https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





David Raymond Amos‏ @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @Kathryn98967631 and 49 others 
Methinks many would agree that Chucky Leblanc's year end interview with his buddy Higgy was far more entertaining N'esy Pas? 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Himhpbd4NrE



https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/12/blaine-higgs-believes-better.html 



 #nbpoli #cdnpoli




https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/higgs-year-end-interview-1.5406596

Blaine Higgs believes better relationship with Justin Trudeau will benefit N.B.

Premier tackles abortion, federal-provincial relations and health-care funding in year-end interview

Harry Forestell · CBC News · Posted: Dec 23, 2019 6:00 PM AT



 
Premier Blaine Higgs shakes the hand of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in December. Higgs said in a year-end interview that he has a good relationship with the federal government. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Premier Blaine Higgs shows no signs of wearing down under the strain of managing a minority government.

In a pre-Christmas interview with CBC New Brunswick following the day's question period, Higgs appeared relaxed as he talked about a variety of topics.

The New Brunswick premier spoke about his new working relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his view on abortion availability in New Brunswick, how he'll use the federal windfall from an increase in equalization payments and the fallout from the dispute with nursing home workers.

Despite leading a minority government, Higgs projects a level of confidence and calm determination that suggests a "damn the torpedos, full speed ahead" attitude.

Here are the highlights of an wide-ranging interview with Higgs on Dec. 18 with CBC New Brunswick.

An improved relationship with Ottawa

Premier Blaine Higgs shows no signs of wearing down under the strain of managing a minority government. In a year-end interview with CBC News, he talked about federal-provincial relations, abortion and health-care spending. (CBC)

Higgs saw a federal election in October that left the Trudeau government reduced to a minority and the New Brunswick premier said he reached an inescapable conclusion.

Voters in the province elected Liberals in six out of 10 federal seats and Higgs reasoned support for the federal carbon tax policy was a key factor.

If that is how most New Brunswickers feel, then it's time for his government to start rowing in the same direction.

A better relationship with Ottawa will also benefit efforts to lift softwood lumber tariffs the United States has imposed on New Brunswick. That's something Trudeau and his deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland assured Higgs would be dealt with in the new year.

Watch Higgs talk about his relationship with Trudeau
 

Premier Blaine Higgs says he has a positive relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and he believes a better relationship will pay dividends for New Brunswick. 2:13

Higgs warns Trudeau on abortion debate

One sticking point for the new Higgs-Trudeau relationship may emerge in the area of abortion.

During the federal campaign, Trudeau made a point of coming to New Brunswick to visit a private abortion clinic in Fredericton and promise to force the province to fund the procedure in private clinics.

Higgs warned against such an effort for two reasons — he said there is no provision in the Canada Health Act for Trudeau to take such a step and, in any case, it isn't necessary.

As Higgs sees it, the availability of the abortion drug Mifegymiso has changed the debate on abortion services by making it easier for women to end a pregnancy without having to go to a public or private clinic.

Watch Higgs on the abortion debate
 

Premier Blaine Higgs has warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not to interfere with how the provincial government deals with the issue of abortion. 3:39

Higgs health solution

One of the most significant challenges to Higgs's fiscal conservatism has come from nursing home workers demanding higher wages.

The long running dispute has become a political battlefield that Higgs says he will not retreat from.

He refers to talks with the Canadian Union of Public Employees as "game-changing negotiations," and the premier is adamant that his "mark in the sand" will apply to other union negotiations in the future.

On the broader subject of health care, Higgs calls an increase in federal equalization payments "good news" that will help the province shoulder the burden of a rapidly aging population.


Watch Higgs on health funding




Premier Blaine Higgs says he's prepared to dig in when it comes to contract negotiations with unions. He is adamant that his 'mark in the sand' he gave CUPE will apply to other unions as well. 4:11

A new style of politics

One thing is certain, after his first year as premier, leading a minority government in a province assailed by economic headwinds, Higgs has learned a new style of governing.

It has forced a pragmatic man to be even more so.

He and other members of his Progressive Conservative government and his People's Alliance allies have had to be satisfied with, in his words, "a little more water in your soup."

Compromise and give-and-take have become key political ingredients.

The result?

Higgs isn't getting everything he wants or hoped for, but even he has to agree that minority government has given New Brunswick voters better results.


Watch Higgs describe handling a minority government
 

Premier Blaine Higgs has spent the last year learning how to manage a minority government. He says his government has given New Brunswick voters quality politics. 2:41

About the Author

Harry Forestell

Host CBC News New Brunswick at 6

Harry Forestell is the host of CBC News New Brunswick at 6. He worked in London as journalist from 1995 to 2000 and from 2005 to 2008 as CBC's European correspondent for Newsworld.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices| 

56 Comments

Commenting is now closed for this story.






SarahRose Werner
"Premier Blaine Higgs shows no signs of wearing down under the strain of managing a minority government." - I'm sure Trudeau was glad to hear it, seeing as how he too is now managing a minority government.

Ben Haroldson

Reply to @SarahRose Werner: They'll both be out before the end of 20.

SarahRose Werner

Reply to @Ben Haroldson: The federal Conservatives aren't choosing a new leader until November 2020. They won't dare push for an election before then. 2021, yeah, maybe.

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Methinks the Bloc will insure that Trudeau The Younger is in like Flynn for years just like the PANB will do for their buddy Higgy and his minions N'esy Pas?

Kyle Woodman
I'm sorry but Higgs is not a fiscal conservative. He is an austerity conservative. Jean Chretien was a fiscal conservative.


Ben Haroldson 

Reply to @Kyle Woodman: A what? explain that, please.

Steve Ryan

Reply to @Kyle Woodman:
You don't have to say sorry.

Kyle Woodman

Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Quite simply, a real fiscal conservative would right size government to save money whereas an austerity conservative just cuts money from programs while the bloated bureaucracy remains. https://business.financialpost.com/opinion/under-chretiens-liberals-government-was-reasonably-sized-now-look-how-big-its-gotten

Kyle Woodman

Reply to @Ben Haroldson: https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/plamondon-canadas-most-conservative-prime-minister-its-not-who-you-think

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @Kyle Woodman: Yea Right

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @Kyle Woodman: FYI My FBI Special Agent was David Woodman are you related to him?

Ben Haroldson
Yup, we haven't been punished for owning firearms here.


Steve Ryan 

Reply to @Ben Haroldson:
Not yet, but one day they will be coming for them. But just the legal guns.

Mac Isaac

Reply to @Steve Ryan: Oh just stuff your NRA bull pucks!

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @Steve Ryan: YUP

Roland Godin
Big smile, they seem to have agreed how they will share the administration fees, mostly used for political capital, to dance on each other’s projects, programmes and services...et voilà.


David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Roland Godin: Methinks thats par for the course N'esy Pas?

Fred Brewer
"Blaine Higgs believes better relationship with Justin Trudeau will benefit N.B."
No kidding. And Blaine is just figuring this out now? I don't know why some politicians believe an adversarial approach will reap any benefits. Annoying those above you in power is a sure fire way to make enemies and eliminate any chance of reaping benefits.


Lou Bell 

Reply to @Fred Brewer: Tell that to Trudeau !

Fred Brewer 

Reply to @Lou Bell: Why? What higher power does he have to deal with?

Shawala Gouk 

Reply to @Fred Brewer: Unfortunately Trudeau agrees with you.

Fred Brewer

Reply to @Shawala Gouk: Why is that unfortunate? It is a political strength to avoid creating adversarial relationships.

David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Fred Brewer: Yea Right

Shawala Gouk

Reply to @Fred Brewer: you think it's right that the PM requires worship at his feet ?

Mac Isaac
As a long time and pretty ardent L/liberal I find there are times since Mr. Higgs came to power that I actually support some things his government has done or accomplished. Of course there are also times when I don't agree at all. I simply find his sometimes pragmatic approach to be beneficial to those governed (that's us!) and surely that's a good thing. If there were more of this approach in politics, perhaps we wouldn't see renewal of western Canadian paranoia fueled by the governments of Premiers Kenny and Moe. Cooperation, consensus and compromise are three of the things for which our nation and its people have always been famous. Wouldn't it be great if we could see a renewal of this "Canadianism"?

Donald Gallant

Reply to @Mac Isaac:

It sure would be great.

Well said.

David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Donald Gallant: Methinks only a liberal would agree you dudes N'esy Pas?

John Pokiok
Of course he is going to be nice to Trudeau didn't he just went to speak to him about softwood deal. I'm sure he is taking direct order from his master Irving to smooth things with Trudeau as they need deal with softwood and Irving oil needs deal on carbon tax as they scrapped idea to lower their carbon emmisions this is why he is singing this tune now it's so see through.

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @John Pokiok: YUP

David Peters
The uni-party shows their true colors. Tax and spend. Spend, tax and regulate.


David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @David Peters: Cry me a river

Marc Goudreau
What is it we teach children every day of the week?.... play fair and be nice to each other, especially when the going gets tough. Nobody should need any convincing NB has some fairly difficult challenges, including our health and education system, job markets, a shrinking demographic.... and so forth. Higgs minority Gov't focus on Energy East and the fracking debate set the tone for Provincial/Federal relations and the uneasy relationship that followed but... thankfully political egos have given way to a more cordial expression of political realities for a little province who, having languished at the bottom of the "have not" heap for decades, has decided to play nice. Isn't that nice?

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @Marc Goudreau: Dream on

Matt Steele
Justin Trudeau seems to thrive on hate and division , and likes too constantly meddle in the affairs of the provinces . Trudeau will go down in the history books as the most divisive PM that Canada has ever had if he doesn't tear the country apart first .


David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Matt Steele: Methinks many would agree that his Papa Pierre has a secure hold on that title N'esy Pas?

Ben Haroldson
#0 % of voters would agree with that assessment.

Ben Haroldson

Reply to @Ben Haroldson: *30*

David Raymond Amos

Reply to @Ben Haroldson: Of Course 

 

Matthew Locke
The great little province of NB has been going down hill for years. It will take a miracle to come back from the brink. Merry Christmas NB'ers!


David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Matthew Locke: I agree 

 

James Risdon
Abortion is an evil practice and it must be stopped. All reasonable, fair and legal means of putting an end to the practice of the killing children in their mothers' womb must be used to save the lives of these tiny and defenseless human beings from abortionists.

In no civilized society should a person's individual choice extend to allowing him or her to kill - or order to be killed - another innocent human being.

This is what abortion is. I would call it barbaric but I have more respect for barbarians than to sully their reputation by associating them with abortion.

Only a few hundred years ago, women and Blacks were not considered persons under the law and horrific atrocities were often perpetrated against them. Today, it is babies in the womb that society refuses to recognize as persons under the law. That is the only reason why they can legally be killed in Canada.

Even Planned Parenthood recognizes that unborn babies are human beings. Even the abortionists recognize that this is homicide.

When will our leaders finally accept the fact that innocent human beings are being slaughtered every day in Canada and put a stop to it?

Abortion is the great civil rights cause of our times. If you care at all for humanity, let your elected officials know you want abortion to be banned in Canada.

Pregnant women deserve to have help to deliver and raise their children and not be led to have their own children killed.


David Raymond Amos  

Reply to @James Risdon: Did you speak in defense of the unborn while running for public office like I did?

Shawala Gouk 

Reply to @David Raymond Amos: did you ever stop speaking nesypas

David Raymond Amos
Methinks Higgy and Trudeau The Younger can brag all they wish in the Yuletide Season. However their mindless minions should know why the Crown and I are gonna go toe to toe with me over my right to health care in the New Year N'esy Pas?

Shawala Gouk  

Reply to @David Raymond Amos: nesypas

David Raymond Amos
Methinks many would agree that Chucky Leblanc's year end interview with his buddy Higgy was far more entertaining N'esy Pas?






















Paul Bourgoin
Can Higgs truly lead New Brunswick to prosperity with a three tier Party???


David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Nope

David Raymond Amos 

Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Methinks Higgy can recall my responses to you before I ran against his buddy Bruce Northrup over a year ago N'esy Pas?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pension-reform-lawsuits-costs-1.4732109

Shawala Gouk

Reply to @David Raymond Amos: Did you gat any votes at all nesypas ? 

 

 GO FIGURE


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2018/07/province-spends-more-than-2m-fighting.html

Friday, 6 July 2018

Province spends more than $2M fighting civil servants in court

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pension-reform-lawsuits-costs-1.4732109