Grits, Tories not going to get away with it

Launch | Roger Duguay says his political rivals haven't been honest

Daily Gleaner, August 28, 2010, A1, Front Page Headline, by Adam Bowie

The provincial New Democratic Party set off on the campaign trail in earnest Friday as leader Roger Duguay greeted party candidates from across New Brunswick at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The party, which has been promoting the importance of fiscal responsibility in the early stages of the campaign, believes its 20-50 pledge - a proposed bill that would see the salaries of MLAs trimmed by 20 per cent and pensions slashed by 50 per cent - is resonating with New Brunswickers.

In April 2008, New Brunswick MLAs unanimously voted to boost their pensions by 85 per cent based on the recommendations of retired justice Patrick Ryan. He also recommended, however, a review take place to measure the impact these changes would have.

It took the provincial government more than two years to launch that review, a move that happened only one week ago.

Duguay said the decision to wait until right before the election campaign to launch the review showed how little they respect the process.

"It's the way all 55 MLAs manage the issue. They had like 27 or 28 months to do something, but they waited, they waited, they waited and made a decision a week before the election was called," he said.

"If you talk about creating public engagement and being transparent with New Brunswickers, do it before the election. The people of New Brunswick are wise. Why not create an independent committee to review salaries and pensions? ... New Brunswickers want something on the table before they go and cast their ballot. It's not honest from both these political parties."

Initially, the party had planned to have Duguay and all the party candidates at the launch sign the pledge. But a review of the document by Elections New Brunswick forced the party to push that plan to a later date. Officials later confirmed on Friday afternoon that Elections New Brunswick had approved the text in full.

The New Democrats feel so strongly about the pledge that they've already said any NDP MLAs elected to office will voluntarily take a 20 per cent pay cut, even if the bill doesn't pass. The money saved, after taxes, will be donated to a caucus fund that will be donated to charity.

The party leader said he feels like the province is ready for a new voice in the legislature.

"When I'm travelling across New Brunswick or going door to door in Tracadie-Sheila, I'm listening to people. It's my fourth electoral campaign and this time is really different," he said.

"In the past we had an NDP government out west, and the fact we have an NDP government in Nova Scotia, I think, will really help our party in this campaign ... The lack of leadership from the premier, I think, is also another point that will help our party."

When reporters asked Duguay how his party would trim provincial spending and manage the growing deficit, he promised more details in the coming weeks.

"During this campaign, we will release our position on every New Brunswick concern, about solutions on health care, about education, environment and all the other issues really preoccupying the people of New Brunswick," he said. "Every week, we'll release part of our platform."

Jason Purdy, the NDP candidate in the Fredericton-Lincoln riding, said he believes New Brunswickers are growing frustrated with the endless promises coming from the Liberal party and the Progressive Conservative party.

"I think that as New Brunswickers we need a third voice in the legislature," he said.

"So when things like (the pension increase happen) someone can stand up and say, 'I don't think the people of New Brunswick will stand for this. Is this the proper way to be managing this province?' I think this is the perfect time for the NDP to bring another voice to the provincial government and stand up for the middle class."

Purdy said he's been meeting lots of great people on the campaign trail and he's looking forward to sharing more of the party's platforms in the coming weeks.

"From what I'm hearing from people at the doorstep, they want politicians who won't make promises they're not going to keep," he said.

"It seems more and more that the Conservatives and the Liberals are making lots of promises and I don't think they're going to get away with it this time."