New Brunswick Politics

{Via Scott from The Sorry Centrist }

Scott points to a discussion over at Clinton P. Desveaux concerning E.I. reform, and whether or not you should be able to "opt out" from paying the premium.

Take a look.

PNB

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:53 PM | Permalink | |

{Via CBC New Brunswick}

I can understand NB Power buying power from Irving when the demand is high, and extra power is needed. My question is, why are they buying the power no matter what the price, and whether they actually need it or not?? Oh and NB POwer pays Irving $29 million a year for a "capacity charge" for the plant. So why are they obligated to buy power from Irving in the first place if that's the case???

Quotes from this article:

"Irving Oil owns a natural gas generating station that produces electricity, which is bought by NB Power no matter the price.

NB Power says it has an arrangement with Irving to buy all the power produced by the plant each winter between November and March. It doesn't matter if NB Power needs the electricity, or if the utility could produce the power more cheaply at one of its own plants."

"The Irving power deal has become an issue at the rate hearing because early this winter natural gas got so expensive, power from the Irving plant cost much more than NB Power's own production at Coleson Cove. Despite that, NB Power spent millions on the Irving electricity."


Boy, all i'll say is something sure smells funny in this one. No question what Irving gains in the deal. My question is, what is in it for NB Power??? Why would they even sign a deal like this??

Well, at least the PUB hearings are showing average Joe & Jane Citizen how NB Power wastes its money, and the real reasons we need to pay bigger rates. Total incompetence. Someone should fry. Not holding my breath though.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:23 PM | Permalink | |

As most people in N.B. are aware, it has been a tough past year for New Brunswick's forestry sector. Mill closures seems to be the order of the day.
Now as covered on CBC ,Don Roberts, who watches the industry for CIBC, warns people to brace for more closures and job losses. This is not news really, if you've been paying attention.
The three main reasons given??
The high Canadian dollar, lower demand, and competition from China.

So, the industry is going to look for concessions and wage cuts from it's employees. Things are going to get tougher without a doubt.

From the article:

Roberts says those decisions will be difficult, and some mill towns may pay the ultimate price. "I think at the end of the day, we're going to see some communities die."

Sad to see these small Mill towns suffering. Also, make no mistake, it trickles down to even larger communities. Look at the St.Anne Mill closure. It had a huge impact on Saint John and the Port. Not to mention the businesses who provide goods and/or services to these mills. I'm wondering if even wage concessions will be enough to ultimately save the majority in this sector of the New Brunswick economy. I fear not, however, i'd truely love to be wrong.

As with so many other industries in North America, how do we compete with China's lower wages, etc, and still hope to keep our high standard of living??? Doesn't really bode well does it?

Posted by PoliticsNB at 7:03 PM | Permalink | |

{Via Politics watch}

As Harper broadens, will his base follow?

I find it interesting that Stephen Harper hasn't even made into the Parliament yet, and is already getting beat up by his "base" in Western Canada. He's alienating his base like the NCC and it's members like Gerry Nicolls:

"Canadian conservatives want change not more of the same and they won't tolerate a betrayal of their principles. If you Deep Conservative Party thinkers don't learn this quickly, your party will end up less popular than the Danish ambassador at a Jihadist convention."

This is why I have serious doubts that Stephen Harper will survive very long. He may follow Hugh Segal, and Brian Mulroney's advice and run down the middle of the road to try and gain a majority, and therefore some short term power, but if you lose your core supporters, you are done. In the long run, this seems like yet another inevitable combustion of the "united right" in Canada. The Small C conservatives, and the Big C conservatives will be back to fighting before to long. (Let's face it, it was only a marriage of convienience from day one anyway.) And the Liberals will come strolling back up the middle for another long occupancy, with no really viable opposition.

Someone once said that the definition of stupid is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result each time. Maybe someone should explain that to the Conservatives, both Big C and Little C. It's foolhardy to think that a party that can't get it straight in it's own house, will be able to do it on a national scale.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 2:23 AM | Permalink | |

{Via CBC}

PM and premiers end meeting without promise of more money

Stephen Harper met with the Canadian Premiers for Dinner at 24 Sussex. (As an aside, I wonder what they had for dinner?? Bet it was better than any soup kitchen in Canada.)
Anyway, nothing was accomplished at this meeting as was expected. Simply a meet and greet so Stephen could tell them he REALLY cares about the "fiscal imbalance." As we know Harper is canceling the childcare agreements the previous government made with the provinces. Every family with small children will get $1200 under the Harper plan. But since Harper's "brilliant" plan provides for no daycare spaces, what good is the money, if there's no place for the children within the system???

I see Lord was there sucking up to Harper. Wonder how long before Bernard realizes Harper could care less about New Brunswick and the Maritimes?? Don't think Harper does'nt know Lord coveted his job. I'm not hoping for much from Harper's government. But hey, if we look at it in that light we'll all be happy with scraps right????

Harper & Company need to realize that those agreements were made with the Canadian Government not the "Liberals." I say fight em to the mat for the money promised. $1200 is buy off money plain and simple. It's a POS offer. Of course Bernie is more focused on getting some money for the highways, so New Brunswickers forget how he screwed us on the highway toll's deal.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 11:43 PM | Permalink | |

{From CBC. Gushue wins curling gold }

A big Congratulations to the Brad Gushue Rink, on their Gold Medal Victory!

These guys have shown a Ton of class, and are a credit to the Sport of Curling, Newfoundland, and to Canada. I have to say i'm extremely happy for Russ Howard. One more great in a fantastic career!! No doubt we'll see many more "greats" from this young, world class Newfoundland team.

WAY TO GO GUYS!!! Having a few "pops" tonight here in celebration with you!!

She'll be a rockin' night on The Rock tonight!!

By the way, Jeff Stoughton is eating some crow tonight. You might remember, he said back in the olympic trials that Gushue was a "no chance." Humble pie never tastes real good right Jeff?? :-)

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:23 PM | Permalink | |

wow....this is getting to be like a battle royal. I say we clear all the desk's out of the Legislature, and have one large King Of The Ring match! Winner takes all.
LETS GET READY TO RUUUMMMBBBLLLEEEE!!!!!!

If you've been following this Soap Opera, you know you almost need a score card by now to keep up with all the allegations.

Tanker says he quit because Lord and his government were not looking after the intrests of the Miramichi.
Lord Says Tanker quit because he would not meet Tankers demands.
Allaby says Lord is Lying....he never asked Tanker to try and get him a judicial appointment.
Larry Jewett accuses Energy Minister Brenda Fowlie and Business New Brunswick Minister Kirk MacDonald of violating his privacy.
Fowlie, and MacDonald counter that Jewett asked them to cross the floor and sit as independents, and in turn would be "taken care of" with jobs in the future.
MLAs Stuart Jamieson and Roly MacIntyre (Liberals) said that Fowlie got a new Cabinet post (After being forced to resign her last one cabinet post) by threatening Lord to cross the floor if her demands for a new post were'nt met.
Jewett is considering laying a complaint with the ombudsman.
Cleveland Allaby is considering legal action.

One can only imagine what will happen tommorrow.
Wadda ya think?? I like the grudge match idea.....maybe we could make it a PPV event, with all proceeds going to Healthcare or something. :-)
I mean who would'nt pay a few dollars to see Graham and Lord beating the daylights out of each other????

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:55 PM | Permalink | |

This Is Tanker Malley's Letter of Resignation that was faxed out to the media on Friday night. Thought some may be intrested in what he had to say in his own words.

PNB


For quite some time I have been unhappy with the direction the Progressive Conservative government of Bernard Lord has been going.

I was elected to represent the good people of Miramichi Bay du Vin, to fight for them and to protect them. I take my job very seriously.

With the hospital bed closures and the negative economic impact of the strikes and downsizing of our mill, Miramichi'ers need me to be strong and to fight harder to get the help they need. I have been doing my part but I do not think Miramichi is getting the support it needs and deserves from this government or from the premier and cabinet.

I can no longer sit in support of actions by this government that do not help Miramichi. I feel my hands are tied sitting as a Progressive Conservative member. As a Progressive Conservative member, I have been forced to support measures taken by this government that I have not always agreed with.

Recently, I have become more and more unsure of the direction our government is taking. The mill in Nackawic received about $100 million in support only to lose. It no longer makes paper. It only exports pulp to India. Jobs were lost. New Brunswickers had to move away.

This is not why I got into politics.

I see what has happened in Nackawic is going to come to Miramichi if this government doesn't get moving.

Everything from power rate increases to currency strengthening is working to weaken our great mill and our economy. Government has to sharpen its pencil and do more to help my community. If we can find money for the mill in Nackawic and golf courses in Dieppe, we can do a lot more for Miramichi.

For this reason, from now on in this session, I will sit as an independent member. I will support things that are good for Miramichi and generally for poor people in New Brunswick. I will not support favouritism for some areas while Miramichi suffers.

The good people of the Miramichi and I will no longer be taken for granted.

Thank you, Michael 'Tanker' Malley

Posted by PoliticsNB at 11:10 PM | Permalink | |

And today on the Federal front, we get word that the Bloc, is pledging to Prop up the conservative minority. As long as it’s good for Quebec of course.

Screw the rest of us is the message I guess.

So the Bloc, a party who’s main purpose of existence, is to divide the country, is going to be our savior, and decide what is in the best interest of the country?? Why don’t I get a lot of confidence from that announcement??

I guess we know now part of the deal Gilles & Company cut with Harper and his crowd last fall. Now we just need the other part of the deal. I'm sure we'll find out sooner or later. Hope the price isn't too high for Canada.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 10:35 PM | Permalink | |

{Story Via CBC New Brunswick}

Ombudsman blasts government for 'disappointing' responses

New Brunswick Ombudsman Bernard Richard does'nt give very good marks to the Government. Not surprising really. Too bad Bernard did'nt stick around to lead the Liberals. He'd be a great Premier. But I digress......

From the CBC Story:

"Number of complaints nearly doubles

The New Brunswick Office of the Ombudsman, based in Fredericton, is responsible for investigating complaints against provincial departments, school districts, regional health authorities, municipalities, Crown agencies and other agencies reporting to the province.

Richard said 2004-2005 was a "challenging" period for his office, because it received almost twice as many complaints that required investigation than during the previous year.

The number of complaints requiring action leaped to 1761 from 936 in the previous year, he said."

Ummm.......more happy voters Mr.Lord???

Posted by PoliticsNB at 10:21 PM | Permalink | |

So we have Bernard Lord making accusations about Malley, even though he has no proof to back him up. Seems to be a strange strategy, unless of course he is trying to push Malley into pulling the trigger. Could Lord really want an election?? Seems like a strange move for a party who's on the brink of defeat. They are coming off a recent crushing defeat in the bi-election in Saint John Harbour.

I just don't get what is happening internally with the Conservatives here in New Brunswick. They seem to be quite happy to barrel head first to their own destruction. I think Lord is getting some very bad advice from his handlers. There were other more subtle ways to have dealt with the situation, and still get the point across. Seems all he has done is galvanize Malley's support in his riding of Miramichi Bay-du-Vin.

Voters, mayor, support Malley defection

N.B. Conservative MLA's defection still echoing

Note to the remaining Conservative MLA's. This is where loyalty gets you in this government. Just ask Peter Mesheau or Margaret-Ann Blaney.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:59 PM | Permalink | |

One of my blog entries is getting hits through search engines. Since I am still getting the odd message, and this is still a hot issue in the Saint John area, I thought I'd link it.

I'll also add a link on the side for now so people can find it easily.

Pipeline Through the Park?

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:02 PM | Permalink | |

David Campbell over at It's the Economy, Stupid! has some interesting thoughts about the Tanker Malley situation.

Worth a read.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:01 PM | Permalink | |

Well, now things get intresting here in New Brunswick Politics. Mike "Tanker" Malley has decided to leave the government benches to sit as an independent MLA. That brings the house numbers to 26 Liberal, 27 Conservative, an 2 independent. The other independent is of course Liberal MLA Frank Branch , who stepped down from Liberal caucus pending the outcome of the audit of the Northshore wood products marketing board. No doubt he will vote with his Liberal counterparts in any vote of non-confidence. So that leaves Malley as the real power guy now in the Leg.

No doubt there are some sour grapes at being passed over once again for a cabinet post. However, alot has been made about the fact that the Lord conservatives may be in real trouble come election time. Malley may have just saved his own bacon. Lets face it, Malley comes from a pretty hardcore Liberal area. If there was a tide of "Dump the conservatives" Malley would most likely go down anyway, sitting as a conservative. So it's dealing time now for Lord if he hopes to cling to power for awhile longer.
I bet Graham and company are rubbing their hands together today.......

Things have just been take up another notch or two in New Brunswick. Stay tuned as this could get very, very intresting quite quickly.

UPDATE from CBC:
N.B. premier downplays loss of majority in legislature

This is Bernard Lord's respose to the situation........it's like the movie "He said She said"......I'll let the reader decide who's, who.... :D

UPDATE from CTV:
N.B.'s Lord unfazed by loss of majority status

Posted by PoliticsNB at 6:17 PM | Permalink | |

If It Looks Like A Duck And It Quacks Like A Duck, chances are....

Former Conservative MP denies he's becoming a lobbyist


We all believe John.....right??? :D

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:28 PM | Permalink | |

{Story Via CBC New Brunswick }

Ummmmmmm, does anyone else find this disturbing?

NB Power has admitted they violated the Electricity act in New Brunswick by "Estimating" their tax bill instead of calculating it.

What would happen to me if I decided to "Estimate" my taxes instead of calculating them???

A Crown Corp. would'nt normally pay taxes, but the Lord government changed the law last year so NB Power now have to pay taxes.

Now we know why they are so hot to trot to get those rates up so quickly. To cover their tax bill, correct amount or not.

From the above mentioned story:
"NB Power said it decided in consultation with unnamed provincial officials to ignore the law and estimate its tax bill instead of properly calculating it."

Isn't that just wonderful. The tax payers of this province (In other words, our elected government) should demand those "unnamed provincial officials" names so we can take them to task. I'm just in awe of the audacity of these people.

If the clowns running NB Power were running a private business, they'd be bankrupt in about 10 minutes. Truly Unbelievable. Of course I shouldn’t be surprised. Every time I think they couldn’t do something more stupid? They prove me wrong.

I think it’s time for a house cleaning at NB Power. Ok Brenda, show us you deserve that cabinet post. Reign these birds in!!

Posted by PoliticsNB at 7:55 PM | Permalink | |

Today brought a major cabinet shuffle for the Lord Government. The big surprise of course (Or Not) was Brenda Fowlie being brought back into Cabinet as Minister of Energy. Fowlie previously had resigned from her Cabinet post as Environment Minister. Lord says she did her time and has apologized. Intresting though, that nobody can seem to locate that apology.

Lord also says he's going to put former Family and Community Services Minister Tony Huntjens name forward as the New Speaker of The House. Apparently being kicked out of a Lord cabinet for privacy violations simply means you take a "time out." Wonder what you'd have to do to get the boot from cabinet for good??

Anyway.........

It was good to see Jody Carr get a cabinet post. From most accounts Carr is a bright young guy who should have been given a shot long ago. It will be intresting to see how he makes out with the new Minister of Post-secondary Education and Training post.

Check out all the changes, and info on the ministers from the news release from the Office of the Premier

Mr.Lord says these changes are being made to help meet his governments "new" goals as set out in his "Five in Five Initiative."
1} New Brunswick will have the highest increase in workers with post-secondary education in Canada.
2} New Brunswick will have the lowest tax burden east of Alberta, and the biggest decrease in the unemployment rate in Canada.
3} New Brunswick will have the biggest increase in physical fitness participation in Canada.
4} New Brunswick will have the biggest reduction in air and water pollution in Canada.
5} New Brunswick will have the biggest reduction of poverty rate in Canada.

Personally, I doubt he can actually attain these lofty goals, but hey.....i'd love to be proven wrong.....

we'll see I guess.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 6:45 PM | Permalink | |

Dick Cheney misses bird, hits fellow hunter

Dick Cheney goes hunting and bags himself an attorney. Probably got excited, and thought he was shooting at Iraqi Insurgents.

I can hear it now.....

Honest officer, he looked just like a quail......

Update:
Great comment on this one by nottawa
LOL

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:03 PM | Permalink | |

And on and on it goes.

Hundreds at rally call for Emerson's resignation

Vancouver rally calls for Emerson to resign

Turner defends stance against Emerson defection


Cerberus has a theory about what Harper is up to. Check it out. :-)

Oh, and if you haven't seen this yet?? Take a look. Recall David Emerson. The opening animation is pretty good.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 7:48 PM | Permalink | |

I found this blog recently by Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo. Matthew is originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, and is off studying at Oxford.
If you have a chance check out The Carp's Blog

Great job Matthew!

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:49 AM | Permalink | |

I wonder if Stephen Harper and his handlers are surprised at the legs this story has developed???
We have an online petition: Recall David Emerson

Yesterday Garth Turner was called onto the carpet with the PM for not toeing the party line and speaking out against this Emerson Deal.

Ontario MP says he's under fire from own party...

MP's career 'limited' for criticising turncoat

You can also read Turner's thoughts on the subject on his Blog.

And now the NDP ask ethics commissioner to investigate.

Then, today, I heard Peter MacKay put in his two cents. Too bad his arguement was so weak. He actually said this was much better and different than the Stronach situation. I was'nt 100% convinced about her motives last year when she crossed.....BUT.....at least she could actually make a reasonable arguement about a difference in opinion on the issues and the direction the party was heading.(And her contituents have sinced backed up her stance by re-electing her remember.) She also actually did SIT with the party who's banner she had been elected under.
Emerson on the other hand....Never even made it to Parliament with his elected party. He has actually SAID that had Martin's liberal's been elected he would not have crossed over. So, it's not a fundamental difference of party platform at play here, but simply a greedy power play to try and keep his sorry ass on the government benches. He picked his best option to get elected in his riding, and then jumped to where he wanted to be. My prediction is, this man will never again see the inside of the parliament buildings from an MLA seat once this government makes it's way back to the polls, whenever that occurs.

On the other hand, it seems to be keeping people from discussing Harper's Patronage Appointment of the UNELECTED Michael Fortier. Maybe Harper did this on purpose to deflect people from his blantant Lie about not appointing senators??? Just a thought.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:42 PM | Permalink | |

I wonder how many Canadians are already having second thoughts about voting for Stephen Harper and his party??

Lets see....as pointed out over at The Sorry Centrist some Conservatives are up in arms about Harpers decision to recruit David Emerson the guy who just 2 weeks ago was elected as a liberal. Lets face it....people cross the floor, no question, but could'nt they at least have waited until they made it to parliment to "Cross the floor??" This just smells strange. I guess Emerson is simply addicted to being on the government side eh??
Next we have Harper's decision to "appoint" Michael Fortier to the senate so he can "give" him a seat in cabinet. The very same senate that Mr.Harper said he would appoint nobody to. So, you have a man that didn't want to run in the election jump over the backs of "ELECTED" members of parliment. Hmmm.....why do we bother with the expense of elections??? Why don't we just let the PM appoint whoever he wants???? Talk about patronage???? There goes any credibility Harper may have had on that subject.

Next, we have Vic Toews who by his own admission violated Manitoba's provincial elections act in a 1999 campaign. Ummm, is he justice minister because he's ~ahem~ "well" aquainted with the courts??

Oh and lets not forget Gordon O'Connor a former Defence lobbyist, who is now the Minister of Defence. Did Mr. Harper lie to us when he talked about separating lobbyists from government??? Instead he apoints them to cabinet posts???

So much for "cleaning" up government and improved "ethics."

All I can say is the Liberals better not wait long to get a new leader. If this is a glimpse of what is to come? Joe Citizen might be screaming for Harper's head in no time.......they best be set to go if need be.

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:18 PM | Permalink | |

Well, tommorrow is the big day that many Conservatives in Canada have been waiting for since Lyin Brian's gang got the boot back in 1993. Personally, I can't say i'm very excited about it. No surprise there though right?? ~Grin

Anyway, by just after Noon Eastern time Stephen Harper will offically be our Prime Minister....What a terrible thought!! LOL

I will say i'm intrested to see who he'll pick and who will get left out in his new Cabinet. Especially intrested to see what Harper will do with MacKay.......

Anyway.....we'll know in mere hours from now......stay tuned!

Posted by PoliticsNB at 8:46 PM | Permalink | |

I can't imagine that THIS really comes as a surprise to anyone. What gets me though, is that people don't get more upset. It seems that we tend to forget how we got screwed simply because the price at the pumps has come down a little. Makes me wonder what Bullshit excuses they'll use this year.....lets face it, in order to get record profits once again, the price will have to go up.........oh well i'm sure there will be hurricanes, and unrest in the middle east....the Oil companies best friends.....

Then again, why would they need a reason...there is no real pentalty for them to face.....they pretty much do what they want......they have a perfectly captive audience, and they know it. ~BAh!

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:01 PM | Permalink | |

Story Via CBC New Brunswick.

The Lord Government has started a new Web Site. Health Minister Elvy Robichaud says he hopes that this new site will at least make the wait times easier if not shorter???

Esentially not a bad idea as far as an info site goes. But personally, I doubt, that if you're waiting for surgery, this site will actually make you feel any better. Has some good documents though. It will be interesting to see if this actually evolves into something usable, or whether it's simply a Public Relations gimic on the Government's part.

Anyway, thought it was worth a look for those that had'nt seen it yet.
New Brunswick Surgical Care Network

Posted by PoliticsNB at 9:08 PM | Permalink | |