N.B. Liberals roll out first platform of election campaign
Day 15 of the New Brunswick election campaign saw the release of the first full platform of three main parties.
The Liberal platform, titled “Focused On You,” details $300 million in new spending annually – or $1.2-billion over a four-year mandate. Liberal leader Susan Holt is also promising balanced budgets if elected.
“Too often, government is spending money without meaningful outcomes and measures,” said Holt at an announcement in Fredericton on Thursday. “We have been committed to putting measures in place with every announcement that we have given, both so that we know how to track whether our solutions and investments are getting the results we want. And you have a tool to hold us accountable to achieving that measure and that outcome. We will continue to do that.”
The Liberal platform didn’t include any mention of a different approach to the federal carbon tax, something Holt has previously promised to address directly with Ottawa.
“There’s an opportunity to put forward a New Brunswick plan that government will recognize, that still is meaningful in terms of emissions reductions,” said Holt, without giving details.
Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs said he expected to release the PC party’s platform later in the campaign.
“It won’t be this week, and likely not next week. It will probably be the week after,” said Higgs at an announcement in Saint John on Thursday. “I think you’re getting a pretty good flavour of this election. What we’re seeing from Susan Holt and David Coon is ‘promise everything.’”
“If you really know the details of what’s required, it really displays the fact there isn’t a good understanding of the system.”
Higgs pledged $45 million for an addiction treatment plan, which includes a new 50-bed rehabilitation facility, a “therapeutic living unit” at the new Minto jail under construction, and a virtual opioid dependence program. Higgs also re-pitched the PC’s previous commitment to re-introduce the ‘Compassionate Intervention Act’ in the legislature, which would facilitate involuntary addiction treatment.
“Mental health and addiction services are worthwhile investments that improves the quality of life for those who receive them, but it also helps to improve public safety,” said Higgs.
In Fredericton, Green Party leader David Coon committed support for a universal school lunch and breakfast program.
“As part of our school meal program, we will set targets for the purchase of locally produced food and processed food products, to reduce the expense of imports and increase the local market for our farmers, and local food processors,” said Coon.
The Green Party said negotiations with the federal government would achieve $4 million annually for the program, with $20 million annually re-directed from government subsidies to forestry companies.
The vote will be held on Oct. 21.
For more New Brunswick news, please visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nanos survey says most Canadians support expansion of Old Age Security benefits, but economic experts call it 'terrible policy'
Amid new polling indicating most Canadians support boosting Old Age Security benefits by 10 per cent for seniors aged 65 to 74, a former Liberal finance minister and former Bank of Canada governor are warning the government not to pursue the policy change.
'You were innocent': Judge acquits Manitoba man 50 years after murder conviction
A Manitoba man convicted of murder 50 years ago has been acquitted. Clarence Woodhouse was found guilty in 1974 of fatally beating and stabbing a restaurant worker in downtown Winnipeg.
Health official confirms death of Ontario child following rabies diagnosis
An Ontario child has died after coming in contact with a rabid bat, a health official confirmed on Wednesday.
Los Angeles prosecutors to review new evidence in Menendez brothers' 1996 murder conviction
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez to determine whether they should be serving life sentences for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago, the city's district attorney said Thursday.
Garth Brooks accused of rape in lawsuit from hair-and-makeup artist
A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for Garth Brooks alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.
Melania Trump says she supports abortion rights, putting her at odds with the GOP
Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a stark contrast with her husband, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on the crucial election issue.
Parliament 'ground to a halt' over Conservative allegations of Liberal corruption
Government business has been put on indefinite pause in the House of Commons and the Conservatives say it will stay that way until the Liberals hand over documents related to misspent government dollars.
Breast cancer patient says she had to lie to get a mammogram in Ontario
When an Ontario doctor refused to sign off on a mammogram for 38-year-old Sidra Lone, the mother of four says she was left with no choice but to lie.
184 passengers and crew evacuated as Ryanair Boeing plane catches fire on runway in Italy
More than 180 people were evacuated Thursday from a Ryanair Boeing passenger jet after it caught fire while taxiing to take off at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy.