https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/poirier-office-road-covered-bridge-closure-1.7584692
Notre-Dame loses short route across river when province closes another covered bridge
Closure of the Poirier Office Road Covered Bridge leaves community with 20-km detour
Robert Babineau was surprised one morning on his way to work to find concrete blocks barricading the covered bridge he takes across the Cocagne River.
He had to take an alternative road to his lumber business, which added 40 kilometres to his round trip.
Babineau and other residents of the community, a drive of about 30 kilometres northwest of Moncton, say they need a crossing. And they're having trouble getting answers from the province about one.
New Brunswick's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed the bridge was closed the first week of July because of its condition.
Bridge closure forces Notre-Dame residents to make 40-kilometre round tripSpokesperson Jacob MacDonald said in an email that the department is exploring options to determine the future of the bridge, which was built in 1942.
"Improvements to detour roads have been made for better access to the area around the affected bridge," MacDonald.
Babineau said he owns some woodland, a sawmill, and a sugar shack, where he makes maple syrup. All parts of his business are across the river.
He goes to work six days a week and said the detour not only causes wear and tear on his truck but is expensive on gas.
"I've got to maybe do about 230 kilometres, like, every week," Babineau said as he imagined the detour and the increased cost of gas. "And I just got a small business."
Babineau said he was born in the area and has been using the covered bridge for about 60 years.
The covered bridge across the Cocagne River was built in 1942. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
While he has many memories tied to the bridge and would like it saved, what he needs now is a solution.
"Sure, I would like to save that bridge but just as long as it's passable," he said.
"If not, if they want to build a new bridge, like, I'm all for it there."
He said there is no clarity on what the decision would be, but the closure has got him "thinking a lot."
Babineau said he fears his business would only survive a couple of years without a bridge.
The province's response did not say there were plans to demolish the covered bridge but didn't provide a reopening date either.
Gilles Leblanc owns 40 acres across the river, which he likes to visit once a week for recreation.
Gilles Leblanc has been crossing the bridge every week for 20 years because he has property on the other side. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
He said he and others in his community cross the bridge for barbecues, bonfires, hunting, fishing and access to ATV and snowmobile trails. Leblanc said he fears this won't continue if there is no bridge.
"The travelling [is] what's going to really kill us to go all the way around, and on the other end it's a long, long dirt road that's not very accessible in the springtime because it is muddy."
Ginette Leblanc, who lives within 100 metres of the bridge, said her family took their ATV and snowmobile to the main trail across the bridge four to five times a week.
She said this has not been possible since the closure because she could not drive either of those on the road for 40 kilometres.
"It affects a lot because one of the reasons that we bought this land 30 years ago was because we were beside a covered bridge … and that we like to have the access to the outdoors that we use all the time."
Many people have used the bridge as a backdrop for their graduation and wedding pictures.
Ginette Leblanc says she wouldn't take her ATV or snowmobile on the 40-kilometre detour recommended after the bridge closure. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Leblanc said her priority would be to have the bridge restored, but "if they cannot fix it, just give us a way to have access anyways."
Leblanc said she worries the detour would be too great a distance for emergency vehicles if there is an accident on the ATV trail or her neighbour's house across the river catches fire.
Patrick Toth, vice-president of the Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick, said his organization is trying to arrange a meeting with the provincial government regarding the Poirier Office Road bridge.
Patrick
Toth, vice-president of Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New
Brunswick, says the Poirier Office Road Covered Bridge should be
protected, although the province's record just this year isn't good. (Patrick Toth)
He said the association intends to seek information about the structure's future, as two bridges in the province have already been demolished this year because their condition had deteriorated.
The William Mitton Covered Bridge in the Moncton area was demolished in late February, and the Germantown Lake or Shepody River bridge in Albert County was removed in April.
"We need to get the word out to the public that many of our covered bridges in New Brunswick are in serious trouble and indeed in danger of being lost forever," Toth said.
"We want to see all of them saved that are remaining."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JACOB MACDONALD
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 230-0847
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : jacob.macdonald@gnb.ca
TYLER MCLEAN
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 259-1570
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : Tyler.McLean@gnb.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermclean2/?originalSubdomain=ca
Moncton area loses historic covered bridge, leaving province with only 58
William Mitton covered bridge was demolished Wednesday
Looking at the site where Riverview's William Mitton covered bridge used to span a bubbling brook, Ray Boucher said his first thought was "sorrow."
The president of the Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick said a piece of New Brunswick's history was lost when crews hired by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure demolished the wooden structure Wednesday morning.
"That bridge has seen weddings, they've seen school photos, all sorts of visitors from the U.S. — especially where it's still handy to one of the major arteries. So it's going to be missed," Boucher said.
The bridge was purchased by farmer William Mitton and moved to its present site in 1942, where it served as a link between his farm and Coverdale Road.
New Brunswick just lost one of its covered bridgesIt has been closed to traffic since the 1980s and was later barricaded to pedestrians because of its poor condition.
Boucher said the Covered Bridges Conservation Association tried to raise money to repair the Mitton Bridge, but wasn't successful.
New Brunswick is now left with 58 covered bridges. In the 1950s, Boucher said there were 340 of the structures around the province.
The historic William Mitton covered bridge was taken down Wednesday morning. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
Looking at the weather-worn grey planks amidst the debris, Boucher said it deteriorated quickly in the past seven years because of "neglect."
"It's just the fact that it was no longer in service and covered bridges in New Brunswick that are not in service do not receive maintenance unless there's a local organization that is pushing for it."
Locals will miss a 'peaceful spot'
Denis Cool of Moncton stopped by Riverview to see the remains of the bridge. He said it was a relaxing spot he liked to visit.
"Every time I wanted to have a little peaceful drive, I always like to go by and have a look at that bridge. It's sad."
Recalling his visits, Cool said he loved how scenic the bridge was during the hot and dry summer months. He even brought friends from Europe during a visit.
Moncton's Denis Cool says the scenic covered bridge was a place he would often visit to feel relaxed. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
"I was taking them along scenic routes and I said, 'You've got to see this bridge.'"
He said it is sad that these old covered bridges are slowly falling apart, especially this one that is now gone forever.
"They're all going away, I mean, it's hard to maintain them, costs a lot of money."
The province's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure declined an interview request.
Riverview's
William Mitton covered bridge was closed to traffic since the 1980s and
was later barricaded to pedestrians because of its poor condition. (Silas Brown/CBC)
In an email, spokesperson Jacob MacDonald said, "the removal of the now dilapidated structure will help ensure the safety of the public and the environment going forward."
Boucher said there are many covered bridges across the province in need of upkeep and repairs, including the Wheaton covered bridge on the Tantramar Marsh, and the Germantown Lake covered bridge in Fundy Albert.
Weather-worn grey planks from the William Mitton covered bridge. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC)
He said most belong to the province and they need to be maintained to preserve New Brunswick's heritage.
"I love all our covered bridges. They're all important to me," he said. "This one here, perhaps a little bit more because I've seen it die."
Corrections
- A previous version of this story referred to crews from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The story has been updated to reflect that those crews were hired by the department.Feb 27, 2025 8:00 AM AST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
https://ahnb-apnb.ca/museums/covered-bridges-conservation-association-of-new-brunswick/
Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick
Covered Bridges Conservation Association of New Brunswick Inc. was formed in 2018 to preserve, repair and protect New Brunswick’s timbered treasures. Covered Bridges are an icon in New Brunswick and this Association’s quest is to make them Heritage sites and have them protected permanently.
Join us on Facebook!
3 Suffolk St., Unit 18, Riverview, N.B. E1B 3H1
506 466 3179
Century-old covered bridge closed, and residents blame neglect
Built in 1916, Wheaton Bridge in Tantramar Marsh area was still used regularly
People living in communities around the Tantramar Marsh are growing concerned about the future of a covered bridge in the area.
The Wheaton Bridge on the High Marsh Road was built in 1916 and was still regularly used by residents.
But earlier this month barricades were put up and detours put in place.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says structural issues were found during a recent inspection.
"DTI bridge staff are still conducting further evaluation of the bridge and there is currently no timeline for its reopening," wrote a departmental spokesperson in an email to CBC News.
Jolicure resident Thaddeus Holowina said the province hasn't paid much attention to the bridge in recent years.
"It's been decades since anything's happened here," said Holowina.
"Aren't these heritage buildings around the province? Isn't this a major tourism attraction, that people come and go through all the covered bridges in New Brunswick?"
Holowina said the bridge is often the most "direct" route for people in the area.
He's also concerned about what the closure will mean for farmers in the area who rely on the bridge to transport hay and other crops.
Only 58 covered bridges remain
Back in the 1950s, New Brunswick had 340 covered bridges.
Now, only 58 of the iconic structures remain.
The state of New Brunswick's famed covered bridges is "bleak," according to one conservation group.
Ray Boucher, the Covered Bridges Conservation Association president, said if preserved correctly, the structures can outlast concrete and steel bridges, but there hasn't always been the political will to do so.
"The history of covered bridges in New Brunswick is poor in that they've been neglected," said Boucher.
"They would rather see the bridge sort of fall apart and disappear so that they can put up their new steel and concrete [bridges]."
Boucher said covered bridges are most at risk of damage at their abutments, where the bridge is connected to the ground.
Some covered bridges in Europe date back over 400 years, he said — evidence that they can last if properly maintained.
With files from Information Morning Summer
Somebody seen you coming
Clerk and Head of the Civil Service (Deputy Head's Office)
Executive Council Office
| Contact Information | Phone | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
KING, HOLLY (Executive Assistant)
|
P: (506) 444-4417
|
Fredericton
|
|
|
WAGNER, JUDY (Clerk of the Executive Council, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Public Service )
|
P: (506) 444-4417
|
Fredericton |
BRIAN OJA
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 444-4417
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : brian.oja@gnb.ca
Mailing Address
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 444-3146
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : paul.vienneau@gnb.ca
Mailing Address
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada
GEORGE FANJOY
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 261-6677
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : George.Fanjoy@gnb.ca
Mailing Address
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada
NICK BROWN
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 444-5298
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : Nick.Brown@gnb.ca
Mailing Address
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada
MEGHAN CUMBY
Contact Information
Phone : (506) 259-2347
Fax : (506) 453-2266
Email : Meghan.Cumby@gnb.ca
Mailing Address
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
To: <smorisset@stewartmckelvey.com>, <basia@valentlegal.ca>, <mike@valentlegal.ca>, <erika.hachey@mosshacheylaw.com>, <andrew.moss@mosshacheylaw.com>, Dr.France.Desrosiers <Dr.France.Desrosiers@vitalitenb.ca>, <Brigitte.Sonier-Ferguson@vitalitenb.ca>, ethics, ethique (VitaliteNB) <ethique.ethics@vitalitenb.ca>, thomas.lizotte <thomas.lizotte@vitalitenb.ca>, <Stephanie.Thebeau@vitalitenb.ca>, <MelanieDawn.Cameron@horizonnb.ca>, <info@vitalitenb.ca>, benoit.bourque <benoit.bourque@gnb.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, <tom.fetter@gnb.ca>, <dave.dell@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, chuck.chiasson <chuck.chiasson@gnb.ca>, <MichelleAnne.Duguay@gnb.ca>, <Jason.Sully@gnb.ca>, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, Rhonda.Brown <Rhonda.Brown@globalnews.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, ian.fahie <ian.fahie@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, andrew.scheer <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>, <DND_MND@forces.gc.ca>, nick.brown <Nick.Brown@gnb.ca>, Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS) <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, Adam.Bowie <Adam.Bowie@gnb.ca>, Alex.Vass <Alex.Vass@gnb.ca>, <info@easterncms.com>, Mark.Blakely <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Marco.Mendicino <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, Bill.Hogan <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, Medicare, (DH/MS) <DH.MS.Medicare@gnb.ca>, <President@nbms.nb.ca>, <aknight@nbms.nb.ca>, <tross@nbms.nb.ca>, <rcampbell@nbms.nb.ca>, Lisa LePage <llepage@nbms.nb.ca>
Cc: <mike.dawson@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, Richard.Bragdon <Richard.Bragdon@parl.gc.ca>, <Chris.dEntremont@parl.gc.ca>, <clifford.small@parl.gc.ca>, <jonathan.rowe@parl.gc.ca>, <carol.anstey@parl.gc.ca>, <jason.groleau@parl.gc.ca>, <aaron.gunn@parl.gc.ca>, awaugh@postmedia.com <AWaugh@postmedia.com>, Robert. Jones <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, news <news@chco.tv>, news957 <news957@rogers.com>, <John.Dornan@gnb.ca>, Nathalie.G.Drouin <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, National Citizens Inquiry <info@nationalcitizensinquiry.ca>, ragingdissident <ragingdissident@protonmail.com>, <ezra@forcanada.ca>, <francois-philippe.champagne@parl.gc.ca>, PABMINMAILG <PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca>, fin.dcu-ucm.fin <fin.dcu-ucm.fin@canada.ca>, <minister-ministre@fin.gc.ca>, Sean.Fraser <Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, <ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca>, <Media@bonniecritchleyindependent.com>, michelle.rempel <michelle.rempel@parl.gc.ca>, rfife <rfife@globeandmail.com>, <thefamoussandhogs@gmail.com>, <info@unitedpartyofcanada.ca>, <michaelharrisformp@gmail.com>, <info@battleriver-crowfoot.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, mdcohen212 <mdcohen212@gmail.com>, djtjr <djtjr@trumporg.com>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, <leslie.church@parl.gc.ca>, <michael.chong@parl.gc.ca>, <melanie.joly@ised-isde.gc.ca>, Melanie.Joly <Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>
From: Drouin, Nathalie G <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Good day,
Please note that I am currently away from the office until Friday, November 1, 2024, with limited access to my email.
For any assistance, please contact my office at (613) 957-5056.
Thank you
********************
Bonjour,
Veuillez noter que je suis présentement absente du bureau et ce jusqu'au vendredi 1er novembre 2024 avec un accès limité à mes courriels.
Pour toute assistance, veuillez communiquer avec mon bureau au (613) 957-5056.
Merci
From: Bourque, Serge (DH/MS) <Serge.Bourque2@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Please be advised that I am in the office with limited access to my e-mails and will be returning November 1st, 2024 at 8:15am. If you need immediate assistance, please call (506) 444-4442.
Thank you ______________________________
Veuillez noter que je suis au bureau avec un accès limité à mes courriels et que je reviendrai le 01 Novembre 2024 à 8h15. Si vous avez besoin d'une assistance immédiate, veuillez appeler le (506) 444-4442.
Merci
From: Hogan, Hon. Bill (EECD/EDPE) <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Sincerely,
Bill Hogan
From: Moore, Rob - M.P. <Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Thu, Aug 10, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
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.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
To: "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, oic-bci@gnb.ca, Charles.Murray@gnb.ca, "hugh.flemming" <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, "Hamish.Wright" <Hamish.Wright@gnb.ca>, keriess@postmedia.com, Eric.Mallet@gnb.ca, Arlene.Dunn@gnb.ca, Greg.Turner@gnb.ca, Daniel.J.Allain@gnb.ca, Ryan.Cullins@gnb.ca, Richard.Ames@gnb.ca, Margaret.Johnson@gnb.ca, Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca, Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "pierre.poilievre" <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca, "Nathalie.G.Drouin" <Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 11:54:54 -0300
Subject: Hey Bruce Fitch Perhaps you should talk to Barbara Whitenect I got a call from one of your minions within "Mental Heath" claiming the RCMP are calling me crazy again
In response I called the RCMP and your office again Correct?
Deja Vu Anyone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Me,Myself and I
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP Sussex New Brunswick
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP and the Fat Fred City Finest
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP in Fat Fred City Pt 1
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RCMP in Fat Fred City Pt 2
David Amos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Speak of the Devil and Cst. Mark Blakely of the RCMP appears
David Amos
https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/
Barbara Whitenect, RSW
The CASW Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to
the field of social welfare and for the profession of social work in
Canada. It is hard to think of someone more deserving than Barbara
Whitenect.
Barb obtained her Bachelor of Social Work at St. Thomas University in
1991 and followed that by obtaining her Masters of Social Work from
Carleton University in 1992.
Barb has been a member in good standing with the NBASW since 1992.
She has been actively involved with the provincial NBASW since
2007first as vice-president. Barb is currently the President of the
NBASW and represents the NBASW on the national and international front
with her active involvement with CASW, CCSWR and ASWB.
She has been a key player in leading NBASW to adopt its first Scope of
Practice. Barb identifies herself as a social worker at every
opportunity. She has provided social work education to social work
students – both by teaching at St. Thomas University and by supporting
field placement opportunities for students within her workplace.
Barb is currently employed in a Director`s Position for the Department
of Health, attached to the Central Office Mental Health Services for
New Brunswick. By her many skills and knowledge, Barb is often
solicited by her peers to be involved with and take on various
projects around the province and even on a National level. She is a
great leader for our membership and staff of NBASW, her ongoing
involvement has brought our Association to a higher level of both
administrative issues and constructive political working
relationships.
Barb represents social work proudly and is dedicated to the
advancement of the profession and she is an inspiration to many of us.
It is for this reason that she is the ideal candidate for the 2013
CASW Distinguished Service Award.
For further information:
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW, CAE
CASW Executive Director
Tel: 613-793-2012
E-mail: fred.phelps@casw-acts.ca
https://davidraymondamos3.
Thursday, 10 August 2023
Conservatives launch massive ad campaign amid surge in polls
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
Conservatives launch massive ad campaign amid surge in polls
Multimillion-dollar ad buy comes as polling shows Tories as much as 10
points ahead of Liberals
Kate McKenna, Hannah Thibedeau · CBC News · Posted: Aug 09, 2023 2:25 PM ADT
Conservatives reintroduce Pierre Poilievre with $3M ad campaign
Duration 1:58
The Conservative Party of Canada is reintroducing leader Pierre
Poilievre to Canadians with a $3 million ad campaign that some
insiders say is a move to rebrand him with a softer image.
The Conservative Party of Canada is launching a multimillion-dollar
ad campaign that depicts its leader, Pierre Poilievre, as a family man
who wants to fix the country — all while his party is soaring in the
polls and his main rival is going through a public split with his
spouse.
"This is not a branding campaign. This is an amplification of who
Pierre is and always has been," said Regan Watts, a former adviser to
several ministers in the Harper government.
"He's warm, he's kind, he's empathetic and he listens… It's important
for people to delineate between Parliament Hill and the rest of the
country, engaging with Canadians one-on-one. "
Two of the three ads focus on showing a more human side of Poilievre,
whose aggressive, bulldog style has seen him spar with journalists and
politicians alike, prompting Maclean's magazine to ask "Why is Pierre
Poilievre so angry?"
A senior Conservative source confirmed to CBC News that the party will
spend more than $3 million over three months to push three bilingual
ads in every province and territory.
The ads will air on TV, radio, digital platforms and print media.
Polling analyst Éric Grenier, the author of TheWrit.ca, says the
timing of the campaign makes sense.
"Usually when there is a new leader in place and Canadians don't know
a lot about them, there is an attempt to try to make them seem more
like a likable person," he said.
The first ad features voice-over from Poilievre's wife, Anaida, a
Montreal-raised Venezuelan immigrant who has been described in a
Quebec newspaper as Poilievre's "hidden ace" in Quebec.
"Who is Pierre Poilievre?" she narrates, before showing the
Conservative leader at different stages of his life, including playing
hockey while growing up in Calgary, and playing with his own children.
"And I know him as a guy who loves me for who I am," she says in the
ad. "A Canadian, who came to call Canada home, and his wife."
It was released less than a week after Justin Trudeau's high-profile
separation from his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
The second ad shows Poilievre sitting with his son, doing a puzzle.
"Everything feels broken in Canada. Unaffordable, unsafe, divided. But
we can put the pieces back together," he says in voice-over.
The third ad is an attack on the carbon tax, which Poilievre says he
would undo if elected.
A spokesperson for Poilievre did not respond to a request for comment
about the ad campaign.
A surge in polls
This ad campaign comes while the party surges in the polls.
"All the national polling that we've seen over the last few months
have given the Conservatives a wide lead, sometimes as wide as 10
points, and that has increased over the last few months," Grenier
said.
"The question is whether it's going to hold into the fall."
It also comes weeks after he ditched his tie and glasses for a more
casual look, which some strategists say could signal an effort to
present a more laid-back, likable version of himself.
Pierre Poilievre drops the glasses as part of an image revamp
These ads could be an appeal to women — a key demographic
Conservatives are trying to court, says Grenier.
"The Conservatives in general poll less well among women than they do
among men… For Pierre Poilievre, we've seen the same kinds of things.
Negatives tend to be a lot higher among women than among men," he
said.
"This is a way to make him seem less abrasive, less partisan."
'You can change the packaging but not the content:' Rodriguez on
latest Poilievre ad blitz
Duration 0:36
Reporters asked Transport Minister and Quebec MP Pablo Rodriguez about
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest ad campaign. Rodriguez
says that's not something Quebeckers want.
Canada's Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez was asked about the new ad
campaign and said he doesn't believe the ads will sway people,
particularly in his home province of Quebec.
"You can change the packaging if you want, you can change the
packaging, but not the contents," he said. "The content is not
something that Quebecers want."
'Money to burn'
Though the $3-million price tag might seem expensive, the Conservative
Party of Canada is out-fundraising its rivals — by a lot.
From April to June alone, the Tories raised nearly $8 million in
donations, a slight decrease from the $8.3 million the party raised
during the first three months of the year.
That's more than double what the Liberals raised in the same window of time.
"They have lots of money to burn," said Grenier. "The gap in
fundraising over the last six months between the two parties is the
biggest it's ever been … which gives them an advantage between
elections that the Liberals and New Democrats simply don't have."
The Conservative faithful will be gathering in Quebec City from Sept.
7 -9 for their annual convention. The website notes it's the first
in-person convention since 2018.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate McKenna
Kate McKenna is a senior reporter with CBC News. She is based in the
parliamentary bureau. kate.mckenna@cbc.ca.
Follow Kate on Twitter
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
6369 Comments
Bill Von Smith
It will be nice when Justin is gone and Canada is not an international joke.
Don Corey
Reply to Bill Von Smith
Oh so true!
Taseko Tom
Reply to Bill Von Smith
P.P. is the laughingstock of the CPC , so there is that.
Don Corey
Reply to Taseko Tom
Dream on....
David Amos
Reply to Bill Von Smith
I second that emotion
Fredericton psychiatrist risks losing licence after not contesting misconduct allegations
Dr. Manoj Bhargava's actions 'disgraceful, dishonorable and unprofessional,' says court document
Fredericton psychiatrist Dr. Manoj Bhargava has been suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons. (Facebook)A Fredericton psychiatrist could permanently lose his medical licence after choosing not to contest allegations of sexual misconduct at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday morning.
Dr. Manoj Bhargava was presented with sanctions by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick for several long-standing complaints.
Bhargava worked at the University of New Brunswick student health centre, and was suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick in November 2020 after several complaints of inappropriate touching were filed.
At his disciplinary hearing, the college's lawyer, Joël Michaud, described the allegations against Bhargava.
They were based on complaints made by 20 individuals, whose identities are protected by a publication ban.
The statement said Bhargava committed unprofessional misconduct taking heart rate and blood pressure measurements that were "inconsistent with the standards of the profession" outlined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
It said Bhargava also made comments, asked questions and made requests that were not consistent with the standards of the profession.
According to the statement, Bhargava "treated all complainants in a manner that could reasonably be perceived by members as being disgraceful, dishonorable and unprofessional."
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The lawyers for the college and Bhargava jointly recommended sanctions to revoke his licence and remove his name from the register.
Fredericton psychiatrist doesn’t fight sexual misconduct allegationsIt said Bhargava should never seek another licence in New Brunswick, and that he pay $5,000 to cover legal fees.
Bhargava joined the meeting with his lawyer Sacha Morisset, who said he had no questions to add to the uncontested evidence or the sanctions. Bhargava did not speak at the hearing.
The board of inquiry, composed of three doctors, will go through the submission and will make a written decision in the "very near future."
Four civil lawsuits filed against Bhargava
Meanwhile, Barghava's legal issues continue to play out in the court with the filing of new lawsuits.
Monday afternoon, lawyer Basia Sowinski from the firm Valent Legal, filed four individual lawsuits, listing the University of New Brunswick and Bhargava as defendants in all four cases.
She said the timing was coincidental with the disciplinary hearing.
In April 2023, lawyers from the same firm discontinued a class-action lawsuit. It alleged that UNB didn't take appropriate steps to ensure the plaintiffs were not subjected to such acts, and that UNB was vicariously liable for the sexual assaults allegedly perpetrated by Bhargava.
Basia
Sowinski, a lawyer at Valent Legal, has submitted four lawsuits on
behalf of her clients against Bhargava and the University of New
Brunswick. (Submitted by Basia Sowinski)
At the time, the firm said it would file a mass-tort lawsuit, which would allow plaintiffs to include those varying claims about where Bhargava allegedly assaulted them.
The firm has now decided to pivot to individual lawsuits. Sowinski said the mass-tort lawsuit wasn't ideal for plaintiffs.
"It's not really necessary to litigate it as a mass tort, but rather we just filed a separate lawsuit for them," she said.
CBC is not naming the plaintiffs in the lawsuits because their cases involve allegations of sexual assault.
In a draft of the one of the lawsuits provided by Sowinski, the allegations against Bhargava include medical negligence and sexual assault.
"The Plaintiff alleges the Defendant Bhargava requested she wear loose clothing, or remove articles of clothing, so that her heart rate and/or blood pressure could be obtained."
The lawsuit is also against UNB and alleges negligence and vicarious liability.
Sowinski said the legal process has been "a pretty long road" for the plaintiffs.
"I'm happy to help represent them and support them on the civil side of things to get a sense of justice for them."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Journalist
Prapti Bamaniya is an associate producer with Information Morning Fredericton. She is a 2023 CBC Joan Donaldson Scholar and has previously worked as a reporter and producer for CBC newsrooms in London, U.K, Hamilton, and with the Health unit. She graduated with a bachelor's of journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University in June 2023. You can reach her at prapti.bamaniya@cbc.ca.
With files from Pascal Raiche-Nogue
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