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18 SEPTEMBER 2010

It’s About the Next Generation

Green Party leader Jack MacDougall announced today that the Green Party’s poverty reduction plan begins with putting more money into the hands of those who need it most.  The party would immediately increase income assistance rates to the Newfoundland and Labrador level, the highest in the Atlantic region. Over time the rates would increase until they reach the low income cut-off  level for New Brunswick as set by Statistics Canada.  New Brunswick social assistance levels are among the lowest in Canada.

For a government to commit to reducing poverty and then pay social assistance rates far below the poverty line is hypocritical, MacDougall stated.  That is permanently entrenching people in poverty who are not able to participate in the workforce, and keeping those people who need temporary help from getting themselves out of a rut.

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15 SEPTEMBER 2010

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08 SEPTEMBER 2010

It’s About the Next Generation

Green Party leader Jack MacDougall presented his slate of candidates and released his Party’s election platform at a news conference in Fredericton today.

“In our very first campaign we have exceeded all expectations with our slate of 51 candidates, of which 24 are women,” said MacDougall.  “Our candidates are Francophone, Anglophone and First Nation – we have students and seniors, policy experts and farmers, small business owners and municipal councilors, educators and public servants – united by a common commitment to help transform New Brunswick into a truly just and sustainable society

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01 SEPTEMBER 2010

FREDERICTON - Undermining the civil service will be the final blow to the province’s disastrous financial state, according to Jim Wolstenholme, Green Party candidate in Fredericton-Silverwood. The former Assistant Deputy Minister of Health sees a very grim future for the province if either status quo party forms government and pursues an agenda of axing talented civil servants. He hopesNew Brunswickers understand and grasp the difference between easy headlines and hard reality.

“We live in a near bankrupt province that has the highest illiteracy rate in the country, a stagnant record on economic development, out of control health care costs, dramatically rising energy costs. The solution according to Premier Graham and David Alward is to inflict death by a thousand cuts to the civil service,” said Wolstenholme. “Good governance is firmly grounded in the ability, experience, knowledge and understanding of those who serve the public. To undermine and devalue this human resource is the ultimate betrayal of citizens’ expectations, hopes and ultimately their trust in government.”

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29 AUGUST 2010

Green Party leader Jack MacDougall called Conservative leader David Alward’s announcement yesterday that he would roll back tax cuts given to New Brunswick’s richest tax payers by the Liberals last year “a compliment.”  “Mr. Alward was obviously coming up short on his fiscal policy so he borrowed from the Greens.  It shows the major parties are listening.  We welcome that.”

The Green Party has denounced the entire tax reform legislation passed by the Legislature which gives upper income earners and corporations major tax reductions, calling it fiscally irresponsible.  Both the Conservatives and the NDP supported the tax cuts that were signed into law in 2009 to be phased in over the 2010-2012 budgets.  By the time it is fully implemented, it will result in $400 million less revenue each year.

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28 AUGUST 2010

Jack MacDougall, leader of the New Brunswick Green Party, today announced his party’s strong opposition to the building of a second nuclear power plant in New Brunswick.

“This is a totally misguided policy designed to enhance the government’s chances at re-election by providing hope for jobs,” said MacDougall.  “Jobs are important, but we cannot pursue jobs at any price.”

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28 AUGUST 2010

For immediate release

A Green government would put a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing until proper regulations and safeguards are put in place, according to Jack MacDougall, leader of the Green Party.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technological process used by the oil and gas industry to extract natural gas found in a rock formation called shale.  This shale is located deep beneath the earth’s surface.  Fracking involves pumping millions of litres of freshwater under intense pressure down a drilled well into the shale rock.  The water is laced with thousands of kilograms of toxic chemicals like benzene and diesel fuel.  This pressurized toxic brew causes the shale to fracture and the gas to be released from millions of tiny cavities dispersed throughout the shale.

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25 AUGUST 2010

This week’s claim by Premier Shawn Graham that the government of the day, both the sitting Conservatives and the opposition Liberals, did not understand the risks involved in the Point Lepreau refurbishment is simply false, according to the Green Party.

Premier Graham was responding to Prime Minister Harper’s assertion that the Province entered with eyes wide open into a contract with Atomic Energy of Canada to tear down and rebuild the reactor core.

“I disagree with Stephen Harper on virtually everything else, but on this one he is right,” said Green Party president and candidate in the Charlotte-Campobello riding, Janice Harvey.  “Bernard Lord’s government was told in no uncertain terms by the Public Utilities Board that the uncertainties and risks involved in refurbishment were too high and they should not proceed.  Encouraged by Opposition Leader Shawn Graham, Premier Lord ignored this advice and went ahead anyway.”

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