New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says the Compassionate Intervention Act will be introduced in May. (Radio-Canada)
Premier
Blaine Higgs is not ruling out using the Constitution's notwithstanding
clause as part of legislation that would allow authorities to force
people with severe addiction into treatment against their will.
Higgs
said Tuesday it is soon to say if the bill will need to invoke the
clause to protect it from a challenge under a Charter of Rights and
Freedoms guarantee against arbitrary detention.
"Well,
it's early days. I would say, let's get it introduced and then have lots
of discussion on that and the details," Higgs told reporters.
He said the Compassionate Intervention Act will be introduced in May.
Section 9 of the Charter says everyone has "the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned."
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin avoided questions last week about the Charter implications of the bill. (Mikael Mayer/Radio-Canada)
Last
week, Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said the legislation will
include a process allowing medical professionals, family members and
others to weigh in on whether someone with severe addiction needs to be
forced into treatment.
"We're not looking to arbitrarily just drag people into some sort of incarceration," he said at the time.
Austin
avoided questions last week about the Charter implications of the bill,
but experts, including University of New Brunswick Saint John housing
researcher Julia Woodhall-Melnik, predicted the courts would strike it
down as unconstitutional.
Law professor Wayne MacKay of Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law told Information Morning Moncton that it is "a big question mark" whether the legislation would survive a Charter challenge.
"In general it would be difficult, I think, to justify this kind of a restriction on rights," he said.
The
notwithstanding clause allows a legislature to insulate a bill from a
court challenge by declaring that some Charter sections, including the
one on arbitrary detention, do not apply.
When he spoke
to reporters March 27, Austin said the bill would be introduced "within
the next week" but on Tuesday the legislature held its last sitting day
before May.
A committee of MLAs will spend most of
April approving departmental budget estimates, meaning no new bills can
be introduced until next month.
Higgs described the
legislation as necessary to address the homelessness crisis, noting that
shelters are not equipped to help people recover from addiction.
In
his speech Tuesday, wrapping up debate on the provincial budget, he
said this year's spending plan includes start-up costs for a new 50-bed
residential rehabilitation facility.
The premier said the program would start with 50 new beds, but would eventually treat 100 to 140 people each year. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Higgs said he was not worried about being able to find enough people to provide the services.
"It's early yet but we think we can find the resources to staff a facility like this," he said.
He
also said it was "premature" to discuss what kind of security would be
in place at the new facility, given some people will be there against
their will.
In his state of the province speech in
January, the premier said the government would double its capacity for
adult addiction rehabilitation and was working on a new program with a
four- to six-month treatment program.
The program would
start with 50 new beds but would eventually treat 100 to 140 people each
year, depending on the length of their program, he said then.
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.
More rights being removed by the provinces. The continuing slide to the right in Canada?
Vince Kane
Content Deactivated
Reply to BD Morgan
Just to point out, rights being removed is considered a slide left on the socio political spectrum.
Robert Tangence
Reply to Vince Kane
That Higgs, such a lefty progressive! Much
like so many Middle Eastern countries that deny freedom from
incarceration without court conviction or representation.
David Amos
Reply to BD Morgan
Perhaps you should study Bill C-63
Vince Kane
Content Deactivated
Reply to Robert Tangence
Meh............ left and right in this context do have definitions.
A shift towards absolute rights is a shift "right",
weakening rights is a shift "left". We teach that in school.
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
Kane
Smith and Higgs are left?
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
And oh yes. Moe.
BD Morgan
Reply to David Amos
I am not the one considering the not withstanding clause.
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
You teach revisionist history in school?
David Amos
Reply to BD Morgan
Do You?
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
Invoking the notwithstanding clause is removal of rights by definition.
Vince Kane
Reply to BD Morgan
And the skill testing question is:
Is that a move left on the spectrum
or
a move right on the spectrum?
Vince Kane
Reply to Vince Kane
I'll give you a hint..... the notwithstanding clause was created by a Liberal PM.
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
It is being done by a right wing government. So a move to the right. Same as in Saskatchewan.
David Amos
Reply to BD Morgan
Both of you need to study history before you argue currents events in public
Robert Tangence
Reply to Vince Kane
Well thank goodness the "school" taught you
than the suffrage, the civil rights movement, and same-s marriage was
driven by the right wing. Freedom after all! ;)
BD Morgan
Reply to David Amos
Tell us professor, what does the notwithstanding clause do?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to BD Morgan
I am not the one who professes to be a professor but I am one hell of a student
Vince Kane
Content Deactivated
Reply to BD Morgan
First, you have confused Sask with AB. You should be talking about SMith, not Moe.
Second, Donald Trump can bring in left leaning legislation and Biden can bring in right leaning.
It's the legislation that counts, not the affiliation of
the politician. I have already explained that........ you have homework
to do.
Robert Tangence
Reply to Vince Kane
Recent history is a good study, where one can
learn that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms wouldn't exist if the
notwithstanding clause were not included. All provinces wouldn't have
been on board without it .
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
"Sask. premier to use notwithstanding clause to veto judge ruling on school pronoun policy"
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
It helps if you get up to speed on Canadian politics.
Ford used it as well.
Vince Kane
Content Deactivated
Reply to BD Morgan
From the guy who still doesn't get left vs right..................
BD Morgan
Reply to Vince Kane
I don't agree with your arbitrary definition. Not many would.
Robert Tangence
I read a book once where people were
institutionalized for conditioning to modify unwanted behavior even if
they broke no laws. I used to think it was fiction. Higgs is making it
real.
David Amos
Reply to Robert Tangence
Many History books have confirmed that was done for eons
Robert Tangence
Reply to David Amos
So it's fine then? What about societies that
recognize the importance of human rights, or is that now out the window
because it's thought of as too "progressive"?
David Amos
Reply to Robert Tangence
"What about societies that recognize the importance of human rights"
Name one that truly mean what they claim
Kevin Archibald
Treatment? That's funny.
David Amos
Reply to Kevin Archibald
The sad part is that the joke is on us
Wilbur Ross
Another illegal bill. Que the lawsuits. What a
waste of time and money. Obviously you can't do this in Canada. New
Brunswick IS Canada's slippery slope with Higgs in charge
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Methheads prove on a daily basis how selective law enforcement is in NB
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
It appears that the truth hurts
John Smith
Next will be forced church attendance.
David Amos
Reply to John Smith
Of that I have no doubt
Dale McConnell
Forced treatments??? Pardon?
David Amos
Reply to Dale McConnell
There is no talk of Pardons
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos haha
Ray Collins
Can somebody in government please tell me where exactly
these treatment centers are located? I know many people here in just
Moncton who have addictions and are seeking voluntary treatment and are
told the wait time is 6-18 months for available beds.
Will this program be farmed out and administered by an
outside agency and if so, at what cost to the taxpayers of NB? Once the
high risk people are carted off for treatment will they take the next
lower risk and force treatment on them as well? What about low risk
people, will they be rounded up for forced treatment as well?
Unless you are prepared to treat people completely
including finding out why they have the addiction in the first place
then you are only putting band aids on bullet wounds and nothing more.
There is no plan in place for treatment, there are no available
facilities and there are certainly no people to run and administer the
program yet we are going to make it law. Another scam which by the way
folks we are financing.
Kevin Archibald
Reply to Ray Collins
Maybe if they stop blaming everything and everybody, they can start to help themselves, but I doubt it.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Ray Collins
Ray that is my concern too. Spaces for
voluntary treatment are slim to none in NB. I say first we need to get
the support and spaces for those that want to do it voluntarily before
we start rounding up and jailing
Frank Brace
Reply to Ray Collins
There is no mention of forced treatment programs working , both because they do not exist and did do not work when they did
David Amos
Reply to Frank Brace
Bingo
.
Corrie Weatherfield
well here we go again . . . there will so much
to remember this premier by (if, when) he is out of office . . . the
beautiful steel skeleton on King St of the maybe new justice building . .
. the wonderful image of the formerly asbestos riddled Centennial
Building ( that did not make it to a 100 year span) still empty after
all these years . . . the fight not over about kids' gender issues in
school . . . the ongoing battle over changes made to pension plans
without respecting the legal rights of plan members . . . now an attack
on vulnerable people which may make things worse for them . . . what
else?
David Amos
Reply to Corrie Weatherfield
Welcome back to the circus
Bobby Richards
Reply to Corrie Weatherfield
Higgs is leaving his mark on downtown Fredericton.
Samual Johnston
Reply to Corrie Weatherfield
if you polled the average person on these
topics with out mentioning political party the vast majority would be
fine with them -- trying to turn NB in to a fiscally responsible
Province, stand up for parents rights and troubled youth, eliminating an
unsustainable pension system, looking for ways to help addicts and so
much more. The pension issue would garner the support of most even if
attribution it to the Conservatives as it was something that needed
fixing for decades. This government is far from perfect but at least
they are attempting to take on the issues - they will probe be best know
for getting reelected.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
Define "average person"
Greg Miller
The notwithstanding clause does not permit
imposing medical treatment. This is a no-winner Higgs -- give it up and
get new advisors pronto!
Bobby Richards
Reply to Greg Miller
I believe Higgs and Austin only care about the
jailing part. If they get them off the streets then the public doesn't
see them, they will assume the problem has been resolved.
David Amos
Reply to Greg Miller
Mr Outhouse and his buddy Jenni are purportedly the best of advisors
Paul Greenspan
Reply to Bobby Richards
And if you are openly using illegal drugs then
why can't you put them in jail.If I was to sit outside any building in
any city drinking beer, the police would arrive right away and I would
be put in jail.We are wasting money setting up centers for safe
(illegal) drug use when we could put money into treatment centers.You
can't force people into treatment nor can we continue to enable.Take at
look at Vancouver!! The time to act in now or we are looking at many
Vancouvers,
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Paul Greenspan
Exactly People caught with illegal drugs should go to
jail and the crooks selling it to them should have the book thrown at
them. Everybody knew one of the Kingpins was camped in Austin's riding
Ontario police seize 125 kilograms of crystal meth after New Brunswick man arrested
Carolyn Ryan | CBC News | Posted: Friday, March 29th, 2024 4:47 PM
David Amos
Reply to Paul Greenspan
Ditto
Benny Swim
Many are on the streets for issues other than drug
addiction. Even for the sake of argument 100% of them were, there are
not enough treatment centres or trained staff in in NB for people to go
to voluntarily. So, just exactly where are they going to force these
people to go? Jails? Few treatment services there, although I guess it
would inflate the number of inmates thereby justifying the Higg's
government building of jails.
As others have said here this is a distraction. It is
that and nothing else exactly like the gender policies in schools that
impact less than 1% of 1% of the students in schools in NB.
These are bunch of right-wing (extreme?) politicians who
want to fight culture wars instead of dealing with issues of concern to
the majority of the population. Health care, education, jobs, the state
of the province's infrastructure, corporate welfare that seems to know
no bounds, etc.
David Amos
Reply to Benny Swim
Higgy et al know why I was homeless for so many years
MR Cain
This is just another distraction from the poor performance of the Higgs government.
Samual Johnston
Reply to MR Cain
Or is it a government trying to come up with a
plan to help those that need it? Things are not usually black and
white when it comes to so called human rights. Rights of a minor vs
parents. Rights of a drug addict vs the rights of the public. Rights of
a criminal vs the rights of a victim. Seems like some just want the
government to not to try and do anything ‘new’. The status quo is not
working so give them credit for at least bringing these issue to the
foreground.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
I give them no credit whatsoever
Frank Brace
Reply to Samual Johnston
There is no right to do the wrong thing ,as Higgs has a habit of
Samual Johnston
Reply to Frank Brace
you call it the wrong thing when you do not even know the details of what 'it' is.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
I do
Robert Tangence
From the meta study: Werb D, et al. "The effectiveness
of compulsory drug treatment: A systematic review.", Int J Drug Policy
(2016).
"There is limited scientific literature evaluating
compulsory drug treatment. Evidence does not, on the whole, suggest
improved outcomes related to compulsory treatment approaches, with some
studies suggesting potential harms. Given the potential for human rights
abuses within compulsory treatment settings, non-compulsory treatment
modalities should be prioritized by policymakers seeking to reduce
drug-related harms."
Samual Johnston
Reply to Robert Tangence
So what is the answer then? Is the method
studied in the paper the same as the governments proposal? Doubt it as
it is not even formed yet. Would you shut down the discussion on this
topic based on this one paper?
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
That paper is called a Charter
Robert Tangence
Reply to Samual Johnston
It's a meta study. The findings represent the available research science has published to date on the subject.
David Amos
Reply to Robert Tangence
"available research science"
Robert Tangence
Reply to David Amos
Should a meta study be based instead on make-believe science? I think not.
David Amos
Reply to Robert Tangence
Trust that there is a lot you don't know
Gail Steeves
Forcing someone to do something against their
will just wont work. People with addictions get incarcerated and are
clean for months and what is the first thing they do when they get
freedom? They get their "fix". Someone has to WANT to get treatment.
It's the same as quitting smoking, if the smoker has no desire, they
will not quit. More focus should be put on getting treatment for those
that do want it. I've heard stories of people asking to go into detox
treatments and they are told there is a 6 month to 1 year wait. What is
going to happen with those wait times when there are people in
treatment taking up spots who are not ready to get clean?
David Amos
Reply to Gail Steeves
Well put
Samual Johnston
Reply to Gail Steeves
Many of them get treatment while in jail and don’t re offend
Gail Steeves
Reply to Samual Johnston
I agree the ones that are ready and WANT the
help do benefit from programs - but if someone isn't ready (for whatever
reason) forcing them will not work (that is my only point).
Samual Johnston
Reply to Gail Steeves
No one is saying they are forcing those who are
100% against treatment to do anything. This is an attempt to look at
the problem and propose solutions for as many as possible. Seriously
.. people are so quick to dump on something even before they have the
details on it. What would you propose? Status quo?
Gail Steeves
Reply to Gail Steeves
Last week, Public Safety Minister Kris Austin
said the legislation will include a process allowing medical
professionals, family members and others to weigh in on whether someone
with severe addiction needs to be forced into treatment.
Jack Bell
Is it more important for them to be alive or free to destroy themselves?
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
Thats a loaded question in country that offers MAID
Gilles Vienneau
Higgs has lost it completely. Forced treatment reminds of bad experiments with handicapped Canadians in the ‘50s.
David Amos
Reply to Gilles Vienneau
Higgy's nonsense constantly amazes me
Les Cooper
About time people will be held accountable.
David Amos
Reply to Les Cooper
IMHO Its way past HIgh Time
Bobby Richards
Austin and Higgs are more interested in locking them up rather than treatment.
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Follow the money
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos
Right to Grand Lake and Minto
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
and into the new jail
JOhn D Bond
Thankfully his days are numbered. The temerity being illustrated speaks volumes on his perspective of democracy.
David Amos
Reply to JOhn D Bond
Dream on
Monty Shplar
I wish he would run for PM ! Finally someone with their head on straight.
This country has become a socialist toilet to flush money down.
David Amos
Reply to Monty Shplar
Surely you jest
Clive Gibbons
Reply to Monty Shplar So let's fix this by turning it into a religious dictatorship. Right...
Jim Lake
The only type of premier that would invoke the
notwithstanding clause over fear legislation would be challenged under
the Charter is one that obviously doesn’t believe in individual rights
and freedoms that are enshrined in the Charter. Those of us that do
believe in individual rights must do all we can to ensure those that
believe in and respect the Constitution and the Charter are the ones
elected to govern.
David Amos
Reply to Jim Lake
I agree
Les Cooper
Reply to Jim Lake
Or the laws are out dated.
Graham McCormack
The notwithstanding clause , the tool of a weak premier.
Samual Johnston
Reply to Graham McCormack
The notwithstanding clause, The tool to deal with an imperfect document.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Yup
Jimmy Vee
hmm locking up the homeless what a novel
solution, against their will is We the government decide. The homeless
are enjoying ultimate freedoms from personal responsibilities to fend
for ones self. Some want to get out of their situation but a lot like
the free lifestyle. So lets lock them up because they are enjoying their
holiday from working for a normal lifestyle.
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Vee
Who is "We"???
Samual Johnston
Reply to Jimmy Vee
Who said anything about locking up?
Don Smith
Notwithstanding, is that Higgs speak for my way or the highway or the hospital?
David Amos
Reply to Don Smith
Yup
Bill Vasseur
As bad as what Higgs is proposing to possibly
do , detain and force people into treatment, what irks me even more is
the fact that we have a Constitution & a Bill of Rights that are
virtually worthless due to that stupid Notwithstanding Clause. Some
democracy we have.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Vasseur
Democracy and the Rule of Law are myths
SarahRose Werner
Before Higgs starts forcing people into
treatment, maybe he should use some of that surplus to expand the
existing treatment options so that they'll be enough for people who
actually want treatment. Right now the wait times to get into treatment
are horrendous.
MR Cain
Reply to SarahRose Werner
Higgs said he was not worried about being able
to find enough people to provide the services. He seems not to
understand that ethics in the occupation of the specialists tasked to do
this atrocity may not be that easy to find.
Les Cooper
Reply to SarahRose Werner
I here Moncton has a better set up.
David Amos
Reply to Les Cooper
Trust that it isn't
SarahRose Werner
Right. Higgs just basically admitted that the proposed law violates Charter Rights.
Samual Johnston
Reply to SarahRose Werner
The charter of rights is not a perfect document thus the need for the not withstanding clause.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
Does anyone recall that the referendum on the Charlottetown Accord caused the destruction of the federal PC Party?
Clive Gibbons
Reply to Samual Johnston
Not to be used to trample on peoples' rights.
Samual Johnston
Reply to Clive Gibbons
No one said it will be used that way. Wait
to see what the program and legislation will entail then decide. Give
the guy some credit for looking for a way to help these people. If a
person is drunk in public and a danger to themselves they are often
incarcerated would you say their rights are being trampled upon?
Don’t you have to weigh the rights of the public vs the rights of the
drug addicts?
Sylvester Pheelyne
Reply to Samual Johnston
Seriously, if this guy committed murder you have an 'explanation' for why he 'needed' to do that.
Koffi Babone
So can we do the same for vaccinations? LOLOLOL...
Jimmy Vee
Reply to Koffi Babone
nope but u do u whatever
David Amos
Reply to Koffi Babone
We did
Koffi Babone
Reply to David Amos
LOL, no we did not. Vaccinations were never
forced onto anyone. Life was made very difficult for those who were not
vaccinated, but they were not forced onto you. You always had a choice.
David Amos
Reply to Koffi Babone
Have you talked to any veterans?
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Canadian Bank Terminates Veteran and Her Son's Account
Over Request to Display Canadian Flag Alongside Pride Flag (Exclusive
Interview)
Amy Mek April 1, 2024
Samual Johnston
Funny to see the negative comments on a program
and legislation that has not even been released yet. Love him or hate
him he is trying to come up with something to help these people. There
will be lots of discussions on the issue in the months to come and in
the end the government may just give up as it seems like an impossible
task to achieve. I cannot see it working but good on him for trying I
guess.
Koffi Babone
Reply to Samual Johnston
Higgs' proposal is meant to sweep the problem under the carpet to give the impression he is doing something..
This complex issue affects one individual, the addict.
Why did Higgs not propose the same for vaccinations? Not
only would this benefit the vaccinated person, but potentially also
everyone that person could have infected...
SarahRose Werner
Reply to Samual Johnston
What you're saying might be true if no one knew anything
about addiction treatment and we were all starting from point zero,
trying different things out. However, that's not the case. People who
actually work with those who have addictions issues are saying that
forced treatment not only won't do any long term good, it will in fact
do harm. Why? Because people who didn't want to be treated in the
first place have high relapse rates. Once they relapse, they're even
warier of seeking services and help than they were in the first place,
because they're more determined to avoid another round of forced
treatment.
Higgs may be "trying," but he's going to end up causing more harm.
Samual Johnston
Reply to SarahRose Werner
Again you are assuming you know what the
program and legislation will be. Pretty sure he is not looking to
reinvent the wheel here. Looking around the globe are there governments
who have programs that attempt to help those who most have written off?
While I can’t see it working I can see the value in someone trying.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
Yea Right
Les Cooper
Reply to Samual Johnston
Maybe some of the homeless will get a job.
Stephanie Perry
Reply to Samual Johnston
Experts have already studied what will help
people, and incarceration is not on the list. Housing, supports, and
access to resources are a much better approach. There are people who
want treatment who don't have access, why not give them the help they
want instead?
Greg Caddell
There really is no separation of church and
state in New Brunswick yet. Try getting an abortion in this place.
Province of no choices.
MR Cain
Reply to Greg Caddell
You need one?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Greg Caddell
So says a strawman
David Amos
Reply to Greg Caddell
Wow
Vince Kane
While eating at a restaurant recently, I
watched a homeless addict pick food out of the trash can and then use
the trash can as a dining table while he ate. That's not freedom, that's
not living. Sometimes adults need tough love too.
MR Cain
Reply to Vince Kane
Why didn't you offer him some food? This just entertainment?
Vince Kane
Reply to MR Cain
You don't know I didn't.
His quality of life would have been better in jail.
MR Cain
Reply to Vince Kane
Pretty sure if you think his quality of life would be better in jail you are no good Samaritan.
Vince Kane
Reply to MR Cain
I bet his family members would agree with me.
MR Cain
Reply to Vince Kane
I bet they wouldn't; they would want him home with the family.
Sheila Falconer
Reply to Vince Kane
I disagree. Being locked up is awful.
Sheila Falconer
Reply to Sheila Falconer
There are times when being locked up is
necessary, and can have a good outcome, but personally I highly doubt
the homeless person you saw would choose jail over freedom.
David Amos
Reply to Vince Kane
Why didn't you buy him a burger?
David Amos
Reply to Sheila Falconer
Me too
Vince Kane
Reply to MR Cain
If his family wanted him, then he would have been with
his family don't you think? I bet given the choice, he would have taken a
couch over the streets.
That's the thing about mental illness and addictions....
people suffering with either tend to badly burn bridges with those
close to them. Some try to deny this, which I feel is very unproductive,
but many/most homeless have very anti social behaviours that tend to
isolate them from their communities.
Marcel Belanger
The unbelievable actions of the francophobe duo is
beyond the pale. Time to kick them out, they've done enough damage to
the province.
Higgs believes if he pays down the debt it gives him the right to do anything he wants.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Your heroes locked me up illegally in 2008
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Oh my my
Inger Nielsen
Higgs and Austin seem to think N.Bers are going
to be ok with being forced or being dictated to on their personal
health issues. this is not going to go over well at the polls for sure
David Amos
Reply to Inger Nielsen
Some folks have noticed However I believe Higgy can still win a minority mandate
Inger Nielsen
no one liked being or feeling like they where
forced into getting the covid vax what makes you think people are going
to be ok with any sort of forced treatment "Last week, Public Safety
Minister Kris Austin said the legislation will include a process
allowing medical professionals, family members and others to weigh in on
whether someone with severe addiction needs to be forced into
treatment".
David Amos
Reply to Inger Nielsen
Go figure
Doug kirby
What's next for NB???
David Amos
Reply to Doug kirby
Another election
Doug kirby
Omg this man is getting rediculious people
David Amos
Reply to Doug kirby
I concur
Art McCarthy
No sense being a amateur authoritarian I suppose.
David Amos
Reply to Art McCarthy
Come big or stay home eh?
danny rugg
Those who want Pierre so bad , you should look
up dictator in the dictionary. Potheads might just end up in jail. Don't
laugh. The Cons always wanted more jail for marijuana possession.
David Amos
Reply to danny rugg
I am laughing
Ralph Wighham
"Kris Austin said the legislation will include a process
allowing medical professionals, family members and others to weigh in"
Who wants to bet that "others" in this context means
elected officials, police, and officials at Kris Austin's church?
Bobby Richards
Reply to Ralph Wighham
And Faytene
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Bobby Richards
What does the Attorney General have to say about this nonsense?
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Oh my
Bobby Richards
Higgs doesn't even fund the number of beds required for voluntary treatment. And now he has money for forced treatment?
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Higgy is just talking big to shake up his caucus in order to see who still supports him before the writ is dropped
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos
And the ones that are left are easy to shake up. The strong ones are gone. Except for AAM.
Clive Gibbons
Reply to Bobby Richards
He can't get rid of her, cause if Flemming leaves, he'll have to get a Liberal to be the AG.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Bobby Richards
Too bad so sad that my last reply to you went "Poof"
Bobby Richards
Reply to Clive Gibbons
Maybe Rob McKee. Flemming isn't going anywhere
though. He's made it a very easy job for himself. Just show up, stay
awake most of the time and let the civil servants in the justice dept
handle it.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Bobby Richards
I am not permitted to reply to you
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Are you certain?
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos He said he is too young to retire and too old to learn something new. But who knows? We can always hope.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Bobby Richards
I don't think he has practiced law in 30 plus years.
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
I am not certain that he ever practiced law
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
Brad Green never did and now he is a judge Perhaps Teddy will be one as well
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
"Maybe Rob McKee"
His daddy was a priest then a lawyer then a MLA and then a Judge
G. Timothy Walton
Force addicts into treatment against their will, then
watch them overdose as soon as they get out and go back to their old
dosage.
But I'm sure this never occurred to our Public Safety minister.
Bobby Richards
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Did you hear Austin in his interview this
morning? He almost lost it when being asked a few simple questions. At
one point he raised his voice and and said "Anyone with half a
..............(pause) " Then he realized he was flying off the handle.
People like Austin and Higgs are used to using force and punishment to
get their way.
MR Cain
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Where do they go when they let them out? If
this is Higgs solution to homelessness, then he must be planning on
incarcerating everyone on the street.
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Bobby Richards
Austin's not a voice I'd connect to reason, so
it's easier to ignore him most of the time. Maybe I'll give it a listen
on the website later so I can laugh at him.
We hear from Public Safety Minister Kris Austin and
associate professor in Social Sciences at UNB, Julia Woodhall Melnick.
Aired: April 2, 2024
William Morton
1. Forcing people into treatment does not work.
2. It is unethical for any medical personnel to
administer medical treatment against the will of the individual except
in extreme cases.
3. There are no resources available for any task of this kind.
4. Yet again another populist propaganda move by Higgs ,
propose something that seems to make sense but is actually ethically
wrong, morally evil, and financially unobtainable.
Boot Higgs out.
David Amos
Reply to William Morton
I concur
Lauchlin Murray
"Have they no refuge or resource?" cried Scrooge. "Are
there no Prisons?" said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time
with his own words. "Are there no workhouses?"
The key word in Charter Section 9, "the right not to be
arbitrarily detained or imprisoned," is 'arbitrarily'. I don't know how
Black's Law Dictionary defines 'arbitrary,' but my best guess is that's
just another one of those weasel words that gets caught up all too often
in legislation, that fortunately or unfortunately, some grizzled old
judge is left to decide on for us all.
David Amos
Reply to Lauchlin Murray
Sad but true
Sylvester Pheelyne
What a waste of taxpayers money. Those that are forced
into this will not be 'cured'. Perhaps Higgs should speak to a medical
professional in the field of addictions...what am I saying, he's ignored
all the other professionals for years.
This election cannot come soon enough for the NB taxpayer.
Michel Pelletier
Reply to Sylvester Pheelyne
then if Doctors say otherwise he will use the clause notwithstanding them also
Weldon Law Building, 6061 University Avenue PO Box 15000 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
Research Topics:
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Constitutional law-comparative
Cyberbullying
Education law
Human rights
Humanitarian law
Public policy analysis
Public law
Public interest
Judiciary
Education
BA (Mt Allison)
BEd (Mt Allison)
MA (Florida)
LLB (Dalhousie)
Bar admissions
Nova Scotia, 1980
Teaching
Professor MacKay is a nationally recognized teacher and scholar, and
accomplished author in the areas of Constitutional Law, the Charter of
Rights, Human Rights, Privacy Law and Education Law. In addition to
teaching courses in the previous areas, he has also taught
Administrative Law, Criminology and Aboriginal Rights.
Areas of supervision: Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Education Law
Research interests
Professor MacKay's primary areas of research include Constitutional
Law, Public Law, the Charter of Rights, Education Law, Criminal
Law, Human Rights and Privacy Law. He has conducted major government
studies on inclusive education, cyberbullying, and social and economic
rights, and he has written extensively in these areas.
Julia Woodhall-Melnik is an Associate Professor with the
Department of Social Science, in the Faculty of Arts at the University
of New Brunswick in Saint John. She is also the Canada Research Chair in
Resilient Communities. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology and her
Certification in University Teaching from the University of Waterloo
where her research focused on investigating employment in low-waged
service sector work as a social determinant of health. During this time,
Julia also led a variety of analyses of publicly funded housing options
for low-income households with non-profit organizations and academic
think tanks. Julia held a Canadian Institutes of Health Research
post-doctoral fellowship at McMaster University.
Julia continues to produce innovative research which explores
employment and housing as social determinants of physical and mental
health, addiction and wellbeing. Her work, which is currently supported
by SSHRC, CIHR, the NBHRF and NBIF, investigates the effectiveness of
publicly funded rehousing and housing loss prevention interventions on
health and housing outcomes, employment and income. Julia employs both
qualitative and quantitative methods in her work and is adept at
community based research. Julia is profoundly committed to incorporating
the voices of persons with lived-experience of poverty and low-income
into her research. Her goal is to produce research that positively
impacts the quality of life of low-income and impoverished Canadians.
Julia is the Principle Investigator of the Housing, Mobilization
& Engagement Research Laboratory (HOME-RL). HOME-RL engages
community members, academics, and students in research and experiential
education opportunities that are designed to ultimately promote
community resilience and wellbeing. Through this lab, students are
provided with the opportunity to engage in world class, methodologically
rigorous research while building relationships within the community and
developing their skills to become academic leaders themselves.
Dustin
Madsen, a consultant from Calgary hired to evaluate NB Power's rate
increase request, will argue at a May hearing it is unnecessarily high. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
A
Calgary utility expert hired to analyze NB Power's application for a
pair of 9.25 per cent rate increases over the next two years says the
increase could be cut in half.
"NB Power's applied for rate
increase of 9.25% is neither required nor in the public interest," said
Dustin Madsen in a 140-page written evidence statement delivered to the
New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board last week.
"NB Power has forecast a variety of costs that are not supported as being just and reasonable."
Madsen is an accountant and former Alberta utility executive who now heads Emrydia Consulting Corporation.
He was hired by New Brunswick public intervener Alain Chiasson to review NB Power's rate application.
The
utility has proposed rate increases totalling $157 million this year
and $167 million next year to get control of its finances and meet New
Brunswick government requirements to significantly reduce its
multi-billion dollar debt burden.
In
one criticism, Madsen said NB Power has charged $180 million too much
depreciation on its transmission and distribution assets, making its
financial condition seem worse than it is. (NB Power/Facebook)
The increases
average 9.25 per cent in each of the next two years, although the
amounts vary for different customer groups. For example, residential
customers would pay 9.8 per cent more this year.
NB Power was
given temporary permission by the Energy and Utilities Board to begin
charging the higher rates on April 1 until a final decision can be made
on whether they are justified.
A full hearing is scheduled to
begin in mid-May. NB Power will be required to rebate customers any
excess amounts if the rate increase is less than planned.
A
separate three per cent rate increase expected to raise $64 million for
NB Power to pay for past over-expenditures also took effect on April
1, but is not subject to the larger rate hearing.
Madsen identified three areas where either NB Power's costs are exaggerated or its revenues are underestimated.
He
said given "the need to reduce the unprecedented rate increases sought
by NB Power," those amounts should be used to ease the burden on its
customers.
New
Brunswick public intervener Alain Chiasson hired two experts to review
NB Power's rate increase and appears to be building a case that there is
room for the Energy and Utilities Board to have it reduced. (Radio-Canada)
In
one instance, Madsen pointed out depreciation charges on $1.3 billion
worth of electrical infrastructure over the years was measured in a
2019 study to be $187 million more than actual depreciation.
He
recommended $25 million per year of that difference be credited back to
NB Power as income and that be used to either retire debt or lessen the
size of the requested rate increase.
Madsen also said because
revised revenue figures show NB Power expects to earn $36.7 million more
in higher margins on domestic and export electricity sales this year
than originally expected, that too should be credited to customers.
He
also claimed operations, maintenance and administration expenses at the
utility are being allowed to grow too fast without sufficient
justification and should be cut by $19.2 million this year.
He said the increases exceed the inflation rate for the next three years.
"Increases
of this magnitude are not just and reasonable particularly in the face
of unprecedented rate increases and a lack of supporting evidence for
some of those increases," said Madsen.
Madsen said those three
issues are worth a combined $80.9 million in NB Power's budget this year
and $82.5 million next year, which represent just over half of the
value of NB Power's proposed rate increases.
If those calculations
are validated at hearings in May, he said it's up to the Energy and
Utilities Board to decide whether to reduce the size of the rate
increases or the utility's debt levels.
New
Brunswick residential electricity customers began paying 13.8 per cent
more in rates and special surcharges for power on April 1. However, a
full rate hearing in May will decide if the amount is justified. (Robert Jones/CBC)
Madsen
also recommended NB Power cancel more than $14 million in planned
capital spending in each of the next two years to finance a major
internal transition in software systems.
He predicted those costs
are "almost always, if not always, double or triple the original
estimate," and said it would inevitably cause confusion among employees
at a time organizational focus on other problems is required.
NB Power has not responded to Madsen's analysis.
The
utility has until April 11 to submit a list of written questions to
Madsen about his evidence and provide "rebuttal" evidence by May 8 to
challenge any issue it disagrees with.
The rate hearing itself, where Madsen can be cross-examined in person by NB Power, begins in Fredericton on May 13.
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.
Perhaps folks should review what I have been posting about this topic for years
Don Corey
Accountants (and especially so for those in
consulting) are very good at manipulating numbers to present whatever
case they want to sell. Then they walk away and are ultimately never
accountable for anything.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
These dudes did not think I was worth talking
to last year Despite the fact that NB Power named me in theIr lawsuit
against the EUB
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
Yeah, I saw the lawsuit. I believe your name was actually first on their list.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Harvey York knows all about it
Michel Pelletier
Higg's has no solution at all except to
propase going to Natural gas. NB is an unseated province.
Higg's will never get his wish
Tom Campbell
Reply to Michel Pelletier
And...you who that NG move will benefit the most. Hint, St. John, NB.
Don Corey
Reply to Michel Pelletier
Never say never.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
I never do
Mario Doucet
inflation is being fuelled by the carbon tax
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Mario Doucet
It's all part of Justin Trudeau's magical power to control worldwide economic trends
Fred Dee
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
being that we could produce our own power from
Natural gas, and justin is doing everything he can to stop us from
helping ourselves!!!
Michel Pelletier
Reply to Mario Doucet
Inflation is cause by Canadian overspending,
they owe 1.79 to every dollars they have. War is another.
Oil is laos to blame but the ct on affect a small % of inflation.
In late 1970 and early 1983, there was an oil embargo.
Saudi's stop oil from flowing to the americal( USA , Canada) ect
only because Israel was at war against the Arabe world.
Inflation was wide spread and interest rate hit 20%. Things are
not that deferent now. Supply and demand is the biggest issue,
not to long ago the price of a barrel of oil hit $0.00 dollars
to world price and now it's selling at $86.00 per barrel
that inflation. If we do not slow down oil consumption there
will be a larger impact on the environment, just imagine what
the food price will be if there is a long standing drought. CT
is there to change your habit. might has well change it now
Don Corey
Reply to Michel Pelletier
Carbon taxes do not magically prevent droughts
(or any of the other so-called "extreme weather events), contrary to
what the scare tactics are designed to tell us.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Amen
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Fred Dee
Since we only produce about 13% of what we use
now, I don't think we can blame Trudeau for this one. For some reason,
people don't want to duplicate the horror stories of areas that have
allowed fracking.
Tim Lingley
Reply to Don Corey
Well, the carbon tax isn't designed to fix those things.
It's designed to help encourage people to change their habits and use
less carbon.
Now that you know that, what's your solution? How do
you propose we get people and businesses to use less carbon? Oh, and
your idea should win a nobel prize if it is to replace the system we now
have.
Don Corey
Reply to Tim Lingley
I'm well aware of the theory behind the consumer carbon
tax, and highly doubt you'll ever tell me something I don't know. You'll
continue to say lots that I disagree with, but you'll think the same
way about what I write. Keep in mind it's still a free country, and
we're all entitled to our own opinions.
Now, getting back to the subject at hand, the consumer
carbon tax on transportation and heating is simply a source of funds for
a Liberal income redistribution scheme, and does little (if anything)
to reduce emissions. People still need to drive and heat their homes and
businesses. Take a look at a map sometime. We're the second largest
country in the world with a population of 40 million people spread out
from sea to sea to sea, and located in the northern hemisphere. Most of
us have little or no access to public transportation alternatives. The
winters are long and cold. Heating is essential.
The consumer carbon tax has to be scrapped. As clearly
stated by the PBO, "when both fiscal and economic impacts of the federal
fuel charge are considered, we estimate that most households will see a
net loss".
The tax on industrial emissions is working, and should be retained.
Our country is supposedly responsible for 1.5% of total
global carbon emissions, and yet we comprise 7% of of the total land
mass and have 7% of the freshwater reserves.
My solution is for Canadians to understand the reality
of what's happening. We're still doing way more than our fair share in
reducing global emissions, and don't need to burden Canadians with
another costly and ineffective tax.
Harvey York
Sounds like NB should be offering Dustin Madsen
a job to run the perennially mismanaged power corp. If this was a
private company, the shareholders would have turfed the entire BOD long
ago.
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Harvey York
If this were a private company, we'd be even worse off as the board looted the company for dividends.
Source: Every privatisation of a Crown corporation ever.
Tom Campbell
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Agree. Look across the border at Nova Scotia Power.
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
Methinks you have some experience in that regard N'esy Pas?
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
Methinks Jeremy MacKenzie was spot on with his assessment of you, N'esy Pas?
Don Corey
Reply to Harvey York
If you think it's poorly managed now (and it's
hard to disagree with your assessment), putting a numbers manipulating
accountant in charge would mean going from mismanaged to a total
disaster.
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
I must have touched a nerve because I have been getting a lot of calls from your buddies tonight
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Trust that Harvey knows all about such things
Harvey York
913 comments 3200 likes
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Comment history
Harvey York posted on Higgs won't rule out notwithstanding clause for addiction treatment bill | CBC News:
"Eff around and find out, eh pal?"
14 hrs ago
Harvey York posted on Large NB Power rate increase is not in public's interest, says utility expert | CBC News:
"Methinks Jeremy MacKenzie was spot on with his assessment of you, N'esy Pas?" 19 hrs ago
Harvey York posted on Large NB Power rate increase is not in public's interest, says utility expert | CBC News:
"Sounds like NB should be offering Dustin Madsen a job to run the perennially mismanaged power corp. ..." 1 day ago
Harvey York posted on Bill on forced addiction treatment will include evaluation process, minister says | CBC News:
"You mean the lawsuit that isn't worth the paper it's written on? Swing and a miss!" 6 days ago
Harvey York posted on Bill on forced addiction treatment will include evaluation process, minister says | CBC News:
"False? you keep saying that but not many believe it " 6 days ago
Harvey York posted on Bill on forced addiction treatment will include evaluation process, minister says | CBC News:
"Mr Corey, while I mostly agree with your statement, I have to ask myself if it were one of my childr..." 6 days ago
Harvey York posted on Higgs doubts AIM will win legal fight to resume waterfront scrapyard | CBC News:
"That's an insult to people who actually work" 7 days ago
Harvey York posted on Rexton volunteer fire department threatens to walk-out | CBC News:
"Call display is a wonderful thing" 12 days ago
Harvey York posted on Three union leaders banned from N.B. legislature over noisy protest | CBC News:
"and rightfully so..." 21 days ago
Harvey York posted on This moose was seen walking in circles around a pole for 5 minutes | CBC News:
"Everyone knows they're your favorite " February 16, 2024
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin avoided questions last week about the Charter implications of the bill. (Mikael Mayer/Radio-Canada)
The premier said the program would start with 50 new beds, but would eventually treat 100 to 140 people each year. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
In
one criticism, Madsen said NB Power has charged $180 million too much
depreciation on its transmission and distribution assets, making its
financial condition seem worse than it is. (NB Power/Facebook)
New
Brunswick public intervener Alain Chiasson hired two experts to review
NB Power's rate increase and appears to be building a case that there is
room for the Energy and Utilities Board to have it reduced. (Radio-Canada)
New
Brunswick residential electricity customers began paying 13.8 per cent
more in rates and special surcharges for power on April 1. However, a
full rate hearing in May will decide if the amount is justified. (Robert Jones/CBC)
Except when I am arrested