So the disappointment and anger emerging now that they find out that that financial relief isn’t for them, is quite understandable. In short, the Premier got their hopes up, and then dashed them with the details
All tagged Blaine Higgs
There's Been a Turn in the Tory Party's Tone
Dismissing those with opposing views as dishonest, blaming the media, the lack of empathy and responsibility in the face of tragedy, this doesn’t sound like the Progressive Conservative Party New Brunswickers are used to.
Data my ass strikes again
who knew (data my ass) wasn’t just a comment dropped into a specific heated discussion…but rather, his motus operandi for how to govern.
Premier Higgs Political Firestorm
Here’s the thing. Policy 713 is one of those issues on which reasonable people can disagree.
Pressure Higgs government is feeling over its Policy 713 review is well deserved
the stakes are high here, and the government seems to be ignoring that and is instead catering to a minority that don’t seem to care much whether the rights or safety of these vulnerable children are considered.
Hopefully, Lamrock's criticism will force a better government response
The way this should have worked is the government presenting its rationale, and then have that debated both in the legislature and in the public square. Let the government defend its decision based on the facts used to make it.
In this battle with CUPE, it’s Higgs government that has the credibility problem
if the government wants to make the argument the union demands are unreasonable and unaffordable, it should be forced to confront the double standard it is practicing when it comes to finances. Because until it does, the “can’t afford it” argument will ring hollow.
Part 2 - the Higgs government going into the New Year
As a single citizen of New Brunswick, and a white one at that, I can only speak for myself, but I think it is more than just the First Nations folks who want an inquiry.
Some random thoughts on the Higgs gov't going into 2021
Higgs has made mainly the right moves, with some glaring exceptions, but mainly solid intentions such as promising serious health care reform and promising tough but very needed municipal reform.
Election thoughts with one week to go
A related point to keep in mind for those, and I sense there are many, that agree Higgs with a minority is preferable to Higgs with a majority, and that is that if we had proportional representation rather than our antiquated first-past-the-post system, the very system the vast majority of democracies did away with many years ago, minority governments would then be the norm not the exception.
Rolling the dice on a pandemic election
Here’s where it depends on whose version of events you want to believe. Nuances aside, it appears the government’s ask was a bit of overreach that perhaps Higgs figured other parties would have to agree with because they feared an election.
Farm and fish plant work "a slap in the face". I beg to differ.
For those who are don’t need the money, great, good for you. Or if you are lucky enough to land a job related to your field of study or to determine if it’s a field you want to pursue as a career, good for you too, fill your boots. But for others, the real field offers value as well.
Health Care Reform? Not So Fast!
the whole fiasco made for an interesting and insightful week as I guess is inevitable when a government does something that takes it to the brink. I couldn’t help but notice the major divide on social media between those who saw the announced changes as an attack on rural New Brunswick, and those who applauded Higgs for a government with the guts to do the unpopular to save a health care delivery system that is unsustainable
Health Care Reform - Curse or Cure?
If I had to bet, I would bet against the government going down over this. But this may be just the warm-up act.
Political Observer's Panel - Dec. 21/18
Our year end panel - a look back at the past year in New Brunswick politics, and ahead at how the new one might unfold.
Let's see how the new Higgs government measures up on the compassion front
The problem is considerable. For a start, there’s hardly any affordable housing. Rents have risen steadily while welfare rates haven’t moved in years. Add to that the complex issues those who are living rough are dealing with. Almost all have mental health challenges, often combined with serious addictions. As Faith McFarland of the Community Action Group on Homelessness so matter-of-factly states, crystal meth is a monster. And it is a monster combined with everything else requires professional intervention. This isn’t a job for volunteer ladies from our local churches, regardless of how well-intentioned they may be.
Political Observer's Panel - Nov. 2/18
“Higgs can’t be seen as making concessions to the Alliance on their language disposition or this province is going to shatter, and become even more divided than it is right now.”
Some final election campaign thoughts
It is almost a sense of resignation that it doesn’t matter, that nothing is going to change. I can certainly understand the cynicism.
Political Observer's Panel - Sept. 21/18
“That’s the party that has the most vision going forward. They are noticing and proposing things that the other parties aren’t”
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
The Liberals are spending like crazy, especially in Saint John, based on the tried and true strategy that you can buy people’s votes with their own money. The Tories, on the other hand, are hoping that for the first time in history, that strategy won’t work, and voters will see that Higgs offers the more responsible approach given our precarious economic reality.