https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
![]()
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks the leader of the Green Meanies just figured out that Higgy doesn't care what he thinks N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/nb-political-leaders-differ-on-protests.html
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-double-duty-top-civil-servant-conflict-1.5600148
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:53 PM AT
![]()
Tom MacFarlane, deputy minister at the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, was recently named to the same top job at the Department of Environment and Local Government, raising concerns of a conflict in interest. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The top civil servant overseeing provincial forestry and energy policies has been put in charge of the environmental rules that regulate those sectors, raising questions about how he can do both jobs at the same time.
Tom MacFarlane, the deputy minister at the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, was recently named to the same top job at the Department of Environment and Local Government.
"It's terrible," said Green Party Leader David Coon. "He will be in a direct conflict of interest."
Lois Corbett, the executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said MacFarlane has "a breadth of experience" and "I have a lot of respect for him and his can-do abilities."
![]()
Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said the perception of conflict is sometimes just as dangerous as real conflicts. (CBC)
But "with one hat on as energy and resource development deputy, he has a certain economic agenda to fulfill, but as environment deputy he has to protect water, first of all, and clean air, and natural systems," she said.
"I don't understand, no matter how wide the beam is, how you can walk that beam."
Shuffles of deputy ministers are done by Premier Blaine Higgs and are usually announced by the province in press releases, but MacFarlane's was not made public.
It took place when the public's attention was focused on the new COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton area.
MacFarlane replaces Kelli Simmonds, who was moved to the position of chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal.
Environment and Local Government Minister Jeff Carr did not respond to an interview request Friday.
"Glyphosate is probably the most publicly well-known example," Coon said.
"Environment regulates it, they're responsible for the Pesticides Control Act, and they have the authority to not sign permits that would prevent its use on Crown land. And the Department of Natural Resources is fully behind its continued use."
![]()
Green Party Leader David Coon says Tom MacFarlane will be in a direct conflict of interest in his new position. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The environment department also regulates buffer zones around streams, brooks and lakes, a role that Coon said "runs right into" forestry operations under Natural Resources.
"This is the worst decision that could have been made," he said. "I don't know what government was thinking when they decided that pairing those two departments under a single deputy made any sense."
Corbett said New Brunswickers "have to respect our civil service and trust that they have the highest level of professionalism at all times. But what I'm concerned about is that the perception of conflict is sometimes just as dangerous as real conflicts."
"It's a fairly extensive effort to do such a thing," he said.
And in 2017, MacFarlane told the same committee his department still hadn't implemented a recommendation by the auditor general to give private woodlot owners a more reliable share of the wood being sold to major forestry mills.
"I think we're continuing to work on that recommendation," MacFarlane said.
A shrinking share of fibre from private woodlots, and a corresponding larger share from publicly-owned Crown land, contributed to the U.S. government ending an exemption for New Brunswick from softwood lumber duties in 2017.
But Coon said Friday that without changes to legislation, that didn't amount to much.
"There's just been lots of verbiage from the minister on this but no actual meaningful change," he said.
16 Comments
David Amos
Methinks the leader of the Green Meanies just figured out that Higgy doesn't care what he thinks N'esy Pas?
Justin Gunther
I bet Rock n Roll Kevin Cormier's cracking a Friday cold one with a big grin on his face over this story.
Corrie Weatherfield
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
![]()
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks many folks are growing very weary of the orders created by Higgy's beloved Dr. Russell N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/nb-political-leaders-differ-on-protests.html
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-new-brunswick-campbellton-quebec-1.5599901
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:13 PM AT
![]()
Masks made at home should be large enough to cover your mouth and nose, and should have no gaps on the sides, chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell advises. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
New Brunswickers must wear a face covering to enter buildings open to the general public, starting Tuesday, the province has announced.
The state of emergency declaration was revised Friday to require people to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose upon entering buildings, such as stores and restaurants.
"Once inside the building and if you are able to maintain physical distancing of two metres, the mask can be removed," the government clarified in a tweet shortly after 6 p.m., nearly four hours after the news release was issued.
Children under the age of two, children attending licensed early education and child-care facilities, and anyone unable to wear face coverings due to medical issues are exempt from the order.
Up until now, face coverings were only required in locations where keeping a physical distance of six feet, or two metres, was not possible.
"If that's what you have to do to open your doors, I'm OK with that," he said."And I think you'll find that most businesses will be as well. They're going to do what they have to do. It's better than the alternative, right?"
Savage doesn't think the mask requirement will keep customers away either. He said they've been very patient since his shop reopened.
"There are times when we've had to have people waiting outside when we couldn't accommodate them. So, I think most people are really on board with this stuff and really want to do their part."
![]()
Matt Savage, president of Downtown Fredericton Inc., said business owners have gotten used to having to make required adjustments throughout the pandemic. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
If anything, the masks will serve as a "nice reminder that we're not really out of the woods from this thing yet," said Savage.
"It almost feels like we're back to normal to a certain degree, [but] we've had to really remind customers that we're still in this."
Savage, who is also the president of Downtown Fredericton Inc., said businesses will have to plan for the new requirement over the next few days. But he doesn't expect that will be a problem.
"I think you have to be adaptable and you just kind of roll with the punches," he said.
Businesses with any questions should contact WorkSafeNB, the government said.
![]()
People should not wear face masks all the time or for extended periods, chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell said Wednesday. 1:35
New Brunswick recorded no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, and one more recovered patient, as most of the province progressed to next step of the yellow phase of the COVID-19 recovery plan, which involves a further loosening of restrictions.
It comes one day after New Brunswick had its first COVID-19-related death.
New Brunswick has 14 active cases of the respiratory disease, all in the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5.
Four people remain in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
Officials have linked the outbreak, which began on May 21, to a medical professional who travelled to Quebec for personal reasons and returned to work without self-isolating for 14 days.
Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people, and religious services with up to 50 people, including weddings and funerals, are also permitted, indoors or outdoors, with physical distancing.
Residents in long-term care facilities are allowed to have up to two visitors outdoors, with physical distancing, provided the facilities are able to accommodate them.
"Low-contact" team sports are permitted.
In addition, the following businesses are now allowed to open:
![]()
The death of 84-year-old Daniel Ouellette on Thursday marked a 'very sad day for all New Brunswickers,' the chief medical officer of health said. (Submitted by Michel Ouellette)
On Thursday, Daniel Ouellette, 84, a resident at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, who tested positive last Sunday, died at the Campbellton Regional Hospital at 5:10 a.m.
Four other elderly residents and four employees of the long-term care facility have also tested positive. One of the infected health-care workers lives in Quebec and will be counted in that province's statistics.
New Brunswick has recorded 136 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March.
As of Friday, 121 people have recovered.
To date, 32,954 tests have been conducted.
"This temporary relocation will allow Horizon to increase the volume of services while maintaining physical distancing requirements," the regional health authority said in a statement.
Horizon will contact patients with scheduled appointments for basic ECG exams, Holter device monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to provide further information.
Patients who arrive without an appointment will be asked to return home and contact their health-care provider, it said.
![]()
The Moncton Coliseum, which has served as a COVID-19 assessment centre, will now also be used for ECG exams, the Horizon Health Network announced on Friday. (HorizonHealthNB/Twitter)
Patients should attend their appointment alone, unless they require assistance, in which case one support person will be allowed, and should arrive no more than 15 minutes early, or they may be asked to wait in their vehicle.
Upon arrival, they'll be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, asked to clean their hands and to don a mask.
Those who have a mask are asked to bring their own, but one will be provided for anyone who doesn't have one.
"If you do not wear a mask you will be asked to return home and contact your health care provider," Horizon said.
Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with two of those symptoms are asked to:
143 Comments
David Amos
Methinks many folks are growing very weary of the orders created by Higgy's beloved Dr. Russell N'esy Pas?
Janice small
I'm not wearing a mask... We live in the safest place in North America,,, Jen and Higgs you are pushing your good fortune by telling us to wear a mask in public places... I will face a judge and media today over this... I'm not allowing you Mr Higgs to forced me to wear a mask...DONT PUSH YOUR GOOD FURTUNE BLAINE..
David Amos
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
![]()
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks many media people and some other folks must recall the last thing the leader of the KISS Party said the only time he was permitted to debate the other party leaders N'esy Pas? Need I say BS???
youtube.com/watch?v=FeKGnP
CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:29 PM AT
![]()
More than 350 people gathered to hear organizers speak and chant slogans like 'black lives matter' and 'no justice, no peace' at a protest in Moncton. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
12 Comments
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks the leader of the Green Meanies just figured out that Higgy doesn't care what he thinks N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/nb-political-leaders-differ-on-protests.html
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-double-duty-top-civil-servant-conflict-1.5600148
Double duty for top civil servant a clear conflict of interest, critics say
Tom MacFarlane's new appointment to Department of Environment and Local Government not announced publicly
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:53 PM AT
Tom MacFarlane, deputy minister at the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, was recently named to the same top job at the Department of Environment and Local Government, raising concerns of a conflict in interest. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The top civil servant overseeing provincial forestry and energy policies has been put in charge of the environmental rules that regulate those sectors, raising questions about how he can do both jobs at the same time.
Tom MacFarlane, the deputy minister at the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, was recently named to the same top job at the Department of Environment and Local Government.
"It's terrible," said Green Party Leader David Coon. "He will be in a direct conflict of interest."
Lois Corbett, the executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said MacFarlane has "a breadth of experience" and "I have a lot of respect for him and his can-do abilities."
Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said the perception of conflict is sometimes just as dangerous as real conflicts. (CBC)
But "with one hat on as energy and resource development deputy, he has a certain economic agenda to fulfill, but as environment deputy he has to protect water, first of all, and clean air, and natural systems," she said.
"I don't understand, no matter how wide the beam is, how you can walk that beam."
Appointment not made public
MacFarlane's new appointment was approved by the provincial cabinet May 26 and took effect two days later. The cabinet order makes no mention of it being an acting or interim appointment.Shuffles of deputy ministers are done by Premier Blaine Higgs and are usually announced by the province in press releases, but MacFarlane's was not made public.
It took place when the public's attention was focused on the new COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton area.
MacFarlane replaces Kelli Simmonds, who was moved to the position of chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal.
Environment and Local Government Minister Jeff Carr did not respond to an interview request Friday.
'Worst decision that could have been made'
Coon said by holding two top bureaucratic jobs at once, MacFarlane is in the difficult position of having to decide in one department whether to restrict or ban activities promoted by his other department."Glyphosate is probably the most publicly well-known example," Coon said.
"Environment regulates it, they're responsible for the Pesticides Control Act, and they have the authority to not sign permits that would prevent its use on Crown land. And the Department of Natural Resources is fully behind its continued use."
Green Party Leader David Coon says Tom MacFarlane will be in a direct conflict of interest in his new position. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The environment department also regulates buffer zones around streams, brooks and lakes, a role that Coon said "runs right into" forestry operations under Natural Resources.
"This is the worst decision that could have been made," he said. "I don't know what government was thinking when they decided that pairing those two departments under a single deputy made any sense."
Corbett said New Brunswickers "have to respect our civil service and trust that they have the highest level of professionalism at all times. But what I'm concerned about is that the perception of conflict is sometimes just as dangerous as real conflicts."
No meaningful change
Earlier this year at the first hearings by a legislative committee on climate change, MacFarlane acknowledged there was still no strategy to meet emissions targets in the energy sector, three years after the provincial climate plan called for one."It's a fairly extensive effort to do such a thing," he said.
Last fall, MacFarlane told the legislature's public accounts committee the department had "very little input" into NB Power's partnership with Joi Scientific because the department lacked the expertise to assess the company's hydrogen technology.
And in 2017, MacFarlane told the same committee his department still hadn't implemented a recommendation by the auditor general to give private woodlot owners a more reliable share of the wood being sold to major forestry mills.
"I think we're continuing to work on that recommendation," MacFarlane said.
A shrinking share of fibre from private woodlots, and a corresponding larger share from publicly-owned Crown land, contributed to the U.S. government ending an exemption for New Brunswick from softwood lumber duties in 2017.
Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland announced last December that woodlots would get to sell more, while wood from Crown land would remain at the same level over the next five years.
But Coon said Friday that without changes to legislation, that didn't amount to much.
"There's just been lots of verbiage from the minister on this but no actual meaningful change," he said.
16 Comments
David Amos
Methinks the leader of the Green Meanies just figured out that Higgy doesn't care what he thinks N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: No one cares what he thinks
Justin Gunther
I bet Rock n Roll Kevin Cormier's cracking a Friday cold one with a big grin on his face over this story.
Corrie Weatherfield
Reply to @Justin Gunther: why did they not just give the library job to this guy as well ? Save us $100,000 +
David Amos
Reply to @Justin Gunther: I will throw my two bits in your corner
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks many folks are growing very weary of the orders created by Higgy's beloved Dr. Russell N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/nb-political-leaders-differ-on-protests.html
#nbpoli#cdnpoli
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-new-brunswick-campbellton-quebec-1.5599901
Face coverings mandatory to enter public buildings starting Tuesday
No new cases of COVID-19, 1 more person has recovered
· CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:13 PM AT
Masks made at home should be large enough to cover your mouth and nose, and should have no gaps on the sides, chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell advises. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
New Brunswickers must wear a face covering to enter buildings open to the general public, starting Tuesday, the province has announced.
The state of emergency declaration was revised Friday to require people to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose upon entering buildings, such as stores and restaurants.
"Once inside the building and if you are able to maintain physical distancing of two metres, the mask can be removed," the government clarified in a tweet shortly after 6 p.m., nearly four hours after the news release was issued.
Children under the age of two, children attending licensed early education and child-care facilities, and anyone unable to wear face coverings due to medical issues are exempt from the order.
Up until now, face coverings were only required in locations where keeping a physical distance of six feet, or two metres, was not possible.
Small price to pay
Matt Savage, who owns Savage's Bicycle Centre in Fredericton, said the new rule is a small price to pay to be able to operate his store."If that's what you have to do to open your doors, I'm OK with that," he said."And I think you'll find that most businesses will be as well. They're going to do what they have to do. It's better than the alternative, right?"
Savage doesn't think the mask requirement will keep customers away either. He said they've been very patient since his shop reopened.
"There are times when we've had to have people waiting outside when we couldn't accommodate them. So, I think most people are really on board with this stuff and really want to do their part."
Matt Savage, president of Downtown Fredericton Inc., said business owners have gotten used to having to make required adjustments throughout the pandemic. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
If anything, the masks will serve as a "nice reminder that we're not really out of the woods from this thing yet," said Savage.
"It almost feels like we're back to normal to a certain degree, [but] we've had to really remind customers that we're still in this."
Savage, who is also the president of Downtown Fredericton Inc., said businesses will have to plan for the new requirement over the next few days. But he doesn't expect that will be a problem.
"I think you have to be adaptable and you just kind of roll with the punches," he said.
Businesses with any questions should contact WorkSafeNB, the government said.
People should not wear face masks all the time or for extended periods, chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell said Wednesday. 1:35
New Brunswick recorded no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, and one more recovered patient, as most of the province progressed to next step of the yellow phase of the COVID-19 recovery plan, which involves a further loosening of restrictions.
It comes one day after New Brunswick had its first COVID-19-related death.
New Brunswick has 14 active cases of the respiratory disease, all in the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5.
Four people remain in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
Officials have linked the outbreak, which began on May 21, to a medical professional who travelled to Quebec for personal reasons and returned to work without self-isolating for 14 days.
Eased restrictions
Effective Friday, indoor gatherings of up to 10 people in private homes are permitted across the province, except for the Campbellton region, which remains under the stricter orange phase of recovery.Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people, and religious services with up to 50 people, including weddings and funerals, are also permitted, indoors or outdoors, with physical distancing.
Residents in long-term care facilities are allowed to have up to two visitors outdoors, with physical distancing, provided the facilities are able to accommodate them.
"Low-contact" team sports are permitted.
In addition, the following businesses are now allowed to open:
- Swimming pools, saunas and waterparks, with a limit of 50 people in each activity area.
- Gyms, yoga and dance studios.
- Rinks and indoor recreational facilities, with a limit of 50 people in each activity area, and limit of 50 spectators.
- Pool halls and bowling alleys.
The death of 84-year-old Daniel Ouellette on Thursday marked a 'very sad day for all New Brunswickers,' the chief medical officer of health said. (Submitted by Michel Ouellette)
On Thursday, Daniel Ouellette, 84, a resident at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, who tested positive last Sunday, died at the Campbellton Regional Hospital at 5:10 a.m.
Four other elderly residents and four employees of the long-term care facility have also tested positive. One of the infected health-care workers lives in Quebec and will be counted in that province's statistics.
New Brunswick has recorded 136 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March.
As of Friday, 121 people have recovered.
To date, 32,954 tests have been conducted.
ECGs at Moncton Coliseum
Beginning Monday, all scheduled outpatient ECG exams at the Moncton Hospital will be temporarily relocated to the Moncton Coliseum, at 377 Killam Dr., the Horizon Health Network announced on Friday."This temporary relocation will allow Horizon to increase the volume of services while maintaining physical distancing requirements," the regional health authority said in a statement.
Horizon will contact patients with scheduled appointments for basic ECG exams, Holter device monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to provide further information.
Patients who arrive without an appointment will be asked to return home and contact their health-care provider, it said.
The Moncton Coliseum, which has served as a COVID-19 assessment centre, will now also be used for ECG exams, the Horizon Health Network announced on Friday. (HorizonHealthNB/Twitter)
Patients should attend their appointment alone, unless they require assistance, in which case one support person will be allowed, and should arrive no more than 15 minutes early, or they may be asked to wait in their vehicle.
Upon arrival, they'll be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, asked to clean their hands and to don a mask.
Those who have a mask are asked to bring their own, but one will be provided for anyone who doesn't have one.
"If you do not wear a mask you will be asked to return home and contact your health care provider," Horizon said.
What to do if you have symptoms
People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment on the government website at gnb.ca.Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with two of those symptoms are asked to:
- Stay at home.
- Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions.
With files from Gary Moore
143 Comments
David Amos
Methinks many folks are growing very weary of the orders created by Higgy's beloved Dr. Russell N'esy Pas?
Janice small
I'm not wearing a mask... We live in the safest place in North America,,, Jen and Higgs you are pushing your good fortune by telling us to wear a mask in public places... I will face a judge and media today over this... I'm not allowing you Mr Higgs to forced me to wear a mask...DONT PUSH YOUR GOOD FURTUNE BLAINE..
David Amos
Reply to @Janice small: I second that emotion
Alex Stevens
Reply to @Janice small: What they'll do is threaten stores with fines if the store does not comply and force people to wear a mask to enter. I foresee a lot of not very nice scenes at stores..
Alex Stevens
Take your masks and shove 'em, I'm not doing this no more!
David Amos
Reply to @Alex Stevens: Methinks its High Time to reject this nonsense N'esy Pas?
Matt Steele
So who is Premier Higgs going to get to enforce this mask wearing rule . Is he going to hire another 10,000 wanna be cop rejects like he has trying to enforce border entrance rules . This is really turning into a massive clown show with Higgs and his Chief Medical Officer as the ringmasters . I suspect that Higgs will take Kris Austin and the Peoples Alliance down with him at election time for supporting this foolishness .
David Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: Methinks you are beginning to sound like mean old me N'esy Pas?
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks many media people and some other folks must recall the last thing the leader of the KISS Party said the only time he was permitted to debate the other party leaders N'esy Pas? Need I say BS???
youtube.com/watch?v=FeKGnP
N.B. political leaders differ on protests during pandemic
Premier Higgs acknowledges inconsistencies between rules restricting gatherings and allowing protests
CBC News· Posted: Jun 05, 2020 2:29 PM AT
More than 350 people gathered to hear organizers speak and chant slogans like 'black lives matter' and 'no justice, no peace' at a protest in Moncton. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
The New Brunswick premier says there is "inconsistency" between allowing large protests and banning other gatherings under COVID-19 restrictions, but the decision was made not to move in on protesters in order to maintain "balance."
"It's a health risk to the people that participated and all would know that," said Premier Blaine Higgs.
"But it's a choice they made."
Higgs said any attempt to move the protesters would "likely lead to more chaos."
That officer has since been charged with second-degree murder and three other officers have also been brought up on charges.
While the protests have drawn hundreds of people, until Friday COVID-19 rules have limited outdoor public gatherings to 10 or less with physical distancing.
This has meant the cancellation of many events, including graduations and proms.
But the province has also allowed protests often during the pandemic, with at least five unrelated protests taking place in Fredericton since restrictions started, including protests against the COVID-19 restrictions and mandatory vaccination legislation.
Be he said others have had their rights put on pause, including the right to worship.
"Churches have been limited and shuttered for quite some time," said Austin.
"I do think the rules should apply evenly across the board."
Green Party Leader David Coon said it was important the protest go ahead.
"The right to assemble and demonstrate in a democracy is sacred and it's very difficult to say, 'That's not happening,'" said Coon.
"For the vast majority of people who participated in these demonstrations were wearing facemasks, which is really important."
LIberal Leader Kevin VIckers wouldn't comment on if there was any inconsistency between the rules and the protest, but he said he did feel precautions were taken by the protesters.
"There were well over 50 people there for sure, possibly a couple of hundred," said Vickers.
"Social distancing I would say for the most part was more than being respected."
"It's a health risk to the people that participated and all would know that," said Premier Blaine Higgs.
"But it's a choice they made."
Higgs said any attempt to move the protesters would "likely lead to more chaos."
This week the province saw several large protests against anti-black racism spurred by the murder of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who was killed after a police officer put his knee on his neck for almost nine minutes.
That officer has since been charged with second-degree murder and three other officers have also been brought up on charges.
While the protests have drawn hundreds of people, until Friday COVID-19 rules have limited outdoor public gatherings to 10 or less with physical distancing.
This has meant the cancellation of many events, including graduations and proms.
But the province has also allowed protests often during the pandemic, with at least five unrelated protests taking place in Fredericton since restrictions started, including protests against the COVID-19 restrictions and mandatory vaccination legislation.
Opposition weighs in
People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin said he does see an inconsistency between the rules and the protests, but he supports an individual's right to protest.Be he said others have had their rights put on pause, including the right to worship.
"Churches have been limited and shuttered for quite some time," said Austin.
"I do think the rules should apply evenly across the board."
Information Morning - Fredericton
Covid all-party task force - June 5
New Brunswick has reported its first death from COVID-19. What are the implications as we head into the next phase of recovery? Premier Blaine Higgs, Liberal leader Kevin Vickers, Green Party leader David Coon, and Kris Austin leader of the People's Alliance make up the task force. 21:43
Green Party Leader David Coon said it was important the protest go ahead.
"The right to assemble and demonstrate in a democracy is sacred and it's very difficult to say, 'That's not happening,'" said Coon.
"For the vast majority of people who participated in these demonstrations were wearing facemasks, which is really important."
LIberal Leader Kevin VIckers wouldn't comment on if there was any inconsistency between the rules and the protest, but he said he did feel precautions were taken by the protesters.
"There were well over 50 people there for sure, possibly a couple of hundred," said Vickers.
"Social distancing I would say for the most part was more than being respected."
With files from Information Morning Fredericton
12 Comments
David Amos
2018 New Brunswick Provincial Election Leaders Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeKGnP1ueWg
Content disabled
Deja Vu Anyone??? 2018 New Brunswick Provincial Election Leaders Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeKGnP1ueWg
David Amos
Methinks many media people and some other folks must recall the last thing the leader of the KISS Party said the only time he was permitted to debate the other party leaders N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Need i say BS???