News
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Court Orders Minister of Finance to Release Contracts and Reports to Green Party Leader
Posted by Merredith Brewer · May 08, 2014 12:00 PM
08 MAY 2014
In a decision dated May 6, 2014, Madam Justice Clendening has ordered the Minister of Finance to comply with the recommendations of the Access to Information Commissioner and release the contracts and studies relating to shale gas royalties to Green Party Leader David Coon.
In February of 2013, Coon requested copies of contracts the Department of Finance had signed with consultants to examine shale gas royalties for the Province, along with copies of the consultants' reports. Finance Minister Blaine Higgs refused to release the documents, so the Green Party Leader filed a complaint with the Access to Information Commissioner. She recommended that the documents be released. Higgs refused to accept her recommendations, so the Green Party leader appealed to the court.
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Green Party Leader Asks Judge to Release Royalty Contracts
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 30, 2014 12:00 PM
30 APRIL 2014
Green Party leader David Coon will be asking a judge on Thursday to force the Alward government to make public the contracts it had entered into with consultants commissioned to examine shale gas royalties. Coon had filed a request under the Right to Information Act on February 13, 2013 for copies of the contracts. Finance Minister Blaine Higgs refused to release them, so the Green Party leader filed a complaint with the Access to Information Commissioner.
After a 10 month investigation the Access to Information Commissioner, Anne Bertrand recommended that the Minister release the four consultants' contracts to Coon. In a letter to the Green Party leader dated February 24, 2014 the Finance Minister informed Coon that he did not accept Commissioner Bertrand's recommendation, so Coon is appealing to the court for a final decision.
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Read the contract between the Alward Government and Jim Irving
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 24, 2014 12:00 PM
24 APRIL 2014
Thanks to Green Party Leader David Coon's Right to Information request, you can read the secret contract between the Alward government and Jim Irving. Its purpose? . . . "to ensure the ongoing global competitiveness and sustainability of Irving's forestry operations in the Province of New Brunswick.
The Alward government guarantees to increase the supply of softwood from Crown lands to J.D. Irving by 25%, keep wood costs competitive, and reduce costs for Irving's forestry operations in New Brunswick.
Read the contract here. -
Andrew Clark Chosen as Green Party's Candidate in Carleton
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 17, 2014 12:00 PM
17 APRIL 2014
Andrew Clark was selected as the Green Party's candidate for Carleton at a nomination meeting held in Woodstock on April 15. Mr. Clark is a well-known forestry contractor and woodlot owner in the area. He served as President of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners for 11 years. He also served as a President and Director of the Carleton-Victoria Wood Producer's Association.
Mr. Clark was born in Woodstock and raised on a farm in Simonds, outside Hartland. He is a graduate of the Maritime Forest Ranger School and has spent most of his career harvesting and trucking wood from private woodlots.
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Kevin Arseneau to seek Green Party Nomination in Restigouche-Chaleur
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 16, 2014 12:00 PM
16 APRIL 2014
Robertville, Wednesday April 16 – Kevin Arseneau announced that he would seek the nomination for the Green Party of New Brunswick in the Restigouche-Chaleur riding, in light of the September 22nd election.
“The reason that motivates my entering politics is simple: I believe in my region and in its inhabitants. Traditional political parties have the regrettable habit of governing from the top down, making MLAs simple messengers for Fredericton. Yet, that should not be the role of an MLA. I see that role as that of a spokesperson, a defender and a community organizer for the region. I want to take part in the long term development of our region, bring back our youth, and make sure that our long term vision is one that reflects that of the people who live here. I firmly believe that the Green Party of New Brunswick espouses these values. I could not contemplate working with any other party.”
A Robertville native, Kevin Arseneau is a student at the Université de Moncton’s Education Faculty (Geography major). Naturally curious, he has worked in several fields including arts, construction, agriculture, forestry, tourism and education, before returning to school at the age of 25. His experiences provide him with a global vision with regards to the challenges facing North East New Brunswick.
Contact : Kevin Arseneau
[email protected]
1.506.232.5824 -
Government Must Act Quickly on Reproductive Health Services for Women
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 10, 2014 12:00 PM
10 APRIL 2014
The closure of the Morgentaler Clinic in Fredericton underlines the need for the Alward government to move quickly on establishing quality reproductive health services for women in New Brunswick, according to Green Party leader David Coon.
The Green Party's advocate for health and the status of women, Marilyn Merritt-Gray says the core components of a quality provincial reproductive health service must include: reproductive health screening & treatment, contraceptive information & methods, and abortion services. -
Green Party Learns Details of Tory Forest Strategy Premised on Deregulation
Posted by Merredith Brewer · April 08, 2014 12:00 PM
08 APRIL 2014
The Green Party has learned that the Alward government's forest strategy is based on a radical deregulation of forestry on Crown lands, leaving industry to regulate itself. For example, the new strategy will eliminate the existing standard to preserve the Acadian Forest, and permit an increase in the size of clearcuts, while cutting oversight, jobs and $10 million from the Department of Natural Resources' annual budget. This changes are in addition to the reduction in conservation forest from 31% to 23% that had previously been made public.
The Tories' forest strategy is being implemented through contracts signed with the four corporations licensed to cut on Crown land. The first contract has been signed with J.D. Irving .
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New Brunswick Greens Vote for Canada Health Transfers to Reflect Aging Populations
Posted by Merredith Brewer · March 31, 2014 12:00 PM
31 MARCH 2014
At its Annual General Assembly held in Moncton on Saturday, Green Party members passed a resolution calling on New Brunswick to work with the other Maritime provinces to advocate for a new Canada Health Accord that is adjusted for the age of provincial populations.
The Canada Health Accord expires today with nothing to replace it. Stephen Harper refuses to negotiate a new accord with the Premiers, replace it with per capita transfers of health funding instead. -
2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Posted by Merredith Brewer · March 26, 2014 12:00 PM
26 MARCH 2014
Green Party of New Brunswick
"Striving for an Authentic Democracy"
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014
Location: Lions Community Centre
473 St. George Street, MonctonRegistration: 8:30 am; Call to order: 9:00 am; Adjourn: 4:00 pmRegistration: $20 waged; $10 non-waged (includes potluck lunch)The sixth annual general meeting of members of the New Brunswick Green Party will be held in Moncton on March 29, 2014.
With this being the election year we urge all members to attend and contribute to the building the Green Party into the political alternative New Brunswickers are seeking. Our theme is "Striving for an Authentic Democracy" and you will hear from a panel of resource people who are blazing that trail.
Key agenda items include: Address from our leader, David Coon; policy resolutions; the 2014 election; what you can do.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Lift the Gag Order on Department of Natural Resources Staff
Posted by Merredith Brewer · March 24, 2014 12:00 PM
24 MARCH 2014
Green Party Leader David Coon wants Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud to lift the gag order that is preventing his scientific and technical staff from speaking to the media. Coon wants biologists and foresters working for the Department of Natural Resources to be able to speak publicly about the government's new forest strategy, without fear of retribution.
"The staff at the Department of Natural Resources are public servants, and they have a duty to provide their expertise to people of this province for whom they work. This government is holding their expertise hostage. It's not right," said Green Party leader David Coon.