From outsider to insider: Cabinet minister Kris Austin on the year he went mainstream
People’s Alliance founder turned PC minister says his goals and strategy have not changed
The former People's Alliance leader's defection to the Progressive Conservatives in March was a stunning moment in New Brunswick politics this year.
But he argues it made sense given his goal remains the same in 2022 as it was when he founded the Alliance in 2010: to nudge the party system into giving New Brunswickers a sharper contrast and a clearer choice.
"I think there needs to be a separate distinct ideology between the two [mainstream political parties], and back then I didn't see it quite like I do today," the Fredericton-Grand Lake MLA and minister of public safety said during an in-depth interview with CBC News.
Austin said he understands how his switch from the Alliance upset many supporters. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"Today I feel there is a little more of a difference between the two, and I think we played a part in that, which I think is good and positive in the long term."
Now, as a member of an internal PC government working group studying how to update the Official Languages Act, he's an even more polarizing figure than he was as leader of a small populist party.
In a wide-ranging 45-minute discussion, Austin said he is pragmatic about what he can achieve as part of a mainstream political party.
But this is still better than irrelevance, he said.
Winning some battles better than opposition
"Maybe you win 50 per cent of the time, maybe you win 70 per cent of the time," he said.
"The alternative was to sit in the opposition and win none of the time and not be able to see any change in New Brunswick that you want to see."
Austin said he understands how his switch from the Alliance, which he made with fellow party MLA Michelle Conroy, upset many supporters.
Michelle Conroy announced her move to the Tories on March 30, along with Austin. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"They were very passionate over the years, and I know some of them are disappointed in the decision I made," he said.
"It's about effectiveness. How do we be effective and how do we really make change? Otherwise I feel like we're just wasting time. And I'm not one for wasting time."
No 'ultimatums' on language law changes
What kind of influence Austin will have on an update to the Official Languages Act has emerged as a key question for many francophones leery of his position on bilingualism.
He has long insisted he supports official bilingualism but questions some aspects of its implementation — a disingenuous distinction in the eyes of Acadian activists.
Liberal and Green MLAs want him removed from the internal working group, worried he'll weaken institutions created to protect minority-language francophone rights.
Austin believes the post of commissioner of official languages, created in 2002, and the two language-based health authorities, established in 2008, are not needed to meet the goal of the original 1969 Official Languages Act: equal service to the public in both languages.
Last month, his cabinet colleague Daniel Allain said keeping those institutions was "non-negotiable" for him as a francophone, and he'd vote against any move to eliminate them.
Austin said he will not draw any similar lines in the sand.
"Whatever government decides as a whole, you're part of government," he said. "I don't like to operate on ultimatums."
Austin founded Alliance after losing PC nomination
Austin ran for the PC nomination in the riding of Grand Lake-Gagetown for the 2010 election.
He lost, and rather than stick with the party and wait for another opportunity, he founded the Alliance.
"I wanted to do something new. I wanted to do something that I felt would give more openness to the political spectrum."
The PCs and Liberals had become "a little too similar," in his view. He felt voters needed a distinct right-of-centre option.
The early years were a slog, with few encouraging signs — until the 2014 election.
Narrow 2014 loss encouraged him to press on
In that campaign he came within 25 votes of winning the new Fredericton-Grand Lake riding.
"I think it would have been different if I had lost with a much larger margin. It was really that 25-vote spread that told me that we can continue to build and see some growth."
By 2018 several language-rights controversies were brewing, including a cut in work hours for a unilingual commissionaire at the government's Chancery Place office building and a number of bilingual paramedic positions that couldn't be filled.
In 2014, the Alliance won three seats, including Austin's. He said there's no denying language issues played a role. (Catherine Allard/Radio-Canada)
The Alliance won three seats, including Austin's.
He said there's no denying language issues played a role in the breakthrough.
"Pretty much everybody" supports the idea of bilingualism, Austin said, but Alliance voters didn't want it implemented in a way that would "leave anybody out in the cold."
Liberals 'aggressively' sought Alliance support in 2018, Austin says
The Liberals lost their majority in that election and won one fewer seat than the PCs. Premier Brian Gallant tried to hang on to power, convening the legislature in the hopes of winning a confidence vote with the support of smaller parties.
Gallant worked "aggressively" to win him over, Austin revealed.
"There was no hard offer on the table but the door was always open, you know," he said. "'Should you decide to at least open the door to that, we could talk about different things.'"
Many Liberal MLAs elected with Gallant in 2018 now want Premier Blaine Higgs to drop Austin from the language law working group.
The Alliance voted against the Liberals, leading to the defeat of their government and Higgs's ascent to the premier's office — with Austin holding the balance of power.
Alliance worked quietly to influence PC policy
Austin adopted a quiet approach to take advantage of his leverage and advance his agenda.
At a 2019 public accounts committee meeting, officials from Ambulance New Brunswick said no ambulance had ever been taken out of service because of a lack of bilingual paramedics.
Austin was at the committee session but opted not to use the forum to challenge the officials or ask questions on the issue.
Similarly, he never introduced a bill to amend the Official Languages Act.
Drafting a bill would require a lot of specialized expertise from a party still learning the ropes at the legislature, he explained.
He preferred to work behind the scenes with Higgs to get Medavie Health Services to reorganize the ambulance service to address vacancies. The government also reclassified paramedic positions, which gave them higher pay.
2020 setback left Austin at 'crossroads' about party's future
Despite those successes, the Alliance suffered two setbacks in the next election in 2020: one of its three MLAs was defeated, and the PCs gained a majority.
"I was at this crossroads," Austin said.
The party's leverage was gone. At the same time, donations and members were dropping off, in part, Austin believes, because voters saw the PCs under Higgs adopting some Alliance policies.
"One of the key elements for me was, 'What is the current government doing?' and 'If they're doing a lot of what we're saying, why are we doing what we're doing?'" he said. "Why can't we just join that and try to be a part of that and see growth in New Brunswick?"
Austin also said he was exhausted after 12 years travelling the province as a party leader, giving up precious family time.
He and Conroy announced their move to the Tories on March 30.
No promise of cabinet post when he defected to PCs, Austin says
Defecting to the PCs meant Austin lost the $19,750 salary he got as leader of an official party in the legislature on top of his $85,000 annual MLA pay.
Dominic
Cardy recently tweeted that Austin told education officials he met in
the spring that he would not support 'anything that forces French down
people's throats.' (CBC/Facebook)
He made the jump without any promise from Higgs of a cabinet position and salary down the road, he said.
"There was no commitment to say, 'Look, this is what I want' and 'This is what you're going to get.' I did say, 'I want to be a part of this, not just on the outside looking in.' But there was no hard commitment."
Austin said he and Conroy got a "very cordial" welcome from the PC caucus, including ministers Daniel Allain and Dominic Cardy, despite clear disagreements on key issues.
"Even with Minister Allain, we've had discussions and I feel no animosity, personal or otherwise, with him, and I hope he doesn't."
Says he wants to improve his French-language skills
Cardy recently tweeted that Austin told education officials he met in the spring that he would not support "anything that forces French down people's throats."
Austin said he doesn't remember saying that. He said he told officials he did not want increased French instruction for non-immersion students coming at the expense of math, science and "some of the other basics."
In October, Austin was sworn into cabinet as public safety minister.
Daniel
Allain and Austin have had discussions, Austin said, and 'I feel no
animosity, personal or otherwise with him, and I hope he doesn't.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC via Legislature livestream)
The rookie minister said he now hopes to improve his own French skills.
"That is something I do want to work on. There's no question learning a second language is a difficult task, especially the older you get.… But I acknowledge I do have to do a little bit better in terms of at least getting some basic understanding of the language."
He also wouldn't rule out running for the PC leadership someday.
"I leave all options on the table. I don't want to box myself in one way or the other."
'My objective was accomplished'
Reflecting on the last 12 years, the one-time populist outsider believes he has moved the PCs to a place where there is now a "clear distinction" with the Liberals.
"I think my objective was accomplished to a certain degree in that regard."
Still, he doesn't feel he needs a clear win on language policy, one of his old party's signature issues, to prove his point.
He believes he, Allain and others on the language working group can reach a consensus everyone can accept — but that still bears his imprint.
"This is about how do we find that middle ground? How do I ensure that at least some of my ideas on public policy, whatever it is, can be brought to table and be part of that change?" he said.
"Again, you're not going to win every battle, but I know that I'm more effective where I am now than where I would be had I not made this move."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Guess who wrote this
"We are witnessing nothing more than “politics as usual.”
Premier Higgs is making a strategic political move. Minister Austin, oddly enough, is now a part of a secret, “behind closed doors” review committee such as he specifically railed and campaigned against – but it’s a significant feather in his political cap. Susan Holt is looking to establish herself as the Leader of the Liberals, a party strongly dependent on the Francophone vote. The SANB has never taken a cooperative or collaborative approach to anything – their strategy has always been to demand, intimidate, threaten, and sue.
So yes, it’s business as usual.
Furthermore, it’s a huge, controversial move than takes the focus away from healthcare, affordable housing, French Immersion, and tax cuts for the wealthy.
Don’t let yourself be sidetracked from what is important. The circus is only in town for a short time before it moves on, and the next amusement venture arrives."
Byadmin
Austin appointment is smoke screen for Higgs failures
While we applaud the appointment of
Minister Kris Austin to the committee reviewing the Official Languages
Act as offering an additional viewpoint; we strongly disagree with
Premier Higgs’ suggestion that this negates the need for the People’s
Alliance.
If anything, it does more than ever to show why we are vital to New Brunswick.
The immediate and vicious reaction of the SANB, Liberal Leader Susan Holt, and Green MLA Kevin Arseneau is a prime example of why.
This behavior must stop. We cannot have leaders in a democratic society who do not support democracy. Leaders who try to silence the voice they don’t personally care to hear and who want to leave large portions of the community outside of any policy or decision that does not fit their agenda.
Most importantly, we cannot afford to have leaders who continue to divide us. We need leaders focused on uniting. On working together. On respecting one another.
It’s time for us to come together. To stop insulting one another, tuning one another out, and dehumanizing one another over petty differences. In a democratic society, everyone has a voice. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard. By voting, the people will decide what they accept and don’t – let that process happen.
We are witnessing nothing more than “politics as usual.”
Premier Higgs is making a strategic political move. Minister Austin, oddly enough, is now a part of a secret, “behind closed doors” review committee such as he specifically railed and campaigned against – but it’s a significant feather in his political cap. Susan Holt is looking to establish herself as the Leader of the Liberals, a party strongly dependent on the Francophone vote. The SANB has never taken a cooperative or collaborative approach to anything – their strategy has always been to demand, intimidate, threaten, and sue.
So yes, it’s business as usual.
Furthermore, it’s a huge, controversial move than takes the focus away from healthcare, affordable housing, French Immersion, and tax cuts for the wealthy.
Don’t let yourself be sidetracked from what is important. The circus is only in town for a short time before it moves on, and the next amusement venture arrives.
The mission of the People’s Alliance is simple, to do Politics right.
We will inspire New Brunswickers to trust their government again, and we will do this by putting the needs of the people ahead of political agendas through the introduction and promotion of sound policies, common sense decision making and working collectively to improve New Brunswick for future generations.
Knowing this, we established five core values that we believe define who we are, what we believe, and how we act.
Fiscal Responsibility
For New Brunswick to prosper, we must always treat the spending of taxpayer money as if we are spending our own. Today’s debt and deficits become taxes for future generations.
You can’t spend your way to prosperity. On the flip side, you can’t cut your way there, either. Decisions regarding spending must look at both the short-term and long-term goals and impacts, as well as who will benefit.
Democracy
The People’s Alliance will govern the province for the people of the province. We believe that the government is employed by the citizens. Our job is to be the voice of the people in the legislature—not a voice of the legislature to the people.
We will listen to different voices and opinions, gather information, compile data, and determine our direction and actions from that.
Fairness and Equality of Opportunity
We believe that every New Brunswicker should have an equal opportunity for success and that all citizens of our province should be treated equally. We will work towards maximizing opportunities and access for everyone.
Leadership We believe in leadership and in leading by example
The People’s Alliance and its leadership will never ask New Brunswickers to make sacrifices they would not make themselves or bestow benefits upon themselves they would not pass on to everyday people.
Working Collaboratively
The People’s Alliance recognizes it takes a collaborative effort for the province to succeed. We are always willing to work with others to advance New Brunswick’s best interests.
Rick Desaulniers – Party Leader
Rick is the former MLA for Fredericton-York and knows that the only way New Brunswick can thrive and compete is with the common sense approach of the People’s Alliance. Through grass roots efforts, the party can rebuild the lost respect of political office by demanding transparency, openness, and service that puts New Brunswickers first. The birth of this party began in 2010 with a clear understanding that our current political structure is no longer serving our best interests. With your support, we will change that.
127 Main St. – Suite 206
Fredericton NB E3A 1C6
Office Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 A – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Phone
(506) 454-2077
office@peoplesalliance.ca
Higgs hands 'tricky' bilingualism decisions to newly created secretariat
A year after recommendations, premier’s response ‘comes up very short,’ Liberals say
Premier Blaine Higgs has kicked the bilingualism issue down the road, announcing that a new secretariat within the provincial government will now tackle some of the thorniest recommendations about the Official Languages Act.
The premier's long-awaited and long-delayed response to a year-old report consisted of the creation of what he called "a mechanism to address issues from both linguistic groups."
There was no clear decision on issues such as bilingual hiring standards for government jobs or the future of the commissioner of official languages.
"We're not proposing that here," Higgs said of the idea advanced by one of his cabinet ministers to eliminate the commissioner's office.
Higgs said the new entity would be a venue to address language issues as a "united front."
"The secretariat provides an opportunity to do that in a collective, co-operative way, a non-threatening way, outside of the absolute of 'whether you did this recommendation, or you didn't do that recommendation.'"
Official Languages Commissioner Shirley MacLean said she'd been 'disappointed with the government's silence' on this matter. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Earlier Monday, Official Languages Commissioner Shirley MacLean lamented that the long delay in the premier's response had created anxiety in the province.
"There's a lot of uncertainty that's circulating in recent months," she said at the release of her annual report before the premier's news conference.
She said she'd been "disappointed with the government's silence on this matter" and that "the delays and the apparent disinterest of the government in this matter constitute a step backward for language rights.
"Uncertainty sometimes breeds fear. And with our official language minority, I certainly think there's a sense of fear out there as to what's coming."
Higgs's announcement did little to end that uncertainty.
He said the future of MacLean's office would be examined as part of an all-party review of the mandates of the various independent watchdogs, such as the commissioner, the ombud and the auditor general, that report to the legislature.
Promotional role
At least one Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, Kris Austin, says the ombud could take over the commissioner's role in investigating complaints about inadequate bilingual service.
Higgs said the secretariat would have a promotional role, one that MacLean's office also has. He was vague on whether the commissioner would also continue to promote bilingualism, saying that would be up to the mandate review.
An independent review of the Official Languages Act is required by the act itself to take place every 10 years.
The report released last year recommended a review of the commissioner's mandate, "all necessary measures" to let government employees work in their choice of English or French and an explicit extension of the act's reach to cover nursing homes.
Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque said the premier is setting up the new secretariat to be 'a lot more political.' (CBC)
Higgs suggested the secretariat could weigh in on some of those issues, as well as on the process of deciding which government jobs should require bilingualism.
MacLean issued a statement after the premier's news conference calling his announcement vague, though she applauded the creation of the secretariat.
"I must admit that I am left wanting more information about the government's other intentions regarding official languages in New Brunswick."
Pathway 'to eliminating the commissioner?'
Liberal MLA Benoît Bourque said because the secretariat comes under the premier's authority, and is not independent like the commissioner, "he is setting it up to be a lot more political."
"This comes up very, very short," Bourque said, calling the creation of the secretariat "a pathway" to eliminating the commissioner in the future.
Green Party Leader David Coon said Higgs was "thumbing his nose" at the independent review.
Acadian Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet said in a statement that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I'm stunned that after a year's wait, Premier Higgs dared to respond today without tackling any of the recommendations," he said.
Acadian
Society of New Brunswick president Aexandre Cédric Doucet said in a
statement that he was stunned by the premier's lack of response to
recommendatons. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The premier complained several times during the announcement that he was unfairly seen to be hostile to, or sceptical of bilingualism because he's a unilingual anglophone.
"It's not based on a reality, it's based on the fact that I don't speak both official languages," he said. "And I don't want other people to go through that. I'm trying desperately to find a way that no one has to experience what I've experienced in the province that I love."
He also said he knows "more so than anyone" how tricky it is to juggle competing interests when dealing with language issues.
"I'm hoping we've struck a balance here for francophones to recognize, 'okay, they didn't really take away anything, we've got a group here dedicated to address real issues,' and the anglophones who say, 'all right, someone's going to listen to us too.'"
The premier also wouldn't commit to maintaining the requirement in the act for a review every 10 years, saying with the secretariat "we now have someone doing this every day."
The government will introduce amendments to the Official Languages Act in the spring to create the secretariat, but Higgs wouldn't say if that bill would also eliminate the mandatory 10-year review.
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Top Acadian minister outlines 'non-negotiable' stance on bilingualism
Daniel Allain acknowledges doubts on immersion data, calls for consultation
Daniel Allain says in a written statement that he wants to see the office of the commissioner of official languages remain intact and wants two separate health authorities to remain in place with separate boards of directors and CEOs.
His Progressive Conservative cabinet colleague Kris Austin has questioned the usefulness of those institutions in recent weeks.
Allain said in his statement that he felt he had to lay out "the limits of what would be acceptable, and what would be non-negotiable" on language rights.
The local government minister, first elected in 2020, is one of two francophone MLAs in the Progressive Conservative caucus and cabinet.
Asked in an interview to define what he meant by "non-negotiable," Allain said he would not resign if those institutions are changed but would "vote against it in caucus, cabinet and the legislative assembly."
Kris
Austin, the former People’s Alliance leader who joined the PCs in March
and is now in the cabinet, has spoken in recent weeks about his view
that the two health authorities should be merged and the language
commissioner’s position eliminated. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
A minister who votes against a government bill normally does not remain in cabinet.
"That's not for me to decide," Allain said. "I serve at the pleasure of the premier."
Higgs has said there's no plan to eliminate the language commissioner's role or merge the two health authorities.
Allain said he was caught by surprise when Radio-Canada revealed last week that the government had sought a legal opinion earlier this year on eliminating the dual school bus systems in the seven anglophone and francophone school districts.
"It would have been interesting if I'd had some type of knowledge of that," he said. "I learned of it from Twitter, just like you guys."
In his statement, he said a single bilingual busing system would violate constitutional language rights and "would be a major setback for francophones."
Allain also acknowledges in the statement that while he supports changes to French immersion to address the problem of streaming, "it is not clear we are operating with the best information available.
"There is disagreement about the validity of the data the government is using to justify its plans," he wrote. "This conflict needs to be explored further and resolved."
Allain added that there is "a public perception that the government is rushing this plan," and he urged "all parties" to hold consultations as soon as the province presents its plan to replace immersion.
Allain said in the interview that Premier Blaine Higgs was aware in advance that he was putting out the statement.
"I had indicated to him that I was going to do some positioning. … He acknowledged it and he said, 'We have something to work with here.' I was glad I had the ability to share with my colleagues how I felt."
He said the province was not on "a good path" in recent weeks with a series of language controversies.
Francophones were alarmed over the inclusion of Austin on a working group looking at revisions to the Official Languages Act.
Austin, the former People's Alliance leader who became a PC MLA in March and joined the Higgs cabinet in October, has spoken openly in recent weeks about his view that the two health authorities should be merged and the language commissioner's position eliminated.
He argued those view don't contradict his support for official bilingualism in general or his adherence to the PC party's aims and principles, which include support for linguistic equality.
Acadian Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet called Allain’s statement 'excellent.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Allain is part of the same working group, and he has been under pressure from francophone organizations to take a stronger position opposing Austin.
Acadian Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet called Allain's statement "excellent. … It's the public statement we needed."
The minister said he respects the fact Austin is part of the working group. He said many New Brunswickers voted for the former Alliance leader, and the government needs to listen to his point of view.
"That's the big tent approach of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick," he said. "We value peoples' ideas … and as a government it's our responsibility to move forward."
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Acadian groups unite to call for Austin's removal from working group
Organizations say former Alliance leader should have no input on language law revisions
A coalition of 21 Acadian and francophone groups is demanding that Premier Blaine Higgs remove cabinet minister Kris Austin from an internal working group examining the Official Languages Act.
The organizations also want the working group, made up entirely of Progressive Conservative politicians meeting in secret, replaced with an all-party legislative committee that deliberates in public.
"The confidence that Acadian civil society has in the Higgs government is hanging by a thread," said Acadian Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet at a news conference Tuesday morning.
The groups taking part included unions, arts and business groups, and associations representing francophone teachers, senior citizens, women, youth and others.
A
coalition of 21 Acadian and francophone groups is demanding the removal
of cabinet minister Kris Austin from an internal working group
examining the Official Languages Act. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
They say Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance, should not be on the working group given his statements opposing some of the ways official bilingualism has been implemented.
"Francophone rights are at risk," said Geneviève Latour, president of a francophone feminist group who spoke at the news conference.
"What happens with a victim of sexual violence who wants to give a statement to police and can't do it in her language? Or a senior who is at the hospital for a procedure who can't communicate because of a lack of bilingual capacity in the institution?"
As recently as last week, Austin reiterated his belief that the province can't afford two regional health authorities administered in English and French and doesn't need a commissioner of official languages to investigate complaints about bilingual service.
Some
of the groups calling for Austin's removal include unions, arts and
business groups, and associations representing francophone teachers,
senior citizens, women, youth and others. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Higgs has repeatedly defended choosing Austin as one of 10 PC MLAs on the working group, saying he wants diverse perspectives.
He also says Austin's inclusion will lessen the chance of a new protest party being formed over language issues.
In the legislature Tuesday, the premier again pushed back at the criticism.
"It's unfortunate the opposition is taking exception to having such a meaningful discussion in our province," he said in response to Liberal questions about language rights.
Geneviève Latour, president of a francophone feminist group, said "francophone rights are at risk." (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
He said critics should not speculate "on what might be, what could be" in possible revisions to the language act.
"All these speculations provides good fodder for everyday discussion but in the end they're not pertinent to what at the end of the day is going to be our recommendation," Higgs said.
The Official Languages Act requires a review every ten years, and last December an independent commission issued a report with recommendations for bringing it up to date.
The government has yet to respond to those recommendations. The working group is crafting the response, which Higgs has promised to deliver before Christmas.
In Question Period, Higgs challenged the opposition Liberals to identify any rollback of language rights since he became premier in 2018.
Premier
Blaine Higgs has repeatedly defended choosing Austin as one of 10 PC
MLAs on the working group, saying he wants diverse perspectives. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"I would like to hear about anyone who's been restricted because of our actions in this government," he said. "I'm not aware of anyone.…There's a lot of hype that's been created here."
Doucet would not say what the 21 groups will do if Higgs sticks with Austin on the working group, though he said they are making both short-term and long-term plans for more action.
He also said most anglophone New Brunswickers support official bilingualism and called on them to speak out on the issue.
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Higgs hints he may eliminate language commissioner position
Premier says role is ‘very negative,’ while cabinet minister Shephard says input should be ‘valued’
Higgs told reporters it's possible another government entity, such as a proposed official languages secretariat under his authority, would do a better job promoting bilingualism than the commissioner.
"It is a very negative office, usually finding fault with one person or another, and you wonder to what extent has it provided a meaningful way to move forward?" Higgs said of the commissioner's role, which has existed since 2003.
The mandate of the independent watchdog position is to field complaints from New Brunswickers who feel they haven't received government services in the official language of their choice, as required by the Official Languages Act.
The position has no enforcement power. Governments are free to ignore a commissioner's recommendations.
The role also includes promoting awareness of the merits of bilingualism in the province.
Acadian
Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet says he
believes Higgs wants to get rid of the commissioner's office altogether. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Higgs said some of the commissioner's tasks could be moved to a new entity, such as a secretariat within the government.
"What can we do in a secretariat that would be maybe what the official languages commissioner should be, or could be, doing as part of their mandate? I'm talking about marketing and promotion and awareness."
Acadian Society of New Brunswick president Alexandre Cédric Doucet said the comments are alarming to francophones who look to the commissioner to monitor government's compliance with the act.
"It is pretty clear from our understanding that he wants to abolish the office," he said. "He has to reassure the Acadian and francophone community that he won't do it."
Late Wednesday Higgs issued a statement saying his comments were referring to the commissioner's role investigating complaints, "which can often be perceived as negative."
His statement also said he was referring to recommendations from an independent review of the language act last year, "which did not include the abolition of the Office of the Official Languages Commissioner."
Social
Development Minister Dorothy Shephard sits on the ad hoc committee
drafting a response to a 2021 review of the language law. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
But nothing in the premier's statement explicitly said the commissioner's office would continue to exist.
Social Development Minister Dororthy Shephard said Wednesday there have been "negative connotations and positive connotations" to the commissioner's role, but "we need to hear what she or he has to say at all times.
"I support the office of the language commissioner and hearing what they input they have, and that input always needs to validated and valued as long as the information we're getting is validated and valued," added Shephard.
She sits on an ad hoc committee of Progressive Conservative ministers and MLAs meeting behind closed doors to draft the government's response to a December 2021 review of the language law.
PC cabinet minister Kris Austin, who sits on the committee with Shephard, said Saturday there are other "avenues … where people have independent methods to put forward complaints and have them investigated. We have an ombud which does a great job with that."
As leader of the People's Alliance, Austin advocated eliminating the commissioner's position.
Cabinet minister Kris Austin's appointment to the ad hoc committee has been widely criticized. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Last year's independent review report did not recommend abolishing the commissioner's role, but it said the position is perceived mainly as a watchdog position and recommended it be "much more balanced" with more focus on promotion.
It also suggested requiring the premier and other officials to respond to commissioner investigations within a fixed time period.
In his comments Tuesday, Higgs questioned whether the commissioner's oversight role "is achieving what was expected in the Official Languages Act."
In an emailed statement, MacLean said the language act gives her "a clear mandate" to investigate, report on and make recommendations about whether the government is complying with the law.
She said her role is similar to that of the ombud, the auditor general and other independent legislative officers.
"In my case, I am here to ensure the protection of the language rights of the province's anglophone and francophone communities and I believe strongly in the importance of the work we do," she said.
Shirley MacLean is the province's commissioner of official languages. (Shane Magee/CBC)
MacLean criticized the Higgs government last year for not communicating effectively in both official languages on COVID-19.
Higgs has promised that the government's response to the language act review will be released before Christmas, with any amendments to the legislation coming next spring.
Cabinet minister Daniel Allain said on Saturday that "nothing's been lost [and] we're actually going to strengthen that law."
Meanwhile, Higgs continues to face criticism for choosing Austin to be part of the ad hoc group crafting the response.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, all six of New Brunswick's federal Liberal MPs and the provincial NDP criticized the choice.
In a Facebook post, Austin responded that "our bobble head Prime Minister is more concerned with me sitting on a committee than he is with inflation, record high gas prices, housing, or any other issue that actually matters to Canadians."
He accused Trudeau of hypocrisy, pointing out how the prime minister wore blackface in a 2001 photograph that surfaced during the 2019 federal election.
On Wednesday, Dieppe mayor Yvon Lapierre released an open letter on behalf of the city asking Higgs to remove Austin from the committee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Michel Corriveau, Radio-Canada
Austin faces tough questions on language at PC party meeting
‘I’m not here to take anybody’s rights away,’ new minister tries to assure francophone members
The two members, both presidents of PC riding associations in northern areas of the province, spoke during a question-and-answer session with cabinet ministers.
One of them, Gertrude McLaughlin of Tracadie, asked Austin to commit to supporting official bilingualism, which he did.
The other, Léopold Ouellet of Restigouche West, said he didn't accept Austin's explanation that bilingualism hasn't been properly implemented in the half-century since it was made law.
"You're 50 years late, Mr. Minister," Ouellett said. "Don't try to change things your way. It won't work. The laws are there. People know them. They should follow them."
He said Austin's explanation for why he hadn't learned French himself "doesn't fly. It doesn't work."
'Elephant in the room'
Austin thanked both members for bringing up what he called "the elephant in the room" — his 12-year history with the People's Alliance party he founded and some of the language stances he took in that role.
Austin quit the Alliance in March and joined the PCs. He was sworn in as public safety minister last month.
"I support the right of both anglophone and francophone residents in this province to receive services in their language of choice because we are an officially bilingual province," Austin told McLaughlin.
Gertrude McLaughlin asked Austin to commit to supporting official bilingualism, which he did. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
He added: "There's always differences of opinion on how it's implemented and this is where I have maybe a little different view."
He said that was the same opinion he had as Alliance leader.
"I will give you my word as I have before: I'm not here to take anybody's rights away. I never have been."
Call for unity
After McLaughlin and Ouellet made their comments, another francophone PC member, Roger Léger of Dieppe, appealed for party supporters to pull together.
He said anglophones had been "tolerant" of francophones' push to "catch up" on their rights since the 1960s and "now it is time for francophones to [allow] some reshaping, some tweaking."
He said it was better to have Austin "reintegrated" into the PC party when that happens.
McLaughlin told reporters after the session that she would wait and see before declaring herself satisfied with Austin's response.
"I got an answer. We'll see if he lives up to his answer," she said.
Austin's newly prominent role in the government has been a flashpoint for francophone Conservatives who recall some of his language stances as Alliance leader.
Roger
Léger said anglophones had been 'tolerant' of francophones' push to
'catch up' on their rights since the 1960s and 'now it is time for
francophones to [allow] some reshaping, some tweaking.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Last month, a regional vice-president of the party, Maurice Arsenault, wrote a letter to attempt to trigger a review of Premier Blaine Higgs's leadership, but so far that hasn't gathered any momentum. Arsenault cited Higgs's appointment of Austin to cabinet as his reason.
Andrew Dawson, one of the candidates running for party president, said Saturday that Arsenault's letter "was the 'check engine' light coming on in the vehicle we're driving.
"A vote for me is a vote to pull over and look under the hood," said Dawson, who lost the race for party president 110 votes to 70 to Fredericton lawyer Erika Hachey.
Adding to tensions in the party was Higgs's confirmation on Friday that Austin is part of a 10-member committee of PC MLAs developing the government's response to the Official Languages Act.
The Acadian Society said Higgs was "burning bridges" with francophones.
Views on bilingualism
Austin repeated at Saturday's PC meeting that he supports the party's constitution, which says official bilingualism and language equality are key principles.
He told reporters he still questions the need for English and French health authorities in the province and for a commissioner of official languages, but doesn't see those positions as contradicting the party's constitution.
He said there are other potential avenues for complaints to the province about poor bilingual service, such as the ombud's office.
But he said as an individual cabinet minister, he'd accept whatever decision the government makes.
Léopold
Ouellet said he didn't accept Austin's explanation that bilingualism
hasn't been properly implemented in the half-century since it was made
law. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
After Saturday's session, Local Government Minister Daniel Allain, one of only two francophone PC MLAs, said the party remains united.
Allain is also part of the committee crafting the plan to update the language law.
"Let's get criticized on what we bring out, not on all this noise that people are debating about," he said.
He also said it's been "interesting" to see Austin learn about the PC party and about how government functions.
In his speech to the meeting, Higgs said he was happy with the "genuine speaking from the heart … and addressing the real issues" during the question-and-answer session.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Premier defends decision to put Kris Austin on languages committee
Acadian Society of N.B. accuses Higgs of 'burning bridges' with francophones
Higgs confirmed to reporters Friday that Austin, now a Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, is one of 10 party MLAs tasked with figuring out how — or whether — to update the legislation.
The premier was reluctant at first to identify MLAs on the committee, but after confirming Austin's membership he quickly added that the two francophone members of his cabinet, Réjean Savoie and Daniel Allain, are also part of the secret deliberations.
"We have a balance in the committee," he said.
The premier said he included Austin, who joined the PCs in March after years criticizing many aspects of official bilingualism, to ensure a broad consensus on changes to the act.
Excluding Austin and his perspective would risk sparking another backlash over language issues, he said.
Austin,
left, joins the two francophone members of the PC cabinet, Réjean
Savoie, right, and Daniel Allain, on the 10-member committee. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"I don't want to see another conflict in our province, creating another political party that's concerned, that's representing a number of citizens that have that concern on their ability to speak both languages," Higgs said.
"What I'm trying to do here is say, let's put everything on the table, let's work through this in a meaningful way and that we come out with a plan where everyone will say, 'Yeah, this can work.'"
The Acadian Society of New Brunswick promptly issued a statement accusing Higgs of "burning bridges" with francophones just two days after he met with the society's leadership.
But there is a precedent for Higgs's approach.
In 2002, then-PC premier Bernard Lord appointed a former president of the anti-bilingualism Confederation of Regions party, PC MLA Tony Huntjens, to an internal consultation group examining how to respond to a New Brunswick Court of Appeal ruling on language rights.
Huntjens and another MLA, francophone Louis-Philippe McGraw, helped Lord forge a consensus in his caucus on a new Official Languages Act.
But the leaders of the two other parties in the legislature rejected the idea that Austin needs to be at the table to make the final decision credible.
Daniel
Allain, minister of local government and local governance reform, will
also sit on the committee tasked with figuring out how — or whether — to
update the Official Languages Act. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"It concerns me when there's a bias clearly displayed in the membership of the committee making decisions," said Liberal Leader Susan Holt, who said Austin has tried to "undermine bilingualism."
Green Leader David Coon agreed.
"You need to show leadership when dealing with minority rights, and you don't aim for the lowest common denominator," he said.
Green MLA Kevin Arseneau took a more nuanced position, saying he'd be fine with Austin playing a role if the group were an official committee of the legislature meeting in public, not an informal group working behind closed doors.
In an emailed statement, Allain, one of two Acadian ministers in the Higgs cabinet, said he has "welcomed the opportunity to discuss and ensure the francophone perspective is well represented and appreciated by all" within the PC government.
"In politics, we work with people who have different experiences and ideas," said Allain.
He also said he was "encouraged by the seriousness our government has given to the report and its recommendations."
Austin was not available for interviews Friday, but in his own statement issued Friday at 6:30 p.m., he said he has always supported the right of anglophones and francophones to receive government services in the language of their choice.
He said he's on the committee "to offer my ideas on how we can accomplish this in a fair and equitable manner that reflects the linguistic makeup of New Brunswick.
"Bringing various opinions and ideas to the table supports a healthy conversation," he said. "At the end of the day, it's a team approach and I am there to provide my thoughts."
Austin's Alliance past
As Alliance leader, Austin called for the merger of two language-based regional health authorities, the elimination of the position of commissioner of official languages, and a relaxation of bilingual hiring standards in the public service.
Higgs confirmed Friday that the working group is looking at bilingual job requirements.
Last year's mandatory independent 10-year review of the language law included a recommendation that the province "clarify" language requirements and "ensure" provincial employees can work in their choice of English or French.
"I don't think it's a lowering of requirements," Higgs said when asked what the committee might do with that recommendation. "It's deciding what levels of capabilities are needed for specific jobs. … Some jobs are going to require much higher levels."
Austin and the only other Alliance MLA, Michelle Conroy, defected to the PCs in March.
Austin fully behind party stance, Higgs says
Higgs said Austin, who founded the Alliance in 2010 and was made a PC minister last month, accepts the principles laid out in the party constitution on bilingualism.
It includes a statement that "the diversity of our two linguistic communities is a unique strength of our province" and that the party believes in official bilingualism and in protecting and promoting both languages "while treating each community with fairness and justice."
Higgs said Austin is "fully there and fully behind it, so I'm not concerned that's an issue."
But he acknowledged that other MLAs may interpret those principles differently and that Austin may consider it possible to oppose two health authorities and an official languages commissioner while still supporting bilingualism.
"It doesn't break down that specific, but the rules and principles are very well defined, and that's what you sign on to," Higgs said.
He said it was important to him that "we all feel that we're being fair to each other, but that we're raising the bar, ensuring that both cultures work together, but the francophone culture is protected, and we don't lose ground in that area."
Higgs said he is also part of the committee. The other members are cabinet ministers Ted Flemming, Margaret Johnson, Dorothy Shephard, Mike Holland, Bill Hogan and Moncton South MLA Greg Turner, who chairs the PC caucus.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tuesday, 18 October 2022
PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Wilson, Mary (LEG)" <Mary.Wilson@gnb.ca>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:06:16 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Higgy Why is there no contact info
offered for Maurice Arsenault??? Methinks he could use a friend who
doesn't care for your butter tarts N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are
important to me. Please be assured that correspondence is carefully
reviewed and taken into consideration.
Please feel free to contact my assistant, Gaye Kirkpatrick at my
constituency office (506) 357-1177 or via email at
gaye.m.kirkpatrick@gnb.ca. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and
Thursdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Kind reagrds,
MLA, Mary E. Wilson, Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton
.............................................
Merci pour votre courriel. Vos réflexions, vos commentaires et votre
contribution sont importants pour moi. Soyez assuré que toute
correspondance est soigneusement examinée et prise en considération.
N'hèsitez pas à communiquer avec ma adjointe, Gaye Kirkpatrick, à mon
bureau de circonscrition (506) 357-1177 ou par courriel à
gaye.m.kirkpatrick@gnb.ca. Les heures de bureau sont les lundi.
mercredi et jeudi de 9 h à 16 h.
Bien à vous,
députée, Mary E. Wilson, Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton
---------- Original message ----------
From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:06:16 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Higgy Why is there no contact info
offered for Maurice Arsenault??? Methinks he could use a friend who
doesn't care for your butter tarts N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
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---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2022 21:06:10 -0300
Subject: Hey Higgy Why is there no contact info offered for Maurice
Arsenault??? Methinks he could use a friend who doesn't care for your
butter tarts N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, info@pcnb.ca,
"claude.williams" <claude.williams@pcnb.ca>,
shawn_morrison_1974@icloud.com
andrewjdykeman@gmail.com, bobhatheway@gmail.com,
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jd.grant@rogers.com, awlebrun@hotmail.com, lwyou1@rogers.com,
"stephan.richard1" <stephan.richard1@gmail.com>,
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andrea.johnson@pcnb.ca, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan"
<Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Arseneau,
Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)"
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<Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/
Our political watchers on the wild week in N.B. politics
Play Segment
16:36
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It was a busy end of the week in New Brunswick politics. There was the
resignation of Dominic Cardy and Roger Melanson followed by Cardy's
expulsion from the Progressive Conservative caucus and a cabinet
shuffle. Our political watchers, JP Lewis and Katey Davey, weigh in.
Aired: Oct. 17, 2022
https://www.pcnb.ca/nbexec
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Tous droits réservés © 2022 le Parti progressiste-conservateur du
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Tel • Tél : 1 (506) 453-3456 Email • Courriel : info@pcnb.ca
Speaking of Copyrights I wonder who wrote many of these words first
Teilor Stone or Jacques Poitras???
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
PC official wants Blaine Higgs's leadership put to review
PC party official hopes for discussion of N.B. premier's leadership at annual general meeting
In an email to fellow party members, Maurice Arsenault, the PC regional vice-president for southeast New Brunswick, accuses Higgs of a "dictatorial approach."
He's hoping to rally enough PC members to sign letters to trigger a discussion of the premier's leadership at the party's annual general meeting Nov. 4-5 in Fredericton.
"Let me remind it was Blaine Higgs who embraced
Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin without any consultation with our party,"
Arsenault wrote.
Cardy, a former NDP leader, joined the PCs in 2017 but resigned from Higgs's cabinet last week over the premier's leadership style.
The same day, Austin, a former leader of the People's Alliance who defected to the Tories in March, was sworn into the cabinet.
"There's a lot of people who are not satisfied, and everybody's talking about it, and nobody's doing anything about it," Arsenault told CBC News.
"Then Cardy jumped the boat, and he's not the only one who's frustrated, so I believe it was time to put my letter forward."
Caucus backs Higgs
Moncton South PC MLA Greg Turner said he convened a meeting of the PC caucus Monday night after they "got wind" of the letter, and the support for Higgs was unanimous, with no dissent.
"Without exception, [it was] 100 per cent complete endorsement of the premier and his leadership for our province, actually," he said.
"Everybody had a chance to speak who wanted to speak on the subject, and it was very, very positive. Ministers and MLAs alike were unified in our endorsement of the premier and the work we have done and he has done in leading us."
Arsenault, who lives in the riding of Moncton Centre, writes in his letter that Austin "does not adhere to our party's constitution," a reference to the Alliance party's opposition to aspects of official bilingualism.
The PC constitution's principles include a statement that party members support official bilingualism and the protection and promotion of "the diversity of our two linguistic communities."
"It was enough to have Kris Austin" as a PC MLA, but "having him as a minister, I can't stand that," Arsenault said.
Snap vote hurdles
He said he's been told by someone in the party that if he can gather enough support quickly enough, the leadership question can be put on the agenda at the annual meeting.
But the hurdles to a snap vote on removing the PC leader are considerable.
Reviews are automatic when the party loses an election, but when it's in power, 50 party members, including 20 riding association presidents, must ask the president's council for a vote on a review at least 21 days before its next meeting.
The president's council is made up of members the party executive, its regional vice-presidents such as Arsenault and all 49 PC riding association presidents.
It must vote by a two-thirds margin in favour of a leadership review. Only then would a vote by all members on ousting Higgs be scheduled within three months, either at an annual meeting or special meeting.
PC party president Claude Williams says the president's council is unlikely to meet until December and that means it's impossible for a leadership review to get on the agenda at the annual meeting.
Debate has been going on for 'last few weeks'
Williams, a former cabinet colleague of Higgs in the David Alward government, said as party president he cannot take a position on the premier's leadership.
"The debate's been going on for the last few weeks," he said. "I don't have an opinion."
Among Arsenault's other complaints is that Higgs has done nothing to fix health care since firing the two regional health authority boards in July, and has yet to respond to a review of the Official Languages Act that was submitted 10 months ago.
He says he's been hearing "for months" from party supporters wanting a change at the top.
But Turner says Arsenault is an isolated voice.
"We can't lose sight of the fact that this review call is from one member of the party. That's how we look at this. I'm sure there's always people who question the leadership of any organization at certain times for certain reasons."
Higgs recently told Brunswick News that he'll announce during his State of the Province speech in the new year whether he plans to retire ahead of the next election in 2024 or seek another mandate.
But Arsenault says Higgs is "toying with us" and that timing is "disrespectful" for a potential new party leader who would need to establish their own agenda before the 2024 election.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
https://thesaxon.org/call-for-
Call for review of Blaine Higgs leadership in NB
Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, at the press scrum at the Legislative Assembly, in Fredericton, in October 2022.
In a letter addressed to the members of the executive committee of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick and of which Radio-Canada obtained a copy, a regional vice-president, Maurice Arsenault, launches an appeal to his peers to initiate a process to review the leadership of Prime Minister Blaine Higgs.
This call comes a few days after the ex-Minister of Education Dominic Cardy set fire to the powder by resigning from his post and publishing an inflammatory letter in which he denounces the actions of Blaine Higgs. Dominic Cardy has since been kicked out of the Conservative caucus.
“For months I have heard [Progressive Conservative Party] supporters want change at the top. Blaine Higgs must be reminded that he was not elected Prime Minister, our party was elected to govern with him as leader. »
— Maurice Arsenault, Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert
In his letter, the Regional Vice-President of Westmorland Albert denounces the dictatorial approach of the leader. He also criticizes the arrival of Dominic Cardy and Kris Austin, without any consultation with the party. He writes that the appointment of Kris Austin as Minister is once again a snub to Francophones and criticizes the Prime Minister's management of health.
[Blaine Higgs] is not philosophically aligned to guide a reconstruction of post-COVID society with all its challenges, he believes.
Mauritius Arsenault calls on members to send letters to party chairman Claude Williams by October 28 asking for a leadership review. Maurice Arsenault himself sent a letter to officially make this request.
Before a review process is launched, other Progressive Conservatives will have to add their voice to that of Maurice Arsenault.
According to the constitution of the PCNB, a leadership review may have take place at any time, even when the party forms the government.
To do so, at least fifty party members – including at least 20 constituency presidents – must apply to have the party leadership review placed on the agenda for the next provincial council meeting.
Party chairman Claude Williams says the next council meeting should take place before the end of December.
If two-thirds of council members vote in favor of a revision, a meeting will be convened within three months to hold a secret vote.
In this secret ballot, party members – that is, all citizens registered as members of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick – will be asked to answer the following question: Do you support [Blaine Higgs ] as Party leader? .
If more than 50% of members say no, a leadership convention will be held within six months to choose a new leader.
In an interview with Radio-Canada on Monday afternoon, Maurice Arsenault said he was confident that he would manage to obtain the necessary mobilization to trigger the process.
I am very confident that I will get the twenties [necessary supports]. Already, I received a dozen comments in my favor and I think the rest will come, not only from the French-speaking regions, from the English-speaking regions too, he says.
With information from Nicolas Steinbach
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info@pcnb.ca
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