New Brunswick election focusing attention on province's health-care woes

Liberals, Greens prescribe major infusions of money to cure health troubles

One week into New Brunswick's provincial election campaign, the state of health care in the province has emerged as a central issue — with parties differing sharply on how serious problems in the system have become and whether spending more money is needed to fix them.

Jamie Gillies, a political scientist at St. Thomas University, told Information Morning Fredericton on Thursday that after this week's leaders' debate, it is clear troubles in health care will be front and centre for voters this year

"I think that's where Susan Holt especially wants to push the narrative of this election," said Gillies. "Look at things like a health-care system in crisis." 

During Wednesday's debate, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs was under attack from both Liberal Leader Susan Holt and Green Party Leader David Coon for steering money into debt reduction over six years, which they argued should have been used to improve basic health services.

"One of the reasons why it's taking so long to advance primary care in this province is because we have a government unwilling to act and invest in health care and very inflexible about the approach they take," said Holt.

Liberal Leader Susan Holt's first campaign commitment was to announce a multimillion-dollar plan to fund collaborative care clinics in New Brunswick. She has since unveiled six more health-care proposals. (Chad Ingraham/CBC)

Higgs disputes that claim and in the election is sticking to his long-held conviction that health-care problems can be fixed without spending heavily to do it.

"No one ever says that government is running things as well as it could be," said Higgs during the debate.   

"No one ever says that we couldn't find better results in innovative solutions."

 

 

 

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He ranted.a lot while helping himself only.  

 

Reply to John Montgomery 

His rants were true and he helped a lot of folks to think about how to make a change with their votes Hence he is fondly remembered much to your chagrin obviously   

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All Comments

    Comment by John Montgomery.

38 min ago

Can anyone even say how Higgs will pay for the HST cut? If it is cutting wasteful spending like he says, then why hasn't he cut it already? If wasteful spending has been happening all this time than he must also admit responsibility for ignoring it this long.

    Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.

23 min ago

All governments work with march 31 as their fiscal year end..any new plans start from that date as Imsure you are aware
Reply by John Montgomery.
14 min ago

So this doesn't answer the question, has Higgs not had the opportunity six times already in that case?
Reply by David Amos.
3 min ago

This is the same spin all day

Comment by William Murdoch.
57 min ago

If only The Official Opposition would have been more battle hardened.

    Reply by David Amos.

48 min ago

If is a very big word
Reply by William Murdoch.
47 min ago

Reminds me of:

That depends on what the meaning of is, is
Reply by David Amos.
43 min ago

If brings Rudyard Kipling to my mind

Comment by Albert Calleros.
1 hr ago

Pressing local issues that affect the daily lives of New Brunswickers ought to be the primary focus of upcoming provincial parliamentary election.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

1 hr ago

So... Health care.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Crumbling infrastructure? You know, I feel that I haven't read crumbling infrastructure enough in this comment section.
Reply by David Amos.
37 min ago

I saved what was said about it the other night

Comment by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

The most telling thing is when i ask anyone how Higgs has made life better in NB today, there is only deflections and excuses.

Comment by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Why hasn't The Premier concentrated on forcing people to enter The Health Care Field.

    Reply by Greg Miller.

1 hr ago

"forcing people" -- and just how do you do that?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Why hasn't he worked to make conditions better for health care workers?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I read here that some want people forced into care. Into care where there is no facilities and of course therefor no beds. I suggest that if The Premier would have spent more time forcing people into Health Care Rolls those then forced into care will have people to see them.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I know what a push poll question is. Do you?
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

let me guess, just keep throwing more money to them...it'll never end and there is only so much tax payer money to go around.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Yes and they specifically refer to polling questions. This isnt a poll.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I now know that you have no understanding of what push poll questions are.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

They are questions in a poll designed to promote an agenda rather than collect information in an unbiased way.
Reply by William Murdoch.
58 min ago

Here is a push poll question:

"Why hasn't [The Premier of NB] worked to make conditions better for health care workers?"

You lead with what you believe. Some will not care about your opinion and therefore would refuse to answer your leading question. Perhaps you alone think that The Premier has not worked to make conditions better for health care workers.
Reply by John Montgomery.
47 min ago

Well this is a public forum. Some people answer and some don't, but the general assumption is that if the answer is clear there will be many people who could answer and eventually one will.

You are just attempting to gaslight the conversation by applying a term that doesn't even apply to an open forum.
Reply by William Murdoch.
44 min ago

I agree it usually doesn't show up in forums anymore. If you branched out and perhaps away from The Mother Corp you would learn that posting up of a push poll question ended decades ago, But not for some - those that have an opinion that they think that everyone else has too.
Reply by John Montgomery.
42 min ago

Yeah i no longer know what you are even talking about. Only conspiracy theorists say things like "mother Corp"
Reply by David Amos.
34 min ago

Here is a simple question for you

How many times did I run for public office thus far?

Comment by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

Holt will be lucky to win her own riding.

    Reply by William Murdoch.

1 hr ago

I heard her interview, She has travelled the world - only to pick a Safe Seat when running. Dedication is what it is all about.
Reply by Art McCarthy.
1 hr ago

You and William must be an act. You should take it on the road. You remind me of Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
39 min ago

Yes, so I am told...just watch! Her run for her set is unfolding as we speak.

Comment by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Is it true that Susan Holt's bid was partially funded by Irvings?

    Reply by Art McCarthy.

1 hr ago

Possibly. The Irvings fund all parties; it's good for business.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Why then do I only read that The Premier is onside with Irvings and everyone else claiming IRVING BAD. Is Susan Holt not bad until she wins (and she won't wing)
Reply by Art McCarthy.
1 hr ago

The Irvings contribute to all political parties. The difference is they don't own Holt.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I doubt they own anyone. But with your line of thinking I am interested to know if you think that they will own Susan Holt if she wins - and she won't win.

Comment by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

Holt was part of the Gallant government and that didn't turn out very well for anyone.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

1 hr ago

How did Higgs leadership benefit anyone?
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

good fiscal management to name one benefit.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago

My coffee friends and others on the street are simply afraid to trust Holt given the mess she as a SeniorAdviser made in advising Gallant et al. Twice bitten twice shy.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

That's a number on paper unless you can point to any difference it has made to the lives of NBers.
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

Higgs HST cut will be a benefit as well.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Not if he needs to make up the difference with property taxes.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

How has your life been made better by it?

Comment by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago

Interesting to note weve had a great influx of people since 2018 thus putting more pressure on not only health,but education,housing etc. And of course it's not only NB that is struggling to address these issues. Anyone,who thinks differently isn't really paying attention. I actually had the chance to speak with Ernie Steeves and I queried him specifically on health care. He told me he would gladly spend more ...just show me the people who are willing to work in the health field. That's the question and answer every province is saying.

.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

1 hr ago

It's his job to ensure more people get trained to work in the health field. Subsidized education, higher pay, better working conditions. He is just passing the buck.
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

so i guess he should force people to go into the health field? Why doesn't the union assist as well?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

You do what any company does. You make it attractive to work in the health field. You make it worthwhile for people to select it as a career. It is job market 101.
Reply by Art McCarthy.
1 hr ago

He was part of the gov't that cut the 10 seats at MUN medicine, and the 10 seats cut from Dal Physiotherapy and Dal Occupational Therapy. That's 30 HCW's annually that we had a great opportunity to recruit, gone.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Physiotherapy? Better off searching the internet for advice.
Reply by Art McCarthy.
1 hr ago

Glad to see you at least recognize the folly of cutting physicians and OT's.

And if it's between Google and a physiotherapist, I'll go with the physiotherapist. As a competitive athlete in my youth, I found them invaluable.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Yeah and all those aches and pains you incurred in Sport years are now to be fixed by numerous more visits to your care provider. I assure you that the physiotherapy that you had will not and did not erase aging.

I developed Plantar Fasciitis. I asked for the time line to see a physiotherapist. I searched online and settled on a physiotherapist with an accent foreign to me. I fashioned a three inch wooden block and followed her advice. Within one week I was not dreading getting up in the morning. Then I got a call back explaining that it would be around a month to see someone to see if I would be able to see someone else and then that second someone would make an appointment for me to see a physiotherapist. But all is not gloom and doom. I heard a radio spot the other day claiming that if suffering from Plantar Fasciitis they would cure it fast. One two hour session every week for 8 weeks. Physiotherapy has gone rogue - Private.

Comment by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

I love how conservatives think everything is fine because every province has a problem.

    Reply by William Murdoch.

1 hr ago

So that is the only people that think that every province has a problem?
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

and the common dominator is PM JT.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Every province has different degrees of problems.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Yet according you the only ones thinking that was are Conservatives.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

I never said such.a thing. I am only concerned about my province and Premier.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Who has no control over provincial health care systems. You could very well say that the common denominator with people who die is that they breathed air. It's nonsense.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

You never said what:

"I love how conservatives think everything is fine because every province has a problem."
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Right. That does not mean it is ok for Higgs to toss his hands up and claim there is nothing he can do.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago

You are saying the other jurisdiction are not having a problem??
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

I have seen BC and MB announce solutions.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Interesting.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago

When and how? Further..and how did it alll work out?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Admittedly, Danelle smith is trying to fix things too, but so far her changes have only caused confusion.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

No one has a crystal ball, but at least they are trying.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Really. So you think that a half a pack a day is not healthy?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Huh?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
1 hr ago

As Higgs has done if you've been following the media then you would already know that..
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

10 spots in Maine. Not enough.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Why are we even supporting institutions in the US?

Comment by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

time to fully embrace a two tiered health care system.

    Reply by Art McCarthy.

1 hr ago

"How We Do Harm"

- Otis Brawley
Reply by Lynette Browne.
1 hr ago

I am thinking of a hybrid HC system.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

By all means, as long as it doesn't cost more and everyone keeps equal care.

Comment by Jake Newman.
2 hrs ago

HST cut is exactly what is needed. Gonna be great with another Higgs majority.

    Reply by William Murdoch.

2 hrs ago

No cut needed to feel confident that the sitting Premier will easily win Majority again.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

It will just mean property tax will have to go up all the more.
Reply by Bob Smith.
2 hrs ago

I feel that voters want a change in leadership and so do many Conservatives in NB.
Reply by William Peters.
2 hrs ago

That's just less money in the provincial coffers, which will entice him to play the austerity game even harder. You can always chase a balanced budget when you cut your revenues. This is an election promise, don't forget. Higgs told us politicians needed to stop playing this damaging gift giving game. Funny what fear does to someone's perspective....This is only possible because of inflation which no one should be able to use as a feather in their cap without reproach. We' ll need those revenues later, and they will be quick to go and get that money and more in other places where you are already taxed at an annually increasing rate of 10 percent.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
2 hrs ago

Almost everyone in this string appears to support Mr. Higgs and his approach to health care... they must all have ready access to a family doctor. Good for them. For me and my family, we have been without a family doctor for 6 years. Can we get a refund on the taxes we have paid for health care access over that time but did not receive, please? And why would I believe one word of what Mr. Higgs has to say on health care after the last 6 years of watching him preside over its collapse?
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

how do you account for the health crisis happening in every province? Is that Higgs doing as well?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

No just in new Brunswick. Health care is provincial.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

Let's see, Conservative governments in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, PEI, NS and NB along with another in Manitoba until recently. Looks to me like they are all reading from the same game plan to demolish public health care in Canada.
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

BC and NFLD are having issues (NDP & Liberal), and if it was so easy to fix why hasn't it now been fixed in Manitoba.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Actually the Ndp in MB have announced many new funded positions for education and training. The ndp have only been in power for months
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

It is not easy to fix but acknowledging that our system has collapsed is the first step toward recovery. And for sure, what we in NB are doing right now is not working. It is time for a change.
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

yes a change is need .....The problem is with the gov't bureaucrats and administrators (the elected officials need to deal with them) but also the workers (docs, nurses, techs, non-medical staff, etc.,) all the unions, College of Physicians & Surgeons, and all the groups that represent some group (including special interest groups), and of course the citizens. Unless all these groups are willing to work together and make major changes to operations, health care will always be in a crisis regardless of how much money is thrown in.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I feel that voters regret having their Liberal Leader for Opposition at a time like this when the election was hers to win.

Comment by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

Canada has National Housing Crisis, a National Health Care Crisis and yet somehow it is Premier Higgs fault?

How does The PM fit into the crumbling of our social fabric?

Comment by John Dutton.
2 hrs ago

And who knows how to spend the money easily and without any accountability you guessed it Holt and her federal cousins tax and spend is what they are good at. Delivering results not so much.

    Reply by William Murdoch.

2 hrs ago

No No No. You seem to have omitted BORROW.

They BORROW TAX and SPEND.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

I'm not willing to pay debt at the expense of my own living conditions.
Reply by John Dutton.
2 hrs ago

and you forgot to mention money borrowed needs to be paid back and that is why my paycheck is being clawed more and more in the past few years. But in your defense, you have to have a job and work for the money to experience that.
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

Me neither. I am convinced that you and I are around the same age. We will have nothing of ever paying for the life we were so blessed to have lived. Let the youngsters pay our debt then pay even more as we age.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

I think there is a happy medium to be stuck.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

So Higgs paid a bunch back... Where are the benefits from that?
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

Never. No Going Back. Young people must be required to pay the debt. We, you and me know that, as we have no interest in paying debt. The cost we incurred living well beyond our means for too many years shall be paid for by those just starting out in life..
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

Taxpayers paid a bunch back towards the debt. The debt that you and I created as we lived beyond out means. I am still a tax payer yet I wonder about you.

Comment by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

.02% increase in GDP. A result of The Prime Minister making the civil service even larger. That should trickle down, eh.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

2 hrs ago

You don't believe civil servants use that money to pay taxes and support businesses?
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

So being paid with tax money and then being required to give some back - wow the way some people think.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

That's the way taxes work.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

You missed the part about jobs created with taxes, holding positions that sees then give some back?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Don't see anything wrong with that
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Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

So now taxes are marxist? A democratic government must run without taxes?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Having a belief that taxes should pay for every position based on the thinking that those in those positions when being required to pay some tax money back - yup pure and simple Marxism.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

So you are saying every public employee should be able to live tax free?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Yeah that's it. Brilliant on your part.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

You lost me. You said civil servants paying taxes is marxist. Does that not imply that civil servants shouldn't pay tax at all?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Sorry. Yeah that's it.

Comment by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

The two percent proposed cut to HST. How much would that be when buying a $70,000 EV?

Comment by James Risdon.
2 hrs ago

There is zero evidence to support the politically-motivated claim made by both the Liberals and the Greens that we need to throw more taxpayer dollars at healthcare.

Premier Blaine Higgs is doing a great job.

If the healthcare woes in New Brunswick were indeed the result of his policies, then we would expect to see other provinces faring much better than we are here. And that's not the case.

The trouble with healthcare is primarily that we have not graduated enough physicians and nurses and are now facing an acute labour shortage despite record-breaking immigration and immigration programs to bring more healthcare workers here.

That's a problem across the entire country. It is not a New Brunswick-caused problem and throwing more money at it won't make physicians and nurses magically appear in our province.

By the way, federal government figures show that New Brunswick already pays its nurses more than does Quebec or Ontario.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

2 hrs ago

But they are doing better. The people i know in Manitoba can at least go to one of the many walk in clinics and be seen in a couple hours. The people who complain about it
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

Just don't know how bad it is in NB. It takes me two weeks of calling every evening to see a real doctor.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

What other type of Doctor is there besides real?
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

A nurse at Maple.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

Nice try. I know for a fact some required prescriptions will only be written out by Doctors. And you know that too.
Reply by John Montgomery.
1 hr ago

Yes because maple has one doctor overseeing 20 nurses.
Reply by Gary Webber.
1 hr ago

I just read where Higgs claimed the liberals are copping his health care plan so you might want to retract your statement

Comment by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

The Administration Pay Roll is too large.

    Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.

1 hr ago

Which hospitals, schools, jails, and RCMP stations do you propose closing?
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I would start with Hospitals and head directly to the floor where is not much more than Managers managing Managers.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

So, you want to reduce hospital capacity, eh? Good luck getting elected on that platform.
Reply by William Murdoch.
1 hr ago

I am not running for Office. And I did not attack Nurses. Their continued griping has run its course. And Managers managing Managers - how many do you think are needed for that?

Comment by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

When Hatfield was Premier Nurses went on a job action slow down

Their Buttons Said:

OVER WORKED

UNDER PAID

    Reply by William Peters.

2 hrs ago

If they are needed and we can't hire them they are underpaid. That's what a labor market rationale would suggest. Of course this is why we are seeing our labor force being filled with foreign workers. Everyone would rather be a manager of a worker. The Conservative way is to slash salary, because there is nothing more real than the money it would cost those who have it to pay for what society needs. Those people are not handing it over and will run a candidate to cut taxes (on their rapidly growing wealth) who allegedly deliver us everything we need and want. You see, you should want less exactly as capitalism promises more for evermore.
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

The point that I was trying to make is ... Nurses have perfected their griping.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

Please, feel free to attack nurses, the very folks you depend upon when you find yourself in the hospital. Seems like a good stategy.

Comment by Jake Newman.
2 hrs ago

more money isn't the answer. major changes are needed but that is always being stopped by some group....The problem is with the gov't bureaucrats, administrators, the workers (docs, nurses, techs, non-medical staff, etc., all the unions, College of Physicians & Surgeons, and all the groups that represent some group (including special interest groups), and of course the citizens. Unless all these groups are willing to work together and make major changes to operations, health care will always be in a crisis regardless of how much money is thrown in.

    Reply by Lynette Browne.

2 hrs ago

The major change needed is a huge paradigm shift in how we deal with HC in this country.

Otherwise, the system will continue to slowly go in circles, down the drain.
Reply by William Peters.
2 hrs ago

It has to be probably funded by capitalists. Capitalism is the best system in the world to make the profits to pay for it. Sadly we have a two party duopoly who promotes austerity for the poor and all out "economic development" of natural resources. What we are paying for is business sector success. Business is only half the private sector, though. The other component is households. It is there you will find a need for healthcare. You are right that we need a paradigm shift in how we tax capital gains, because that is just allowing a free ride to aspiring aristocrats.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

The problem is that capitalism is a terrible caregiver.

Comment by Gary Webber.
2 hrs ago

Don't count on the Higgs government to deliver on any promises, watch what he's not saying like forced detention for people with addiction or higher property taxes .

    Reply by Jake Newman.

2 hrs ago

nothing wrong with forced help for folks with addiction. either get help or you on your own.
Reply by William Murdoch.
2 hrs ago

Where would those you speak of be forced into?
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

Nothing at all wrong with involuntary treatment, except it does not work. Good luck with that.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

Likely a secure hospital/jail.
Reply by Jake Newman.
1 hr ago

and what has been happening now hasn't worked, just look at the mess in BC.

Comment by Bob Smith.
2 hrs ago

Money alone won't solve the problems with healthcare. Maybe start with solutions that don't involve "kick the can down the road" thinking. Liberals and Conservatives have both done this far too often in NB. We have a large percentage of elderly folks here yet the gov't has shown little desire to build enough nursing homes AND adequately staff them.

    Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.

1 hr ago

Well, for the last 6 years we have tried starving the health care system of resources and money and today we can see the results as our system collapses. Maybe another approach and more money spent correctly is the way to go after failing with Higgs plan.

Comment by MR Cain.
3 hrs ago

I would like to see all these plans Mr. Higgs has for every problem he has yet to resolve. It took 3 years to convince him there was a housing problem, and he still had to "study" the issue for a year. Health care is being dealt with by the practicioners, longer hours and more patience. Funding is needed to fill positions; reduce casual employment.

    Reply by Jake Newman.

2 hrs ago

a national housing crisis, a national health care crisis but somehow it's Higgs fault? The one common dominator is the Federal Liberal Gov't. If Holt and her provincial liberals really cared they would be calling out JT and his gov't.
Reply by John Montgomery.
2 hrs ago

None of the problems are Higgs fault, but the fact that NB hasn't had any tangible improvements is.
Reply by MR Cain.
32 min ago

Agreements with all the provinces and feds for housing were made 6 years ago; the premiers did nada. A national strategy was offered by the feds and the premiers intervened and claimed the all had different health priorities. Higgs was asked about adopting national standards for long term care and said we couldn't afford it. The premiers cried for more people and did nothing to invest in the accommodation. If you were better informed you would know all this.

Comment by ralph jacobs.
3 hrs ago

I don't think our health care problem is from lack of money or hospitals. It's lack of qualified people to do the job.

    Reply by Art McCarthy.

3 hrs ago

Make you wonder why this gov't funding for seats at MUN Medicine. We had 10 seats there, guaranteed for NB'ers.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago

At what level would this be? Nurse specialists, imaging technologists, doctors of various disciplines? Maybe it is politicians sticking their noses in a subject they know little?

Comment by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

The influx of foreign workers wouldn't be a problem if their wages along with all Canadians wages were enough to contribute enough taxes to support their families. The problem is not foreigners

    Reply by Max Ruby.

4 hrs ago

The problem is high taxes. Taxes are the largest household expense for families in Canada. "It's not only income taxes. It's also payroll taxes, sales taxes, fuel taxes when you're filling up at the pump. Property taxes as well," said Jake Fuss, fiscal studies director with Fraser Institute. AND New Brunswick pays the HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN CANADA on top.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/average-canadian-household-spends-almost-half-its-income-on-taxes-fraser-institute-1.6983370

https://www.nesto.ca/mortgage-basics/property-taxes-by-province-in-canada-highest-to-lowest/
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

Taxes only have to go up if wages don't.
Reply by John Montgomery.
3 hrs ago

If a person makes $100 and the government needs $15 from that then they need 15% tax. If the same people make $150 an hour then the government can leave tax down at 10%>
Reply by David Amos.
3 hrs ago

Do you recall why I ran for a seat in Parliament 20 years ago?
Reply by Max Ruby.
3 hrs ago

Property tax? I'll vote for you. Heck I'll help you :)
Reply by Max Ruby.
3 hrs ago

The higher the population growth the easier the government can borrow money.

This bulletin shows that deficit spending and government debt come at a substantial cost to Canadians. In aggregate, the provinces and federal government are expected to spend $81.8 billion on interest payments in 2023/24. Debt servicing charges in 2023/24 is nearly what the government expects to spend on the Canada Health Transfer and significantly more than it expects to spend on childcare benefits.

Federal and Provincial Debt-Interest Costs for

Canadians, 2024 Edition
Reply by John Montgomery.
3 hrs ago

So where are the benefits from all the debt Higgs paid?
Reply by John Montgomery.
3 hrs ago

To clarify, i don't care if things get better by spending money directly or by the money that comes from reduced maintenance payments. But if nothing is getting better by doing what you are doing, then continuing the same thing is just throwing good money after bad.
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago

Both the Greens and Liberals have plans to straighten out the property tax issue; Higgs needs the revenue to cover the HST cut.
Reply by BRIAN SAUNDERS.
1 hr ago

Only if you have a provincial government paying attention and willing to spend more in areas of need like the health care system.

Comment by Douglas James.
4 hrs ago

And there we see Higgs touting lowering the HST by 2 cents on the dollar. His priority is not healthcare, it is simply getting elected and he seems to truly believe he can 'buy votes' by telling people they'll save $20 if they spend $1,000. You can get deals far better than that on pretty much anything you buy these days. And yes, of course, I understand that the savings are on anything and everything. In fact, he claims that if we spend $50,000 ( what he seems to think the 'average' New Brunswicker has to spend in the course of a year, we'll save $950. He believes people are that gullible?

    Reply by David Amos.

4 hrs ago

Oh MY My You can say it but I cannot agree Go Figure
Reply by Max Ruby.
3 hrs ago

His HST 2 cents won't do anything for anyone but big spenders. Property tax is the big elephant that no party will touch and it effects everyone.

Comment by Marge Timmons.
5 hrs ago

Over 6M Canadians without a family DR. Like housing, the healthcare issues are mainly caused by the our Federal gov't bringing in too many people.

    Reply by Bob Smith.

4 hrs ago

Immigration is not the problem with healthcare. Fixing it requires many steps and long term planning.
Reply by Walter Vrbetic.
4 hrs ago

All at the request of the premiers.

In '22 ON's Doug Ford begged Ottawa for more immigrants to help with the shortage of 350k workers, AB claimed to be short 93k and MB 40k.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

So they should cut all foreign workers and let all but the largest restaurant chains go bankrupt? I don't agree with foreign workers either, but i am fully prepared to eat at home.
Reply by Bob Louie.
1 hr ago

Immigration IS one of the major causes of the doctors shortage. The other is that all provinces have not increased the number of seats in our medical schools.

Comment by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

If skyrocketing property taxes is your priority it is not the priority of the 2 main parties, highest property taxes in Canada for years under both of them.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

5 hrs ago

Our type of civilization doesn't work without taxes.
Reply by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

"Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society", this from the American Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., in a 1927 case.

Government spending was much lower in 1927 compared to now. You are proposing that because one glass of wine has healthful effects, then a dozen drinks must be even better.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

How much has the wealth gap grown since 1927?
Reply by Max Ruby.
4 hrs ago

Weatlh gap has grown huge under our two main parties. Government policies benefit corporations at the expense of taxpayers, consumers and small business. Government subsidizes them with taxpayer money. Look at the EV battery plant in Windsor Ontario, $15 billion given to them. Correct me if my math is wrong but isn't that approx $300 per man woman and child in Canada?

Comment by Frank Blacklock.
5 hrs ago

These are very specific problems. Canadian provinces should allow private clinics for hip/knee surgeries, MRI and CT scans, and specialist doctors.

Rich older people and business/industry top earners currently go to the USA and other countries for treatments/scans. Why does Canada not open up private clinics and keep this money in our economy?

    Reply by John Montgomery.

5 hrs ago

Because it has *already* made the wait longer for other things in our province.
Reply by John Montgomery.
5 hrs ago

Because it has *already* made the wait longer for other things in our province.
Reply by Walter Vrbetic.
4 hrs ago

Where would the private clinic Drs and nurses come from?
Reply by Frank Blacklock.
4 hrs ago

More high quality doctors and nurses would stay in the country, and move into the country.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

But that would require us all to pay more anyway. Why not just pay that amount to public workers?
Reply by MR Cain.
2 hrs ago

Fairy dust.
Reply by Walter Vrbetic.
2 hrs ago

Biggest issue for those moving into the country, even for those who arre CDN citizens but trained elsewhere is getting accreditation... almost as if provinces and colleges of physicians and surgeons are impeding them.
Reply by Frank Blacklock.
2 hrs ago

Rich old people and corporation owners will just go out of the country to get better service anyways. Why not give them the option to pay for it here, and free up healthcare services for those who can’t afford to pay for it? Taxes will be collected for healthcare regardless.

Comment by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

People work for companies where the owners drive Ferraris and they wonder why they can't afford any more taxes.

    Reply by Frank Blacklock.

6 hrs ago

Only beaters here
Reply by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

Taxes? Provincial net job growth in the government sector has exceeded the private sector in all 10 provinces. New Brunswick: Feb 2020 - June 2023 Government sector increased 18.4% and private sector went DOWN 0.6%.

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/file/public-and-private-sector-job-growth-in-provinces-during-covid-19-era-infographic-atlcjpg
Reply by John Montgomery.
5 hrs ago

What does that have to do with anything? Public sector jobs increase as one method to help citizens feed their families.
Reply by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

Higher taxes are needed to pay the salary, pensions and benefits of public sector growth. We are all paying higher taxes while the non-government job pool is shrinking and many don't get pensions and benefits. Get it?
Reply by John Montgomery.
5 hrs ago

Those people go out and shop for things, thus creating a feedback loop that returns money to the government as well as supporting more citizens. Money helps people when it moves around.
Reply by Max Ruby.
4 hrs ago

According to you those people go shop for things from an employer who drives a Ferrari, to afford that vehicle he must employ TFWs who send the money outside Canada to support their family overseas. It not a feedback loop: Canada receives approximately 5% of the total $583 billion sent by migrants worldwide each year.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

I never said i agree with foreign workers. Ok fact i believe that is what is keeping wages very low. So low that people here can't afford taxes.
Reply by Max Ruby.
4 hrs ago

Taxes are so high employers bring in foreign workers. Taxes is what is keeping wages low. Root cause.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

So you think Tim Hortons is on the verge of going bankrupt?

Comment by james bolt.
7 hrs ago

If health care is your priority vote NDP

    Reply by William Peters.

7 hrs ago

Are they still a party?
Reply by Graeme Scott.
6 hrs ago

Who?

Comment by Lorraine Morgan.
7 hrs ago

Higgs has set NB back 30 years. Time to let the moths out of Higgs' wallet.

    Reply by Jerry Dion.

7 hrs ago

LOL the system has been crumbling way before Higgs
Reply by William Peters.
7 hrs ago

To the degree that we have had austerity promoting Conservatives elected Provincially and Federally this is true. Some people are comfortable with public healthcare failing you, because that opens the door to for-profit healthcare. Less on their plates means more surpluses which they can allege is poof they are great stewards of our social institutions. Don't trade Healthcare for meaningless surpluses that merely represent you paying too many taxes for what you are getting.
Reply by John Montgomery.
7 hrs ago

But it crumbled more under higgs. He also doubled down on his responsibility by replacing the board who also did nothing.
Reply by Jerry Dion.
7 hrs ago

Both the PCs and the liberals have failed our healthcare system over the years with inadequate funding and promises that they have never kept and they are both trying to tell us they can fix it. People need to stop buying into and start voting in a different party.
Reply by Art McCarthy.
6 hrs ago

It's not apples-to-apples. We've fallen off a precipice with this gov't. We now have ~190,000 residents without primary care, and the clinics can't keep up. And 4 years ago the Higgs gov't cut the 10 seats we funded at MUN medical, so we've reduced the potential crop of local physicians to fill already thinned ranks (gasoline, meet fire).

And in the years since this gov't cut the funding for 10 seats at Dal Physiotherapy and for the 10 seats at Dal Occupational Therapy.
Reply by Jerry Dion.
6 hrs ago

6 MILLION Canadians without a family doctor right across this country, there isn't a single political party who could have prepared for Mass immigration to this country over the years. This isn't a post to defend HIGGS, if people truly want change then its time to vote for change. Stop electing the same 2 parties and send a clear message to both libs and PCs we arent happy how things have been done for the last 20 years
Reply by Max Ruby.
6 hrs ago

Paul Martin cut federal health (and other) transfers by 40 per cent and repealed laws that forced provinces to spend transfers on health and education. He refused to enforce the Canada Health Act’s banning of private care.

Paul Martin completely eliminated the social housing budget in 1995, making Canada the only developed country without such a program.
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
6 hrs ago

Two questions.

Who has responsibilitiey for the deliverly of health care from a constitutional perspective?

Who is running for election in 2024?
Reply by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

The Feds have the responsibilty for health transfers and the L Feds cut the amount and removed the oversight on how the provinces spend the money. The PCs, Libs, Greens, and NDP are running for NB election in 2024. Two of em have already had a kick at the can too many times, that is why we have the highest greedy property taxes in Canada! Next...
Reply by JOhn D Bond.
4 hrs ago

Convienent exclusion of salient details Max, why didn't the provinces use the tax transfer points they were granted when that happened?

As for property taxes you are incorrec, not the highest in the country
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

Though it soon will be because Higgs choose to pay debt. And with the proposed cut to HST he will likely need to make it up in property tax. He certainly isn't cutting expenses by that amount.
Reply by Max Ruby.
4 hrs ago

Quebec property tax is relatively low as well compared to New Brunswick which has the highest property taxes in Canada. Property tax rate comparison shows that property taxes in some provinces are more than 2 times that in other provinces.

https://www.nesto.ca/mortgage-basics/property-taxes-by-province-in-canada-highest-to-lowest/
Reply by Art McCarthy.
3 hrs ago

That would be true if the shortfall was only the increased population, which it isn't. Stop using immigration as a bogeyman.

Comment by Lorraine Morgan.
7 hrs ago

Pay them more! Why would any doctor or nurse want to practice in a province where they are paid less than anywhere else in Canada, the climate sucks, the services suck, and they are over-worked before they even get here. We need to pay them MORE than other provinces. We then may have a hope of having enough doctors and nurses.

Comment by John Montgomery.
8 hrs ago

Don't people realize when Higgs says, "you need more than money to fix these problems" it basically implies he wouldn't know what to do with it. Let's elect a leader that does, for our own sakes.

    Reply by Danyello Stearto.

7 hrs ago

the idea that there are issues of management is one that "most people" can't really speak on, outside of government. without a credible alternative posited, a comment like this is overbearingly cynical.

this said, I don't have an answer to this either, there are a lot of variables and an enormous amount of information I do not have here. I'm just saying, 'issues of management' are well within the realm of "you need more than money to fix these problems" because the levels of management and the 'dual' systems (as per bilingualism) are certainly 'spicy' topics, when you get down to rational acting.
Reply by William Peters.
7 hrs ago

That's a good point. His focus on bottom lines and scriptures is bad news for everyone, because there is an easy rationale in thinking you can do nothing and allow the good Lord to provide for those he cherishes most (aka, billionaires).
Reply by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

Nothing but deflection.

Comment by Jack Bell.
8 hrs ago

"Liberals, Greens prescribe major infusions of money to cure health troubles"

Why fix the actual problems by bringing in efficiencies by getting rid of red tape and high paid bureaucrats, giving healthcare workers a better work life balance, stop adding stress to the system by bringing in more and more people, and increase our healthcare worker pool by lessening language requirements, when we can throw a never-ending supply of taxpayer money at the problem.

    Reply by John Montgomery.

8 hrs ago

The libs are saying they will do that. Higgs is saying he doesn't know what to do.
Reply by William Peters.
7 hrs ago

The penny pinchers are those who demand to know where every cent goes in great detail. Mind the pennies and the dollars will look after themselves ideology...If you think the Cons are not entirely for red tape guess again. More time is spent identifying things to cut than to make that effort work towards providing services. As anyone who is a manager in the public service role is under pressure to be make these politicians look good on paper.

Comment by Ben DeKraker.
9 hrs ago

Bye bye Blaine. And good riddance.

    Reply by William Peters.

6 hrs ago

I'm getting that even from people who are die-hard Cons. One canvasser just told me that the number one issue/irritant that she sees on people's radar right now isn't healthcare; it's immigration. The fact that Higgs is touting his increased population numbers while service levels have cratered is making some people's blood boil. The shortages of teachers and the demographic make-up of classes is currently fresh on the mind of a lot of people.

Comment by Charles Neal.
9 hrs ago

Encourage and support the young adults who want to enter the medical field with free tuition and their commitment to practice in the province for five years. Think outside the box. It's the people we need, as simple as that. The old supply and demand model from economics.

    Reply by William Peters.

6 hrs ago

That's not very realistic, and economists are wrong in this assessment. You can never pay people enough to be in a toxic situation. You'll financially encourage some, but they won't stick. Money isn't nearly the carrot that people think it is. You have to offer the prospects of a decent life which allows good mental health outcomes. It's going to be hard to staff-up to those levels now that we have allowed the problem (a hole) to become so deep. "Come and help us run on fumes" has limited appeal. On top of that the Politicians ae only too quick to blame the staff publicly at the sign of problems.
Reply by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

So then the economists would say, pay them more to alleviate the short term problems and then work to make the conditions better. Making working conditions less toxic would totally be part of the economic solution.
Reply by Charles Neal.
5 hrs ago

you are giving them retention money at the beginning not at the end.

Comment by Frank Blacklock.
9 hrs ago

Healthcare was damaged by too many people at one time, and healthcare mandates.

    Reply by Shawn Tabor.

8 hrs ago

You understand. Good comment

Comment by Jimmy Cochrane.
9 hrs ago

Cash to cure healthcare problems? You're kidding right?

    Reply by Shawn Tabor.

8 hrs ago

Yes, isn’t it ludicrous.
Reply by John Montgomery.
8 hrs ago

Do you know any other way to attract workers,?
Reply by William Peters.
6 hrs ago

Last time I looked people still needed to be paid. No one is providing healthcare out of a religious calling these days. The nunneries and monasteries have been replaced by human resources in a capitalist model where capitalism's profits are required to pay for it.
Reply by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

Furthermore, there has been 12% inflation over the last two years, so they need to be paid 12% more just to remain the same. Paying them more means more than 12% over what they were paid in 2019.

Comment by David Amos.
10 hrs ago

Anyone notice anything missing?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/cbc-election-debate-1.7333022

    Reply by Ed Franks.

6 hrs ago

There is no NDP candidate. Maybe 3 lefts don’t make it right.

Comment by Shawn Tabor.
10 hrs ago

Increase the taxes, by 20-25%, who cares anymore. Its all nothing but B/S. How about a politicians talk about lowering taxes. Highest inflation in the country. Yup our government is one efficient machine. It does not matter folks who is in power. Blue or Red, they are just repeating the same things, trying to come out with a different outcome. Welcome to NB, the place to be, where some folks and families get wealthy on the backs of taxpayers. History is the proof. Check it out for yourself. Trust none of them. Taxes and death yee haa

    Reply by David Amos.

10 hrs ago

Guess who is gonna run against Higgy
Reply by Shawn Tabor.
9 hrs ago

You, i am assuming. I know that Bruce Northrup is. Sadly nothing will change, except higher taxes and cost of living. Again taxes and death, yee haa. Its now or has been out of control for years.
Reply by John Montgomery.
7 hrs ago

If taxes are too high, look at why your employer doesn't pay you enough to support your place in society.
Reply by Shawn Tabor.
6 hrs ago

Its out of control now. Oh well who cares right. You can always trust your Politicians. Its all good.
Reply by Max Ruby.
5 hrs ago

Ask your employer how much tax they have to pay. I give you a sample: Tim Hortons 1166 Mountain Rd, Moncton. Just the property tax is - $49,910.22 The property is assessed at $1,177,600. 10 years ago it was assessed at $527,500.

No wonder employers begging for Temporary Foreign Workers eh?

http://propertize.ca/en/results/location/63460?civic=1166&page=8
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

Those numbers are entirely out of context without knowing what the profit of the location is and what percentage is spent on labor.
Reply by Max Ruby.
4 hrs ago

Employer has to pay property tax whether he makes a profit or not. NB has tax court for unpaid property taxes.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

But you are saying it is an unfair hardship on the employee. Without knowing what the profit is, how do you know? It's just a number. If that site makes 10 million a year then that tax is a drop in the bucket.
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

Sorry i mean the employer.

Comment by David Amos.
11 hrs ago

"PCs have proposed their own $1.5-billion plan over four years to cut the HST by two percentage points but Higgs says that will be affordable by managing government costs, including in health care."

Yea Right

Comment by Max Ruby.
11 hrs ago

More pending doesn't solve the problem. Spending on public schools in the province is well above the national average on a per-student basis, $15,000 per student was spent in New Brunswick public schools in 2017/18 (the latest year of comparable data) , the second-highest spending level in Canada.

New Brunswick’s student performance ranks among the worst in Canada, the province ranks last in Canada in reading, second-last in science and fourth-last in math.

    Reply by David Amos.

11 hrs ago

Tragic
Reply by Errol Willis.
11 hrs ago

Correct - money is not the answer in its entirety.
Reply by Shawn Tabor.
10 hrs ago

Efficiency NB the place to be. You can’t make this stuff up. Wonder who is about to get wealthier on tax dollars. Stay tuned you will know or understand.
Reply by Matt Adams.
10 hrs ago

sadly much of the voting public is not intelligent enough to realize that more $ does not fix the problem.
Reply by Ron parker.
10 hrs ago

is that the Blaney thing?
Reply by Ron parker.
10 hrs ago

Hi Matt, sadly much of the voting public fall for and forget all the promises made and broken by all parties.
Reply by Shawn Tabor.
8 hrs ago

Its all of it, oh well increase taxes, nobody will mind. Its all good. Trust your leaders. You can take it to the honest bankers. Just have faith, it will fix it self LOL. If your stressed out trust the Lawyers. Its all good.
Reply by John Montgomery.
8 hrs ago

True, you also need a leader that knows what to do with the money. That is what we are trying to accomplish with the election.
Reply by Ron parker.
7 hrs ago

George Carlin nailed it.
Reply by Sean Adams.
7 hrs ago

I miss George...you gotta know he'd have a thing or three to say about the nonstop political poopshow we find ourselves living in, both here and Stateside...
Reply by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

He ranted.a lot while helping himself only.
Reply by David Amos.
4 hrs ago

His rants were true and he helped a lot of folks to think about how to make a change with their votes Hence he is fondly remembered much to your chagrin obviously
Reply by John Montgomery.
4 hrs ago

That is also why people believe in disinformation. Because having your beliefs confirmed by another raises the dopamine in the body almost as much as sex, to the point that it overrides the will to find the truth. It's a bad human instinct, that's all I'm saying.

Comment by Errol Willis.
11 hrs ago

We should just look at some kind of privatization of health care while still protecting those vulnerable and lower income families. The model we have now worked well in the 60s and 70s, but clinging to it and throwing endless money at it will not fix it.

Holt wants to just throw money at it. Higgs is probably a little too extreme on the other end. Somewhere in the middle is the answer.

    Reply by Denis Van Humbeck.

11 hrs ago

Privatizing is charging very high prices.
Reply by Denis Van Humbeck.
11 hrs ago

Medical equipment and more doctors and healthcare workers cost money . Private clinics do not work for free. And only wealthy politicians can afford to use those private clinics.
Reply by Mehare Mahalatti.
11 hrs ago

tax payors money should not be supporting big business health care
Reply by Errol Willis.
11 hrs ago

Not necessarily. It doesn't have to be the US style where people go bankrupt from healthcare.
Reply by Errol Willis.
11 hrs ago

As soon as you say "only wealthy politicians", you've lost the argument.

Times have changed, people are living longer, we have doubled the population and still think what we had will work. There are other options out there, if we are willing to look.
Reply by Errol Willis.
11 hrs ago

I think you'll find that it already does.
Reply by Art McCarthy.
6 hrs ago

That's a hard "No". Privatization requires patients to become consumers, and there is no scenario when your health ( and perhaps your life) is on the line that you can expect that consumer to make a rational choice (purchase).

If you want to know more about this, reference "How We Do Harm" by Otis Brawley

Comment by Denis Van Humbeck.
11 hrs ago

We should be like Norway. We should nationalize our natural resources like oil, mining, logging and the auto sector.

    Reply by Matt Adams.

10 hrs ago

because government is so effective at running a business - look at NB Power and ANBL!
Reply by John Montgomery.
5 hrs ago

Well that depends on who you vote for. Clearly Higgs has shown that he doesn't know how.

Comment by Denis Van Humbeck.
11 hrs ago

The feds could be giving each province billions of dollars each year for healthcare.

    Reply by Mathieu Laperriere.

11 hrs ago

They do that already.
Reply by Mehare Mahalatti.
11 hrs ago

and some premiers redirect a percentage of that money to other pet projects and for profit private health care
Reply by Denis Van Humbeck.
11 hrs ago

We need laws to any politician who does that should go to jail.
Reply by Mathieu Laperriere.
11 hrs ago

Yup, conservative premiers are good at that.
Reply by Lorraine Morgan.
7 hrs ago

The Feds have offered Higgs millions of dollars for health care, but he has refused it, as the deal meant matching dollar for dollar. This guy has set NB back 30 years. Time to let the moths out of Higgs' wallet.

Comment by Denis Van Humbeck.
11 hrs ago

Its time that healthcare become federal and all money come from the federal government. Feds could stop giving our money to foreign countries at war.

Comment by Eugene Peabody.
11 hrs ago

Being able to access a doctor is a big issue for me . Myself and almost half of my extended family have lost our family doctor in the last couple of years.

Comment by Mehare Mahalatti.
11 hrs ago

" Higgs in the 2018 election he pledged to cut wait times for knee and hip replacements in New Brunswick in half"

"It was a prescription that appears not to have worked. Five years later, waits for those procedures have grown longer."

>only one of many...ffails

Comment by JOhn D Bond.
11 hrs ago

This issue has grown much worse during Higgs's time in government. Yes we had a pandemic. But also we received hundreds of millions in support yearly from the Feds that on the surface found its way to the budget surpluses instead of health care spending.

While deficit reduction and debt management is important. It is not as important as the ability of people to get quality health care on a quick and efficient basis, to have access to a family doctor. To not have to choose between rent or food.

From a fiscal management perspective, Higgs has shown that he is a capable fiscal manager.

From a premier of the province perspective where the social well being of the residents in the province is the primary responsibility he is a failure.

The upcoming vote will allow NBers the ability to address what their priorities are .

Comment by Daniel Henwell.
12 hrs ago

Hard to believe opponents could criticize the premier for paying back 2 billion in debt. The Red & Green parties are like a kid with daddy's credit card..... party now pay later & let the debt pile up.

    Reply by Ron parker.

11 hrs ago

Hi Daniel, paying back 2 billion is awesome, for me the criticism is back in 2018 higgs promised to fix lots of health care problems and not much has changed like ambulance wait times for 1 example.
Reply by John Montgomery.
6 hrs ago

You don't pay down the mortgage while your own roof is leaking.
Reply by David Amos.
16 min ago

I do
Reply by David Amos.
15 min ago

Its a good example

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ambulance-delays-new-brunswick-continuing-problem-1.7335091