We must empower N.B.'s many communities
Written by Jack MacDougall Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:17
We must empower N.B.'s many communities
By Jack MacDougall
I have just returned from travelling to several communities in the northern part of the province. It has been a pretty depressing experience.
As I drove into the Miramichi, the gigantic former paper mill looks like a 20-tonne bomb hit the place. It is a decrepit reminder of a failed and expensive public policy to finance and subsidize multinational corporations. After squeezing every last dime and concession out of the taxpayers, there is only heartache left behind.
I drive to Bathurst and see the same thing and then to Dalhousie. What, I wonder, can I possibly say to these people?
Despite making dozens a phone calls, barely a few people even stick their head into a meeting to meet me. The last thing the people want is to see is another politician, let alone be one. I left every community empty-handed with no Green candidate. I feel like I too have failed the people. They may not have a Green choice on their ballot.
As I drive down the road, I listen to one political leader hammering away at the government about closing church suppers because the department of health wants people to take a very simple course in cleanliness. Anyone knows, especially politicians, that the health inspector is completely apolitical. It is a false issue.
Then I hear them talking about the pension of one of New Brunswick's most distinguished citizens, simply to score the cheapest political points I have ever witnessed - and this coming from the lips of one who recently doubled his own pension. The hypocrisy is sickening. It reminds me of a Chinese proverb; he who points the finger accuses himself tenfold.
It is late and I am alone, tired and anxious to go home. Is this what you think this election is about? Do you really think this is about church suppers and an elderly person's pension? What are you thinking, that we will rise up in anger and demand that the Department of Health will lower their standards, or we will be indignant at some pittance? Really? This is why we should vote for you?
Two friends and a reporter come to my meeting, and I am both grateful and embarrassed. The reporter asks a seemingly ridiculous question, what will you do for the north?
We will empower you to create your own change, I respond. We will give you control over vast tracks of forest with a mission to save the forest and harvest it in a totally sustainable level. We will discourage sameness, where every town looks the same with its KFC franchises or Wal-marts and McDonald's. We can grow the arts community so that it helps to define local communities, help local farmers, give subsurface rights to communities, make things unique to your community.
How will you grow the arts? Sometimes to answer a question I have to set up the answer by asking some myself. How many artists can you name me from New Brunswick? The three look blank. How many can you name me from Nova Scotia, I then ask. Of course they respond Ann Murray, Ashley McIssac, Rita McNeil, The Rankins, Hank Snow, Wilf Carter and on and on and on. Why, then do we know, their artists?
I provide the answer, because they used their local radio stations to play and promote their artists. First you must become famous locally, then people will want to know what the fuss is about. Why does the Mira river attract so many tourists to Nova Scotia every year? Because Ann Murray sings about the Mira.
How many of you know the New Brunswick tourism number, I ask. None respond. How many know the Prince Edward Island tourism number, and they sing 800-565-7421. Because an artist told it to us, we can remember. It can be a cornerstone of growing and promoting your community.
I would discourage Wal-marts to exist? What? How? Perhaps we could raise the property tax on the buildings, force them to report all company profits within the province, unionize their employees, to name a few. They seemed shocked. Why? So we can make our own things again.
I would look at each community like a scene in a play. You must be different, and it must be reflective of you. Local music, local theatre, local food, customs, crafts and skills. We can make things we all need. Be proud, grow and celebrate your culture.
It can happen.
Jack MacDougall is leader of New Brunswick's Green Party.
