Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north
Premier upbeat about PC chances in the region in last two elections but breakthroughs did not materialize
Premier Blaine Higgs is renewing his push to make electoral gains for his party in northern francophone ridings this fall — the third straight campaign in which he's claimed to be upbeat about his prospects there.
Higgs says he's hopeful that some quality candidates, including a well-known northern mayor, will finally give him a long-awaited breakthrough in the region in the Oct. 21 provincial election.
Normand Pelletier, the mayor of the new town of Heron Bay and the former mayor of Dalhousie, plans to run for the PCs.
Higgs is also bullish on two Madawaska candidates, including Michel Morin, a Haut-Madawaska municipal councillor, and Roger Quimper, a retired business executive.
WATCH |'Growth is everywhere': Higgs on francophone north:
With
a provincial election looming in the fall, Premier Blaine Higgs says
his government hasn’t ignored northern francophone communities.
"These are really pillars within society that are running for us because they see the opportunities in this province and they want to be part of it," Higgs told Radio-Canada in an interview.
But Higgs talked up so-called star candidates in northern and francophone ridings in 2018 and 2020, with meagre results.
Robert Gauvin won Shippagan-Lamèque-Miscou in 2018 but eventually quit cabinet and the PC Party to become a Liberal.
In 2020, Daniel Allain was elected in Moncton East as the only francophone PC MLA but is not running again this year.
Réjean Savoie won Miramichi Bay-Neguac in a 2022 byelection and recently made provincial funding announcements in Edmundston and Saint-Quentin.
The opposition Liberals say they're not taking anything for granted but they believe Higgs's northern and francophone candidates will have a steep hill to climb.
Retired business executive Roger Quimper, seen here in this file photo, is a PC candidate in the Oct. 21 election. (Radio-Canada)
"Whoever's going to run under the Higgs banner, I wish them luck," said Bathurst West-Beresford MLA René Legacy. "It's going to be a challenge.
"People haven't exactly forgotten that we haven't seen Higgs up north for the last four years."
Legacy recently released statistics showing only seven per cent of funding for projects through the Regional Development Corporation.
The government argues it based its decisions on the applications it received, but the Liberals say many worthy proposals from the north were ignored.
"Sometimes it feels like, for lack of a better word, it's a lack of interest," Legacy said.
Higgs said his government has assessed projects on their merits and has been equitable with its funding.
"Around the province, you can go francophone-anglophone," he said, citing $3.5 million for upgrades at the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick in Bathurst and a new nursing home in Champdoré, a francophone community north of Moncton.
"We have looked around the province and worked with the entire province to support it. Growth is everywhere."
'We're not buying votes'
The premier insists those recent announcements are based on merit, not the looming election, and that his government does not favour some regions over others.
"We're not buying votes," he said. "We want to be seen, as I believe we've demonstrated, as a party for the province, not for any one particular group.
"And I know in the past, political pursuits may have been much different than my philosophy, but if I'm not treating anyone fairly, I wanna know about it."
In almost the same breath, however, Higgs declared himself open to being influenced by more francophone and northern MLAs in his government.
"It would be great to have more representatives from the north so that we can have their voices at the table and understand the needs."
'A seat at the table'
In an interview, Morin avoided explaining how he would defend Higgs's record with voters in Madawaska Les Lacs-Edmundston but said he'll argue the riding needs a voice within government.
"It is important that we have a seat at the table," he said.
As mayor of Dalhousie, Pelletier urged Higgs's government to act boldly by amalgamating municipalities to overcome obstacles to regional co-operation — a position that echoed the premier's.
Pelletier did not respond to an email request for an interview about his candidacy.
Legacy says Pelletier is "a good guy" but the exodus of senior PC ministers and MLAs from Higgs's government over the last year should give him pause.
"If you think you can bend your will on Blaine Higgs, good luck. I would tell Norm to look at the history. There's been a lot of strong ministers who've had to back away."
Normand Pelletier, the mayor of the new town of Heron Bay and the former mayor of Dalhousie, plans to run for the PCs. (Bridget Yard/CBC)
While Higgs claims to be hopeful about high-profile PC francophones and northerners this time, he also acknowledges it's not worth devoting maximum effort to some ridings where there's no prospect of victory — such as three won by Liberals in byelections last year.
"If you're planning the next election and you're saying, 'How do I form government?' [and] if you hadn't won a seat in 80 years and the demographic was still the very same as it was or similar, would that be a target?" he said.
In the last poll of New Brunswickers' voting intentions by Narrative Research, taken in May, 39 per cent of respondents in the north said they planned to vote Liberal compared to 24 per cent for the PCs.
Four years ago Higgs dismissed his poor showing in the north and among francophones, saying they didn't have a history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected as a Liberal in those regions.
In fact, the PC Party won many francophone and northern seats under the leadership of premiers Richard Hatfield, Bernard Lord and David Alward.
Higgs told Radio-Canada he could make the same "lampshade" remark about his own party's wins in some southern New Brunswick ridings.
"Some go back and forth. But I could argue that point in many ridings in the province, whether it be a French lampshade or an English lampshade. We could argue they exist."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Alix Villeneuve
78 Comments
Methinks Mr Outhouse has the right to make me eat his hat if Higgy does not have the writ dropped ASAP N'esy Pas?
David Amos
David Amos
A history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected in my neck of the woods
Albalita Rose
I think we all know what motivates the French...
Reply by David Amos.
just now
The same thing that motivates the English
Comment by Mike Barkman.
41 min ago
Higgy wanted to remove French services when he was CoR and get rid of official bilingualism.
A zebra never changes its stripes. The French population in the north won't ever forget that.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
36 min ago
And The Acadian Party wanted to split the province..thankfully neither party brought their plan to fruition
Reply by Mathieu Laperriere.
16 min ago
They do not want to split the province. That is only something an anti-francophone would say.
Comment by Oscar Biasinni.
47 min ago
Parroting Alberta's Danielle Smith divisive rhetoric and chaotic style government should not be reelected. All Canadians need to work together to better our country.
Comment by David Amos.
51 min ago
A history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected in my neck of the woods
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
32 min ago
Spell check does its own thing..s/b various ridings ..various partied..
Comment by David Amos.
53 min ago
"Pelletier did not respond to an email request for an interview about his candidacy."
He never does nor does he return phone calls
Comment by David Amos.
1 hr ago
content deactivated –
Methinks Mr Outhouse has the right to make me eat his hat if Higgy does not have the writ dropped ASAP N'esy Pas?
Comment by David Webb.
1 hr ago
I saw on a Global News broadcast the Ms. Holt has promised to balance the budget and pay down the provincial debt. I don't believe her! If she did the knives would be out fairly quickly, I suspect.
Reply by David Amos.
57 min ago
C'est Vrai
Reply by MR Cain.
23 min ago
How can you not believe a promise is beyond belief. Like, check the crystal ball.
Comment by Graham McCormack.
1 hr ago
Higgs is trying out his new stand up comedy routine.
Reply by David Amos.
58 min ago
Well put
Reply by MR Cain.
23 min ago
not funny anymore
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Keep up the good work and tune out the vocal minority.
Reply by David Amos.
50 min ago
Yea right
Reply by Mike Barkman.
40 min ago
Kim Mitchell doesn't think like you buddy.
Comment by james bolt.
1 hr ago
as long as they don't care about healthcare and education Higgs should be fine
Reply by David Amos.
50 min ago
True
Comment by Conrad Tanker.
2 hrs ago
Premier Higgs has this . A historic majority delivered by the people of New Brunswick.
Reply by David Amos.
57 min ago
Surely you jest
Reply by Graham McCormack.
58 min ago
LOL
Reply by MR Cain.
21 min ago
Never had a majority at all; a minority of electorate maybe.
Reply by Gabriel Boucher.
7 min ago
Clearly, you're not from NB.
Comment by Bruce Dagsvik.
2 hrs ago
Those northern ridings need a separatist party to vote for.
Free ‘da Nort!
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen.
Reply by David Amos.
49 min ago
Yup
Comment by Henry Hill.
2 hrs ago
J t is upbeat also
Reply by David Amos.
48 min ago
Nope
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Larry McCarthy.
2 hrs ago
Does he state that he is counting on aunty science to win?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago
Masking, Social Distancing, getting the Jabs. Seeing as there is still some that believed - who knows who will win the election.
Reply by David Amos.
47 min ago
Methinks you are touching the 3rd rail N'esy Pas?
Comment by Ronald Miller.
2 hrs ago
The Liberals would actually have a much greater chance to win this election if they had a more capable leader (who was not a Gallant clone) and their track record was not so poor on fiscal management and scandals.
Reply by Mike Barkman.
36 min ago
Ronny's back. Stopped posing as other people did ya?
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
Seems so
Comment by Ronald Miller.
2 hrs ago
Sorry Mr. Higgs, you will never get big support from the north because of your background and Liberal supporters vote along party lines more than vice versa, and they do it blindly no matter how much damage it can cause to the majority. The province was once all red, you would never see it all blue, ever. The top 1/3 of the province has been all red for a while now, the bottom 2/3 show varying colours, that is not an accident. If the PCs want inroads up north the leadership will have to change, which will happen a couple of years into Higgs next mandate if he wins, and a more center leader takes over, plain and simple.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
1 hr ago
Comments on this site pretty much prove that many Conservatives always vote along party lines as well.
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
Yup
Comment by stephen magee.
2 hrs ago
Higgs would like their vote but doubtful, for some reason most the area left of Dieppe seems to always vote Liberal and i don't care for the way Higgs does business but he is good with our money and Liberals never stay in long enough so they seem to dish out our taxes to please voters.
Comment by Marc Bourque.
3 hrs ago
Vous aver mon vote!! Tu n'ai pas le meilleur, mais vous etre mieux q'un liberal!!
Reply by Dan Lee.
30 min ago
ambulance arrive dans 10 minutes
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
On what planet?
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Care to explain your statement?
Reply by James McCaffrey.
2 hrs ago
He is an obvious phobe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Phobe...unclear on your meaning. Please explain.
Comment by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
Higgs is hopeful because Faytene promised to pray for him.
Comment by James Risdon.
3 hrs ago
Everyone in northern New Brunswick should vote Conservative in this upcoming election - if only to send a message to the Liberals that they can no longer take us for granted and to the Conservatives that these electoral districts are worth trying to win.
By voting solidly Liberal for the past 100 years or so, with few exceptions, the voters of northern New Brunswick have gotten to a point where the Liberals take their votes for granted and the Conservatives don't even bother putting up much of a fight.
That has resulted in the region having almost no political clout whatsoever either in Fredericton or Ottawa.
It's time that changed. Northern New Brunswickers have to demand that the Liberals and the Conservatives actually do something for them to get their votes.
Reply by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Better to vote for a conservative than a liberal any day! Look at how our country slid down with a liberal at the helm at the federal level!
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
2 hrs ago
Wishful thinking at best. The stats also are not really reflective of, which party formed government. Since 1925, there have been 25 governments in NB, 13 were conservative and 12 were liberal.
So it would appear the assertation in the post is incorrect as 48% of the time the liberals actually formed government, providing as you call it clout.
Reply by James Risdon.
2 hrs ago
Well, if we ever get to the point where the region is voting so consistently Conservative that they start taking us for granted, then I will recommend we vote Liberal just to wake them up.
The politicians should have to earn our votes, not take them for granted.
Reply by David Amos.
46 min ago
content deactivated –
Why not your beloved KISS Party?
Reply by David Amos.
2 min ago
Flag much?
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Its easy to please people...don't rock any boats and tell everyone what they want to hear. That's not improving the situation though. Actually getting things done takes courage and will always result in someone getting their nose out of joint. Everyone cant get their way if we are to move forward. Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you entitled to get your own way. Sometimes the best way is unpopular. Do you think any of these other candidates have the fortitude to make these decisions? I didn't think so.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need..Rolling Stones
Reply by David Amos.
43 min ago
"Steal a little and they throw you in jail; steal a lot and they make you king." --Bob Dylan ·
Comment by Kate LeBlanc.
4 hrs ago
Not from this Francophone.
Comment by Marge Timmons.
4 hrs ago
I find it revealing that politicians are so desperate to win. If they truly cared they would all be working together instead of focusing on their thirst for power. What’s more confusing is why anyone would be a passionate supporter of any politician regardless of stripe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
If they were desparate to win, they would be pandering to the people rather than making hard and sometimes unpopular decisions.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
It's a basic flaw of our electoral system. We elect politicians based on their ability to compete with each other for votes. Then we expect them to work cooperatively to run the government. What we need to do is to figure out a way to choose politicians based on their ability to cooperate rather than to compete.
Reply by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I don’t disagree that a major flaw in our our system is greedy voters who demand that govts continuously spend more than they have. Again if politicians truly cared for the long term stability they would pass laws making deficit spending illegal. Instead each party runs their algorithms to determine where to target spending in order to increase their support.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Every party has done that for 100s of years. I agree, its greasy. But fiscal responsibility is one of the cornerstones of the PC platform. Consecutive surpluses are the proof.
Reply by Nanny White.
3 hrs ago
Yes while people are turfed out of their homes by rental increases.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
How is that the fault of the government? Its a national problem. Certainly not exclusive to NB. Additionally, how do renters expect housing increases not to happen at a similar rate to the increased cost of buying a home? Housing costs go up...rent goes up. Don't like it? Buy a house then. Renters seem to want the same rights as homeowners but don't want the responsibilities or burdens. The world doesn't work that way.
Reply by Geordan Mann.
3 hrs ago
They pander to their base with these unpopular decisions and hope to pick up enough disenfranchised others while paving roads to form a majority. This is not rocket science. The unethical actions, condescending attitude and limited foresight are leading to his lack of popularity and likely an election loss.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Relying on the feds' equalization payments and not investing in the people of New Brunswick makes it easy to get a surplus.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
2 hrs ago
Politicians in our current system have no reason to care for "long term stability." They're not going to be around for the long term unless they can win votes in the next election cycle, so their thinking is limited by that election cycle.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
But higgs surpluses he keeps taking credit for are from federal government kick backs during covid. That he didn't spend on the population. The cons run deficits while slashing social funding and the population seems to forget that quickly. Higgs needs to be reminded that his surpluses were not from his government finances and more on with squandering the publics money
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
Finally someone identifying that. Mr Cain like you already. Can you explain to the group that conservatives usually do run deficits as well but run them while slashing social funding
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
Well said...we need a Consensus Government
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Disagree. It was gained by Government austerity and responsible financial spending. Can you please point out how he "didnt spend on the population?"
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
What "social funding" was slashed? Easy to say words...harder to back them up.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
What wasnt invested in the people of New Brunswick? Explain.
Reply by Robert Brannen.
57 min ago
Blaine Higgs appears to be pandering to a certain segment of the population.
Reply by MR Cain.
57 min ago
Ask the auditor general; pretty clear about irresponsible fiscal management.
Reply by MR Cain.
51 min ago
Every cent he gouged New Brunswickers to get his surplus. Try reading for a change.
Reply by David Amos.
just now
We really need an Ethical Government
Comment by Greg Miller.
4 hrs ago
Sitting on my hands. This election is nothing more than a cruel exercise in "Gallows Humour". "None of the above"!
Comment by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Never made it on the electorate list.
Reply by Ron parker.
2 hrs ago
my comment was meant to be a reply to another post.
Reply by David Amos.
42 min ago
I do too
Reply by MR Cain.
51 min ago
I know, la bimbo.
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
4 hrs ago
Not only is he going to win the next election, but it will be by a wide majority. A lot of these comments are going to seem pretty silly at the end of October. They wont age well at all.
Reply by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Hidden reply.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
not surprised Kim.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Nor am I. Typically those who are church educated and call "grunt" a career aren't big thinkers for themselves, right Ronnie?
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
Might as well go for a soda.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
how clever indeed.
Reply by David Amos.
41 min ago
and a butter tart
Comment by Doug kirby.
4 hrs ago
Not sure that will happen....in fact he may be loosing seats in areas
Comment by Eugene Peabody.
4 hrs ago
Higgs is just trying to rally the old time party members who are upset with his leadership.
Comment by Steve Onuluk.
5 hrs ago
hA ha ha... Best joke i have heard in a long time. PC win
Reply by Nanny White.
3 hrs ago
Another episode in as the stomach turns
Comment by Marcel Marcotte.
5 hrs ago
Mr. Higgs and the PCs will not win ridings in the North of New Brunswick on October 21st.
Comment by Geordan Mann.
5 hrs ago
Not buying votes. Both parties buy votes at every opportunity. Politics in this province remain stuck in the Con/Lib pendulum and this so called leader is willing to say or do anything, however ethically questionable, to maintain his control over the province.
Comment by Jay Miller.
6 hrs ago
I Don’t buy that fictional story - sorry! You are dividing this province, its citizens, and minority groups - we now know your game! I want my New Brunswick back - a NB where EVERYONE is included - so, it’s time to vote Higgs out!
Reply by Les Cooper.
4 hrs ago
The french in the north is the reason for the device.
Reply by Lynette Browne.
4 hrs ago
For what device?
Reply by Bob Louie.
2 hrs ago
He is the opposite. The left have becomes experts to dividing us all up with labels and then driving wedges between us. The sub-sub categories of people are ridiculous. Another group appears every week and we have to kow-tow to them while we are stilling learning new rules for the group from the week before.
We are all just people. Be nice and quit re-labeling us all every week.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
No it's not. Has nothing to do with the French. It has everything to do with the political right attacking French minority groups.
Reply by David Webb.
1 hr ago
Some may think that a couple of these minority groups are being far from sense-able and reasonable.
Reply by Koffi Babone.
43 min ago
LOL, Higgs needs no help from the left, he buries himself very well with his comments and choices he makes..
Comment by Doug McBride.
6 hrs ago
Higgsy Irving is well past his best due date and should have retired back a few years ago when he said he was considering it! NOW it is obvious that he has taken the attitude that it is 'his way or the highway' and alienated both his fellow Cons and more importantly the people of New Brunswick! He has also taken on the reek of ultra far right doctrine and THAT in itself should make his leadership officially OVER this election! Bye Bye!
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
6 hrs ago
"We're not buying votes," he said. "We want to be seen, as I believe we've demonstrated, as a party for the province, not for any one particular group.
What a load of bunk. It should read party for the large corps party opposed to the actual voters. Look at Health Care, Rent Control, Education System, School Bus Drivers,
Reply by Les Cooper.
4 hrs ago
Those have been problems for years . Nb hasn't had any money due to lack of industry.
Reply by Mike Sauerteig.
4 hrs ago
Yes, budgets have been problematic in NB for many years, BUT the PCs have been controlling provincial coffers for how long by now ? Kind of hard to pass that blame onto any other party. Higgs’ obsession with reducing the provincial debt at all costs has resulted in serious lack of funding for many portfolios. I think one can agree that some amount of spending in key sectors could be the stimulus to see things move in the right direction.
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
3 hrs ago
Sorry but I will have to disagree. Higgs has brought this to a whole new level.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
Yeah and higgs can't even fundraise in nb. He's to above that
Reply by Robert Brannen.
37 min ago
A lack of industry? There is Petroleum, Forestry, Paper Products, Shipping, Electricity Generation; the problem is in the oversight of industry in New Brunswick. That oversight begins with the provincial government.
Ralph Skavinsky
506 comments
410 likes
0 followers
Comment history
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Spell check does its own thing..s/b various ridings ..various partied.. "
24 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Lol..likewise across various ridiculous gs eith various parties..both feds and provs"
25 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"And The Acadian Party wanted to split the province..thankfully neither party brought their plan to f..."
28 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Well said...we need a Consensus Government"
1 hr ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you nee..."
1 hr ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen."
1 hr ago
2 min ago
Higgy wanted to remove French services when he was CoR and get rid of official bilingualism.
A zebra never changes its stripes. The French population in the north won't ever forget that.
Comment by Oscar Biasinni.
7 min ago
Parroting Alberta's Danielle Smith divisive rhetoric and chaotic style government should not be reelected. All Canadians need to work together to better our country.
Comment by David Amos.
11 min ago
A history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected in my neck of the woods
Comment by David Amos.
14 min ago
"Pelletier did not respond to an email request for an interview about his candidacy."
He never does nor does he return phone calls
Comment by David Amos.
32 min ago
Methinks Mr Outhouse has the right to make me eat his hat if Higgy does not have the writ dropped ASAP N'esy Pas?
Comment by David Webb.
41 min ago
I saw on a Global News broadcast the Ms. Holt has promised to balance the budget and pay down the provincial debt. I don't believe her! If she did the knives would be out fairly quickly, I suspect.
Reply by David Amos.
17 min ago
C'est Vrai
Comment by Graham McCormack.
45 min ago
Higgs is trying out his new stand up comedy routine.
Reply by David Amos.
18 min ago
Well put
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
49 min ago
Keep up the good work and tune out the vocal minority.
Reply by David Amos.
10 min ago
Yea right
Comment by james bolt.
1 hr ago
as long as they don't care about healthcare and education Higgs should be fine
Reply by David Amos.
10 min ago
True
Comment by Conrad Tanker.
1 hr ago
Premier Higgs has this . A historic majority delivered by the people of New Brunswick.
Reply by David Amos.
17 min ago
Surely you jest
Reply by Graham McCormack.
18 min ago
LOL
Comment by Bruce Dagsvik.
1 hr ago
Those northern ridings need a separatist party to vote for.
Free ‘da Nort!
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen.
Reply by David Amos.
9 min ago
Yup
Comment by Henry Hill.
1 hr ago
J t is upbeat also
Reply by David Amos.
9 min ago
Nope
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Larry McCarthy.
1 hr ago
Does he state that he is counting on aunty science to win?
Reply by William Murdoch.
27 min ago
Masking, Social Distancing, getting the Jabs. Seeing as there is still some that believed - who knows who will win the election.
Reply by David Amos.
8 min ago
Methinks you are touching the 3rd rail N'esy Pas?
Comment by Ronald Miller.
1 hr ago
The Liberals would actually have a much greater chance to win this election if they had a more capable leader (who was not a Gallant clone) and their track record was not so poor on fiscal management and scandals.
Comment by Ronald Miller.
1 hr ago
Sorry Mr. Higgs, you will never get big support from the north because of your background and Liberal supporters vote along party lines more than vice versa, and they do it blindly no matter how much damage it can cause to the majority. The province was once all red, you would never see it all blue, ever. The top 1/3 of the province has been all red for a while now, the bottom 2/3 show varying colours, that is not an accident. If the PCs want inroads up north the leadership will have to change, which will happen a couple of years into Higgs next mandate if he wins, and a more center leader takes over, plain and simple.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
44 min ago
Comments on this site pretty much prove that many Conservatives always vote along party lines as well.
Comment by stephen magee.
2 hrs ago
Higgs would like their vote but doubtful, for some reason most the area left of Dieppe seems to always vote Liberal and i don't care for the way Higgs does business but he is good with our money and Liberals never stay in long enough so they seem to dish out our taxes to please voters.
Comment by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Vous aver mon vote!! Tu n'ai pas le meilleur, mais vous etre mieux q'un liberal!!
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
Care to explain your statement?
Reply by James McCaffrey.
1 hr ago
He is an obvious phobe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
57 min ago
Phobe...unclear on your meaning. Please explain.
Comment by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
Higgs is hopeful because Faytene promised to pray for him.
Comment by James Risdon.
3 hrs ago
Everyone in northern New Brunswick should vote Conservative in this upcoming election - if only to send a message to the Liberals that they can no longer take us for granted and to the Conservatives that these electoral districts are worth trying to win.
By voting solidly Liberal for the past 100 years or so, with few exceptions, the voters of northern New Brunswick have gotten to a point where the Liberals take their votes for granted and the Conservatives don't even bother putting up much of a fight.
That has resulted in the region having almost no political clout whatsoever either in Fredericton or Ottawa.
It's time that changed. Northern New Brunswickers have to demand that the Liberals and the Conservatives actually do something for them to get their votes.
Reply by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Better to vote for a conservative than a liberal any day! Look at how our country slid down with a liberal at the helm at the federal level!
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
2 hrs ago
Wishful thinking at best. The stats also are not really reflective of, which party formed government. Since 1925, there have been 25 governments in NB, 13 were conservative and 12 were liberal.
So it would appear the assertation in the post is incorrect as 48% of the time the liberals actually formed government, providing as you call it clout.
Reply by James Risdon.
1 hr ago
Well, if we ever get to the point where the region is voting so consistently Conservative that they start taking us for granted, then I will recommend we vote Liberal just to wake them up.
The politicians should have to earn our votes, not take them for granted.
Reply by David Amos.
6 min ago
content deactivated –
Why not your beloved KISS Party?
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Its easy to please people...don't rock any boats and tell everyone what they want to hear. That's not improving the situation though. Actually getting things done takes courage and will always result in someone getting their nose out of joint. Everyone cant get their way if we are to move forward. Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you entitled to get your own way. Sometimes the best way is unpopular. Do you think any of these other candidates have the fortitude to make these decisions? I didn't think so.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
54 min ago
You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need..Rolling Stones
Reply by David Amos.
4 min ago
"Steal a little and they throw you in jail; steal a lot and they make you king." --Bob Dylan ·
Comment by Kate LeBlanc.
3 hrs ago
Not from this Francophone.
Comment by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I find it revealing that politicians are so desperate to win. If they truly cared they would all be working together instead of focusing on their thirst for power. What’s more confusing is why anyone would be a passionate supporter of any politician regardless of stripe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
If they were desparate to win, they would be pandering to the people rather than making hard and sometimes unpopular decisions.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
It's a basic flaw of our electoral system. We elect politicians based on their ability to compete with each other for votes. Then we expect them to work cooperatively to run the government. What we need to do is to figure out a way to choose politicians based on their ability to cooperate rather than to compete.
Reply by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I don’t disagree that a major flaw in our our system is greedy voters who demand that govts continuously spend more than they have. Again if politicians truly cared for the long term stability they would pass laws making deficit spending illegal. Instead each party runs their algorithms to determine where to target spending in order to increase their support.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
Every party has done that for 100s of years. I agree, its greasy. But fiscal responsibility is one of the cornerstones of the PC platform. Consecutive surpluses are the proof.
Reply by Nanny White.
2 hrs ago
Yes while people are turfed out of their homes by rental increases.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
How is that the fault of the government? Its a national problem. Certainly not exclusive to NB. Additionally, how do renters expect housing increases not to happen at a similar rate to the increased cost of buying a home? Housing costs go up...rent goes up. Don't like it? Buy a house then. Renters seem to want the same rights as homeowners but don't want the responsibilities or burdens. The world doesn't work that way.
Reply by Geordan Mann.
2 hrs ago
They pander to their base with these unpopular decisions and hope to pick up enough disenfranchised others while paving roads to form a majority. This is not rocket science. The unethical actions, condescending attitude and limited foresight are leading to his lack of popularity and likely an election loss.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Relying on the feds' equalization payments and not investing in the people of New Brunswick makes it easy to get a surplus.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
2 hrs ago
Politicians in our current system have no reason to care for "long term stability." They're not going to be around for the long term unless they can win votes in the next election cycle, so their thinking is limited by that election cycle.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
But higgs surpluses he keeps taking credit for are from federal government kick backs during covid. That he didn't spend on the population. The cons run deficits while slashing social funding and the population seems to forget that quickly. Higgs needs to be reminded that his surpluses were not from his government finances and more on with squandering the publics money
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
Finally someone identifying that. Mr Cain like you already. Can you explain to the group that conservatives usually do run deficits as well but run them while slashing social funding
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
53 min ago
Well said...we need a Consensus Government
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
53 min ago
Disagree. It was gained by Government austerity and responsible financial spending. Can you please point out how he "didnt spend on the population?"
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
51 min ago
What "social funding" was slashed? Easy to say words...harder to back them up.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
50 min ago
What wasnt invested in the people of New Brunswick? Explain.
Reply by Robert Brannen.
17 min ago
Blaine Higgs appears to be pandering to a certain segment of the population.
Reply by MR Cain.
17 min ago
Ask the auditor general; pretty clear about irresponsible fiscal management.
Reply by MR Cain.
12 min ago
Every cent he gouged New Brunswickers to get his surplus. Try reading for a change.
Comment by Greg Miller.
3 hrs ago
Sitting on my hands. This election is nothing more than a cruel exercise in "Gallows Humour". "None of the above"!
Comment by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Never made it on the electorate list.
Reply by Ron parker.
2 hrs ago
my comment was meant to be a reply to another post.
Reply by David Amos.
2 min ago
I do too
Reply by MR Cain.
11 min ago
I know, la bimbo.
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
4 hrs ago
Not only is he going to win the next election, but it will be by a wide majority. A lot of these comments are going to seem pretty silly at the end of October. They wont age well at all.
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Hidden reply.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
not surprised Kim.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Nor am I. Typically those who are church educated and call "grunt" a career aren't big thinkers for themselves, right Ronnie?
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
Might as well go for a soda.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
how clever indeed.
Reply by David Amos.
1 min ago
and a butter tart
Comment by Doug kirby.
4 hrs ago
Not sure that will happen....in fact he may be loosing seats in areas
Comment by Eugene Peabody.
4 hrs ago
Higgs is just trying to rally the old time party members who are upset with his leadership.
Comment by Steve Onuluk.
4 hrs ago
hA ha ha... Best joke i have heard in a long time. PC win
Reply by Nanny White.
2 hrs ago
Another episode in as the stomach turns
Comment by Marcel Marcotte.
4 hrs ago
Mr. Higgs and the PCs will not win ridings in the North of New Brunswick on October 21st.
Comment by Geordan Mann.
4 hrs ago
Not buying votes. Both parties buy votes at every opportunity. Politics in this province remain stuck in the Con/Lib pendulum and this so called leader is willing to say or do anything, however ethically questionable, to maintain his control over the province.
Comment by Jay Miller.
5 hrs ago
I Don’t buy that fictional story - sorry! You are dividing this province, its citizens, and minority groups - we now know your game! I want my New Brunswick back - a NB where EVERYONE is included - so, it’s time to vote Higgs out!
Reply by Les Cooper.
3 hrs ago
The french in the north is the reason for the device.
Reply by Lynette Browne.
3 hrs ago
For what device?
Reply by Bob Louie.
2 hrs ago
He is the opposite. The left have becomes experts to dividing us all up with labels and then driving wedges between us. The sub-sub categories of people are ridiculous. Another group appears every week and we have to kow-tow to them while we are stilling learning new rules for the group from the week before.
We are all just people. Be nice and quit re-labeling us all every week.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
No it's not. Has nothing to do with the French. It has everything to do with the political right attacking French minority groups.
Reply by David Webb.
36 min ago
Some may think that a couple of these minority groups are being far from sense-able and reasonable.
Comment by Doug McBride.
5 hrs ago
Higgsy Irving is well past his best due date and should have retired back a few years ago when he said he was considering it! NOW it is obvious that he has taken the attitude that it is 'his way or the highway' and alienated both his fellow Cons and more importantly the people of New Brunswick! He has also taken on the reek of ultra far right doctrine and THAT in itself should make his leadership officially OVER this election! Bye Bye!
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
6 hrs ago
"We're not buying votes," he said. "We want to be seen, as I believe we've demonstrated, as a party for the province, not for any one particular group.
What a load of bunk. It should read party for the large corps party opposed to the actual voters. Look at Health Care, Rent Control, Education System, School Bus Drivers,
Reply by Les Cooper.
3 hrs ago
Those have been problems for years . Nb hasn't had any money due to lack of industry.
Reply by Mike Sauerteig.
3 hrs ago
Yes, budgets have been problematic in NB for many years, BUT the PCs have been controlling provincial coffers for how long by now ? Kind of hard to pass that blame onto any other party. Higgs’ obsession with reducing the provincial debt at all costs has resulted in serious lack of funding for many portfolios. I think one can agree that some amount of spending in key sectors could be the stimulus to see things move in the right direction.
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
3 hrs ago
Sorry but I will have to disagree. Higgs has brought this to a whole new level.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
Yeah and higgs can't even fundraise in nb. He's to above that
I think we all know what motivates the French...
Reply by David Amos.
just now
The same thing that motivates the English
Comment by Mike Barkman.
41 min ago
Higgy wanted to remove French services when he was CoR and get rid of official bilingualism.
A zebra never changes its stripes. The French population in the north won't ever forget that.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
36 min ago
And The Acadian Party wanted to split the province..thankfully neither party brought their plan to fruition
Reply by Mathieu Laperriere.
16 min ago
They do not want to split the province. That is only something an anti-francophone would say.
Comment by Oscar Biasinni.
47 min ago
Parroting Alberta's Danielle Smith divisive rhetoric and chaotic style government should not be reelected. All Canadians need to work together to better our country.
Comment by David Amos.
51 min ago
A history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected in my neck of the woods
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
32 min ago
Spell check does its own thing..s/b various ridings ..various partied..
Comment by David Amos.
53 min ago
"Pelletier did not respond to an email request for an interview about his candidacy."
He never does nor does he return phone calls
Comment by David Amos.
1 hr ago
content deactivated –
Methinks Mr Outhouse has the right to make me eat his hat if Higgy does not have the writ dropped ASAP N'esy Pas?
Comment by David Webb.
1 hr ago
I saw on a Global News broadcast the Ms. Holt has promised to balance the budget and pay down the provincial debt. I don't believe her! If she did the knives would be out fairly quickly, I suspect.
Reply by David Amos.
57 min ago
C'est Vrai
Reply by MR Cain.
23 min ago
How can you not believe a promise is beyond belief. Like, check the crystal ball.
Comment by Graham McCormack.
1 hr ago
Higgs is trying out his new stand up comedy routine.
Reply by David Amos.
58 min ago
Well put
Reply by MR Cain.
23 min ago
not funny anymore
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Keep up the good work and tune out the vocal minority.
Reply by David Amos.
50 min ago
Yea right
Reply by Mike Barkman.
40 min ago
Kim Mitchell doesn't think like you buddy.
Comment by james bolt.
1 hr ago
as long as they don't care about healthcare and education Higgs should be fine
Reply by David Amos.
50 min ago
True
Comment by Conrad Tanker.
2 hrs ago
Premier Higgs has this . A historic majority delivered by the people of New Brunswick.
Reply by David Amos.
57 min ago
Surely you jest
Reply by Graham McCormack.
58 min ago
LOL
Reply by MR Cain.
21 min ago
Never had a majority at all; a minority of electorate maybe.
Reply by Gabriel Boucher.
7 min ago
Clearly, you're not from NB.
Comment by Bruce Dagsvik.
2 hrs ago
Those northern ridings need a separatist party to vote for.
Free ‘da Nort!
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen.
Reply by David Amos.
49 min ago
Yup
Comment by Henry Hill.
2 hrs ago
J t is upbeat also
Reply by David Amos.
48 min ago
Nope
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Larry McCarthy.
2 hrs ago
Does he state that he is counting on aunty science to win?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago
Masking, Social Distancing, getting the Jabs. Seeing as there is still some that believed - who knows who will win the election.
Reply by David Amos.
47 min ago
Methinks you are touching the 3rd rail N'esy Pas?
Comment by Ronald Miller.
2 hrs ago
The Liberals would actually have a much greater chance to win this election if they had a more capable leader (who was not a Gallant clone) and their track record was not so poor on fiscal management and scandals.
Reply by Mike Barkman.
36 min ago
Ronny's back. Stopped posing as other people did ya?
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
Seems so
Comment by Ronald Miller.
2 hrs ago
Sorry Mr. Higgs, you will never get big support from the north because of your background and Liberal supporters vote along party lines more than vice versa, and they do it blindly no matter how much damage it can cause to the majority. The province was once all red, you would never see it all blue, ever. The top 1/3 of the province has been all red for a while now, the bottom 2/3 show varying colours, that is not an accident. If the PCs want inroads up north the leadership will have to change, which will happen a couple of years into Higgs next mandate if he wins, and a more center leader takes over, plain and simple.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
1 hr ago
Comments on this site pretty much prove that many Conservatives always vote along party lines as well.
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
Yup
Comment by stephen magee.
2 hrs ago
Higgs would like their vote but doubtful, for some reason most the area left of Dieppe seems to always vote Liberal and i don't care for the way Higgs does business but he is good with our money and Liberals never stay in long enough so they seem to dish out our taxes to please voters.
Comment by Marc Bourque.
3 hrs ago
Vous aver mon vote!! Tu n'ai pas le meilleur, mais vous etre mieux q'un liberal!!
Reply by Dan Lee.
30 min ago
ambulance arrive dans 10 minutes
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago
On what planet?
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Care to explain your statement?
Reply by James McCaffrey.
2 hrs ago
He is an obvious phobe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Phobe...unclear on your meaning. Please explain.
Comment by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
Higgs is hopeful because Faytene promised to pray for him.
Comment by James Risdon.
3 hrs ago
Everyone in northern New Brunswick should vote Conservative in this upcoming election - if only to send a message to the Liberals that they can no longer take us for granted and to the Conservatives that these electoral districts are worth trying to win.
By voting solidly Liberal for the past 100 years or so, with few exceptions, the voters of northern New Brunswick have gotten to a point where the Liberals take their votes for granted and the Conservatives don't even bother putting up much of a fight.
That has resulted in the region having almost no political clout whatsoever either in Fredericton or Ottawa.
It's time that changed. Northern New Brunswickers have to demand that the Liberals and the Conservatives actually do something for them to get their votes.
Reply by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Better to vote for a conservative than a liberal any day! Look at how our country slid down with a liberal at the helm at the federal level!
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
2 hrs ago
Wishful thinking at best. The stats also are not really reflective of, which party formed government. Since 1925, there have been 25 governments in NB, 13 were conservative and 12 were liberal.
So it would appear the assertation in the post is incorrect as 48% of the time the liberals actually formed government, providing as you call it clout.
Reply by James Risdon.
2 hrs ago
Well, if we ever get to the point where the region is voting so consistently Conservative that they start taking us for granted, then I will recommend we vote Liberal just to wake them up.
The politicians should have to earn our votes, not take them for granted.
Reply by David Amos.
46 min ago
content deactivated –
Why not your beloved KISS Party?
Reply by David Amos.
2 min ago
Flag much?
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Its easy to please people...don't rock any boats and tell everyone what they want to hear. That's not improving the situation though. Actually getting things done takes courage and will always result in someone getting their nose out of joint. Everyone cant get their way if we are to move forward. Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you entitled to get your own way. Sometimes the best way is unpopular. Do you think any of these other candidates have the fortitude to make these decisions? I didn't think so.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need..Rolling Stones
Reply by David Amos.
43 min ago
"Steal a little and they throw you in jail; steal a lot and they make you king." --Bob Dylan ·
Comment by Kate LeBlanc.
4 hrs ago
Not from this Francophone.
Comment by Marge Timmons.
4 hrs ago
I find it revealing that politicians are so desperate to win. If they truly cared they would all be working together instead of focusing on their thirst for power. What’s more confusing is why anyone would be a passionate supporter of any politician regardless of stripe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
If they were desparate to win, they would be pandering to the people rather than making hard and sometimes unpopular decisions.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
It's a basic flaw of our electoral system. We elect politicians based on their ability to compete with each other for votes. Then we expect them to work cooperatively to run the government. What we need to do is to figure out a way to choose politicians based on their ability to cooperate rather than to compete.
Reply by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I don’t disagree that a major flaw in our our system is greedy voters who demand that govts continuously spend more than they have. Again if politicians truly cared for the long term stability they would pass laws making deficit spending illegal. Instead each party runs their algorithms to determine where to target spending in order to increase their support.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Every party has done that for 100s of years. I agree, its greasy. But fiscal responsibility is one of the cornerstones of the PC platform. Consecutive surpluses are the proof.
Reply by Nanny White.
3 hrs ago
Yes while people are turfed out of their homes by rental increases.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
How is that the fault of the government? Its a national problem. Certainly not exclusive to NB. Additionally, how do renters expect housing increases not to happen at a similar rate to the increased cost of buying a home? Housing costs go up...rent goes up. Don't like it? Buy a house then. Renters seem to want the same rights as homeowners but don't want the responsibilities or burdens. The world doesn't work that way.
Reply by Geordan Mann.
3 hrs ago
They pander to their base with these unpopular decisions and hope to pick up enough disenfranchised others while paving roads to form a majority. This is not rocket science. The unethical actions, condescending attitude and limited foresight are leading to his lack of popularity and likely an election loss.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Relying on the feds' equalization payments and not investing in the people of New Brunswick makes it easy to get a surplus.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
2 hrs ago
Politicians in our current system have no reason to care for "long term stability." They're not going to be around for the long term unless they can win votes in the next election cycle, so their thinking is limited by that election cycle.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
But higgs surpluses he keeps taking credit for are from federal government kick backs during covid. That he didn't spend on the population. The cons run deficits while slashing social funding and the population seems to forget that quickly. Higgs needs to be reminded that his surpluses were not from his government finances and more on with squandering the publics money
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
Finally someone identifying that. Mr Cain like you already. Can you explain to the group that conservatives usually do run deficits as well but run them while slashing social funding
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
Well said...we need a Consensus Government
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
Disagree. It was gained by Government austerity and responsible financial spending. Can you please point out how he "didnt spend on the population?"
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
What "social funding" was slashed? Easy to say words...harder to back them up.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
1 hr ago
What wasnt invested in the people of New Brunswick? Explain.
Reply by Robert Brannen.
57 min ago
Blaine Higgs appears to be pandering to a certain segment of the population.
Reply by MR Cain.
57 min ago
Ask the auditor general; pretty clear about irresponsible fiscal management.
Reply by MR Cain.
51 min ago
Every cent he gouged New Brunswickers to get his surplus. Try reading for a change.
Reply by David Amos.
just now
We really need an Ethical Government
Comment by Greg Miller.
4 hrs ago
Sitting on my hands. This election is nothing more than a cruel exercise in "Gallows Humour". "None of the above"!
Comment by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Never made it on the electorate list.
Reply by Ron parker.
2 hrs ago
my comment was meant to be a reply to another post.
Reply by David Amos.
42 min ago
I do too
Reply by MR Cain.
51 min ago
I know, la bimbo.
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
4 hrs ago
Not only is he going to win the next election, but it will be by a wide majority. A lot of these comments are going to seem pretty silly at the end of October. They wont age well at all.
Reply by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Hidden reply.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Ron parker.
4 hrs ago
not surprised Kim.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Nor am I. Typically those who are church educated and call "grunt" a career aren't big thinkers for themselves, right Ronnie?
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
Might as well go for a soda.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
how clever indeed.
Reply by David Amos.
41 min ago
and a butter tart
Comment by Doug kirby.
4 hrs ago
Not sure that will happen....in fact he may be loosing seats in areas
Comment by Eugene Peabody.
4 hrs ago
Higgs is just trying to rally the old time party members who are upset with his leadership.
Comment by Steve Onuluk.
5 hrs ago
hA ha ha... Best joke i have heard in a long time. PC win
Reply by Nanny White.
3 hrs ago
Another episode in as the stomach turns
Comment by Marcel Marcotte.
5 hrs ago
Mr. Higgs and the PCs will not win ridings in the North of New Brunswick on October 21st.
Comment by Geordan Mann.
5 hrs ago
Not buying votes. Both parties buy votes at every opportunity. Politics in this province remain stuck in the Con/Lib pendulum and this so called leader is willing to say or do anything, however ethically questionable, to maintain his control over the province.
Comment by Jay Miller.
6 hrs ago
I Don’t buy that fictional story - sorry! You are dividing this province, its citizens, and minority groups - we now know your game! I want my New Brunswick back - a NB where EVERYONE is included - so, it’s time to vote Higgs out!
Reply by Les Cooper.
4 hrs ago
The french in the north is the reason for the device.
Reply by Lynette Browne.
4 hrs ago
For what device?
Reply by Bob Louie.
2 hrs ago
He is the opposite. The left have becomes experts to dividing us all up with labels and then driving wedges between us. The sub-sub categories of people are ridiculous. Another group appears every week and we have to kow-tow to them while we are stilling learning new rules for the group from the week before.
We are all just people. Be nice and quit re-labeling us all every week.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
No it's not. Has nothing to do with the French. It has everything to do with the political right attacking French minority groups.
Reply by David Webb.
1 hr ago
Some may think that a couple of these minority groups are being far from sense-able and reasonable.
Reply by Koffi Babone.
43 min ago
LOL, Higgs needs no help from the left, he buries himself very well with his comments and choices he makes..
Comment by Doug McBride.
6 hrs ago
Higgsy Irving is well past his best due date and should have retired back a few years ago when he said he was considering it! NOW it is obvious that he has taken the attitude that it is 'his way or the highway' and alienated both his fellow Cons and more importantly the people of New Brunswick! He has also taken on the reek of ultra far right doctrine and THAT in itself should make his leadership officially OVER this election! Bye Bye!
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
6 hrs ago
"We're not buying votes," he said. "We want to be seen, as I believe we've demonstrated, as a party for the province, not for any one particular group.
What a load of bunk. It should read party for the large corps party opposed to the actual voters. Look at Health Care, Rent Control, Education System, School Bus Drivers,
Reply by Les Cooper.
4 hrs ago
Those have been problems for years . Nb hasn't had any money due to lack of industry.
Reply by Mike Sauerteig.
4 hrs ago
Yes, budgets have been problematic in NB for many years, BUT the PCs have been controlling provincial coffers for how long by now ? Kind of hard to pass that blame onto any other party. Higgs’ obsession with reducing the provincial debt at all costs has resulted in serious lack of funding for many portfolios. I think one can agree that some amount of spending in key sectors could be the stimulus to see things move in the right direction.
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
3 hrs ago
Sorry but I will have to disagree. Higgs has brought this to a whole new level.
Reply by John Gray.
2 hrs ago
Yeah and higgs can't even fundraise in nb. He's to above that
Reply by Robert Brannen.
37 min ago
A lack of industry? There is Petroleum, Forestry, Paper Products, Shipping, Electricity Generation; the problem is in the oversight of industry in New Brunswick. That oversight begins with the provincial government.
Ralph Skavinsky
506 comments
410 likes
0 followers
Comment history
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Spell check does its own thing..s/b various ridings ..various partied.. "
24 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Lol..likewise across various ridiculous gs eith various parties..both feds and provs"
25 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"And The Acadian Party wanted to split the province..thankfully neither party brought their plan to f..."
28 min ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"Well said...we need a Consensus Government"
1 hr ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you nee..."
1 hr ago
Ralph Skavinsky posted on Higgs says he's hopeful about election wins in francophone north | CBC News:
"That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen."
1 hr ago
2 min ago
Higgy wanted to remove French services when he was CoR and get rid of official bilingualism.
A zebra never changes its stripes. The French population in the north won't ever forget that.
Comment by Oscar Biasinni.
7 min ago
Parroting Alberta's Danielle Smith divisive rhetoric and chaotic style government should not be reelected. All Canadians need to work together to better our country.
Comment by David Amos.
11 min ago
A history of voting PC and a "lampshade" could be elected in my neck of the woods
Comment by David Amos.
14 min ago
"Pelletier did not respond to an email request for an interview about his candidacy."
He never does nor does he return phone calls
Comment by David Amos.
32 min ago
Methinks Mr Outhouse has the right to make me eat his hat if Higgy does not have the writ dropped ASAP N'esy Pas?
Comment by David Webb.
41 min ago
I saw on a Global News broadcast the Ms. Holt has promised to balance the budget and pay down the provincial debt. I don't believe her! If she did the knives would be out fairly quickly, I suspect.
Reply by David Amos.
17 min ago
C'est Vrai
Comment by Graham McCormack.
45 min ago
Higgs is trying out his new stand up comedy routine.
Reply by David Amos.
18 min ago
Well put
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
49 min ago
Keep up the good work and tune out the vocal minority.
Reply by David Amos.
10 min ago
Yea right
Comment by james bolt.
1 hr ago
as long as they don't care about healthcare and education Higgs should be fine
Reply by David Amos.
10 min ago
True
Comment by Conrad Tanker.
1 hr ago
Premier Higgs has this . A historic majority delivered by the people of New Brunswick.
Reply by David Amos.
17 min ago
Surely you jest
Reply by Graham McCormack.
18 min ago
LOL
Comment by Bruce Dagsvik.
1 hr ago
Those northern ridings need a separatist party to vote for.
Free ‘da Nort!
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago
That was tried with the Acadian Party but it didn't happen.
Reply by David Amos.
9 min ago
Yup
Comment by Henry Hill.
1 hr ago
J t is upbeat also
Reply by David Amos.
9 min ago
Nope
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Larry McCarthy.
1 hr ago
Does he state that he is counting on aunty science to win?
Reply by William Murdoch.
27 min ago
Masking, Social Distancing, getting the Jabs. Seeing as there is still some that believed - who knows who will win the election.
Reply by David Amos.
8 min ago
Methinks you are touching the 3rd rail N'esy Pas?
Comment by Ronald Miller.
1 hr ago
The Liberals would actually have a much greater chance to win this election if they had a more capable leader (who was not a Gallant clone) and their track record was not so poor on fiscal management and scandals.
Comment by Ronald Miller.
1 hr ago
Sorry Mr. Higgs, you will never get big support from the north because of your background and Liberal supporters vote along party lines more than vice versa, and they do it blindly no matter how much damage it can cause to the majority. The province was once all red, you would never see it all blue, ever. The top 1/3 of the province has been all red for a while now, the bottom 2/3 show varying colours, that is not an accident. If the PCs want inroads up north the leadership will have to change, which will happen a couple of years into Higgs next mandate if he wins, and a more center leader takes over, plain and simple.
Reply by Graham McCormack.
44 min ago
Comments on this site pretty much prove that many Conservatives always vote along party lines as well.
Comment by stephen magee.
2 hrs ago
Higgs would like their vote but doubtful, for some reason most the area left of Dieppe seems to always vote Liberal and i don't care for the way Higgs does business but he is good with our money and Liberals never stay in long enough so they seem to dish out our taxes to please voters.
Comment by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Vous aver mon vote!! Tu n'ai pas le meilleur, mais vous etre mieux q'un liberal!!
Hidden comment.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
Care to explain your statement?
Reply by James McCaffrey.
1 hr ago
He is an obvious phobe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
57 min ago
Phobe...unclear on your meaning. Please explain.
Comment by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
Higgs is hopeful because Faytene promised to pray for him.
Comment by James Risdon.
3 hrs ago
Everyone in northern New Brunswick should vote Conservative in this upcoming election - if only to send a message to the Liberals that they can no longer take us for granted and to the Conservatives that these electoral districts are worth trying to win.
By voting solidly Liberal for the past 100 years or so, with few exceptions, the voters of northern New Brunswick have gotten to a point where the Liberals take their votes for granted and the Conservatives don't even bother putting up much of a fight.
That has resulted in the region having almost no political clout whatsoever either in Fredericton or Ottawa.
It's time that changed. Northern New Brunswickers have to demand that the Liberals and the Conservatives actually do something for them to get their votes.
Reply by Marc Bourque.
2 hrs ago
Better to vote for a conservative than a liberal any day! Look at how our country slid down with a liberal at the helm at the federal level!
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
2 hrs ago
Wishful thinking at best. The stats also are not really reflective of, which party formed government. Since 1925, there have been 25 governments in NB, 13 were conservative and 12 were liberal.
So it would appear the assertation in the post is incorrect as 48% of the time the liberals actually formed government, providing as you call it clout.
Reply by James Risdon.
1 hr ago
Well, if we ever get to the point where the region is voting so consistently Conservative that they start taking us for granted, then I will recommend we vote Liberal just to wake them up.
The politicians should have to earn our votes, not take them for granted.
Reply by David Amos.
6 min ago
content deactivated –
Why not your beloved KISS Party?
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Its easy to please people...don't rock any boats and tell everyone what they want to hear. That's not improving the situation though. Actually getting things done takes courage and will always result in someone getting their nose out of joint. Everyone cant get their way if we are to move forward. Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you entitled to get your own way. Sometimes the best way is unpopular. Do you think any of these other candidates have the fortitude to make these decisions? I didn't think so.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
54 min ago
You can't always get what you want..but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need..Rolling Stones
Reply by David Amos.
4 min ago
"Steal a little and they throw you in jail; steal a lot and they make you king." --Bob Dylan ·
Comment by Kate LeBlanc.
3 hrs ago
Not from this Francophone.
Comment by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I find it revealing that politicians are so desperate to win. If they truly cared they would all be working together instead of focusing on their thirst for power. What’s more confusing is why anyone would be a passionate supporter of any politician regardless of stripe.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
If they were desparate to win, they would be pandering to the people rather than making hard and sometimes unpopular decisions.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
3 hrs ago
It's a basic flaw of our electoral system. We elect politicians based on their ability to compete with each other for votes. Then we expect them to work cooperatively to run the government. What we need to do is to figure out a way to choose politicians based on their ability to cooperate rather than to compete.
Reply by Marge Timmons.
3 hrs ago
I don’t disagree that a major flaw in our our system is greedy voters who demand that govts continuously spend more than they have. Again if politicians truly cared for the long term stability they would pass laws making deficit spending illegal. Instead each party runs their algorithms to determine where to target spending in order to increase their support.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
Every party has done that for 100s of years. I agree, its greasy. But fiscal responsibility is one of the cornerstones of the PC platform. Consecutive surpluses are the proof.
Reply by Nanny White.
2 hrs ago
Yes while people are turfed out of their homes by rental increases.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
How is that the fault of the government? Its a national problem. Certainly not exclusive to NB. Additionally, how do renters expect housing increases not to happen at a similar rate to the increased cost of buying a home? Housing costs go up...rent goes up. Don't like it? Buy a house then. Renters seem to want the same rights as homeowners but don't want the responsibilities or burdens. The world doesn't work that way.
Reply by Geordan Mann.
2 hrs ago
They pander to their base with these unpopular decisions and hope to pick up enough disenfranchised others while paving roads to form a majority. This is not rocket science. The unethical actions, condescending attitude and limited foresight are leading to his lack of popularity and likely an election loss.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Relying on the feds' equalization payments and not investing in the people of New Brunswick makes it easy to get a surplus.
Reply by SarahRose Werner.
2 hrs ago
Politicians in our current system have no reason to care for "long term stability." They're not going to be around for the long term unless they can win votes in the next election cycle, so their thinking is limited by that election cycle.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
But higgs surpluses he keeps taking credit for are from federal government kick backs during covid. That he didn't spend on the population. The cons run deficits while slashing social funding and the population seems to forget that quickly. Higgs needs to be reminded that his surpluses were not from his government finances and more on with squandering the publics money
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
Finally someone identifying that. Mr Cain like you already. Can you explain to the group that conservatives usually do run deficits as well but run them while slashing social funding
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
53 min ago
Well said...we need a Consensus Government
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
53 min ago
Disagree. It was gained by Government austerity and responsible financial spending. Can you please point out how he "didnt spend on the population?"
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
51 min ago
What "social funding" was slashed? Easy to say words...harder to back them up.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
50 min ago
What wasnt invested in the people of New Brunswick? Explain.
Reply by Robert Brannen.
17 min ago
Blaine Higgs appears to be pandering to a certain segment of the population.
Reply by MR Cain.
17 min ago
Ask the auditor general; pretty clear about irresponsible fiscal management.
Reply by MR Cain.
12 min ago
Every cent he gouged New Brunswickers to get his surplus. Try reading for a change.
Comment by Greg Miller.
3 hrs ago
Sitting on my hands. This election is nothing more than a cruel exercise in "Gallows Humour". "None of the above"!
Comment by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago
Never made it on the electorate list.
Reply by Ron parker.
2 hrs ago
my comment was meant to be a reply to another post.
Reply by David Amos.
2 min ago
I do too
Reply by MR Cain.
11 min ago
I know, la bimbo.
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
4 hrs ago
Not only is he going to win the next election, but it will be by a wide majority. A lot of these comments are going to seem pretty silly at the end of October. They wont age well at all.
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
at least they use a real name.
Hidden reply.
The avatar of ""
content deactivated
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
not surprised Kim.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
3 hrs ago
Nor am I. Typically those who are church educated and call "grunt" a career aren't big thinkers for themselves, right Ronnie?
Reply by Ron parker.
3 hrs ago
Might as well go for a soda.
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
2 hrs ago
how clever indeed.
Reply by David Amos.
1 min ago
and a butter tart
Comment by Doug kirby.
4 hrs ago
Not sure that will happen....in fact he may be loosing seats in areas
Comment by Eugene Peabody.
4 hrs ago
Higgs is just trying to rally the old time party members who are upset with his leadership.
Comment by Steve Onuluk.
4 hrs ago
hA ha ha... Best joke i have heard in a long time. PC win
Reply by Nanny White.
2 hrs ago
Another episode in as the stomach turns
Comment by Marcel Marcotte.
4 hrs ago
Mr. Higgs and the PCs will not win ridings in the North of New Brunswick on October 21st.
Comment by Geordan Mann.
4 hrs ago
Not buying votes. Both parties buy votes at every opportunity. Politics in this province remain stuck in the Con/Lib pendulum and this so called leader is willing to say or do anything, however ethically questionable, to maintain his control over the province.
Comment by Jay Miller.
5 hrs ago
I Don’t buy that fictional story - sorry! You are dividing this province, its citizens, and minority groups - we now know your game! I want my New Brunswick back - a NB where EVERYONE is included - so, it’s time to vote Higgs out!
Reply by Les Cooper.
3 hrs ago
The french in the north is the reason for the device.
Reply by Lynette Browne.
3 hrs ago
For what device?
Reply by Bob Louie.
2 hrs ago
He is the opposite. The left have becomes experts to dividing us all up with labels and then driving wedges between us. The sub-sub categories of people are ridiculous. Another group appears every week and we have to kow-tow to them while we are stilling learning new rules for the group from the week before.
We are all just people. Be nice and quit re-labeling us all every week.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
No it's not. Has nothing to do with the French. It has everything to do with the political right attacking French minority groups.
Reply by David Webb.
36 min ago
Some may think that a couple of these minority groups are being far from sense-able and reasonable.
Comment by Doug McBride.
5 hrs ago
Higgsy Irving is well past his best due date and should have retired back a few years ago when he said he was considering it! NOW it is obvious that he has taken the attitude that it is 'his way or the highway' and alienated both his fellow Cons and more importantly the people of New Brunswick! He has also taken on the reek of ultra far right doctrine and THAT in itself should make his leadership officially OVER this election! Bye Bye!
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
6 hrs ago
"We're not buying votes," he said. "We want to be seen, as I believe we've demonstrated, as a party for the province, not for any one particular group.
What a load of bunk. It should read party for the large corps party opposed to the actual voters. Look at Health Care, Rent Control, Education System, School Bus Drivers,
Reply by Les Cooper.
3 hrs ago
Those have been problems for years . Nb hasn't had any money due to lack of industry.
Reply by Mike Sauerteig.
3 hrs ago
Yes, budgets have been problematic in NB for many years, BUT the PCs have been controlling provincial coffers for how long by now ? Kind of hard to pass that blame onto any other party. Higgs’ obsession with reducing the provincial debt at all costs has resulted in serious lack of funding for many portfolios. I think one can agree that some amount of spending in key sectors could be the stimulus to see things move in the right direction.
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
3 hrs ago
Sorry but I will have to disagree. Higgs has brought this to a whole new level.
Reply by John Gray.
1 hr ago
Yeah and higgs can't even fundraise in nb. He's to above that
He never does nor does he return phone calls