David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks Higgy must have dreamt up that "cultural shift" nonsense after partaking of too many of Cardy's infamous butter tarts N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/higgs-calls-for-cultural-shift-to-turn.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-higgs-culture-shift-economy-growth-1.5597576
Higgs calls for 'cultural shift' to turn N.B.'s economic fortunes around
Province reports weak economic growth in 2019, the 11th time in 13 years growth falls below 1 per cent
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 04, 2020 5:00 AM AT
Premier Blaine Higgs said New Brunswick will need a cultural shift to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Like a malfunctioning time machine, the COVID-19 crisis is threatening to transport New Brunswick's economy back to where it was in 2010 or earlier, and that has Premier Blaine Higgs calling for radical changes in the province's work ethic and entrepreneurial instincts coming out of the pandemic.
"We need a cultural shift here in New Brunswick. We need momentum that's going to be created from this COVID crises," Higgs said last week during a wide-ranging talk about New Brunswick's economic problems on the provincial business podcast "Turning Point."
"This may be a wake-up call for the country and for New Brunswick. I'm hoping we can springboard off of this."
On Monday, Statistics Canada reported New Brunswick's economy
had another underwhelming year prior to the pandemic, growing by just
0.98 per cent in 2019. It's the 11th time in 13 years that growth in the
province's economy has been one per cent or less, ranking lowest
among Canada's ten provinces.
Two weeks ago, New Brunswick's department of finance projected the province's economy will shrink by 4.3 per cent in 2020, with an average of private sector forecasts predicting a larger decline of 5.5 per cent.
Contractions of those amounts would send New Brunswick's economy back to the size it was somewhere between 2007 and 2010, erasing up to 12 years of accumulated growth.
By contrast in better performing neighbouring economies, a five per cent contraction would erase just three years of growth in Nova Scotia, two in Quebec and a little more than one year in P.E.I.
The explosion at Irving Oil's refinery in October 2018 cut output and dragged on New Brunswick's economy throughout 2019. It helped keep growth in provincial GDP below one per cent for the year for the 11th time in the last 13 years. (Submitted by Doug McLean)
Think bigger
Higgs often cites international entrepreneur Amarjeet Singh Jatana and his company Canadian National Growers as a model for New Brunswick economic development. The company saw the province as an ideal place to grow and export apples and has established multiple orchards in Kent County without government help to make that happen. (Twitter)
With that as a backdrop, Higgs said New Brunswick needs to
forget about deficit spending as a way to stimulate economic activity
and apply the collective effort it used to contain the COVID-19 virus to
remake the province's economy.
"i think we can do a whole lot here in New Brunswick and attitude plays a role — a cultural shift plays a role," said Higgs.
Stung by the reluctance of locals to fill jobs left vacant by a short-lived ban on temporary foreign workers, Higgs acknowledged low pay may be causing disincentives to employment in some cases but expressed his own belief that a lack of work ethic in the population is also causing problems.
"I think we have to understand why the jobs that are available here are not jobs we're proud of and want to be part of," said Higgs.
Wage hike?
"Are the wages high enough? But wages have to be tied with productivity. You do have to see if you're going to earn more money there has to be a working culture there to support that because they go hand in hand."How many of the processors said to me — the farmers, other industries — said to me, 'You know I need four, five six New Brunswick workers to replace one temporary foreign worker.' What does that say about us as a society?"
Higgs appeared to make an outdated reference to the operation of the federal government's employment insurance program, claiming without citing the evidence that too many New Brunswick residents are happy to work for 10 weeks and collect assistance the rest of the year.
"We have a system where people think being on the 10-42 program is a way of life," said Higgs.
Prior to the pandemic New Brunswick residents were required to work a minimum of 490 hours, at least 12 weeks, to qualify for 23 weeks of regular EI benefits in provincial regions with the highest unemployment rates.
Earning 42 weeks of regular benefits required at least 1,610 hours of work in the previous year, or about 40 weeks of full time work.
Broaden ambitions
In 2018, the company S&P Data was offered $2.2 million by the New Brunswick government to open two business services call centres. In 2019 it closed and laid off all 245 employees. Premier Higgs believes government grants are not the way to create jobs. (Opportunities NB)
The premier also called out business owners who he said need to broaden their ambitions.
"They were actually told you can't do that here in New Brunswick. They have orchards around the world and they looked at our climate and said that's a really good spot." said Higgs.
Higgs said he hopes the pandemic has shown the province it can come together and achieve important goals, a lesson he wants applied to the economy to end years of lacklustre growth.
"We don't go back to where we were," said Higgs. "We go well beyond where we were."
196 Comments
David Amos
Too Too Funny Indeed
Methinks Higgy's circus is getting more entertaining with each passing day N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
The only enjoyment I get is by watching the dance steps: 2 ahead, and 3 back. I'm past being entertained by a circus, especially the one Mr Higgs is in charge of, in fact I am beginning to find it quite stupid.
The only enjoyment I get is by watching the dance steps: 2 ahead, and 3 back. I'm past being entertained by a circus, especially the one Mr Higgs is in charge of, in fact I am beginning to find it quite stupid.
Terry Tibbs
Why is this news?
Export markets? We've been exporting our most valuable assets for years, our educated young folks, who leave for decent, well paying, employment.
People don't want to work? Can they afford to work?
So, yes Mr Higgs, it is ALL our fault, nothing to do with you, besides you are too busy jamming all the top spots with political choices of your own to pay attention to those who voted for you.
David Webb NB
Reply to @Terry Tibbs:
I personally know of 3 young professional people (Optometrist,
Physiotherapist and Dentist) who have left the province, (2 to the USA)
during the last Liberal government. All were quite happy with their
remuneration. Their issue was being in the highest taxed jurisdiction
in the country, and deteriorating, with the provincial debt ballooning
and daily cost to service the debt over $1 million per day. They all
thought it was a shameful waste of money, brought on by poor governance
over many years, and limited their potential in the province.
They also saw limited opportunities for their offspring due to forced bilingualism. All three of these people were in French Immersion, however because English was their mother tongue and used every day their French language skills rapidly deteriorated. Right or wrong, that is their perspective.
They also saw limited opportunities for their offspring due to forced bilingualism. All three of these people were in French Immersion, however because English was their mother tongue and used every day their French language skills rapidly deteriorated. Right or wrong, that is their perspective.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Relax and enjoy the circus
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
I'd like to be this is getting serious. Our minority government premier is straying quite dangerously into simply FO territory where it is no longer a circus and becomes a train wreck.
I'd like to be this is getting serious. Our minority government premier is straying quite dangerously into simply FO territory where it is no longer a circus and becomes a train wreck.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Webb NB:
David, you are not telling me anything new............. my 4 university educated children are grown and gone, I have a step daughter, university educated, that is grown and gone. Why would they stay?
Business opportunities? Don't make me laugh.
David, you are not telling me anything new............. my 4 university educated children are grown and gone, I have a step daughter, university educated, that is grown and gone. Why would they stay?
Business opportunities? Don't make me laugh.
Jane Sherrard
If Mr Higgs really wants to help NB’s economy, he had better stop ignoring the failing education system.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Jane Sherrard:
He's got his number 2 man on that job. Aren't you forgetting the CONServative talent pool is neither wide, nor deep
He's got his number 2 man on that job. Aren't you forgetting the CONServative talent pool is neither wide, nor deep
Joseph Vacher
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: lol you must have forgot about the previous premier......... liberals wasting and stealing money
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Joseph Vacher:
But, sadly for you, it is not "the previous premier" insisting we are a bunch of lazy louts, it is the current clown shooting his mouth off.
But, sadly for you, it is not "the previous premier" insisting we are a bunch of lazy louts, it is the current clown shooting his mouth off.
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Oh My My Methinks it obvious that you are sill upset by Higgy's latest nonsense N'esy Pas?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
I bet the strawberry farmers accept that they sell local boxes of Strawberries for $4 in 2020 instead of $2.25 of 2004, but yet expect the wages to be the same as 2004!
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: That's the beauty of supply management
JoeBrown
Reply to @Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater: The day you understand this part of the article you just
read is the first day you will know anything about ag in 2020 in NB.
"How many of the processors said to me — the farmers, other industries — said to me, 'You know I need four, five six New Brunswick workers to replace one temporary foreign worker.' What does that say about us as a society?"
"How many of the processors said to me — the farmers, other industries — said to me, 'You know I need four, five six New Brunswick workers to replace one temporary foreign worker.' What does that say about us as a society?"
James Smythe
Reply to @JoeBrown:
That TFW are genetically engineered creatures with 8-16 arms
scientifically developed to outwork everybody else for less money?
JoeBrown
Reply to @James Smythe: Take it up with Higgs since he said it in the article. You did read the article. Didn't you?
James Smythe
Reply to @JoeBrown: Of course I did. You didn't read between the lines, evidently.
Samual Johnston
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: perhaps but remember there is a lot more to the cost of production than labour
David Amos
Reply to @JoeBrown:
Trust that I read the article and do take up my concerns with Higgy on
nearly a daily basis lately but today I just laughed at his latest
circus act Methinks Higgy must have dreamt up that "cultural shift"
nonsense after partaking of too many of Cardy's infamous butter tarts
N'esy Pas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-new-brunswick-death-atholville-campbellton-outbreak-1.5598239
N.B. to welcome Canadians with immediate family, property in province
Loosening of restrictions comes same day province sees its 1st COVID-19-related death
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 04, 2020 1:31 PM AT
Premier Blaine Higgs addressed reporters during a COVID-19 update in Fredericton Thursday afternoon. (Government of New Brunswick)
New Brunswick plans to open its borders to Canadians who have immediate family in the province or who own property, starting June 19, provided they self-isolate for 14 days, Premier Blaine Higgs announced Thursday.
Cabinet and the all-party COVD-19 committee have also deemed attending funerals and burials for an immediate family member in New Brunswick essential travel, he told reporters during a news conference in Fredericton.
The decision to loosen restrictions comes the same day New Brunswick had its first COVID-19-related death and a new confirmed case — both linked to a long-term care facility in the Campbellton region, where there is an outbreak.
Daniel Ouellette, 84, who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville last week, died Thursday morning at the Campbellton Regional Hospital.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced the first death of COVID-19 in the province. 2:53
Four other elderly residents and four employees have also tested positive for the respiratory disease, including the latest case, a health-care worker in their 20s.
They are among a cluster of 15 active cases now in the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5. A 16th person, one of the infected health-care workers, lives in Quebec, and will be counted in that province's statistics.
Four people remain in hospital, including one in intensive care.
Officials have linked the outbreak that started May 21 to a medical professional who travelled to Quebec for personal reasons and returned to work without self-isolating for the required 14 days.
Daniel Ouellette, 84, was one of 15 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Campbellton region. He died Thursday morning. (Submitted by Michel Ouellette)
Higgs said he, like all New Brunswickers, received the news of the first death "with a heavy heart" and offered his condolences.
But the rest of the province will move forward with the next phase of the yellow level of the COVID-19 recovery plan Friday, as scheduled, after being delayed by a week, he said. The Campbellton region will remain under the stricter orange phase.
"It's a combination of sadness and hope," said Higgs.
'It's contained'
The premier noted that Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell had cautioned New Brunswick would see COVID-19 related deaths."So unfortunately that day did come," Higgs said.
The one-week delay on the next step in the yellow phase, however, gave Public Health officials time to determine how widespread the outbreak is and to take the measures needed to protect New Brunswickers, he said.
About 4,000 COVID-19 tests were completed last weekend in the Campbellton region over 72 hours.
"It is contained and we need to move on," said Higgs. "You know we've seen a lot of anxiousness … a lot of pent-up emotion that's related to the restrictions that we've had to put on our province."
We are grieving today, but we're also moving forward.- Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health
More than 300 people are self-isolating as a result of contact tracing, including six health-care workers, said Russell.
She added most of the people self-isolating are in the Campbellton region, with "only a handful" elsewhere in the province.
Russell said it has been difficult to witness the unfolding outbreak.
"It has gripped the community in stress and worry, and now, in grief," she said, describing it as a "very sad day for all New Brunswickers."
"We are grieving today, but we're also moving forward. … The overall health of New Brunswickers requires that we move forward with due care and attention while maintaining our caution against the disease.
"We have seen unintended consequences [of isolation], we've seen collateral damage for people's mental health, for people's income, for people who have not been able to access treatment and surgeries in a timely way due to the postponing of these things because of COVID-19."
What's allowed Friday?
Starting Friday, indoor gatherings of up to 10 people in private homes will be permitted across the province, except for the Campbellton region.Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people, and religious services, including wedding and funerals, of up to 50 people will also be permitted, indoors or outdoors, with physical distancing.
Residents in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, special-care homes, adult residential facilities and hospitals, will be allowed to have up to two visitors outdoors, with physical distancing.
Premier Blaine Higgs lists all the restrictions that will be lifted in New Brunswick starting Friday, with exception to Campbellton health region. 4:18
"We recognize that not every facility will be able to do this, but we want to be able to give them the option to do so if they can," said Higgs, adding he realizes it has been difficult on family and friends who have not been able to visit their loved ones.
Elective surgeries and other non-emergency health-care services will increase.
And low-contact team sports will be permitted. "Sports may operate as per the guidance provided by their respective national or provincial organizations if they identify means to limit the number and intensity of close contact during play," the province said in a statement.
The Campbellton region, Zone 5, remains in the orange phase of the COVID-19 recovery plan, but the rest of the province is moving into another level of the yellow phase of recovery Friday, the premier announced. (Government of New Brunswick)
In addition, the following will be allowed to open:
- Swimming pools, saunas and waterparks, with a limit of 50 people in each activity area.
- Gyms, yoga and dance studios.
- Rinks and indoor recreational facilities, with a limit of 50 people in each activity area, and limit of 50 spectators.
- Pool halls and bowling alleys.
Long-term care facility residents will also be allowed to have indoor visits with one visitor at a time, unless the visitor requires support, in which case, two visitors will be allowed.
Guidelines for travel allowed for funerals or burials will be available next week, he said.
The reopening of other sectors remains to be determined, based on how the province is managing a resurgence of the virus. These include casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and bars without seating, as well as trade shows and conferences, large live performance venues and larger public gatherings.
Atlantic summer travel possible
Higgs said he understands remaining in the orange phase of recovery is "frustrating" to those who live and work in the Campbellton region."But taking the proper precautions in the short-term will have positive long-term impacts in our province," he said. "Working together, we will get through this challenging time."
Higgs noted it might be possible to have a tourism bubble with P.E.I. by "early summer."
Plans were put on hold amid the outbreak, but Higgs said he will have discussions with the Atlantic premiers about the possibility of allowing travel between provinces.
New Brunswick has recorded 136 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March. To date, 120 people have recovered.
As of Thursday, 32,299 tests have been conducted.
Doctor may have made 'error in judgment'
The doctor at the centre of the outbreak, Dr. Jean Robert Ngola, told Radio-Canada's program La Matinale on Tuesday he's not sure whether he picked up the coronavirus during the trip to Quebec or from a patient he saw in his office on May 19 who later tested positive.Ngola, who has been suspended and is under investigation by the RCMP, said he made an overnight return trip to Quebec to pick up his four-year-old daughter because her mother had to travel to Africa for her own father's funeral.
He did not self-isolate upon returning, he said. He went to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital the next day.
"Maybe it was an error in judgment," said Ngola, pointing out that workers, including nurses who live in Quebec, cross the border each day with no isolation required.
Minister defends northern border crossing
The province's public safety minister is defending a border crossing that residents of a small village near Campbellton fear is letting in too many people from out of the province.On Tuesday, Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter said there were more vehicles with Quebec licence plates in the area than there should be considering COVID-19 restrictions and that the province is giving the wrong impression about how much traffic there is at the crossing.
On Tuesday, Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter said there were more vehicles with Quebec licence plates in the area than there should be considering COVID-19 restrictions. (Google Maps)
"The premier's reporting and the news is reporting perhaps 60 to 70 cars a day, well that is not factual," said Hunter.
"I know people that work for public safety there and the average [number of cars] on that bridge is about 200 a day."
The checkpoint is located on the New Brunswick side of the border, a short distance from the bridge to Matapédia, Que.
But Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart said there was a bit missing in that interpretation.
There are about 200 vehicles making that crossing every day, but only 65 of them would be private vehicles.
"Approximately 65 [private vehicles] the other day and then 130 commercial. So you're looking at approximately 200 all together," said Urquhart.
Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart said he’s convinced there isn’t a security issue at the border. (CBC)
Urquhart said public safety officers are the ones that determine whether someone can come into the province or not, but that commercial vehicles are checked to make sure they're actually making deliveries.
Urquhart said he's convinced there isn't a security issue at the border, and while he would love to send more public safety officers up there, they're needed elsewhere.
"If I had a lot more people I could put them all over the province," said Urquhart.
"You have to work with all you have."
What to do if you have symptoms
People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment on the government website at gnb.ca.Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with two of those symptoms are asked to:
- Stay at home.
- Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions.
With files from Jordan Gill, Information Morning Saint John and Fredericton
CBC was blocking me so much I did not waste my precious time trying to post something
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