April 2023 Newsletter

The 2023 by-elections have been called for Monday, April 24!

Rachel Boudreau, the former Mayor of Petit-Rocher, nurse and entrepreneur, is already knocking on doors in Restigouche-Chaleur - a riding where Greens came in a strong second place with nearly 28% of the vote in the 2020 election. 

Chantal Landry, former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Moncton and teacher at NBCC, is bringing her extensive experience in leadership, management, and community-building into provincial politics as the candidate for the Dieppe by-election - another riding where we had a breakthrough in 2020. 

The momentum is building steadily in our party. We have already demonstrated that Greens can win. Now, we need to show voters that we are serious about forming government. With your support, we can elect more Green MLAs in this by-election and then build on that momentum to win even more seats in the 2024 provincial election.

You are all welcome to attend our heartfelt reunion, our AGM, on April 29, to meet like-minded greens and your favorite MLAs. Registration is simple - sign up or renew your membership and register to our AGM by Saturday, April 15. 

Change is on the horizon in New Brunswick. This is our time to get organized and take action.

Enjoy the newsletter,

 

Nicolas Jelic

President of the Green Party of New Brunswick

 

In This Issue:

  • Staff Appreciation Spotlight: Amanda Wildeman
  • Upcoming Events
    • By-election on April 24 
    • Annual General Meeting on April 29
    • Run for Women in Moncton 
  • Get Involved
    • Provincial Council elections
    • Renew your membership to join your local RDA
  • MLAs in Action
    • Megan Mitton calls on government to declare a climate emergency 
    • Kevin Arseneau opposes the 2023-2024 budget
    • David Coon continues to push for affordable housing, expansion of midwife project
  • Press Releases

 

Staff Appreciation Spotlight 

Amanda Wildeman

The Green Party of New Brunswick is people-powered, and we owe our success to the dedication and hard work of our staff, members, and volunteers. One of those people who has gone above and beyond her role as David Coon’s chief of staff is outgoing staff member Amanda Wildeman. 

Amanda is a powerhouse of institutional knowledge and political experience and we owe her such a big thank you for the work she has put into organizing our party. She almost single-handedly helped us through a transition period of onboarding our new staff within a very short time frame before going on maternity leave. 

Thank you, Amanda! You are an incredible asset to this party and an inspiration to all those who know you.

 

Upcoming Events

By-elections for Restigouche-Chaleur, Dieppe, and Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore

Monday, April 24

The by-elections have been called for Monday, April 24, 2023! 

We have been working hard to recruit 3 very competent candidates for the ridings of Restigouche-Chaleur, Dieppe, and Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore. We are poised to win another seat in this election and elect more women to our Green caucus. 

You can help get our candidates across the finish line by donating to help fund these competitive campaigns, or volunteering to make phone calls or knock on doors. 

Sign up to volunteer on our website by clicking on the link below:

Yes! I want to elect more Green MLAs!

 

2023 Annual General Meeting

Saturday, April 29

We are grateful to the Kent Theatre in Saint John for hosting our hybrid in-person and online provincial AGM, and to the Saint John Greens helping to organize this event. 

Please remember to, 1) register online and 2)  renew your membership by the deadline of April 15, 2023 to be eligible to participate in this year’s AGM. 

The agenda for the AGM will be posted on our website next week.

Many past memberships have expired, so please make sure your membership is up to date. If you are not sure, simply email our wonderful admin, Betania, at admin@greenpartynb, or call our office at 506-447-8499 and we will be happy to confirm your membership status. 

 

Run for Women - Moncton 2023

Shoppers Drug Mart is holding its Run for Women in Moncton on May 7, 2023 at Centennial Park. 

This fundraiser will support the Beausejour Family Crisis Resource Centre, a registered charity that offers counseling, housing and support to victims of family violence, sexual assault, and mental health difficulties, including their children. 

The Green Party of New Brunswick is proud to have a team of runners representing our organization at this event, organized by Myriam Cormier.

To join the Green Party running team or see how you can support this very worthy cause, read more here.

 

Get Involved

Provincial Council Elections

Voting for the Green Party of New Brunswick Provincial Council will open on Saturday, April 15.

We are happy to announce the following candidates for the available council positions below:

  • President - Trevor Pinsonneault
  • VP Francophone - Jean Claude Bourque
  • Secretary - Burt Folkins
  • 4 Regional Council Members: 
    • Capital Region - Kaely Scott, Thomas Ross
    • Northern Region - Eric Allain, Camille Arsenault
  • Policy working group chair - Brent Harris, Mael Houyau

To read the bios of the Provincial Council candidates, click here.

All members are encouraged to vote for Provincial Council candidates. You will receive the voting information directly to your email from “Opa Vote”. The online vote will begin on April 15, and will close at 11:59pm on April 26, 2023. Successful candidates will be announced at our AGM on April 29.

 

Renew Your Membership by April 15

An active membership is required to participate in the upcoming AGM, vote for Provincial Council candidates, vote in RDA meetings, and choose candidates in your riding. 

Sign up or renew your membership here.

Or, if you are not sure if your membership is up-to-date, please email [email protected] or call our office at 506-447-8499 and we would be happy to confirm your membership status.

 

MLAs in Action

Megan Mitton Calls on Government to Formally Declare a Climate Emergency

MLA Megan Mitton, the health critic for the Green Party of New Brunswick, is calling on the government to investigate the high rate of neurodegenerative disease in young New Brunswickers. She also responded to media stating that the province must act on increased shipments of imported human waste from Maine which may contain PFAS that pose a risk to human health.

After attending a climate strike organized by students from STU Sustainability on March 21, Megan urged the Legislature to support her motion to formally declare a climate emergency. 

 

Kevin Arseneau Opposes the 2023-2024 Budget

MLA Kevin Arseneau, the finance critic for the Green Party of New Brunswick, has strongly opposed the budget released in March. 

Kevin said it was an “austerity budget” that dangerously underfunds services that New Brunnswickers so desperately need right now. He said that this government is effectively asking citizens to “do more with less” despite massive back-to-back surpluses of $777 million and $862 million over the last two fiscal years.

 

David Coon Continues to Push for Affordable Housing, Expansion of Midwife Project

After hearing from concerned constituents facing “outrageous” rent increases, MLA David Coon is again calling on the Legislature to reinstate the rent cap to protect tenants against inflation. 

David has also been vocal about expanding the very successful midwife pilot project across the province. He has spoken with many women who have praised the pre- and postnatal care they received from the program.

 

Press Releases

 

Rachel Boudreau will represent the Green Party in the Restigouche-Chaleur by-election, March 20, 2023

Chantal Landry will represent the Green Party in the Dieppe by-election, March 29, 2023