Higgs defends PC record in northern New Brunswick
Liberals expand on community clinic promise, Greens talk improving mental health supports
Continuing his tour of campaign stops across northern New Brunswick, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs stopped for a photo op in Bathurst.
Along with local candidate Kim Chamberlain, who is also the mayor of Bathurst, Higgs stood in front of the old Smurfit-Stone mill.
The abandoned industrial site has been an eyesore in the town for 20 years, and the PC government issued a call for demolition so it can be cleaned up.
Demolition began this week.
When asked about a claim from Liberal Leader Susan Holt that Higgs has "ignored" the francophone north, Higgs pointed to the Smurfit-Stone site as an example to the contrary.
"I think the reality is of what we're doing here in the northern regions, the projects we've invested in," Higgs said.
Blaine stood in front of the former Smurfit-Stone mill in Bathurst on Thursday, which is being demolished after 20 years. (Camera Pool)
"I think we've done this right across the province, right across the North … I just think that the reality is much different than the perception."
He reiterated his position that the north could have more representation in government by electing PC MLAs.
Higgs and his candidates also continued to raise Policy 713 as an election issue.
A statement from PC candidate Bill Hogan, education minister in the Higgs government, accused Susan Holt of having a "hidden agenda" for not including her stance on Policy 713 in her election platform.
Higgs and Hogan changed Policy 713 to make it mandatory to get parental consent before teachers can use a child's new chosen pronouns if they're under 16, even verbally, in the classroom.
Policy 713 was not formally included in Holt's platform released last week, but it's been her position for more than a year that she would implement recommendations on the issue from the province's child and youth advocate, Kelly Lamrock, if she were to form a government.
She confirmed last week when she launched her platform that is still her position.
Lamrock's report, from August 2023, found that the revised Policy 713 violated the provincial Human Rights Act, the Education Act and children's Charter rights.
He recommended that staff verbally respect all students' pronouns without need for parental consent if they're in Grade 6, or higher.
Holt promises another community care clinic
Liberal Leader Susan Holt announced another location for a proposed community care clinic, this one in Blackville, making for an even dozen communities she's promised the model for.
She has previously announced she would open 30 such clinics before 2028, if elected as premier.
There is already a health clinic in Blackville, about 50 kilometres southwest of Miramichi, but Holt said it would be expanded to a collaborative care clinic.
That model would include doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals in a small practice, aiming to keep patients without a doctor from seeking care at over-stressed hospitals, she said.
She's heard from doctors who prefer the collaborative care model, she said.
"They need that admin burden off of their plate. Doctors are spending time at fax machines and on the phone trying to deal with referrals when they could be serving patients."
The cost would fall under the $115.2 million over four years for the 30 clinics already promised, Holt said.
The leader was also asked by reporters about campaigning as a Liberal and being tied to the unpopularity of Justin Trudeau and the national Liberal Party.
She did not directly answer, but said health care was what most voters were concerned about when she goes door-knocking.
Greens would expand budget for mental health care
On Thursday morning, the Green Party announced it would increase the mental health portion of the province's health-care budget to 12 per cent.
Party Leader David Coon took the podium in Moncton to promise the increase would ensure that everyone would have access to supports such as psychotherapy under Medicare.
"This is so important because, currently what happens to too many people is ... after rehab, their trauma being untreated and mental illness being untreated puts them back in the same position they were [in] before."
Medicare only covers mental health services, including psychotherapy, offered within the public sector, such as in hospitals and via public health, confirmed Mandy McLean, executive director of the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick, in an email.
This accounts for long waitlists as providers choose to work privately, McLean's email stated. "Services by private practitioners are not covered by Medicare."
The Greens also promised to establish two new rehab centres for addiction treatment to boost the overall number of beds across the province.
Coon said there is a "menu" of priorities when talking about providing mental health services and they are equally important for youth, the seniors and those facing homelessness.
Does carbon tax cost New Brunswickers? Yes and no, says new federal report
A new report on the federal carbon tax seems likely to keep the unpopular climate policy front-and-centre in the New Brunswick election campaign.
The study by the parliamentary budget officer, an independent watchdog, says the average household in the province would get $241 more in rebates than it would pay in carbon tax in 2030-31 — bolstering the argument of the policy's supporters.
Only the wealthiest 20 per cent of households would pay more than they get back, and that difference is a mere $22, says the study.
But when the cost to the overall economy is considered — such as lost jobs and investment income — the picture changes.
That calculation shows the cost to the average New Brunswick household would be $457 more than it would receive in rebates in 2030-31.
Thursday's report, by parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux, updates his March 2022 report that mistakenly included the separate industrial carbon price in its calculation of the impact on households.
Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux tabled a new report to parliament about the carbon tax. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
That report was seized on by both sides in the carbon tax debate: by supporters who pointed out most households come out ahead on rebates, and by opponents who noted they lost out when the cost to the overall economy was considered.
The original report also didn't calculate any impacts in New Brunswick because the province still had its own provincial carbon tax at the time. It only looked at provinces where the federal tax and rebates were in place.
Higgs scrapped the provincial model later that year, arguing that allowing the federal price and rebates to apply in New Brunswick would help people cope with inflation.
"What this does right now is provide relief," he said at the time.
But the PC leader has since reverted to his argument that the federal levy is not affordable.
The new report issued Tuesday adds specific New Brunswick estimates.
All three of the province's main political parties campaigning in the Oct. 21 election say they want to eliminate or replace the federal tax.
Higgs said he'll launch a new legal challenge to the carbon price if he's re-elected, though it's unclear what the grounds for that would be, given the Supreme Court of Canada found the tax constitutional in 2021.
Liberal Leader Susan Holt said she will try to convince the federal government to exempt New Brunswick from the federal pricing standard and let the province adopt a different model with a more "robust" price for industry.
And Green Leader David Coon says he would adopt a cap-and-trade system, similar to Quebec's, that shifts the price to industrial emitters.
Another flaw with the original 2022 parliamentary budget office report is that it didn't compare the cost of the carbon tax to other, potentially more expensive climate change policies.
Nor did it compare the tax to the cost of doing nothing, forcing governments to shoulder the costs of increasingly extreme weather attributed to a warming climate.
The new report acknowledges that limitation and says it's not endorsing a "do nothing" approach.
The parliamentary budget office "has not assessed the policy merits of carbon pricing or alternative approaches to reducing [greenhouse gas] emissions," it says.
"Providing comparative policy analysis is outside the scope of the PBO's mandate."
The election is Oct. 21.
Standings at dissolution: PCs 25, Liberals 16, Greens 3, Independent 1, vacant 4.
Where the leaders are today
Liberal Leader Susan Holt will be making a women's health announcement in Moncton.
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs has no events scheduled on Friday.
Green Leader David Coon is making a senior-care announcement in Riverview.
For complete coverage, here is a link to CBC's New Brunswick Votes 2024 stories.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Rhythm Rathi and Jacques Poitras
Methinks that was a bit of a Faux Pas in light of the fact he was close to Heron Bay N'esy Pas?
Federal and provincial approvals will be needed at different stages of the project.
At the municipal level, Heron Bay Mayor Norman Pelletier said the existing rock quarry has operated as a non-conforming use within Dalhousie town boundaries but an expansion can't move ahead without the area being rezoned.
Pelletier, who's also the provincial Progressive Conservative candidate in Restigouche East, has not yet decided whether to support the mine.
The boomers who are selling their homes for big bucks can certainly afford the rent on an apartment
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
I hear even Higgy sold his house and is now living in its basement I wonder what his rent is
valmond landry
Reply to David Amos
a lot of boomers that sold their house before the pandemic didn't get big bucks sir.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to valmond landry
You should talk to my family or Higgy before you try to argue me Sir Hell my youngest brother even sold his car dealership
David Amos
Reply to valmond landry
During the so called "pandemic" I had to pay 3 grand for a puppy and he lives with me rent free
David Amos
Reply to valmond landry
Did you flag my reply because I called you Sir???
"Higgs said he'll launch a new legal challenge to the carbon price if he's re-elected, though it's unclear what the grounds for that would be, given the Supreme Court of Canada found the tax constitutional in 2021."
- So he's going to spend our 💲💰💸 on a hopeless case. These conservatives are trying to deny climate change while its effects are happening right under their noses. Two major hurricanes in a row hammering Florida. Yet its governor denies climate change.🤪 Karma❗
Jake Newman
Reply to Jos Allaire
yep and the carbon tax will fix everything, specifically those Florida hurricanes.
William Murdoch
Reply to Jake Newman
Al Gore said so - more than twenty years ago,
Loran Hayden
Reply to Jake Newman
where did anyone say it would fix everything?
William Murdoch
Reply to Jos Allaire
Yes and one of the two was reported as possibly being as bad as one in 1848 ... but it turned out not to be. You see Climate is always Changing.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to William Murdoch
I butted heads with the crook Al Gore long before he produced that dumb movie In fact if I were to call his old campaign advisor Ron Klain he would quite likely know me by my voice and style of talking
David Amos
Reply to William Murdoch
Trust that you would have enjoyed my reply
William Murdoch
Reply to David Amos
Reply to William Murdoch
Reply to David Amos
Reply to William Murdoch
Here's the proof;
Total expenses for the federal government were $280.4 billion in the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Adjusted for inflation, that's roughly $345.5 billion in today's dollars.
Finance Minister's budget projects total expenses will be $496.9 billion in 2023-24 — a year when there's no extraordinary pandemic-related spending.
And under her current plan, the spending will move higher in the years to come. Her budget projects spending will ring in at $555.7 billion in 2027-28.
How many people are doing better today than in 2015?
How many are doing worse?
Reply to Steven Lyons
That being said, it would be interesting to know how government revenue/income has also risen since 2014-15 due to people like myself, and also to the increase in population who pay taxes within the last 9 years.
Obviously it's not as simple a calculation as you might think, since your only considering the expenditure side of the equation.
Reply to Steven Lyons
Reply to Steven Lyons
Financially speaking I am doing profoundly better today than in 2015 but if I told you my story you would not believe me. No offense intended nobody does
Reply to Loran Hayden
FYI My younger brother was a fairly successful bankster. In 1995 he was about to retire and take a job in the Investment Industry when he drowned while scuba diving for scallops in the Bay of Fundy. I trust that his Ghost and that of our Father has been enjoying what I have been doing since then.
The only way there is to be prosperity in this country is to pay off public debt and enact balance budget laws before it's too late.
Robert Brannen
Reply to Steven Lyons
Enact that law for all the provinces; then sit back and observe all the chaos that would ensue, not to mention the suffering.
Bob Leeson
Reply to Steven Lyons
Yay, we could be the first modern country without debt! Err... for what gain really? At least we're not near the debt levels as the USA and most other countries. Currently provincial and federal governments have great credit ratings without any shortage of buyers for our debt. Heck, like most Canadians, I own and profit from part of that debt too.
William Murdoch
Reply to Bob Leeson
So do you think that Canada can print money on par with The US?
Loran Hayden
Reply to Steven Lyons
your qualifications as a macroeconomics expert are...the same as Poilievre's are as an addiction expert?
Loran Hayden
Reply to William Murdoch
No money has been printed - the BoC has repeatedly corrected this disinformation.
David Amos
Reply to Steven Lyons
I wonder if anyone understood when I explained to Higgy et al back in 2013 how take care of the pensioners and rid us of the debt at the same time. I even explained it again on Rogers TV in 2018. I do declare that fixit is very important today
Reply to Steven Lyons
Ongoing cost increases are the reason why rent is going up so much, said Willie Scholten
Saya the man who owns half of Fredericton.
Feel free to set up your tent on any of his properties.
David Amos
Reply to Rich Hatfield
I doubt Willie would let me do so
Lou Bell
Reply to Rich Hatfield
Mr. Scholten is absolutely correct . Funny how most of those who deny the truth love to blame others and not just look in the mirror . Many of those apartment buildings that were sold were by owners who failed to raise rents while costs kept rising , and especially in the last few years . Now let's be honest , would you invest in a business where , as costs rise by more than 10 % a year , you're mandated to not increase the rents of your tenants ? So many love to criticize others but want no part of it themselves !
Fred Sanford
This is mostly a supply and demand issue. We have too many people chasing too few housing units. This will inevitably cause prices to go up. A rent cap is a foolish move. As Scholten says, that will just cause landlords to stop maintaining their properties.
Fred Sanford
Reply to Fred Sanford
A rent cap will also disincentize the contruction of new units making the problem even worse.
David Amos
Reply to Fred Sanford
The price of lumber is astounding and the sales tax on it adds insult to injury
Max Ruby
When property taxes keep skyrocketing for landlords and homeowners rents go up too. NB has the highest property taxes in Canada. If something isn't done huge corporations will buy up everything in this place because the people are getting taxed out!
MR Cain
Reply to Max Ruby
I don't know how the property tax is calculated, but I do know what is included differs from province to province. Aside from that, why don't people appeal it instead of just complain?
David Amos
Reply to Max Ruby
Amen
Robert Holmes
Reply to
Our Landlord pays the equivalent of one month's rent per unit per year. Roughly 12% Rent Revenue. Seems about right.
Robert Holmes
Reply to
Cranbrook, BC
Bob Smith
I'm sure that if taxes were cut as Scholten repeatedly asks for, he'd be doing interviews immediately afterwards touting all the affordable housing that will now be built. Snicker...
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith
Ditto
SarahRose Werner
"Mylène Vincent, a housing development consultant, says non-profits and governments need to step up to fund and operate affordable community housing projects." - I would suggest that in particular, governments need to step up to fund and operate public housing units, as they used to. Nowadays government seems to want to offload all too many of its responsibilities onto non-profits.
MR Cain
Reply to SarahRose Werner
I understand that Sheppard and Green both made commitments to upgrade existing public housing and build some new ones. I know the feds have been working with the municipal governments, but I have not heard of anything from the Higgs government, not even seen a tender.
Garry Mackay
Reply to
0.631933% is the tax rate for a residence in Toronto. There is no place I know of in the province that low. The NB rate is applied to the perceived unrealistic sale value of a property. It has nothing to do with the tax rate or services provided or not provided. non occupied residence are taxed at double the rate (only NB does this). That is why there are so many trailers in rural areas used as cottages because there is no permanent structure to tax.
Until the tax rate is for serviced provided it will be unfairly applied.
Tim Hortons is not a multi million dollar building nor should the regional hospital that all our taxes paid for be the highest taxed building in the province. It should be exempt because it takes income tax to pay that tax.
I could go on however I think it all falls on def ears. IMO
David Amos
Reply to Garry Mackay
I have been screaming about such things in 8 elections and nobody has heard me yet
Hugh MacDonald
"Rising costs to blame, landlords say"
And no doubt they want a bigger return on their investments.
David Amos
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
They have a point about taxation
SarahRose Werner
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
One thing that we're seeing now is that new investors buy rental properties and expect the rents they collect to cover not only the interest portion of their mortgage payments but also the principal portion.
Max Ruby
Reply to
And the exhorbitant property taxes, I think landlords pay double.
MR Cain
Reply to
Interesting read citing myths.
https://nbmediacoop.org/2021/04/13/is-new-brunswicks-so-called-double-tax-increasing-your-rent/
Vel Oakes
Reply to
And, they want that mortgage fully paid in just a few years rather than over the full 25 year term of the mortgage. Investing in property requires people to take a longer term view; too many can't see beyond the current year.
Mayor shouted down as residents voice loud disapproval of mine project
Pozzolan project proceeding to next step
No sooner had Heron Bay Mayor Normand Pelletier cast a deciding vote Monday evening for a bylaw amendment that would help pave the way for a proposed mine in Dalhousie, the dozens of people who had been in attendance to oppose the project voiced their disapproval.
“You’re a traitor,” yelled one attendee while another called him a coward, while many waved cardboard signs saying “no mine.”
Council chambers were packed for the meeting, where councillors deliberated on changing the wording on a bylaw that would govern excavation zones in the municipality. The 35-page amendment would set strict parameters for how materials can be extracted from the ground, and sets such rules as hours of operation, permit allowances and even cleanliness of sites.
The amendment is seen an an initial step toward toward a proposed new quarry that would mine pozzolan – volcanic rock that is used in making cement.
While only six people had formally requested to speak, all voicing their disapproval for the project in general, others in the gallery shouted over top of the proceedings.
“We don’t want this mine here, it’s not worth it,” yelled one woman.
Former town councillor Gail Fearon, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Heron Bay in the November 2022 election, was one of those who spoke formally. She said council has not been forthcoming with details of the project.
“This has been done with no public input whatsoever,” she said. “Ever since this project was announced and people came forward with concerns earlier this year, council has done little to inform us what the status is … a project of this magnitude should not be undertaken without public consultation.”
Others who spoke brought up concerns the proposed development could have on the environment, tourism, the local economy and the health of nearby residents.
“Yes, this project could bring in some jobs, but at what price?” said a lifelong Dalhousie resident Nicole Robicaud, a nurse of more than 30 years. “Social security and jobs should not come at the cost of the health of our residents.”
Councillors Ken Chartrand, Cynthia Good-Cormier and Lisa Pelletier voted against the amendment changes, while councillors Jean-Robert Hache, Denis McIntyre and Leigh Walsh voted in favour, meaning Mayor Pelletier had to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Council will now ask the Restigouche Regional Service Commission for its views in advance of a public hearing set for Sept. 23 on the proposed mine, where residents are invited to bring their questions and voice opinions on the proposed development. It will take place at the LER Theatre.
Previously, a spokesperson for the project said there are few risks involved in mining pozzolan.
“The Dalhousie quarry has been in operation for over 75 years and there is no visible sign that this type of operation could contaminate the area or pose a risk to the people who work there or around,” said Réjean Carrier, the president of Carboniq Inc. “The entire town of Dalhousie (Heron Bay) up to Dalhousie Junction is built on this rock formation, and several wells take their water from it and no community health problems linked to this rock formation have been reported.”
Part of the land on which the mine could be based is currently used as a quarry operated by LCL Excavation.
“I understand the importance of tourism to many here,” said LCL’s CEO Jean-Philippe Levesque. “However, I believe a project, if done correctly, will not harm tourism. Tourism and industry can coexist.”
He said since he became CEO more than four years ago, he is unaware of any complaints about the quarry’s operation, which is on the western edge of the former Dalhousie town limits and has been there for years.
“As it was stated many times, the Dalhousie Mountain peak trail is, and will be, accessible with no negative visual impact. The quarry part of the project would not be visible, unless you are within the site.”
In casting the deciding vote, Mayor Pelletier said it will benefit the town to see the project through.
“I am doing this for the economic future of our town,” he said. “We need more good-paying jobs.”
Copyright © 2024 Judy Wilson-Shee, PCNB Candidate for Hanwell-New Maryland .
pcnb.edmundston-vallee-des-rivieres@outlook.com
Droit d’auteur © 2024 | Roger Quimper, Edmundston—Vallée-des-Rivières.
Candidat PCNB pour Bathurst.
René Ephestion
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <votepaul2024@gmail.com>, <diane.cyr@campbellton.org>, <diane.cyr@snb.ca>
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, Rene.Legacy <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, <normandpelletierpc@outlook.
Cc: Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>
Northern mayors say they'd be strong voices in a PC government
Higgs, PC candidates say election a chance for region to wield more influence on road decisions, other issues
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 4, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Subject: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, <rickey.hondas@bathurst.ca>, <Stephen.Legacy@bathurst.ca>, <Jean-Francois.Leblanc@
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
https://www.bathurst.ca/city-
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2017 08:02:43 -0400
Subject: Well Mr Stever we spoke once again long ago Now I will argue
your City Solicitor Johanne Theriault and her buddies working for the
Crown
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca,
johanne.theriault@bathurst.ca, bernard.cormier@bathurst.ca,
shawn.delong@rci.rogers.com, michael.diotte@rci.rogers.com,
"Larry.Tremblay" <Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, "mike.obrienfred"
<mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, nmoore
<nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, gopublic <gopublic@cbc.ca>,
rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
PREMIER@gov.ns.ca, jamiebaillie@gov.ns.ca, justmin@gov.ns.ca,
StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca
"Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "steve.murphy"
<steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, briangallant10
<briangallant10@gmail.com>, "brian.gallant" <brian.gallant@gnb.ca>,
"David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
mcgratst@gov.ns.ca, craigpj@gov.ns.ca, hansence@gov.ns.ca,
Jennifer.MacLellan@novascotia.
Lynne.Watt@gowlings.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:00:53 -0400
Subject: Fwd: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:30:32 -0400
Subject: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
"steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>,
oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
"mike.obrienfred" <mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
Rod Gillis sues 2 cities and 2 officers over 'wrongful' obstruction conviction
Saint John lawyer seeks damages in lawsuit against Bathurst,
Fredericton, Andre Comeau and Mark Lord
CBC News Posted: Feb 20, 2017 6:06 PM AT
rominent Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis is suing two police officers and
two municipalities, alleging he was wrongfully convicted of
obstruction of justice in 2013, because of their negligence.
Gillis filed a notice of action and statement of claim against
Bathurst Police Force officer Andre Comeau, Fredericton Police Force
officer Mark Lord, and the City of Bathurst and the City of
Fredericton as their employers.
Gillis is seeking special damages for loss of income and legal costs,
as well as general damages for future loss of income, "including loss
of reputation and loss of clients," and for emotional distress,
according to the notice filed Jan. 31 with the Court of Queen's Bench
in Saint John.
Rod Gillis freed in obstruction of justice case
The lawsuit stems from an obstruction of justice allegation against
Gillis, dating back to 2009.
The veteran lawyer with Gilbert McGloan Gillis was accused of
attempting to stop a witness from testifying against one of his
clients.
Gillis was representing former Liberal MLA Frank Branch in a civil
lawsuit against the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board, as
well as on criminal charges of fraud and extortion.
The manager of the marketing board, Alain Landry, alleged Gillis
approached him during a break in proceedings at the Bathurst
courthouse and offered a deal. He alleged Gillis had said to him,
"They're your witnesses, make sure they don't testify and the Crown
won't have a case."
'Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction
of justice have caused him damage and loss.'
- Rod Gillis, statement of claim
Gillis was charged with obstruction on Nov. 25, 2011, found guilty on
Jan. 31, 2013, and sentenced to 22 months in jail.
But the New Brunswick Court of Appeal quashed his conviction on Sept.
9, 2014, and ordered a new trial, citing errors of fact and law by
trial Judge Irwin Lampert that "combined to deprive [Gillis] of a fair
trial," and "resulted in a miscarriage of justice."
The Crown sought to have that decision reviewed by the Supreme Court
of Canada but was denied.
In November 2015, when the retrial was set to begin, the charge
against Gillis was dropped. Crown prosecutor Peter Craig told the
court new evidence had come forward and there was no reasonable
prospect of a conviction.
Improper investigation alleged
"Had the defendant Comeau and the defendant Lord conducted a proper
investigation, the charges against [Gillis] would either never have
been brought or would have been dropped prior to trial," Gillis argues
in his statement of claim.
"In the alternative, if the charges against [Gillis] had been brought
to trial after a proper investigation, the charges would have been
resolved in his favour."
Gillis contends the City of Bathurst is "vicariously liable" for
failing to properly supervise Comeau and the City of Fredericton is
"vicariously liable" for failing ot properly supervise Lord or appoint
a more experienced investigator.
"Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction of
justice have caused him damage and loss," he wrote.
None of Gillis's claims have been proven in court.
No statements of defence have yet been filed.
Case transferred to Fredericton
In the statement of claim, Gillis says Comeau handled the initial
complaint by Landry and failed to obtain a recorded statement.
The Bathurst Police Force later transferred the complaint to the
Fredericton Police Force because of Bathurst's involvement with the
prosecution of Branch.
Lord was assigned as lead investigator on or about Feb. 2, 2010.
Gillis claims Lord was a polygraphist, who "lacked the investigative
experience or skills" to handle the case and that there were material
errors in the information Comeau gave to Lord and/or in Lord's
understanding of the information.
He also alleges when Lord took a statement from Landry on Feb. 23,
2010, he failed to ask him "obvious and critical follow-up questions,"
which would "be essential to assessing Landry's credibility and
reliability and establishing what really happened."
Similarly, Gillis alleges Lord failed to ask the marketing board's
lawyer, David Young, "obvious follow-up questions" about his
conversation with Landry regarding the alleged deal, and failed to ask
Linda Gould-MacDonald, the executive director of the New Brunswick
Forest Products Commission, about her observations of the meeting
between Gillis and Landry.
Settlement offer 'completely proper and legal'
Gillis contends he handed Landry a handwritten note titled "Offer to
Settle" in the Bathurst courthouse hallway, and explained to Landry a
possible settlement of the civil matter.
He says he also indicated that if the civil matter could be settled,
he would attempt to negotiate with prosecutors to have them offer no
evidence at Branch's criminal trial, the court document states.
"The Crown offering no evidence is a common and proper method for
resolving criminal charges in favour of an accused and is similar to
dropping charges but prevents the Crown from recharging the offence,"
Gillis argues in the statement of claim.
He says he never suggested that Landry or the board would have any
role in resolving the criminal charges.
"The settlement proposal was, in fact, completely proper and legal,"
Gillis contends.
"If the defendant Lord had sought informed opinions on the matter, he
would have realized that the plaintiff's written and verbal offers to
Landry were an accepted way of resolving, or attempting to resolve,
the proceedings."
Gillis alleges the first opportunity he was given to provide his
version of events was when he was arrested on Sept. 9, 2011 — about 21
months after the alleged offence.
"In his mind, the discussion in the hallway with Landry on Dec. 10,
2009 had been a routine and unremarkable settlement offer and he had
thought little of it since it was never mentioned again until his
arrest," according to the statement of claim.
http://gmglaw.com/service/
Rodney J. Gillis, Q.C.
Title Counsel
22 King Street,
Saint John, NB
rjgillis@gmglaw.com
(506) 634-3600 ext. 302
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:30:48 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each
other Perhaps I should Intervene EH Bill Pentney?
To: wjk@kimorr.ca, cetter@powerlaw.ca, gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca,
Victoria.Yankou@justice.gc.ca, susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca,
"bill.pentney" <bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>,
abespflug@callkleinlawyers.com
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
http://www.kimorr.ca/pdf/
Won J. Kim
Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
4th Flr. 19 Mercer St.
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2
Phone: 416-349-6570
Fax: 416-598-0601
Email: wjk@kimorr.ca
Gina M. Scarcella Senior Counsel
Justice Canada
Public Safety & Defence Div., PO Box 36
3400-130 King St. W.
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1K6
Phone: 416-954-8111
Fax: 416-973-5004
Email: gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca
Victoria C. Yankou
Phone: 416-952-7105
Susanne G. Pereira
Senior Counsel
Called to the bar: 1999 (ON); 2005 (BC)
Justice Canada
Public Safety, Defence & Immigration
900-840 Howe St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2S9
Phone: 604-666-7710
Fax: 604-666-4399
Email: susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.
Intervention
Marginal note:Leave to intervene
109 (1) The Court may, on motion, grant leave to any person to
intervene in a proceeding.
Marginal note:Contents of notice of motion
(2) Notice of a motion under subsection (1) shall
(a) set out the full name and address of the proposed
intervener and of any solicitor acting for the proposed intervener;
and
(b) describe how the proposed intervener wishes to participate
in the proceeding and how that participation will assist the
determination of a factual or legal issue related to the proceeding.
Marginal note:Directions
(3) In granting a motion under subsection (1), the Court shall
give directions regarding
(a) the service of documents; and
(b) the role of the intervener, including costs, rights of
appeal and any other matters relating to the procedure to be followed
by the intervener.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:39:17 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each other
To: mbm@kimorr.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
http://www.kimorr.ca/index.
RCMP Class Action
January 17, 2017
On January 13, Justice McDonald of the Federal Court released reasons
certifying the action for settlement purposes. A copy of those reasons
can be read here. The Federal Court has scheduled the hearing of the
settlement approval motion for May 24, 2017 at 9:30 in Toronto. The
Notice of Certification and Settlement approval hearing is here. The
Notice in French is here. The opt out form is here.
On October 6, 2016, an historic settlement was reached in the systemic
harassment class actions brought against the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police by female RCMP employees. Under the proposed national
settlement, every single living current and former female regular
member, civilian member, and public service employee of the RCMP who
worked within the RCMP since 1974, and who experienced gender and/or
sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination, will be
eligible to claim compensation, without fear of disclosing her
identity to the RCMP or of reprisals. The settlement is not effective
until approved by the Federal Court. Here is our press release from
today regarding this historic Settlement. To view the Federal Court
claim, click here.
To read more about this proposed Settlement, please go to
rcmpclassactionsettlement.ca.
On December 22, 2015, Justice Perell released reasons dismissing the
Crown’s motion to strike the statement of claim and confirming that
the pleading meets the s. 5(1)(a) cause of action criterion for
certification. To read a copy of the decision, please click here. The
balance of the certification motion, which was scheduled to be heard
May 26-27, 2016, has been adjourned.
Kim Orr Barristers is prosecuting a class action against the Attorney
General of Canada involving allegations of gender- and
sexual-orientation-based discrimination, bullying and harassment of
female Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the "RCMP") employees. The
action has been commenced in Ontario on behalf of all current or
former female regular members, civilian members and public service
employees of the RCMP in Canada, excluding persons resident in Quebec.
The claim alleges that men and women were, and are, treated
differently within the RCMP, and that female RCMP employees have been
subject to systemic discrimination, bullying and harassment on the
basis of their gender and/or sexual orientation. It also alleges that
the RCMP has failed to investigate, adjudicate and resolve conduct and
complaints about these issues, despite repeated reports over the years
about the problems within the organization.
The plaintiff is a former senior-level RCMP member who alleges that
she suffered discrimination, bullying and harassment throughout her
26-year RCMP career. The plaintiff alleges that as a result of this
treatment, she, as well as the other class members, suffered serious
injuries physical and emotional injuries, including post-traumatic
stress disorder, diminished self-worth, depression, and anxiety. The
claim also alleges that as a result of these systemic issues, female
RCMP employees have been denied training and promotions, and have even
taken early retirement or have left the organization.
The action seeks general, punitive and special damages for the
defendant's alleged failure to fulfill its statutory, common law and
contractual duties to provide female RCMP employees with a work
environment free of gender- and sexual-orientation-based
discrimination, bullying and harassment. The action also seeks damages
on behalf of family members of female RCMP employees who are entitled
to assert a claim under provincial legislation.
For more information on this case, please contact Megan B. McPhee at
mbm@kimorr.ca.
© 2017, Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
Suite 400, 19 Mercer Street Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2 T 416.596.1414 F
416.598.0601
info@kimorr.ca Copyright Information & Disclaimer Privacy Policy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/
RCMP to face new class-action harassment lawsuit, this time on behalf
of male employees
Current and former members allege they were physically intimidated,
denied promotions, belittled and bullied
By Alison Crawford, CBC News Posted: Oct 25, 2016 8:35 PM ET
The RCMP will soon face another class-action harassment lawsuit — this
time on behalf of male Mounties and civilian employees of the force.
Earlier this month, the federal government and the RCMP set aside $100
million to settle an estimated 1,000 cases of female employees being
harassed and bullied at work.
CBC News has learned that one of the law firms that represented those
women is preparing to bring another suit for men — which could
potentially be much bigger given that men make up roughly 80 per cent
of the RCMP's workforce.
Mounties offer apology and $100M compensation for harassment,
abuse against female members
'This is a way for everybody to heal': ex-Mountie on RCMP compensation
External body needed to probe workplace complaints, senior Mountie says
"We've spoken with hundreds of members, and we're contacted by new
members every day," said lawyer Megan McPhee of Kim Orr Barristers in
Toronto, who has been working on the case for years. "The stories are
very consistent. We're told that there is a culture of bullying and
harassment within the force, and one of the regular issues that we
hear is a fear of speaking out, a fear of reprisals."
Cpl. Michael Mansoor, who's due to be medically discharged in January,
says he was diagnosed with PTSD after what he alleges was years of
harassment at the hands of his colleagues and superiors.
He says it started in 2001, when he was posted to his hometown of
Richmond, B.C., where his brother was in conflict with the law. It
wasn't long before Mansoor said he found his duties restricted.
"I was banned from any work section in the detachment except for
general duty and traffic because they acknowledged that there might be
a conflict," said Mansoor.
Wrongly accused of sexual assault
Despite pleas for a transfer, he says his superiors stuck to the local
convention that a member must serve five years in the detachment
before being moved.
Documents obtained under the Access to Information Act suggest
officers were suspicious of his family ties. Eventually, Mansoor found
himself suspended with pay and under investigation for what he alleges
are two trumped-up internal disciplinary charges.
Furthermore, due to a clerical error, Mansoor was also initially
accused of sexual assault.
"There was a minor glitch with [Mansoor's] security suspension
document service this morning," reads an internal email about
Mansoor's disciplinary charges. "There is a reference to a 'sexual
assault'.... It was our conclusion that HQ Ottawa had screwed up the
paperwork. Seems likely that they took a previous form letter,
re-tooled it for [Mansoor's] case and did not remove a phrase that did
not apply in this case."
As for the two other allegations, they later proved unfounded.
Whisper campaign
Over time, Mansoor says the ongoing whisper campaign and harassment
made him ill.
"There comes actually a point where you start to look at yourself and
go, 'Am I bringing this on myself? Because surely it's not this
widespread in an organization,'" Mansoor said.
Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers says he knows exactly how that feels.
Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers
Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers alleges that during his employment
with the RCMP he was stripped of responsibility, belittled in front of
colleagues and denied opportunities to develop his career. (Provided
by Desrochers)
He left the force last year after 26 years in a job he says, for the
most part, he loved. He was making his way up the ranks and working
towards another promotion, he says, but that came to a halt near the
end of his career when management changed at the RCMP detachment in
Cornwall, Ont.
"[I] started covering my back. Started taking notes to make sure I was
not going to be hung out to dry," Desrochers said.
Years of meticulous notes document allegations of being micromanaged,
stripped of his responsibilities, belittled in front of colleagues for
taking initiative and denied opportunities to further develop his
career.
The worst incident, according to Desrochers, was when the inspector
refused to sign off on his application to serve in Kosovo due to
shortcomings with his performance. Yet Desrochers says all his boss
managed to come up with, after repeated requests for specifics, was a
late overtime claim.
Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers
Desrochers, right, seen here on a marijuana bust in British Columbia
early in his career. (Provided by Desrochers)
"It takes a toll on you because you start questioning yourself...and
then you're not good," an emotional Desrochers told CBC News.
Desrochers welcomes the lawsuit.
"If nobody comes forward to say there's a problem, how are they going
to know there's a problem. Is it just me sitting here? No."
Belittled, physically intimidated
It's not just men in uniform who allege they've been harassed.
Garth Caron worked as a public servant from 2005 to 2015, doing
administrative work in detachments in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Caron
says his first experience with harassment was when a few Mounties took
issue with him being gay and subjected him to a number of pranks.
"I came in one morning to my workstation and I noticed a number of
female items on my desk — boxes of tampons and things like that — and
it kind of struck me as odd as to why they would have been left
there," he said.
At another detachment, Caron said a sergeant questioned his Métis
status, belittled him in front of colleagues and tried to physically
intimidate him. The union got involved and Caron says he agreed, while
under a great deal of duress, to retire before he was ready to leave
the workforce.
It's no secret the RCMP has a bullying problem. Commissioner Bob
Paulson has said so himself. In a 2012 interview with CBC News,
Paulson conceded that he too had been harassed at work.
"I think in the day, if you weren't sort of in line with your
officer's expectations or consistent with his or her vision of where
the organization was going, then you were pushed aside," he said. "And
it's a very uncomfortable feeling and a very destructive feeling, and
it doesn't speak to a transparent, ethical, organization."
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:00:47 -0400
Subject: Re Federal Court File No. T-1557-15 and the QMPMA application
for a class action lawsuit against the RCMP byway of the CROWN
To: assoc.mpmq@gmail.com, fsimedia@videotron.ca,
charles.mancer@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, james@dugganavocats.ca,
Serge.Bilodeau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Gilles.Blinn"
<Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "dale.drummond"
<dale.drummond@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
<bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.
<Paulette.Delaney-Smith@rcmp-
<Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Perhaps we should talk ASAP?
Veritas Vincit
David Raymond Amos
902 800 0369
https://ampmq.ca/class-action-
https://mancer.
The Application for certification of a class action on behalf of all
members of the RCMP (past and present) arose from the many members
coming forward with their long-standing stories of harassment, abuse
and discrimination experienced while working in the RCMP. These are
stories that span many decades and point to a culture of bullying,
harassment and discrimination in the RCMP.
https://mancer.
https://ampmq.ca/en/
President Serge Bilodeau
Vice-President Charles Mancer
Quebec Mounted Police Members’ Association (QMPMA)
Post Office Box 154
Westmount, Quebec, Canada
H3Z 2T2
Phone: (450) 291-4458
assoc.mpmq@gmail.com
1699 Rue Principale,
Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu,
Quebec, J0J 1W0
Media relations
Frederic Serre
Media relations officer
Phone: (438) 875-4217
fsimedia@videotron.ca
http://www.dugganavocats.ca/
James Duggan:
Windsor Station
1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal (West)
Suite 900
Montreal, QC, Canada, H3B 2S2
Phone: (514) 879-1459
Fax: (514) 879-5648
Email james@dugganavocats.ca
http://thedavidamosrant.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lisa Porteous <lporteous@kleinlyons.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 14:46:22 +0000
Subject: RCMP
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
David,
Thank you for your email inquiring about our class action against the
RCMP. As you may know, the Notice of Claim was filed in the British
Columbia Supreme Court on March 27, 2012. The lawsuit has been
brought by former RCMP constable Janet Merlo on behalf of female RCMP
members. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with your claim.
We recommend that you contact Mr. Barry Carter of Mair Jensen Blair
LLP to discuss any claim you may have against the RCMP for harassment.
His contact information is as follows:
Mr. Barry Carter
Mair Jensen Blair LLP
1380-885 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8
Phone: 604-682-6299
Fax 1-604-374-6992
This is not intended to be an opinion concerning the merits of your
case. In declining to represent you, we are not expressing an opinion
as to whether you should take further action in this matter.
You should be aware that there may be strict time limitations within
which you must act in order to protect your rights. Failure to begin
your lawsuit by filing an action within the required time may mean
that you could be barred forever from pursuing a claim. Therefore, you
should immediately contact another lawyer ( as indicated above) to
obtain legal advice/representation.
Thank you again for considering our firm.
Yours truly,
Lisa Porteous
Case Manager/Paralegal
lporteous@kleinlyons.com
www.kleinlyons.com
KLEIN ∙ LYONS
Suite 400-1385 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver BC V6H 3V9 Canada
Office 604.874.7171
Fax 604.874.7180
Direct 604.714.6533
This email is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client
privilege. It is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is
addressed. Any distribution, copying or other use by anyone else is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
telephone us immediately and destroy this e-mail.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
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