Saturday, 29 February 2020

Assessments — and taxes — going up on 244,000 New Brunswick properties

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to @alllibertynews and 49 others

Surprise Surprise Surprise

"JD Irving Ltd. had three mills among the six awarded large property assessment reductions in 2013. Those are now under review but a decision is not expected until later this year"


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/02/assessments-and-taxes-going-up-on.html







https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/assessments-taxes-up-new-brunswick-1.5477554



Assessments — and taxes — going up on 244,000 New Brunswick properties

Increases to hit 60,000 more properties than last year


Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Feb 27, 2020 5:00 AM AT




Service New Brunswick mails out 470,000 property assessment and tax notices every year for March 1st. Property owners should begin receiving them on Monday. (Daniel McHardie/CBC)

About 244,000 New Brunswick properties, including most homes, will be getting assessment and tax increases when bills are mailed out across the province next week but there will be no major changes to pulp and paper mill taxes - at least not yet.

Service New Brunswick's Valerie Kilfoil said a reevaluation of the six mills, requested by Premier Blaine Higgs and anxiously awaited in several communities, will not be complete until later this summer.

"Currently the Heavy Industrial Team is finalizing physical inspection of the mills and are busy analyzing data as it pertains to this industry," Kilfoil said in an email to CBC News.



Service New Brunswick mails 470,000 assessment notices and $1.3 billion in associated tax bills to all New Brunswick property owners every March 1st.
Only 430,000 of those properties are subject to annual market fluctuations in value (timberland properties have had assessments frozen since 1994) and this year 244,000 of those market based assessments are going up.

It's 60,000 more assessment increases than last year.

According to Service New Brunswick most of the increases are small but 28,000 of the hikes will be five per cent or more.
 
Haut-Madawaska is a collection of several smaller communities in northwestern New Brunswick with 4,000 residents. Assessments there are jumping the most in New Brunswick in 2020 - an average of 6.8 per cent. (Radio-Canada )

The agency also says there are 89,000 properties getting assessment reductions, and 136,000 that will remain unchanged although about 30 per cent of those are forest properties that benefit from an ongoing 26 year old assessment freeze.

Assessment increases in the province, driven by new construction, property improvement and growing market values, will be about $1.5 billion more than decreases and add more than $20 million to property tax bills.


Most of the larger increases will be dispersed throughout the province but one area that can expect a number of them is Haut-Madawaska.  Service New Brunswick conducted a "re-inspection" of properties in the rural northwestern community of 4,000 last year and assessments are increasing by an average of 6.8 per cent.


 
The village of Gagetown saw property values decline following a devastating flood in 2018 that submerged Front street but 2020 assessments are up 4.4 per cent. (Catherine Harrop/CBC)

Also likely to see increases are residents of Gagetown.  The village suffered two straight years of property value declines following extreme flooding along the St. John River in 2018 and 2019 but values — and tax bills — are expected to rebound this year.

Assessments have yet to rebound for the province's six pulp and/or paper mills including two in Saint John and one each in Edmundston, Atholville, Nackawic and Lake Utopia.

In 2013 the group was collectively awarded assessment reductions of $130.7 million by Service New Brunswick because of an international  slump in markets. That saved the group $5.9 million per year in property tax, much of that paid to their host communities.

 
JD Irving Ltd. had three mills among the six awarded large property assessment reductions in 2013. Those are now under review but a decision is not expected until later this year. (CBC)

Last fall Service New Brunswick announced it was reviewing those reductions to see if markets for paper products had improved enough to undo some or all of the tax relief,  an issue of significant interest in the mill communities.

Last week Saint John Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe said he is open to supporting a Higgs government budget if he sees movement on industrial property tax issues and specifically mentioned the 2013 reduction won by mills as a sore point.


In response Premier Higgs said it was he who asked for the review and agreed property taxes should go back up if markets have changed.
 
Saint John Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe has been advocating for higher industrial property taxes but no significant changes are expected when bills go out next week. (Robert Jones/CBC)

"I have said these very words to the department: I want the same conditions looked at that caused those rates to go down and compare markets today," said the premier.

"Whatever conditions were set then and if they're different, then we should be applying that same logic and the rates should change accordingly."

But Kilfoil says the review is still ongoing with the aim of a September 1 completion date.  Any changes the review triggers would not take effect until 2021.

About the Author



Robert Jones
Reporter
Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006. 


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices




118 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.





David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise


























Fred Brewer
Why would Irving Boy ruin his future by raising taxes on Irving mills?


David Amos 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: You know everybody knows the answer so why ask it? 
 

Larry Larson
The rise in assessments is a joke. It has been going on for the last decade and some and NB homeowners are getting shafted bigtime!


David Amos 
Reply to @Larry Larson: Welcome back to the circus

























Marguerite Deschamps
The elusive Higgs Boson, the sherriff of Nothingham, working for prince J.D. of Bermuda.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Yep.

David Peters 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
How many vacations has Higgs taken since he got in? Zero?

Which direction is the NB debt clock heading this morning?

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Peters: *How many vacations has Higgs taken since he got in? Zero?* How would you know that ? Unless your part of his staff or close entourage.

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Cry me a river or tell it to Sheriff Oram

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: I am still waiting for that Sheriff...

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Make sure you have the right Marc Martin this time..
.
David Peters  
Reply to @Marc Martin:
I'm neither, but keep making things up, if it makes you feel better.

Since when is a premier going on vacation a secret?

How many taxpayer funded junkets has Trudeau been on in the same time?

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Father to Zach?

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Buddy of the Mayor Bathurst?


























Gary MacKay
Taxing on perceived value is a failed system. Taxing for services is thee only fair system.


David Peters 
Reply to @Gary MacKay:
Yes! Why don't more ppl see that??

The whole idea of a goods and services tax is to do away with all the other hidden taxes and property/income taxes. Sales taxes tax everyone evenly.

Gov't needs to be reformed to cost less, imo.

David Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks its called cognitive dissonance which is what you suffer from as well N'esy Pas?

David Peters  
Reply to @David Amos:
So, now you're a doctor too?


























Samual Johnston
"timberland properties have had assessments frozen since 1994"

insane


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Samual Johnston: Why do you think ?

Tom Shultz 
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Inflation.

A 1994 dollar is different than a 2020 dollar.

A frozen assessment is essentially a tax cut in real terms.

Marc Martin  
Reply to @Tom Shultz: Yeah I didn't debate that...

David Amos
Reply to @Samual Johnston: YUP

David Amos
Reply to @Tom Shultz: YUP




 
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 28 February 2020

Once considered industry friendly, New Brunswick's auto insurance regulator is pushing back

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies






Replying to @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks folks should ask Mr Duff and Mr Woodside of the New Brunswick Insurance Board why I have read enough of this malicious nonsense N'esy Pas?


 


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/once-considered-industry-friendly-new-brunswick-s-auto-insurance-regulator-is-pushing-back-1.5474679



Once considered industry friendly, New Brunswick's auto insurance regulator is pushing back

Wawanesa is asking for two rate increases in 2020, but will have to get by NB's Insurance Board


Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Feb 25, 2020 5:00 AM AT



Wawanesa is New Brunswick's largest auto insurance company and covers 77,000 vehicles. It increased rates 8.6 per cent in January but wants a second increase of 12.42 per cent in July. The amount needs the approval of the New Brunswick Insurance Board.


A rare request from New Brunswick's largest auto insurer for two rate increases this year is legal, but it will likely face intense scrutiny at the province's insurance board which has quietly been shedding its one-time reputation of being industry friendly.

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company covers 77,000 private passenger cars in New Brunswick and raised rates just last month by an average of 8.6 per cent. It is now seeking permission to impose another 12.42 per cent increase on customers on July 1.

The company says it paid out $1.21 in claims and expenses in New Brunswick last year for every $1 its customers paid in premiums and has nowhere to go for the money to close that gap except to policyholders.

"We are not publicly traded and do not have shareholders," said Wawanesa's Brad Hartle in an email to CBC News.
But applying for an auto insurance rate hike in New Brunswick lately has been no guarantee of receiving it.

Marie-Claude Doucet is Chair of the New Brunswick Insurance Board and said Wawanesa's attempt to win a second rate hike in 2020 is "not usual" but is permissible and will be the subject of a full hearing.

"The board has authority over proposed rate changes by [auto] insurers," said Doucet.

"It takes a lot of resources from the insurance company to apply twice in a year so it's not typical but it does happen."

No rubber stamping


Doucet was appointed to run the insurance board in late 2016 just as financial results of insurers began sagging across Canada and her organization has dealt with a parade of companies applying for significant rate hikes in the wake of those troubles.

During her tenure, the board has granted some of the increases requested by companies in full but it has also knocked a number of them down following detailed reviews and hearings.

In 2018 the board slashed a proposed 18.2 per cent increase in rates to New Brunswick's highest risk drivers to 6.2 per cent after finding faults in the rate application by the non-profit industry collective that handles bad drivers, known as the Facility Association.

In 2019 the group returned and asked for a 22.3 per cent increase, but the board found problems again and awarded 14.4 per cent.

New Brunswick's third-largest insurer Intact, had a combined 7.4 percentage points shaved off its last two requested increases in 2017 and 2019 and last month, New Brunswick's second-largest insurer, Economical, was approved for a 6.1 per cent increase. That was barely half of the 11.9 per cent it had asked for.



Michele Pelleiter, New Brunswick's Consumer Advocate for insurance, says the current insurance board has issued a number of decisions that benefit consumers including a decision last month allowing Economical Insurance just half the rate increase it requested for 2020 (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)


In all five of those cases the hearings were conducted by three-person panels headed by Doucet. She also wrote the final decision in each case, a sign of how she has taken charge of the organization.

In 2019 the board held a record 27 hearings, 16 related to private passenger car insurance most of which Doucet conducted personally

"If I am able to handle the workload yes I absolutely sit in on the hearings as long as there are no conflicts," said Doucet who has a psychology degree, a law degree and a masters of business administration degree.

Michele Pelletier is New Brunswick's Consumer Advocate for Insurance and says although companies have been winning some substantial rate hikes from the insurance board, policyholders have been getting fair treatment at hearings under Doucet with decisions sometimes in their favour.

"I think she has the respect of all the parties," said Pelletier.

Previous administration


That's a shift from the insurance board's early years when it appeared to be tilted toward the interests of insurance companies under its former chair, Paul D'Astou.

In 2010 New Brunswick's office of the Attorney General challenged two rulings of the insurance board under D'Astou at the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. It argued the body was allowing companies to earn too much profit, limiting questions that could be asked of companies during rate applications and giving no reasons for decisions it made.

The Appeal Court ruled in the Attorney General's favour in each case.

In 2013 the insurance board found more controversy for soliciting donations from insurance companies to support its annual golf tournament fundraiser.

The event allowed companies the board regulates to buy advertisements on golf holes in support of the board's chosen charity and have company representatives play in the tournament alongside board members in exchange for an entry fee.



Paul D'Astou is currently principal secretary to Premier Blaine Higgs but ran New Brunswick's insurance board until 2015. During his term the board sparred with the office of the attorney general which argued insurance companies were being allowed to make too much money. (CBC)


There have been no similar incidents under Doucet.

In a statement Monday, New Brunswick's Office of the Attorney General, which intervenes in rate hearings with lawyers and actuarial experts on behalf of the public said it has been able to win lower auto insurance rates from the board than companies have requested 11 times since 2017, around the time Doucet took over.

"Over several years of intervention on behalf of the public interest, the Attorney General has been successful in achieving lower rates for automobile policyholders in many cases," said spokesperson for the office of the attorney general Paul Bradley.

The board currently has several decisions pending from hearings it held earlier this winter including an application for a 50 per cent auto insurance rate hike from Sonnett and a 51 per cent increase from Echelon

A hearing into Wawanesa's application for a second rate increase for 2020 is likely later this spring.

About the Author

Robert Jones
Reporter
Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006. 


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
 




71 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.




David Amos
Methinks folks should ask Mr Duff and Mr Woodside of the New Brunswick Insurance Board why I have read enough of this malicious nonsense N'esy Pas? 


























Chantal LeBouthi
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company with $3 billion in annual revenue and assets of more than $9 billion


David Amos  
Reply to @Chantal LeBouthi: Methinks folks would get a hoot if they could listen to the voicemail I just left with Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company's Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

David Amos
Methinks Michele Pelletier, the Attorney General and the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company should recall my concerns about New Brunswick being a "no fault jurisdiction way back in 2007 N'esy Pas?


David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: FYI the lawyer Michele Pelletier just called me but I have no proof of contact because she called from a private number Mr jones should go Figure why she would do such a thing



























Bruce Martin
Instead of complaining about rate rises why not buy insurance company shares? Intact has been one of the TMX's better performers and pays a good dividend as well. The same rationale works for banks and telcos.


David Amos 
Reply to @Bruce Martin: Methinks we may already own some shares if they are a publicly held company However" Mutual" is a legal term that lawyers love to use for their client's benefit not ours N'esy Pas?
 
 
Mike Miles
Reply to @Bruce Martin: I can promise you that most New Brunswickers don't have the extra income to invest. So yeah speak for yourself. This is just another BS way the people of this province are getting hosed by companies that make millions in profit.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce Martin: BTW According to the wannabe Yankee president Mr Bloomberg The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company ain't selling shares in their questionable company
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Mike Miles: I concur



























Marc Bourque
Last week I just renewed my car insurance,I never had an accident or a claim....it went up 200.00........


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Bourque: Methinks you can thank the Insurance Bureau of Canada for that nonsense N'esy Pas?














https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/user-fees-deficit-emergency-services-insurance-1.5477136



Had an accident in Saint John? You may get a bill from the city

Auto insurance policy may or may not cover emergency response fees



Connell Smith · CBC News · Posted: Feb 27, 2020 7:00 AM AT



Firefighters in Saint John responding to an accident. In the near future, out-of-town visitors may be billed for the emergency response. (CBC)


Saint John Council will vote next month on a proposal to charge fees to recover costs for many fire department responses.

One of those charges would see bills mailed to non-residents involved in car accidents inside city limits.

The fees are included in a long list of options under consideration to deal with the city's anticipated $10 million deficits in 2021 and 2022.

Other emergency response fees are being considered for commercial, industrial or institutional fires, hazardous material calls and such things as high angle or water rescues and elevator incidents.

Rothesay body shop owner David Brown thinks the motor vehicle response charge is a bad idea that will only create division between communities, and might even discourage people from calling 911.

"I think that's ridiculous," said Brown, who owns Autobody Plus. "I hope that never passes, anything like that where we start to segregate towns and start to isolate people. We should be light years past that by now."

Saint John deputy chief Rob Nichol says the department currently does not have fees for any emergency service.

But such charges are not unusual in some Canadian provinces.

Ontario and Alberta communities have the option to charge vehicle owners directly or indirectly for responses to motor vehicle accidents.



David Brown of Autobody Plus in Rothesay. "We should be light years past that by now." (Graham Thompson, CBC)


Ontario also pays local fire departments $450 dollars for the first hour for a response to accidents on provincially designated highways.

Those fees are then passed along to the vehicle owner.

Alberta's Safety Codes Act allows municipalities to charge for any emergency service they choose.
For the City of Red Deer, that extends to all emergency responses, even house fires.

In the case of motor vehicle accidents the car owner is charged $615 for the first hour or part hour that emergency responders are on scene, and half that amount for every half hour beyond that.
The fee is the same for both residents and non-residents.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says many, but not all, motorists in New Brunswick will then be able to pass those fees along to their insurance companies.

"Insurance would cover it if you had collision coverage," said Amanda Dean, the bureau's vice president for the Atlantic region. "It's optional. If it's an older vehicle, you don't necessarily have that coverage."

Leased vehicles, in all cases, would be covered.

But Dean says, if insurers find themselves processing a lot of those claims, it could lead to an increase in car insurance rates.

About the Author

Connell Smith
Reporter
Connell Smith is a reporter with CBC in Saint John. He can be reached at 632-7726 Connell.smith@cbc.ca


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 




54 Comments 




David Amos
Methinks the mayor must amaze a lot of folks with each passing day about just how dumb he truly is N'esy Pas?


David Amos 
Reply to @David Amos: However I know of somebody who is even dumber and she speak for the IBC. Methinks somebody should inform the mayor that New Brunswick is a "No Fault" jurisdiction before he falls this BS N'esy Pas?

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says many, but not all, motorists in New Brunswick will then be able to pass those fees along to their insurance companies.

"Insurance would cover it if you had collision coverage," said Amanda Dean, the bureau's vice president for the Atlantic region. "It's optional. If it's an older vehicle, you don't necessarily have that coverage."
 

David Amos 
Reply to @David Amos: Better yet methinks the mayor should call Michele Pelleiter, New Brunswick's Consumer Advocate for insurance and ask her about our conversation about the insurance Industry and of my calls Wawanesa's lawyers, NB's Insurance Board on Feb 25th and the proof of my calls and emails to the IBC et al since 2006 which can be found on the Internet N'esy Pas?  




























Johnny Horton
Just yet another reason for new business to set up outside SJ. Potential Employees won’t want to have to travel daily into the city.


David Amos  
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Cry me a river You claim to live in the middle of nowhere and hardly ever come out of the woods even to visit your "Hub" in Sussex. sSo why should you care about the doings in the "Loyalist City" unless you truly are an Irving shill?



























Roy Kirk
Seems like the kind of approach that should be adopted on a regional basis, or province-wide. Good for the goose -- good for the gander.


Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Roy Kirk:
Really so through no fault of your own 911 gets called snd you now owe hundreds of dollars...
Yes brilliant plan...q
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Roy Kirk: Do you work for the Insurance Bureau of Canada???





 
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 25 February 2020

ER controversy hurts PC's already diminished standing in francophone New Brunswick

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to @alllibertynews and 49 others

Most folks smelled this nonsense coming all day and the comments stopped almost instantly Methinks the CBC and their buddies the SANB/liberals need to learn some new tricks N'esy Pas? 



 https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/02/er-controversy-hurts-pcs-already_25.html







https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/savoie-francophone-minister-higgs-cabinet-1.5475150










Replying to @alllibertynews and 49 others

If I see "Content disabled" I build a blog ASAP EH Methinks if Jean Gauvin's bouncing baby boy photo is prominently displayed its bound to inspire hundreds of indignant comments from the folks in "The Place to Be" overnight N'esy Pas?







https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pc-diminished-standing-francophone-1.5474180




ER controversy hurts P.C.'s already diminished standing in francophone New Brunswick

The party already had marketing issues in the north, now they're worse off


Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Feb 25, 2020 6:00 AM AT




Until two weeks ago Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou MLA Robert Gauvin was the only francophone in Premier Blaine Higgs P.C. caucus, now there are none. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)

The Higgs government's botched attempt at health-care reforms has made an already bad situation even worse for the Progressive Conservatives in francophone and northern New Brunswick.

Some PC members have quit the party, a former cabinet minister has condemned the changes, and the party's president says grassroots members are apprehensive with a possible election looming.

"What I've heard as party president is that it was launched very poorly, with a lot of unanswered questions as to what was going to happen next," said Claude Williams, the francophone former MLA for Kent South and a one-time minister in two PC governments.



"A lot of people are on their guard to see if it's going to come back or not," said Williams.
"Everywhere I go, people talk to me about it, and I've heard the same thing from the party also."
The reforms, which included the nighttime closure of six small-hospital emergency departments, triggered anger in affected communities both anglophone and francophone.

But the reaction has been strongest among francophones, many of whom were already unsure whether Premier Blaine Higgs was sensitive to their concerns.

"This is a government decision for them to sell to New Brunswickers," said Williams, a former minister in the Alward and Lord governments who became party president last fall. "The party [members] in some areas, especially up north, they're concerned."

Internal strife


The reforms prompted the resignation of the only francophone member of the PC cabinet and caucus, Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou MLA Robert Gauvin.



Long-time PC supporter Alban Duguay of Shippagan said while he will remain a party member, he supports Gauvin's resignation and hopes Higgs will lose his seat in the next election and be replaced as leader.

Meanwhile, the entire executive of the PC riding association in the riding of Caraquet resigned last Friday to show their support for the hospital there.

"Rural areas appear to have been forgotten by departmental civil servants and by the Higgs government," said Gilles Savoie, who was president of the association until he quit and who believes the cancellation of the reforms on Feb. 16 will only be temporary.

Former finance minister and former interim party leader Jeannot Volpé also criticized the reform plan and said alternatives exist, including a proposal submitted by his brother, Rino Volpé, when he was CEO of the Vitalité health authority.



Gilles Savoie was the president of the PC riding association in the riding of Caraquet until he quit and who believes the cancellation of the reforms on Feb. 16 will only be temporary. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)

It would have spared services and instead slashed wasteful layers of administration at Horizon health hospitals in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton — changes "that could create a reaction" and that the Higgs PCs wanted to avoid, Jeannot Volpé said.

By opting to target small hospitals instead, the party has put itself in a dire situation with a possible election campaign within weeks, Volpé said.

PC supporters he knows in the Madawaska area already "don't feel the party is representing northern New Brunswick anymore," Volpe said.

"People are saying, 'I might have been interested in running but now, no, there's no interest, because 'how can I convince people to vote for me with what's going on?'"

Williams agreed the last two weeks will make it difficult to recruit PC candidates. "Definitely in some areas, it's going to be a challenge. … There's no question about that."
 

As party president, Williams must prepare the PC machine for an election if the government's budget is voted down March 20.

But he hedged when asked if he's confident Higgs understands francophone communities and is able to handle their reaction.

"That's a good question," he said. "That's a question to ask him.

"The premier has been an MLA, he's been minister of finance, so he's had a chance to crisscross the province on many occasions. He must be very well-briefed on the situation. So that's a question for the premier."
 

Jeannot Volpé, a former interm leader of the P.C.'s, said supporters he knows in the Madawaska area already "don't feel the party is representing northern New Brunswick anymore." (Kassandra Nadeau/Radio-Canada)

On the day Gauvin resigned, Higgs said he has made an effort to understand the concern of francophone and northern areas.

"Have I treated any part of this province differently than another? No, I have not," Higgs said.

"Have I been different than past governments, who maybe have bought their way to one solution over another? Likely, but I've done that all over the province. That has not been unique to the north or unique to the south."

Difficult election ahead


Higgs went into the 2018 election with two handicaps: his involvement more than three decades ago with the Confederation of Regions party, which opposed official bilingualism, and his own inability to communicate well in French.

Gauvin's narrow victory in Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou, by just 99 votes, gave the PCs a one-seat edge over the incumbent Liberals and allowed them to eventually win the confidence of the legislature and form a fragile minority government.

But University of Moncton political scientist Roger Ouellette says the PCs will be in an even more difficult position now.
 

University of Moncton political scientist Roger Ouellette says given 16 out of 49 ridings are majority francophone, and another five have at least 20 percent francophone populations, the Tories will enter a campaign with a serious handicap. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Ouellette says the health reform debate is more about rural-urban divisions than English-French or north-south splits. He pointed out that Gauvin attended a rally in Sussex last week to support the local hospital there.

But he says Gauvin's decision to quit — unlike Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins PC MLA Bruce Northrup, who chose to remain a PC — signalled to francophones the party wasn't sympathetic to their concerns.

Given 16 out of 49 ridings are majority francophone, and another five have at least 20 percent francophone populations, the Tories will enter a campaign with a serious handicap, Ouellette said.

"The party can forget about winning a majority in the next election," he said.




CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 







380 Comments last night 
but the tally was 341 when the page refreshed this morning
Commenting is now closed for this story.





David Amos 
Content disabled
Methinks if Jean Gauvin's bouncing baby boy photo is prominently displayed its bound to inspire hundreds of indignant comments from the folks in "The Place to Be" overnight N'esy Pas?







David Amos 
Content disabled
Methinks CBC #1 fan appears to be somewhat bitter this evening and is off his meds and babbling to himself in a rather strange fashion N'esy Pas?







David Amos
Methinks its nice to see the PC Party so Happy Happy Happy N'esy Pas?











David Amos
Methinks Claude Williams must recall our conversation during the last election while I was running against his buddy Bruce Northrup N'esy Pas?


Lou Bell 
Reply to @David Amos: Why is every opinion you express about you ? Not hard to see why you get less votes when running than the number of signatures on your nomination papers !!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yo buggie Methinks it time for an old widow who has been known to work for Horizon to have a nap N'esy Pas?













Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: The Fred police tried to stick a similar one on Chucky LeBlanc. We all know how that one ended.


David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Who do you thinks stopped that 301 nonsense and reminded them of section 300? Methinks if you SANB dudes knew how to research then you would know everybody and his dog knows Trust that it was me and NOT the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that proved how dumb Booby Baby Costello (That punk grew up in Sussex while the RCMP were to hiring me to investigate things) and his buddies in the Fat Fred City Finest were. I knew about the 301/300 stuff because of my doings with Byron Prior on the Rock many years before anyone can 
Google it to verify N'esy Pas?

David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I am the dude who fixed that nonsense everybody knows that 













David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise

Francophones question new minister's commitment

PC MLA Glen Savoie may have francophone roots, but community says the role is a lost cause
Danielle McCreadie · CBC News · Posted: Feb 25, 2020 4:08 PM AT






















Lewis Taylor
you proved my point


Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Lewis Taylor:
CBC
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Lewis Taylor:
is
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Lewis Taylor:
an anti-francophone
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Lewis Taylor:
tool
Lewis Taylor 
Reply to @Lewis Taylor:
dufus







Lewis Taylor
When will the cbc stop bigotry?




























Lou Bell
When is Jacques gonna do a piece about the 130 Million Dollar undisclosed GIVEAWAY by the Liberal SANB Party to their sycophants ??


Lewis Taylor 
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Get over it!!! Not a penny was spent. some people cannot be educated.
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you have been made well aware he has it slated to be addressed on or about the 12th of Never N'esy Pas?





























Toby Tolly
 the franco reaction is a bit over the top join quebec


Toby Tolly
Reply to @Toby Tolly: clickety clack clickety clack
moudis and tabranac


David Amos
Reply to @Toby Tolly: C'est Vrai 
 

Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Toby Tolly:
francophones were here long before you...get the message?





























Bob Smith
You have to wonder, if the ER closures were strictly in the south, would the uproar be as great? Would Volpe and Gauvin express outrage on the same level?


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Bob Smith: We haven't heard much uproar from the South either, did we?


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks your fancy red French knickers are in such a knot that you have overlooked the hoedowns Sackville and Sussex N'esy Pas? 
 

Bob Smith
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: There was but you're dodging the point, aren't you?


Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: They cared about Sussex and Sackville,not the North. 
 

David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you mean that you SANB dudes cared not about the south N'esy Pas? 


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: Mais oui!


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Imagine you being honest WOW  


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: says the reincarnation of honesty, no less!





























Archie Levesque
So there is now another story on this subject that is not open to comments. In that piece are various bigoted attitudes towards a bilingual member of the PC party. SANB members are upset because he was not raised as a francophone in a francophone area. I thought that as long as they were fluent that was all that mattered.


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Archie Levesque: Personally, I would give Mr. Savoie a chance. It's this government that I do not trust. Gauvin could do nothing and neither will Savoie, I'm afraid.


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you don't know about Savoie, Higgy and I way back in 2010 or how Savoie angered many locals since I bet Higgy and his best buddy Cardy will never forget Savoie losing his seat and how he got it back N'esy Pas? 
 

Fred Brewer
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Saying you will give him a chance and then saying he will do nothing are two statements that conflict with each other.  


Lou Bell
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: But you trust a Government that underhandedly was planning on giving 130 million of taxpayers money away UNANNOUNCED ???? To a minority solely comprised of their sycophants ?? Really ?? Really ???


David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you should go back to bed Ibet you are even boring yourself N'esy Pas?


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Fred Brewer: There is no conflict there. Gauvin could do nothing and neither will Savoie within this anti-Francophone CORservative government.


































Tom Gordon
Never seemed to be an issue when the cabinet was 99% francophone did it.


David Amos 
Reply to @Tom Gordon: Nope


Marguerite Deschamps  
Reply to @Tom Gordon: When was the cabinet ever 99% Francophone, may I ask?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: It never has been...Last time Galant was in power it was 50/50.


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Who cares?


Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: If VanHorne was still here, he'd care!


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I was talking to old Charlie's granddaughter before the last provincial election. A buddy of mine worked for Van Horne and I liked his son's bike The young lady was quick to inform me that dude was her daddy. Go figure what candidate she was supporting. 
 

Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: Let me guess, YOU!  


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Nope and you will never guess Methinks you have to get some SANB minion to research That is if you truly care N'esy Pas?


Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Tom Gordon:
never happened.



























sandymctavish726 mctavish
francophones vote liberal as they are told to do so by their local priests. new brunswick in reality is an english speaking province with area's of acadian language....but the french used in NB government jobs is the quebec type french at the highest levels....so i say too many quebecers have moved into northern NB & they are driving the language issue....ie all NBers paid by government (our english tax dollars) should be born in new brunswick by new brunswick cradle parents before they are chosen for any government jobs..especially the high levels of salary.


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @sandymctavish726 mctavish: Where do you get all these prepoterous stories?


Marc Martin
Reply to @sandymctavish726 mctavish: You should write a fictional novel..


David Amos
Reply to @sandymctavish726 mctavish: Methinks the PANB and the SANB both write a lot of nasty fiction for the benefit of nobody I wish to know N'esy Pas?


Lewis Taylor
Reply to @sandymctavish726 mctavish:
what a bigoted post!























kelly sherrard
People are too worried about the Premier being bilingual and having a strong number of francophone ministers in this province yet they lose focus on the fact that if this province is going to come back from the brink of financial collapse, we need INTELLIGENT PEOPLE, regardless of what language they speak, to work as MLAs and ministers. I don't care if the Premier speaks only mandarin chinese or Russian, as long as they can get this province out of the hole it is in because people have demanded that there be a strong francophone representation in gov't in this province. Being francophone doesn't mean an automatic gold star in this province.


Marc Martin  
Reply to @kelly sherrard: *Being francophone doesn't mean an automatic gold star in this province.* Nope but it tends to help when they have to make decisions, it also does not help when the current premier was a CoR member and has united himself with the anti-French political party of NB.


David Amos
Reply to @kelly sherrard: Good luck having your wishes come true

Methinks the RCMP prove on a daily basis that we get the governments we deserve N'esy Pas?



























Bob Smith
I await the followup piece where CBC covers Keith Vickers and how his lack of policies and vision hinder his political chances with interviews of many anglophones troubled by this stance.


Graeme Scott
Reply to @Bob Smith: Don't hold your breath


David Amos
Reply to @Graeme Scott: Methinks if he did then Poitras would have turned into an interesting shade of blue without having to hold his breath N'esy Pas?


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Bob Smith: *I await the followup piece where CBC covers Keith Vickers and how his lack of policies and vision * How could they he has never been in power.... *many anglophones troubled by this stance.* Standing to stop the health cuts ?? Anglophones feel bad about that ? Perhaps you should ask the people of Sussex about this


Terry L. Sisson 
Reply to @Bob Smith:


Bob Smith
Reply to @Marc Martin: Right...and his plan is what? His solution is what? You think status quo is going to continue indefinitely without needed fixes? Liberals, and their supporters, think everyone forgets the fiascos Graham and Gallant foisted onto this province. Vickers hasn't shown anything different as of yet...


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Bob Smith: But what about Point Lepreau ? What about the forest sold to Irvings and made the market unfair for smaller wood industries ? Your not talking about these decisions ?


Terry L. Sisson 
Reply to @Terry L. Sisson: Well, what I was going to say was that I do not know Keith Vickers. I might accept what Bob Smith is saying however, when I find out who this guy (Keith Vickers) is it probably will make a difference. It is a little difficult to accept comments about a mysterious person. Everything always comes down to language. No matter if governments are saving lives or building roads, it comes down to duality and not bilingualism. Six hospitals were names and unless I missed something, it was three of each!


Bob Smith 
Reply to @Marc Martin: You think Liberals have done better? Parlee Beach...household tax debacle...the Francophone Game nightmare..if Vickers wants to be elected, he has to show his policies, his vision...not as an invisible man talking vaguely when found.


Marc Martin
Reply to @Bob Smith: *Parlee Beach* What is wrong about building new camping sites to attract more tourist and money to the province ??? *household tax debacle* You mean the double tax? Only the rich people are debating this. *the Francophone Game nightmare* But was money spent ?? Point Lepreau refurbishing was approve by the Bernard Lord administration, when the Libs tried to sell NB Power to Quebec the CoRservatives did all in their power to stop the selling of this corporation. What about the forest almost given to the Irving, you do realize that closed several small wood industries across NB right ?


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: When was the last time you went swimming at Parlee Beach?


























Jim Cyr
Come on, my Acadian brothers and sisters! Stop being such Sheeple, owned by the Liberal Party....smh


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Jim Cyr: The South is not known for voting Liberal !


Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I can recall a time when Saint John alone had 5 Liberal MLA's along with I think 2 or 3 of them being Ministers. I think if memory serves that was Shawn Graham's government.


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks if you check history the entire Maritimes were overseen by the red coats in 2015 Now times are changing N'esy Pas?


























Robert G. Holmes
Face it; Too many provincial admin costs! Only one Health System, and one Education System, (for starters), is affordable in the Atlantic Region. Think of the benefits. Think sustainably. Get the Politicians out of Education and Health.


David Amos 
Reply to @Robert G. Holmes: I agree

Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: Give this man his Medicare card!


Marc Martin
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: His current job as Santa Claus is the reason why they wont allow it...


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Marc Martin: The poor man needs to see a shrink real bad!


Marc Martin
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I know, he now wants to send a sheriff to some Marc Martin across the province...


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: More libel???  


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: You wouldn't know what libel is if it stared you right in the face.


David Amos 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: We shall see if the RCMP agrees with you or not


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: Tell the RCMP to tell it to the judge.


David Amos  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: For him Libel only applies to him, ive seen him call me names, and try to insult me on this site, even if it was true he would loose in a heartbeat in court...


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: I am still waiting for you to send the Sheriff to get me...


David Amos  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I already made a few calls and sent an email and got some interesting computer generated responses that i will publish you know where


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Marc Martin: He's so full of himself with his airs of grandeur. He thinks he's the second coming of both J.J. Robinette and Einstein.


Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: You can publish whatever you like wherever you want.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: The funniest thing he thinks he is above the law.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: He also managed to harass a few poor Marc Martin across the province thinking it was me...


David Amos  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: You know i do Now I am on a mission to find out exactly who you truly are


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: I just talked to one and he admitted knowing who I was before I sent him and the RCMP the same email


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Good for you, unfortunately I can confirm he is not the right Marc Martin.
 
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: Stop bothering the RCMP over trivial matters. They have better things to do.


David Amos  
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks there is an old saying "Never believe anything until it is officially denied" Hence I will wait for a while until the Crown satisfies my demands or I will have every reason to sue it AGAIN thanks to your obvious malice N'esy Pas?


David Amos  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: You tell them for me i Double Dog Dare Ya


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: I am still waiting.....By the way didn't you tell me that last year ?


Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: Why tell them what they already know?


David Amos  
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks the RCMP know as well as I why I save everything especially before I ran for Parliament again and afterwards I most important words of yours in particular always go "Poof" Hence it was not rocket science to figure out who you work for N'esy Pas?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Again your making no sense, understandable English pls.


David Amos  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Exactly Methinks you lawyer pals know as well as I that is why I must sue the Crown again threee judges in the Federal Court of Appeal admitted in writing that I gave the RCMP wiretap tapes of the mob and they have done nothing since N'esy Pas?


David Amos  
Reply to @Marc Martin: In Simple English Anyone can Google the following like you did last year Correct?

David Amos wiretap 
 

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Has the cat got your tongue? Methinks you should check out my blog soon if only to see who got the email about you strange SANB dudes N'esy Pas? 


Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Robert G. Holmes:
anti-francophone trope
























Guy Richard
Higgs doesn't need the French vote to win a majority.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Guy Richard: K if you say so..


Marguerite Deschamps  
Reply to @Guy Richard: Not all Anglophones are anti-French like you are.


David Amos 
Reply to @Guy Richard: Dream on


Greg Smith
Reply to @Guy Richard: Did you even read the article? He does need the rural vote however, which he essentially just cost himself.


Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Guy Richard: Agreed. All Higgs has to do to win a landside election is to have a platform based on eliminating duality in NB. According to Marc and Marg he has lost the french vote anyway, so what does he have to lose?


David Amos 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Methinks you a few bricks shy of a load N'esy Pas?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: He can eliminate duality in hospital but not in school, its mandatory across Canada.


Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Marc Martin: The hospital is a great place to start. It is by far our biggest expense.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: No its not, the merger would only save a few executive salary and the cost to merge the whole system would cost more in the end you can expect lower staff to do double work.


Fred Brewer
Reply to @Marc Martin: Dr. Édouard Hendriks, Horizon's vice-president of medical, academic and research affairs, Dr. France Desrosiers, Vitalité's vice-president of medical, services, training and research, and Vitalité CEO Gilles Lanteigne made between $275,000 and $299,999.Horizon CEO Karen McGrath was one bracket lower, earning between $250,000 and $274,999.
This is just a small sample of the huge salaries that are duplicated in our two health care systems. When you add up the salaries of senior management, the boards of directors, support staff, office space, purchasing departments etc all of which are DUPLICATED, it is not hard to see how tens of millions per year could be saved by having only one health care system. How can you possibly claim to know how much it would cost to merge the two systems Marc? You cannot know that.


David Amos
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Cry me a river while I wait for the "Stay" to be removed from my Medicare card Hence i have to pay these dudes for what my taxpayer funds have already provided for


























Brian Robertson
New Brunswick's French population, the SANB and the Liberal Party are virtually synonymous.
The only thing that the PCs could do to win French support is to do what Hatfield did, and turn the Party into a carbon copy of the Liberals. And we all know how that turned out.
Mitt Romney famously said that 46% of Americans were simply not going to vote for him because he was a Republican.
Blaine Higgs needs to realize that nothing he can do will win over New Brunswick's French. He should resign himself to that and just do what is best for the Province.
  

David Amos 
Reply to @Brian Robertson: Trust that not all the French folks support the SANB

Marc Martin
Reply to @Brian Robertson: K if you say so....


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: But they do support bilingualism as most Anglophones do.


David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Are you certain? If so then get a real name and come to court and argue me


Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Sure, but not duality.


Roy Nicholl
Reply to @Fred Brewer:
You do know that the "great duality cull" we keep reading about in these comment sections would be more of a whimper than a bang from a fiscal perspective. You are still going to need schools and hospitals in all parts of the province capable of serving the citizens. You will still need a comparable number of resource and support personnel to back those schools and hospitals.


Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Agreed but the huge cost of salaries for double boards of directors, CEO's upper management and their office space, support staff not to mention supply and services savings are significant.


David Amos 
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: I see that you are man of many issues too


























Jason Inness
So, what this analysis is showing is that the francophone population won't accept changes to the health system at all. So, when the system is finally bankrupt, devoid of employees, and the hospitals everywhere are no longer accepting patients, what will the next step be? Government resources have a limit, and I would argue that we are already surpassing that limit.


David Amos  
Reply to @Jason Inness: Methinks its not wise to believe everything you read N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin
Reply to @Jason Inness: Sussex and Perth Andover are French ? 
 


























Michael durant
Fleming is an incompetent in Health. He needs be forced to resign or fired.


David Amos 
Reply to @Michael durant: YUP

David Peters
Reply to @Michael durant:
Fleming put forward a plan that came from the existing Healthcare administrators. It's what they said they needed to do to make the entire system more sustainable.

Still, healthcare, overall, would be better, fast and cheaper if it were only between doctors and patients, imo.



































Mack Leigh
Poor, poor Jacques Poitras ! His " Liberal " is showing yet again... Just another piece slanted in the hopes of garnering more Liberal support... Remember Gallant ? Remember Graham ? This province has had more than enough Liberal governments to last a lifetime.


David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: YUP

Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I have had enough of incompetent CoRservatives so what do you sugest ?

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you know as well as i that I suggested that if Higgy were a wiseguy he would have fired you a long time ago N'esy Pas?


Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: That's why he does not listen to you, he would have fired the wrong guy...


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Nope


Archie Levesque
Reply to @Marc Martin: What is a CORservative? Is that the same as an SANB Liberal but just a different color?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Then call/write to him again .


Marc Martin
Reply to @Archie Levesque: They are affiliated with PANB you should know this...


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Why not send a sheriff to your home to serve a summons?


Fred Brewer
Reply to @Marc Martin: Green or Purple would be a good choice.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Go ahead...


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: I would vote green, but for you to sugest I vote for an anti-French group is hilarious.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: *Why not send a sheriff to your home to serve a summons?* I am still waiting....



























Mack Leigh
There are " wasteful layers of administration " in both Vitalite and Horizon and as such they must both be dealt with.. A great place to start would be to amalgamate the heauth authorities into one. Another great place to start would be doing away with unrealistic, unattainable, unsustainable language requirements and reinstate " bilingual where numbers warrant " as was the original intent..



Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Please show me numbers where you would save money by removing bilingual services ?

David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I concur

Mack Leigh
Reply to @Marc Martin: Need to get your eyes checked ole boy since I said nothing about " removing " bilingual services.

Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: *reinstate " bilingual where numbers warrant "* Ok then how will this save money ? Please show me the numbers. 
 


























Lou Bell
So what Jacques is saying the Conservatives won't be getting the support from the Ridings they never had in the first place ! But they may pick up the Saint John seat , as well as several others after the Phonie Games fiasco ! People are smart enough to not forget !


Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: You sound like a scared CoRservative...

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks everybody knows you are just another desperate SANB/liberal dude who should be working right now N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Are you still emailing these poor Marc Martin across the province ?

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Ask Higgy

Dan Lee
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Poor lou...1 trick donkey
psst don't forget Lord s Orimulsion fiasco.......Alward 1 billion lost on Pointe lepreau....Alward 40 million for toll in Saint john harbour..........our poor forest given for nothing to Irving...sad......



























Cleve Gallant
Remember that license plate that said ‘Be in this place “ Wasn’t that another B,S,,statement from the liberals?


David Amos 
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: Methinks the SANB dudes and their liberal cohorts know that is why I often call New Brunswick "The Place to Be" N'esy Pas?



























Lou Bell
I'd have expected Jacques would have written more articles on the 130 Million Dollar Phonie Games Giveaway that the Liberals had planned , and yet was never in their election platform ! It's not gonna disappear ! 130 Million Dollars , TWICE the Atcon Giveaway !


David Amos 
Reply to @Lou Bell: Dream on

Dan Lee 
Reply to @Lou Bell:
but never as much as Alward loss 
 


























Lou Bell
When 16 ridings would vote for a horse if it was a Liberal Francophone , losing 100 % of the votes they don't get now won't hurt the Conservatives one bit . Another " spin " piece and nothing more .


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Lou Bell: You didn't know that Robert Gauvin was the only reason why Higgs got in power ?

Lou Bell 
Reply to @Marc Martin: And you think Vickers is there for any other reason than an attempt to get the Anglophone vote and put the SANB Liberals back in power ? Ain't gonna happen ! That 130 Million Dollar Giveaway will be their doom and gloom ! And what again was their Healthcare Plan ?? Nahda !!

Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: *SANB Liberals * I am still tryingto figure this out...It doesn't even make sense.

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you should try having the former SANB President Kevin Arsenault explain it to you real slow N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Isn't Kevin Arsenault a Green party rep ??? Your making even less sense.

Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Marc Martin said: " I am still trying to figure this out..."

Let me spell it out for you then. When the Acadian Party finally collapsed, its members migrated over to the Liberal Party in huge numbers. Thus, the Liberal Party is in effect the Acadian Party under a different name and they of course fully support SANB. Did I make myself clear enough?

Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Exactly nothing makes sense to the liberals,That’s the problem,

Marc Martin
Reply to @Fred Brewer: So where did the CoR party members go ?

Marc Martin
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: Whop says I am a Liberal ?

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you and everybody else knows about the Green Party and Liberal coalition N'esy Pas?

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: I do

Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: It’s a lost cause trying to explain anything to Marc,Some people don’t want to hear the truth,

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Isn't that what political party do ? For example CoRservatives joined PANB because of their anti-French rhetoric's.

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: *I do * No one cares.

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Everybody knows I always run as as an Independent because I don't care what political gangs do. They have no standing within our constitution. Methinks even their mindless spin doctors must admit that simple fact N'esy Pas?

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: You do

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Again, no one cares...Your 15 votes per year for 7 years don't count.

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you forgot to ask Higgy why I ran in 2004 and 2006 N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Why would I do that ?

Fred Brewer 
Reply to @Marc Martin: So where did the CoR party members go ? Nice deflection, but I made no representation about COR. You asked the question about the connection between SANB and the Liberals so I answered. Deflection won't work here Marc.

Marc Martin 
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Its not a deflection its actually what happened they went to the CoRservatives and a few to PANB.

David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Not everyone agrees that the bilingualism, entitlement program is a good idea. Imo, that's what it boils down to.

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Peters: *entitlement program * How is that ? What service do I have you don't in NB ? 
 

David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks a lot of folks know the score about SANB/liberal spin doctors and their malicious nonsense by now N'esy Pas?








































Cleve Gallant
The liberals caused this mess and now they’re upset with Higgs because he hasn’t got a magic wand to make things better,


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: Yeah blame it on the Liberals...The Liberals didn't go with the recommendations tough now did they?


Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Some people are scared to hear the truth,Now that’s a proven fact especially with SANB,


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: What does SANB have to do with this ?


Archie Levesque 
Reply to @Marc Martin: So you prefer the Liberal solution of - do nothing and hope it resolves itself?


Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Duh,Try everything that that has to do with duplication,


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: How about closing 1 hospital in Moncton for then night, its not like they are busy anyways they have a 2 hr wait compared to other regions.


Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Marc Martin: You should really do your research before stating something, Two hour wait? Try eight to twelve hour wait thanks to the liberals,


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: I know people who live in Moncton its a known fact they don't need the second hospital at night lets save money !!!


Cleve Gallant  
Reply to @Marc Martin: Than close the DUMONT,Maybe that will make you happy,


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Cleve Gallant: Oh I see, so your are for closing every hospitals that are French oriented, that explains all.


Cleve Gallant 
Reply to @Marc Martin: English the universal language of the world, That must be hard for you to swallow,


Mack Leigh 
Reply to @Marc Martin: All hospitals in this province are " French oriented " and that is in and of itself a large part of the problem..Incessant pandering to one group where only 3 to 5 % do not speak English is absolutely ludicrous and an blatant waste of taxpayers money that would be well spent elsewhere.


Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I live in Fredericton they don't even have French services at front, so obviously you have no idea what your talking about. *blatant waste of taxpayers money that would be well spent elsewhere. * And ? Where are these numbers ? How much money would be saved ?


David Amos
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Methinks Marc Baby is a very nervous camper today N'esy Pas?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Mack Leigh: *You are more than capable of addressing non-francophones in English so what is the problem* I cannot have the same rights then you do ? What if someone only spoke to you in French ? *your German ? Your Arabic ? Your Korean ?* We are in Canada where there is only 2 official languages.


Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Yeah I am so nervous......I do feel entertained that I have triggerd a bunch here .


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: How many other Marc Martins do you know who are camped in Fat Fred City?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Why would you ask me ? I don't go around and stalk people under false pretentions.


Mack Leigh 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Oh, did not realize that German was being included as a " Official " language.


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Its not, only French and English are. There is a solution for you there is a whole country that speaks German.....


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Did you just libel me again?


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Are you sure your talking to the right Marc Martin ?


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you will know for certain if I opt to serve you a summons in person because the cops won't do their job You cannot deny that libel is a criminal act under section 300 N'esy Pas? 


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Go ahead...I am waiting.

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: I am still waiting....


Marc Martin  
Reply to @David Amos: Davis ? 


Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @David Amos: The Fred police tried to stick a similar one on Chucky LeBlanc. We all know how that one ended.


David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Who do you thinks stopped that 301 nonsense and reminded them of section 300? Methinks if you SANB dudes knew how to research then you would know everybody and his dog knows Trust that it was me and NOT the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that proved how dumb Booby Baby Costello (That punk grew up in Sussex while the RCMP were to hiring me to investigate things) and his buddies in the Fat Fred City Finest were. I knew about the 301/300 stuff because of my doings with Byron Prior on the Rock many years before anyone can Google it to verify N'esy Pas?

David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I am the dude who fixed that nonsense everybody knows that  




























Lou Bell
C'mon Jacques , everyone knows Gauvin was nothing more than a Liberal / SANB plant. No one really had any faith or trust in him from the get go. And the Liberal plan ?? NOTHING !

David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Wrong 

























 
Joseph Vacher
The liberals had no money to help the dying health care system, but they had $130M for the Francophone Games

Mack Leigh
Reply to @Joseph Vacher: Along with millions to spend on forced frenchification, forced social engineering and the marginalization of all others who are not of the " Elite " status.. Add to that the millions wasted on trying to recruit immigrants from french speaking countries only in another effort to pad their numbers.

Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: *Along with millions to spend on forced frenchification* were do you take your numbers from? *trying to recruit immigrants from french speaking countries only in another effort to pad their numbers* They only recruit French and English immigrants are you saying they are trying to bolster English numbers as well?

David Amos
Reply to @Joseph Vacher: Oh So True 

 
Lou Bell
Jacques failed to point out the figures as to why the changes were being made ! When you have 3 or 4 people visiting Emerg every 10 hours and are paying people to service this many , then someone REALLY , REALLY !! needs to smarten up !! The Liberals sure weren't gonna do it ! But they had 130 million for the Phonie Games !!!!!!!

David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks to be fair perhaps Jacques should point how many things you failed to mention over the years N'esy Pas?

























Jeff LeBlanc
I really am starting to think NB shouldn't get to be a province anymore. Let whomever wants to join Quebec do so and Nova Scotia can swallow up the rest. What a poor, mismanaged, divisive, almost bankrupt little hole it has become. It's not even funny anymore, just sad.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: We all know were your gonna move too...Maybe you should do it now ?
Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Feredericton...so I can teach you grammar and how to spell.
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: *Feredericton* Sure....
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: *Feredericton* Or maybe its a real place in NB ?
Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @Marc Martin: you get triggered so easily Haha. Anyway Marc Martin from Pointe Verte by way of Freddy I bid you good day.
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Not at all...I am polite I just reply to all your comments. by the way aren't you from Moncton ? You posted this *Jeff LeBlanc

1 hour ago

Reply to @Marc Martin: Moncton is southeast NB...we are with SJ and Freddy sorry. * ...............
Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @Marc Martin: there is a difference between an obvious typo and not knowing how to spell. But hey give an inch and they take a mile, I get it.
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: So your making a typo and I am making a grammar mistake...I guess you made a mistake first from saying your from Moncton, then *Feredericton* and now your from Pointe Verte...
Jim Cyr 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: It truly is a pathetic province.
David Amos
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Methinks you know Marcy Baby as well as I N'esy Pas?
























Samual Johnston
is this a news piece or an opinion piece? The headline is like an ad paid for by the liberals.


Archie Levesque
Reply to @Samual Johnston: Mr Poitras & Mr Wherry both graduated from the Liberal School of Media Relations
Jim Cyr
Reply to @Samual Johnston: It's in the "news" section, but it's just an opinion-piece, hit job.
David Peters
Reply to @Samual Johnston:
Imo, it's not like a liberal attack ad, it is a liberal attack ad....and it's far from the first one, too.

Which brings to mind campaign financing laws...
David Amos
Reply to @Samual Johnston: I agree
Mack Leigh 
Reply to @David Peters: Let us not forget the Liberals track record. They are an entitled, entity unto themselves and feel that they are above the law.. 
 
Alex Leblanc
It was the biggest blunder to announce this and not do it, because they have to still pay the price regardless. I hope that they are treated well in the election because if not the next party to make a decision like this will never reconsider the choice like the PCs did. (Still a calculated risk they may of thought it was better to soften, but if the election backfires you can imagine there will be no softening on similar reforms.)


David Amos 
Reply to @Alex Leblanc: Methinks everybody agree the next election is gonna be a dilly of a circus N'esy Pas?



























SarahRose Werner
Would it save money to hold the provincial election and the municipal elections at the same time, or would it just be too confusing for everyone?


Mack Leigh
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: It would save on the cost of buying lipstick for the Liberals ..
David Amos 
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: I agree Why not save money and time> Furthermore perhaps more folks would vote


























David Stairs
total lack of common sense and hell bent on making this province part of Quebec...that's the Acadian way.....thanks for nothing...let's not try to be debt free....


Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @David Stairs: I resent the Acadian comment, it's not the Acadian way. It's a really vocal minority of self considered francophone elites who seem to always get their way when they start squawking. Why this province always caves is beyond me. Grow a backbone already NB would ya!
Tom Simmons 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: I thought diversity was strength
Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @Tom Simmons: it can be, this province is nowhere near ready to embrace that concept though. Way too divided.
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Stairs: What does Quebec have to do with NB?
Jeff LeBlanc  
Reply to @Marc Martin: he said some people are hell bent on making NB part of PQ...what's so hard to comprehend? His post was super easy to understand.
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: No one is trying to make NB part of NB, its all pure imagination.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Agree with you to a point however the only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to stay silent and keep voting Liberal.
David Amos 
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Relax Mr Leblanc is jerking the mindless SANB spin doctor's chain like you are Methinks its rather obvious that i am having fun throwing my two bits worth into the the this circus as well N'esy Pas/


























Gary Melanson
Sabotaged by the civil service hell bent on keeping the government unstable. Bad advice by the CEOs of the health authorities. Get rid of them. Reduce the layers of executives and administrators in the health authorities. Immediately!!
 

David Amos 
Reply to @Gary Melanson: I concur However they should do that ONLY after Higgy and his minions remove the "Stay" on my Medicare Card.

Methinks anyone should understand why I am sick and tired of paying the emergency room and doctor fees that my taxpayer funds already paid for N'esy Pas?

Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: We don't care...
Lou Bell 
Reply to @David Amos: Still about you .
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Who is we?
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Of course Methinks you cannot deny that I am the one without the Medicare card that Higgy wants the cops to arrest N'esy Pas?
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Everyone except your 15 voters? 
 


Lauchlin Murray
1. Why is there no photo credit for the third picture, while the other pictures have photo credits? Has the CBC ever had legal problems regarding incorrect photo credits and who pays to settle those legal suits?
2. CBC uses ‘per cent’ NOT ‘percent’. So why not follow CBC’s own style? Has this been pointed out before? How many times?
“Given 16 out of 49 ridings are majority francophone, and another five have at least 20 percent francophone populations, the Tories will enter a campaign with a serious handicap, Ouellette said.”
3. Again, same problem:
[photo caption]
University of Moncton political scientist Roger Ouellette says given 16 out of 49 ridings are majority francophone, and another five have at least 20 percent francophone populations, the Tories will enter a campaign with a serious handicap. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
How many errors should you be allowed? Are the facts even correct?


David Amos 
Reply to @Lauchlin Murray: I repeat Who Cares? What are you a retired English teacher with way too much time on his hands?

Methinks you should be far more concerned about the issues rather than how they are presented N'esy Pas?
David Peters
Reply to @Lauchlin Murray:
"Has the CBC ever had legal problems regarding incorrect photo credits and who pays to settle those legal suits?"

Great question, but you can only win in suing the gov't if the gov't lets you. It's political.

Yet another reason why media shouldn't be monopolized like it has, imo.
Mack Leigh 
Reply to @Lauchlin Murray: " Are the facts even correct " ? Remember you are speaking about an article written by Jacques Poitras who has his own agenda and bleeds red at all times. 
 


John Pokiok
This was best option this province ever had. We need minority government every time the liberal and conservative are so used to to rule with majority that neither one of them ever did anything for the people. History shows that minority government do better job to help people in general than to pander to one side only. If you bring election back I'm definitely voting for People Alliance of NB.


David Amos  
Reply to @John Pokiok: Methinks you should listen to the brief encounter I had with the PANB leader on live Rogers TV last week before you vote for one of his crew N'esy Pas?
John Pokiok 
Reply to @David Amos: me thinks that I don't care what you think because you are quite opinionated across every board.
David Amos 
Reply to @John Pokiok: Why is it that nothing surprises me anymore?
























Bryan Jones
Higgs went into the 2018 election with one handicap: the Liberal friendly reporting of the non impartial CBC.


Larry Larson
Reply to @Bryan Jones: Oh drift!
David Amos
Reply to @Bryan Jones: Methinks that is not the only handicap Higgy had. I believe his biggest one was his personal history of being a former wannabe CoR Party leader. That fact helped the SANB to attack him then and they continue to this very day N'esy Pas?
























David Peters
Might be time to start considering dividing the province.


Johnny Horton
Reply to @David Peters:
It’s a game of patience, elected officials are based on riding, which is based on population, soms. Arian d exists, but you can only stretch that variance so much before you need to readjust,
The North is losing population faster than the south, they will not always have paroty in seats,
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Peters: Sure south part can keep Fredericton and Saint John and North part will keep Moncton.
Johnny Horton  
Reply to @Marc Martin:
You can have Moncton and the albatross scenic centre. We take riverview though. Where the stuck money is the area is,
David Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks you PANB buddies would like nothing better N'esy Pas?
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @Marc Martin: Moncton is southeast NB...we are with SJ and Freddy sorry.
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Moncton and Dieppe is over 55% French so sorry no deal.
Jeff LeBlanc 
Reply to @Marc Martin: you're point being?
Noah Hathaway  
Reply to @Marc Martin: 50% English-Only in Moncton (46% Bilingual). Dieppe is 75% french. 90% English in Riverview. Basically the GMA is 55% English so sorry, no deal.
Marc Martin
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: That you don't decide for the 55%
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Noah Hathaway: Riverview is not Moncton.
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @Marc Martin: thank sweet baby Jesus you don't get to decide either. Ok enough of this stupid hypothetical convo, I'll go back to work and you go back to hating on the English. Enjoy the day!
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: *David Peters
2 hours ago

Might be time to start considering dividing the province. *

I didn't propose this your English counter part did, I dont hate the English in fact I'm sure I have more English friends then you actually know French people...
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
I'm not English.

Given the nature of how divided NB is, in reality, it seems like an obvious possible solution...especially if elections continue to generate the same results. Would liberate both sides, imo.
Noah Hathaway 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Neither is Dieppe
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Noah Hathaway: Yeah but I didn't include an English community you did include a French one.
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Wonder what the polling numbers are on your form of identity politics...
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Peters: I think they look pretty good, I think its funny you would want Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton will the province took the taxe payers money up North to centralize everything in these regions.
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
It's not a desirable scenario, but it may be unavoidable/preferable given the reality of how entrenched both sides have become. This way, after the divide, decentralization can occur, if that's what is locally wanted.
Marc Martin
Reply to @David Peters: Well you have no choice since we wont be a province anymore...You also wont need all these Federal government jobs around these cities they can move back up north.
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
You're assuming the existing bloated bureaucracy is sustainable. That may not be a safe assumption.
Marc Martin
Reply to @David Peters: It has been for at least the last 80 years and these number grow year after year, Harper tried to remove some and look what happened with Phoenix pay system, instead of saving 75 million over 10 year we are on the hook for over 1 billion so far.
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Phoenix was undermined by the liberal long gun registry bureaucracy...but, imo, the red/blue stall is only sustainable for so long.

Not everyone wants depend on civil servant warehouses and a financial bubble. Imo, would be more responsible to get back to sound money, where ppl are encouraged to get out and produce a product or service.
Marc Martin
Reply to @David Peters: *Phoenix was undermined by the liberal long gun registry bureaucracy* WRONG, The Phoenix system was bought by the Harper government in order to lay off 3000+ pay advisors, when the Liberals took power they had no choice to roll out the program since Harpers government already laid off the pay advisors. Now Phoenix does not work, 1 billion + in cost so far ( not counting all the law suits against the government) and the problem is not fixable, they now have a back log of over 250 000 cases and they had to re-hire most pay advisors..
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
you left out the part where the long gun registry bureaucracy was moved over to manage the phoenix pay system, after the long gun registry was scrapped. That same bureaucracy obviously undermined the Conservative initiative for political reasons.

Nice try in re-writing history, though
David Peters
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Those kinds of shenanigans are what you want to defend?

Would be more responsible to end centralized banking, get back to sound $ and encourage ppl to produce things and service instead, imo
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Peters: What are you even talking about, the Harper government bought that program (even tough they knew it failed in Australia) to implement it in government services in order to cut over 3000+ civil servant, it was part of their plan to cut 30 000 civil servants across Canada. Your talking of a subject you know nothing about. 
 
David Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Methinks you PANB and SANB space cadets went on quite roll N'esy Pas? 

























Johnny Horton
That’s okay. There’s almost as much reciprocated contempt in the south for the SANB liberals


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: *SANB liberals* What are SANB Liberals ?
Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Marc Martin:
The liberals Thst keep funding ATCON and wild things like $100m games
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: But how are the 2 related ? *The liberals Thst keep funding ATCON * ATCON or Irving there is a difference ? *and wild things like $100m games* They funded the games ?
Graeme Scott 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Yes there is a difference. The Irvings run successful businesses that employ 10's of thousands of New Brunswickers year after year..........Atcon was a ponzi scheme run by friends of the Graham government.
David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Cry me a river
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Graeme Scott: So your ok with losing billions in forest allocation and the closure of thousands of jobs during that time because of the Irvings?
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: I don't have too your good at that..Probably the only thing your good at..
 
Graeme Scott
Other than vague platitudes I haven't seen any proposals from Mr Vickers and the Liberals on this subject. Like the choices or not, at least Mr Higgs is trying to do something about the situation. Modern healthcare is getting more complex and expensive as new treatments/types of care emerge and demand grows with our aging population. The 1950's model of a hospital in every little town and every corner of this small province is both outdated from a medical point of view and unsustainable financially. The status quo can not continue.


Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Graeme Scott:
Yes, the actual costs of healthcare are increasing, but so to is the cost of politicians parking their friends, neighbours, and relatives, in administrative positions that contribute very little to the overall results. Without trimming out the pork, everything else, on offer, is only empty gestures.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks you should never forget the cost of keeping dudes in the ECO such as Kevin Cormier and his buddy Minister Cardy well stocked with butter tarts N'esy Pas? 
 
David Peters
What if the election produces the same result, over and over again?


Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Peters:
Our best chance for good governance is a minority government.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: YUP

























Jake Newman
and this old way of thinking is why NB can't move ahead. Higgs needs a majority and then he can put NB moving ahead. Green will just bankrupt the provinces and to soon for the liberals after the last debacle.


Terry Tibbs 
Reply to @Jake Newman:
Higgs has more than proved that he is not fit, and certainly is not a leader. I can't imagine electing someone who puts his mouth in gear before his brain.
 
 
Matt Adams 
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: How has he proven this? By running a budget surplus 2 years in a row? By cancelling the french games and projects we cannot afford? For at least trying to fix problems rather than put bandaids on them or make bad choices to win votes? I did not vote for PC last election but I will this time.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Matt Adams: Methinks your hero Higgy and his minions made a major faux pas when they put a "Stay" on my Medicare Card N'esy Pas?
 
 
Jake Newman 
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: so who would you suggest?
 
 
Joseph Vacher  
Reply to @Matt Adams: agreed, not making all the popular decisions, but doing th ebest job we have seen in a long time in NB politics



























Archie Levesque
Let's just wait awhile until the government falls and an election is called. The LIbErals will be voted back in - because , you know why not? Then we will wait patiently while they form some new commitees to study the issue some more. The lawyers and pencil pushers will keep making money, the issues won't be solved and we will still be bleeding money. But at least the LIbErals will be in charge


Marc Martin
Reply to @Archie Levesque: Vote Green then.
 
 
Archie Levesque 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Sorry but various areas of the province have shown that they only vote for 1 party. Does not matter the issues or who is running. Maybe the younger generations can change the mentality of __ " My family votes that way so I have to vote that way too"
 
 
Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Marc Martin:
Yeah cause Davy boy didn’t a,so vote to line his own pockets with raises, for committee work and such,
 
 
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Archie Levesque: The younger generation is currently doing that, what do you think happened last Federal election?
 
 
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Wut?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Archie Levesque: Whats your point if the wicked game goes on and on and on and on at our expense but not our benefit???
 
 
Joseph Vacher 
Reply to @Archie Levesque: you left out the inevitable scandal that will soon follow their return to politics
 
 
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Joseph Vacher: You mean like the appointed person Higgs government just did ?


























Stephen Robertson
Having been involved with politics for many years I can say that the hand wringing and nashing of teeth inspired by one party about what the other would do if elected is nothing new. I have 2 questions here though. 1) what has this government done that has disadvantaged francophone citizens? While many seem to allude to what he might/would/could do, I suggest there has been nothing brought forward to imply bias against that community. 2) the night time closure issue was poorly handled, but was never targeted against any linguistic community.
Contrary to many posters I appreciate that Higgs is not running for saviour, just premier. He never offered perfection, just hard work. If you see this one instance as some sort of mortal wound instead of an attempt that didn't work you have no interest in our Province, just your own partisan opportunities.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Stephen Robertson: 4 out of the 6 community was Liberal and was a direct attack on these communities. *Having been involved with politics for many years* Yeah sure...
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Stephen Robertson:
Sorry friend, but voting for someone who puts their mouth in gear before their brain is not really a good idea, now is it?
And my "partisan opportunities", as you put it might lead to better health care, and maybe reduced property tax.
As I have been saying all along, the problem is the "pork", as even identified by prominent CONServatives (if you managed to read the article), but what do we know?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Who is we?
 
 
Marc Leblanc
Reply to @Stephen Robertson: Really well put.Good comment
 
 
Stephen Robertson 
Reply to @Marc Martin: and your point is....
 
 
Stephen Robertson 
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: They admitted there were questions asked that couldn't be answered and stopped. They have promised community consultations and a summit on Healthcare. I have no doubt you believe your political choice is best, otherwise why would you choose it? If your choice is not Higgs, then you should put your ideas before the people. No other party had put anything forward other than the Liberals who are adamant about doing nothing.
 
 
Marc Martin
Reply to @Stephen Robertson: $ out of 6 are Francophone communities...



























Matt Adams
Anyone that northern NB does not like for a leader is worth voting for as it most likely means that the leader is not willing to hand them what they want on a silver platter and is doing the right thing for the province. Being from Northern NB originally, I am well aware that they want everything for nothing and do what they can not to contribute to the wellbeing of the entire province while the southern part of the province pays the bills.


Marc Martin
Reply to @Matt Adams: Yeah sure......You pay for everything and the French pay for nothing...
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks you two deserve each other N'esy Pas?
 
 
Koffi Babone
Reply to @Matt Adams:
Wow, that's rich...Last time I checked, we all pay the same provincial income tax.
Is it different in your area?
 
 
Joseph Vachier 
Reply to @Marc Martin: just most
 
 
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Joseph Vachier: Yeah I am pretty sure I paid more taxes then you in your life time.
 
 
Theo Lavigne
Reply to @Matt Adams: I don't know what your on, but you need help. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Neil Gregory
WHY is this news? It is just business as usual in New Brunswick. For the past 150 year the province of New Brunswick has chosen to elect right-wing Conservative and Liberal governments, and has gone from one boondoggle to the next.


David Amos 
Reply to @Neil Gregory: Oh So True
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kyle Woodman
Higgs is also losing credibility in the Anglophone community. He's a lame duck.
 
 
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Kyle Woodman:
You don't speak for me and I would wager
a lot of Anglophones, too !!!
Want a look at "lame ducks" in this Province
then take a good look at the Provincial Liberal Party.
Their last four years governing this Province was
a disaster !!!!
 
 
Marc Martin
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: He didn't say he was, but you seem to think you can think for the English population ?
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: Nobody speaks for me and I speak for nobody except my Clan
 
Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to @David Amos: your clan, me, myself and I?
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Close but no cigar Methinks SANB dudes ain't too clued in anyway N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lewis Taylor
Simple rule in NB...no francophones...no govt. You need at least one token representative. This govt can't even hold on to one...even a bad actor. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marguerite Deschamps
The CORservatives blew it when they chose this former COR as their leader instead of bilingual Monica Barley. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot.
 
 
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Correct! It's too late now.
 
 
Marc Martin
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Yeah, it would have helped I guess.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks you SANB dudes should be careful not not to do the same particularly while your foot is in your mouth N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marguerite Deschamps
"Higgs went into the 2018 election with two handicaps: his involvement more than three decades ago with the Confederation of Regions party, which opposed official bilingualism, and his own inability to communicate well in French." - ... his inability to communicate in French at all!
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps:
OH! Come on now. Poor Mr Higgs has many more handicaps. Who knows, maybe he can communicate in french, maybe he just chooses not to?
 
 
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: We all can see how Higgs loves the French communities he had 1 minister representing his cabinet...
 
 
Archie Levesque 
Reply to @Marc Martin: was that his fault? If there is only 1 to choose from what is he to do?
 
 
Marc Martin  
Reply to @Archie Levesque: He has a say on who represents the party. HE made his choice by not having more Francophones representing his cabinet.
 
 
Archie Levesque 
Reply to @Marc Martin The people who voted limited his available choices to one. Was he supposed to ship in francophone candidates into ridings?
 
 
Bryan Jones 
Reply to @Marc Martin: But it was okay for the Liberals to have a majority francophone cabinet?
 
 
Marc Martin
Reply to @Archie Levesque: There is more then 1 person that wants to represent in every district, he did by the way have French people but dismissed them.
 
 
Marc Martin 
Reply to @Bryan Jones: 6 out of 12 where English...
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks Higgy has many handicaps just like you SANB dudes do N'esy Pas?
 
 
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: Whats a SANB dude ?
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Look in a mirror
 
 
Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: k
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jerry Dion 
We don't need a election, we need leaders of all political stripes to step up and start working with the current government to find solutions. This is what NBers need to start pushing for, there is no magic wand, hard choices are gonna come whether people like it or not, that's the reality. If the liberals, Greens, NDP and PANB have better solution to this mess then step up right now and show NBer's your plan, stop playing politics, stop fear mongering and feeding off emotions to simply gain votes.
 
 
Terry Tibbs 
Reply to @Jerry Dion:
How do you expect this fairy tale you have outlined to happen?
If you had read the article the CONServatives had other cost saving options, but Mr Higgs made a political decision, for which he should pay for with his job.
 
 
Jerry Dion 
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: I'm a dreamer but lets be honest, a election means a liberal win, nothing is gonna change. These francophone communities have and will always vote liberal. NB will never see a new party governing because people simply fear change.
 
 
Terry Tibbs 
Reply to @Jerry Dion:
Traditionally the vote split is: 30% Liberal, 30% CONServative, and 40 % stray voters.
We can only hope that stray 40% have had enough of red, or blue, and vote for another party.
 
 
Marc Martin
Reply to @Jerry Dion: *These francophone communities have and will always vote liberal* WRONG conservatives have been in power up North then the Liberals over the years.
 
 
Dan Lee 
Reply to @Jerry Dion:
These francophone communities have and will always vote liberal.
hmmm wonder what vroooom vroom .....was............
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to @Dan Lee: Methinks it would not be wise to bet the farm on your opinion Not all French folks follow political leaders blindly N'esy Pas?
 
 
Koffi Babone
Reply to @Jerry Dion:
I agree that the current situation is not sustainable. What is the alternative to cutting services? Which obviously won't appeal to those affected?
The alternative has always existed. If spending is too high, you need to either cut the spending or increase revenues..
How can we increase revenues? Why does a conservative government never think about increasing revenues? Why are they so scared of increasing taxes?
Here's a novel idea...Do like in NS, tax vaping products. Surprise, surprise NS balanced their budget this year....
We can also increase taxes on cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol etc...Consumers won't be happy but these products are not considered basic necessities of life.
Think about it, if cigarettes become prohibitively expensive, maybe there will be fewer smokers especially the younger crowd...and this will mean a healthier population in the long run.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terry Tibbs
As long as the residents of NB don't take leave of their senses and vote in a Liberal government, I can only see diminished support for Mr Higgs and his little band of know nothings as a good thing, at the very least it should retire Mr Higgs. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: However the election turns out you may rest assured that I will enjoy the circus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gerry Ferguson
Sure. Let's have the liberals back in there spending this broke bilingue province into oblivion
 
 
Lewis Taylor
Reply to @Gerry Ferguson:
instead of a big complicated word like "oblivion" you could have said...to infinity...and beyond! Remember the cohort of posters you are commenting to.
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Gerry Ferguson:
If voters choose to vote Liberal they will get what they deserve, the same can be said for voting CONServative, bring on oblivion.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Welcome back to the circus
 
 




 
 
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