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David Raymond Amos‏ @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others


Methinks the most telling thing to me about the vote was that Bobby Baby Gauvin was not man enough to keep his word and vote against his old buddy Higgy N'esy Pas?



https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/03/liberals-soften-budget-vote-stance-in.html



#nbpoli#cdnpoli



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberals-budget-vote-election-1.5495381

Liberals soften budget vote stance in light of COVID-19

Party leaving decision up to chief medical officer, says MLA Roger Melanson

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Mar 12, 2020 3:35 PM AT



'We will follow the advice of the chief medical officer and Public Health officials in regards to how to go about moving forward," said Liberal finance critic and Dieppe MLA Roger Melanson. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

The Liberal opposition opened the door a little wider Thursday to abandoning their push for an early provincial election now that New Brunswick has its first case of COVID-19.

Finance critic and Dieppe MLA Roger Melanson told reporters the party was essentially leaving it up to Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell whether it should try to send New Brunswickers to the polls next week.

"We will follow the advice of the chief medical officer and Public Health officials in regards to how to go about moving forward," Melanson said.

"If that means we need to make decisions or changes, we'll listen."
The Liberals announced Feb. 11 that they would attempt to force an election after the Progressive Conservative minority government announced health reforms that included the nighttime closure of six small-hospital emergency rooms.

The PCs withdrew the plan five days later, but in the legislature Thursday morning Melanson said New Brunswickers had lost trust in the government over the fiasco, and that's why his party will try to vote down the budget, triggering an election.

He repeated that on a CBC political panel Thursday, to which PC Finance Minister Ernie Steeves replied: "You think calling an election now would bring the trust back to you?"

Melanson said if the government believes an election isn't warranted it could delay the legislature's vote on the budget expected Friday March 20. "They have that right," he said.

But Steeves said the vote will go ahead next week. "The budget is the budget."

COVID-19 concerns

Earlier this week Green Party Leader David Coon said an election might not be a good idea given that it can involve many large gatherings and a lot of social contact.

On Thursday the Quebec government banned public events of more than 250 people after the number of cases there jumped from nine to 13.

Melanson said it was too early to speculate about how such a decision here would affect an election.

"It would be very different as a campaign. But we're not making those decisions today."


The Liberals announced Feb. 11 that they would attempt to force an election after the Progressive Conservative minority government announced health reforms that included the nighttime closure of six small-hospital emergency rooms. (Graham Thompson/CBC)

Asked by reporters if there was any room for the PCs and Liberals to work together on a compromise about the budget and election timing, Melanson said it was "too early to make any decision or any consideration like that" and the party would heed Russell's guidance.

 "She's quite credible and she has a lot of knowledge and we'll listen carefully and make decisions accordingly," he said.

Russell said Thursday afternoon that she was recommending the cancellation of any public events of more than 150 people — a size that covers many typical election events — but wouldn't comment further.

"Whether there's an election or not, it would have to be considered in light of these particular issues," she said.

Coon said a special committee of the premier, key cabinet ministers and all political party leaders will hold its first meeting tomorrow night to discuss the response to COVID-19.


David Coon, New Brunswick's Green Party leader, will announce his plans on the budget vote Friday. (CBC)

The committee could discuss "how that election might proceed based on the advice of the chief medical officer of health, with all four party leaders in the same room on this committee," Coon said.
"Obviously it wasn't just set up for that discussion but it's going to be an important opportunity where that discussion can occur if it's needed."

Coon is a pivotal vote on the budget and he plans to reveal Friday morning how he will vote on the document.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he hopes the all-party committee will let "cooler heads prevail" on a possible campaign.

"I won't be talking about the possibility of an election because I don't think we should have one, but it'll be up to my colleagues in the legislature to decide that next Friday," he said.

"I think our full focus has to be on this situation, and we should have all hands on deck and that should be our main task."

Accusations fly

Melanson's official response to the budget in the legislature Thursday was punctuated by a series of procedural complaints by the PC government over his choice of words.

The Liberal MLA said the government had "deliberately deceived" the legislature, one example of violating the parliamentary rule against accusing another member of lying.

PC house leader Glen Savoie asked Melanson to withdraw the comments and he did, but not before Liberal house leader Guy Arseneault said he wanted to congratulate Melanson for the speech.
 

Melanson violated the parliamentary rule against accusing another member of lying and later withdrew his comments. (CBC)
"I like it, I like it, I like it," Arseneault shouted to the applause of Liberal MLAs.

Coon said he didn't think the sharp partisan exchange was a sign the parties couldn't work together on a major issue like COVID-19.

"There's always lots of political theatre in the legislative assembly, and I think what you were seeing was political theatre. When the rubber hits the road, I think the political theatre will be put aside."







Commenting is now closed for this story.






David Amos
Methinks this circus get more entertaining by the hour these days N'esy Pas?








Lou Bell 

























Lou Bell
Even Amos has more credibility than the Liberals ! Other than their " me first " agendas.


Donald Smith


























John Pokiok

David Amos
I read the news today Did you?? If Not Go figure

From The Associated Press, updated at 7:30 a.m. ET

"China, where the virus emerged late last year, still accounts for more than 60 per cent of global infections. But on Friday it reported just eight new cases and seven deaths. More than 64,000 people have been released from hospitals.

With China's caseload slowing, the government was helping other countries with its expertise. A Chinese medical crew was heading to Italy and surplus supplies were sent to Iran."

"China reported just 8 cases of the coronavirus on Friday, with no new domestic infections outside the epicentre of Hubei province"

"South Korea reported 114 new cases and was near 8,000 overall. Officials said 177 patients were released from hospitals, making Friday the first day recoveries outnumbered new infections since the country's first patient was confirmed on Jan. 20."


























Lou Bell
Kinda hard to vote against a budget that everyone likes ! And I suspect there's not an UNDISCLOSED 130 million dollar giveaway hidden somewhere after it's approval !!


David Amos 


























Lou Bell
Polls are NOT a virus ! Time to man up and admit it's not the Covid-19 responsible for their bailout of an election ! It's also become quite obvious who's running the Liberal Party ! Melanson and his SANB cohorts . A true leader would be making announcments like this 


David Amos 

Joe Rootliek
Hard to have an election around COVID - 19, could infect everyone at the polls.


David Amos 

























Paul Estey
Leaving the decision up to the Chief Medical Officer to call an election, when she doesnt even have a vote in the Legislatture??? What happened to the Leader of the Liberal Party who has the one calling for the vote to drop the House since before the budget was even presented. Sounds like the sitting members have taken decision making from their leader. Thats a first.


Joe Rootliek 


























Fred Brewer
When will Canada and its provinces allow online voting? Online voting would:
1) Reduce the cost of elections drastically.
2) Allow almost instant results.
3) Allow elections to proceed despite disruptions like weather or pandemics.
4) It could allow polling of the electorate by plebiscite or referendum on any important issues.


Joe Rootliek 


Peter C. Shearer
Bahhhhhhhh something good coming from this virus... it's giving the greens and libs and excuse to vote for the budget and not cause an election that they would lose. Finally listened to the people of NB whp said we don't want an election yet.


David Amos 

Dan Armitage
Go ahead push an election . GOOD LUCK!


David Amos  


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/green-leader-pc-budget-1.5496809

Unprecedented day in legislature as budget, carbon tax bills pass in 17 minutes

Green leader's vote was key to getting the budget passed and avoiding spring election

Jacques Poitras· CBC News· Posted: Mar 13, 2020 1:35 PM AT




All four party leaders, from left, Premier Blaine Higgs, People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin, Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers, and Green Leader David Coon, talked to reporters after the speedy passage of the budget. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)


In a series of high-speed procedural votes, the New Brunswick legislature passed the Higgs government's budget Friday afternoon, clearing the way for politicians and civil servants to turn their full attention to the COVID-19 outbreak.

MLAs crammed what would normally take weeks of debate, committee sessions and votes into a 17-minute blitz that also passed the government's carbon-tax legislation.

But the most dramatic turn of events was a 24-0 vote in which the budget passed, guaranteeing there will be no provincial election this spring.

PC and People's Alliance MLAs were joined by Green Leader David Coon in voting for the motion. All Liberals, as well as Green members Kevin Arseneau and Megan Mitton and independent MLA Robert Gauvin, abstained.
"I have never been prouder to be part of this assembly than I am right today," Premier Blaine Higgs declared when the voting was over.

He praised all MLAs for allowing the votes to move quickly and gave them a guarantee on an issue that first led the Opposition Liberals to push for an early election: health reforms announced and then cancelled in February.

"There's been a lot of angst created over the past few weeks and months over the 24-hour emergency care in these rural hospitals," he said.

"I want to set the record straight: there will be emergency services 24/7 in these hospitals, but we will be facing together what our challenges are in the health system. And I'm asking for the same co-operation that we've seen today to work together for solutions."

Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers told reporters the party abandoned its hard line against the budget because of the COVID-19 crisis.

"Today is a day for all of us to come together to ensure the health and safety of our citizens," he said.
People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin called it "a historic moment."

The vote on the carbon tax had to happen before April 1. Without it passing, the higher federal carbon tax would have remained in effect in New Brunswick.

The legislature promptly adjourned so that Higgs could take part in a conference call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the other Canadian premiers.

PC house leader Glen Savoie said the house will return Tuesday as planned but added the weekend would give officials the chance to sort out what has to happen next.

That, and the rushed carbon-tax vote, suggests the house may not sit beyond Tuesday.

Coon's decision pivotal

The budget vote became a foregone conclusion Friday morning when Coon said he would not vote against it.

Coon said there are elements of the budget that represent "progress," and he wanted to see them passed so that his party can use its newfound leverage in the legislature to improve them and push for more.

"This is a minority government where my colleagues and I in the Green caucus hold the balance of responsibility," he said. "We don't need to trust this government to safeguard the public good. Not a single piece of legislation can pass without our support."



Coon says there are elements in the PC budget that have potential and he hopes they can be improved upon. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"I know many have lost trust in Premier Higgs, and many lack confidence in [Liberal leader] Kevin Vickers. … I ask that you trust me. We have your back, New Brunswick."

Shortly after his announcement, Coon and the other three party leaders in the legislature huddled to discuss accelerating the budget vote. Negotiations dragged on from around noon to just after 2 p.m.
One item of business that might need to come before MLAs on Tuesday is legislation to postpone municipal elections scheduled for May 11.

Chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth issued a statement Friday saying that given the elections will require hundreds of thousands of people to vote in polling stations staffed by thousands of election workers, "there are obvious concerns over public safety."

She said there is no "easy solution" to reduce the risk of infection but that under the Local

Governance Act she doesn't have the power to postpone the vote without the legislature passing amendments.

 




79 Comments  
Commenting is now closed for this story.

  



David Amos 
Methinks it all over but the crying now and Higgy's circus will go on for another year. I have no doubt that the EUB will say OK to "Not So Smart" Meters in short order and allow NB Power will get to spend another 100 million loonies we cannot afford N'esy Pas? 















David Amos
Methinks the most telling thing to me about the vote was that Bobby Baby Gauvin was not man enough to keep his word and vote against his old buddy Higgy N'esy Pas?





























Matt Steele
It looks like the Green Party has been looking at possible election dates if they force an early election , and have realised that an early election could happen in June when the University students are away . Two of the Green Party MLAs owe their being elected to University students in both Fredericton and Sackville ; so if an election happened to fall during the summer University break , then say goodbye to at least TWO of the Green MLAs . Of course , the Green Party is trying to portray their decision as if they are concerned over the public , when they are actually concerned over keeping their high paying jobs , and banking time for their gold plated pension . Lots of SPIN going on there for sure .


DJ Redfern



























Pierre LaRoches
Mr Coon just saved Vickers a butt kicking. Plus we all know the Greens have no money for an election right now.


David Amos