier's office. Mr. Gallant needs to resign now!

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer Gallant and his handlers know there is no need to resign. They know as well as I that by the end of the summer this issue will be largely forgotten by the electorate and the liberal judge will rewrite history.

Michael Hunt

Gallant call an election , no need for an investigation on the tax payers dime to try and make your party look good .

David Raymond Amos

@Michael Hunt Elections cost money too

Colin Seeley

@David Raymond Amos

So do liberals .

Fred Brewer

Has anyone else noticed the deafening silence coming from Victor Boudreau?
This is highly unusual given that he is normally the mouthpiece of the government on most other issues. Is he grooming himself to be the next premier and thus won't go anywhere near this political minefield? Good luck with that Vic, because the Liberals reputation is shot and yours is not so great either given your involvement in the Parlee Beach fiasco.

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer Methinks I saw an ad by Mikey Murphy hustling for insurance business plastered on the back of a bus cruising around Fat Fred City. Perhaps he wants to be remembered and reconsidered for the job of Premier someday N'esy Pas?

Mack Leigh

Okay now let me clarify this . Liberal Premier Brian Gallant appoints Justice Joseph Robertson who is also a Liberal and was appointed as a judge by Liberals , to do a
review of the current property assessment fiasco which was undertaken by these same Liberals ???? Yup, should be an absolutely non-biased, open, transparent and informative review with all of those involved being called to task !! Who ???? Who ??? Does Gallant and this crew think they are fooling ??

David Raymond Amos

@Mack Leigh Please allow me to clarify thing even further. Methinks CBC should review what happened between Liberal/Lawyer/Premier Brian Gallant and his pal Liberal/Lawyer/Judge Joseph Robertson and I in Federal Court in Fat Fred City a couple of weeks before Gallant picked up the phone and called his buddy to try and fix things again.

Freddy Rose

Gallant makes Tricky Dickie Hatfield look like a choir boy.

Jim Wortman

@Freddy Rose ... tricky Dickie couldn't hold this guy's shorts.. Alward looks like a choirboy next to Shawn Gallant AKA Brian

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David Raymond Amos

@Jim Wortman I heard that Trickie Dickie loved choir boys

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/premier-brian-gallant-tax-assessment-changes-1.4064760

Premier pushed to speed up tax assessment changes, document says

91 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David Webb

Even if Mr. Gallant were to resign over this, he is just the pretty face of the government. Until the likes of Victor Boudreau (The real Premier) and the rest of the backroom U de M elite bunch are gone, nothing will be different. How quickly the Ghaham screw up was forgotten by those that voted the same players back in. Party politics as usual and non of the minions will take a stand and risk that golden pension if they get re-elected.

Johnny Horton

@David Webb

Anybody that works for government knows the real power lies in the deputy ministers.

The back room boys and politicians can set policy but the DM set out how that's accomplished and also what the minister is told going on in the department.

David Raymond Amos

@David Webb Its not just the U de M elite Most the real power and the the back room boys behind the liberal party are camped in Fat Fred City

Keith Jagger

@Keith Jagger - Just a thought David, use a code in naming them by increasing each letter by one. Example, your name David would show up as Ebwje.

David Raymond Amos

@Keith Jagger There is no need for "codes" After all I am suing the Crown right now. Hence everything I say is a matter of public record

Keith Jagger

@David Raymond Amos - Will you be including the names of the insiders in the Liberal party in your data?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/whistleblower-protect-property-tax-assessment-ombud-1.4061368

Property tax scandal underscores importance of whistleblower law, ombud says

7 Comments
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David Raymond Amos

This article is Pure D Bullshit spun by a Conservative lawyer. Hell CBC and everybody else knows that a Turncoat Cabinet Minister introduced Whistleblower protection to NB in 2007.
Perhaps CBC should read its own words?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/n-b-introduces-whistleblower-legislation-1.639739

"The New Brunswick provincialgovernment introduced legislation Wednesday that will prevent employees from being punished if they blow the whistle on bosses and colleagues who are breaking laws.

Human Resources Minister Wally Stiles said he hopes the new law won't have to be used very often, but if civil servants spot something wrong, they will be able to report it to a supervisor or the province's conflict of interest commissioner without fear of punishment.

"In the act itself, there is full protection for that civil servant to actually come forward, and whether he chooses to give [his] name or not, he can work that out with the conflict of interest commissioner."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/whistleblowers-say-social-development-didn-t-back-them-up-1.2650899

"Lawyer Kelly VanBuskirk says the whistleblower protection can be found in Section 28 of the province's Employment Standards Act. (CBC)"

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/whistleblowers-allege-privacy-breach-sue-province-1.3044409

"This month, both women filed statements of claim against the provincial government with the Court of Queen's Bench in Saint John alleging the department, "failed to investigate the factual background of the Plaintiff's complaints in a confidential manner."

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David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos "Content disabled" ??? WHY because I caught CBC with its pants down?.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessments-fast-track-meeting-1.4063381

'Fast track wouldn't exist without the premier': Assessment controversy continues

110 Comments
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Keith Jagger

All this effort to raise an additional $5.7 million. Meanwhile over $10 million is given to some fishermen on the North Shore and it is treated like a purchase of pencils.

Further evidence that there is definitely no revenue problem in this place, only a spending problem.
Strange how everyone in this province with the exceptions of politicians (all sides) and journalists can recognize criminal wrong-doing.

William Roberts

@Keith Jagger
"This report … will confirm who knew what, when — and what did people do?"
----------------------
Want to bet it doesn't? By design!
"I will appoint someone to find me guilty of this heinous crime perpetrated on the good people of this province" Not.
These are the same people handing out tax concessions to corporate interests who need it far less then individuals.

David Raymond Amos

@William Roberts Trust that Justice Joseph Robertson and I have a number of issues to sort through as well.

wayne guitard

@Keith Jagger Got to keep the Acadians happy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tax-scandal-service-new-brunswick-1.4052233

Why the New Brunswick government invented over $50M in renovations

88 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David Raymond Amos

Perhaps the all the politicians should review my emails to them and my comments within CBC about this topic ASAP?

Shawn McShane

@David Raymond Amos I read some. BTW my MLA is a Lib lol he ran away when they were canvassing at my house lol

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane Google my name and follow the links from my Twitter account to read some of the emails and all the comments CBC blocked yesterday

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane I suspect that you will enjoy all the comments about this CBC article

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

john bourque

Somebody just tried to steal millions from NBers using fraud, hmmm what will the police do, raid a pot shop I guess.

David Raymond Amos

@Dave Peters With regards to legal matters and politicians may I suggest that folks review all the comments in this CBC article?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

FYI Blaine Higgs attended one debate in Hampton and we had quite a spit and chew about pension plans in front of lots of folks who knew us well afterwards.

Thad P. Thudpucker

The property owners should all get together and file a class action lawsuit looking for reparations and significant punitive damages. Those responsible for this should be fired.

David Raymond Amos

@Thad P. Thudpucker In New Brunswick you need the government's permission to sue it. So that would go nowhere fast.

Carl Ross

Can we all say, "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" If this fraudulent - document falsification/whatever you wanna call it - does not garner a downfall of the Gov't through a non-confidence vote, nothing will.

David Raymond Amos

@Carl Ross The Liebranos are confident that they have a majority to win any vote

Clarence Slydell

Criminal activity is what it is. How long before comments are closed on this story?

The Irving story sure got the comments shut off in a hurry didn't it?

David Raymond Amos

@Clarence Slydell Better yet we should all wonder how many comments were blocked and why.

Kathy Altenhofen

Nothing to see here, folks, just more bottom feeding politicians, let's move along.

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David Raymond Amos

@Kathy Altenhofen Yes but the scum always rises to the top and that is what is rotting our socks

David Raymond Amos

@Kathy Altenhofen Interesting that CBC blocked my response to you eh?

william thorkelson

In my view this is a criminal act, and someone should be charged with fraud.

William Reed

@william thorkelson

When it happens in the private sector do we see charges? The 2008 economic collapse generated a grand total of zero fraud charges. How about Irving over billing its NB customers? Mistake, error or faulty technology followed by smoothing apology seems to be all we are entitled to.

With the public sector we at least have elections to turn to. I sincerely hope that people consider why this was being done. It appears to be because their municipalities are significantly short on revenues. These municipalities should also be judged harshly because the pressure for more taxes is going to find a solution somehow. People might want to consider moving to places that aren't so deep in debt that they don't need to be this creative. Local politicians are as much to blame as provincial ones.

Johnny Horton

@william thorkelson

What's criminal is giving your bank free reign to withdraw what they want.

Seriously do people really allow their bank to withdraw funds automatically at whatever the bill says? Really?

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David Raymond Amos

@Johnny Horton It not criminal to be dumb. Even though CBC will likely block me for directing a comment at one of their favourite Trolls whose name is definitely not Johnny Horton I feel compelled to agree with your sarcasm for at least two reason One for trusting the banks not to overdraw you on purpose even though they know you have an automatic deposit that would cover the bill in a timely fashion and two for trusting the government or anyone else not to over-bill you in the first place.

David Raymond Amos

@william thorkelson Interesting CBC allow my response to the "Horton" character for a a while then blocks it?

Dale Chapman

The people responsible for the fictitious renovation entries should all be fired with cause and without severance. Anyone in management who knew about it and did not stop it should likewise be fired. The minister, deputy minister and other high level executives in the ministry should be force to resign. The premier should be reprimanded by the legislature and should offer his resignation to the assembly.

This is fraud and should be investigated as such by the RCMP.

Bob McGaw

@Dale Chapman yep

David Raymond Amos

@Bob McGaw I second it

Dave Peters

I suggest that a suit be filed against Brian Gallant, Ed Doherty and GNB by the 2048 landowners who were billed fraudently with intent to " theft' 'taken without proper authorization " Would someone on this forum like to offer a legal opinion on this matter.

David Raymond Amos

@Dave Peters I do all the time but I am usually blocked when I do so. BTW I just returned from having an very wicked argument with the Crown in Federal Court in Fredericton

Stephen Long

Watch Gallant being interviewed. There is nothing behind those eyes, nothing. No capacity for understanding, morality, nothing at all. I don't know how he can live with himself. Does he listen to what he actually says? It's a sad state of affairs when such a person lacking in any sensibilities can make it all the way to the top.

William Reed

@Stephen Long

People who lack certain sensibilities rise to the top easier than those who don't. A figurehead really only has to look or sound good for the part. It's not very different from being an actor.

David Raymond Amos

@Stephen Long He is a lawyer he was trained to act that way.

David Raymond Amos

@William Reed If you could have heard the argument I just had this afternoon in Federal Court in Fredericton you would understand my point to Mr Long in spades.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-assessment-ryder-mcintyre-paved-driveway-1.4060389

Charity paves driveway for boy, then his family's property assessment soars $50,900

184 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Bill Birkshire

I would make it my life's work to sue these politicians out of existence. I think I'll call a few lawyer friend to see what can be done.

Normy Crow

@Rosco holt and of course they are NOT afraid to spend YOUR money.

David Raymond Amos

@Bill Birkshire If you wish a quick study perhaps you and your lawyer friend should watch me in action in Federal Court on May 24th

John Jude

Gallant and the Liberals (and Conservatives...don't worry...I didn't forget about you and your regular shenanigans) can eat a bag of asphalt.

Wake up New Brunswick. Vote for one of the other parties, and stop with the "they're all the same" talk. Grow a backbone.

Chuck Michaels

@John Jude - The other parties are not offering much of substance or are making impossible claims. They lack sufficient means to mount an effective province-wide campaign or represent fringe interests that won't appeal to enough of the electorate. Sadly, we are not in a good way for alternatives.

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David Raymond Amos

@Chuck Michaels So you say

However Quispamsis does fall within the Federal Riding of Fundy Royal and nobody should deny that I ran there twice as a Independent at Federal leval (2004 and 2015) and against Ed Doherty in Saint John Harbour in 2006. I didn't get many votes but then again CBC did not bother to even ask me why I ran for public office 5 times either let alone report it. Go figure.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

Perhaps folks in the area who truly care about the abusive governments they elect they should ask one of their MLA's such as Ted Flemming and Blaine Higgs or their buddy Premier Gallant who I am and why I sued Yankee Tax Men in the USA in 2002 and why I have been suing the Crown since 2015.

This comment is awaiting moderation by the site administrators.

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos There was absolutely no reason to whatsoever to delete the comment above if CBC had any ethics at all.

Perhaps the lawyer Hubby LaCriox should explain a few things to CBC's moderators someday soon N'esy Pas?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/analysis-liberal-gallant-announcements-1.4059647

Liberals acting busy, but not much news in announcements

22 Comments
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Colin Seeley

"Liberals acting busy" ..... the word "acting " is apt and perfectly chosen.

David Raymond Amos

@Colin Seeley No acting here

"Harvey seemed to sum up the week-long Liberal announcement blitz at one point during the news conference when he acknowledged he had nothing firm to offer yet."

"Words are words," he said.

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos Some words cut like a knife and could be considered libelous. N'esy Pas?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/political-panel-tax-assessment-1.4058155

"It may go into fraud," Higgs said Thursday during the weekly CBC political panel. "It may go into deception or goes into a situation where if you can't be upfront and straight and honest. ... There's a deeper story here than just this tax issue itself."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessment-error-newlyweds-1.4057563

'It blows my mind': New Maryland newlyweds saw home assessment double

1 year after buying house for $170K couple sees assessment by Service New Brunswick soar to $347K

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2017 7:30 AM AT

92 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Greg Miller

Can you just imagine getting this bill in the mail--just starting out--new house, new used car and no explanation available at SNB. This all occurred because the Premier's office wanted this system to be FAST TRACKED. I think the Premier should be FAST TRACKED out of office!

David Raymond Amos

@Greg Miller No doubt it is well known by now that I agree with your indignation towards politicians and Tax Man. However it appears to me that most folks have grown weary of this topic just as I have.

My reasoning is that this article in CBCNB is still at the top of the list of the most viewed and that fact warms my heart in my feelings about my fellow Maritimers.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/seven-german-shepherds-spca-adoption-1.4049144

Greg Miller

@David Raymond Amos Like the article and agree with your point but it takes a while for citizen indignation to sink in.

David Raymond Amos

@Greg Miller Please know as you listen to these guys of CBC

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/political-panel-tax-assessment-1.4058155

That they all know what I was arguing with the Crown about in Federal Court in Fredericton on Monday April 3rd, 2017

https://archive.org/details/April32017JusticeLeblancHearing

Dave Lane

This is how it works in New Brunswick. Buy a property and find that the 3rd world style SNB doubles its value. POOF, Sales price x 2 = your new tax amount. They have no shame. This is classic third world extortion of citizens by a corrupt government. THEY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED NOW!

Walter Winchell

@Dave Lane

Too funny.

Guess what it would be without the largest refinery in Canada operating in New Brunswick.

Maybe you could get a job there Dave.

Shawn McShane

@Walter Winchell New Brunswick has a landmass of 73,000 km², and a population base of approximately 751,000 and dwindling. Irving owns a significant portion of New Brunswick’s landmass and most part tend to be strategic property holdings with the objective to lockout any other big players from entering the province and competing for both human and natural resources.

Shawn McShane

This creates a closed system that Irving has total control of. This closed system can only support a finite number of workers to keep the Irving interest in operation, and as a consequence the system either expands or contracts at the whims of the Irving family, forcing New Brunswick’s unemployed to leave the province to find work elsewhere.

https://lefteyex.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/irvings-stranglehold-on-new-brunswick-the-puppet-masters/

Dave Lane

@Walter Winchell In short, it's a corporate kleptocracy, like Alberta. We have something in common. How about that.

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane Oh my doesn't that comment and the link you provide jerk this old dog's chain? Perhaps you should read all my comments posted within this one too?

https://lefteyex.wordpress.com/2017/04/01/anonymous-tip-tells-grime-poppers-blogger-is-armed-and-dangerous/#comments

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane Bonjour Obviously I what I responded to Mr Stokes about years ago many folks are complaining about today

Mr. David Raymond Amos,

We respectfully invite you to consider a Letter to the Editor,
i.e.., How Free Trade undermines Maritime Economic Development. We had heard you make some representation about a U.S. company which truck out Maritime ‘wealth’, as a result of not having similar .provincial resources rights as Alberta, Many Maritimes would be potentially interested in such an editorial.

Merci.

Office of John Stokes

The Canadian National Newspaper
internet site: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com
4:48 PM

Anonymous said…

Hey Mr. Stokes
Thanks for the suggestion. As you should know the most glaring example of a company that has been raping the Maritimes with abandon for many years is obviously the Irving Empire. However lately there are some very nasty new players on the scene such a PCS and Corridor Resourses etc etc. I am very busy these days and I am not a journalist. You people are though yet it seems you would rather me say the awlful truth than yourselves because of some possible lawsuit EH?

So be it. I will because it is not slander if one’s words are
true. Perhaps you should consider checking my work and then come to court sometime in order to listen to me argue

Etc Etc Etc

Wally Manza

Several ministers including the premier have made statements regarding this that where erroneous.
In my opinion it is criminal behavior when anyone by design and purpose intentionally fabricates inaccurate tax assessments with the goal to extort monies from citizens that legally, are not owed. Extortion and fraud are crimes under the criminal code.

Gallant and key ministers not only have issued misleading information when questioned but have also shown they are have not been competently overseeing their responsibilities. Accountability and transparency are also lacking at the ministerial level. Producing misleading statements in the legislature and the criminal attempt at extortion belong to those ministers implicated and to this Premier. Their resignations are required to satisfy their duty to responsibility.

Douglas James

@Wally Manza I agree but I'm not sure the RCMP can make the connection to criminality so easily.

Page is closed to commenting.just as I clicked submit
David Raymond Amos
@Douglas James The RCMP certainly can and have the power to do so. Their mandate is to investigate allegations of crime. Furthermore the RCMP guard the politicians and the legislature etc hence they are already on scene and some members of the RCMP may already be privy to what really went down. If fraud exists the RCMP can get to the bottom of the matter ASAP of that I have no doubt. If The RCMP claims that fraud does not exist in this matter the mistakes at the very least should be exposed.

In my humble opinion appointing a retired Judge who is a well known liberal buddy to have a look at the matter with a questionable mandate is just a smoke and mirror show.

Blaine Higgs claims outside the legislature on this CBC show that the fraud is political in nature. If he is wrong he can be sued for libel. Furthermore how can CBC have a hold a circus without bringing in the clowns?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/political-panel-tax-assessment-1.4058155

Clearly the liberal were here there and everywhere talking to everyone they could excepting the "Political Panel" N'esy Pas?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/analysis-liberal-gallant-announcements-1.4059647

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/blaine-higgs-service-new-brunswick-1.4052390

'I sincerely apologize to all New Brunswickers': Assessment mess prompts overhaul

145 Comments
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Shawn McShane
Insiders say that cautious approach was abandoned last year with the encouragement of the Premier's Office. Pictometry was calculating square footage from roof line dimensions including overhanging eaves -— making houses seem suddenly larger. As results of the new assessment system began to be checked for accuracy>>> last fall<<
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tax-scandal-service-new-brunswick-1.4052233

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane The plot thickens rather nicely in a rather predicable fashion. FYI one of the liberals favourite jurists Retired Justice Joseph T. Robertson was bitching about yours truly to Ottawa about 3 weeks ago and I responded to his nonsense in a bigtime fashion in writing and it was filed in the public record of Federal Court In Fredericton No joke pull the docket and read it.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/brian-gallant-property-assessment-reforms-1.4053112

'We are going to fix it': Gallant vows changes to property assessment system

70 Comments
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Lou Bell

A new department. Probably new bilingual employees. Right up D'Entermonts alley.

David Raymond Amos

@Lou Bell My Father was Supervisor of Taxation of this province from the time Little Louie centralized until he died just after Trudeau "The Elder" screwed New Brunswick with the Charter. aMy Mother's second Husband was a former Chief Electoral of New Brunswick and a proud COR Party memember just like Higgs used to be. Go Figure why I always run for public office as an Independent with no false illusions of ever being elected. I bet Doherty and his Irving buddies still recall my having a little fun running against him in 2006 in Saint John Harbour. N'esy Pas?

Shawn McShane

@Shawn Peterson Look at the bright side, if the assessments keep going this way when we sell our homes we will all be millionaires...if the taxes don't bankrupt you first.

Rob Phillips

@Shawn McShane haha. Shop now and save!

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane Methinks you should ask the Taxman why I am homeless. Just Google David Amos Bank Fraud to see some documents of mine published within a sneaky NDP supporter's website many moons ago.

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos FYI from the sixties to the early eighties when he died at an age younger than I am now my Father Max Amos was the supervisor of taxation of this province. Trust that this malicious nonsense would NEVER have happened under his watch. Trust that one son of his is reminding a lot of corrupt politicians and their bureaucratic minions of the fact.

Ray Bungay

@Colin Seeley There was some talk when CRA became a Federal Crown Agency of the types of business they could go after and one was taking over Service NB in this province. Some services like payroll deductions was taken over, very successful I might say. No reason why CRA could not do a decent job and CRA has a lot of space available on Canterbury and Prince William Streets in Saint John and the employees who go be staffed across NB. Just maybe the Feds would want to make an offer!

David Raymond Amos

@Ray Bungay You are joking correct?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberal-blame-decisions-civil-service-1.4053238

Blame game: Liberals often point to civil servants in times of trouble

69 Comments
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wayne guitard

Funny how politicians are so quick to grab the credit, but so slow to accept the blame. I will support the underground economy more than ever after this farce. Gallant doesn't deserve access to our tax dollars. He can't be trusted.

David Raymond Amos

@wayne guitard I truly believe that Canadian History proves there were very few politicians who were truly trustworthy with the tax dollar. My favourite one hailed from New Brunswick. Perhaps his bust should be installed inside the Premier's office staring directly at the desk for the current dudes and all others who follow to ponder?.

Does anyone want R.B. Bennett?

https://www.telegraphjournal.com/daily-gleaner/story/100140982/bennett

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tax-assessment-errors-gallant-1.4055811

Premier's office gave go-ahead to fast track new assessment system

126 Comments

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Jonas Smith

The real story is that The Premier's Office of New Brunswick has no qualms about lying to New Brunswickers. People need to be held accountable for these horrible decisions that were likely made by an elected official or someone hired to work for an elected official.

David Raymond Amos

@Jonas Smith The real question is who can do anything about it when you need Gallant's Attorney General's permission in this province in order to sue the CROWN?

Fred Brewer

@David Raymond Amos
Not sure where you got the idea that anyone needs permission to sue the CROWN. In fact anyone can sue the Crown in small claims court in the court of Queen's Bench.
See attached link for procedure:
http://www.legal-info-legale.nb.ca/en/uploads/file/pdfs/Small_Claims_Actions_Against_the_Crown_EN.pdf

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer I got a letter from one of Serge Rouselle's best lawyers stating that fact in the fall of 2015 at the beginning of my lawuit against the Queen in Federal Court. I already knew what the lawyer was claiming was true in the the Court of the Queens Bench but not Federal Court. I was staggered at how dumb the lawyer was to write me such a letter but I filed it in the docket so that everyone could enjoy it if they wished to.

Furthermore as the Attorney General of New Brunswick Serge Rouseele has a rather unique power to intervene in any civil suit in the Court of the Queen's Bench and stop it dead in its tracks. I have never heard of such a thing before but Brad Green did it once and so did TJ Burke when they were the AGs. More importantly to me both matters involved the RCMP and one crybaby corrupt cop in particular whom I was dealing with at the time about far more serious matters.

I already knew from my own personal encounters with the system way back in 1982 just how corrupt the RCMP and the Justice Dept in New Brunswick were. However I was truly amazed when Green and Burke pulled two fast ones under two different mandates and nobody questioned if they could even do such a thing. Trust that I am not smart enough to make it up

Rob Phillips

How many mistakes can a government make before people realize how much it's costing them?

David Raymond Amos

@Rob Phillips While you are at it why not ask the government how many grains of sand in Shediac smell bad.

David Raymond Amos

@Rob Phillips BTW I get the joke behind the photo you use to ID yourself

Shawn McShane

When CBC asks for a Right to Information request for communications between the Premier's office, SNB and Minister Doherty's office will the Gallant government say it is 'frivolous and vexatious' like with Parlee Beach?

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane Speaking of frivolous and vexatious you should read the email I just got from Mr Higg's brand new Chief of Staff. Need I say it was felicitous to say the least?

David Raymond Amos

"They [Service New Brunswick] suggested they could do it in one year," said Jordan O'Brien, the premier's chief of staff, in an interview with CBC News.

"We asked them to do their due diligence to make sure that was responsible. They provided it. We said, 'OK you know your business, manage your business.'"

Hmmm Perhaps we should save this webpage before the golden handshakes begin?

http://142.139.25.169/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.168.html#employees.

Fred Brewer

@David Raymond Amos
Right on Brother Amos. Save this webpage since it too may suddenly disappear without warning once someone exerts enough pressure on CBC to remove all comments. Whatever happened to free speech?

Shawn McShane

@Fred Brewer Already can't read comments here: 1 day ago 77 comments Political scientist calls Gallant's review of property assessment form of 'damage control'

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/premier-brian-gallant-property-tax-1.4054226

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane I wondered what happened there because I noticed that comment section was already gone by the time I got back from Federal Court

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer Free Speech in CBC is a myth just like Democracy and Justice is Canada and the USA. If you doubt me ask yourself why CBC ignored its non-partisan mandate 5 times and denied that I was running for public office. Please read the comments that still exist about this article about Fundy Royal.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fundy-royal-riding-profile-1.3274276

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer FYI I save all webpages that I comment within particularly that of CBC. Plus I often blog about it with the comments of mine that were blocked then Tweet my indignation about it and email all the comments etc to the CBC hierarchy. After all we are paying for this nonsense.

Fred Brewer

@Shawn McShane
Yes Shawn, I think those 77 comments were removed because there were too many calls for Doherty to resign. Perhaps Doherty's lawyer threatened CBC?

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David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer I also noticed that the Conservative Troll who uses the name of "The French Ripper" instead of his own was making comments in there as well.

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David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos YO CBC thanks for proving my doublecheck on your support of a certain Troll so quickly

Fred Brewer

I love the article in today's Telegraph Journal that says now that Minister Doherty has finally surfaced, it will no longer be necessary to put his face on milk cartons. LOL.

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer Now that is truly funny particularly if the Irving Clan published those words

Fred Brewer

If what the government says is true, then why not release all communications between the Premier's office and SNB and between Minister Doherty's office and SNB? I think there is too much spin going on. Show us the hard evidence and let us decide.

David Raymond Amos

@Fred Brewer If you wanna have some fun just Google Gallant or Doherty's email addys and my name sometime. Folks really should ask Doherty et al why Elections NB stopped me from running against him in the by-election Saint John Harbour in 2005 yet I managed to use exactly the same documents to get on the ballot against him the general election in 2006.

Thomas Imber

Gallant is in full damage control mode. The more he talks the more confused he gets about this whole property tax scandal, it must be difficult keeping all the stories straight! But I guess we shouldn't have expected much from a no-experience junior lawyer.

David Raymond Amos

@Thomas Imber YUP

Wayne Wright

From it never came from politicians (Liberal) to this!!

Why not say that immediately rather than blaming CivService!

By having SNB Min Doherty hide from Legislature questioning it brought light that it was his fault and subsequently has all but ruined Dr. Doherty's reputation.

Even though it was not his deceitful answers given in the house; primarily it was a Gallant-led deceit. Honestly I don't think Doherty willingly believed in Govt's/Gallant tactics so Dr.Doherty became a sacrificial lamb.

Funny Dominic LeBlanc was very prominent early in Gallant tenure suddenly seems divorced from Gallant buddy system. Could he be waiting in the wings for a crack at NB politics?

David Raymond Amos

@Wayne Wright Dominic LeBlanc was born and raised in Ottawa his aspirations are always federal he was merely using Gallant for his own ends and his buddy Trudeau "The Younger" knows. For instance where was Gallant whenever Trudeau came down here? Do you think Gallant was avoiding Trudeau or was he ordered by Leblanc to stay away? Methinks the latter.

Doug Leblanc
"They had an option to accelerate it and the premier had me ask them questions on his behalf about whether that was responsible and whether it made sense and they provided some evidence that suggested it was," said O'Brien "We didn't say, 'No don't do it in one year,' but we also didn't say, 'Rush ahead and do it in one year.'"

The premier needs to resign. Not for screwing up but for being dishonest about what he knew and trying to blame "low level employees".

Given this new information, does anyone believe that a "low level employee" fudged parlee beach water results all summer or that a "low level employee" ignored mutliple emails and simply made an error when a proponent was told that a permit was not required to alter a protected waterway.

David Raymond Amos

@Doug Leblanc "Given this new information, does anyone believe that a "low level employee" fudged parlee beach water results all summer or that a "low level employee" ignored mutliple emails and simply made an error when a proponent was told that a permit was not required to alter a protected waterway."

In a word NOPE

Mario Doucet

Since the Acadians basically control the civil service and the government that is where the problem lies, the buck stops there. Resign Gallant and get it over with, you must be ashamed to show your face now.

Mack Leigh

@Mario Doucet

To be ashamed would require that the individual have a conscience and a moral compass, would it not ??? Don't believe that you will find those attributes in anyone in this Liberal government.

Dan Lee

@Mario Doucet
You must be too......since your using French names as your real name.........

David Raymond Amos

@Dan Lee LOL

Brad Little

Love this. Keep digging, CBC, until this entire government unravels. They should have just scapegoated Doherty and wiped their hands of it. Instead, they tried to protect one of their own and (hopefully) they will all get caught having a hand in this mess.

David Raymond Amos

@Brad Little CBC can't stop now the Genie is out of the bottle.

Stephen Wood

It is time for Gallant and his Liberals to come clean and tell the whole truth, so far every time they open their mouths the story has changed. They have lost any and all credibility that they might have had to start with and the RCMP should be called in to do a proper Investigation into this whole matter from start to finish and let the cards fall where they may. The people of New Brunswick no longer have any trust of faith in this Government and Gallant and his Atcon boys should be removed from power.

David Raymond Amos

@Stephen Wood

"It is time for Gallant and his Liberals to come clean and tell the whole truth"

Wishful thinking correct?

"RCMP should be called in to do a proper Investigation"

Trust that will never happen in a month of Sundays

"Gallant and his Atcon boys should be removed from power"

Do you really think folks trust the conservatives?

Ray Bungay

@Bob Besner Too much back room politics from the Graham days, IMO!

David Raymond Amos

@Ray Bungay The Conservatives don't do back room politicking? Best confer with Mr Higgs new Chief of Staff Mr Cardy N'esy Pas/

Marilyn Carr

More gov. corruption..notice not used up north? only southern NB...how they can break the law by upping assessments by more than the 10% cap is beyond me...Criminal is what it is

Reid Gilker

@Marilyn Carr,, your 'only southern NB', comment is a miss informed one, it also did happen "Up North!! facebook pages are flooded with complains of this same thing happening in the North of the province.

Shawn McShane

@Reid Gilker http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessment-errors-1.4055589

Northern areas and most rural communities were assessed using traditional methods and have reported few problems.

The new system was used mostly in the greater Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton areas and in nearby towns like Hampton, Sackville and Woodstock.

Shawn McShane

@Reid Gilker They need to be more vocal because we were told: Northern areas and most rural communities were assessed using traditional methods and have reported few problems.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessment-errors-1.4055589

Jim Wortman

@Shawn McShane .. It is easy to break the province up geologically , north and south, but does anyone that see the linguistic line as well?

David Raymond Amos

@Shawn McShane None of us should be surprised by that

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessment-errors-1.4055589

'There's mistakes all over the place': New aerial assessment system proving to be unreliable

57 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

David Raymond Amos

Methinks lots of poor folks in New Brunswick who do not own any real estate property whatsoever are enjoying this circus as much as I am. However never forget we all have the right to vote.

Keith Greenhalgh

@David Raymond Amos Many do not own any real estate property, but they're impacted by this. Landlords will pass on increases in cost/taxes to their renters.

All have a stake in this.

David Raymond Amos

@Keith Greenhalgh Not me. This property tax nonsense won't cost me one thin dime. Other than the taxes the Liberals raised on tobacco and the raising of the GST my meager finances have not been impacted at all. FYI I am homeless and have been couch surfing since 2005 because of the government's actions against me many years ago. That is one of the many reasons why I have been suing the CROWN in Federal Court since 2015. You should have heard my argument with the CROWN on April 3rd. Rest assured Gallant and Rousselle already have the recording of it

Joseph Vacher

@David Raymond Amos

we all can't be lucky enough to be on social assistance

David Raymond Amos

@Joseph Vacher That is LIBEL sir I have NEVER taken one cent from ANY government

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David Raymond Amos

@Joseph Vacher My question is why does CBC ignore its own rules allow a Troll to use the name of "The French Ripper" in order tp practice libel against me???

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos Why is it I was not surprised t watch CBC block that comment?

Pierre LaRoches

Brian, Brian, Brian, stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility for this mess you've made. You knew about this fast track, Ed Dougherty knew about the fast track and the rest of cabinet knew about the fast track. Yet you blamed assessors, then unnamed SNB managers, now you have your chief of staff saying it was him that spoke with SNB on your behalf. Is there anytime where any Liberal will have the integrity to do what's right? I think we all know the answer to that don't we Brian?

David Raymond Amos

@Pierre LaRoches Have you ever seen a Canadian politician accept responsibility fraudulent actions and blame themselves? I don't recall anyone doing so.

Mack Leigh

Just another money grab by these Gallant Liberals only this time they got caught !!

David Raymond Amos

@Mack Leigh The strange part of this matter to me is how did they expect to pull this off in the first place?

Roy Kirk

From whom was the new assessment system bought? Was a call for proposals issued by SNB for the system? Who were the bidders and how was the successful bidder selected? What other jurisdictions use the same system from the same supplier? What has their experience been?

This whole fiasco has an odor about it.

David Raymond Amos

@Roy Kirk Great questions have you heard anything but crickets?

Nicholas Dippler

Is anyone talking about how they 'reassessed' the Irving site in Saint John?

David Raymond Amos

@Nicholas Dippler Methinks that is a done deal much to the chagrin of all but the Irving Clan

Michael Geraldson

This is sheer incompetence, plain and simple! I for one am not paying a dime in property taxes until this whole fiasco is resolved.

David Peters

@Michael Geraldson

...and people forget that renters are also hugely affected by this.

David Raymond Amos

@Michael Geraldson Imagine if everyone took your position? I suspect that both the liberals and the Conservatives would need shock treatment.

Gerry Ferguson

This is fraud plain and simple. I don't trust these guys

Mack Leigh

@Gerry Ferguson

Yup !! Plain = Doherty and Simple =Gallant, along with all the others in this fiasco government. Never mind about common sense, accountability, transparency or brains----- lets just Frenchify everything and all will be well !!

David Raymond Amos

@Mack Leigh Corruption ain't just French problem

Mack Leigh

How many of these ministers, MLA's and politicians have had their assessments and taxes increase ??? How much did Gallant's home in Dieppe increase by ?? Or are they all immune ??

David Raymond Amos

@Mack Leigh Good question

Mack Leigh

Are these egregious "Errors " in taxes happening all over the province or is it another disease of the Allophone cities, towns and communities ???

Shawn McShane

@Mack Leigh The new system was used mostly in the greater Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton areas and in nearby towns like Hampton, Sackville and Woodstock.

Northern areas and most rural communities were assessed using traditional methods and have reported few problems.

David Peters

@Mack Leigh

...or are they simply targeting property owners who are not big money liberals?

David Raymond Amos

@David Peters That appears to be the case

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/whistleblower-protect-property-tax-assessment-ombud-1.4061368

Property tax scandal underscores importance of whistleblower law, ombud says

5-year-old Public Interest Disclosure Act takes on new importance, says Charles Murray

By Jacques Poitras, CBC News Posted: Apr 10, 2017 6:00 AM AT

Ombud Charles Murray says the Public Interest Disclosure Act prevents a whistleblowing civil servant from being punished with a firing, demotion or lack of promotion. (CBC)

New Brunswick's ombud says he's surprised that some of the province's political leaders have apparently forgotten there's a whistleblower law to protect civil servants who report bad behaviour.

Charles Murray says the five-year-old legislation is rarely used, but it's taking on new importance in the property-assessment scandal, given that Premier Brian Gallant says he learned key details after they were leaked to the media.

"I think it's relevant every day in terms of all kinds of discussions," Murray said.

"But it's become specifically relevant in this case because the indication from the premier is that even top members of government were unaware of certain facts until someone had stepped forward."

On March 31, Gallant acknowledged that Service New Brunswick's invention of fictitious renovations came to light thanks to an unknown tipster he referred to as a "whistleblower."

"Thank goodness that we had somebody that stepped up and sent that information," Gallant said.

The law, the Public Interest Disclosure Act, establishes legal protections for civil servants who come forward with information about "gross mismanagement," actions that violate provincial law, or actions that are dangerous to the public.

'A whistleblower in this province has to be fairly courageous and has to take things on faith.' - Charles Murray, ombud

It lets a civil servant discuss the situation confidentially with a designated person in their department or with the ombud, who can then investigate, launch an inquiry or go to the police if there's a potential criminal act.

And it prevents the civil servant from being punished with a firing, demotion or lack of promotion.

"It basically seeks to value and encourage people to do the right thing and protect them from repercussions on the job if they do," Murray said.

On last week's CBC political panel, People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin repeatedly pressed Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs on what Austin believed was the lack of such a law.

"There should be whistleblower legislation," Austin said.

"I'm not questioning that at all," Higgs said. "I don't disagree."

In fact, the law was adopted by the PC government that Higgs was part of, something Higgs never pointed out during the panel.

Higgs did at one point say, "I have some of the clauses that are currently there," but didn't comment further on the law and never corrected Austin.

Only 'a handful' each year

The act doesn't encourage civil servants to leak information to the media. The fact that's what happened in the Service New Brunswick case suggests civil servants still aren't confident the law will protect them, Murray said.

He wouldn't say whether his office has been contacted by any Service New Brunswick employees about the assessment controversy because he never confirms or denies he's investigating a particular issue.

"But in general we don't receive a lot of whistleblowers each year," he said. "It's a handful."

Murray said he has no budget to promote the law and civil servants may think it's "a paper tiger" because it hasn't been used much and hasn't demonstrated its value.

Favours stronger law

He also said in a small province like New Brunswick, and a small city like Fredericton, where most civil servants are based, people may fear being identified.

"The culture in New Brunswick benefits from the close ties we have with each other, but in whistleblower legislation, that acts as a deterrent for whistleblowers to step forward," he said.

Murray wants the law toughened with a "blind contact" provision to allow someone to contact his office through an intermediary so that even he doesn't know who it is.

"A whistleblower in this province has to be fairly courageous and has to take things on faith."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-review-terms-of-reference-1.4068525?__vfz=profile_comment%3D10580100007843

Ex-judge's detailed mission for property assessment review remains guarded

Full terms of reference for Justice Joseph Robertson haven't been made public in 10 days since announcement

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 13, 2017 7:15 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant says he doesn't want to talk about property tax assessments, since a former judge is reviewing what went wrong with them this year. (CBC)

The province has no immediate plans to release anything further on the terms of reference former Court of Appeal Justice Joseph Robertson has been given to investigate about what went wrong with this year's property assessments, even though Premier Brian Gallant promised to do just that last week.

Gallant announced on April 3 he was appointing Robertson to conduct an independent review of a property tax scandal that has dogged his government for the past month.

As part of that announcement, the government issued a news release, also on April 3, outlining Robertson's assignment in general terms.

But three days later Gallant said the specific terms of reference were still being hammered out and the public would be given details later.

"The terms of reference will be made public and they're not prepared yet, but we did give you the highlights of the terms of reference within the announcement on Monday," Gallant told reporters last Thursday.

"But when are they being made public?" asked one reporter.

"Whenever they're done, so I'm not sure when they'll be finalized," Gallant said.

No further information

No further information has been released on Robertson's specific terms of reference since.

The province has not said whether the terms have been finalized and on Wednesday Sarah Bustard, a Service New Brunswick spokesperson, said there were no immediate plans to add anything to the initial announcement from April 3, which is now 10 days old.

'I'm not going to do the review through media.' - Brian Gallant

"The terms of reference for Justice Robertons's review were outlined in the news release from April 3," wrote Bustard in an email to CBC News.

"Any changes or additional terms to the review will be communicated with the public."

Bustard did not respond to a question about the premier's April 6 promise to release the actual terms of reference.

A request to see the specific mandate given to Robertson, if there is one yet, went unanswered.

Justice Joseph Robertson has been asked to review the property tax assessment problems that have engulfed the provincial government this spring. (Canadian Lawyer)

At a Maritime premiers meeting in Saint John on Wednesday, Gallant said he had no more comment to make on the property tax matter.

"Look, I'm not going to do the review through media," said Gallant.

"We think Justice Robertson should be given the time that he is needed to be able to do the review and everything will be made very clear and the light will be shed on everything that happened here."

A key issue in the property assessment review is whether Robertson will have the specific mandate to investigate the role the premier's office played, if any, in accelerating the adoption of a new assessment system that eventually caused a number of problems.

The premier's office has denied any role in pushing for that acceleration — blaming it on Service New Brunswick — but internal Service New Brunswick documents obtained by CBC News suggest the premier himself requested it.

The terms of reference "highlights" for Robertson's review released April 3 do not specifically mention the need to investigate the decision to adopt the new assessment system.

However, it does say the review should look at "factors related to timing and deadlines" and "changes to the assessment process and procedures over the last seven years," which may cover the topic.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/premier-brian-gallant-tax-assessment-changes-1.4064760

Premier pushed to speed up tax assessment changes, document says

Internal communications in Service New Brunswick contradict position of Brian Gallant and his office

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 10, 2017 6:20 PM AT

Premier Brian Gallant said last week a new agency will be set up apart from the provincial government to handle property tax assessments in the future. (CBC)

CBC News has obtained a second internal Service New Brunswick document that claims Premier Brian Gallant personally pushed for the acceleration of a new property assessment system — something he and his office have both publicly denied.

The document is an update sent early last summer to Service NB staff on why plans to introduce a new computerized, desktop assessment system slowly over three years were being abandoned in favour of a rapid one-year deployment.

"Premier Brian Gallant was recently exposed to desktop review," the note said.

"He immediately requested our CEO Gordon Gilman to accelerate PAS' [Property Assessment Services] modernization efforts. A budget of $922,000 was approved on June 22."

Last week, Brian Gallant's chief of staff, Jordan O'Brien, said not only did the premier not push Service New Brunswick into accelerating the new system, but he was worried the agency might be moving too quickly.

"He [Gallant] mentioned to me that he has heard about the property assessment modernization project and that they had been discussing moving it more quickly," O'Brien wrote in an email to CBC News.

"He expressed concerns to me that this could be a political issue if a lot of assessments went up."

No comment from SNB

Service New Brunswick spokeswoman Sarah Bustard said the agency has no comment on the document or why it appears to contradict Gallant's version of how the current assessment scandal began.

"We understand there remain questions in regards to the issues that have been identified with property tax assessments in 2017," Bustard wrote in an email to CBC News.

"That's why we have named an independent commissioner to undertake a comprehensive review. In respect for this independent review process we will defer further comment."

Last week Gallant announced an inquiry into what went wrong with the province's new assessment system this year after CBC News uncovered widespread errors with both assessments and taxes — some of them deliberate.

2,048 property problems

Service New Brunswick acknowledged it ran out of time to properly deal with 2,048 homes the new computerized evaluations seemed to suggest were severely undervalued.

Rather than check the properties, the department's assessment managers took two decisions. They reduced increases suggested by the new system 30 per cent (in case they were wrong) and then fabricated renovation amounts for each home so that the rest of the increase could be fully taxed.

It's not legal in New Brunswick to raise a residential property tax bill more than 10 per cent in one year, no matter how high the assessment jumps, unless there have been substantial renovations.

By fabricating renovation amounts, the 2,048 homeowners all got tax increases above 20 per cent even though many had little or no property improvements.

Insiders blame sudden switch

Service New Brunswick insiders who spoke with CBC News on the condition of anonymity universally blame the problems on the sudden one-year switch to the new assessment system, but there has been no clear explanation about why that happened.

Gallant and his office have said Service New Brunswick proposed the accelerated switch but at least two separate internal communications delivered to Service New Brunswick staff last summer and obtained by CBC News say it was the premier himself who pushed for it.

In one case, a slide in a PowerPoint presentation to staff appeared to say the decision to fast track the new system was a "demand" made by the premier.

The latest document — sent by email to staff — echos that explanation.

Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs, who last week accused Gallant of ordering the premature switch to the new assessment system, said the internal SNB documents are confirming that.

"The weight of evidence is clearly against the premier," Higgs said in a statement.

Last week O'Brien, the premier's chief of staff, insisted neither he nor the premier expressed even a preference between accelerating the new assessment system or sticking to the original three-year implementation.

"Not that I can find any record of," he said.

Service New Brunswick document

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/property-tax-assessments-fast-track-meeting-1.4063381

'Fast track wouldn't exist without the premier': Assessment controversy continues

Service New Brunswick employees say they were told to 'fast track' property assessment system in PowerPoint

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 10, 2017 7:59 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant said last week a new agency will be set up apart from the provincial government to handle property tax assessments in the future. (CBC)

Justice Joseph Robertson has a number of issues to sort through as part of his review of the property assessment controversy but one of the most critical will be to establish why a new system was put on a "fast track" before it was thoroughly tested.

Last Thursday, Premier Brian Gallant said Robertson would be given authority to get to the bottom of all issues related to the assessment controversy.

"New Brunswickers want to know how this happened," Gallant told reporters.

"This report … will confirm who knew what, when — and what did people do?"

That's welcoming news to Service New Brunswick employees left confused by last week's claims that Galllant's office had little to do with the fast track decision — the opposite of what they have understood to be true for nearly a year.

"It was told to all of us," said one Service New Brunswick employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"It was because the politicians got involved. Fast track wouldn't exist without the premier."

Gallant's office denies this but SNB employees say it's not idle office gossip on their part.

It was what they were told by SNB assessment managers beginning last summer.

"That's what [they] told people and it spread," said a second employee.

"It wasn't a secret or anything."

A switch to 'fast track'

To illustrate that point CBC News was sent a slide from what one employee said was an internal SNB PowerPoint presentation put together early last summer to explain the switch to fast track.

The slide appears to show SNB was telling employees it received a "demand" to accelerate implementation of a new property assessment system following a "BCD" presentation to Gallant. (BCD is an acronym for "Building Characteristic Diagram," an integral part of the new pictometry assessment system.)

The slide appears to show Service New Brunswick was telling employees it had received a "demand" to accelerate implementation of a new property assessment system. (Service New Brunswick)

The slide indicates the presentation to the premier generated an exchange, where the premier asked for the program to be in place in half the time of the estimated three-year plan.

Employees say they had no reason to question they were abandoning long-held plans to move slowly because of political pressure.

But the premier's office tells an entirely different story.

Last week Jordan O'Brien, chief of staff for the premier's office, said it expressed no opinion on fast tracking a new assessment system.

'The premier's office involvement was almost entirely by coincidence.' -Jordan O'Brien

"Not that I can find any record of," said O'Brien, who maintains the idea of a new system was unknown to his office until last spring.

"To the best of my recollection the premier was at an event in early May last year — was presented this project and they said that they had an option to accelerate it and the premier had me ask some questions on his behalf about whether that was responsible."

Although the premier's office says SNB was the one pushing the idea of accelerating the new assessment system, it had developed no business case to justify a quick switch.

"I wrote an email to the then — CEO of Service New Brunswick saying we would be open to their plan if they had a good business case for it," O'Brien told CBC News last week.

But nothing like that had been prepared by SNB and it was 20 days before one was put together for the premier's office to review and approve.

For those skeptical that speeding up the new assessment system was really SNB's idea, O'Brien said Gallant's appointment of Robertson should be a sign that government has nothing to hide.

"The premier's office involvement was almost entirely by coincidence," insists O'Brien.

"If the premier had not seen a presentation at a public event about the project we would never even have known about it."

Government announces new system

Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty has apologized for the property assessment controversy. (CBC)

Still, the Gallant government wasn't as much in the dark about the new assessment system, as they might claim.

In May 2015 Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty publicly announced the system was in the development stages in an official government press release.

Then in November 2015, Doherty's department elaborated further, giving no hint of wanting to speed anything up.

'New Brunswickers will not have to take anybody at their word for very long.' -Brian Gallant

In its annual report it said the new assessment system was on track and in the second year of what it called a "five-year modernization strategy".

All sides do agree on one issue — the five-year strategy to implement a new assessment system was abandoned for "fast track" following that demonstration for the premier last May.

But there remain significant disagreements about why that happened — a mystery Gallant said will be solved soon enough.

"New Brunswickers will not have to take anybody at their word for very long," he told reporters.

"Justice Robertson is certainly going to do all the due diligence necessary to make sure we shed light on this situation."

'It may go into fraud': Higgs says inquiry may not be enough after property tax mess

Liberals back out of regular political panel in wake of property-tax shocks

By Elizabeth Fraser, CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2017 4:08 PM AT

Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs says the unravelling of the government's property tax methods and its evolving response to the shocking tales from property owners suggest more than an inquiry may be needed.

"It may go into fraud," Higgs said Thursday during the weekly CBC political panel. "It may go into deception or goes into a situation where if you can't be upfront and straight and honest. ... There's a deeper story here than just this tax issue itself."

The Gallant government has been trying to fight off criticism since it was learned Service New Brunswick invented renovation amounts for 2,048 homeowners with large assessment increases this past spring.

Premier Brian Gallant apologized for the fiasco and asked Joseph T. Robertson, the former New Brunswick Appeal Court justice, to head a "review of all policies and procedures related to recent assessment processes."

Eventually, Gallant's office acknowledged it gave the final go ahead for a fast-track adoption of a new trouble-plagued property assessment system.

Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs wonders if ideception runs deeper than property tax problems. (CBC)

On Thursday, no one from the Liberal Party took part in the weekly political panel, which normally includes representatives from all parties. A government email to CBC News on Wednesday said Minister Serge Rousselle wouldn't attend.

"There are a lot of legitimate questions being asked by media and New Brunswickers alike and government has some of the same questions," the email said.

The email said it would be premature for the government to comment on things that will be part of the Robertson review, which is to finish in August.

'On the backs of civil servants'

"The government has chosen to run and hide," Higgs said. "They have tried to deflect. They've tried to blame. They've tried to take this issue and place it on the backs of civil servants.

"We don't need to make a meal out of this. It is a pure case of a wrong decision being made and an attempt to cover it up from the very beginnng."

Green Party Leader David Coon said a public inquiry needs to take place under the Public Inquiries Act, where a judge can call witnesses, including politicians who were involved in the process of implementing the new assessment system.

"We need to get to the bottom of it … there's a lot of work that needs to be done to build trust in this system," said Coon. 'There's a lot of work that needs to be done to build trust in this system.'

Power structure not complex

He also said the chain of command in government is not as complex as the province has suggested,

"You've got the head of property assessments, who's the director, then the deputy minister … and then the premier's office," Coon said. "That's a pretty short chain for people not to be in the know."

'I'm convinced government was fully aware of what was going on in that system.' - Kris Austin

Kris Austin of the People's Alliance called the Liberals' email response, a "pathetic excuse from this government" and called the property tax system "a scandal and corrupt."

He said New Brunswickers are fed up with the way government is being handled and says Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty needs to resign and be held accountable.

"I'm convinced government was fully aware of what was going on in that system," said Austin.

Andrew MacLean of the NDP said he's hopeful the government will take the investigation seriously.

"The problems are here, they've arisen. ... If they choose to recognize this and fix this, this would be great for all New Brunswickers."

Why the New Brunswick government invented over $50M in renovations

Insiders say Premier's Office encouraged fast track of new automated assessment

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 03, 2017 6:50 AM AT

Jill Jollineau's Saint John home has two bedrooms, one washroom, no garage and no basement. Its property tax bill jumped $150 per month when Service New Brunswick fabricated $79,780 in renovations on it and then taxed her for the amount. (Robert Jones/CBC)

Jill Jollineau was away when her property tax bill arrived the first week of March, but her bank immediately started removing an extra $150 a month from her chequing account to pay what the bill demanded.

Jollineau hadn't seen the increase coming, so the money wasn't there and her account dipped in the negative for the first time in her adult life.

"They overdrafted my account which I have to pay a penalty on and interest on without any warning to me that this amount would increase," said Jollineau.

"I end up paying a penalty for their deception — which is what it is — deception."
Jollineau is angry.

She is one of 2,048 New Brunswick homeowners stung by a scheme that saw the province invent expensive renovations for houses — many of which had no work done — and then charge property tax on the fabricated amounts.

'It's totally disrespectful of me as a citizen.' -Jill Jollineau

In Jollineau's case, Service New Brunswick concocted a figure of $79,780 in renovations to her tiny 860 square foot home — or "major improvement change" in the parlance of the department — and then raised her tax bill a stunning 52 per cent because of the phantom improvements.

"I am hurt and disappointed," said Jollineau, a retired high school math teacher who has seen some poor calculations in her day, but nothing like this.

"It's totally disrespectful of me as a citizen."

Service New Brunswick insiders who spoke to CBC News on the condition of anonymity say the origins of the tax scandal are in a decision made last year to fast track implementation of a new automated assessment system.

The system uses sophisticated aerial photography analysis — pictometry — and has a solid international reputation. But those familiar with what happened say it had not been properly field tested to give managers some experience in how to operate it or see how it would handle the peculiarities of New Brunswick.

"It was a runaway train in a live testing environment," said one person. "Fast track had no time for quality, only revenue. It was unstoppable even amidst major warning signs regularly communicated by staffers."

The original plan, according to multiple sources was to introduce pictometry slowly over two or three years. That would allow time to see how it valued properties differently than traditional methods and tweak it where necessary.

"Do systems [old and new] in parallel and check back and forth," said a source about how the original plan to ease the new system into place was supposed to work.

Cautious approach, abandoned

Service New Brunswick made up $61,690 in renovation costs to this house on Beach Road in Saint John to justify a 36 per cent property tax increase.

But insiders say that cautious approach was abandoned last year with the encouragement of the Premier's Office, which liked the idea of automating assessment and saw no need to implement it slowly.

"They pushed the modernization from a three year plan to a one year plan — less than a one year plan. It was a disaster from the beginning."

On Friday, Premier Gallant appeared to confirm he was aware of the push to implement the new assessment system quickly, but said he knew nothing of the fabricated renovation scandal that insiders say rapid deployment eventually produced.

"My understanding is that there was talk if this should be done over two years or one year and I believe that the one year was more preferable by many," said Gallant.

"With that said there is no way that I would have accepted that they [Service New Brunswick] would say well we're going to hastily evaluate these properties using our own little formula."

In part, the popularity of the new assessment system was a belief it could unearth properties around the province that were significantly undervalued. Backers of the system predicted it would generate higher revenues for municipalities and the province without the need for property tax increases.

Early testing of the system in Moncton, back in 2015, seemed to confirm that, when house sizes began coming in larger than expected.

"Everyone patted themselves on the back because they could now raise assessments 10 or 20 per cent across the board and look like heroes," said one person familiar with that early Moncton test. "They actually believed that was what was happening."

It was eventually discovered the houses were no bigger, the new system was simply measuring them differently. It was calculating square footage from roof line dimensions including overhanging eaves - not actual living areas inside the homes — making houses seem suddenly larger.

Error not detected

That error was not detected for some time, but by then the idea of deploying the system widely in greater Moncton, greater Saint John, greater Fredericton and other smaller communities was already in full bloom.

Internally, however, there was conflict in the department. Some senior managers on the modernization team are said to have pushed against the sudden switch — but were losing those arguments.

As results of the new assessment system began to be checked for accuracy last fall, the problem of inflated house sizes generated by the new roof top measurement system emerged.

Fixing the problem threatened to lower property tax revenues to municipalities. But they already had amounts they were to receive in 2017 guaranteed by the province, meaning it was the one on the hook for any revenue shortfall.

'[It was] a plan of action. A thought out deliberate decision by head office to add in large values for [renovations] without checking if there actually was any.' - Official

"They were searching for revenue because they weren't going to meet those targets they promised the cities," said one source

It's in that environment that senior managers decided to manipulate the tax bills for 2,048 homeowners who the new assessment system had flagged as requiring the largest assessment increases.

The homes had all been pegged to have their assessments raised above 20 per cent and that would have generated a large tax increase to help meet revenue targets.

The problem was a consumer protection law that limits property tax increases in New Brunswick to 10 per cent per year, unless there have been "major" renovations to a home.

By declaring all of the homes to have been renovated without knowing if they had been or not – even fabricating exact amounts for how much they had been renovated — the management team managed to evade the 10 per cent tax increase limit meant to protect homeowners like Jill Jollineau.

"[It was] a plan of action. A thought out, deliberate decision by head office to add in large values for [renovations] without checking if there actually was any," said one official.

"[But] all errors, mistakes, cover ups, poor results and bad decisions are all fast track related."

Jollineau says she does not accept her 52 per cent assessment increase on her small home as accurate and has appealed, but is appalled the province falsified a renovation amount on her home to deny her right to a 10 per cent increase cap on her property tax bill.

"I am amazed that this has even happened," said Jollineau.

'I sincerely apologize to all New Brunswickers': Assessment mess prompts overhaul

Premier Brian Gallant promises to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business

By Elizabeth Fraser, CBC News Posted: Apr 03, 2017 8:29 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant blamed Service New Brunswick employees for what he called 'a very troubling and very disappointing' situation revealed by CBC News. (CBC News)

Premier Brian Gallant apologized for the property assessment fiasco on Monday and promised to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business.

The government plans to turn property assessments over to an independent agency, Gallant said Monday at a news conference.

The province also tapped a retired Court of Appeal judge to lead an independent review of the property assessment process.

A lot of property owners and the New Brunswick Legislature have been in an uproar over revelations that more than 2,000 property assessments were based on "invented" renovations.

But Gallant stressed several times that a preliminary review of property assessments has found an "arbitrary formula" used to help with the estimation of property values this year was also used in 2011.

"There was clearly a failure of process and communication within Service New Brunswick, and that is why we will be having an independent review to ensure we learn exactly what happened and it can be corrected in the setup of the new independent assessment agency," said Gallant told reporters in Moncton.

Meanwhile, Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty apologized to those affected by the scheme that saw the province invent expensive renovations for houses.

"All New Brunswickers need to have confidence in the quality, the accuracy and the transparency of the property tax assessment process," he said.

"I sincerely apologize to all New Brunswickers.

"This is a very, very serious matter and as government we will do everything we can to rectify the situation."

2017 property assessment review

Gallant said an independent commissioner will lead the comprehensive review of all policies and procedures related to recent assessment processes, including the use of various technological aids.

The review, which will be overseen by Justice Joseph T. Robertson, a former judge of the Federal Appeal Court and a former justice of the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick, will look at assessment practices for the past seven years.

"What's really important is for us to admit as a government there was mistakes and there was mistakes for years," he said.

Gallant said there would be consequences in the review's findings, but it's too early to tell what those findings will be.

Why the New Brunswick government invented over $50 million in renovations

On Friday, Gallant said he only learned of the fictional renovations when the CBC contacted the government about them.

Doherty said that officials within Service New Brunswick noted that a number of properties with high assessment increases would not be able to undergo the full quality control procedures prior to the billing cycle.

In order to adjust the assessment values below the values generated with the assistance of a computer system, an "arbitrary" formula was used.

This resulted in bills that were significantly lower than what was produced by the computer system.

A news release said Service New Brunswick staff will be inspecting all of these properties again and issuing revised bills to all affected property owners.

"I regret all of the confusion caused by this and I apologize to New Brunswickers," said Doherty.
"It seems, however, that this is a long-running and systemic issue and our government will fix it."

Gallant said there is no deadline for New Brunswickers to report errors and for those errors to be corrected in their property assessments.

However, there is a legislative deadline of 30 days for New Brunswickers to submit a request for review of an assessment where no error has been made.

'It's a deception'

Earlier on Monday, Opposition Leader Blaine Higgs said all levels of government should have been made aware of the problems with the new automated assessment system.

"It's a deception," Higgs told Information Morning Fredericton on Monday morning.

"There's no way that a process of this type going forward would actually not be discussed through all levels of government … it would all be well-known."

Higgs called the made-up renovations "a major scandal for this government" and called on Doherty, to resign.
Calls for Doherty to speak

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs says Premier Brian Gallant will probably look for someone to blame for bungling property assessments, but it's the government that has failed. (Legislative Assembly)

Higgs said a minister is accountable for what goes on in his department and "if he's not on top of his files and not paying attention to this than that's a concern, that's a minister's role."

Higgs said Doherty should be held accountable regarding the miscalculations in property assessments.

"Ed [Doherty] needs to stand up and be accountable for this," said Higgs.

"It's concerning that he has not been able or allowed to answer one question in the legislature."

Higgs said this has been a problem since the beginning of March, which the province hoped would go away.

"[There were] 2,400 problems that were out there [and] were not identified in any way shape or form," he said.

"Then for the premier to say, 'I just found out last Friday,' that's not even acceptable, this has been known for three weeks."

'Invented renovations'

Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty has not answered questions about the problems with more than 2,000 property assessments. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

An internal Service New Brunswick email shows that officials invented renovations for 2,048 homes because they didn't have time to have assessors check whether the property owners had actually done them.

"The conditions in which it's put in place, the risks, the benefits, if all of that had been determined, the likelihood of this going forward would not have happened," said Higgs.

"Clearly the facts and the details were not considered important."

Each of the homes had assessment increases of more than 20 per cent, and because they were deemed to be renovated, a law that caps increases at 10 per cent didn't apply.

'The government has failed.' - PC Leader Blaine Higgs

Service New Brunswick adopted the new automated assessment system this year that uses aerial photography to look for major renovations, but results came too late to be double-checked by human assessors.

In March, Service New Brunswick released a statement that acknowledged the significant number of "miscalculations" and apologized to property owners for the inconvenience.

As a result, Higgs said, the province was trying to "diminish the issue."

Information Morning - Fredericton

Blaine Higgs - Property Assessments

00:00 15:27

The new system "should have gone through all levels of government and it should have been stopped," he said.

"The premier's now going to look for someone to blame. … I know how hard these people work [at Service New Brunswick], I know they would want to do due diligence on this process."

Higgs said an open investigation should take place and the province needs to take responsibility and apologize for how it dealt with taxpayers.

"The government has failed," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/brian-gallant-property-assessment-reforms-1.4053112

'We are going to fix it': Gallant vows changes to property assessment system

Ex-New Brunswick Appeal Court Justice Joseph T. Robertson will head a review of property assessment problems

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 03, 2017 2:58 PM AT

Premier Brian Gallant apologized for the property assessment problems at a news conference on Monday. (CBC)

Premier Brian Gallant announced sweeping changes Monday to the property tax assessment system in New Brunswick and an inquiry into past problems but appeared to dispute that a number of homeowners have been wrongly charged too much on their tax bills this year.

"There is clearly a problem and we are going to fix it," said Gallant, who held a joint news conference in Moncton with Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty.

Gallant said former New Brunswick Appeal Court Justice Joseph T. Robertson will head a "review of all policies and procedures related to recent assessment processes."

Regardless of what Robertson finds, the premier said a new agency will be set up apart from the provincial government to handle assessments in the future.

Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty also appeared at a news conference on Monday to explain the problems with property tax assessments. (CBC)

The moves follow revelations reported by CBC News that Service New Brunswick invented renovation amounts for 2,048 homeowners with large assessment increases this spring, allowing it to evade a legal 10 per cent cap on increases on the homes' property tax bills.

But Gallant appeared to dispute that happened.

"A journalist is saying that they used a 10 per cent cap and didn't use it appropriately and went over and that that was inappropriate," Gallant said. "It's not."

"The 10 per cent cap is supposed to be for a property that does not have new construction, so the minute these properties had new construction or it seemed they had new construction based on the computer assessment the 10 per cent cap no longer applied."

CBC News has documented several homes that were deemed by Service New Brunswick to have undergone expensive renovations, even though they hadn't, and had their property tax bills jump well beyond the 10 per cent legal limit because of it.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/premier-brian-gallant-property-tax-1.4054226

Political scientist calls Gallant's review of property assessment form of 'damage control'

Premier Brian Gallant has promised to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business

By Elizabeth Fraser, CBC News Posted: Apr 04, 2017 8:01 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant said there was a "real breakdown in process" that allowed for the property assessment problems to happen in the province. CBC News uncovered that more than 2,000 property assessments were based on "invented" renovations. (CBC)

Premier Brian Gallant says his government had a breakdown in decision-making and communications when its property assessment system went wrong, and he has promised a new commission will help uncover the root of the problems.

Property owners and the New Brunswick Legislature have been gripped by revelations that more than 2,000 property assessments were based on "invented" renovations.

"It demonstrates that we've had a real breakdown in process, a real breakdown in decision-making, a real breakdown with communication within government," Gallant said in an interview with Information Morning Moncton.

"There are thousands of people who work for government, we're in charge of the organization, we have to make sure it runs smoothly and we recognize that."

At a news conference on Monday, Gallant apologized for the property assessment fiasco, which he blamed on civil servants, and promised to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business.

'Troubling and disappointing'

Gallant stressed several times that a preliminary review of property assessments has found an "arbitrary formula" used to help with the estimation of property values this year was also used in 2011.

"I'm in no way saying it's OK they did that," said Gallant on Tuesday morning. "I've made it very clear it's troubling and dissapointing."

The government will turn property assessments over to an independent agency.

Gallant also announced the government has asked a retired Court of Appeal judge to lead an independent review of the property assessment process.

Gallant said about 100,000 property assessments were done using the new technology.

"We don't know all the information and that's why the commission is so important," said Gallant.

"People will have to be held accountable for their actions. This keeps unravelling."

But Gallant backed up Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty, saying he believed Doherty didn't know what was happening in his department.

"He has an impeccable record of credibility and integrity," Gallant said. "We take him at his word he had no idea about this."

Damage control

Erin Crandall, a political scientist at Acadia University, said Gallant's call for a review of the 2017 property tax assessments isn't surprising.

It falls under "Public policy 101," when a government hopes to make the problem disappear, Crandall said.
"It's certainly damage control," she said.

Typically, she said, when big institutional changes happen within government, one of two events has commonly occurred: either an opposition party has gained power, or the party in power is grappling with a political scandal or other big external factor beyond its control.

Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty is facing calls for his resignation in light of the property assessment controversy. (CBC)

"They have to react to it because there will be moments where they're concerned about their political security," she said. "Is this something that could mean we won't win the next election?'"

She said the property tax scandal has forced the Gallant Liberals to move immediately and make big changes to say, "Yes, this was a mistake, this is how we're changing it, and let's stop talking about it."

But she said the political damage has already been done because of the nature of the scandal and it won't go away easily.

"When you have a situation like this where … there are 2,000 people and it cost each of these people this amount of money … that's very compelling," she said. "It's something where all people who own property receive these assessments, so it can become very personal."

'Minister should be held accountable'

Crandall said it's quite common for opposition parties to call for a minister's resignation, as Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs has done in the case of Doherty.

And in the Canadian system, a minister should be held accountable when things occur within government, she said.

"Where does the buck stop? It's supposed to stop with the minister."

'People might say, 'If you didn't know, you should've known, and the fact that you didn't know is a problem in it of itself.'' - Erin Crandall, political scientist

But today, especially at the provincial level, it's likely a minister would only resign because of a personal scandal.

"Departments have become big and complex and you can't necessarily expect a minister to know everything," she said.

"On the other hand, if we let this convention become inactive, when we ask the question, 'Who's being held accountable? The lines become much more blurred and this direct mechanism of accountability doesn't work anymore."

Crandall also said a minister employed by the people of New Brunswick should know everything going on.

"People might say, 'If you didn't know, you should've known, and the fact that you didn't know is a problem in it of itself.'"

Blame game: Liberals often point to civil servants in times of trouble

Parliamentary tradition of ministerial responsibility has eroded in recent decades, says professor

By Jacques Poitras, CBC News Posted: Apr 04, 2017 6:00 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant says a new agency will be set up apart from the provincial government to handle property tax assessments. (CBC)

Premier Brian Gallant's response to his government's property assessment scandal is in some ways remarkable — and in other ways completely consistent.

The premier said on Friday he and other elected officials were in the dark about made-up renovations by Service New Brunswick that boosted assessment values.

Again Monday, he attributed the assessment fiasco to "a failure of process and communication within Service New Brunswick."

It's not the first time Gallant or his Liberal ministers have blamed unnamed staffers and civil servants for some of the biggest controversies of their time in office.

Carleton University professor Philippe Lagassé says the tradition of ministerial responsibility has eroded in recent decades, especially at the provincial level in Canada. (Courtesy of Philippe Lagassé)

And it's a break with the tradition of ministerial responsibility in the British parliamentary system of government, according to Carleton University political scientist Philippe Lagassé.

A civil servant "isn't accountable to the legislature and is not in a position to answer questions," Lagassé said.
Ministers "are responsible and accountable for the affairs of their department," he said. "If they held the office during the period when a problem occurred, they are blameworthy for the incident.

"It doesn't mean they can't say that a civil servant or an official or a staffer was the cause of it, but it doesn't change the fact that they are the ones ultimately who have to account and answer for it."

Property tax scandal leads to PC call for ministers to resign

Campaign tax promise

The tendency to deflect appeared even before Gallant was premier. During the 2014 election, he said confusion over one of his tax promises was because "there was a staffer who was working till about 4 a.m. giving us the numbers."

In that case, Gallant also said he would "take full responsibility."

Since then, the premier and his ministers have pointed the finger elsewhere several times:

Wayne Grant posting

Commissionaire Wayne Grant said his hours were cut back after the province received a language complaint when he was working at Chancery Place. (CBC)

When Wayne Grant, a unilingual commissionaire, was temporarily posted to the front desk of Chancery Place — where bilingualism is required — in November 2015, Gallant said the decision came from his employer, the Corps of Commissionaires.

"It's a third party that's been contracted to do the human resources activities for that," he said. "It's not government and I think it's important to point that out."

The Corps later told CBC News "the client was consulted" and knew a unilingual commissionaire would be posted to Chancery.

Unilingual commissionaire's posting was known to government, documents show

Weakening the Inquiries Act

When the Liberals withdrew two unpopular bills in April 2016 to weaken the Inquiries Act and the powers of the auditor general, Attorney General Serge Rousselle said the civil service had been working on the legislation for a decade.

"There was no emergency, and there's still no emergency," he said. "We've survived for 100 and so many years with the old one, so we'll just continue with it."

Lagassé called that "just ridiculous."

"If they tabled it, they're responsible for it. End of story. You can't blame civil servants, who have no power to table legislation, for legislation."

Financing Bas-Caraquet shipyard

Victor Boudreau said the Gallant government went ahead with funding for the Bas-Caraquet shipyard because ministers weren't given an accurate briefing about the a financing plan. (CBC)

In April 2016, cabinet minister Victor Boudreau said the Gallant cabinet went ahead with funding because ministers weren't given an accurate briefing about who was on the hook to provide $13 million in financing.
"Government made a decision based on that," he said, "and with time that's gone on, and as we've looked into this file, we've come to the realization that not all of this information was part of the package that was presented to us as a new government."

Lagassé said that deflection was a problem because "there's no way for us to verify that." Boudreau wouldn't identify who prepared the briefing materials.

Lagassé also said it's a minister's job to make sure he or she is given correct information.

"If they weren't, they still, in that case, have to own up to their ignorance and not shift the blame to somebody else."

Liberals were given inaccurate picture of shipyard deal, Boudreau says

Water testing at Parlee Beach

Environment Minister Serge Rousselle said mistakes by staff led to water-quality results that underestimated the risk to public health. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Earlier this year, Rousselle, who is also the environment minister, said "there was effectively a mistake done" by staff at Parlee Beach that led to water-quality results that underestimated the risk to public health.

"There was no … order to change the system," he said. "It is just that somebody by mistake did change the system." No further details have been provided to date.

Rousselle has also blamed errors by his department for a walking trail that was built through several waterways without a required permit.

Minister promises new Parlee beach water-quality regime after public misinformed

Bigger problem in provinces

Lagassé said the tradition of ministerial responsibility has eroded in recent decades, and has always been "much more slippery" at the provincial level than in Ottawa.

As governments become larger and more complex, it's harder for ministers to keep tabs on huge amounts of information, he said.

"It's a bit of natural reaction on their part to get frustrated and say 'I didn't make these decisions,'" he said.
But he said minister responsibility is still essential to a properly functioning democracy.

"There's no getting around the fact that constitutionally, we have to preserve the concept. Otherwise we end up in an untenable situation where ministers are shirking their responsibilities and attempting to lay it on actors who can't be held to account directly."

PC Leader Blaine Higgs says 'leadership takes ownership' and doesn't blame others for problems. (Legislative Assembly)

The pattern has frustrated the Progressive Conservative opposition.

"Leadership takes ownership," PC Leader Blaine Higgs said Friday. "You don't blame someone else for your shortcomings. You deal with it."

Asked about the tradition of ministerial responsibility on Friday, Gallant said it's important, "but in this case I think it's very important that we find out what happened … before we start pointing fingers and before we start going after people.

"What is clear, and we're certainly not hiding that, is we weren't aware of all the facts."

Premier's office gave go-ahead to fast track new assessment system

Brian Gallant's chief of staff says Service New Brunswick suggested it would be ready for this year

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 05, 2017 7:03 AM AT

Premier Brian Gallant's office acknowledged it gave the go-ahead to fast track a new property assessment system, but only after Service New Brunswick said it would be ready. (CBC News)

Premier Brian Gallant's office is acknowledging it gave the final go ahead for a fast track adoption of a new trouble-plagued property assessment system, but denies pressuring Service New Brunswick to speed up the project.

"They [Service New Brunswick] suggested they could do it in one year," said Jordan O'Brien, the premier's chief of staff, in an interview with CBC News.

"We asked them to do their due diligence to make sure that was responsible. They provided it. We said, 'OK you know your business, manage your business.'"

Service New Brunswick [SNB] had a three-year plan to gradually introduce a new digital property assessment system — called pictometry — to triple, perhaps quadruple the number of properties it can evaluate each year.

Service New Brunswick made up $61,690 in renovation costs to this house on Beach Road in Saint John to justify a 36 per cent property tax increase.

The system utilizes aerial photography, computer analysis and sophisticated mathematics to calculate property values rapidly, but ran into several problems when Service New Brunswick abandoned the three-year roll out in favour of switching to the new system in less than one year.

'Fast Track' system

SNB called it, "Fast Track."

"It was a runaway train in a live testing environment," said one Service New Brunswick insider on condition of anonymity.

"Fast Track had no time for quality, only revenue. It was unstoppable even amidst major warning signs regularly communicated by staffers."

The system produced some unusual results that were sometimes misinterpreted by SNB employees unfamiliar with the new system.

Problems escalated, culminating with 2,048 homeowners having their property tax bills manipulated by SNB managers who invented renovation amounts to justify large property tax increases.

Insider: Fast Track to blame

"All errors, mistakes, cover-ups, poor results and bad decisions are all Fast Track-related," said one inside source.

SNB insiders blame the premier's office for imposing Fast Track on the agency because the new system promised new revenues by unearthing undervalued properties.

Susie Proulx-Daigle of the New Brunswick Union accused the government of causing the mess. (cbc)

Tuesday the union representing assessors who work for SNB openly accused the government of causing the mess.

"It came from the politicians," said New Brunswick Union President Susie Proulx-Daigle. "It was supposed to take three years to implement this new program and they decide to fast track it and that came from high above. That's what I've been told."

But O'Brien strongly disputes that.

"They had an option to accelerate it and the premier had me ask them questions on his behalf about whether that was responsible and whether it made sense and they provided some evidence that suggested it was," said O'Brien

"We didn't say, 'No, don't do it in one year,' but we also didn't say, 'Rush ahead and do it in one year.'"

'There's mistakes all over the place': New aerial assessment system proving to be unreliable

Service New Brunswick officials says automated aerial system has created 'thousands' of mistakes

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 05, 2017 7:30 AM AT

Keith Greenhalgh's Saint John home was inaccurately assessed, and a review resulted in a $41,100 correction in his favour. (CBC)

Reviews of 2,048 houses that had their assessments rigged by Service New Brunswick to produce large tax increases for homeowners are turning up another, potentially more serious problem: the accuracy of the assessments themselves.

Service New Brunswick personnel have been slowly sorting through homes caught up in the ongoing property tax scandal and have already discovered errors in property valuations so large it's raising questions about the accuracy of the province's new automated assessment system.

Keith Greenhalgh's east Saint John home is among those affected. Following his complaint, a human review of the automated aerial assessment done on his property — known as pictometry — resulted in a $41,100 correction in his favour.

"It's just astounding," said Greenhalgh of the difference between the automated and human assessments of his property.

"There's no justification for it. The human element has to be present. I don't see how they can base it just from pictometry, from an aerial view."

To date, the property tax controversy has revolved around the way provincial assessment managers bypassed a legal limit of 10 per cent on property tax increases by fabricating renovation amounts on homes they knew were in line for large assessment jumps.

If a home has undergone "major" improvements, the 10 per cent limit on property tax increases can be exceeded.

In Greenhalgh's case, his assessment was slated to increase 21 per cent, so Service New Brunswick made up $17,730 in renovation costs on his home and raised his tax bill 21 per cent as well.

Human assessor spots errors

Five homes on Saint John's Beach Road got hit by the property tax controversy. (CBC)

But the assessment increase itself was deeply flawed and dissolved as soon as a human assessor reviewed it.

"The gentleman I spoke to looked at the [neighbourhood] sales figures and the house and it jumped out at him. It was obvious to him it was clearly an error," said Greenhalgh, who eventually ended up with a 4.6 per cent assessment decrease.

As of last week, just over 220 of the homes caught up in the scandal had been reviewed, but problems with the accuracy of the automated assessments has persisted.

On Saint John's Beach Road, five homes were hit by the controversy.

One house at 16 Beach Rd. had a 48 per cent assessment and tax increase imposed by use of the automated system and fabricated renovations, but that was wiped out completely following a review.

The difference between the automated and the human assessments was $79,400 on a $164,000 home.

Around the corner, a house at 21 Crowley Road had its assessment increase cut by $52,300 following a human review. Across the city, a home on Wallace Court had its increase rolled back $71,200, and a house on Sand Cove Road got a $53,400 reduction.

Accuracy of aerial system questioned

Brian Lynch's Beach Road home (right) and his neighbour's home (left) were both hit with assessment increases of more than $80,000. They are waiting for reviews by human assessors. (CBC)

Errors discovered so far in the 2,048 properties hit with big tax increases have been so large it raises questions about the quality of all 100,000 assessments done with the new aerial technology.

The new system was used mostly in the greater Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton areas and in nearby towns like Hampton, Sackville and Woodstock.

Northern areas and most rural communities were assessed using traditional methods and have reported few problems.

But insiders fear errors may be widespread and only beginning to surface in areas surveyed with pictometry.
"This is way bigger than 2,000 properties," said one SNB official on the condition of anonymity.

"There's mistakes all over the place. There's thousands of them."

Premier Brian Gallant apologized for the property assessment problems at a news conference on Monday. (CBC)

On Moncton's Information Morning Tuesday, Premier Brian Gallant said he's not ruling out more problems being discovered.

"One of the issues we have is that this keeps unravelling," said Gallant.

"One of the things that has been clear throughout this process is we don't know all the information."

Brian Lynch lives in one of four homes on Beach Road that is still waiting for a review.

Service NB fabricated $61,690 in renovations to his home and increased his tax bill 36 per cent.

Although he believes the amounts will eventually be erased, he's appalled about being caught in the mess.
"I'm just astounded," said Lynch.

"It's like losing the lottery."

'It blows my mind': New Maryland newlyweds saw home assessment double

1 year after buying house for $170K couple sees assessment by Service New Brunswick soar to $347K

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2017 7:30 AM AT

New Maryland newlyweds Julie MacLean and Mark Robinson were shocked to get a property tax bill that more than doubled the assessment on the home they bought in April 2016, pushing its assessed value to $347,000. The assessment has since been reduced to $169,200. (Jordan & Judith Photo)

Service New Brunswick has made a lot of mistakes in its property assessments this year but few as large as the $177,800 clunker it dropped on newlyweds Julie MacLean and Mark Robinson.

"We were shocked," said MacLean. "We weren't sure what we were going to do. We couldn't afford it."

'We weren't sure what we were going to do. We couldn't afford it.' - Julie MacLean, home owner

Following a review this week, Service New Brunswick [SNB] has given the couple's New Maryland home outside of Fredericton a value of $169,200, less than half the $347,000 assessment they received in the mail four weeks ago.

The couple paid $170,000 for the home last April after it sat empty and unsold for more than two years.
It perfectly fit their needs.

"We're first-time homeowners," said MacLean. "We are living on a very tight budget. We watch our money very carefully."

Assessment doubled

Julie MacLean and Mark Robinson's initial tax bill on this home for 2017 was $1,300 above the increase legally allowed for a single year.

When the first assessment arrived it was more than double what the two had paid for the house. Even worse, SNB had raised the tax bill $1,300 beyond the legal limit of the 10 per cent increase allowed for a single year on properties where no renovations had been made.

It all threatened the couple's carefully planned finances.

"We had just got home from putting a down payment on a used car and we got the assessment," said MacLean.

"The timing made it so much worse and we were not sure at all what we were going to do. We couldn't afford it. It was definitely very stressful."

MacLean said she was getting nowhere trying to have her concerns addressed by SNB until revelations emerged last week about widespread problems with assessments this year.

"It blows my mind that they thought they could get away with it and that it happened in the first place. It's such a large number of people to be affected in such a massive way," said MacLean.

"I'm glad there was a whistleblower and it was brought to light."

Liberals acting busy, but not much news in announcements

Tories say announcement blitz is distraction from tax assessment mess

By Jacques Poitras, CBC News Posted: Apr 07, 2017 7:00 AM AT

Carleton-Victoria Liberal MLA Andy Harvey speaks to the media Thursday in Perth-Andover. (CBC)

It's been a busy week for Liberal cabinet ministers and MLAs, strafing the province with a series of what they call "announcements" and what their opponents believe are a flood of distractions.

Maybe that explains Regional Development Corporation Minister Donald Arseneault's confusion Thursday morning as he stood by the banks of the St. John River in picturesque Perth-Andover.

"It's a pleasure for me to be here this morning in Plaster Rock," he told a group of local residents.

They and several reporters from Fredericton and elsewhere had gathered at the local library for what was billed as "an announcement regarding flood adaptation."

That announcement? The Liberal government was "considering" the recommendations of an engineering report for the village of Perth-Andover on what should be done to avoid another catastrophic flood like the one that happened in March, 2012.

An engineering report recommends a $71.9 million series of projects that includes relocating the downtown to a new location in order to avoid a repetition of the disastrous flood of 2012.

The report recommends a series of projects — worth $71.9 million — that includes relocating the downtown to a new location south of the existing river bridge, with a higher elevation to avoid flooding, and a replacement bridge.

The government is "evaluating" the report, Arseneault announced.

December 2016 report

Except that evaluation didn't start Thursday, or even this week, or even this year.

The province has had the report since December, Carleton-Victoria Liberal MLA Andy Harvey acknowledged to reporters, and "we've been working on it internally as a government" since then.

The report itself wasn't news either; another media organization reported on it two weeks ago, and local citizens who gathered for the government event were familiar with its contents. The document is posted on the village website.

Announcements seem rushed

It was just one of several government announcements this week that were either repetitive or lacking in substance or detail.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Victor Boudreau announced Medicare will cover the cost of the so-called abortion pill for women. But the news felt rushed; women won't have to pay at pharmacies, but Boudreau wasn't sure how pharmacies will bill the province.

"We'll work out those details, obviously," he said.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser announced a tender had been issued for the paving of 2.8 kilometres of Route 10 near Chipman — a project that had already been announced in this year's capital budget.

The flurry of activity coincided with the Gallant Liberals facing what may be their toughest political controversy yet: The revelation that this year's property assessments included more than 2,000 increases based on invented renovations.

PCs call it distraction

The opposition Progressive Conservatives have taken to social media to accuse the government of orchestrating the flood of news to distract from the scandal.

Seniors' home owner Jennifer Eagan thinks the Liberal government will come through on promises for Perth-Andover, despite nothing concrete being offered at Thursday's announcement. (CBC)

Many of the events had other political benefits. Harvey won Carleton-Victoria for the Liberals by just 83 votes in 2014, and Arseneault made sure he praised the rookie MLA for relentlessly pushing the government to act.

"This is a top-of-mind issue, a priority issue for him," Arseneault said.

Except Harvey still had no firm funding to show for that work. "We just wanted to outline where we are," Harvey said.

Some of the news this week was substantively important. Environment Minister Serge Rousselle announced that a new water testing protocol will be in place at Parlee Beach this summer, a wholesale adoption of federal guidelines to address flawed tests last year.

Little concrete to offer

But in many cases, Liberals struggled to make the case that they were announcing anything concrete.
Harvey said the province would be ready to fund the Perth-Andover flood adaptation projects "at some point" once the community bought in and Ottawa agreed to contribute.

"Some days it seems like you're not making progress but sometimes you've got to step back and do the work that needs to be done so when you're ready to go, you've got a plan," he said.

Jennifer Eagan, who owns a seniors' home on the flood plain, took the Liberals at their word, even if there was no firm timeline for work to start and no money budgeted.

"I didn't exactly hear that today but I think the intention is there and I think they mean what they say," she said.

Perth-Andover mayor Marianne Bell said the Liberal government committed in private to finding money soon to move the community's downtown off the flood plain. (CBC)

Marianne Bell said the Liberals committed in a private meeting to finding the money "soon" and of doing all the work over six years, with completion in 2023.

"I think when there's a date, it makes us feel like they really will put the pieces in place to move forward," she said.

The previous PC government provided money to help residents move out of the flood zone, but business owners in the village still face uncertainty every spring as they watch river levels and wonder if they'll be flooded.

"The businesses have been in limbo for five years and they may feel that they've heard this sort of promise before," Bell said. "I'm not exactly sure."

Harvey seemed to sum up the week-long Liberal announcement blitz at one point during the news conference when he acknowledged he had nothing firm to offer yet.

"Words are words," he said.

Charity paves driveway for boy, then his family's property assessment soars $50,900

Family is appealing property tax bill that jumped 25%, but SNB is still requiring full amount to be paid

By Robert Jones, CBC News Posted: Apr 07, 2017 12:09 PM AT

Ryder McIntyre smiles from the newly paved driveway that caused his parents' property assessment to skyrocket and their tax bill to increase by 25 per cent. Service New Brunswick is reviewing the file, but the McIntyres must still pay the higher tax bill until a decision on changes is made. (Submitted)

Seven-year-old Ryder McIntyre of Quispamsis has cerebral palsy and was thrilled when a road crew showed up at his house last summer and paved his family's gravel driveway for free so he could finally move around and play in his own yard.

"It's great," said Ryder's father, Tyler McIntyre.

"He can play on a flat space — not on the road and he can use his adaptive bicycle. It's a lot easier for him."

Ryder was beaming when he posed for a picture on the new driveway after it was finished, but those good feelings dimmed last month when the family got caught up in the province's continuing property assessment scandal.

As neighbours around them got assessment decreases, the McIntyres were notified of a $50,900 increase in their property assessment and a 25 per cent increase in their tax bill.

"We were kind of anticipating a potential increase because of the driveway," said McIntyre.

"But everyone at my work was getting their tax assessment, and they were all dropping and I excitedly messaged my wife to see if ours was dropping, and she messaged me back that it went up by 50-plus thousand dollars and we owe $700 more this year in taxes."

Charity paved driveway for Ryder

Ryder, 7, poses with the letter from President's Choice Children's Charity announcing it would pay to pave the driveway so Ryder could get around more. (Submitted)

McIntyre's home is one of the 2,048 homes that had their assessments rigged by Service New Brunswick to generate big tax increases.

Although the driveway cost $8,500, Service New Brunswick did not check those details and instead fabricated $30,410 in renovation costs on the McIntyre home to go along with another $20,490 in market value increases to justify the $50,900 assessment jump.

"I don't feel like I've been mistreated on purpose," McIntyre said.

"At first I thought someone struck a wrong key on their computer and this should get fixed, no problem But the more I read and listen to it, the larger it's getting."

The McIntyres' new driveway was paid for by President's Choice Children's Charity after Ryder's physiotherapist encouraged the couple to make an application.

The gravel driveway was interfering with his ability to do simple things on his own, and the request was quickly funded.

"When it got wet it would get a little soupy and he would have a hard time moving around on it," McIntyre said. "We asked to have a driveway so he would be able to go from the stairs of our house to the bus independently with his wheelchair or walker."

The family has challenged the increase and received a notice that the case will be reviewed. The couple were also told they must pay the higher tax bill until informed otherwise.

Pack of German shepherds looking for home after owner's death

Family of 7 German shepherds were left homeless after owner's sudden death, 3 dogs living at Fredericton SPCA

By Shane Fowler, CBC News Posted: Mar 31, 2017 9:15 AM AT

Three big, friendly — but slobbery dogs, are all that's left from a family of seven German shepherds who lost their owner earlier this year.

Brutus,3, Ace,5, Loki,7, are part of a family that was left to fend for themselves following the sudden death of their owner, a farmer in Stanley.

"He took real good care of them," said Lynn Walker, a supervisor at the Fredericton SPCA. "But you could tell that they missed him."

Following the death of their owner, the SPCA was called to collect the animals off the farm.

Lynn Walker is helping take care of Ace, Brutus and Loki, three German shepherds from the same family looking for a new home after the death of their former owner. (CBC)

"Some weren't too comfortable with strangers," said Walker. "Ace when we found him, he wouldn't come out from underneath the barn floor. We had to lure him out with moose meat."

New beginnings

Back home on the farm, Walker says the dogs were rarely inside.

But these days, the three German shepherds are comfortable indoors, loyally following staff around the shelter. The dogs are getting used to strangers as well.

'They'd be couch potatoes if you let them.' -Lynn Walker

In the past, the dogs also didn't have a lot of access to animal toys. But earlier this week, Loki was showcasing his ability to fetch for the first time, despite having a birth defect in his back legs that causes him to run with a pigeon-toe, where his feet are pointed inwards.

"They love cats," said Walker. "They're used to barn cats, so they love them."

Walker says she realizes the family has been split up in order to be adopted, but the pets are adjusting to their new lives.

"The Oromocto SPCA got three, and they've been adopted, and we got three," said Walker. "And there was one that was old and sick and needed to be euthanized."

Brutus and Loki share kisses as the two enjoy some late March sunshine at the Fredericton SPCA. (CBC)

Walker is proud of their progress and believes they will make great pets for future families.

"They might need a little warming up," said Walker. "They'd be couch potatoes if you let them."

Tuesday, 4 April 2017

CBC, the Conservatives, the Liebranos and the Taxman do go on and on and on with their BULLSHIT N'esy Pas?

Ex-judge's detailed mission for property assessment review remains guarded

Premier pushed to speed up tax assessment changes, document says

Property tax scandal underscores importance of whistleblower law, ombud says

'Fast track wouldn't exist without the premier': Assessment controversy continues

Why the New Brunswick government invented over $50M in renovations

Charity paves driveway for boy, then his family's property assessment soars $50,900

Liberals acting busy, but not much news in announcements

'It blows my mind': New Maryland newlyweds saw home assessment double

1 year after buying house for $170K couple sees assessment by Service New Brunswick soar to $347K

'I sincerely apologize to all New Brunswickers': Assessment mess prompts overhaul

'We are going to fix it': Gallant vows changes to property assessment system

Blame game: Liberals often point to civil servants in times of trouble

Premier's office gave go-ahead to fast track new assessment system

'There's mistakes all over the place': New aerial assessment system proving to be unreliable

Property tax scandal underscores importance of whistleblower law, ombud says

5-year-old Public Interest Disclosure Act takes on new importance, says Charles Murray

Only 'a handful' each year

Favours stronger law

Ex-judge's detailed mission for property assessment review remains guarded

Full terms of reference for Justice Joseph Robertson haven't been made public in 10 days since announcement

No further information

Premier pushed to speed up tax assessment changes, document says

Internal communications in Service New Brunswick contradict position of Brian Gallant and his office

No comment from SNB

2,048 property problems

Insiders blame sudden switch

Service New Brunswick document

'Fast track wouldn't exist without the premier': Assessment controversy continues

Service New Brunswick employees say they were told to 'fast track' property assessment system in PowerPoint

A switch to 'fast track'

Government announces new system

'It may go into fraud': Higgs says inquiry may not be enough after property tax mess

Liberals back out of regular political panel in wake of property-tax shocks

'On the backs of civil servants'

Power structure not complex

Why the New Brunswick government invented over $50M in renovations

Insiders say Premier's Office encouraged fast track of new automated assessment

Cautious approach, abandoned

Error not detected

'I sincerely apologize to all New Brunswickers': Assessment mess prompts overhaul

Premier Brian Gallant promises to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business

2017 property assessment review

'It's a deception'

'Invented renovations'

'We are going to fix it': Gallant vows changes to property assessment system

Ex-New Brunswick Appeal Court Justice Joseph T. Robertson will head a review of property assessment problems

Political scientist calls Gallant's review of property assessment form of 'damage control'

Premier Brian Gallant has promised to get the provincial government out of the property assessment business

'Troubling and disappointing'

Damage control

'Minister should be held accountable'

Blame game: Liberals often point to civil servants in times of trouble

Parliamentary tradition of ministerial responsibility has eroded in recent decades, says professor

Campaign tax promise

Wayne Grant posting

Weakening the Inquiries Act

Financing Bas-Caraquet shipyard

Water testing at Parlee Beach

Bigger problem in provinces

Premier's office gave go-ahead to fast track new assessment system

Brian Gallant's chief of staff says Service New Brunswick suggested it would be ready for this year

'Fast Track' system

Insider: Fast Track to blame

'There's mistakes all over the place': New aerial assessment system proving to be unreliable

Service New Brunswick officials says automated aerial system has created 'thousands' of mistakes

Human assessor spots errors

Accuracy of aerial system questioned

'It blows my mind': New Maryland newlyweds saw home assessment double

1 year after buying house for $170K couple sees assessment by Service New Brunswick soar to $347K

Assessment doubled

Liberals acting busy, but not much news in announcements

Tories say announcement blitz is distraction from tax assessment mess

December 2016 report

Announcements seem rushed

PCs call it distraction

Little concrete to offer

Charity paves driveway for boy, then his family's property assessment soars $50,900

Family is appealing property tax bill that jumped 25%, but SNB is still requiring full amount to be paid