September 21, 2024

St. STEPHEN - This morning Green Party leader David Coon unveiled his commitment to restore rural services cut by past Liberal and Conservative governments.

Joined by St. Croix Green candidate Mark Groleau, Coon committed to returning court services to Charlotte County and the Acadian Peninsula to ensure rural residents have timely access to justice in their communities without  tying up local police officers for days, an hour away in Saint John and Bathurst respectively.

“Local mayors have told me about the serious impact this has on local policing and on the families involved,” said Coon. “The cuts of the Gallant Liberals and Higgs Conservatives to court services in rural communities like St. Stephen and Tracadie not only have local impacts, but are straining  the justice system in our cities. A Green government will  reverse these damaging cuts.”

New Brunswick’s six island communities have unique needs when it comes to local services and infrastructure that connects them with the mainland. Coon has long advocated for  year-round ferry service to connect Campobello Island to the mainland through Deer Island ferry landing at L’Etete and for a safe modern bridge to link the islands of Lameque and Miscou with the mainland at Shippagan. Campobello is the only New Brunswick island that has no year round connection to the mainland.

“Part of improving services for rural residents is ensuring those living on our islands have good and reliable connections to the mainland,” said Coon. “That is why I am committed to year-round ferry service for Campobello Island and a suitable bridge to connect the island of Lamèque to Shippagan.”

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