After keeping her distance, Liberal premier ready to work with Trudeau
Susan Holt says she’s looking forward to agreements with Ottawa on school meals, pharmacare and carbon pricing
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is keeping her distance from Justin Trudeau no more.
Holt, who repeatedly emphasized her differences with the prime minister leading up to last month's election, was on more welcoming terms Tuesday after their first official meeting in Fredericton.
Her government is ready to sign deals with Ottawa on a range of issues, she told reporters.
But it was Trudeau — facing low approval ratings and a daunting challenge in his own re-election bid sometime next year — who seemed keenest to bridge any gap between him and an election winner he can call an ally.
"I'm really, really excited to be able to work with Susan, with a fellow Liberal, to deliver on real progressive priorities," he told reporters.
"To be able to work with someone who is so like-minded is very, very exciting, and I'm really glad she won, and won so big."
Collaboration where 'priorities match,' says Holt
Despite the rapprochement, Holt continued to downplay the party brand they share, not uttering the word "Liberal" during the 21-minute news conference.
Instead, she said voters had opted for "a government that's going to work with anyone and everyone that can help New Brunswickers succeed."
Holt, Trudeau strike co-operative tone in first meetingAt another point, she said the two governments would collaborate "where our priorities match."
Last year, Holt said she agreed with then-Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Kris Austin that Trudeau's government was too far to the left.
"It looks like, on the continuum, they're more left than us because we're more centrist here in New Brunswick," she said.
She also pointed out the two leaders had never met — something that remained true until Tuesday.
Holt
has promised to pitch Ottawa on an alternative to the carbon tax
pricing system but has been vague about what it may look like. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
In the spring, Holt called on Trudeau to not implement the April 1, 2024, scheduled increase to the federal carbon tax, which raised the levy at gas pumps to 17.6 cents a litre.
And during this fall's election campaign, the Liberal name was noticeably absent from many of Holt's campaign materials.
Trudeau and Holt both avoided commenting directly on that strategy, with the prime minister instead slamming conservative-minded premiers — including former New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs — for turning down federal funding that would help citizens.
"They don't actually want to step up on investments and solutions that people actually need," he said.
"They let ideology get in the way of actually investing in supports for families, for communities, support for jobs, for growth, for energy solutions that are needed."
Breakfast program a priority for premier
Holt said she's hopeful an agreement on school meal programs will come together quickly.
She promised during the election campaign to establish a universal free-breakfast and pay-what-you-can lunch program in all New Brunswick schools, at an annual cost of $27.4 million.
Trudeau's federal program, announced in April, targets only 400,000 students nationwide not already served by existing programs.
But Holt said Tuesday that Trudeau has agreed to use funds from that program to support her plan, reducing its cost.
"We're happy to have federal dollars supporting the work," she said.
Ottawa's pharmacare program, which requires agreements with provinces on free diabetes medication and contraceptives, will require more detailed discussions and may take longer, Holt said.
Holt
says the federal pharmacare program, which requires agreements with
provinces on free diabetes medication and contraceptives, will require
more detailed discussions. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
On the carbon tax, Trudeau defended his federal backstop, which applies in provinces that refuse to implement their own pricing system that meets the federal standard.
It includes quarterly rebates that, according to a report by the parliamentary budget officer in October, will leave the average New Brunswick household with $241 more in rebates than it would pay in 2030-31.
Holt said earlier that for New Brunswickers having a hard time making ends meet, "paying more now to get a rebate three months from now doesn't respond to their reality. … The rebates are lagging."
She has promised to pitch Ottawa on an alternative to the pricing system but has been vague about what it may look like — though she said Tuesday she'd like to see it in place in time to avoid the next carbon tax hike on April 1, 2025.
"We would love to have something in place before that. If we can move that quickly, that would be ideal."
Trudeau said his government is "always open to working together" on climate change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Amos
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Methinks its a small wonder why I am compelled to save so many comments N'esy Pas?
David Amos
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Perhaps folks should read what Louis Riel wrote before the Crown hung him then the letters I wrote to the LT Governor of New Brunswick and the Governor General of Canada in 2004 agreeing with Riel's warnings
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
When I came back the following year I stated my position as best I could within the time permitted Correct?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ERN3OrEBWU&t=16s
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Oh My My
David Amos
Storm clouds are gathering and our new Premier does not want to get wet
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-security-adviser-canada-1.7380755
"The man tapped for the top international role inside the Trump White House isn't just predicting the defeat of Canada's Trudeau government: He's celebrating it.
Mike Waltz has a vast digital footprint on international issues in his six years as a congressman, following careers in business, defence policy, and as a decorated special-forces veteran."
"His wife, Julia Nesheiwat, is a vice president for Calgary-based TC Energy Corp.; it's the energy company formerly known as TransCanada, builder of the ill-fated Keystone XL oil pipeline."
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Too Too Funny
Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. will 'do good things together' with Trump in the White House
PM says Trump's trade concerns are focused on China
John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Nov 12, 2024 3:31 PM AST
David Amos
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Reply to David Amos
Not Funny
Trump's border czar says Canadian border is an 'extreme' vulnerability
Irregular crossings into the U.S. rising, creating friction
Jorge Barrera · CBC News · Posted: Nov 13, 2024 5:00 AM AST
John Pokiok
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It's pretty obvious how he is trying to cosy up to her and claim her victory and popularity for himself. True sleeees ball to the core.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to John Pokiok
Really? How did you come up with that?
David Amos
Reply to Larry McCarthy
Political Science 101
Larry McCarthy
Reply to David Amos
Where is that referenced about him in "101" exactly?
David Amos
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Reply to Larry McCarthy
Its not my job to teach you politicking
Larry McCarthy
Reply to David Amos
So, why make the "claim"?
Sandra Boudreau
What do you expect? She's a Liberal. all painted with the same brush.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
Wow!
David Amos
Reply to Sandra Boudreau
C'est Vrai
Bobby Richards
Higgs said he was a fiscal money manager. He left the PCNB party $500,000 in debt. He also sold the PC office building during his tenure. The party is fractured and Mike Dawson is probably getting kicked out of caucus soon. PCNB needs to get its stuff together if they can contend with the liberals in the future.
David Amos
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Reply to Bobby Richards
Did you have fun at the meeting last weekend? More importantly have you apologized to Stewart and Carlin yet?
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Richards
Bingo
Jack Bell
"a government that's going to work with anyone and everyone that can help New Brunswickers succeed."
Trump?
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Why would anyone choose not to? He is President for the next 4 years.
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
Methinks he thinks its a town in New Jersey N'esy Pas?
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
Because our elected officials have an uncanny ability to shoot themselves in the foot.
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
Usually while it is in their mouth
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Not what was originally stated, was it?
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
But is it factually incorrect?
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
It is a deflection!
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
How is bringing up our governments historical track record a deflection?
I await your detailed post on how a history of bad decision making is a deflection from talking about people making decisions.
Please reply ASAP, I could use a good laugh.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
I eagerly await your response to my question about the original post! "Please reply ASAP, I could use.......!!!!"
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
I did reply... exactly 9 minutes after you posted the question.
Stop deflecting Larry and answer my question.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Replied with a deflection! Hmmmm!
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
Your not accepting the answer does not make said answer a deflection, nor does it negate/disprove the answer.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Dance some more? Btw, I don't need to disprove anything. It has to be proven!
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
$12.4 billion in provincial debt.
Your move Larry.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
More deflection from that original post? Your move!
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
Ah yes, a variation of the old "I know you are, but what am I." tactic.
Haven't seen that one since I was 5... a bold move, lets see if it pays off.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Ditto, my friend!
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
You ask for proof of bad decision making, I provide it to you, you ignore it... or fail to understand it.
Either way not my problem.
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
I didn't ask. I stated that it's required when making a claim! "Either way not........"!!!
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
"Either way not my problem."
That is the problem
Reply to David Amos
Touché David, well played.
Jack Bell
Reply to Larry McCarthy
"I didn't ask."
yeah .... you did.
"I don't need to disprove anything. It has to be proven!'
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Exaclty, it's a requirement! Got it now?
Jack Bell
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Reply to Larry McCarthy
You said you didn't ask, now you are saying it is a requirement... even though I answered and gave the specified requirement.
.... is it medication time where you're located?
Larry McCarthy
Reply to Jack Bell
Why make this personal?
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
I am planning a trip to the store to stalk up on popcorn and peanuts before they are sold out
Jack Bell
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Reply to David Amos
Oh, if you're going out, can you pick me up a slim jim?
David Amos
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Reply to Jack Bell
Sure if you promise to come here to get it and not bring the cops
David Amos
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Reply to Jack Bell
I was talking to the Clerk's and the Speaker's offices yesterday before I sent them another wicked email I was informed that the circus begins on November 19th
John Dutton
Snake is crawling out of it's shadows. Wrapping it's coils around for squeeze.
David Amos
Reply to John Dutton
That been going on since 1867