L-R: Green Megan Mitton, New Democrat Evelyne Godfrey, Libertarian Donna Allen, PC Bruce Phinney, Liberal John Higham
Sackville resident Bill Carroll challenged the five candidates running in Tantramar to identify what their parties would cut to pay for their campaign promises in the provincial election on October 21st.
Carroll’s question came near the mid-point of a two-hour all-candidates’ forum on Wednesday at Sackville’s Civic Centre.
“It’s election time,” he said, “the platforms are out there, the parties are promising two chickens in every pot, there’s going to be a car in every driveway, there’s going to be a reduction in HST, there’s going to be so many good things flowing,” Carroll said, referring specifically to the Progressive Conservative promise to cut provincial sales taxes by two percentage points over the next two years.
“In a balanced-budget world, where’s the money going to come from?” Carroll asked.
“So I ask the candidates, name a program or two that you’re going to cut funding from so that we can get all these grand financial benefits.”
Green answer
Green candidate Megan Mitton
“An example of something that we can cut is to cancel the power subsidies to pulp mills and use the savings to provide low-income individuals and families with monthly rebates on their power bills to offset electricity rate increases,” said Green Party candidate Megan Mitton.
“And rather than what the Liberal platform is suggesting, which is to cut it across the board, this is more targeted towards those who need it the most,” she added.
Mitton also mentioned eliminating subsidies to companies that put their profits in off-shore tax havens to avoid paying taxes in New Brunswick.
NOTE: According to documents filed with Elections NB, Green promises — outlined in the Green platform — would cost just over $3.2 billion over four years.
PC response
PC candidate Bruce Phinney
Progressive Conservative candidate Bruce Phinney suggested his party’s promise to cut the HST, which would reduce government revenues over the next four years by $1.5 billion, may be offset by an increase in population as well as shifting money around in government departments.
“The only promise that actually has been made is the HST [cut] from the Higgs government so far,” Phinney said.
NOTE: The PCs are also promising to make regulatory changes to expand the scope of practice of medical professionals such as nurse practitioners, registered nurses, paramedics and pharmacists allowing them to take on more duties as a way of shortening wait times for patients who need primary care. They calculate that this promise would cost just over $98 million over four years. In addition, the PCs promise to invest $45 million over four years on drug treatment and rehabilitation programs. According to documents filed with Elections NB, PC promises would cost just over $1.7 billion over four years.
Libertarian answer
Libertarian candidate Donna Allen
“I’m really excited to talk to you,” Libertarian candidate Donna Allen said to Bill Carroll.
“Our party leader for the Libertarians wants to cut the government in half,” she added.
“We have unnecessary committees and a couple of weeks ago, they gave them $10 million,” Allen said.
“We don’t know what the committee’s for. It’s just $10 million that’s gone. So, he wants to start right there and cut the government right in half,” she said.
“So, that’s going to be, I’d say, millions of dollars in savings.”
NOTE: The New Brunswick government’s latest budget projects that spending this year will total $13.3 billion with additional capital spending of $1.2 billion.
Liberal response
Liberal candidate John Higham
“We’ve costed our commitments out to $300 million,” said Liberal candidate John Higham referring to the annual cost of promises outlined in the Liberal platform.
He pointed out that the PC promise to reduce provincial sales tax would cost $450 million per year.
“Mr. Higgs has said he’s not going to have any issue with that,” he said, adding that the PC leader knows that more budget surpluses are on the way and so he decided to take $450 million out of that.
“So, there is no issue for us to meet that $300 million given the way the economy has gone in the last four or five years,” Higham said.
“We’re not going to be anywhere near to spending more money than we have.”
NOTE: According to documents filed with Elections NB, Liberal promises would cost almost $1.3 billion over four years.
NDP answer
NDP candidate Evelyne Godfrey
“I said I was very proud of the platform that our leader Alex White has put together for this election,” said NDP candidate Evelyne Godfrey.
“One of the reasons why I’m very proud of it is that it is fully costed,” she added, referring to the financial projections on the last two pages of the NDP platform.
“We tell you exactly how we’ll pay for everything that we’ve pledged,” she said.
“We’ll be taxing the top one per cent, we’ll be closing tax loopholes, we’ll be making banks and big businesses pay their fair share,” she added.
Godfrey mentioned that taxing the top one per cent of income earners would raise $100 million every year, while closing tax loopholes would raise $104 million and making the banks and big corporations pay more would raise $163 million annually.
NOTE: According to documents filed with Elections NB, NDP promises would cost almost $1.1 billion over four years.
CFTA, 107.9 FM will be broadcasting the all-candidates’ forum from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday.
To listen to a recording on the CHMA-FM website, click here.
Cutting the HST by 2% points primarily helps those that have lots of money to spend. It is not that helpful to lower income seniors or certainly for grocery purchases which are not taxed.
Higgs had 6 years to get his act together and he failed miserably, except for looking after his corporate friends.
Only ten days to go before he gets his walking papers. It will certainly be a time to celebrate!!
Percy — isn’t it reasonable to suggest that property taxes be removed… or do you think seniors being taxed so highly they can’t pay and will lose their lifelong homes is fair play or just for our society? One day I know the people who are shocked at this suggestion will wonder why we never thought of it before. The taxation is likely the only reason I believe most people are struggling because they haven’t fully grasped just how much taxation they are hit with. No governments are our friends at this point.. little discounts aren’t going to cut it.
Looking at this realistically, it’s safe to say that the vast majority of any municipality’s budget is based on income from property taxes. If such taxes are completely removed, as the Libertarian party apparently would like to do, then many municipal services would have to be cut. Just which ones do you suggest those should be?
Without adequate funds to budget, the first cuts would be the WANTS of a community – such as parks & playgrounds, grants to local businesses and organizations, skating rinks and other recreational facilities, special projects such as walking trails, skate parks, and the like. That would be necessary in order to have enough funds to look after the NEEDS of a community – police department, fire department, road building and maintenance, etc.
So, when you give it more serious consideration, would it really be ‘reasonable’ to remove property taxes?
Hey Percy You now I am running against Higgy Correct?
Megan Mitton Green MLA is your cousin Dave?… well congrats.. I guess? So for me that explains a lot but I voted for Bruce Phinney [Higgs PC] because he’s the only real choice to get Megan turfed.. Libertarians ideas on taxation is very true – we are heavily and unnecessarily taxed and I hope this party grows in numbers and more people understand their platform in the coming years. Keith Tays did well to get 18 candidates registered in such a short time but he is planning to step down as leader according to my source.
See..
https://blogs.unb.ca/newsroom/2023/06/chancellor-maclauchlan.php
$62million given to UNB law for what? #DefundAcademia UNB Chancellor Wade is the former PEI premier, Trudeau Foundation “mentor” and big time Liberal crony.
“Provincial, federal and university officials announced a joint investment of more than $62 million to renovate the Justice Building in Fredericton to become the site of the University of New Brunswick’s faculty of law.
This investment will refurbish one of the province’s most historic buildings so it can become a new home for the faculty of law which will grow to at least 350 students over the next five years. Transitioning the building into a site that provides legal services to the public while educating the next generation of New Brunswick leaders is a positive development for the future of our province.
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2023.06.0323.html”
Donna Allen is right on when she talks about reducing government and all the money spent needlessly and wrecklessly.. and wastefully here when the people are struggling and in need… and pitted against each other… there is so much corruption and waste it is staggering .. for the record Werner Bock now deceased described New Brunswick as the most corrupt place in the world after his experiences with the authorities as a rancher who came here in the 60s from Germany – that says a lot but from anyone who is paying attention – and many are not and that suits the government just fine – this systemtic corruption runs very deep.
New Brunswick is a swamp.
Its interesting that you keep mentioning Werner Bock as if you knew him Yet fail to admit that Mitton is my cousin
Hopefully your parting comment negates any further comment to this forum as it makes your opinions mute.
Lord Stu has spoken … and sure my opinions are valid as always.. its just one voice.. just one vote.. and hopefully some ideas that make people think outside their box. “Rise Above” [Henry Rollins]
“…for the record Werner Bock now deceased described New Brunswick as the most corrupt place in the world”
Is that the Werner Bock who believed lasers and heat rays killed his cows, and was sent by a judge for a psychiatric assessment after apparently abusing animals?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/farmer-werner-bock-who-says-lasers-killed-cows-now-in-custody-1.2449027
Jon, that was a “hit piece” by CBC on a very decent rancher who emigrated here from Germany in the 1960s to just throw up one link and join the abuse of him after his death is unfair but not surprising.. you have made a habit of insulting me over the years here on this comments section but I want you to know that I forgive your ignorance and your lack of depth.. its not your fault that you don’t think critically, nor is it my problem. Rest in peace Werner Bock – there are interviews with him on Youtube if anyone else would like a “deeper dive”.
Funny you say NB is a swamp…
Yet you’re all for increasing that ‘swamp’ by supporting the Cons (you did say you were going to support Bruce and while I like Bruce, it’s sad he would join with Higgs)?
I doubt you’ll get anyone arguing with you over the state of NB and how bad things have been run for decades, by successive Governments – liberal and conservative – but to think that the Libertarians ‘have the answer’ is laughable at best. The fact she thinks climate change is a hoax and scam instantly shows she’s not that serious about the reality of the world now. And if she can’t be serious about that, how can she – and her party – be serious about all the issues they claim Government has? How can she/they be trusted to be serious about dealing with Government bloat and BS when serious matters are a ‘hoax’ and ‘scam’?
The ignorance of all that falls in with the “get rid of property tax” lunacy.
Its fine to disagree on issues without name calling Elaine. Taxation and corruption should be concerns and calling it lunacy for questioning the over-taxed population isn’t helping.
Bruce Phinney stepping up in the Tantramar riding has added a great option for many who don’t want to see a green/red alliance form here.. Phinney did what he had to do. So I support him because he has always put a lot of effort into being connected with the voters – returning phone calls and emails… this is not something that can be said about John Higham [who immediately deleted his Facebook page after being elected Mayor in 2016] and Megan Mitton who has been locked up and not accessible behind a coded keypad entry for some reason as she promoted the SOGI [sexual orientation gender identity] propaganda of our youth [ not cool ].
Demands the Town build a skate park. Demands the abolishment of taxes that would be the source of discretionary funds for said skate park. Consistently inconsistent.
Tim — as you are someone employed by Mount Allison University you’ve probably witnessed the latest pet project of $85Million to “re-do” your historic grand library on campus — do you think that’s essential spending? Would love to know what you believe I am allowed to talk about on here without being labelled a crackpot or a parasite? I have had one goal consistently for years here.. and that is to be a voice for the youth who presented in Town Hall in the summer of 2013 asking for a new concrete skatepark venue and since that time I have seen millions and millions of dollars flow to a supposedly profitable organization sitting in the middle of our town employing many people – such as yourself – who enjoy comfortable and secure jobs.. explain to me like I’m 10 years old why your organization is more important than a youth group?
1. I have nothing against your proposed skate park. There would be many benefits to it for the community. Further, as Sharon, who is much wiser than I, mentioned, your efforts to get it built are commendable. We can all quibble about how the town spends scarce funds on recreation/health and wellness projects. Myself? I wished the town had leveraged the $1 million private donation to get a pedway built. Alas.
2. The University is a non-profit that has to wisely manage the funds it gets from tuition, from the Provincial (not municipal) grant, and from donors.
3. Mount A is not a “profitable organization”, as you suggest. Indeed, it has been running deficits for the last several years. A situation that is not sustainable.
4. So why would a non-profit organization that is currently running a deficit want to renovate the library, to the tune of $85 million, though that figure will likely increase over the lifespan of construction? I’ll give you several reasons.
– the current building is falling into disrepair. Deferred maintenance makes any refurbishment more costly the further that it is delayed.
– the library is the heart of campus. As an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, the library’s digital and hard holdings, as well as its archives are a priceless collection of information, the accumulated knowledge of centuries of previous scholarship, memorabilia, and curiosities that enable students, faculty, and the public at large to learn. Learning is good. I’ve been blessed to see Bob Dylan on a number of occasions. He doesn’t say much. In fact, the only words I’ve heard him speak, other than to introduce his usually excellent bands is, “Ahh, visit your local library.” (6/17/2000)
– These collections are not randomly organized. Rather, they are organized according to well-developed protocols that are common across libraries the world over, and by a staff of professional librarians who make informed decisions what to purchase, what to, unfortunately, pitch, how to best present these holdings to information-age users, and above all, how to do so in the best spirit of generosity. Librarians are really helpful. Just ask any student.
– Students use the library a lot to do things other than find books, articles etc. They study there and hang out there. Every survey of these key users says they wish the library was laid out better for their needs.
-The MTA librarians have been saying for years that the structure that houses these collections is inadequate. Professional engineers have looked into their concerns to determine that the library’s pipes are in danger of rupture. Its concrete and rebar are tired. Moreover, the way the building is laid out is totally dated, in respect to how these things are done in the 21st century. And so, in a competitive arena, students and their parents touring MTA, Acadia, X, etc. will visually compare what they see at MTA with what they see elsewhere. Strategically it makes sense to invest in one of the most highly trafficked parts of campus for current and prospective students. Although we are not profitable. We don’t want the deficit to get any bigger. So, we need those prospective students to choose our campus. A new library helps in this endeavor.
– A new library with a new layout will enable better use of space. Have a look. There is a lot of dead-space in the current layout.
-There are probably a lot more reasons why a new library is more than just a pet project. A pet project is picking up after your dog. This is a carefully reached, well consulted, decision that I think will improve the University, provide a lot of jobs for local trades, and further enhance the town.
Regarding your larger point about taxes. They are the price we pay for civilization.
Didn’t “name call” you anything so don’t know where you get that idea from.
Absolutely taxation and corruption should be a concern, I just find it funny that even as you say that, you’d vote for the party that… has no problem with taxation and corruption.
And as has been asked of you before – where exactly does a municipality get the funding for the things they need, if we don’t have taxes? Same goes for provincially too, BTW; no taxes, no services. And while I know Libertarians are all for being responsible for one’s self and who cares about others, society doesn’t tend to bend that way. And I rather like the fact that if my house catches fire, there’s a fire department there to help put the fire out (which is paid for by taxes), for example.
Are there issues? Absolutely. Do we pay too much? Darn right we do. But voting in a party that doesn’t give a darn about people isn’t going to change anything.
Personally I think Megan has done better than anyone could have hoped for being part of a party with only 3 members in Parliament. I appreciate her stance on health care – and agree with the Green idea of putting administration of hospitals back into the communities hospitals are a part of – she’s stood against a lot of the crud coming out of the Higgs Government.
Your comment about propaganda though is… what specifically? That we exist as more than just the old fashioned “male and female only” ideology? Here I thought you Libertarians were all about personal freedoms? Considering LGBTQIA+ people have existed for thousands of years, pretty sure the idea of it being ‘propaganda’ is, as you put it, “not cool”. Promoting not just acceptance and equality but understanding isn’t a bad thing. It says a lot though that you think it’s so wrong.
Depending on your age you probably are out of touch with the state of today’s public schools Elaine and that’s fine.. but Libertarian Party of New Brunswick’s candidate for Tantramar Donna Allen as a grandmother has children and grandchildren and she has been alarmed by what she has seen first hand and talking with other families through outreach – that is why she is running in this riding – where she was born and raised – and I did my homework and I chose to reach out to her and we spoke on the phone and then I also met with her – she is a hard working woman with fresh ideas and a strong voice for this region – for you to suggest reducing taxation is lunacy means you feel taxation is necessary but I am suggesting you’ve been misled about the amount of tax taken from the public and what the use of that money has funded. I would go further and suggest that the “books” need a “forensic audit” to track all the waste, cronyism, corruption and if that’s upsetting to you I can’t help you. Libertarians are not inside a box of thinking – that is what makes them different from all the other parties – they like to think for themselves and they often are very open to dialogue and new ideas because that’s the only way to get things accomplished.. whatever your green and red and blue parties are doing is clearly making everyone less prosperous and more divided than ever so isn’t it only right that we should be critical of the usual politics? Stay open minded and remember to be willing to have conversations that make you question your beliefs.
That’s a very amusing assumption on your part about being ‘out of touch’, but, as you said, that’s fine. I’m alarmed too by what I’m seeing/hearing for kids and I think it’s a dark mark on anyone who really just can’t accept that kids aren’t little carbon copies and are their own people with their own discoveries to make. That it’s our job as adults – whether parents, relatives, friends or just people in the community – to support the kids who will be the next generation and help them be better people than we are.
As for everything you said about Donna Allen – okay…. good for her and you I guess? So she was born and raised here – so was I – is a hard working woman with fresh ideas… so are lots of other women around here. I will say it does take a certain kind of person to want to run for any kind of representation to Government and on a core level, I do acknowledge the… kahoonas… of people who do want to take that kind of plunge.
But if her ideas including denying climate change and thinking it’s a hoax, when we can see proof of it in our own back yard that we’ve been born and raised in… then no, her ‘ideas’ are not something Tantramar needs.
I never said reducing taxation is lunacy. I said getting rid of property taxes was lunacy, which is the idea you brought up to Percy’s first comment. I think you need to go back and read what I did say about the tax situation. If you either glossed over or just didn’t bother and are going on assumption of what I said… well, “I can’t help you”.
If what you suggest is Libertarians in your view, then you do not know who and what Libertarians are. Libertarians are not usually a party that is open to dialogue or new ideas. Libertarians usually try to pretend to be personal freedom and equality and all that, but rarely do they ever follow the actuality of it all (or I’ve yet to come accross any who actually follow the core values truthfully). I guess it just depends on what version of Libertarianism that is followed too though.
Red and Blue parties are, indeed, a serious negative issue in NB, but you cannot include the green or orange in that assumption because neither Green nor NDP have gotten a chance to hold the reigns and frig things up for their parties yet (that is meant as a half-joke, just so you’re aware). That said, we certainly do not need an extreme view like that expressed by the Libertarian Candidate that climate change is a ‘hoax’ to be a representative of our area, ESPECIALLY considering the effects this “hoax” is having on us, and how much worse it will likely get as the “hoax” continues. Personal beliefs is one thing; but this isn’t just one person’s personal beliefs, this is about the reality.
Well Sally, we know that the skateboard park issue is near and dear to your heart, and kudos to you for continuing to lobby for what you believe in. However, it appears you are confusing “Mt Allison money” with “Town money”. Funding for Mt A projects does not come out of Town coffers, whereas a new skateboard park most definitely would.
I’m curious too about why you appear to be in full support of the Libertarian party’s platform and ideas, when you have already told us you voted for the incumbent PC party.
As I mentioned in my earlier comment, if we were to ELIMINATE property tax, as the Libertarians are apparently promoting, where then would we obtain the funding to look after even the most basic NEEDS of the community? What other taxes or extra fees would you like to see implemented as a replacement? Or what essential services would you suggest should be cut? I’m still waiting for you to address these questions – which I had asked you previously.
For the curious.. as I told Donna Allen recently who inquired… and Bruce Wark the other night in person.. I voted for Bruce Phinney in the advance polls.. I know him, like him, can interract well with him, and most of all I trust him as he doesn’t seem fake to me. I didn’t know the Libertarian Party would have a candidate in the Tantramar riding and it was a pleasant surprise to me to be honest. I think either candidate would be a great change from the green-red-orange speak-type candidates that I cannot relate to at all. Hope that clears up your confusion Sharon Hicks.. as for your other commentary about various issues you have with my opinions I will just say this: its OK not to agree on everything. I won’t be speaking in Town Hall about the Tantramar Skate Park at this point – Donna Beal is unable to accommodate me in the Chambers in October or November [they’re very busy it seems].
People, people, people what on earth are you thinking? Democracy starts at your kitchen table, then moves to the local government level.
With a provincial election campaign in full swing, I notice one of the candidates is suggesting that you need a seat at the table, but that table has to be in the cabinet room because backbenchers are simply ignored. Town councillors aren’t listened to either. For democracy to work effectively for citizens, backbenchers and councillors need meaningful work and yes, they need to be given a voice that is heard by the powers-that-be — especially government bureaucrats.
I have seen the present MLA out there meeting the community. Do get out and vote but, be warned, until we take our town back, I’m afraid there won’t be much change in Fredericton.
Sad to say, government by the people for the people is pretty well dead.