Premier Blaine Higgs said the adjournment was a precaution to allow MLAs from Zone 5 to find out if they've come into contact with the respiratory illness. (CBC)
The New Brunswick legislature has adjourned again because of a new outbreak of COVID-19 cases, just two days after reconvening with physical distancing precautions in place.
All MLAs from all four parties agreed Thursday morning to the abrupt decision to adjourn until June 9 to ensure they themselves don't contribute to the spread of the coronavirus.
The move was in response to a cluster of cases in Zone 5, the Campbellton area. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were three active cases there, the only cases in the province.
Two Liberal MLAs from the region announced Wednesday they were returning to their ridings. On Thursday morning, Speaker Daniel Guitard, whose riding includes part of Zone 5, was also absent.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the adjournment was a precaution to allow MLAs to find out if they've been infected.
"We all live in different portions of the province, we all go back to our ridings after any session, so we could become one of those that could be spreading if we had the disease," Higgs said.
MLAs look into testing as 'extra precaution'
The adjournment "gives us that gestation period to figure that out and be tested. … We're asking a lot of people to ... practise the direction of Public Health, and we can be no exception to that."
The two Liberal MLAs, Guy Arseneault from Campbellton-Restigouche and Gilles LePage from Restigouche West, said in a statement Wednesday they were not showing any symptoms and did not believe they'd been in direct contact with the new cases.
Liberal MLA Guy Arseneault hasn't shown any symptoms of the virus but said he would consider getting tested as an extra precaution. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
But they said they would not remain in Fredericton and would also look into getting tested as an "extra precaution."
The legislature reconvened Tuesday for its first regular sitting day since a rushed budget vote and adjournment on March 13, in the early days of the pandemic. Gilles LePage from Restigouche West, also hasn't shown any symptoms of COVID-19 and does not believe he has come into contact with the virus. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)
MLAs applauded Tuesday when Guitard said it was the first legislature in Canada to resume its business with all members present.
Extra precautions were in place. Only 28 of 47 MLAs were sitting on the floor of the chamber, and their desks were spread further apart than normal. The other 19 members took part in proceedings from the upstairs public gallery overlooking the chamber.
Legislature like 'a petri dish'
Progressive Conservative government house leader Glen Savoie said all MLAs were hoping "that the worst doesn't happen and that we can contain the spread of this virus."
People's Alliance leader Kris Austin compared the legislature to a petri dish that could allow the virus to spread across the province via the elected members.
But Savoie later told reporters the main reason for the adjournment was to follow the same precautions as everyone else, and to allow the government to devote its full attention to the Campbellton outbreak.
He also said there was a question of fairness: the PCs have a minority government and having the Liberals down three MLAs would put them at a disadvantage during any votes. Green leader David Coon supported the adjournment and noted that Public Health officials had warned that new cases were likely.
Speaker Daniel Guitard, whose riding includes part of Zone 5, was absent from the legislature on Thursday. (Jacob Barker/CBC)
"This is not unexpected in some ways," he said. "We knew there would be this kind of back and forth with the virus, with cases popping up in regions."
But he said the new disruption to the legislature's work shows that other ways of sitting need to be looked at, such as the House of Commons' hybrid approach of remote, online proceedings with some MPs attending in person some of the time.
"We need the means to keep working," Coon said. "Technology today allows us to do that."
Savoie told reporters that "we do see that as feasible but it will take some time." He said MLAs could meet digitally now but the legislature still needs to find a way make that accessible to the public in both English and French, a constitutional requirement.
He said it's "a very personal choice" whether all MLAs should be tested after being in the chamber with Arseneault and LePage, but said all members should monitor themselves for symptoms.
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.
John Sollows The Mayor of Cambellton's comments on Maritime Noon should be archived and made available n the website. She made enormous sense.
David Amos
Reply to @John Sollows: Yea Right Methinks this the same Mayor who offered no comments last week about the protest on the bridge in her town N'esy Pas?
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, described the outbreak as 'completely preventable.' (Government of New Brunswick)
There are three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Campbellton region that are linked to the three other active cases, including another health-care worker, the chief medical officer of health announced on Thursday.
The new cases include a person under 19, someone in their 40s and someone over 90, said Dr. Jennifer Russell.
Based on contact tracing, she expects to see more cases, she said.
The outbreak is "upsetting to everyone, including me," she said, describing it as "completely preventable."
All of the cases are linked to a medical professional in his 50s from the Campbellton Regional Hospital who contracted COVID-19 outside the province.
This person, who travelled to Quebec for personal reasons, "was not forthcoming about their reasons for travel upon returning to New Brunswick and they did not self-isolate as a result," Premier Blaine Higgs said on Wednesday.
After his trip, the man treated patients for two weeks at the Campbellton hospital and possibly other locations, forcing Higgs to order that region back into the orange phase of recovery.
Information about the case has been passed along to the RCMP to determine exactly what took place and whether charges are warranted, said Higgs.
Neither Higgs nor Russell would say whether the person who didn't self-isolate after travelling was a doctor or in some other health profession. Even fewer details were revealed about the health-care worker added to the cast list on Thursday.
The province moved into the yellow phase last Friday, which allows people to extend their two-household bubble to close family and friends, more businesses to reopen, and more recreation.
The rest of the province will remain in the yellow phase but additional restrictions scheduled to be lifted Friday have been delayed until June 5, said Higgs.
They include:
Outdoor public gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted with physical distancing.
Religious services, including weddings and funerals, of up to 50 people, can take place indoors or outdoors with physical distancing.
Regional health authorities will increase the number of elective surgeries and non-emergency services.
Swimming pools, saunas, water parks can reopen.
Gyms, yoga and dance studios, rinks, pool halls and bowling alleys can reopen.
"Low-contact" team sports will be allowed.
"This will allow us time to see how widespread the outbreak is," said Higgs.
At least 150 people exposed
At least 150 people were exposed to the medical professional, including 50 health-care workers at the Campbellton Regional Hospital and 100 people in the community, said the head of the Vitalité Health Network.
There are "definitely more," said president and CEO Gilles Lanteigne.
He expects 500 people to be tested within the next couple of days.
The hospital is "basically shut down" until early next week, he said. The ER is closed, all surgeries have been cancelled, no admissions are being accepted and ambulances are being diverted to Bathurst.
Hospital officials are also looking into whether some patients can be sent home early safely.
Subject to disciplinary action
Lanteigne declined to identify the medical professional or their profession but did confirm it's a man. Asked whether he is facing any disciplinary action, Lanteigne said he could not talk about an individual case.
"What I can tell you is that any physician or any professional or any health-care worker … has responsibilities that are in relation with their functions. So if anyone transgresses these responsibilities, then it triggers some action.
"So in this situation, or in a situation like this, anyone who has not fulfilled his responsibility, according to the working agreement that we have with him or her, would be subject to disciplinary action."
Widespread testing
Testing centres will be set up Friday through Sunday at the Memorial Civic Centre in Campbellton and the Dalhousie Inch Arran Ice Palace for anyone in the region — whether they've had contact with the individual or not, and whether they have symptoms or not.
The 50 identified staff members, including physicians, were tested for the disease Wednesday night and the results are expected later today, said Lanteigne.
The 100 identified community members are expected to be tested today, he said.
Campbellton region at higher risk of COVID-19
Asked Wednesday whether the health-care worker will face charges, Higgs said the case is still under investigation.
Public Health officials are still contact tracing, but Russell said she's concerned there has already been "significant contact" with the three active cases and more cases will emerge in the days ahead.
The incubation period of the virus is 14 days.
Now the Campbellton region, also known as health Zone 5, is at a higher risk "due to the actions of one irresponsible individual," Higgs told reporters.
Third case of COVID-19 in Campbellton is a health professional who travelled to Quebec and did not self-isolate on return. 2:51
New Brunswickers who have travelled to the Campbellton area or been in close contact with anyone from the area should monitor for symptoms for 14 days, Russell said.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call Tele-Care 811 to get a referral for testing.
As of Wednesday, 23,296 COVID-19 tests have been performed in New Brunswick and 120 people have recovered from the respiratory disease.
Premier Blaine Higgs reminded the public of their responsibility to follow Public Health directives to help ensure a safe reopening of the province. 'Now is not the time for New Brunswickers to take unnecessary risks, which could undo all the hard work it took to get us to this point,' he said. (Government of New Brunswick)
Premier Blaine Higgs lashed out Wednesday at the "irresponsible" medical professional in the Campbellton region who contracted COVID-19 outside the province and is to blame for two other confirmed cases in the region, forcing that northern part of the province back into the orange phase of recovery.
The Campbellton Regional Hospital's emergency department has also been closed for 24 hours and all non-urgent or elective health-care services are cancelled "due to the high risk of transmission of COVID-19," the Vitalité Health Network announced.
This medical professional — Higgs wouldn't say if it's a doctor or a nurse — travelled to Quebec for "personal reasons, was not forthcoming about their reasons for travel upon returning to New Brunswick and they did not self-isolate as a result," he said.
The person, who is in their 50s, then treated patients for two weeks at the Campbellton Regional Hospital and possibly other locations.
Now the Campbellton region, also known as health Zone 5, is at a higher risk "due to the actions of one irresponsible individual," Higgs told reporters during a news conference in Fredericton.
Chief medical officer Dr. Jennifer Russell said she's very concerned about people in the Campbellton region, but people right across the province could also be at risk. (Government of New Brunswick)
"If you ignore the rules, you put your family, your friends and your fellow New Brunswickers at risk. Today's case is evidence of that."
The other two cases include a person in their 90s and a child who attended two daycares. None of them is in hospital.
The investigation has determined the three cases are a single cluster, all related to travel, said chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell.
'If charges need to be laid, they will'
Asked whether the health-care worker will face charges, Higgs said the case is still under investigation.
"Was this a clear, or what would appear to be apparent violation of our current rules? If indeed that is the case, you know, we will move forward with understanding and if charges need to be laid, they will," he said.
He expects to know more in the coming days, he added.
Public Health officials are still contact tracing, but Russell said she's concerned there has already been "significant contact" with the three active cases and more cases will emerge in the days ahead. The incubation period of the virus is 14 days.
The three cases all come just five days after New Brunswick moved into phase three of its COVID-19 recovery plan, also known as the yellow phase. It allows people to extend their two-household bubble to close family and friends, more businesses to reopen, and more recreation.
Vitalité hopes to limit transmission
A few hours after the news conference, Vitalité issued a release about the temporary closure of the ER and other services.
The measure is being taken to limit transmission of the virus originating from a staff member of the hospital, president and CEO Gilles Lanteigne said in a statement.
"We know that this decision will inconvenience the communities of the Restigouche and surrounding areas. However, the health and safety of our staff remain our priority," he said.
"We must do everything in our power to limit the risk of spread."
Vitalité president and CEO Gilles Lanteigne announced the Campbellton Regional Hospital's ER is closed for 24 hours and all non-urgent or elective health-care services are also cancelled to limit transmission of COVID-19 originating from a staff member. (CBC)
The statement did not indicate why the closure is for 24 hours or what will be done during that period to help limit the spread.
Vitalité asks the public to strictly follow the isolation, physical distancing, handwashing and mask usage measures to prevent a potential second wave of COVID-19.
"We cannot let our guard down," Lanteigne said. "The third case being announced today is proof of that. We must remain vigilant and work together to keep ourselves and others safe.
"Our battle is not over. Indeed. It has just begun."
Widespread testing encouraged
Mobile testing will be set up in the Campbellton region starting Thursday, said Higgs. He is encouraging everyone in the region to get tested.
Zone 5 extends from Whites Brook to the Village of Belledune, including Tide Head, Atholville, Campbellton, Dalhousie, Eel River Dundee, Eel River Bar First Nation, Balmoral, Charlo and Belledune.
People can be tested even if they're not exhibiting symptoms, said Russell.
New Brunswickers who have travelled to the area or been in close contact with anyone from the area should monitor for symptoms for 14 days, she said.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call Tele-Care 811 to get a referral for testing.
Third case of COVID-19 in Campbellton is a health professional who travelled to Quebec and did not self-isolate on return. 2:51
People in the region should stay home as much as possible and avoid any close contact outside their two-household bubbles, said Russell.
She encouraged people to limit their close contacts no matter what phase of recovery the province is in until a vaccine is available.
Higgs said people should only be travelling in and out of the region for essential reasons, which doesn't include something like getting a haircut.
"We need everyone to do their own part," he said, "not trying to skirt the rules, but just saying, 'You know, for the next couple weeks for sure we can just stay at home, we can isolate in our community, we can follow the rules of public distancing, we can wear face masks, we can do the things that are appropriate to ensure that there isn't any further spread in this particular zone, and any further spread within the province.'"
Internal checkpoints being considered
Higgs opened the door to the possibility of establishing checkpoints within the province to restrict travel to and from the Campbellton region.
"It is being considered," he said, although it's difficult to do. Government officials are looking at how effective the measure has proven in northern Quebec.
Health-care workers in the region should refrain from working in more than one health-care facility.
Non-regulated health professionals, such as acupuncturists and naturopaths, and personal services, such as hair dressers and spas, which were allowed to open last Friday, must close again immediately until further notice.
The rest of the province will remain in the yellow phase and additional restrictions scheduled to be lifted Friday are expected to proceed. They include:
Outdoor public gatherings of up to 50 people will be permitted with physical distancing.
Religious services, including weddings and funerals, with of up to 50 people, can take place indoors or outdoors with physical distancing.
Regional health authorities will increase the number of elective surgeries and non-emergency services.
Swimming pools, saunas, water parks can reopen.
Gyms, yoga and dance studios, rinks, pool halls and bowling alleys can reopen.
"Low-contact" team sports will be allowed.
Campbellton Nursing Home 'COVID FREE'
The case affecting someone over the age of 90 does not involve the Campbellton Nursing Home.
Public Health has not released any information about the individual, but shortly after the case was announced on Tuesday afternoon, the nursing home posted a message on Facebook to put minds at ease.
"In light of the recent announcement of a new positive case, we want to reassure you that The Campbellton Nursing Home is Covid-19 FREE," it said.
Nursing homes have been among the hardest hit by the disease in other provinces and in the United States.
''Everyday we keep the virus out is a Victory," the 100-bed facility said.
The Campbellton Nursing Home has 100 beds. (Facebook/Campbellton Nursing Home)
Higgs told reporters outside the legislature Tuesday he does not believe the elderly patient lives in a care home.
"It's my understanding they live in their own home, which is good news," he said. "But then it becomes a question of, OK, let's trace down, how were they exposed and what were kind of the scenarios leading up to that exposure?"
Higgs said he doesn't know if the origin can be determined but did note that hundreds of people in the region held a demonstration on May 19.
More than 400 residents of Campbellton, Listuguj and Pointe-à-la-Croix met at the bridge linking New Brunswick and Quebec to protest New Brunswick's travel restrictions.
Organizers of the the May 19 rally called for a bubble to be formed between Campbellton and the closest Quebec communities of Pointe-à-la-Croix and Listuguj First Nation, to allow for essential travel and family reunification. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
"And you know the pictures that I saw of that rally, social distancing wasn't top of mind," said Higgs.
"I hope that people continue to realize just how precarious a position we're in. We all feel good about opening up early and being in a good position in New Brunswick or in Canada for that matter, but we've got to realize that this could all change overnight."
Higgs said he's "very concerned" about a potential pocket of cases forming in the Campbellton region.
The fact that one of the cases involves an elderly person adds to the complexity, he said.
Daycare remains closed
The Tourbillon de Soleil daycare in Balmoral, about 20 minutes southeast of Campbellton, remains closed until further notice.
It's been closed since May 21, after the infected child attended on May 19, developed a fever that night and then tested positive.
Tourbillon de Soleil daycare in Balmoral remains closed until further notice and the owner, four employees, as well as 14 children and their parents are under quarantine for two weeks. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
About 35 people the child may have come into contact with at the daycare — employees, children and their parents — have been ordered to quarantine for 14 days, the incubation period of the disease.
Children and staff at the Campbellton daycare Bouts Choux, which the child had previously attended, up until May 15, have all tested negative, said owner Cécile Castonguay.
As of Wednesday, 23,296 COVID-19 tests have been performed in New Brunswick and 120 people have recovered from the respiratory disease.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy wants to use the notwithstanding clause to fend off court challenges to his mandatory vaccination bill. (CBC)
The long-awaited and potential decisive phase in New Brunswick's debate over mandatory vaccinations was abruptly put on hold Wednesday.
MLAs were poised to begin studying Education Minister Dominic Cardy's Bill 11, which would eliminate all non-medical exemptions to the requirement for vaccinations, including those on religious and philosophical grounds.
But the sitting of the legislative committee that was going to examine the bill was abruptly called off when Cardy had to attend a special meeting of the government's all-party committee on COVID-19 happening at the same time.
"It would be impossible to have proper debate on this bill without his presence, so committee was delayed until next Tuesday," said Caraquet Liberal MLA Isabelle Thériault.
Opposition MLAs on the committee hope to amend the bill in a way that could make or break its chances of passing.
Both the Liberals and the Greens will try to remove the bill's use of the notwithstanding clause from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. By invoking the clause, the legislation is shielded from a constitutional challenge.
Attorney general voices concern
At the same time, two Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers continue to spar over the need for the legislation.
Attorney-General Andrea Anderson-Mason has repeatedly signalled she's not comfortable with the bill, and in a recent Facebook post implicitly rejected Cardy's description of its opponents.
"I was originally told that the only people who would oppose this bill would be people on the fringe," she said in a May 24 post. "That was incorrect."
Andrea Anderson-Mason MLA Fundy The Isles Saint John West
Thank you!! I asked a question and wow, you responded and you (for the most part) were respectful. What I learned: I learned that the topic of mandatory vaccinations can be an emotional issue. People who support Bill 11 can be as assertive as those who oppose it. The vast majority of people fall somewhere in the middle. ...See More
She said that "being told by government what you can or cannot do with your body does not settle well."
Cardy said Tuesday he was not concerned with his PC cabinet colleague's comments.
"I think Andrea Anderson-Mason's comments have been pretty clear, and I think mine are as well, and I'm happy mine are backed by science and reason, and I'm happy to go forward on that basis," he said.
Andrea Anderson-Mason, minister of justice and attorney general, has signalled concern about the government telling people what they can or cannot do with their bodies. (Radio-Canada)
Cardy also repeated his criticisms of opponents of the bill, including protestors on the lawn of the legislature Tuesday who didn't practice physical distancing from each other.
He described them as people "who subscribe to a vague, weird Trumpian ideal of how the world works."
The unusual public spectacle of two ministers sparring over a piece of legislation would normally be untenable in the Westminster system of cabinet government.
But Higgs is allowing all his MLAs, including his ministers, a free vote on the bill.
"I don't relish the idea of two ministers duking it out in the public, but it is what it is," he said Tuesday. "They can each vote their own way."
Anderson-Mason did not respond to an interview request Wednesday.
Bill would come into effect fall 2021
Cardy's bill was introduced long before the COVID-19 pandemic and has no specific reference to the coronavirus, for which no vaccine is expected to exist until next year.
The bill would eliminate philosophical, religious and other non-medical exemptions from an existing requirement that all school children be vaccinated.
Children not vaccinated for any reason other than health concerns would not be allowed to go to public schools starting in the fall of 2021.
An earlier version of the bill was harshly criticized by anti-vaccination activists who testified during three days of committee hearings last summer.
In the wake of those hearings, some MLAs from all four parties in the legislature said they were undecided whether to support the bill.
One national anti-vaccination organization threatened to challenge the constitutionality of the legislation if it passed.
Cardy responded with a new version of the bill last November that includes the use of the notwithstanding clause of the Charter.
That would exempt the bill from a Charter challenge on a number of grounds, including sections that guarantee freedom of religion.
People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin said he's concerned for government overreach with the current makeup of the bill. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers said this week his party remains "concerned" about the preemptive suspension of Charter rights and will try to amend the bill to take out the clause. That will make it more likely that some Liberal MLAs can vote for it.
Cardy said again this week he is willing to remove the notwithstanding clause.
"For me, it wouldn't be a compromise," he said. "I have no issues with the notwithstanding clause not being included. I felt the bill would stand without it and I'm very happy to support it without it."
Vickers said the debate is really about "the best way to get the most number of people vaccinated" and said Liberal MLAs would also be able to vote freely on the bill.
Green Party Leader David Coon said his party will also introduce amendments, including one to remove the notwithstanding clause. Another would give chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell the power to decide when the bill takes effect.
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers said his party will try amend the bill to remove the notwithstanding clause. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Meanwhile, People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin sounded a sceptical note about the legislation. He said whether the notwithstanding clause stays in the bill or comes out, it's use is an acknowledgement the legislation is not constitutional.
"For me the real question is more about people's right to choose for themselves," he said, questioning whether school staff, health-care workers and eventually other government employees will also be subjected to similar laws.
"Where do we stop?" he said. "It's about government overreach to me."
Cardy said he's optimistic that there will be enough MLAs from all parties who see the merits of the bill, especially with COVID-19 highlighting the importance of vaccinations.
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.
Surprise Surprise Surprise The legislature just adjourned til June 9th
David Amos Methinks whereas the Minister of Health is a lawyer I bet some folks would like to know where Teddy Baby stands on the need for Cardy's vaccination legislation and his latest scheme about the notwithstanding clause N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Guess some politicians have less of a concern for the health of their constituents than others ! Not really surprising . Money trumps doing the right thing . Move on Ms. Anderson- Mason , you've had your 15 minutes of infamy .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you are losing your faith in Higgy et al N'esy Pas?
Mary MacKenzie
Reply to @David Amos: If you're going to use French, perhaps type it correctly.
john smith treating healthy people as lepars is really quite rich
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: Putting children at risk of serious consequences from preventable disease is unconscionable.
David Amos
Reply to @john smith: I agree
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: No it isn’t a “false argument”. Vaccination eradicated polio in India, where the population was “healthy” until they weren’t.
john smith
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: bill gates is banned from india for the injuries he caused
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: No he is not. No he did not.
Fact checked. Correct.
john smith
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: 496 000+ that are paralysed between 2000 and 2017 would say different likelwise the folks in ukraine and many parts of africa would join the chorus
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: That is a proven inaccuracy, favoured and promoted by antivaxxers who oppose eradication of polio for some reason that remains known only to them.
john smith
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: hey it syour soul man i would never stop you from injecting what you want in your body but to force it into mine well thats a special kinda mindset their
john smith
Reply to @john smith: you might want to find a more reputable place then snopes to get your facts bud
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: Do what you like. Choosing to become a public health menace has consequences. Not punishment: consequences. Up to you.
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: You’re talking to yourself.
You might want to fact check for yourself, accurate and reliable sources not found on YouRube or antivax rubbish.
Bud.
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: No it could not. There is no parallel whatsoever.
john smith
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: source materials not accurate enough lol ok roger
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @john smith: Say what?
Tom Simmons
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: LOL
John Grail
Reply to @Aibreann Carey: Nice retort. No actual evidence, just shouting "not true"
Aibreann Carey
Reply to @John Grail: “Not true” is an accurate description of what is false.
David Amos
Reply to @john smith: Methinks it should not matter what Kevin Vickers says about actions within the legislature until he gets elected and is sworn in. However folks certainly should ask him why i sued the Queen in 2015 because of his actions against me since 2004 N'esy Pas?
New Brunswick nixes new property tax breaks for businesses, cottages
PC government unveiled tax cuts for certain properties in this year’s budget
Robert Jones· CBC News· Posted: May 27, 2020 6:57 PM AT
Finance Minister Ernie Steeves announced Wednesday the province will be cancelling the property tax cuts for businesses and non-owner-occupied properties he unveiled 11 weeks ago. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
Thrown into deficit by financial turmoil unleashed by the COVID-19 virus, New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has moved to cancel more than $20 million in property tax cuts for businesses and cottages that he unveiled in his budget just 11 weeks ago.
"We can all agree our fiscal situation is not the same as it was March the 10th, budget day," Steeves told the legislature Wednesday.
"In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government will not be proceeding with the proposed property tax measures contained in our 2020-2021 budget."
The measures being undone involve proposed relief for residential properties that are subject to secondary provincial taxes, including apartment buildings, cottages and single-family homes not lived in by the owner.
That budget proposal was to reduce taxes by $140.40 per year on every $100,000 those properties are assessed to be worth.
A large apartment complex like Moncton's Eagle View Estates, which has 64 units, was in line to save $9,253 in taxes beginning in January 2021. That's the equivalent of $12 per month per apartment under the original budget proposal.
A second tax cut on commercial and industrial properties is also being withdrawn. It was worth $82.50 per year on every $100,000 of a business property's assessed value.
It would have been a substantial saving for some of the province's larger business properties, including a $142,000 tax reduction for Champlain Place in Dieppe beginning next January and a $84,715 reduction in property tax on the Irving Oil refinery.
There was also a plan to lower the same taxes identical amounts in 2022, 2023 and 2024, providing a total of $96 million in annual property tax relief to business and cottage properties after the fourth year.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the province could not afford the loss in revenue, but he hoped to be able to restore the tax cuts when the province's finances improve.
"It isn't the time," said Higgs.
"I'm focused on doing this, I believe in lower taxes, I believe that does help the economy, and I believe people will invest more, so it's a balancing act."
Greens, Alliance react
In a reversal of normal responses to government initiatives, Green Party Leader David Coon praised the decision and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin condemned it.
"There is indeed wisdom in the decision of the minister of finance," said Coon.
"I think that's a bad move," said Austin outside the legislature. "If we continue to tax businesses the way we've been taxing them, you can't expect the New Brunswick economy to grow."
Last week Steeves revealed New Brunswick is headed toward a $299.2 million deficit this year after his March budget originally projected a $92.4 million surplus.
41 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks many folks must have noticed that the Greens and the PANB just did a huge flip flop with regards to being cheerleaders and critics of Higgy's actions N'esy Pas?
Fundy Quay talks gain new life with federal COVID-19 funding offer
Federal program could fund as much as 80 per cent of site preparation work on Saint John waterfront.
Connell Smith· CBC News· Posted: May 28, 2020 6:00 AM AT
A conceptual, mixed use model from an earlier Fundy Quay development proposal. (City of Saint John)
Long–held hopes for a major commercial residential development on a prime Saint John waterfront site could get a boost from federal programs to kick–start the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $218 million commercial/residential Fundy Quay project is proposed for the former Coast Guard site at the foot of King Street in the city's uptown.
In December, the city granted a two-year option on the six-acre (2.4 hectares) property to a private company, Fundy Quay Developments Inc., but the deal hinges on the site being construction-ready by the end of 2021.
That will require removal of contaminated soils, raising of the overall level of the site in anticipation of a rise in sea levels, and preparation for tunnel work to link buildings on the property into the city's pedway system.
Total cost for that infrastructure work is estimated at $22.7 million, on top of already approved funds to refurbish a crumbling concrete sea wall along the harbour side of the property.
In early March, Fundy Quay was left off the list of New Brunswick projects approved for joint federal–provincial funding after the Blaine Higgs government elected instead to focus on water and wastewater priorities.
But discussions between the federal, provincial and city governments reopened in the weeks after that decision and have continued on at least a weekly basis ever since.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long and New Brunswick Minister Responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, Andrea Anderson-Mason. (MP Wayne Long, Facebook)
Saint John–Rothesay MP Wayne Long says the federal government is all set to kick in with as much as 80 per cent of the funding under an enhanced bilateral infrastructure program being offered to provinces.
"I've had productive meetings with the minister, Andrea Anderson–Mason," said Long. "Absolutely positive and productive."
"I want them to pull the trigger."
Long says he's frustrated the province hasn't yet come on board with the project.
Province wants details
Reached Wednesday by CBC, Anderson–Mason would not commit to funding the required provincial share of the infrastructure costs, saying New Brunswick is still waiting for details from Ottawa before signing onto the Integrated Bilateral Agreement that opens the door to the federal funds.
"I want to be able to say we're there, but we still need those details ," said Anderson–Mason.
David Elias, the man leading the development proposal, says he has been asked to present information to the three levels of government on the business case and proposed phases of the project.
"The process seems to be good, the cooperation amongst the parties appears to be good. The feedback that I'm getting is that so far it probably ranks pretty high."
Develop Saint John CEO, Steve Carson says the project is an attractive one for all levels of government.
"We're cautiously optimistic that while we had a really strong and compelling case before COVID, we believe that this really is a project that ticks all the boxes," said Carson.
Carson says a public meeting on the project was being considered for this summer or fall, but may now take place online. No date has been set.
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks my foes may find it strange that I agree with this project and that anyone can see by now that Higgy et al are just playing political games about the money N'esy Pas?
