FREDERICTON, N.B. – As party leaders and candidates hit the road across the province over the next 30 days, Global New Brunswick will track their whereabouts and document their campaign promises here, in our Election Notebook.
Family doctors for all by 2018: Liberals
Liberal leader Brian Gallant was in Rexton Friday morning, promising all New Brunswickers will have access to a family doctor by 2018. According to the New Brunswick Medical Society, about 50,000 people do not have a family doctor.
The party is also promising to “improve access to primary care by maximizing the use of health professionals such as nurse practitioners, advanced-care paramedics, pharmacists, optometrists and midwives.”
Gallant was in Tracadie-Sheila Friday afternoon, announcing his party will implement a government-wide plan to enhance linguistic responsibilities. He says they’ll address the major issues regarding bilingual staffing, as recommended by the Commissioner of Official languages.
Resource Future Fund: Progressive Conservatives
David Alward started Friday in Saint John, announcing a ‘Resource Future Fund’ that will “guarantee one half of all new royalties collected from shale gas to be set aside and invested with a long-term vision to create jobs.”
The other half of the Resource Future Fund will be used to lower the provincial debt, reducing post-secondary education costs for students, and invest in research.
Alward also completed the ALS ice bucket challenge in Fredericton Friday afternoon, nominating NB RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown.
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12 Months of Change: NDP
Dominic Cardy unveiled his plan for the next year, promising to cut the size of cabinet from 17 to 10 and end the practice of providing new vehicles for ministers.
The party would also enable Advanced Care Paramedics to practice in the province, increase minimum wage to the Atlantic average and rescind the shared risk public pension deal for existing retirees.
Full list of promises, including a cost analysis can be found here.
Return to fiscal balance: People’s Alliance
The People’s Alliance of New Brunswick launched their entire platform Friday. Leader Kris Austin has a goal to balance the books by 2017-2018 with a forecast surplus of $54-million. In order to eliminate the deficit, the party would look to cut the waste, by initiating a complete audit of all corporate subsidy programs. Any program that cannot be proven effective would be eliminated.
The party will also merge Invest NB into the department of Economic Development and Efficiency NB into NB Power. Access to mental health services and low literacy and math skills are also addressed in the party’s platform. The party’s headquarters were launched Friday evening at 132 Main Street, Minto.
Promising accountability: Green Party
Green Party leader David Coon was on King Street in Fredericton Friday, campaigning outside the party’s headquarters. The party promises to cancel ‘resource giveaway,’ and will require consultation with the public for all major new policies. Coon also promises that all government contracts will be posted on-line for anyone to review.
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