Content disabled Methinks Higgy should read all the comments then sharpen his pencil and figure out how much taxpayer funds would be saved if the NB Multicultural Council and Opportunity NB went the way of the Dodo Bird N'esy Pas?
Newcomers need to be able to afford places to live if they're going to make a commitment to New Brunswick, says Alex LeBlanc, executive director of the Multicultural Council of New Brunswick. (Joe McDonald/CBC)
The New Brunswick Multicultural Council says the provincial government's ambitious new immigration targets hinge on the creation of tens of thousands of new affordable housing units.
Premier Blaine Higgs announced in his recent state of the province speech that he wants to attract 10,000 immigrants to the province a year by 2027.
"When newcomers are coming, if they can't find a house it's a pretty full stop for them, in terms of making New Brunswick or Fredericton at least their home," said Alex LeBlanc, executive director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.
'We need a housing strategy'
LeBlanc said Labour Minister Trevor Holder recognizes the housing shortage is an issue for newcomers.
"They recognize that we need a housing strategy," LeBlanc said.
Last spring, Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard said 151 new subsidized housing units will be created by 2022.
In an emailed statement to CBC News, Watson said the department will continue to encourage conversations. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Development is working with the federal government on low-income housing solutions.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs wants New Brunswick's population to grow to one million people by 2040. (Stephen MacGillivray/Canadian Press)
"A collective effort is needed from federal and provincial governments, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, the construction industry, labour organizations and stakeholder groups in order to address this challenge," Watson said.
While LeBlanc admits this will be an investment for the province, he said the units will also contribute to New Brunswick's economic growth including, job creation, adding to the tax-base, growing New Brunswick's school system.
"We need housing that's affordable for all people. All New Brunswickers, as well as newcomers," he said.
David Amos I doubt Alex LeBlanc voted for me when I ran in Fat Fred City in 2006 if he lived there at the time. That is his right in a "Just Democracy just as I have the right to read his rhetoric posted on line. Methinks he 'should have had a long talk with his associate Robert Boghen ASAP about the documents he was glad to get from me wher we met in his office in Moncton in early 2007. I trust that Boghen and Premier Higgs know all about my doings with Chucky Leblanc and the lawyer Rob Moore who is the MP for Fundy Royal again N'esy Pas?
Government of Canada invests in services to help newcomers settle in Moncton
Moncton, May 22, 2008 - Newcomers to the Moncton area will have greater access to orientation and other services thanks to an investment announced today by Rob Moore, Member of Parliament for Fundy-Royal, New Brunswick, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
The Government of Canada will invest more than $1.3 million in the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA). Funding will help newcomers access orientation and other services, including referrals to community resources and assistance, language training in both French and English, and help establishing contacts in their field of work.
"We want to ensure newcomers have access to the resources they need in order to succeed," said Mr. Moore. "With this funding, more newcomers and their families will be better prepared to begin their new life in the Greater Moncton Area. When newcomers have more opportunities, not only do they succeed but the entire community benefits. Increased funding will assist our association in the delivery of services, innovative strategies, and education" says Robert A. Boghen, Executive Director of the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area. "Moncton is recognized as an economic hub in Atlantic Canada. The relationship between newcomers and community agencies will strengthen our social and cultural fabric in all ways," added Mr. Boghen. MAGMA president, George Wybouw said increased funding is a step in the right direction and will "assist MAGMA to work with its community partners and newer associations."
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: BINGO
Tom Smith I'm all for immigration. I lived overseas as an immigrant from Canada ... and it was incredible! But a few things really bug me about this story. If we need to worry about subsidizing housing for immigrants, then we're going after the wrong immigrants. I mean seriously, you can buy a great house for under $200,000 here ... the same house would be over $1,000,000 in Ontario. The houses are already 'well subsidized' by the poor economy. If you want to attract the right immigrants they need to know there are steady reliable jobs, and that they'll have access to a family doctor when they get here, to support their young family. Having been back in NB for over a year and still on the Patient Connect list, I can tell you it's not very welcoming for newcomers.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Tom Smith: I was born and raised here.Years ago I married a Yankee lady and am the Proud Father of a couple of children with dual citizenship status. However because I had the nerve to run for public office 7 times and sue the Queen Higgy and his cohorts won't allow me to recover my stolen Harley, renew my drivers licence or even have have a Medicare Card for political reasons. With that in mind methinks I have the right to at least advise potential immigrants to avoid this place unless they don't mind putting down roots in an "UNJust Democracy" N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: BINGO
Terry Tibbs The "problem" as I see it is: the "needs" test. Once you involve the government in housing, either subsidized, or purpose built, affordable housing, the whole thing is handed over to social services. Top of the list is families with children, bottom is single folks. As immigrants with families are the majority of those being invited into Canada they qualify to be at the top of the list. We NBers may build/subsidize a lot of housing, but we will be building/subsidizing for others.
David Amos Reply to @Terry Tibbs: What have you done about your concerns?
Albert Wade Lets deal with the municipal and provincial bankruptcy before we start spending more. Anglophone children are strictly raised for export.
David Amos Reply to @Albert Wade: I agree
Frederick Graham You want a million residents in NB, grow the economy, not the welfare roll.
David Amos
Reply to @Frederick Graham: I concur
Lou Bell We have a housing problem as well as a problem with some people who just don't wanna work. There needs to be a system where the first people we help are those who want and can be a part of helping themselves. Those that suffer most are those who can't and especially the children. A system where people who work for low salaries and yet are willing to work could have their salaries topped up. They should also be the first looked at for housing. Those who are able and unwilling , not so much .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Cry me a river
Kyle Woodman The entire province of New Brunswick was originally settled by immigrants who were granted land at a very low cost. 100 acre tracts at a time. Now people are complaining that immigrants want free handouts which isn't even remotely true. Pretty ironic.
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: When my ancestors came to NB in the 1700s there were no roads, no schools, no hospitals, no anything. Today is very different. And this issue has nothing to do with this supposed ‘strategy’. If the concept is to increase the population base to increase the tax base and stimulate the economy, it should be to encourage people to move to the province who are able to support themselves and not require subsidized housing. There have been articles on this very website recently about local people already living in NB who are homeless and in need to housing assistance. The last thing an already fiscally delinquent province needs is to pile in more debt, to be paid by the children of today, to build more subsidized housing for people who aren’t even here.
David Amos
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: So you say
Ian Scott Reply to @Kyle Woodman: Yes like the north shore. Empty, barren crown land from people overseas in a potato famine. No house, a cart path, no horse, no credit. You built it yourself, planted your ground and hoped to survive. And they paid tax. No benefits of any kind. Neighbour helped neighbour. Internal trade common. A railroad came at some point, local mills made grindstones. Boats were built. People fished as there were fish.
Kevin Darroch Sure they can and will if Ottawa gives the free things, yes free things with other taxpayers money. Things others cannot afford. Can and have for years.
David Amos
Reply to @Kevin Darroch: Methinks folks should read Federal Court File No. T-1557-15 then ask the Feds some serious questions N'esy Pas?
Janet Hudgins For the life of me I can't understand how elected representatives, whose mandate is to "serve the needs of their constituents"—who stood by and watched while our housing was ripped out from under us by developers, investors and crooks, never once lifting a hand to regulate, never mind investigate—can still be walking around among us. More than that, it was the feds who stopped the nat'l housing program 25 years ago and have done nothing to pick up the deficit of hundreds of thousands of apartments and townhouses and are, even in this housing crisis, doing precious little to change that.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Janet Hudgins: finally someone who understands.
David Amos
Reply to @Janet Hudgins: Methinks I should ask why people laugh at my concerns about being homeless since 2005 particularly after two homes owned by my Clan were stolen one before I ran in the election of the 38th Parliament and one afterwards Trudeau the Younger should not deny that my children are Canadians as well N'esy Pas?
Ian Scott Hard to understand just what this dude is saying. He seems to think we build a whole bunch of homes at taxpayer expense, buy the lots , build the roads in and out, provide bus service and then subsidize them, and lo skilled immigrants arrive and have jobs waiting downtown at 30$/hr so the municipality can have a tax base increase , while the government floats a debt. This is his economics 101. Meanwhile Canadian youth sit in apartments spending 30-50% of income trying to keep afloat or save to get a basic home an hour from work.
David Amos
Reply to @Ian Scott: "Hard to understand just what this dude is saying. "
Methinks he wants more more more N'esy Pas?
Mike Connors Yes, we need more immigration but people that already live here can't get a decent apartment at a decent price. That is poor planning on the part of our provincial government, who would rather waste MILLIONS on a pipe dream in Florida over at NB Power than help house our own or pay our nursing home workers a "living wage" so they can feed, cloth and house their families.
David Amos
Reply to @Mike Connors: I wholeheartedly agree sir
Dunstable Kolbe The entire premise of this idea is absolutely upside down — “ The New Brunswick Multicultural Council says the provincial government's ambitious new immigration targets hinge on the creation of tens of thousands of new affordable housing units.” Why would any province want to encourage anyone from anywhere to come so the taxpayer can put them in Subsidized Housing? Presumably they will also need education, medical and other government support? What happened to the line we’ve been sold for decades that we need more and more people because they pay all these taxes and fill all these fantastic jobs employers can’t fill?
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: Bring people to the province who can only afford to live in subsidized housing in a province with some of the cheapest housing in the entire country. How is that a winning strategy, unless the idea is driving up more provincial debt and a permanent underclass?
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: the problem is that the private sector has lagged in creating enough housing to meet demand. Anything considered affordable housing in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John are low end garbage apartments. I'm afraid the government needs to intervene in the housing market like they did during WW2. The private sector will not build enough affordable units. The government can offer rent to own options or low interest mortgages to get people into stable housing. No one should be paying more than 30% of their income for housing. That's how you kickstart the economy.
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: The point is if new arrivals can’t afford a home in a province with the lowest average home prices, why would anyone with any sense encourage that? If the idea is growing the economy here’s an idea — how about encouraging people to come who can afford to support themselves. There are plenty of builders around the province and plenty of kind to build a house. The government bringing in 10,000 people a year to live in taxpayer subsidized housing is ridiculous.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: you are talking average home prices. The cost of housing in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John is relatively high. Rent is no cheaper in those cities than cities of similar size across canada.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: : I'm talking about the pressure felt by most working class people in Fredericton, SJ and Moncton. If you're a doctor, engineer, etc, I'm sure housing cost is attractive. If you're working a trades job, finding suitable affordable housing might be more difficult. Even worse for those in the service industry.
Anne Bérubé
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: In order to have a mortgage (any kind of mortgage) as you are described, you need employment. Those newcomers, most in fact, do not have skills, education, even speak English. Good luck.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: Congrats, you just answered your own question.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Anne Bérubé: That's false. We have doctors in this province loading tractor trailers and driving cabs. And they speak english.
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: You can drive 15 minutes in any direction in Fredericton and you’re in the woods. If, and that’s a big IF, the province’s idea is to grow the economy by encouraging more people to move to the province, those they should be encouraging should be self sufficient and not immediately require subsidized housing. The kind of backwards thinking this article highlights is a big part of the reason the province is essentially bankrupt.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: This province is nearly bankrupt because it is governed almost exclusively for the benefit of a single family.
Ian Scott
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: Would tend to agree. Its hard to understand what groups are being targeted for immigration. Carefully targeted skill based immigration may work, but like the rest of Canadian young people there really is no expectation of some wonderful house sitting waiting for a buyer that is going to being subsidized. There are building codes and cost restraints to material labour etc. It is very hard to build any substantial home for 300K at this point unless an absolute minimum code and quality. My son pays almost 50% of his income to rent in Kanata and there is no housing under 450K or rent under 1800/month. If someone comes in, skilled and has a job waiting , then why would a taxpayer like me subsidize it.?
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Layton Bennett: This is a prime example of the kind of thinking that holds NB back.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: You have been so, so badly misinformed.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Anne Bérubé: not true. Irving, Ganong, Cooke etc. are all hiring skilled immigrants. There are jobs waiting to be filled. These are lower middle class jobs. There are also a lot of engineers, accountants, IT workers being recruited. If NBers don't want these jobs the companies will find workers elsewhere. JDI recruits forestry workers from all over the world. $22/ hr starting to run a harvester.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: JDI and Cooke's are already building worker housing in Chipman and St. George.
Dunstable Kolbe
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: There you go, no government involvement needed.
Ian Scott
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: So what do you mean worker housing? work camps like you see in Alberta at mine or oil sands, the ones who fly "home" every 2 weeks or homes for families.? Big difference.
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: It is a partnership with the village. Direct intervention in the housing market.
David Amos
Reply to @Layton Bennett: "You have been so, so badly misinformed."
Methinks many would agree that you have been as well N'esy Pas?
Kyle Woodman Wartime Housing Limited. Stop having meetings and build some damn houses. If we nibble around the edges and spin our wheels nothing will happen. https://www.nfb.ca/film/wartime_housing/
Ian Scott
Reply to @Kyle Woodman: So who is the banker for those who build and hold the costs while waiting for the magic buyer who has a skilled job waiting in town.? What land is to be bought and serviced and at who's cost.? There is empty woods 15 minutes in any direction outside Fredericton but I do not see a housing boom in any community. If downtown then its apartments and there is no space and everyone whines if a building is greater than 15 stories. These are talking heads at the moment. City already has published land use plans and there are no 40 storey apartments or condos
Reply to @Ian Scott: Methinks Fat Fred City is getting more than its share of new apartments and condos no matter the altitude the talking heads determine they should attain N'esy Pas?
Ian Scott Reply to @Kyle Woodman: Its still debt . Wonderful debt to be piled on to current increasing federal debt curtesy of JT in a time of relative plenty. It has to be paid back or it consumes increasinginterest payments for decades.
Terry Tibbs Ha, ha! "the provincial government's ambitious new immigration targets hinge on the creation of tens of thousands of new affordable housing units." It certainly "hinges" on something. I'm of a mind, any "hinging" can be seen daily, coming out of the south end of a bull travelling north. We certainly won't mention the lack of healthcare, education for their children, or jobs paying a "living wage", now will we?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Well put for a fictional British car salesman from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
SarahRose Werner: Skilled immigrants "landing" in Canada are required to have funds to support themselves and their families while they look for work. In 1998 the required amount was $10,000 CAD per person, I don't know what it is now. After this money runs out, they're in the same boat as any other working New Brunswicker and face the same issues finding affordable housing. The real issue isn't retaining immigrants, it's a lack of affordable housing for *all* NB residents.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: True
Brian Robertson If there was one iota of truth to that statement, there wouldn't be immigrants flocking to southern Ontario each and every year. Housing prices in New Brunswick are a fraction of the cost of those in and around the GTA.
Anne Bérubé
Reply to @Brian Robertson: And the large cities in Ontario are facing extreme problems with the costs of immigrants. Who do you think pay for those costs? Furthermore, even if housing prices in New Brunswick are a fraction of those in the GTA, most immigrants prefer the GTA.
David Amos
Reply to @Anne Bérubé: True
SarahRose Werner How about first we create "new affordable housing units" for the people who are already here and need such units? Let's not have a repeat of the refugee situation, where people here who'd been on the housing wait list for some time saw themselves bumped down in favour of the refugees.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Scroll down
Dunstable Kolbe Reply to @SarahRose Werner: You think it was bad in NB, in southern Ontario entire hotels were rented for months sometimes years to support them. What per cent age are working now? Does anyone know? The answer is no because they don’t want you to know most are not meaningfully employed or are only marginally employed. And taxpayers will fund it for decades to come.
Anne Bérubé
Reply to @Dunstable Kolbe: Exactly, all that information is really, really kept quiet by the federal liberals. But once in a while, we find out it is in the billions.
David Amos
Reply to @Anne Bérubé: True
David Amos Methinks charity should begin at home N'esy Pas?
Georges Saint Yves
Reply to @David Amos: I agree but this won't happen. Canadians are now considered lower class citizens. We are only needed to pay for the lifestyle of the chosen people.
David Amos
Reply to @Georges Saint Yves: Methinks its been par for the course everywhere since peoplekind crawled out of the swamp to set up camp in a dog eat dog world N'esy Pas?
Cuthbert Bracegirdle "moblilize the developers" LOL. So what New Brunswick needs is more foreign money laundering through off-shore tax havens and numbered companies. Don't you understand how our country works New Brunswick? What you need is more empty houses used as investment vehicles for people who will never live here, just like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
David Amos
Reply to @Cuthbert Bracegirdle: Methinks Fat Fred City is building lots of apartment spaces to satisfy Mr Leblanc and his foreign friends N'esy Pas?
Layton Bennett Stop double property taxing rental properties. Failure to do this, will all but guarantee failure to build the affordable housing we need in this province.
Roy Nicholl
Reply to @Layton Bennett: It's a nice slogan, but inaccurate.
Property taxes paid on non owner-occupoed residential properties (such as small rental properties) are (1.1233/100) times greater than owner occupied residential properties. This discrepancy arises as a result of owner occupants being rebated the provincial portion of the property tax (1.1233/100).
There are two equitable resolutions to this situation: 1) extend the rebate of the provincial portion of the property tax to non owner-occupied residential properties; or 2) remove the rebate presently extended to owner-occupants
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Methinks whereas the owner can claim their rental property’s property tax, for the period that the property was available for rent, on form T776: Statement of Real Estate Rentals.they have no right to double dip and raise their rental rate as well N'esy Pas?
Roy Nicholl
Reply to @David Amos: Any business can deduct operating costs from gross revenue, that is an entirely separate matter and does not amount to "double dipping".
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Think again
Roy Nicholl Reply to @David Amos:
There is no need to "think again".
By your implication and owner occupant would be more than "double dipping" since they presently receive a rebate on their property tax and, when they sell their property, are exempt from paying any capital gains.
Again ... apples and oranges.
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Methinks there is no need to argue the obvious N'esy Pas?
Roy Nicholl Reply to @David Amos: There was no argument from me, just addressing an erroneous statement.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Methinks its not wise to call another a liar N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Roy Nicholl: Need I say I am not surprised by the fact that my reply was blocked?
Layton Bennett Reply to @Roy Nicholl: That's cute. We bought a house in Dieppe that had been a rental unit. Our tax bill dropped 88% from the year previous.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Layton Bennett: On the same property.
David Amos
Reply to @Layton Bennett: Go figure
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: BINGO
Greg Miller No they will not come you're right but it's not because of housing. Show me any province in Canada where the housing is cheaper. They won't come (or won't stay) because of social connections available in other provinces and/or opportunities for employment, etc.
Layton Bennett
Reply to @Greg Miller: Our retention rate for immigrants is actually up and climbing.
David Amos
Reply to @Layton Bennett: Because housing is cheap correct?
Layton Bennett Reply to @David Amos: No because immigrant communities are starting to take shape.
David Amos
Reply to @Layton Bennett: Methinks many would agree that many immigrants are using New Brunswick as a ticket to Canada. Once they have a chance to move on to Ontario or Quebec or British Columbia or Alberta they do. Who could blame them? Birds of a feather flock together N'esy Pas?
Greg Miller
Reply to @Layton Bennett: Up and climbing like what it was 1% and now it's 2%--how about some numbers?
Roland Stewart Government planning....put the wagon in front of the horse. PEI is facing the problem now, to many immigrants and not enough affordable housing.
David Amos
Reply to @Roland Stewart: Methinks this is just more of the same old same old with government funded organization begging for more more more. I bet some old folks may recall the Bob Dylan tune about his pity for the poor immigrant who wished he would have stayed home N'esy Pas?
Want more immigrants? Put more money into support system, Multicultural Council says
The province hopes to attract up to 10,000 immigrants per year by 2027
Last fall, Statistics Canada released estimates showing the number of New Brunswick residents hit a record 776,827 on July 1, a gain of 5,906 over the previous 12 months. (CBC)
If New Brunswick wants to boost its population, the province needs to put more money into frontline settlement agencies, the New Brunswick Multicultural Council says.
During his state of the province speech last week, Premier Blaine Higgs laid out a goal of attracting up to 10,000 newcomers a year by 2027.
"You set a big goal and we need to build the right plans and make the necessary investments to achieve that goal," said Alex LeBlanc, executive director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.
New Brunswick could likely reach its target of 7,500 immigrants before 2024. But there are a few things the province needs to accomplish first.
"We're not ... out in left field on this,"
LeBlanc said the province needs to invest in the frontline work, such as connecting immigrants to schools and finding suitable housing, jobs and neighbours.
Alex LeBlanc, executive director of the Multicultural Council of New Brunswick, said more needs to be done to support newcomers once they arrive in the province. (Joe McDonald/CBC)
The province invests about $5 million in settlement agencies and partners across the province now. But with an increase in immigration year over year, LeBlanc said it's not enough.
"We're putting a lot of effort in recruiting people. And we have a responsibility when they come to give them the right support," he said.
A population increase
Last fall, Statistics Canada released estimates showing the number of New Brunswick residents hit a record 776,827 on July 1, a gain of 5,906 over the previous 12 months.
It's the largest single-year population increase in New Brunswick since 1991 and a revival from the early 2000s when the province stopped growing entirely and began shrinking.
"Year over year we're seeing a lot more people coming," he said.
And it's up to immigration advocates to meet with the province to come up with a formula that ensures newcomers have access to the right services when they come.
"They're not moving from Minto to Fredericton," said LeBlanc.
"They're moving from halfway around the globe. And often arrive with very little in terms of belongings and connections."
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is aiming to grow New Brunswick's population to one million people by 2040. (Stephen MacGillivray/Canadian Press)
There also needs to be more co-operation between the federal government and the province to make sure the immigration process is easier to navigate.
LeBlanc said he's heard stories of international students filling out an immigration form the wrong way and being forced to leave the country.
Right now there are about 3,800 international students in New Brunswick. And between 60 and 80 per cent of those students want to stay in the province.
There are also about 1,500 temporary foreign workers in the province who want permanent residency and to make New Brunswick their home with their families.
"As we think about, 'How do we reach that immigration target?' we need not look further than some of the newcomers that are already in our communities and are looking at a pathway to permanence."
David Amos Methinks Higgy knows my opinion of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council and he knows I believe the last thing they need is more taxpayer funds N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks the "Powers That Be" in NB should study all these comments N'esy Pas?
David Amos Methinks Higgy should read all the comments then sharpen his pencil and figure out how much taxpayer funds would be saved if the NB Multicultural Council and Opportunity NB went the way of the Dodo Bird N'esy Pas?
Justin Gunther Finding suitable neighbors... That's a brave man right there. A brave man who understands that no matter how well intentioned multi-culturalism is, it reduces community trust, exacerbates pre-existing tensions, and increases crime. If you want to debate why exactly those things happen that's fine, but you can't deny that it happens literally every single time.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Justin Gunther: Trump and American reh dn ecks come to mind
Lou Bell
Reply to @Justin Gunther: Problem is , those committing the crimes are usually the self entitled who prefer the status quo.
Justin Gunther
Reply to @Justin Gunther: If it is true that the current population is being pushed into the povery-homelessness class and the former low-wage earners are being replaced by incomers, then it's probably important to not forget the circumstances which are leading to that, which include but are not limited to an education system that appears to be falling apart, and a majority of parents who'd rather let their iPads do the parenting even though evidence is mounting that they are literally creating an Idiocracy scenario with their negligence.
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you just stated quite a mouthful much to Higgy's chagrin N'esy Pas?
Paul Bourgoin Want more immigrants? New Brunswick residents with no Jobs don't believe it so. NB needs more Immigrants NO-NO but good paying jobs sharing with employers Profits!
Marc Martin
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Actually these *New Brunswick residents * don't want to work at those minimum salary jobs. We also need more immigrants to replace all those vacancies in the next few years.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Lots of jobs , just the NB'ers don't want those jobs . Perhaps you'd like to volunteer
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Methinks your friends should explain all the recent hiring in Chipman N'esy Pas?
David Peters As long as there is a level playing field for everyone...which means getting rid of corporate welfare and special tax breaks.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @David Peters: Along with unrealistic , unretainable language requirements.. Bilingual where numbers warrant only.
David Peters
Reply to @Mack Leigh: Anything the tilts the market in favor of this special interest group or that special interest group, including the workforce and business owners. Gov't regulation has developed to favor certain players. There is no justification for this, imo.
David Amos
Reply to @David Peters: Of course but it goes on and on and on and on
Brian Robertson We need economic expansion that provide jobs for our youth, so they can stay; not move to central Canada. More mouths to feed accomplishes nothing.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Brian Robertson: It is getting better. Many in the past who went west to work had no more than high school and went to work in the oil fields or manufacturing. These days one needs more than that , be it Community College or University. There are high paying jobs here , you just need an education to get them. Only Freebees these days are the government backed patronage appointments , where the most educated and most qualified are overlooked for language .
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Lou Bell: One could use that one as an excuse!!
Marc Martin
Reply to @Lou Bell: *Only Freebees these days are the government backed patronage appointments , where the most educated and most qualified are overlooked for language . * And you have seen that in all your years in Human Resources Canada right ?
Lou Bell
Reply to @Marc Martin: Yup ! Only in NB , you know , the only bilingual province.
David Amos
Reply to @Brian Robertson: I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir
David Amos
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Methinks Higgy should read all the comments then sharpen his pencil and figure out how much taxpayer funds would be saved if the Multicultural Council and ONB went the way of the Dodo Bird N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best Here is the top 3 things this province needs in no random order. #1 Money #2 Money # 3 Money. We also need a 4th very important thing here. Politicians with enough guts to go after the money sitting off shore in You know whose billions they milked us for.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Buddy Best: It is a fact, that the only ones who are unaware but profiting of what you are saying, are those known as benefactors-investors!
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best: YUP
Troy Murray Being the poorest province in Canada, It makes sense, put in money to attract immigrants who then move to the big cities.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Troy Murray: Only After POOR New Brunswick residents paid their way!
David Amos
Reply to @Paul Bourgoin: Methinks many a true word is said in jest N'esy Pas?
Daryl Mary Douthwaite-Smith You only have to look around at immigrant families in the Atlantic Provinces to be aware these folks are starting businesses and creating jobs for LOCALS. The folks who come here are smart, educated and innovative. They wan to give back. And they do. The more people living in our province, the more people spending money here, paying taxes, and growing our province and its economy.
Marc Martin
Reply to @Daryl Mary Douthwaite-Smith: Exactly well said.
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Yea Right
Cam Randal Why not train, house, and employ people born in the province?
I am certain that everyone reading this story knows someone who attended college or university and was forced to leave the province in search of employment.
If the province does not have enough decent paying jobs for locals, there is small chance of newcomers staying after obtaining PR status.
This push for newcomers is really just adding more people in search of scarce resources in the province.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Cam Randal: You don't have to know anybody, look to our own families, 4 in mine, educated and gone. Nothing to stay for.
Jim Cyr
Reply to @Cam Randal: I can answer your question about why these funds aren’t directed to struggling locals, or to help young NBers to stay here: Because a judgement has been made by the Elite (almost all leftist, One-worlder types) that those people just do not matter. Not one bit. They do not count. In the value judgement of the Beautiful People (the Elite), the people who DO count are those from Sudan, Phillipines, Turkey, India, Venezuala, etc. etc. It’s as simple as that.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: This is a sad reality. We have Two sons born in New Brunswick living and earning out of their native province to survive!
Marc Martin
Reply to @Cam Randal: *Why not train, house, and employ people born in the province?* What does this have to do with immigrants ?
David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks your bosses in GNB should review who got the jobs in the Irving saw mill in Chipman then explain things to you real slow N'esy Pas?
Fred Brewer Historically we are just a brief layover, as most immigrants will depart for big cities like Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Why should we pay for housing and language education only to have them leave in a year or two?
Meanwhile our unemployment rates are unacceptable. Let's get those who are currently here and currently underemployed or unemployed, onto the right track.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Fred: 90 days is the usual layover. They get here, get welfare, a drivers licence, and a health card............ then it's off to the bright lights.
There is no shortage of employment here. The only shortage is employers who offer benefits and a "living wage".
John Smith
Reply to @Fred Brewer: why not give them some true wealth instead og finding low income rentals have a roster of housing that any immigrant coming in can do a rent to own let them put some skin in the game
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @Fred Brewer: and how do you propose we do that?
Buddy Best
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Stop bringing in cheap labour to sequester the already unlivable wage pack. Most of these people coming here have contacts further west and steady income along with language and culture they can identify with. Who could blame them for seeking a better life. We have roots here. they don't.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Fred Brewer: One has to understand that NB is the poorest Province in Canada while being owned by the Richest Family in the world!
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @Buddy Best: you didn't answer my question. How do we get people employed and onto the right track like Fred suggested? Haven't seen a single person offer anything substantial to this conversation.
David Amos
Reply to @Fred Brewer: Cry me a river
Richard Riel Population has not grown but government administrations and pensions have increased, why do you think he wants more immigration.
David Amos
Reply to @Richard Riel: Methinks you are not alone in wondering about that N'esy Pas?
Greg Miller Here's an idea how about more jobs, timely delivery of health care, improved educational standard and retention rates, improved housing standards and availability, a robust and growing economy, more........
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Greg Miller: Haven't we been promised pretty much all of that in the past week by a guy who has empty pockets? That very same guy wants to attract and keep immigrants (and the pockets are still empty).
John Smith
Reply to @Greg Miller: were not permitted to have jobs in nb cost too much carbon
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @john smith: Just some jobs (but I would count on only after a consultation with the King of NB)
Buddy Best
Reply to @Greg Miller: How about we levy taxes the same for everyone including the Irvings?
Buddy Best
Reply to @john smith: Do you have early departure tickets for that new earthly planet? Or were you invited?
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Greg Miller: Sounds like a DREAM PROVINCE which NEW BRUNSWICK isn't!
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best: Methinks you should know that it warms my heart to see someone else mention the Irving Clan N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs Well!!!!!!!!! There it is, in black and white Mr Higgs, if you wish to play the immigrant game (and keep them) you are going to have to cough up the big bucks. With the residents of NB pretty well tapped (taxed) out whose pocket will you be picking?
Richard Riel
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Goverment administration are not tapped they get full pay and pensions from taxpayers for their lifestyle.
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Richard Riel: Isn't Mr Higgs simply a wonder? ALL these announcements in the last week and no money to pay for them. Must be working towards an election? Even with a majority (that we would be foolish to give him) the money situation will not improve until corporate welfare stops and the flow of cash to Bermuda stops. I don't see him doing either of those 2 things, so the promises shall remain empty.
Paul Bourgoin
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: New Brunswick also has some who have DEEP- DEEP- DEEP pockets but they are welded shut and no pennies falling out but they are the first inline for government subsidies. They also have more Politicians in their pockets then New Brunswick residents have nickels in their POCKETS!
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: What are you going to do about your indignation towards Higgy and his plans?
Mosaïq Multicultural Festival kicks off in Moncton for a 15th year
The Parade of Nations, described as a 'party walking down Main Street', will launch Saturday's events
CBC News·
The Mosaïq Multicultural Festival started on Friday and will continue on Saturday, starting with a Parade of Nations. (Mosaïq/Facebook)
What started as a lawn party in front of Moncton's city hall has turned into a successful multicultural festival that's taken place annually for 15 years.
The first Mosaïq Multicultural Festival was held in 2004. Organizers say the current two-day event allows newcomers to come together and learn about other cultures.
"It's just a fantastic time to celebrate with our new Canadians," saidRobert Boghen, the community integration manager at the Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton, which organizes the festival.
"The challenges that they face everyday is something to be noticed but for these few days, we take the time to step back and enjoy each other, enjoy the community, enjoy the hundreds of people who are involved in making this happen."
The multicultural festival is hosted at Riverfront Park in downtown Moncton. (Mosaïq/Facebook )
Frederick Hryszyn, the association's events coordinator, said it's also a time to raise awareness.
"The fact that their culture is represented by an association or by a musician or just having their food present on the site can mean so much to a newcomer who finds themselves in a new place," Hryszyn said.
"We all need that. We all need to feel like we belong and that's essentially the work that we do here. We're creating a space where everyone can feel like they have a community."
The festival started Friday and will continue all day Saturday at Riverfront Park in downtown Moncton. The day will include a Parade of Nations, food vendors, exhibits and music that will represent many cultures.
Information Morning - Moncton
Moncton's Mosaiq Festival celebrates 15 years
0:229:18
What started as a party on the front lawn of Moncton City Hall has grown to a two-day festival that includes a parade, music and food at Riverfront Park. MAGMA's Frederick Hryszyn and Robert Boghen reflect on how the Mosaiq muticultural Festival has evolved. 9:18
Hryszyn says the Parade of Nations is one of the most touching aspects of the festival.
"To see all the different communities walk together says so much," he said. He described it as a "party walking down Main Street."
"It's people celebrating who they are, their culture, their favourite sports team, their flags, their traditional dress and it's a way to open the Saturday festivities."
