Trump falsely says U.S. banks aren't allowed to do business in Canada. What does he mean?
Trump's claim isn't true, but foreign entry into Canadian banking sector is challenging
Fact check: Trump falsely claims U.S. banks can’t operate in Canada U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that U.S. banks are not allowed to operate in Canada, echoing an earlier statement he'd made on his Truth Social platform — but the claim is false.
"American banks are not allowed to do business in Canada. Can you believe that?" he said to a room of reporters. Trump has mentioned Canada's banking sector several times recently in relation to trade tensions, suggesting that he has another bone to pick as a tariff dispute simmers between the two countries.
Several U.S. financial institutions have operations in Canada. They fall under the Schedule 2 category (foreign-owned banks with Canadian subsidiaries), and they include JPMorganChase, which has about 600 employees on this side of the border, and Citibank, which has operated in Canada for more than a century.
So what might the U.S. president be referring to?
"It's somewhat exaggerated. [U.S.] banks can operate in Canada, but if they really want to be major players, it's a little more difficult," said Lawrence Kryzanowski, a professor of finance at Concordia University's John Molson School of Business.
Regulations, loyal clients dissuade U.S. banks
A
combination photo shows Canadian investment banks RBC, CIBC, BMO, TD
and Scotiabank in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on March 16, 2017 and June
19, 2024. Canada's banking industry is highly concentrated, with its big
six domestic banks — Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, CIBC, TD
Bank and National Bank — accounting for the vast majority of total bank
assets. (Chris Helgren/Blair Gable/Reuters)
Foreign banks might not want to move into Canada because of tough competition. Canada's banking industry is highly concentrated, with its big six domestic banks — Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, CIBC, TD Bank and National Bank — accounting for the vast majority of total bank assets.
The Big Six already have an extensive and entrenched network of loyal clients in the domestic market, which makes it harder for foreign banks to get a foothold here: "It's not a very exciting market for a large U.S. bank," said Kryzanowski.
"If a foreign bank goes in and they want to set up a network, they have to get a lot of retail customers to switch."
Canada's Big Six fall under the Schedule 1 category — meaning they must be Canadian-owned institutions that take deposits. Any American bank that wanted to buy a major Canadian bank would face these and other restrictions.
Even smaller Schedule 1 banks face ownership limits, said Kryzanowski, because 35 per cent of the bank has to be publicly owned. "Typically, if an American bank is going to move into Canada, they want to have complete control."
There are arguments to be made for and against the Canadian banking's strict regulatory environment, he added.
Canadian banks known for stability
The regulations make it difficult for foreign competition to compete here, but they've also given Canadian banks a reputation for stability.
"The big difference between Canadian bank requirements and U.S. bank requirement is the domestic stability buffer," said Jie Zhang, a finance professor at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont.
That buffer — a kind of fund that Canadian banks must set aside in case of financial emergencies — helped our banking institutions stave off the worst pains of the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Zhang.
Canadians banks are required to set aside a larger percentage of these funds than U.S. banks do, and those compliance costs could be another factor that dissuades American-owned banks from operating in Canada.
The Canadian Bankers Association refuted Trump's claim on Monday, noting in a statement that there are 16 U.S.-based bank subsidiaries and branches holding about $113 billion in assets currently operating in Canada.
"Canada has a strong and competitive banking sector comprised of both domestic and foreign banks," reads a post on the association's X account. "These banks specialize in a range of financial services, including corporate and commercial lending, treasury services, credit card products, investment banking and mortgage financing.
"They serve not only customers with cross-border business activities, but also Canada's domestic retail market. U.S. banks now make up approximately half of all foreign bank assets in Canada."
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I wonder if Yankee Banksters read these comments
David Amos
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David Amos
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Trump says he'd like to see "Canada become our 51st state" amid tariff dispute, signs more orders
ABC 7 News - WJLA 660 Comments
/ @thomasluongo N.B. Liquor won't buy U.S. alcohol, even with tariff delay
With trade threat delayed but not gone, premier says stores won’t order more American booze
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said Monday she planned to remove U.S. alcohol from N.B. Liquor stores and avoid signing all but the most essential new contracts with U.S. firms as a response to President Donald Trump's tariffs.
But she put part of that on hold late in the day, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the U.S. president would delay the tariffs by 30 days.
"For now, American products will remain on ANBL shelves but we will not be purchasing new product," Holt said in a statement.
The punishing tariffs, which will add 25 per cent to the cost of most Canadian products crossing the border into the United States, had been scheduled to take effect at midnight Tuesday.
The delay postponed, at least until early March, a potentially severe hit to New Brunswick's economy.
Holt said Monday she was concerned that some New Brunswick companies were eyeing a shift of their production to the United States to avoid the tariffs, if only temporarily.
"We have heard from a number of employers who have the opportunity to shift production into the U.S. as a temporary measure while the tariffs are in place," she said.
"I have serious concerns about these tariffs becoming permanent, and it is our goal to remove them as quickly as possible."
Holt said the province was looking at ways to help companies "defray" the additional costs, "but we also won't be able to subsidize the full effect of that production to prevent it from going into the U.S."
At least one major New Brunswick employer, J.D. Irving Ltd., has said that it could move some operations to the U.S.
J.D. Irving Ltd. said last week that it might move some operations to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. (Robert Jones/CBC)
"Tariffs at anytime are going to hurt, but we're going to be able to shift our production operations to other locations while we wait for a negotiated settlement," Mark Mosher, the vice-president of Irving Pulp and Paper, told CBC News last week.
J.D. Irving spokesperson Anne McInerney said Monday that Mosher's comments were "pretty hypothetical."
"It is simply too soon to say one way or the other," she said. "Like everyone, we're still waiting on details relative to the implementation of tariffs on Tuesday. Even so far today, there have been developments.
"It's all very fluid."
McInerney was referring to news Monday that Trump had delayed tariffs on Mexico by a month and that he had two phone calls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau posted on social media after the second phone call that the tariffs were on hold for Canada, too.
Holt said earlier in the day that if the U.S. delayed the tariffs on Canada, she would put off the province's responses as well.
Instead, she said in a statement issued Monday evening that N.B. Liquor will not buy new stock of U.S. alcohol, though it will continue selling what's now on shelves.
The Premier said if the U.S. delayed the tariffs on Canada, she would put off the province's responses as well.
N.B. Premier speaks on eve of trade war with U.S.The premier said N.B. Liquor sells about $40 million worth of U.S. alcohol each year and while that was tiny in a North American context, it is "more than nothing," and combined with the same decision by other provinces could have an impact.
Moosehead Breweries CEO Andrew Oland said his company sells about 20 per cent of its output to the U.S., and he was worried about the impact of tariffs — or even an outright ban on Canadian beer in retaliation for provincial liquor retailers dropping U.S. products.
The province will also stick with its plan to avoid new government contracts with U.S. suppliers until they're critically needed.
Holt was unable to say what the dollar value was of potential contracts with U.S. firms that would not be signed, a move that exempts "critical services for New Brunswickers that cannot be immediately replaced."
"Government procurement is significant but thankfully, much of it is Canadian and New Brunswick," she said.
The premier said the government would not cancel existing contracts with U.S. firms because of the cost of cancellation penalties and the disruption it would cause.
What a brewing trade war means for New Brunswickers"We wouldn't want to destabilize the economy more than these tariffs have already done," she said.
University of New Brunswick economist Herb Emery said consumers will be hit as well because the U.S. move would drive down the value of the Canadian dollar, making U.S. products more expensive here.
"If we throw a tariff on top of that, we'll potentially have more cost going on consumers," he said.
Canadian products "are still going to be more expensive than the American products they'll replace, because if they weren't, we would have gone to them already."
The Atlantica Centre for Energy said Monday that New England buys $10.2 billion worth of fuel oil, natural gas and electricity imported to the region from Canada each year, all of it now subject to a 10-per-cent Trump tariff.
New Brunswick is the primary source of electricity in northern Maine, eight in 10 cars in New England use gasoline from Canada and 90 per cent of jet fuel at Boston's Logan Airport is from Canada, the research institute said.
"We all must raise our voices in opposition of a trade war between two countries that have historically had the best trading relationship in the world," said board chair Stephen MacMackin.
Irving
Oil did not respond to an interview request, but a professor in New
Hampshire said the company had already increased customers' bills for
home heating oil. (Carl Mondello/Radio-Canada)
Irving Oil did not respond to a request for comment Monday. Eighty per cent of products from the company's Saint John refinery are exported to the U.S.
A professor at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire said on social media Sunday that Irving Energy, the company's New England retailer, was adding the 10 per cent tariff on Canadian home heating fuel to customers' bills.
"If there is any doubt that tariffs are passed through to consumers, the cost of propane to heat my house just went up by the amount of the tariff," Douglas Irwin wrote.
Holiday in this country, Holt says
Holt urged New Brunswickers to consider vacationing in places other than the United States this year if the tariffs came into effect.
"We would love to see New Brunswickers supporting New Brunswick and Canada at a time like this," she said.
A poll by Narrative Research taken last week, before Trump announced the tariffs on Saturday, found that almost two-thirds of respondents in the Maritimes — 62 per cent — planned to travel less often to the U.S. because of Trump's presidency.
Three per cent of those surveyed said they would travel to the U.S. more, and 26 per cent said their travel frequency wouldn't change.
Holt said she believes a strong buy-local sentiment in response to the tariffs "comes alongside a bit of an anti-American sentiment, a frustration, that our closest neighbour and trading partner has decided to treat us this way."
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With files from Silas Brown, Jordan Gill and Nipun Tiwari
From: Holt, Susan Premier (PO/CPM) <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. This account receives a high volume of emails. Thank you for your patience as our team prepares a response.
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Merci pour votre courriel. Ce compte reçoit un grand volume de courriels. Nous vous remercions de votre patience pendant que notre équipe prépare une réponse.From: Bockus, Kathy (LEG) <Kathy.Bockus@gnb.ca>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
From: Moore, Rob - M.P. <Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 11:44 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Premier Susan Holt and her new cabinet know some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well EH Ian Lee?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.
If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.
If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.
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Saturday 2 November 2024
Premier-designate Susan Holt, new cabinet to be sworn in at legislature
Susan Holt, new cabinet sworn in at legislature
Ceremony marks transfer of power to new provincial government, with 1st woman at the helm
Susan
Holt, centre, shaking the hand of Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy, left, is
sworn in as New Brunswick's premier at the Legislative Assembly in
Fredericton on Saturday. (Michael Hawkins/The Canadian Press)The legislative chamber was overcome with applause when New Brunswick's lieutenant-governor, smiling wide, addressed Susan Holt for the first time as "Madam Premier."
Holt, a Liberal who won the premier's job almost two weeks ago, was sworn in, along with her cabinet, during a Saturday afternoon ceremony in Fredericton.
The event marks the official transfer of responsibility from Blaine Higgs, the outgoing Progressive Conservative premier, and his cabinet after voters elected a Liberal majority on Oct. 21. It also officially makes Holt the first woman to be New Brunswick's premier.
Holt smiles up at the gallery during her swearing-in ceremony. (Michael Hawkins/The Canadian Press)
Speaking with reporters outside the legislature, Holt's voice broke as she described the time since Oct. 21.
"It has been the best days of my life," she said.
After being sworn in, Holt took a moment to recognize all of the women who have previously served as members of the assembly — asking those in attendance to rise.
While former Liberal MLAs like Aldéa Landry were present, so were incoming Progressive Conservative MLAs Sherry Wilson and Tammy Scott-Wallace, incoming Green Party MLA Megan Mitton and several former cabinet ministers who served with Higgs.
"The women who came before me paved the way. And every single one of them that got elected made it a little bit easier for the next of us to get here. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them," Holt said.
Holt invited former and current female MLAs to join her for Saturday's ceremony. (Savannah Awde/CBC)
"I wanted to make sure that they had an opportunity to be a part of the day, because I think it's something that many of them have wished for, for longer than I have."
Arlene Dunn, who held several ministerial roles in the Higgs government but resigned as a cabinet minister and MLA in February, was among them. She said Holt invited her to attend Saturday's ceremony.
"It's probably cliché to say there's that empathy piece, there's that compassion piece, but that really does matter to people. And I think that's what it's going to take to move our province forward. We don't need division," Dunn said.
"I'm really excited for the future.... I think she's going to do an amazing job."
Arlene
Dunn, who held several ministerial positions in the former government
of Blaine Higgs, attended Holt's swearing-in ceremony. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Former NDP MLA Elizabeth Weir, New Brunswick's first female party leader to win a seat in the legislature, said she hopes Holt's win will open the door to more women running for office.
"There are those rare moments in your life where you are able to experience a moment of history, and that's what happened this afternoon in the chamber," Weir said.
"I'm just feeling a sense of the profound change that we can make. It often doesn't happen overnight ... but it is just reassuring that things can move forward."
Jill Green, a minister under Higgs who lost her seat in the election, called the day momentous for all New Brunswickers but especially for women in the province.
Holt says New Brunswick's newly elected Legislative Assembly will sit on Nov. 19. (Savannah Awde/CBC)
Wolastoqey elder Opolahsomuwehs, whose English name is Imelda Perley, held a blanket ceremony for Holt after the swearing-in.
"Whenever we visited each other before electricity ... blankets were very revered as a protection," she said. "We wanted to protect the leader for doing something different than what any other leader has ever done."
At a ceremony earlier on Saturday, all members of the Legislative Assembly were sworn in.
Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy called the moment "her-storical," as New Brunswick elected a record-high number of women to the assembly, with 17 of 49.
Holt announced her cabinet and House leadership selections on Friday.
On Saturday, she said the first meeting of cabinet will take place on Monday, and the legislative sitting will begin on Nov. 19.
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Premier-designate Susan Holt, new cabinet to be sworn in at legislature
Ceremony marks transfer of power to new provincial government, first woman at the helm
Premier-designate
Susan Holt and her cabinet will be sworn in with a ceremony at the New
Brunswick Legislature on Saturday. (Daniel McHardie/CBC News file
photo)Susan Holt, who won the premier's job almost two weeks ago, will be sworn in Saturday, along with her cabinet, in a ceremony at the New Brunswick Legislature.
The event will mark the official transfer of responsibility from Blaine Higgs, the outgoing Progressive Conservative premier, and his cabinet after voters elected a Liberal majority on Oct. 21.
It will also officially make Holt the first woman to become premier in New Brunswick.
The weekend ceremony will be led by Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy and attended by the new members of the legislative assembly — who will be sworn in earlier on Saturday morning.
Holt announced her cabinet and house leadership selections on Friday.
St. Thomas University political scientist Jamie Gillies noted it is a larger cabinet — with 19 incoming ministers compared to the 16 outgoing.
"You add in an additional five MLAs who will serve as the leadership in the legislature, the Speaker that they have nominated, as well as the deputy speakers and the whip and house leader," he said.
"That constitutes 25 of Susan Holt's 31 Liberal MLAs. So it's a lot of the elected Liberal MLAs are in leadership positions in a Susan Holt cabinet."
Political
scientist Jamie Gillies noted the new cabinet is larger than the last,
with 19 ministers incoming, including Holt, compared to 16 outgoing. (Gilles Landry/Radio-Canada)
Gillies said this largely matches Holt's messaging to date about her leadership style.
"That may be how she introduces this cabinet, in talking about a first-among-equals-style cabinet, where yes, she is the first minister, but there will be some consensus decision-making on a lot of issues," he said.
While new legislation requires approval by the legislative assembly, with a new cabinet sworn in, regulatory changes could be made ahead of a sitting, Gillies said.
The ceremony at the legislature will begin at 2 p.m.
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 2, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Subject: Fwd: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that some folks have a long memory and keep good records as well?
To: <media-medias@gnb.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, <chuck.chiasson@gnb.ca>, <jean-claude.d'amours@gnb.ca>, <francine.landry@gnb.ca>, <jacques.j.leblanc@gnb.ca>, <benoit.bourque@gnb.ca>, <gilles.lepage@gnb.ca>, guy.arseneault <guy.arseneault@gnb.ca>, <daniel.guitard@gnb.ca>, <rene.legacy@gnb.ca>, <denis.landry2@gnb.ca>, <isabelle.theriault@gnb.ca>, <eric.mallet@gnb.ca>, <keith.chiasson@gnb.ca>
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From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2021 15:31:18 +0000
Subject: RE: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that some folks have a
long memory and keep good records as well?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
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---------- Original message ----------
From: "Bockus, Kathy (LEG)" <Kathy.Bockus@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2021 15:31:19 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that some
folks have a long memory and keep good records as well?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2021 12:29:11 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that some folks have a
long memory and keep good records as well?
To: Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca, Margaret.Johnson@gnb.ca, Richard.Ames@gnb.ca,
Jill.Green@gnb.ca, Ryan.Cullins@gnb.ca, Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca,
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From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2021 14:44:15 -0300
Subject: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that some folks have a long
memory and keep good records as well?
To: andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca, Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca,
marc.martin@snb.ca, hugh.flemming@gnb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca,
kris.austin@gnb.ca, michelle.conroy@gnb.ca,
attorneygeneral@ontario.ca, caroline.mulroneyco@pc.ola.org,
rbrossard@contribuables.ca, krondolo@generationscrewed.ca,
federal.director@taxpayer.com, jbowes@taxpayer.com,
Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca, greg.byrne@gnb.ca,
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PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca,
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<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, ministryofjustice <ministryofjustice@gov.ab.ca>,
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John" <john.furey@mcinnescooper.com>
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<howard.anglin@gmail.com>, "John.Williamson"
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"Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:38:38 -0400
Subject: Need I remind Higgy and Holland that the "Not So Smart" Meter
hearing in the EUB begins on Monday?
To: andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca, Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca,
marc.martin@snb.ca, hugh.flemming@gnb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca,
kris.austin@gnb.ca, rick.desaulniers@gnb.ca, serge.gauvin@snb.ca,
michelle.conroy@gnb.ca, attorneygeneral@ontario.ca,
caroline.mulroneyco@pc.ola.org, rbrossard@contribuables.ca,
krondolo@generationscrewed.ca, federal.director@taxpayer.com,
jbowes@taxpayer.com, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca,
greg.byrne@gnb.ca, tyler.campbell@gnb.ca, andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca,
PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca, Bill.Morneau@canada.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca,
maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca, strathmore.brooks@assembly.ab.ca,
brian.hodgson@assembly.ab.ca, calgary.lougheed@assembly.ab.ca,
leader@freedomconservativeparty.ca, premier@gnb.ca,
premier@ontario.ca, scott.moe@gov.sk.ca, premier@gov.ab.ca,
premier@leg.gov.mb.ca, ksims@taxpayer.com, fterrazzano@taxpayer.com,
pmacpherson@taxpayer.com, on.director@taxpayer.com,
prairie@taxpayer.com, Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.gc.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, Kevin.A.Arseneau@gnb.ca,
megan.mitton@gnb.ca, BrianThomasMacdonald
<BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, votejohnw <votejohnw@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, john.mcneil@gnb.ca,
jason.humphrey2@gnb.ca, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>, wharrison
<wharrison@nbpower.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 09:31:18 -0400
Subject: Methinks the EUB and Johnny "Never Been Good" Herron in
particular forgot that one Intervener had lots to say EH Mr Furey?
To: andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca, Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca,
marc.martin@snb.ca, hugh.flemming@gnb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca,
kris.austin@gnb.ca, rick.desaulniers@gnb.ca, serge.gauvin@snb.ca,
michelle.conroy@gnb.ca, attorneygeneral@ontario.ca,
caroline.mulroneyco@pc.ola.org, rbrossard@contribuables.ca,
krondolo@generationscrewed.ca, federal.director@taxpayer.com,
jbowes@taxpayer.com, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca,
greg.byrne@gnb.ca, tyler.campbell@gnb.ca, andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca,
PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca, Bill.Morneau@canada.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca,
maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca, strathmore.brooks@assembly.ab.ca,
brian.hodgson@assembly.ab.ca, calgary.lougheed@assembly.ab.ca,
leader@freedomconservativeparty.ca, premier@gnb.ca,
premier@ontario.ca, scott.moe@gov.sk.ca, premier@gov.ab.ca,
premier@leg.gov.mb.ca, ksims@taxpayer.com, fterrazzano@taxpayer.com,
pmacpherson@taxpayer.com, on.director@taxpayer.com,
prairie@taxpayer.com, Diane.Lebouthillier@cra-arc.gc.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, Kevin.A.Arseneau@gnb.ca,
megan.mitton@gnb.ca, BrianThomasMacdonald
<BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, votejohnw <votejohnw@gmail.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>, john.mcneil@gnb.ca,
jason.humphrey2@gnb.ca, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>, wharrison
<wharrison@nbpower.com>
On 7/16/19, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Campbell, Tyler (ECO/BCE)" <Tyler.Campbell@gnb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:11:30 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Paige MacPherson I just called this is
> one of the emails I mentioned
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> I am currently out of the office and will be returning on July 22.
>
> From July 15 to 17, please contact Jason Humphrey for assistance at
> jason.humphrey2@gnb.ca. For assistance on July 18 and 19, please
> contact John McNeil at john.mcneil@gnb.ca.
>
> ***
> Je suis actuellement hors du bureau et retournera le 22 Juillet.
>
> Du 15 au 17 juillet, veuillez contacter Jason Humphrey pour obtenir de
> l'aide à l'adresse jason.humphrey2@gnb.ca. Pour obtenir de l'aide les
> 18 et 19 juillet, veuillez contacter John McNeil à john.mcneil@gnb.ca.
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Legislative Assembly Office
> <LegislativeAssemblyOffice@assembly.ab.ca>
> Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:11:33 +0000
> Subject: RE: Attn Paige MacPherson I just called this is one of the
> emails I mentioned
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Please note that due to an electoral boundary change in the 2019
> Alberta election, this address is no longer valid or accepting email.
> Please refer to the following web site to identify your new MLA and
> constituency contact information.
>
> http://www.assembly.ab.ca/lao/mla/mla_help.htm
>
> Thank you
>
> Legislative Assembly Office
>
> [cid:image001.gif@01D4F058.1F3E4570]
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
> <Premier@ontario.ca>
> Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:11:29 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Attn Paige MacPherson I just called this is
> one of the emails I mentioned
> To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
> valued.
>
> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>
> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
> response may take several business days.
>
> Thanks again for your email.
> ______
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>
> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>
> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>
> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>
>
>
>
>
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: <james@jsmklaw.ca>, <info@ezrainstitute.ca>, <info@libertycoalitioncanada.com>
Cc: blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, Mark.Blakely <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, <brian.boucher@greenpartynb.ca>, art <art@streetchurch.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, Jason Lavigne <jason@yellowhead.vote>, <info@votefaytene.ca>, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, <AWaugh@postmedia.com>, Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, <Steve.Outhouse@gnb.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>
From: National Police Federation <communications@npf-fpn.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Reminder – Take part in this Election! / Rappel - Participez à cette élection!
To: <David.Raymond.Amos333@gmail.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Faytene Grasseschi / PCNB - Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins 2024 Candidate <info@votefaytene.ca>
Date: Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> David,I just tried to call you back. My apologies again that we had to keep the call short today due to an appointment. Thank you for your care, kindness and defence of me. I do appreciate it.Please know how much we respect you.FayteneOn Aug 6, 2024, at 8:01 PM, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote: ---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 7:46 PM
Subject: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: Daniel.J.Allain <Daniel.J.Allain@gnb.ca>, jeff.carr <Jeff.Carr@gnb.ca>, Richard.Ames <Richard.Ames@gnb.ca>, kathy.bockus <Kathy.Bockus@gnb.ca>, Gary.Crossman <Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, Bill.Hogan <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, Bill.Oliver <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, mary.wilson <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, Ryan.Cullins <Ryan.Cullins@gnb.ca>, Mike.Dawson <Mike.Dawson@gnb.ca>, bruce.fitch <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, Arlene.Dunn <Arlene.Dunn@gnb.ca>, hugh.flemming <Hugh.Flemming@gnb.ca>, jill.green <Jill.Green@gnb.ca>, Holland, Mike (LEG) <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, Trevor.Holder <Trevor.Holder@gnb.ca>, Margaret.Johnson <Margaret.Johnson@gnb.ca>, Glen.Savoie <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>, Tammy.Scott-Wallace <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, Rejean.A.Savoie <Rejean.A.Savoie@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, ernie.steeves <Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca>, Greg.Turner <Greg.Turner@gnb.ca>, sherry.wilson <Sherry.Wilson@gnb.ca>
Cc: blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, <Steve.Outhouse@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, Richard.Bragdon <Richard.Bragdon@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca> ---------- Original message ---------From: Chrystia Freeland <Chrystia.Freeland@fin.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 10:23 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your comments.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel. Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.---------- Original message ------------------- Original message ---------
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 10:23 AM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Thank you for writing to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Arif Virani, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Subject: RE Calls from Moncton RCMP (506 856 8139) about ‘PJ’ Andreetti and I
To: <Eric.Rousselle@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, <rcmpnb.grcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin. fin@canada.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov> Contact information
Sgt. Eric Rousselle
Codiac Regional RCMP
506-857-2400
rcmpnb.grcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: In his final words as Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre said ‘evil walks this earth'
To: pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, jagmeet.singh <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, ragingdissident <ragingdissident@protonmail.com>, <DerekRants9595@gmail.com>, Bill.Blair <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, Marco.Mendicino <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, Anita.Anand <Anita.Anand@parl.gc.ca>, <peter.mackay@mcinnescooper. com>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin. fin@canada.ca>, Melanie.Joly <Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>, Jason Lavigne <jason@yellowhead.vote>, Greta.Bossenmaier <Greta.Bossenmaier@hq.nato.int >, Jens.Stoltenberg <Jens.Stoltenberg@hq.nato.int> , Murray.Brewster <Murray.Brewster@cbc.ca>, wayne.eyre <wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca>, <Jennie.Carignan@forces.gc.ca> , <RCAFProfessionalConduct- ConduiteprofessionnelleARC@ forces.gc.ca>, <Lise.Bourgon@forces.gc.ca>, <paolo4monctoneast@yahoo.com>, Jason.Carrier <Jason.Carrier@rcmp-grc.gc.ca> , robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, Michael.Duheme <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca >, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>
Cc: blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, <NIA_IG@navy.mi>, nia_ig.fct <nia_ig.fct@navy.mil>, JUSTMIN <JUSTMIN@novascotia.ca>, <anthony.housefather@parl.gc.ca> As I said Cya in Court---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Paolo ''PJ'' Andreetti <paolo4monctoneast@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: In his final words as Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre said ‘evil walks this earth'
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> This is the last time you are calling me. I am telling you right now, make no further attempts to reach out to me, either by email, social media, phone etc .....I will not play with you. Make sure to read this a few times. If I decide to get law enforcement involved in this, I will go to the end, no such things as "catch and release".Join the Movement for an Even Better Moncton East
Support Paolo ‘PJ’ Andreetti in the 2024 New Brunswick provincial elections. Together, we can keep building a stronger than ever community. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please reach out and we will get connected!
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Subject: Fwd: In his final words as Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre said ‘evil walks this earth'
To: <paolo4monctoneast@yahoo.com>Moncton East
(506) 962-4001
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Subject: Fwd: In his final words as Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre said ‘evil walks this earth'
To: <paulo4monctoneast@yahoo.com>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, Jason.Carrier <Jason.Carrier@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>On Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 2:11 PM David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote: Saturday 20 July 2024
---------- Original message ---------From: Anand, Anita - M.P. <Anita.Anand@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: In his final words as Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre said ‘evil walks this earth'
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to the office of Anita Anand, Member of Parliament for Oakville. Please note that we are operating on an appointment only basis and our priority is to respond to inquiries from residents of Oakville. In scheduling appointments for the constituency office, we ask that you provide your postal code, email address, telephone number, and a concise explanation of your matter.
For matters related to her role as President of the Treasury Board, the correct email address to contact is the following: President of the Treasury Board/Présidente du Conseil du Trésor president-presidente@tbs-sct.
gc.ca For direct updates from MP Anand, you may visit the following websites:
www.facebook.com/AnitaOakville
www.instagram.com/anitaanandmp
To receive bi-weekly updates from MP Anita Anand, please click and sign-up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/gW3UrH
Celebrate Canada Day with a lawn sign from MP Anita Anand by clicking the followin link here: Canada Day Flag Sign Up! MP-Anita Anand, Oakville. 2024 (google.com)
Thank you again for reaching out to the office of Anita Anand.
Sincerely yours,
The Honourable Anita Anand
Member of Parliament for Oakville
301 Robinson Street, L6J 1G7
(t): 905-338-2008
With HST promise, Higgs seeks a campaign about choices, not change
PC leader’s tax cut pledge was just one of many options to make life more affordable
Last week, Premier Blaine Higgs, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives, announced he would reduce the provincial portion of the HST if elected again. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs's promise to lower the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax is a politically potent move and a callback to a similar Conservative commitment almost two decades ago.
The HST is the most visible of taxes. It's itemized on sales receipts we look at every day — as former prime minister Stephen Harper pointed out in 2005, when he launched his election campaign with a promise to cut the federal portion of the tax.
"This tax cut is one you will see every time you shop," Harper said.
"It is a tax cut you will experience, a tax cut that no politician will be able to take away without you noticing."
That promise helped Harper win the election, putting an end to more than 12 years of Liberal rule in Ottawa.
WATCH | The CBC's Jacques Poitras on Higgs's tax-cut pledge:The political potency of PC leader’s HST promise
In a move that echoes Stephen Harper’s 2005 campaign, Blaine Higgs promises a sales-tax reduction of two percentage points if he’s re-elected.Higgs is hoping his commitment, made at a campaign-style Progressive Conservative Party event last week, will have the same galvanizing effect provincially.
The opposition Liberals are making "change" the theme of their lead-up to the campaign, hoping voters are fed up with inflation, health-care wait times, overstuffed classrooms and six years of PC administration.
In this CBC archival photo from 2005, then-candidate for prime minister Stephen Harper promised to cut the federal portion of the HST. (CBC)
The Tories are countering that by making the October election about a choice.
"This fall, New Brunswickers will have a choice to make, and the choices will be very different," Higgs said at last week's announcement.
"Do you want more money in your bank account? Do you want to make life more affordable?"
Of course, the choice Higgs is offering is the one he is choosing to offer voters. But there are others.
His opponent, Liberal Leader Susan Holt, has promised to take the HST off power bills.
It would save people some money, reducing tax revenue by $90 million compared to the hundreds of millions the HST reduction would cost the government.
Holt says her proposal would leave the government room to spend more on health, education and other priorities.
"We've proposed things that we know we can do while continuing to be fiscally responsible," she said last week.
Last year the federal government took the HST off new rental apartment construction, hoping to boost the housing supply and stabilize the cost of rent.
It urged provincial governments to match the move. Nova Scotia did. New Brunswick did not.
There are other potential provincial tax cuts that might do more to help people who need it the most.
The HST doesn't apply to basic groceries and to rent, so lower-income voters, who buy fewer big-ticket items and pay less HST overall, will save less from the cut.
Single New Brunswickers earning less than $21,343 pay no provincial income tax. The government could raise that threshold, exempting more people and leaving more money in their pockets.
But that wouldn't benefit all New Brunswickers, as an HST cut would.
Another choice the PCs have made is the timing of the reduction.
The government has recorded $2.4 billion in budget surpluses over the last four years.
Higgs told reporters last week that the HST reduction, once fully implemented, will deprive the provincial treasury of $450 million a year.
He said that until recently, his government couldn't be sure the big surpluses that make that reduction affordable — surpluses fuelled by unprecedented population growth — would last.
"We didn't have confidence in where it was going to land," the PC leader told reporters.
Now, he says, the windfall looks secure and predictable enough to reduce the HST.
But that will likely limit the government's ability to spend money to keep up with the very population growth providing the government with more revenue.
Last November's capital budget, for example, included just $10.2 million to start work on four new schools and two expansions of existing schools — far less than what's required to provide classroom space for the thousands of new students enrolling.
"It isn't going to completely meet all of next year's needs, in terms of new space," Education Minister Bill Hogan admitted at the time.
"It's impossible to do it all."
A lower HST rate — and $450 million less in revenue each year — would make it even more difficult.
Higgs said last week that building more new schools will be necessary but, because he won't run deficits, that may make other expenses impossible.
"Some things we can't avoid," he said.
"There will be 'must-do's, and there will be 'nice-to-do's, and it will be very important for us to prioritize going forward how we manage that."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacques PoitrasProvincial Affairs reporter
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.
378 CommentsDavid AmosMethinks the spin doctors on both sides of the fence had quite a hoedown today N'esy Pas?David AmosPolitical parties must now disclose costs of N.B. election promises2018 act requires disclosures within 90 days of an election
Sam Farley · CBC News · Posted: Jul 25, 2024 5:14 PM ADT
Too Too Funny
David AmosStay tuned There will be more to followDavid AmosContent DeactivatedMethinks the spin doctors on both sides of the fence are having quite a hay day today N'esy Pas?David AmosContent Deactivated"Do you want more money in your bank account? Do you want to make life more affordable?"Duhhh???
David Amos"This fall, New Brunswickers will have a choice to make, and the choices will be very different,"David AmosReply to David AmosC'est VraiDavid AmosReply to David AmosIts kind of obvious with so many of Higgy's old buddies quittingDeborah ReddonReply to David AmosIt's odd that Higgs is using the word 'choice' to express his campaign. It's the very thing he doesn't want citizens to have. Higgs does not believe citizens should have choice with whom they fall in love with.David AmosContent DeactivatedHiggy said "This fall, New Brunswickers will have a choice to make, and the choices will be very different,"C'est Vrai
David AmosContent DeactivatedCouldn't get "the boss" take on it JP? Better call Al and AaronAl ClarkReply to David AmosAl and aaron(?) would need to call dave. He's got all the #s in his massive archive ;-)Don CoreyI suppose there was nothing but praise here for free spending Gallant when he jacked up the tax by 2% in 2016.David AmosReply to Don CoreyIt was a well mixed crowdDavid AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Don CoreyGo to the very first comments if you seek enlightenment or simply a little chuckleDavid AmosReply to Don CoreyStay tuned There will be more to followDon CoreyContent DeactivatedLiberals love to tax and spend. Any type of tax cut is simply beyond their comprehension abilities.David AmosReply to Don CoreySusan Holt, has promised to take the HST off power bills.Don CoreyContent DeactivatedIt’s always entertaining to read one of these anti-Higgs articles from Liberal Poitras.It’s a feeble effort at best, trying to put a negative spin on the Higgs’ promise to reduce the 2% provincial portion of the HST that free spending Gallant dumped on us in 2016.
It’s actually a great move that everyone will benefit from.
Yes, the middle class (that Trudeau has completely forgotten) will benefit a bit more, but why shouldn’t they?
Matt SteeleCurrent Liberal leader Susan Holt was a special advisor to Brian Gallant's Liberals , and we all know how that worked out for N.B. taxpayers. Those that fail to learn from past history are doomed to repeat it .David AmosReply to Matt SteeleAre we doomed to read your repeats?Matt SteeleThank you for the tax cut Premier Higgs as I prefer to spend my money on what I need, rather than have government spend my money on what I don't need . The Conservatives and the Liberals are offering two opposing platforms . Premier Higgs and the Conservatives are offering less wasteful spending , lower taxes , and less government control and interference in the lives of N.B. families . Susan Holt is offering the opposite with massive government spending , more endless taxes , and total government control over N.B.ers , and the lives of their children . Their platforms are plain to see ; and N.B.ers will have the opportunity to choose this fall . Thank you Premier Higgs for your service to our province , most N.B.ers appreciate it !Max RubyReply to Matt SteeleTerrible CBC wowDavid AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Matt SteeleWas that a cut and paste of an earlier comment?David AmosReply to Max RubyDittoKyle WoodmanVote for me and I might take 1% off the HST in a year or so seems to be Higgs' message.Don CoreyReply to Kyle WoodmanRead the article. It’s a promise, not a “might”, and it’s 2% over 2 years. That sure beats a federal plan that loves to spread whatever they do over 10 or 20 years, and actually think people believe them.David AmosReply to Don CoreyPolitical Science 101 When things are going poorly promise a tax cut if electedJames Risdon
Here's a thought: Just axe the tax completely. Get rid of the HST.
Don't just nibble away at it. Remove it entirely.
And, while you're at it, also axe the carbon tax.
Without carbon taxes and the HST, New Brunswickers would get at least a bit of relief from the insane cost of living these days.
House and car prices have skyrocketed. Even eating in a formerly-cheap fast-food restaurant is now a luxury. Vacations? Forget them. In addition to the high cost of gas and diesel, everything else has become prohibitively expensive.
When I first moved to New Brunswick a couple of decades ago, gasoline was 65 cents a litre. It's now almost three times as expensive. THREE times!!!
The size of my paycheque hasn't tripled in that time.
Has yours?
David Amos
Reply to James Risdon
Dream on
MR Cain
Reply to James Risdon
I make money with the rebate as do 8 of 10 Canadians, and pollution from vehicles has fallen, so we can keep the price on pollution.Walter VrbeticReply to James Risdon65 cents a litre for gas three decades ago...1994 price of a barrel of oil was under $18...
Its about $80 today.
Walter VrbeticReply to James RisdonOil 2004 about $40... so about half of todays.Mario-Pierre GaudreauReply to James RisdonThis makes absolutely no sense, at all. Taxes fund services, without which our system would crumble and fail. You think people have a hard time now? Imagine if they had to pay their own medical expenses? You want roads to drive on, or are you cool with dirt trails for highways? Homeschool all children or pay for private education? Are you rich? Because it isn't saving 15% tax and a few pennies at the pump that is going to allow me to pay for everything the government provides for my family and I.We live under a government, keyword here is Govern. We pay taxes so we can reap the benefits of living in an actual society, this isn't feudalism. Taxes aren't the problem, corporate greed is.
Also, minimum wage was $5 three decades ago, it's $15 today. Triple.
Max RubyReply to James RisdonMy property tax has more tripled.James RisdonReply to MR CainJames RisdonIf you want more energy-efficient or electric vehicles, then buy them at the more expensive price.There's no reason why I should pay carbon taxes so the government can subsidize those who make electric vehicles just so you can buy one more cheaply and virtue signal to the rest of us.
Reply to Mario-Pierre GaudreauIt makes a great deal of sense. Taxes are inflationary. They add to the cost of goods and services.But you do put forth a very valid idea. Taxes do pay for services. And some would have to be cut with less tax revenue.
I put forth a list of things that could be cut but that was vetoed by the powers that be who, apparently, want to keep their taxpayer-funded salaries and are perfectly willing to stifle discourse on a matter of public discourse to make that happen.
James RisdonReply to MR CainWhat do you do for a living and what is your level of income?James Risdon
Reply to Walter VrbeticWhich means we should encourage the Canadian oil industry to produce far more oil, green light pipelines, and do everything we can to make the most of our natural resources.James Risdon
Reply to Max RubyAsk not what your country can do for you ....
Gary Webber
Choice is clear don't vote for Higgs
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Gary Webber
"Those who sip from the trough will be upset."
GM
David Amos
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Nay not I
Gordon MacFarlane.
Reply to Mike Van FleetMR Cain
Reply to Mike Van FleetGive strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Gordon MacFarlane
Another poster, thanks MVF, noted we are paying $100,000,000,000.00...Every year just to service public debt.
We all know this fun fact but most don't really seem to understand what it means
To spend one million dollars at a thousand dollars a day...it would take close to three years
To spend one billion dollars, at the same rate of a thousand dollars a day...
It would take close to three thousand years
One hundred billion dollars x three thousand years per billion....
And that is just debt servicing!
Fiscal madness that must be reigned in
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
BTW, who can take a guess at what $1.00 in new public debt yields in value?
The answer is just $0.58.
Just 60 years ago it was $3.00, if I remember correctly.
The law of diminishing returns.
Bob Leeson
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
I took advantage of it and decided to buy some of that debt in order to make extra money.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Bob Leeson
I invest in bank stocks and not because I favour fractional reserve banking or the debt based monetary system we find ourselves trapped in.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Bob Leeson
I invest in bank stocks and not because I favour fractional reserve banking or the debt based monetary system we find ourselves in.
Bob Leeson
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
I own bank stocks too. But for leveraging Canada's public debt, there are several ETFs backed by government securities to choose from. It was basically a defensive strategy, as I'm starting to get up there in age ;)
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Bob Leeson
As long as the taxpayer back stops the banks, which, again, I do not believe in, I will continue to invest in them.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Leeson
We all own Bank Stocks
Bob Leeson
Reply to David Amos
Indirectly, through other funds like the CPP. However I hold 3 bank stocks directy.
Fun fact, some of that interest the government pays on its debt not only goes to me through the ETFs I own, but also the CPP since they also invest in government debt instruments.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Bob Leeson
Fun fact, by running a deficit, public debt, they are paying those service charges. It's like using your credit card to pay the interest on it. What eventually happens?
Bob Leeson
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
If I'm the recipient, I suppose I don't mind. Selfish choice I know, but money is money.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Leeson
Do you know why I came home and ran for Parliament in 2004?
Bob Leeson
Reply to David Amos
Err... to take part as an institutional investor in one of the BoC's bond auctions? I suppose you don't need to run for parliament to do that though.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Leeson
Review of Current Investigations and Regulatory Actions Regarding the
Mutual Fund Industry
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2003 Time: 02:00 PM
Topic
The Committee will meet in OPEN SESSION to conduct the second in a
series of hearings on the “Review of Current Investigations and
Regulatory Actions Regarding the Mutual Fund Industry.”
Witnesses
Witness Panel 1
Mr. Stephen M. Cutler
Director - Division of Enforcement
Securities and Exchange Commission
Cutler - November 20, 2003
Mr. Robert Glauber
Chairman and CEO
National Association of Securities Dealers
Glauber - November 20, 2003
Eliot Spitzer
Attorney General
State of New York
Spitzer - November 20, 2003
Bob Leeson
Reply to David Amos
Well great. I was never a fan of mutual funds. Too many fees.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Leeson
Why did I cause that hearing?
Bob Leeson
Reply to David Amos
No idea. Did you? In any case, I'm unsure of the relevance to profiting off government securities such as bonds, treasuries, GICs, etc.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Leeson
Everybody knows
Kyle Woodman
What tax cut? 1% in 2025 and another 1% in 2026 is the proposal no? If it was really a tax cut why doesn't Higgs just do 2% right now. He can you know. He's trying to quid pro quo himself some votes.
Le Wier
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Higgs is trying to get the small business owners votes.
Ed Franks
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Harpers government worked their way to a majority government by cutting the GST tax.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Le Wier
I don't understand that. I am a small business owner. HST is a write off on business expenses.
Le Wier
Reply to Kyle Woodman
The story last week said the small business owners were happy with the tax cut, because people could get out and shop more.
Mario-Pierre Gaudreau
Reply to Le Wier
That's 2 dollars on every 100. Will that really motivate people to spend that much more? I don't think so.
Le Wier
Reply to Mario-Pierre GaudreauI agree
Ed Franks
Reply to Le Wier
Small business does not care what their customers pay in taxes. Business only collects and remits the tax money.
Ed Franks
Reply to Le Wier
Makes sense thanks Le Wier
David Amos
Reply to Le Wier
Do you believe everything you read?
Le Wier
Reply to David Amos
No. I don’t. Last week’s story about the cut to provincial sales tax didn’t convince me more people will be going shopping because of it.
Le Wier
Reply to Ed Franks
I agree, but they do care if they have fewer customers.Don CoreyReply to Kyle WoodmanGallant jacked up the rate by 2% in 2016. No phase in….just “suck it up”. I suppose you were much more pleased with that approach.BTW, a tax cut is a tax cut, period; be it phased in or immediate.
Kyle Woodman
Blaine Higgs is a flim flam artist.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Why?
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Because he treats the electorate like rubes.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Examples?
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Kyle Woodman
So, you're just making the whole thing up. Why would you do that?
David Amos
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Ask the pensioners and the Crown lawyers why they sued Higgy
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
Thanks David.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Never forget why I sued 3 US Treasury Agents in 2002
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
I never forget anything you do.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Thanks back at ya
MR Cain
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Saving a thousand dollars with a 2% cut over 2 years in HST. If you believe that...
Mike Van Fleet
Who can take a guess at what $1.00 in new public debt yields?
BTW, I just found this out last night.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Better yet Why do you think I sued 3 US Treasury Agents in 2002?
Gordon MacFarlane
Those who sip from the trough will be upset.
Those who pay for the trough will be pleased
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
I'm going to use that one.
Classic!
Gordon MacFarlane
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Please do.
Cheers Mike
John Montgomery
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
Which of those people are fixing healthcare?
Matt Steele
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
Truer words have never been spoken , and 100 percent correct .
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to John Montgomery
Healthcare, in its current form, may not be fixable.
John Montgomery
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Maybe not, but it would be nice if someone tried.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to John Montgomery
I could fix it in ten years.
Pass balance budget laws
No more public debt is allowed
Revamped tax code of one page
Most important, end this private sector bureaucracy that is devouring the private sector.
John Montgomery
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
As long as I don't lose services that I use in the name of perusing your policy, I think that's a great idea.
Gordon MacFarlane
Reply to Matt Steele
Thanks Matt, I appreciate it
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to John Montgomery
We'll all have to suffer for a few years. It's happening right now but for the opposite reasons called over $100 billion/year to service the federal and provincial public debt.
John Montgomery
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
I'm fine with that too, as long as people suffer proportionate to their wealth.
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to John Montgomery
So, you are suggesting the gov confiscate the wealth of those richer than you?
John Montgomery
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
I'm suggesting everyone pay as they are able. I have a summer residence that is coming to me in my inheritance and I will need to pay more tax on it now, but I don't mind because I know people with smaller residences are paying less and people with bigger residences are paying more. That's the way it should be.
David Amos
Reply to Gordon MacFarlane
Surely you jest
David Amos
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
Will we see your name on a ballot this year?
Mike Van Fleet
Reply to David Amos
Nope, I'm retired. But, any politician could and should take this advice. It cuts to the root of a lot of problems.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Mike Van Fleet
BTW I asked you a far more important question and somebody flagged itMike Van FleetHiggs, you've missed a golden opportunity to actually pay off the provinces debt really quickly and introduce balance budget laws.What a shame.
David AmosReply to Mike Van FleetHiggy missed that boat when he was Alward's Finance MinisterRonald MillerReply to Mike Van FleetYour crystal ball appears to be a cloudy.Mike Van FleetReply to Ronald Miller$12 billion in debt and over $600 million/year just to service it.$600,000,000 a year.
Mike Van FleetReply to David AmosI thought his name was Higgs.Ralph SkavinskyReply to David AmosDavid Higgs was Finance guy, not Premier. I'm sure he had a plan, but his hands were tied.David AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Ralph SkavinskyNope I explained my position on TV and in a debate when I ran against Higgy et al in 2018Guy NewhereI think it's safe to say this whole left side, right side narrow minded politics thing isn't working out for anyoneDavid AmosReply to Guy Newhere
AmenJohn MontgomeryReply to Guy NewhereI just want to elect someone that demonstrates some willingness to help people with more than just token offers that really will make little difference for them.Matt SteeleContent DeactivatedSusan Holts was a special advisor to Brian Gallant's Liberals , and we all know how that worked out for N.B. taxpayers. History repeating itself .David AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Matt SteelePerhaps its time for lunch and a nap an let Lou take over for awhileMatt SteeleN.B.ers will have a choice this fall as the Conservatives and the Liberals are offering two opposing platforms . Premier Higgs and the Conservatives are offering less wasteful spending , lower taxes , and less government control and interference in the lives of N.B. families . Susan Holt is offering the opposite with massive government spending , more endless taxes , and total government control over N.B.ers , and the lives of their children . Their platforms are plain to see ; and N.B.ers will choose .David AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Matt SteeleYou are on quite a roll today eh?kelly sherrardThey will decrease the tax 2% and soon be taxing something else 5% so we are no further ahead but keep sliding further and further into the pit. The gov't needs to shake their heads and realize that its just a matter of time to find out what is the next thing they will be taxing in this province, the air we breathe?Matt SteeleContent DeactivatedReply to kelly sherrardThe FEDERAL government has doubled the size of the NATIONAL debt in just nine years . The FEDERAL debt was less than 600 billion NINE years ago , now it is 1.2 TRILLION , and rapidly increasing .Bob LeesonReply to Matt SteeleA pandemic will do that it seems. Luckily I don't have to cut my own hair anymore thanks to the support the feds gave to barber and salon businesses and their employees to keep the service sector viable during provincial lockdowns.David AmosReply to Matt SteeleYou cannot say that I did not warn youJohn MontgomeryReply to Matt SteeleI'd rather have a government that goes into debt helping people than a government that pays debt and does nothing for no one, if not cutting services and making life harder for many.Ronald MillerReply to John MontgomeryTell me what services have improved under JT and his massive over spending? What improved under Gallant?Matt SteeleReply to John MontgomerySo you think that the massive population explosion created by FEDERAL government policies over the past NINE years , and that has caused a severe housing shortage while forcing many out of their homes due to huge rent increases across Canada is helping Canadians ?John MontgomeryReply to Matt SteeleAffordable housing initiatives have been cut by every PM in the last 30 years. I don't personally agree with immigration, no. But because the only reason Trudeau does it is so Tim Hortons can find employees that will work for minimum wage. I thought you would be all for anything good for business.Cathy WatsonReply to Matt SteeleThis is a PROVINCIAL election, though, ISN'T it?John MontgomeryReply to Ronald Miller- He saved the police everywhere millions by legalizing pot- He got dental for poor kids
- He increased health payments to the provinces
- He made daycare more affordable
- Canada had the second lowest inflation in the G7 behind Japan. So if Trudeau had anything to do with inflation at all, then he protected us from the worst of it.
I know there are more but I can't think of them right now.
John MontgomeryReply to Cathy Watson Conservatives tend to deflect a lot.Ed FranksReply to John MontgomeryI’d rather a government that improves opportunities for Canadians instead of going into debt and making life harder for many.John MontgomeryReply to Ed FranksIt takes money to make opportunities.Ed FranksReply to John MontgomeryYes it does, that is called investing in the future and since it is investing than we should see a return on this investment. Borrowing money for day to day living is not a investment and will eventually end.Ok so how is Higgs investing for the future? Since paying debt isn't investing either.John MontgomeryReply to Ed FranksEd FranksReply to John MontgomeryPaying off debt is the first step to a great life. The second step is investing. You can do both at once but i like to pay off the debt and then invest. You know in case you lose a loved one or a job or get sick.John MontgomeryReply to Ed FranksNah, I'm not a big gambler. Buying a house and a car was enough gambling for me.Matt SteeleThe Conservatives and the Liberals are offering two opposing platforms . Premier Higgs and the Conservatives are offering less wasteful spending , lower taxes , and less government control and interference in the lives of N.B. families . Susan Holt is offering the opposite with massive government spending , more endless taxes , and total government control over N.B.ers , and the lives of their children . Their platforms are plain to see ; and N.B.ers will have the opportunity to choose this fall .Kyle WoodmanReply to Matt SteeleYou mean wasteful spending like the travel nurse fiasco?David AmosReply to Kyle WoodmanGood questionBob LeesonReply to Matt SteeleI suppose the good news is that when families lose their homes under the conservatives in NB, they can save $4 on a $200 tent at Canadian Tire. They'll be smiling all the way to the bank, I'm sure. TheMatt SteeleReply to Kyle WoodmanTravel Nurse situation was an emergency situation , and the French Health Authority chose to use Travel Nurses to cover for staff shortages . Premier Higgs was not aware of , nor did he approve the cost of the Travel Nurses .Bob LeesonReply to Matt SteeleSo the premiers office had no knowledge of travel nurses and the $174 million expenditure line-item? Is that even possible in a comparatively small province like NB?Matt SteeleContent DeactivatedReply to Bob LeesonThe housing shortage across ALL of Canada was created by the current FEDERAL government , and their policies which created a MASSIVE population surge across the nation which Canada has never had to endure before . The provinces had nothing to do with this population explosion , or the lack of housing that it created . It was the FEDERAL government that caused it , and they continue to do so .What does that have to do with travel nurses? Are you suggesting that people moving to New Brunswick were responsible for letting the premier's office know about the travel nurses and expenditure?Bob LeesonReply to Matt SteeleJohn MontgomeryReply to Matt SteeleHiggs saved all kinds of money on maintenance payments, yet I don't see any difference around me.Alison JacksonContent DeactivatedReply to Matt SteeleYou boss...Mr Higgs you mean.Kyle WoodmanReply to Matt Steele"Premier Higgs was not aware of" hahahahahaha. Do you really believe half the stuff you write?Jim LakeReply to Matt SteeleSusan Holt is not offering “massive government spending”, nor “endless taxes” nor total government control … one should read the policies and platforms before spouting inaccuracies and misinformation.Kyle WoodmanReply to Jim LakeThe truth is just an afterthought for Matt Steele.David AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Kyle WoodmanC'est VraiDavid AmosReply to Kyle WoodmanLOLMR CainReply to Bob LeesonMary Wilson, Minister of Economic Development and Small Business and Minister responsible for Opportunities NB, had to sign off on allowing soul source contract. Of course, Higgs knew.Jim LakeReply to Matt SteeleSusan Holt is not offering “massive government spending”, nor is she proposing “endless taxes” and not sure what policy you’re thinking about mentioning “total government control” … one should read the policies and platforms before spouting inaccuracies and misinformation.Jim LakeReply to Matt SteeleIt is apparent you’re not following any of Susan Holt’s policies or comments … she is not offering “massive government spending”, nor is she proposing “endless taxes” and not sure what policy you’re thinking about mentioning “total government control” … one should read the policies and platforms before spouting inaccuracies and misinformation.Kyle WoodmanHiggs is grasping at straws. He isn't a leader and has no real ideas.David AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Kyle WoodmanEverybody knows and nobody caresKyle WoodmanReply to David AmosWe shall see.Jos AllaireI didn't trust Higgs from day one. Once a COR always a CORI recall folks saying that he had changed. He never did.
David AmosReply to Jos AllaireOh So TrueJos AllaireTrying to get elected with this is not going to cut it. Higgs is toastDavid AmosContent DeactivatedReply to Jos AllaireIMHO Cardy played him like fiddleGuy NewhereElections these days are like trying to decide where you want to be punched ,there really isn't a good choice just one that hurts lessDavid AmosReply to Guy NewhereWell putDon CoreyContent DeactivatedYet another predictable article from Liberal Poitras.I suppose there was nothing but praise here for free spending Gallant when he hiked the GST by 2% in 2016
Political parties must now disclose costs of N.B. election promises
2018 act requires disclosures within 90 days of an election
New Brunswickers are now within 90 days of voting day, which means political parties are now required to disclose estimated costs for campaign promises. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
As New Brunswick's fall election inches closer, political parties have now passed the 90-days-before-the-vote threshold.
And that means stricter disclosure rules are now in place.
From now until the election, scheduled for Oct. 21, political parties must file a disclosure statement with Elections N.B. indicating the estimated cost for every campaign commitment made.
"The intent was, of course, to provide transparency to the electors, to voters of what the costs of commitments being made during an election campaign would mean to them at the end of the day as taxpayers," said Paul Harpelle, director of communications with Elections N.B. in an interview with CBC's Shift radio program.
Harpelle said there are three options parties can choose to provide on the disclosure forms: a cost estimate, a maximum cost estimate, or they can check a box that says no estimate has been provided.
"We ourselves have no control in validating whether or not the costing that they provide is sound," Harpelle said, but added that rival political parties can provide accountability by checking the numbers themselves.
Harpelle said the goal is to "make sure that they've actually filed and that they've checked all the correct boxes in these different disclosure statements."
Paul Harpelle, spokesperson for Elections N.B., said the agency doesn't validate the estimated costs as true. (Submitted by Paul Harpelle)
All of these cost disclosures will be available publicly on the Elections N.B. website, under the "Political Financing" tab. As of Thursday, none of the six registered parties in New Brunswick have provided any disclosures.
When asked if Blaine Higgs's recent promise to reduce the HST if elected would need to be outlined in a cost estimate disclosure, Harpelle said not technically, since it was made on July 18, just days outside the 90-day window.
But if the party states the promise again within the 90-day window, this "will have to be followed by a disclosure statement," Harpelle said.
On Thursday, now within 90 days of the election, a post on X, formerly Twitter, by the Progressive Conservative Party promised the same commitment again.
"In this election, there is only one Party who will cut the HST. The choice couldn't be more clear to make life more affordable," the post states.
Included in the post is a photo of Blaine Higgs as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party under the words "will cut HST" next to side-by-side photos of Liberal Leader Susan Holt and Green Leader David Coon under the words "won't cut HST."
Financial estimates for political promises are due by Sept 19, the day the writs of election are issued, Harpelle said.
Most commitments made between Sept. 19 and election day require a disclosure to be filed to Elections N.B. on the same day they are made, he said.
Last week, Premier Blaine Higgs, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives, announced he would reduce the provincial portion of HST if elected again. This promise does not require a cost estimate because it was just outside the 90-day time period. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)
There's an exception for commitments made by a party leader, which have a three-day window for estimates to be filed. This is to account for commitments made during a debate or leader's speech, Harpelle said.
Once the forms are filed, the supervisor of political financing has two days to examine the forms to make sure they are correct. If there are any errors or omissions, the chief electoral officer will reach out to the party to ask for a fix.
"If there are issues where they do not comply, then there are some consequences," Harpelle said.
A party could be prohibited from advertising for the rest of the election or be issued an administrative penalty, he said.
Harpelle said Elections N.B. held a training session for party officials earlier this year to go over the Transparency in Elections Commitment Act, which was proclaimed in 2018 and includes the financial disclosure requirement.
This would only be the second New Brunswick election to fall under the disclosure requirement, since the 2020 election was called early. Unscheduled elections like that do not require financial disclosures to be filed for commitments.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sam FarleyJournalist
Sam Farley is a Fredericton-based reporter at CBC New Brunswick. Originally from Boston, he is a journalism graduate of the University of King's College in Halifax. He can be reached at sam.farley@cbc.ca
20 CommentsDavid AmosMethinks this is what Yankees call a nothing burger N'esy Pas?William MurdochThis story is just too funny.David AmosReply to William MurdochDittoExpensive promises for N.B.'s October election are piling up. But will they be honoured?
Long history of parties sidestepping commitments after winning won't happen this year, they insist.
A history in New Brunswick of expensive campaign promises not being honoured once an election is finished will not be repeated this year, provincial political parties are insisting.
Heidi Cyr, a senior communications adviser and press secretary to Blaine Higgs, said voters can count on the premier to honour a $450-million commitment he made last month to lower the provincial sales tax rate by two percentage points over two years if he is re-elected in October.
"New Brunswickers can trust that thanks to strong fiscal management, including paying down our debt, we are now able to phase-in a 2% cut to the HST," said Cyr in an email about the promise.
"New Brunswickers will be able to see this tax cut roll out on a clear schedule."
WATCH | CBC Explains: Promises, promises:Why N.B. election promises can't always be trusted
New Brunswick political parties have a long history of making expensive election commitments and then wiggling out of them once in office. As pricey promises pile up again in advance of October’s general election, parties insist it won't happen this time.It is a firm commitment from Progressive Conservatives, but New Brunswick political parties have a long history of sidestepping expensive and what appeared to be equally firm commitments made to voters during previous elections.
Higgs himself entered public life in 2010 and one of his first tasks after being appointed finance minister by then premier David Alward was to wriggle out of a pricey election property tax promise Alward had made to seniors weeks earlier.
Progressive Conservatives promised in the 2018 election to 'eliminate' provincial property taxes on apartment buildings once government finances improved. They didn't. The Fort Howe apartment building in Saint John was among hundreds issued provincial property tax bills this year. It was charged $63,000, about $412 per apartment. (Robert Jones/CBC)
Higgs said the promise, which involved permanently freezing the assessed value of houses belonging to anyone over the age of 65 for as long as they owned and lived in their home, was a poor idea and too expensive.
Instead, Higgs concocted a much cheaper scheme where seniors could defer paying tax increases until they died or moved.
Legislation was passed to allow the province to place liens on participating seniors' homes so it could collect unpaid taxes, plus interest, later.
The substitute plan was not well received, and only a fraction of eligible seniors have ever signed on to it.
"The property tax commitment in the platform, I realize that what we did, did not meet the expectations of what people thought they were going to get," Higgs explained at a public meeting in 2011 about why the promise was not honoured as written.
"In 10 years time, it would have cost the province $173 million."
During his own period as party leader, Higgs has also made the decision to walk away from expensive campaign promises.
In the 2018 election under Higgs, PCs made a commitment to "eliminate"
provincial property taxes on apartment buildings as government finances improved.
Blaine Higgs entered public life in 2010. As former premier David Alward's minister of finance, one of his first moves was to kill a pricey tax promise Alward made to seniors in the 2010 election. (CBC)
The party promoted the idea as a benefit to tenants and although government finances did improve dramatically, provincial property taxes on apartment buildings remain.
This year, the provincial government is still collecting, in most cases, between $350 and $600 in property tax per apartment unit in New Brunswick for itself on top of what local governments charge.
On some buildings that represents no tax reduction at all.
A request to interview a government representative about what happened to the property tax promise was not granted, but in her email, Cyr blamed the failure on the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to "re-prioritize the use of all fiscal resources."
New Brunswick did cut tax rates on apartment buildings by half in 2023 but rapidly rising property assessment valuations on the same properties at the same time offset much of those changes.
Despite the size of the commitment to eliminate all provincial property taxes on apartment buildings, which PCs estimated to be worth $90 million in 2018, Higgs has rarely mentioned it.
In July in Moncton as he announced his new promise to cut the HST, Higgs appeared to suggest he had not made any unfunded election commitments in 2018, let alone ones he didn't keep.
"Consistently we have seen governments announce tax cuts or announce spending programs before they could actually afford them," said Higgs.
"I didn't do that in 2018."
In an interview, New Brunswick Liberal Leader Susan Holt said that history will "absolutely" undermine Higgs's credibility with voters on whether he can be trusted to honour a significant promise this year like cutting the HST.
Former New Brunswick premier Shawn Graham narrowly won New Brunswick's 2006 provincial election. However, a promise he made to voters to rebate HST amounts on heating costs to help secure that win was broken almost immediately. (CBC)
"They remember well that this premier promised to eliminate those taxes on rentals, the double tax, and then did not deliver on that promise," said Holt.
"So there's a lot of skepticism that the premier's HST promise is for election purposes and that they won't follow through on the whole thing."
Liberals are proposing their own sales tax cut this year. They have a $100-million plan to drop the provincial portion of the HST on residential electricity prices but have their own history of not honouring all election commitments.
In the 2006 election, Liberals made a similar promise to the public to rebate the HST on home heating costs, but after winning the election quickly reneged.
New Brunswick Liberal Leader Susan Holt is promising there will be no post-election backpedaling on commitments by her party this year if it wins office in October. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
"We will not be moving forward with the previously announced rebate," said new Liberal finance minister, Victor Boudreau, in December 2006, just two months after his party took office.
Like Progressive Conservatives, Holt says whatever has happened in the past there will be no flip-flopping on election promises after the election this year.
"If we put something in a platform and we promise to New Brunswickers that we will do it, then we have to do it," said Holt.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robert JonesReporter
Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.
Trudeau announces Canada-U.S. Economic Summit for Friday
Gathering comes on heels of Trump pausing promised tariffs for 30 days
With the threat of punishing tariffs on pause but still hovering over the Canadian economy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the government will host a Canada-U.S. Economic Summit later this week, aimed at increasing investment and easing internal trade barriers.
The event will be held in Toronto on Friday and will hear from Canadian leaders in trade, business, public policy and organized labour, according to a news release from the Prime Minister's Office.
"This is an important opportunity to build a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada," Trudeau said in the statement on Wednesday.
"One that is resilient, that breaks down barriers between provinces and territories, and that is diversified in global trade."
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was shelving his promise to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods for at least a month. The reprieve came following an afternoon call with Trudeau on Monday, just hours before the tariffs were scheduled to come into force, likely devastating the Canadian economy.
Trump has suggested he's still looking for some sort of "final economic deal" with Canada down the line.
Trudeau said Friday's summit is meant to "explore ways to grow Canada's economy, make it easier to build and trade within the country, diversify export markets and rejuvenate productivity."
The president has rattled off a number of reasons for why he thinks tariffs are justified against Canada, his country's longtime ally. He has routinely raised concerns with what he sees as security threats at the northern border, mainly the flow of illegal fentanyl and migration into the U.S.
What will Canada’s 'fentanyl czar' do?Trudeau said he pitched Trump an updated border strategy during their Monday call, reminding the president that Canada is moving ahead with its previously announced $1.3-billion border security plan, which includes reinforcing the nearly 9,000-kilometre border with new helicopters, technology and personnel.
According to a statement, Trudeau did commit to three new measures on the call: creating a "fentanyl czar"; promising to list Mexican cartels as terrorists under Canadian law; and establishing a new $200-million intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl.
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Behind the scenes of Canada's push to avoid Donald Trump's punishing tariffs
Senior government sources expect the reprieve will be short-lived
Despite winning a month-long reprieve from potentially devastating U.S. tariffs, there is a deep sense of anxiety hanging over some of the most senior Canadian government officials who manage the relationship with President Donald Trump.
After a roller coaster of a weekend that saw frenetic negotiations to stave off the threat of 25 per cent tariffs, there are serious concerns the Canada-U.S. relationship is only going to get worse from here.
And while Canadian officials are pleased Trump did not make good on his tariff promise for now, they are under no illusions that he will stop threatening Canada. There is an expectation he will wield his great economic power to extract all kinds of concessions out of his northern neighbour.
That is the general assessment after CBC News spoke with seven senior Canadian government sources, at the federal and provincial levels, in order to get a better understanding of what took place behind the scenes during the urgent push to avoid tariffs.
CBC News is not identifying the sources because they were not authorized to speak publicly about sensitive internal matters.
Friday, Jan. 31
Time was running out for Canada to convince the U.S. president to back away from imposing 25 per cent tariffs on his closest trading partners. While Donald Trump had made multiple threats since winning the election, he had only recently floated the idea of tariffs kicking in starting Feb. 1 for both Canada and Mexico.
For months, a politically diverse group of Canadian politicians, premiers, diplomats and business leaders worked their U.S. connections to try to convince Trump that tariffs will hurt Americans by making the cost of living more expensive.
So far, the campaign had not worked. On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced from her podium that tariffs would in fact be coming, with all of the details to be made public Saturday.
White
House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday
afternoon that the tariffs were going ahead — putting on further
pressure on Canadian officials who were planning to meet with Trump's
border czar. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
That only intensified pressure on Canadian officials, who had a previously planned meeting with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, in hopes that he could get a message through to the president and convince him to change course.
Homan agreed to meet in Washington, D.C., with Canada's Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and three Canadian cabinet ministers: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
According to one senior Canadian government source, the delegation had an extensive presentation planned, including videos to show off border security changes. The source says they went into great detail to outline Canada's previously announced $1.3-billion border plan, and repeatedly stressed to Homan's team that Canada is open to any suggestions for further collaboration.
As
Canadian officials met with their American counterparts, it became
clear Trump would view a Canadian tariff response as an escalation. (Chris Helgren/Reuters)
Homan and his staff, at least from the Canadian perspective, seemed to welcome the presentation. But as that meeting was taking place, a different message was emerging from the White House.
Trump summoned reporters into the Oval Office to witness him sign another round of executive orders. During this event, Trump confirmed tariffs were coming.
Canadians in the meeting with Homan were aware of Trump's comments in real time, as they were receiving breaking news alerts on their phones.
Complicating matters, Trump has routinely offered a wide range of reasons for tariffs on Canada.
Trump has said if Canada becomes the 51st state, it would avoid tariffs. He's also suggested the trade deficit needs to be balanced, often exaggerating its size. He's said the U.S. does not need Canada's collaboration in the auto sector.
None of this changed the primary Canadian message about the border. And as Homan left, he assured the Canadians he would pass on what he learned to the president himself.
Trump's words only hardened the mood among Canadian officials that tariffs were inevitable, according to the source. But because Trump has a history of unpredictable behaviour, the Canadians tried to resist reacting until they had specific details in writing.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Official word about tariffs came Saturday morning. Howard Lutnick, Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, called Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc to confirm the news.
Lutnick outlined a few details, saying there would be 25 per cent blanket tariffs on all Canadian goods, with the exception of a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy.
Lutnick stressed the move was all about border security, and that if Canada retaliated, the tariffs could get even larger.
Trump's
pick for commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, right, called Finance
Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Saturday confirming some of the details of
the tariff order. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)
According to three senior Canadian government sources, Lutnick shared the Trump administration's reasoning for including a retaliation clause. It echoed the president's public comments that the tariffs are in response to illegal migration and drugs entering the U.S.
One source described that perspective as tough to counter, because Trump saw any tariffs from Canada as an escalation.
One senior Canadian government source said LeBlanc stressed to Lutnick that Canada would have no choice but to respond. Joly delivered the same message when she spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later that day.
Minister
of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly held meetings with Secretary of State
Marco Rubio last week as part of the government's effort to stave off
U.S. tariffs. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/The Associated Press)
Joly and Rubio stayed in contact by text message, and she asked if there was any way to change Trump's mind.
The source said no one around the prime minister was surprised tariffs had officially been announced, given Trump's repeated threats. Still, Canadian officials were deeply disappointed.
Now that details had officially been shared, senior officials in Ottawa started spreading the word. The prime minister chaired a cabinet meeting, and later organized a meeting with Canada's premiers.
Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau made the Saturday evening announcement flanked
by some of his top ministers that Canada would be moving forward with
its tariff response. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Two senior Canadian government sources say there was unity at both the federal and provincial levels when it came to outrage over Trump's retaliation clause. Because Trump's tariff plan was so sweeping, it pushed the Trudeau government to announce the largest and harshest response option available, the sources said.
Just after 9 p.m. ET, Trudeau addressed the country, announcing retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion of U.S. goods.
Sunday, Feb. 2
There was little optimism a trade war could be avoided, but Canadian officials still urgently searched for ways to offer Trump an off-ramp.
Hillman appeared on ABC's This Week, telling host George Stephanopoulos that Canada was "ready to continue to talk to the Trump administration."
The threatened tariffs would have a major impact on cross-border commerce. (Chris Helgren/Reuters)
"We're hopeful they [tariffs] don't come into effect on Tuesday," Hillman said.
Behind the scenes, Canadian politicians and diplomats were ordered to reach out to U.S. connections at any level. A senior Canadian government source said they were asked to get the message out about how tariffs will make everyday life more expensive for Americans, and to share specifics about how the Canadian border is responsible for less than one per cent of illegal migrants and fentanyl seizures.
On top of that, they were urged to share details about Canada's previously announced border security plan.
One source said Joly reached out to powerful republican lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
The day ended with a glimmer of hope for Canada. After trying to secure Trudeau a phone call with Trump since his inauguration, Canadian officials had finally set up a call for Monday morning. Mexico's president, who was facing the same threat, also secured a call with Trump.
One senior Canadian government source said PMO staff spent the evening strategizing how to best make their case to Trump ahead of the crucial call, pulling from things he'd said publicly in the days leading up to the tariffs.
Arriving in Washington on Sunday evening, Trump told reporters he didn't expect much to come of his call with Trudeau. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Hope for a breakthrough was tempered by Trump's comments to reporters late Sunday evening. He took questions as he returned to Washington after a weekend away at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
"I don't expect anything very dramatic," he told reporters about the planned phone calls.
"We put tariffs on. They owe us a lot of money and I'm sure they're going to pay."
Monday, Feb. 3
The make-or-break moment had arrived. Trudeau would finally have his phone call with Trump, and Canada badly wanted some sort of resolution.
The conversation around 9 a.m. ET lasted 20 minutes. According to two senior Canadian government sources, Trudeau used the call to clarify data about the northern border and to impress upon Trump it does not pose the same types of challenges as the southern border.
Trudeau also walked the president through exactly what Canada was willing to do to improve security further.
Two senior government sources said the tone was respectful. But Trump continued to raise concerns about border security, and complained about longstanding trade irritants. Two sources said it was similar to what Trump said in public, including frustration about the trade deficit and the lack of access American banks have to the Canadian market.
One source said Canada did not offer anything new in this phone call, and while it ended without a resolution, Trump was at least willing to speak again later in the day. A second call was set for 3 p.m. ET. Canadian officials saw this as a good sign.
Mexican
President Claudia Sheinbaum delayed her Monday news conference due to a
call with Trump where the two leaders reached an agreement to delay any
tariffs. (Raquel Cunha/Reuters)
It appeared Trump was in a deal-making mood. He and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reached a separate agreement. Tariffs on Mexico would be delayed for a month, after Mexico promised to put 10,000 soldiers along the southern U.S. border. The troops will be used to crack down on illegal migration and drugs.
In the hours between the first and second Trump-Trudeau call, there was a flurry of activity, calls between ministers and staff about what could be said to dissuade Trump.
They discussed the possibility of naming a "czar" to tackle fentanyl — something that was not part of the Canadian tradition, but some staff thought it might be useful to persuade Trump.
When Trudeau and Trump spoke for the second time, two sources say the prime minister again emphasized the $1.3-billion border security plan, and introduced the idea of the czar. Two sources noted there wasn't as much pushback from Trump in this call.
One said Trump also seemed to appreciate Canada's pledge to have eyes on the border 24/7, new helicopters and the plan to put 10,000 front-line workers at the border.
Canada's willingness to list drug cartels as terrorist organizations also seemed to appease Trump, since it showed Canadian officials were following his lead. Trump signed an executive order on that issue his first day in office.
After 45 minutes, the call ended with what Canada had hoped for: an agreement to delay tariffs for a month. The Trump administration and Trudeau government put out nearly identical statements on social media, roughly around the same time, confirming the news.
Trump met with the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers shortly after his second call with Trudeau. (Leah Millis/Reuters)
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has opposed some elements of the federal government's tariff strategy, and clashed with some of her provincial counterparts, welcomed the temporary reprieve.
"I was pleased to see there were some significant improvements in the package the prime minister put on the table," she told CBC's Power and Politics Tuesday, citing the additional spending and the new fentanyl czar position.
"That's what the Americans wanted to see," she told host David Cochrane. "We've got to demonstrate some serious action on the border."
Two senior government sources said although Canada is pleased the tariffs did not kick in on Feb. 4 as planned, they do not think this fight is over.
They said Trump views tariffs as a tool to help rebuild the American manufacturing sector, and as a way to generate wealth. Even as he admits tariffs may cause some short-term pain, he has argued that in the long run it will be worth it.
Trump's tariffs: What's the endgame? | About That"Nobody can compete with us because we're the pot of gold," Trump said of the U.S. economy in the Oval Office on Monday.
"When you're the pot of gold the tariffs are, the tariffs are very good, they're very powerful and they're going to make our country very rich again."
The senior sources fear that as the next tariff deadline approaches, Trump will make additional demands. The requests to improve border security are doable from the Canadian perspective. But there is concern he will ask for things that Canada simply cannot do.
A third senior government source thinks a push for additional defence spending will be the next major demand, pointing to a recent social media post from Vice-President JD Vance, which called out Canada for not meeting its NATO targets.
Finding a way for Canada to get out of this dynamic will be the next big challenge. Senior Canadian officials are bracing for a prolonged period of instability and anxiety.
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Holt calls for aggressive and creative use of 30-day pause in U.S. tariffs
Trump's threat of tariffs has made it hard for businesses to decide on investments
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says the tariff threat from the United States has created uncertainty for business and been a wake-up call for the country.
"We have been so dependent on what has been a really integrated and close economic relationship with the U.S.," she told Information Morning Fredericton.
New Brunswick and the rest of Canada had been preparing for the tariffs, which would have added 25 per cent to the cost of most Canadian products crossing the border into the U.S. starting at midnight Tuesday.
But late Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced U.S. President Donald Trump was delaying the tariffs by 30 days.
Late Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced U.S. President Donald Trump would delay the tariffs by 30 days. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters, Nathan Howard/Reuters)
In New Brunswick, this meant a late change to allow U.S. products to remain on N.B. Liquor store shelves, although the Crown corporation won't be buying any new liquor products from the U.S. for now.
Holt said it is important to use the 30-day pause to be aggressive about removing internal trade barriers and getting all premiers at the table together.
The delay should be used to get creative about new markets and finding ways to work together as Atlantic provinces or within sectors, she said.
Trump's long-talked-about promise of tariffs is having an impact on businesses, Holt said.
"Ever since Trump said the word tariffs back in November, businesses have paused their investments, their expansion plans, their hiring because of the significant uncertainty that that introduced into the economy," she said.
It's only gotten worse with the changing start dates for the threatened tariffs, she said.
"That kind of environment just really prohibits making big and bold investments in your business when you don't know whether your biggest customer is going to be stable or not, and what prices you'll be facing there."
Gary Keenan, the president of K-Line Construction in Woodstock, said concern is high among his employees at K-Line.
"You know, 'Will we have a job?,'" Keenan said. "Will there be cuts in numbers? Will there be cuts in pay?' And we don't have any answers for those."
Keenan said his business does a lot of post-storm restoration, not just in the Maritimes, but also in the United States, so he worries about how the hurdles his business has cleared for border crossings would be affected.
And, he said K-Line is also involved in highway construction, signing and lighting, with most materials coming from the U.S
"I've seen hard times in my 45 years of business, a lot of economic challenges, but not outright economic warfare," Keenan said.
"We're going to give it our all, because we didn't start out without understanding that there would be challenges, and we've dealt with them as they come head on, and we'll continue to do it.
"But I really don't know, I don't know how to fight this fight."
Holt said that with the threat of tariffs still looming, it's difficult to build a budget based on a forecast economic growth.
"We usually look to a whole team of forecasters … we usually take an average of all of their projections," Holt said.
"But given the volatility and the significant impact that the threat of tariffs has had on those projections, not knowing whether there will be tariffs in place means we're talking a significant percentage of GDP swing that dramatically affects the top line for budget for the province.
"So it's a really challenging situation."
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Trump threatens Iran, mulls deporting U.S. prisoners, says no future for Palestinians in Gaza
U.S. president makes wide-ranging comments to reporters at White House
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran, floated the idea of deporting U.S. citizens convicted of crimes and said Palestinians may have no alternative but to leave Gaza in wide-ranging comments to reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
On Iran, Trump said he's told his advisers to obliterate the country if it assassinates him.
"If they did that, they would be obliterated," he said while signing an executive order calling for the U.S. government to impose maximum pressure on Tehran. "There won't be anything left."
The Justice Department filed federal charges in November over an alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump before the presidential election.
The department alleged Iranian officials had instructed Farhad Shakeri, 51, in September to focus on surveilling and ultimately assassinating Trump. Shakeri is still at large in Iran.
Mulls deportation of U.S. prisoners
On the issue of U.S. prisoners, Trump said he is studying the legality of sending dangerous offenders to prisons in other countries.
"If we had the legal right to do it, I'd do it in a heartbeat," he said. "I don't know that we do. We're looking at it right now."
Trump didn't say which countries might take U.S. prisoners.
But his comments come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said El Salvador had offered to jail some violent American criminals and that the offer was "very generous" — even though it raised some legal concerns.
Proposes permanent displacement of Palestinians
On Gaza, Trump reiterated on Tuesday his call for Palestinians to "permanently" leave the enclave, which he described as a "demolition site" following Israel's war with Hamas militants.
"I don't think people should be going back to Gaza," Trump said, sitting in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"You can't live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location," Trump said.
Thousands of Palestinians return to destroyed homes in northern Gaza"I think it should be a location that's going to make people happy. You look over the decades, it's all death in Gaza. This has been happening for years. It's all death. If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people, permanently, in nice homes where they can be happy and not be shot and not be killed and not be knifed to death like what's happening in Gaza."
Trump has called on Jordan, Egypt and other Arab countries to take in Palestinians from Gaza temporarily while reconstruction takes place in the enclave after the devastating war between Hamas and Israel. His call Tuesday was the first time he has publicly floated making that resettlement permanent.
"I hope that we could do something where they wouldn't want to go back," Trump said. "Who would want to go back? They've experienced nothing but death and destruction."
Trump's remarks echo the wishes of Israel's far right and contradict former president Joe Biden's commitment against mass displacement of Palestinians.
Arab states and the Palestinian Authority have rejected the idea, which some human rights advocates have likened to ethnic cleansing.
Palestinians claim Gaza as part of a future homeland, and many have indicated a desire to remain and rebuild.
With files from Reuters
In confidential memo, LeBlanc asks for ideas on how to fight back against U.S. protectionism
Finance minister says he wants new spending geared to shoring up Canada as it grapples with U.S. threats
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has asked his fellow ministers to draw up a list of ideas he can deploy in the planned spring budget to fight back against U.S. protectionism, a threat that shows no signs of going away even if Canada has secured a pause to President Donald Trump's planned tariffs.
In an undated, confidential memo sent to cabinet ministers and obtained by CBC News, LeBlanc writes he is only willing to consider spending more money on initiatives that respond to the "current Canada-U.S. context" and those that "strengthen our national unity."
He's also open to projects that make life more affordable for Canadians or those that spur the country's growth, competitiveness and productivity.
"Team Canada must be ready to respond to the threat of unprecedented tariffs from the new U.S. administration and mitigate their impacts on the Canadian economy," LeBlanc wrote.
"We are at a crucial moment for our government and for our country."
While Canada got a reprieve Monday when Trump agreed to pause his promised 25 per cent tariff on virtually all of our goods, that's likely not the last the country has seen of the unpredictable president.
Trump said in a social media post that the pause was just an "initial outcome" and he's still looking for some sort of "final economic deal" with the country down the line.
Trump grants last-minute delay on tariffs for CanadaThere is a possibility Trump drops the push for a 25 per cent tariff and goes ahead instead with a 10 per cent universal tariff on goods from all countries after his administration wraps up a study on global trade in April.
Even a 10 per cent levy would be hugely disruptive to Canada given just how intertwined the two economies are after decades of liberalized trade.
There's also a possibility LeBlanc never tables a federal budget. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to step down after the party picks his replacement on March 9.
The next prime minister may choose to go to an election right away rather than test the confidence of the House of Commons when it's scheduled to return on March 24. The federal budget is typically tabled sometime in April.
Still, LeBlanc told his fellow ministers that, if he's writing the next budget, it will be laser-focused on responding to expected "trade disruptions" and how the government can "provide temporary support" to impacted workers and businesses.
LeBlanc asked ministers to submit "no more than three priority funding proposals" to the Finance Department by Feb. 2 — a deadline that has already passed and one that fell before Trump's threatened tariffs were set to take effect.
He also mentions the most recent cabinet retreat, which suggests this letter was written sometime at the end of January.
That means ministers had only days to put forward concrete proposals to help the country weather the expected fiscal and economic storm with Trump back in the White House.
"Our focus is on advancing and defending Canadian interests. Therefore, I am relying on each of you to think of our collective needs, beyond the interests of your ministries, and be disciplined in putting forward items for consideration," the memo reads.
The Globe and Mail was first to report on LeBlanc's memo.
LeBlanc also said in the "current fiscal climate, it is more important than ever to focus on no-cost approaches," like cutting red tape, removing barriers to internal trade and investment and "streamlining government processes."
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are renewing their push to get the federal Liberal government to recall Parliament right away even if there's a Liberal leadership race underway to pick Trudeau's replacement.
"Canada is facing a crisis, but the Liberal Party has shut down our Parliament. President Trump has put a 28-day pause on his tariffs, but nothing can be taken for granted. There is no time for rest. Canada must take back control of our border, strengthen our economy and put Canada First," the party said in a news release on Monday.
Under Canadian trade law, the government can impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. without Parliament's approval.
The government also maintains the federal cabinet can roll out parts of an aid package for workers and businesses — if it comes to that — without MPs.
Still, the Conservatives say they want to have a say "debating and considering responses" to Trump's threats.
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NATO chief is confident U.S.-Canada trade war wouldn't hurt allied solidarity. Others aren't so sure
Political scientist says U.S. bullying allies could portend it not coming to their aid
NATO's secretary general is downplaying the threat of a trade war between the United States and Canada — two founding members of the Western military alliance — as a dispute that could be managed.
Mark Rutte, the former prime minister of the Netherlands who was appointed to the top allied political post last fall, spoke Monday in Brussels alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following a meeting between the two.
"I am absolutely convinced that we can deal with these issues, and there are always issues between allies," Rutte said during a joint news conference.
"There are always issues, sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller. But I'm absolutely convinced that will not get in the way of our collective determination to keep our deterrence strong."
NATO must stay connected even as allies are at odds, Rutte saysFor an alliance that prides itself on presenting a united front to Russia, the last few days — even the last few weeks — haven't been kind.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods over the weekend and has suggested he'd use "economic force" to absorb Canada as part of the union. On Monday, he kept up the annexation rhetoric.
"Look what I'd like to see is Canada become our 51st state," he told reporters in the Oval Office.
"Some people say that would be a long shot. If people wanted to play the game right, it would be 100 per cent certain they would become a state."
The threat of tariffs was pushed off for 30 days on Monday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump agreed on a series of border measures intended to mitigate American concerns about the flow of illegal migrants and fentanyl.
Separately, prior to his second-term inauguration, Trump resurrected a desire from his first term in office to annex Greenland, a frozen, semi-autonomous island in the North American Arctic that belongs to Denmark. The president recently spoke with the Danish prime minister and even Trump himself conceded the conversation went badly.
The president has also threatened to impose tariffs on European countries.
Encouraging attacks on allies
While running for office almost a year ago, Trump launched a broadside against allies who don't meet NATO's two per cent of gross domestic product spending benchmark, saying he would "encourage" Russia to attack members that had not met their financial obligations. Later in the campaign, he described the remark as a form of negotiation to get allies to pony up.
Canada is among those countries that — despite the political hectoring — does not meet the goal. A promise to attain it by 2032 was a last-minute decision at the Washington Summit in July, and Canada is now working to accelerate its timeline.
Trump has a long history of complaining about NATO, accusing members of not pulling their weight on military spending and overall taking for granted that they can rely on the United States for their defence.
On Monday, Rutte said any notion of a European defence strategy without the United States would be a "silly thought."
Steve Saideman, a political scientist who holds the Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University, said he believes the trade war between the U.S. and Canada will have a profound impact on allies.
"They'll be waiting for their turn," said Saideman.
"If the United States is willing to cut off its own arm to spew venom towards Canada, then what will it do to countries that it has less dependence upon?"
The fact the Trump administration is targeting Canada and Denmark is also significant because both countries were "willing to bleed for the United States in Afghanistan," he said.
If Washington bullies those countries, Saideman said, it becomes harder for them to follow the lead of the United States in the future.
Much of what's unfolding is without precedent and Saideman is admittedly pessimistic about the future of NATO, which recently expanded to include Finland and Sweden.
He can now envision the United States not coming to the aid of its allies — or withdrawing outright.
Saideman said he "never thought NATO would end this way."
There are winners with all of this dissension, he added.
"The traditional adversaries of the United States are very, very happy at this moment," he said.
"They're not sure exactly which threats will be followed through on, but Iran, North Korea, Russia, China, this is all great, great news for them. Because division amongst the Western countries is what they want, and Trump is giving it to them on a platter."
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One negotiation with Trump, done. On to Round 2
The U.S. president is already talking about different reasons for threatening tariffs again in weeks
Trump grants last-minute delay on tariffs for CanadaScore one for all the armchair analysts. For every one of you. Canadians spent months passionately debating about what, exactly, U.S. President Donald Trump wants from us. Is it just some border fixes, or broader economic changes?
As it turns out, both are correct.
A months-long tariff psychodrama has just ended with Canada announcing and re-announcing a bunch of measures Monday aimed at the border and drug-trafficking.
Now, it's on to the next one. Trump is threatening to reinstate tariffs in 30 days unless he can reach a new economic deal with Canada: "FAIRNESS FOR ALL," he posted online, in all caps.
It's a little early to predict his bottom line in the next round of talks, but he's been talking about dairy, auto parts, military spending, and now, banking regulations.
But wait, there's more!
Trump to delay imposing tariffs on Canada for 1 month, Trudeau saysTariffs as negotiating tactic
Trump simultaneously released a formal declaration suggesting a different goal for the next 30 days. He'll also be watching for progress at the Canadian border, otherwise, take a wild guess about what he's threatening next.
You guessed correctly: More tariffs. This means that if, and when, Trump threatens economic pain again we can all resume arguing about whether it's the border or something else.
What's clear is that an incendiary new element has been added to the already hot political forecast in Canada over the coming months as Canadians will get a new prime minister, then possibly a general election, amid threats from Trump.
He's talking about a 30-day pause on tariffs — that means early March. His team is also threatening tariffs in April, after it concludes studies on foreign trade practices.
They're talking about three different reasons for tariffs — to correct unfair trade, raise revenue and negotiate with other countries. It seems the drama we've just witnessed was driven by objective No. 3 — negotiation.
Republicans praise Trump
Republicans saluted their leader's bargaining acumen Monday.
"We now have a president who is going to use America's strength to force allies and adversaries alike to pay attention," Josh Holmes, a former senate aide to Mitch McConnell, communications adviser and podcaster wrote on the social media platform X.
"It's no longer convenient to ignore American interests."
Trump detractors were quick to rain on the president's parade. Most of what Canada announced Monday was already announced in December. It even drew a celebratory reaction back then from Trump's team.
To give the president his due, the new elements announced Monday include a vague reference to a new Canadian intelligence directive, which Ottawa did not elaborate on. Canada's struggle to use intelligence to prosecute gangs is a longstanding source of complaint.
This is all playing out under a persistent drumbeat of insinuations from Trump that he has a more dramatic ulterior motive: Annexing Canada.
Speaking
of cross-border disputes, on Monday, Trump also celebrated the Stanley
Cup going to an American team for the 31st consecutive year, hosting the
Florida Panthers at the White House. (Leah Millis/Reuters)
About that 51st state thing …
People in Washington mostly assume he's joking. Sen. Ted Cruz, on his podcast, called it: "An epic troll"; he said he figures he was just, "yanking [Trudeau's] chain."
If so, he's quite committed to the bit.
Like, in the Oval Office on Monday, a reporter from Bloomberg asked what he'd like to see from Canada, he talked in slightly more granular language about the difficulty in annexing Canada.
"What I'd like to see? Canada become our 51st state," Trump replied, then suggested Americans would need to accept some turbulence to make it happen.
"Some people say that would be a longshot. If people wanted to play the game right, it would be 100 per cent certain that they'd become a state. But a lot of people don't like to play the game because they don't have a threshold of pain. And there would be some pain. But not a lot. The pain would be really theirs," he said, referring to Canada.
Here's more good news for Canadians who'd like to keep their country, which, according to polling, is an overwhelming majority.
Annexation also polls terribly in the U.S., and has nowhere near the support it would need to get through the U.S. Congress — which has enough trouble passing things that are popular.
Trump says Canada would become 51st state 'if people wanted to play the game right'Speaking of American public opinion, it's sympathetic to Canada on tariffs. Different surveys show only minority support for these tariffs, even when the survey includes China.
American media and the stock markets appeared stunned at the imminent threat.
It was the lead item on several U.S. newscasts Monday, generating 11 minutes on NBC's Today Show, and producing above-the-fold stories in The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.
All this in a country that, to put it mildly, has lots of other major things going on in the two weeks since Trump was inaugurated.
With Trump enjoying a mini-honeymoon in public opinion, CNN's polling analyst said this might be his first major unpopular move.
"Trump has done some fairly popular things in his first weeks in office. This is not one of them — no, no, no. Horrible, horrible, horrible," Harry Enten said, of big tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
The market sends a message
More importantly, Americans took notice. This was not a given. Americans tend to pay as much attention to international trade as Canadians do to NCAA football, maybe less.
And it's maybe understandable because trade represents a far smaller share of the economy in the U.S. than Canada, where trade spats are often a top story.
Yet, this week, Google searches for tariffs soared to historic highs in the U.S.
"You know folks are paying attention when there are more Google searches for that than for Taylor Swift," Enten said. "I never thought I'd see it happen, but the American people are actually interested in tariffs."
So is the stock market, it turns out.
There was no telling how the market would react, and whether tariff news would reverse the generally buoyant mood on Wall Street in recent months.
Some analysts have opined that this — the market reaction — is the only guardrail against Trump. Because it's unlikely the courts or Congress would stop his tariffs.
It turns out the Dow Jones had dropped about two points since the moment last Friday afternoon when Trump promised tariffs were coming — a half-point Friday, and three times more on Monday morning.
Word about the tariff pause emerged, initially with Mexico, and immediately sent markets rebounding and restored hundreds of billions in stock value.
That's another positive takeaway from this episode, said one Canadian involved.
"We went to the brink, and we learned a few things," said Flavio Volpe, head of Canada's auto-parts lobby and a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
"The tariff plan was not taken well by capital markets. Before that it was theory."
He says it's now clear the markets will punish tariffs across North America. It's also clear that Canada might also get some support from important voices.
Volpe mentioned, specifically, veteran Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who pleaded for exemptions to potash, which he noted would be horrible for farmers in his state of Iowa; even the U.S. manufacturers' lobby opposed the broad tariff.
Trump professed to be unaware of the market gyrations, when he saw reporters in the Oval Office Monday.
"How is the market doing?" the president asked.
"I don't know," he added. "I don't think about it."
He might have been bluffing. Or maybe not. Welcome to our new reality, where we'll be asking ourselves that question again and again, starting, perhaps, in about 30 days.
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