A7

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

1 Comment(s)

GUEST COLUMN — Two years ago, the path New Brunswick was on led to a declining and aging population, a shrinking labour force and an indefinite dependence on federal transfers. We faced a choice. We could slip to the back of the pack or we could say, "We can be better!"

New Brunswickers chose a government that believed we must be better, that we can be better. When our government took office on October 3, 2006, we set the province on a new path to a self-sufficient New Brunswick.

We are making progress on that journey. Since we took office, our population has increased by nearly 3100 people. Wages and salaries are up 8.7 per cent. Average weekly earnings are up 6.4 per cent — the average New Brunswicker earns $175 more every month. There are 15,700 more people working than two years ago.

There are capital projects underway and on the horizon that could create more than 30,000 new jobs, billions of dollars in provincial tax revenues and up to $44 billion in new investments in New Brunswick. This year New Brunswick ranked second only to Alberta in Site Selection magazines Canadian Competitiveness Awards.

Self-sufficiency is about standing on our own two feet. It means that through our individual skills and through hard work, each of us has the opportunity to create the kind of life we want, right here in New Brunswick.

A self-sufficient New Brunswick will be a place where we shape our own destiny. For the province, that means lowering our dependence on equalization, creating more of our own revenues here at home and taking our place on the national and international stage.

A self-sufficient New Brunswick will be a place people choose to live not leave. For a mayor or a community leader that might mean attracting a major new employer or it could mean a new rink or community centre, the kind of recreational opportunities young families are looking for.

We recognize that the Miramichi region has faced unique challenges in recent years. That's why we established the Miramichi Action Committee to work with the community to find long-term solutions and opportunities.

In August, we responded to the short-term action committee recommendations by investing in the city's wellness initiatives, transit service and local enterprise agency as it assists local entrepreneurs develop their business plans. And this year, we've invested $22 million on Miramichi region roads — the largest amount since 1995.

A self-sufficient New Brunswick will be a place where business doesn't just see opportunities but where they can seize them.

We've invested in companies like FatKat Animation Studios, ATCON and Hostopia. These investments will allow these companies to grow and in doing so they'll create and maintain hundreds of jobs in the region. And stay tuned… there's some great news for the region coming soon!

A self-sufficient New Brunswick will be a place where you can build a better life for yourself and for your family.

It's a New Brunswick where our kids are getting the best possible education and the best start in life. Our bold education plan "When Kids Come First" makes important investments in innovative teaching and community schools. We are investing in schools like the new Upper Miramichi school to serve the Boiestown and Doaktown area

It's a New Brunswick where post-secondary education is not only accessible and affordable — it will be money well-spent. That's the goal of our new student-focused plan for post-secondary education and it's why we've expanded training opportunities at NBCC Miramichi.

It's a New Brunswick where our aging parents will get the care they need and the dignity they deserve without losing everything they've worked a lifetime to build. We've lowered the cost of nursing home care for seniors and increased the hours of care. We've released a new long-term care strategy for the province and will increase the number of nursing home beds by 318 in the next two years.

It's a New Brunswick where you can be confident that when you need it, quality health care will be there. It's why we expanded dialysis and chemotherapy in the Miramichi region. Our new health plan — including the establishment of the new Region B located here in Miramichi — puts the needs of patients first today and in the future. There are 95 more doctors working in New Brunswick than in October 2006. That's the biggest two-year increase in almost a decade.

It's in a New Brunswick that recognizes that the challenge if poverty affects us all and requires each of us to play a role in overcoming it. Since taking office we have increased the minimum wage by $1.05 and Social Development has invested in improved dental coverage for social assistance clients and over 500 affordable housing.

The self-sufficiency agenda is about shaping our own destiny and seizing opportunity; standing on our own two feet while staying in a province we love. We've made progress but we must keep moving forward and we will keep moving forward. It's a journey we take together with benefits we will enjoy together.

Shawn Graham was sworn in as New Brunswick premier two years ago on Oct. 3, 2006. He represents the ridng of Kent County.