February 2024 Newsletter
Greens Have a Better Idea
Last month, Premier Higgs gave his annual State of the Province speech. Check out our leader’s take by viewing David Coon’s State of the Province video.
Our leader and deputy leaders – David Coon, Megan Mitton, and Kevin Arseneau – continue to fight for action to put New Brunswick in a better state for its people.
For example, our party announced a plan to protect our coastal infrastructure from increasing erosion and flooding, last month after we saw the effects of rising sea levels and storm surges right here in New Brunswick. While Liberal and Conservative governments have promised to study the issue, Greens are calling for real, meaningful action to be taken now by investing in protective solutions that will save lives, property damage, and money well into the future.
A rapidly changing climate is just one of several serious issues facing our province. People are struggling with unaffordable rent increases, unreasonably long ER wait times, an unfair tax system that benefits big business, and much more. Our Green MLAs continue to push solutions to all these overlapping issues, such as implementing a permanent rent cap, funding short-stay wards to unclog ERs, eliminating the Higgs gas tax, and reducing the small business tax rate from 2.5% to 1%.
These are just a few of the solutions that David, Megan and Kevin have been pushing for to improve the lives of New Brunswickers. To ensure those solutions get implemented, we need to elect more Greens to the Legislature. Our party will ensure there is not another winner takes all the power, Liberal or Conservative majority government. As David says, “If you want change, you have to change your vote”.
We are heading into this election year stronger and more organised than ever. In 2023, we raised nearly $200,000 and exceeded our end-of-year fundraising goal. THANK YOU to all those who helped achieve that goal!
As we head into an election this year, spring or fall, our amazing candidates and their teams have been busy getting organised and hitting the ground in their ridings – all powered by your donations and volunteer support!
Thanks to all of you for your work and dedication to building a better province. Things will get better for New Brunswick when we have a Greener government with more elected Green MLAs. Let’s get to work to make that happen.
Claire Kelly-Orozco
Executive Director of the Green Party of New Brunswick
In This Issue:
- David Coon’s State of Province
- Volunteer spotlight
- Upcoming Events
- Green Drinks and Get-togethers
- RDA Meetings
- Provincial Council Corner
- MLAs in Action
David Coon's State of the Province
“With all of the chaos going on in the world, you need to count on your government having your back. Health care needs to be there when you need it. There needs to be a plan to help you through difficult financial times, like a rent cap for tenants. You need to know that the safety and well-being of your family and community is a top priority. With the current state of our province, there are no guarantees.
Conservative and Liberals have taken turns at running New Brunswick. The sorry state in which we find ourselves is the result. Their corporate friends are happy. Their political friends are happy. But look at the state we are in. Things have only gotten worse. If you want change, you need to change your vote. Take a chance on me. More Greens in the Legislature mean things will get better for you and your family.”
David Coon
Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick
Click here to watch the full video
Volunteer Spotlight
Danik Savoie
It brings us great pleasure to introduce Danik Savoie, the new president of Kent North's registered district association (RDA). In addition to contributing to his RDA, Danik Savoie is also a law student at the Université de Moncton. He is also involved with Symbiose, a student organisation committed to social justice and the environment. The involvement of young people like Danik Savoie in politics demonstrates that youth not only have a voice, but also the skills to make a significant contribution to decision-making and policy formulation.
Thank you Danik, for stepping up to lead your RDA!
Upcoming Events
Campaign Launch for Jacques Giguère in Dieppe-Memramcook
Saturday, February 3
We are thrilled to be launching Jacques Giguère’s campaign for the riding of Dieppe-Memramcook! Join us for the 2-part campaign launch starting at:
Dieppe - The Daniel room of the Uniplex @ 1:30pm
And again at:
Memramcook - Monument Lefebvre @ 7pm
Les Hotesses d'Hilaire at the Playhouse with Serge Brideau
Saturday, February 17
Reserve your tickets now and join David Coon and other Greens as we cheer on candidate Serge Brideau at the Fredericton Playhouse this February! The front man of the band Les Hotesses d’Hilaire, Serge Brideau, was our candidate in the Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore by-election last spring, and will run in this year’s general election.
Reserve your tickets today to see Serge and his band perform live!
Register to join David Coon for the Coldest Night of the Year
Saturday, February 24
Register to walk with David Coon and the Green team for the Coldest Night of the Year - a fundraiser for local charities that serve people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. With homelessness on the rise across this province and country, this annual fundraiser is even more important right now, so we hope you will join us or donate to the team. Thank you in advance!
Campaign Launch for Tim Thompson in Oromocto-Sunbury
Thursday, March 14
Douglas Hazen Centre - 1103 Onondaga St
More details to follow.
Contact person: [email protected]
Green Party of New Brunswick Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 27
Killarney Lake Rotary Centennial Lodge - 1600 St Marys St, Fredericton
Registration details will be sent closer to the date.
Contact person: [email protected]
Green Drinks and Get-Togethers
Saint John Harbour
Thursday, February 1 @ 7pm
Haven Music Hall - Haven Music Hall 201 Union St
Contact person: [email protected]
Fredericton-Lincoln
Friday, February 16 @ 7pm
Maybee Brewing Company - 559 Wilsey Rd.
Contact person: [email protected]
Riverview
Thursday, February 29 @ 7pm
Holy Wale Beer Hall - 391 Coverdale Rd, Riverview
Contact person: [email protected]
RDA Meetings
Registered District Associations (RDAs) are the local riding-level branches of our party. They help to select candidates, recruit members and volunteers, raise funds, organize events, and prepare for election campaigns.
By becoming a member of the Green Party of New Brunswick, you are automatically a member of your local RDA. All members in good standing* may vote to elect executive members, nominate candidates, and vote on Green Party resolutions.
Below is a list of the upcoming meetings of RDAs:
RDA Executive Check-in
Tuesday, February 6 @ 7pm
If you are an executive member of your local RDA, please mark your calendar for our first quarterly meeting of RDA executives. This meeting will be about setting goals for 2024 and strengthening our on-the-ground capacity to support candidates in the upcoming election. All RDA Executives should have already received the Zoom link. If you did not, please email [email protected] or call our office at 506-447-8499.
Fredericton-Grand Lake Founding RDA Meeting
Monday, February 12 @ 7pm
Location: Picaroons Roundhouse - 912 Union St, Fredericton
Contact person: [email protected]
Saint Croix Members’ Meeting
Monday, February 26 @ 2pm
Location: Library of Kirk McColl
Contact person: Wayne Hitchcock [email protected]
Carleton-York Nomination Meeting
Tuesday, February 27
Location & time: To be determined
Contact person: David Addleman 506-363-2977
Woodstock-Hartland Members’ Meeting
Thursday, February 29
Location: Online
Contact person: Sam Arnold [email protected]
Riverview Founding RDA Meeting
Thursday, February 22
Location: St. Paul’s United Church, 404 Cleveland Ave, Riverview
Contact person: Karen Rogers [email protected]
*All members will receive invitations to their RDA meeting, but anyone is welcome to join. If you would like more information about a specific meeting, please contact our regional mobilizers, Addison Fach at [email protected], or Myriam Cormier at [email protected] and they will be happy to assist you. Please note members must be active for at least 14 days prior to meetings to be eligible to vote on their RDAs.
Provincial Council Corner
Thank you, Trevor Pinsonneault and Ryan Spencer!
We would like to thank the outgoing President of the Green Party of New Brunswick, Trevor Pinsonneault, for his work and leadership over the past year. Trevor is stepping down as President to dedicate more time to the new addition to his family, Rémi. Ryan Spencer, our current Treasurer has been appointed to serve as interim President by the Provincial Council until this year’s AGM. Provincial Council also appointed Trevor to fill the vacant position South East regional council position until the AGM.
Thank you Trevor, Ryan, and all the other members of the Provincial Council for your dedication and hard work these past several months as we prepare for the 2024 election. Our provincial council members volunteer their precious time and energy to help grow and organize the Green Party of New Brunswick. They are an essential part of our team and deserve our heartfelt thanks for everything they do.
Members’ Vote on 2023 Resolutions
If you are an active member of the Green Party of New Brunswick, you are eligible to vote on resolutions proposed at last year’s AGM. Stay tuned for an email next week with your online ballot.
Provincial Council Nominations
Nominations for the vacant positions on our Provincial Council are now open. Stay tuned for details.
MLAs in Action
Read our latest press releases below to see what our MLAs have been doing in the Legislature:
End Higgs' multimillion dollar subsidy to Irving: David Coon
Trudeau’s botched immigration policies are failing NB: It’s time for greater provincial autonomy
Green Party Leader Announces Plan for Safeguarding Coastal Infrastructure
The Green Plan for Supporting Small Business
Green Leader David Coon Wants Long-Delayed Action to Reduce ER Wait Times
Green Health Critic Calls for Public Inquiry into COVID-19 Pandemic’s High Death Rate