'Negative' news coverage of affordability payments makes Higgs wonder why he bothered at all
N.B. premier says payments should have been seen as a 'good news story'
With all the negativity surrounding the $300 "affordability payments," Premier Blaine Higgs is now wondering why he even bothered with the program.
He said the $75-million affordability measure "should be seen as a good news story."
"And if we're going to continue to kind of pick it apart to find who it did include and who it didn't include, and why did we do this, in my position you almost go back and say, 'Wow, with this much negativity around it, why did we do it to begin with?'"
His complaints over negative coverage of his affordability payments came during an interview with Information Morning Fredericton, where he also said that his office did not sign off on travel nurse contracts during the pandemic that saw some nurses paid as much as $300 an hour. He said he's called for an investigation into it.
Higgs also continued to refuse to say if he will call an early election, following the chief electoral officer saying that his election call musings in the fall cost taxpayers $1.7 million.
Affordability payment fallout
He said it's unfortunate that his affordability payments have received such adverse reactions. He did admit that communication could have been better.
They came with a requirement that recipients must be "working," which eliminated retirees. Higgs said seniors have already benefited from other affordability measures, such as increased benefits and social assistance rates.
"And now we take this abuse that we missed these groups. In fact, the group we had missed is the working poor," Higgs said, alluding to the group now targeted.
"The point is it's going to be helpful, it's a positive injection into a family income, and I guess it should be seen as that, not about how many issues we can find fault with that," he said.
When asked if the payments were contingent on positive coverage, Higgs said no.
"What's the issue is with how much effort is placed in trying to find a negative aspect of it. That's what is kind of surprising, in how hard the media is trying to make it a negative story."
Higgs calls for investigation into travel nurse spending
Higgs also called for an auditor general's investigation into Horizon and Vitalité's spending on travel nurses, saying the government needs to be prudent in spending to get the best value for taxpayers.
"And this is a situation where it seems like we could have got better value," he said.
Last week, deputy health minister Eric Beaulieu was questioned before a legislative committee about the province's reliance on travel nurses.
Private agencies, such as Toronto-based Canadian Health Labs, charged more than $300 an hour — roughly six times what local nurses earn.
Higgs called for an investigation into the cost of travel nurses during the pandemic that saw some paid more than $300 an hour. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
Higgs said the rate was "surprising," and that he did not know about it before the report came out. He said not every contract comes through the premier's office, but this one should have come back through the Health Department or regional health authority boards.
"You just can't have any amount of money spent and just say, 'Well, it's all for better health care' without understanding how much better health care do you actually get for that money being spent," Higgs said.
Both the New Brunswick Nurses Union and the Canadian Federation of Nurses have called for an investigation by the province's auditor general, and Higgs says he agrees.
When asked why the province hadn't spent the money on retention bonuses for local staff, Higgs said it's a "different objective," because New Brunswick was short-staffed during the pandemic.
He said the province has "spent huge dollars on recruitment," giving new hires a $10,000 bonus and hiring about 1,100 new nurses since 2018. Higgs said New Brunswick is at a "net positive," having hired more nurses than have retired or quit.
Of the two provincial health authorities, Horizon can stop using travel nurses by the end of March, but Vitalité has some contracts through 2026.
In a previous email statement to CBC News, Vitalité president France Desrosiers acknowledged that the costs "represent a significant financial burden for our residents" and that they create inequality among staff.
But she went on to say that the decision was unavoidable due to staffing pressures during the pandemic and that francophone staffing options were limited.
Budget surplus was 'unpredictable,' says Higgs
Higgs also spoke about the province's budget surplus, attributing it to "unpredictable" revenue from HST rebates due to a growing population and discretionary funding that results in more sales taxes than expected for the government.
Higgs said the main areas of focus for the extra money are health, homelessness and housing.
Higgs coy on election call
Higgs was also asked if he was going to call an early election or hold off until the scheduled date in October.
"That's a good question. Do you think we should be?" Higgs responded.
"There's still some challenges within my group, but I'm hopeful that we can continue to manage government and the province can continue to benefit from that management."
Kim
Poffenroth, New Brunswick's chief electoral officer, said the premier's
election speculation in the fall cost taxpayers $1.7 million. (Sam Farley/CBC)
Higgs was asked again if he would make a firm decision soon, given how much his elections musing cost taxpayers last fall.
"Well, we know that the date for an election is next fall. So I don't know why anyone's asking for a different decision," Higgs said.
He defended his musings last fall by saying that it's the job of Elections New Brunswick to be prepared for an election.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Fredericton
Higgs wishes we were more like Alabama. BIG plans for us.
Just out of curiosity, was anyone able to successfully get the Remote Satellite Internet Rebate that was announced? I live pretty rurally and haven't heard of anyone that was successful. Another failure by the Higgs government.
Provincial Conservatives argue that helping people out with money is a good thing while Federal Conservatives say helping out fuels further inflation.
Can these people even get their story straight?
Quit with the subsidies, payments, and constant cheques. Just lower taxes for working people.
"Higgs calls for investigation into travel nurse spending"
We'll spend more money on figuring out $300 an hour is more than $60 an hour than they were going to give out with the affordability payments.
Funny how so many don't want those who pay for all the previous programs rolled out to finally get a break . As a Senior I've not received anything from any of the programs that have been rolled out , and won't from this program . I'm a little above the 70 thousand household program but I'm not gonna whine about it .
Higgs put out a blanket statement in the initial announcement, changed the parameters on the qualifications and blames the media for negativity. Oh, and he still treats long term disabled as people not needing his attention. Pretty sad to hear his ramblings..
A net family income of less than $70,000 but more than $3000 is required to be eligible to claim. The question remains, how do they determine who gets the $300? Should it be prorated? $1 earning $70k, $300 for the $3k? The application form does not say too much.
Most people underdstand who gets it . It's not that hard to understand .
Higgs makes it all about himself. He forgets that he serves the residents of this province
He's a big rich baby. The world revolves around him.
Perhaps he should have been asked about the Liberals plan to have grade 10 school students to vote . Not taxpayers , but being given the power to make decisions for those who are . Appears to be getting votes anyway they can . Or about backtracking on banning glyphosate ? These were both outcomes of the Liberal " think session " on the weekend .
The PCNB age to vote at their meetings for members is age 14
Lou don't assume that everyone that despises Higgs is liberal or green.
There are some older people who don't understand issues either, should they not vote. If person A pays more taxes than person B should their vote count for more?
Careful. Don't want to blow Lou's mind.
He acts like its a tip at a restaurant. $300 buys a cart of groceries for a big family. You are not a hero Mr. Higgs, you are a rich cheapskate and you know it. That's why you are so defensive about the criticism. Hopefully he doesn't change his mind and withdraw the offer of a tip like a true Karen. Every penny counts when a bag of groceries costs $40.
Try 75.00 per bag
I only can afford half bags of the cheap stuff. But a full bag can be $100 easily.
like most conservative policy it looks good from far
Does he know we are paying his salary?
Why the Most Successful Leaders Don't Play the Victim Card.
Leadership requires a mindset that focuses on taking ownership, responsibility, and accountability for one's actions and outcomes. The best leaders understand that dwelling on a victim mentality can hinder personal growth, hinder organizational progress, and impede the ability to inspire and guide others effectively.
Much like the Liberals and Greens do . That's why he's paid over 2 billion on our debt , placed hundreds of future Healthcare workers in training , unlike the liberals who paid for New Nurse trainees , just didn't get any due to lack of due dilligence . That 2 and a half billion on the debt will save NBers hundreds of millions of dollars annually to pay for all the new programs he's rolling out . Not his fault the Liberals and Greens can't understand how he does it .
I'm not liberal or green. I'm PC with a crappy leader.
Well it's no wonder Higgs doesn't respond to the media many times . His responses are given a negative spin be it good news or bad news . He doesn't trust the media , especially our publicly owned media and they certainly can't be trusted to just report the news and not " manufacture it . Much like the announcment of the 300 dollar bonus . The left complained it wasn't enough , then it was too long coming out , then after the announcement they would bring it out earlier they complained again . Don't really know if they're coming or going .
These are Higgs' exact words. No misreporting here.
"Well, we know that the date for an election is next fall. So I don't know why anyone's asking for a different decision," Higgs said.
"And if we're going to continue to kind of pick it apart to find who it did include and who it didn't include, and why did we do this, in my position you almost go back and say, 'Wow, with this much negativity around it, why did we do it to begin with?'"
Wow, didn't this that comment coming.
Yeah Higgs shouldn't talk to media at all. It's better for the citizens of New Brunswick not to know. Heck, and Higgs too considering he only learned about travel nurses and their contracts from media. Best to avoid having anyone knowing about such things, even himself.
And he's exactly right . Like the Nurses who stated they were overworked . He brought in temporay help and they complained they didn't need help . Just like this program . People complained they needed such , then when he brought it out all he got was negaitive feedback , all from the left of course .
No news is better than false news . " Nuff said .
Have you figured out most businesses lease rather than buy yet ??
And Lou didn't mention the francophone games.........not yet.
But he's doing a new conference today. He can't help himself.
news conference
Have you figured out thar lease or rent payments are not tax write-offs yet?
Higgs wonders why they did it. If you don't want to do your job, maybe it's time for you to retire. Playing the victim is not a good look.
Mr. Higgs can say whatever he wants. But what he actually did, was find the best way to give the least amount of benefits. The money is OURS. not his!! Seniors, probably more than anyone else, need that benefit. i hope Mr. Higgs is not counting on being re-elected. We have a huge, poor, senior population in NB. And i don't call $70,000 a year the 'working poor'. Compare that to what seniors get.
The seniors who need extra money get extra money . I'm a senior and haven't qualified for any of the programs . None of the Senior programs , and not this program . I actually prepared for retirement , no company or government pension , just hard work , but it didn't include needing a plan pay for the retirement of others .
It really should have been more targeted, so that the elderly on CPP and OIC only could qualify, the disabled, etc. - the people who need it most. To address the working poor, he could simply raise minimum wage.
Minimum wage is increasing . Didn't you know that ? April 1st I believe . And the seniors who need it have gotten most all of the programs available . Don't ye think it's time those who actually pay for many of those programs should get a break ?
They have already boasted the minimum wage will increase from $14.75 to $15.30 per hour on April 1. As if that will cost the government anything at all.
Perhaps voters shouldn’t bother to turn out next time? Higgs is not just a Clash fan, but a Nirvana one as well. Hey! Wait! I’ve got a new complaint.
Its the poor that need it.
Cancel the hand our and give it to Spca.
Listening to him talk this morning about Travel nurses. You fire the boards, then go out and clearly mismanage funds by paying travel nurses 2 different wages??? FRAUD....the elected board members aren't there anymore. But the unelected, crooked new board is. So taxpayers, you have a crooked health board. CBC, why are you so soft on attending the fake board meetings? Do you ever attend? Have you ever attended their meetings?? What do they do?
Isn't Fitch the minister responsible for health?
Higgs' ministers have no control. Everyone knows that.
Ungrateful peasants!!!!!
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
Oh dear
why would a person making 70.000 $ a year need a 300$ check i mean where is the logic ? that's why a lot of people are upset .
Everyone could use $300.
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Hmmm
Jeff Carr isn't running again. Higgs will have a full slate of social conservative religious zealots lined up for the next election.
That's his plan. His go for broke tactic.
He has no plan He is following Mr Outhouse's orders
true
Hmm, its almost like he doesn't care about the people at all and this is just a massive, publicly subsidized ego trip and when he doesn't get what he wants he lashes out.
Who could've seen that coming??
People are to self entitled and lack personal pride.
A famous liberal politician/lawyer claimed that he was entitled to his entitlements correct?
King Higgs of Irving the Benevolent is not pleased
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You will name it and praise as I tell you
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But I paid for adulation with the dribble down scraps of the corporate welfare table, you owe me.
Yosemite Sam paid his 2 bits to see a high diving act long ago and clearly we have as well
Because the working poor are exactly who the rich political donor classes see as being useful to them. Economy is built upon the concept of utility to ideologues. Utility is what is said to provide value. Who are the working slaves in our society that allow for the profit equations to work? They are these people who struggle to feed and house themselves. You give a token subsidy with the belief that the symbolic act SHOULD give you positive press with everyone and send a message about who is valued by the capitalists running our socialist project (into to the ground?). That is how the use of money to alter perceptions is imagined to work. It gives no weigh to the fact that a great many see this sort of psychological game as self serving and divisive. To this man the masses are just takers who can't reason like businessmen much at all. In Higgs' estimation they should be trained to want less and rewarded only for their loyalty. Why bother "give" any of them anything is what we can read into this? There is no understanding of who the stakeholders of society are. The point of our social project is to put a floor of well being under everyone at a cost to those who have the profits that capitalism allow so efficiently.
Perhaps you should consider running for the NDP I know of a riding you could win in
Giving money away that they don’t have, is basically a cash advance on the provinces credit card.
There has been quite a bit of money that has come from the feds.
Giving $ away with all of the strings attached is liberal policy. #uni-party
Higgs doesn't understand why the public is upset about his vote buying tactic disguised as a goodwill gesture didn't work. Probably because he thinks he is smarter than everyone else including his MLAs.
It looks like Higgs is sitting in the back of the campaign bus. It looks like the bus is being driven by Outhouse who is taking directions from Faytene and Williams.
And Joe Isuzu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR361ASrMew
Oh I forgot about that
Have you talked to Mr Outhouse recently? I did as soon as he came to NB
No, but he keeps me up to date with the emails
He don't call he don't write he don't love me
I think Higgs' big mistake was establishing the 'barrier' too high. The average salary in NB is about $46,000. Choosing to give the money to everyone earning less than $70,000 may make sense to a Premier who earns well above that and who has previously enjoyed a high paying career in private industry. For others, it is ludicrous.
For sure.
A beater used to be a $1500 car. Now it's a $10-12K car.
The official wording is, "... had family net income of $70,000 or less for that taxation year". It's not based on an individuals income. The family income of the average dual income family would be $46,000 x 2
Strangely enough it is net income so it would be around $100k or maybe more.
You know things are bad when $100k income is considered low income.
A single person family....one individual...still gets $70,000 which is far from the 'working poor' classification Higgs mentions.
Ask yourself why that is after you check the real estate prices and new car cost etc
Just shrink gov and cut taxes, imo.
I concur
Interesting that Higgs seems to think the main purpose of the payments was to win him a good news story, not to help working NB households.
Go Figure
If he can't have his way, it should not be done at all. Sounds like a child.
Exactly
I don't understand this uproar about traveling nurses. There will always be places that need them as not all want to live in certain towns.
It's the huge cost of using them.
The uproar is that we're using a lot more of them now. It used to be that nurses who were just starting out would take jobs in less desirable locations in order to get experience. Now we have a shortage of nurses, so new graduates can pick and choose.
Yes but it fits the rules, things that are in short supply cost more.
Good point and its the governments fault that they are in high demand
I wonder if he'll take Faytene's advice next time and just give it to her church to distribute.
Amen
Hallelujah and pass the plate
Everybody loves riding on Higgy's Gravy Train
Someone call the Wambulance, Higgs is flailing again.
Welcome back to the circus
Hey Higgs working class here I applaud your move here and thank you for recognizing us working class. Even though I'm not eligible for this because my income is higher. I'm glad that person working in lower paid jobs will get something back. Thank you Higgs good job on this one.
I also appreciated our Premier giving us a break on licence plate renewal. These days every dollar counts and it's sad to see how many don't appreciate the little gifts.
I agree that those working in lower paid jobs should receive this money...lower paying jobs in this province do not include those earning anywhere near $70,000 annually.
It is the right amount 2 people working minimum wage jobs are under 70k and they will get this and they deserve to get this.
I won't argue that each individual earning less than a certain amount should be eligible. My issue is with single people earning $70,000. That person can hardly qualify as 'the working poor'.
I mean what did he expect? Maybe he is further out of touch with the pulse of NB than anyone thought. He disqualifies some groups, some of which are the ones who could really use it. Has to make it so people have to apply for it in the hopes some people won't so that they can save from paying it out. They can easily access the taxes and see who qualifies and pay it out to them. And I think it's the biggest issue of all, it's only $300, once. That means that a person/family/househould/whatever they are, who can't make ends meet now or live paycheck to paycheck will be able to get by for 1 month before they are right back falling deeper into the hole. Sorry Higgs but it's time for you to go.
People falling behind is hardly exclusive to NB. It's almost like there is something at the federal level that is contributing (not fully causing) this race to the bottom. This particular group gets passed over on a lot of the other programs both federally and provincially so least he is doing something. We are finally in a place in NB to be able to do this because of the good fiscal management.
Higgy is all about Higgy
Not spending money is good fiscal management?
"so least he is doing something. We are finally in a place in NB to be able to do this because of the good fiscal management." He really isn't doing anything and the fact so many people are complaining shows that this miniscule gesture he is providing to some NB'ers proves that. A one time $300 payment doesn't do very much to the people who actually need it. Also the reason he can do this is simply because he hoards federally money rather than use it as it was intended to be used. Why else do you think he doesn't like municipalities dealing directly with Ottawa over housing funds? He doesn't like the fact he doesn't get his mitts on the money first so he can pilfer some of it away. Higgs has brainwashed anyone who supports him and his time as Premier is short lived
"Higgs was also asked if he was going to call an early election or hold off until the scheduled date in October.
"That's a good question. Do you think we should be?" Higgs responded."
???
Well the PCs just lost another Mr Carr
Jeff Carr isn’t running again?
His letter went out this morning. It's on twitter.
And there's going to be more coming
Ok thanks for the update.😊 so Wetmore is retiring, Carr isn’t running, Arlene isn’t running.
Crossman is retiring too. I bet we see a few more not re-offer over the next few months.
This is going to be interesting. Who is going to be on the big baby blue bus and who will be driving the bus? Higgs has until October to get a full complement of candidates, which may be challenging as voters start vacationing in June.
I think Higgs thinks he is so amazing that he already has the election won. What I'm surprised about is how PCNB doesn't see how Higgs is sinking the party.
Nope
Fitch is quitting too along with Holland
Trust that Mr Outhouse has things in hand
That’s right! So 7 MLAs not running for various reasons that we know of so far.
And more.
haha
Good point
Use tax money to improve the quality of life for citizens? Conservatives don't often do that kind of thing.
Let no good deed go unpunished.
I haven't seen too much help for some from the Liberals either. In fact it's because of the Liberals that most need extra help.
You mean use debt. There is no money
Bingo
Higgs needs a lesson on communication. Say what you mean and mean what you say. No one is a mind reader. Politicians need to stop looking for quick sound bites on the news. Voters are very busy looking for ways to pay their bills they don’t have time to analyze the enigma of politicians.
He said what he meant and then claimed he had massive support for it when thousands of emails turned out to be two.
Right?
Right! All politicians need a lesson in communication skills including Higgs.
Have you ever listened to anything I said?
I do
My hat is off to you
Most people dislike him, so I don;t know why he bothered to get into politics.
Because most people dislike him so he went for a job where he can get in with a plurality of support from those who do.
Most of his caucus don't like him either but they love the money and the perks
He did this to continue to divide people...rarely does he not cause some kind of controversy
1/4 of children in SJ live in poverty. He does such good work.
Higgs thinks he is being abused?
I know I am showing no mercy to Higgy et al
I totally agree. He should have given it to Irving as he normally does.
Surely you jest
Irving Oil announces more leadership changes as president steps down
Ian Whitcomb's departure comes amid ongoing strategic review of company's future
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon · CBC News · Posted: Feb 26, 2024 2:51 PM AST
"Premier Blaine Higgs, a former Irving Oil executive, has previously suggested that the federal carbon tax and clean fuel standards were among the reasons the family was exploring selling all or part of the company. Company spokesperson Katherine d'Entremont could not immediately be reached for comment."
She lots to say when she worked for GNB
I wish the interviewer had asked him why he is trying to move his party to the US model with his touting his American style christian fundamental candidate near Saint John.
Dream on
Higgs says "communication could have been better". Perhaps if he hadn't chosen a campaign manager with a shrine to Joe Isuzu, they would have been.
Claiming the affordability measure will aid up to 265K families in a province that had 227K families in the last census doesn't help much with credibility issues. But boy, does that number sound impressive to people who don't bother checking.
As much as I dislike Higgs, he is correct, seniors already have a number of benefits designed to help them that the rest of the residents are not eligible for.
sorry....not me......a homeless person with no income doesnt get it but a person making 3000 to 70000 gets it........tell me where are you helping the poor
Try again Dan, those with no income get social assistance for which there were top ups. Now if your are concerned for those that fall thru the cracks that is fair. But that is not all homeless folks or someone living in a shelter or a room that is on social assistance.
So, I guess giving $300 to a single person earning $70,000 per year so he/she can go buy something they don't need is preferable to giving $300 to a single senior who needs to choose between medicine and food when they get their monthly OAS pension?
Sorry, that wasn't the best comparison as those who get the Guaranteed Annual Supplement also get most prescriptions paid for by the government. But, I think my point is still quite clear. The priority should be on the most vulnerable in society. Perhaps it would have been better for Higgs to give the $75 million to food banks instead of the paltry $2 million it contributed.
I have been waiting for years for the senior benefits GNB claims they sent under the Gallant mandate
Good point
Well instead of waiting, file for it. It is a very straightforward process
I did years ago
Nothing he does in the remainder of his term is going to be labelled as a "positive" on this site. This payment should have been good news for many working New Brunswickers who do get bypassed on many of these type of initiatives. Rather than this site offering guidance on how to apply and aid those eligible, they want to divide and stir up controversy where there shouldn't have been any.
JP et al know on what side of the toast the butter is
The latest stats show 27.3 percent of children in Saint John are living in poverty. A
'good news story' would have been diverting the entire $75 million to help fix that problem.
How many seniors live in poverty?
Approximately 11 percent in New Brunswick.
Am I in that tally?
So does Higgs make every decision thinking "How will this make me look?".
Good to have your priorities in line there.
It's time for a change, and the sooner the better.
I second that emtion
The 'good news story' would have been giving the $75 million in 'affordability' payments to those who need the boost. I keep trying to get my head around the notion that a single person earning $70,000 is being given a $300 gift when an 83 year old woman I know who gets well under $20,000 in old age security and guaranteed supplement gets nothing. I get that the government has already provided 'affordability' payments to seniors and has added an extra $200 onto monthly social assistance payments (still pretty much the lowest in Canada). That's not the point. The point is those in need are really in need and could use more than what they've already been given. At the end of the day, when Higgs finally decided to open the coffers (knowing he's soon going to call an election), the money should probably have gone into healthcare. If he wants a 'good news story' he needs to fix that broken system and do more to raise standards in education instead of trying to find ways to pander to everyone in an effort to stay in power himself.
Guess who else gets well under $20,000 in old age security and guaranteed supplement gets nothing