Atlantic Canadian Politics Thread

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Will the hst cut make any difference on the results? How compelling a promise is it?

It is a compelling promise, yes, but, at the same time, it reduces the province's fiscal flexibility and ability to nimbly respond to new economic conditions, and, to fund new needed infrastructure.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

I am all in favour of reduced taxes and fiscal responsibility, but, within reason.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is a compelling promise, yes, but, at the same time, it reduces the province's fiscal flexibility and ability to nimbly respond to new economic conditions, and, to fund new needed infrastructure.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

I am all in favour of reduced taxes and fiscal responsibility, but, within reason.

Wasn't the provincial portion of sales tax raised 2% under Gallant after Harper cut the federal portion by the same? This isn't some ancient provincial institution here.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Wasn't the provincial portion of sales tax raised 2% under Gallant after Harper cut the federal portion by the same? This isn't some ancient provincial institution here.

I am not defending the provincial portion of the HST. Not in the slightest.

But, consumption taxes like this are the most efficient vehicle there is to raise provincial revenue in times of need. Our hundred million dollar plus surpluses of the last several years of the Higgs government could quite easily become deficits if the rate is reduced.

NB remains a have not province.

I approve the intent. We must be careful in the execution.

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Wasn't the provincial portion of sales tax raised 2% under Gallant after Harper cut the federal portion by the same? This isn't some ancient provincial institution here.

Yup. With a few intervening years between the drop and the raise. It was intended, for some low-iq reason, to want to have the hst rates equivalent across the different maritime provinces.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

PCs win this fall: NB Liberal leadership.

NB Liberals win this fall: Run for mayor in 2026 (I still can't believe two successive councils get 5-year terms for no particular reason).

Would you and other PC partisans really accept Wayne Long as Mayor simply because he pissed off Trudeau?

The guy is a Liberal and through and through, and he really has no vision for this city, despite how much he’s claimed to have had over the years. Being an MP and being Mayor are entirely different roles… being MP means a huge pay cheque and a small workload compared to being the mayor of a city facing financial hardship like Saint John. He’d at least be inheriting the city in a better financially position than say Don Darling, but he’d still have to deal with a major adjustment from being able to say “that’s not a responsibility of the federal government” to having to either decide to not engage with constituents on social media, or come up with a much more standoffish approach to deal with the citizenry.

Personally, I’m not sure Wayne Long would able to restrain himself on social media if he was mayor… he’s more like Donald Trump than he is Ronald Reagan.

I think there’s far better options for Saint John than Wayne Long… also, I think he’s for the premiership or bust.

But in reference to where he resides… he tells people to on social media he resides in SJ, and I don’t doubt for a minute that he maintains a permanent residence in Saint John. However, from his social media posts and it’s abundantly clear that MP Long spends most of his free time at Yip Cyder in Long Reach, a place where no one actually residing in SJ would frequent on the reg.

So, what a perfect example to bring up amalgamation… Wayne Long could one day want to run for Mayor of Saint John or Premier of New Brunswick. As MP he’s been silent on the issue of amalgamation, as Mayor, he’d likely remain silent, and as Premier he’d definitely remain uninterested in expending to political capital to make it happen. Saint John would benefit if if the best and the brightest could run for Mayor and council, but the fact remains that most of our best and brightest live outside the city limits.

Wayne Long has been a decent MP, but I’m very much not convinced he has what it takes to be an effective mayor,

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

I think in NB, historically, we've all been relatively in the "centre" politically and culturally. In the US, we'd be a classic Purple State. Every time we feel things getting too "right", there is a massive swing to the "left" to over-correct, and vice-versa. This election will be interesting. I feel the party that shows itself to be more "centre" and more importantly HAS A VISION will ultimately win this time around. Personally, I think Faytene is not going to do any favours for the Conservatives when it comes to the old-guard of NB. She's a "come from away", she's politically outspoken, and represents a far-right extremist ideology. Yes, she has an audience, but the broader old-guard NB voter is far more centre-minded and votes for vision and self-interest.

The old-guard really wants three key things:

1) Lower cost of living (aka Lower Taxes or Day to day costs),
2) Improved Services (aka Better Hospitals, Roads, and Schools), and
3) Overall Value from the Politician They Elect (aka Progress on key issues and less time wasted on Politically-motivated issues)

For the last one, we've seen time and time again a sort of "revolt against the king" mentality with politicians. Historically, this is how NB'ers have voted regardless of party - like a big pendulum that swings. So, this should be an interesting election.

Personally, I predict a Liberal Majority akin to Frank McKenna's...when the Province was fed up with the reign of Richard Hatfield and several members of the then PC party and wanted new blood and direction. Then in 6-8 more years, you'll see it swing again to favour the PCs IF...they get themselves organized and focused on a clear vision and direction for the voters. My prediction anyhow.

Hold your horses there, partner. Perhaps refresh your memory, McKenna won 100% of seats in the 1987 election. Not even FDR, Ronald Reagan, or Nixon had 100% victories. As far as I know, Frank McKennas’s 1987 electoral sweep is the only if of its kind in Canadian political history, and not likely to ever be repeated again.

A victory akin to Obama’s 2008 mini landslide; however, is absolutely within the realm of possibility. Not only is Kamala’s campaign out of nowhere reminiscent of Obama’s 2008 coup, Kamala is providing Susan some serious ammunition in terms of firing people up about women in politics. Susan Holt is the first woman in NB history with a legitimate chance to be elected premier, and Kamala has a legitimate chance to become the first female POTUS in history.

Watch out, Susan Holt has a mini debate with Premier Higgs and Coon tonight at Saint John City Council, and Kamala is about to Faceoff with Trump the day after. Some posters on this forum might not want to admit it, but Susan Holt is definitely benefiting from the Kamala bump… Higgs is looking like an older, more bigoted, more machiavellian GWB… I’m not sure how anyone could possibly vote for his vision of New Brunswick at this point!

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Susan Holt is definitely benefiting from the Kamala bump… Higgs is looking like an older, more bigoted, more machiavellian GWB… I’m not sure how anyone could possibly vote for his vision of New Brunswick at this point!

On what planet?

There is no nexus between Kamala and Holt, no nexus between us politics and local politics in Canada.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Would you and other PC partisans really accept Wayne Long as Mayor simply because he pissed off Trudeau?

The guy is a Liberal and through and through, and he really has no vision for this city, despite how much he’s claimed to have had over the years. Being an MP and being Mayor are entirely different roles… being MP means a huge pay cheque and a small workload compared to being the mayor of a city facing financial hardship like Saint John. He’d at least be inheriting the city in a better financially position than say Don Darling, but he’d still have to deal with a major adjustment from being able to say “that’s not a responsibility of the federal government” to having to either decide to not engage with constituents on social media, or come up with a much more standoffish approach to deal with the citizenry.

Personally, I’m not sure Wayne Long would able to restrain himself on social media if he was mayor… he’s more like Donald Trump than he is Ronald Reagan.

I think there’s far better options for Saint John than Wayne Long… also, I think he’s for the premiership or bust.

But in reference to where he resides… he tells people to on social media he resides in SJ, and I don’t doubt for a minute that he maintains a permanent residence in Saint John. However, from his social media posts and it’s abundantly clear that MP Long spends most of his free time at Yip Cyder in Long Reach, a place where no one actually residing in SJ would frequent on the reg.

So, what a perfect example to bring up amalgamation… Wayne Long could one day want to run for Mayor of Saint John or Premier of New Brunswick. As MP he’s been silent on the issue of amalgamation, as Mayor, he’d likely remain silent, and as Premier he’d definitely remain uninterested in expending to political capital to make it happen. Saint John would benefit if if the best and the brightest could run for Mayor and council, but the fact remains that most of our best and brightest live outside the city limits.

Wayne Long has been a decent MP, but I’m very much not convinced he has what it takes to be an effective mayor,

I don't think you're capable of separating what I think is likely/desired by someone, from what I would like to see happen. The question posed was, 'what does Wayne Long do politically, if he doesn't go back to the private sector?' which I answered.

No one, other than you alone, is actively pursuing amalgamation of KV and Saint John. You post about it constantly all over a development forum. No politicians across the political spectrum are pushing for it, and none will. Consider writing them instead of us.

I am done with responding to your absurdly long and repetitive fantasy posts and encourage others to do the same. You clog up this forum.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I don't think you're capable of separating what I think is likely/desired by someone, from what I would like to see happen. The question posed was, 'what does Wayne Long do politically, if he doesn't go back to the private sector?' which I answered.

No one, other than you alone, is actively pursuing amalgamation of KV and Saint John. You post about it constantly all over a development forum. No politicians across the political spectrum are pushing for it, and none will. Consider writing them instead of us.

I am done with responding to your absurdly long and repetitive fantasy posts and encourage others to do the same. You clog up this forum.

Lmao, I’m the only one? Hardly. You know who’s especially not calling for it, the MLA for Quispamsis, aka our Premier and your party leader, Blaine Higgs. I’ve never seen you come up with a cogent argument against amalgamation… the last I remember you said something a long the lines of “saving the valley from Brent Harris types” a poorly formed, weak argument if there ever was one!


I can separate it fine.. I was was asking you if you’d actually like to see Wayne Long as Mayor. Considering you’re a PC partisan and President of the Saint John Harbour Riding association for the PC’s aren’t you?

I can’t imagine you’d actually want Wayne Long as mayor given your political allegiance… but way to not answer my question. You clog up with this forum with your cynicism and lack of vision.

Saint John would be a far better place if amalgamation was realized like it was in Halifax in 1995. Perhaps you’re still hoping to move out to KV one day


PS: it’s not like you’ve never had long winded posts before… this thread being a prime example.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

On what planet?

There is no nexus between Kamala and Holt, no nexus between us politics and local politics in Canada.

Planet Earth. Think about how much money is being pumped into the idea of “girl power” right now south of the border, and then think about how much of what happens south of the border permeates into Canada.

Our election is going to happen two weeks before the US general election. If you can’t see that Holt/Higgs are analogous to Kamala/Trump, I suggest taking another look.

There’s very much a nexus between US and Canadian political culture. In what world is there not? Canada and the US are two of the most popular interlinked countries of in terms of culture in the history of the world. It’s far from a stretch to suggest Kamala rising in the polls could help Holt.

If NB was in the USA it wouldn’t be a red state or a blue state, it would be a swing state.

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Our election is going to happen two weeks before the US general election. If you can’t see that Holt/Higgs are analogous to Kamala/Trump, I suggest taking another look.

Thank you for your kind post. Should other pundits start to agree with you I might consider reflecting on this topic again. But until then, please do consider if your clogging up the forum with your perceived wisdom or if your trumpeting an agenda that may not correlate with reality.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Thank you for your kind post. Should other pundits start to agree with you I might consider reflecting on this topic again. But until then, please do consider if your clogging up the forum with your perceived wisdom or if your trumpeting an agenda that may not correlate with reality.

Just look back a few pages, I wasn’t the only one to think it was a valid theory that Kamala Harris’s rise in the polls could end up helping Susan Holt.

I’m not clogging up the forum… or am I taking away from some 4-6 storey apartment buildings being built?

I think you need to rethink just how interconnected Canada and the US are. Kamala rising in the polls could help Susan, that’s not fantasy. The only fantastical assertion would be to say our election in NB could somehow impact their election in the US.

Both our election here in NB and their presidential election in the USA are going to be incredibly close.

Real shocker this sub forum leans PC lol

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Just look back a few pages, I wasn’t the only one to think it was a valid theory that Kamala Harris’s rise in the polls could end up helping Susan Holt.

I’m not clogging up the forum… or am I taking away from some 4-6 storey apartment buildings being built?

I think you need to rethink just how interconnected Canada and the US are. Kamala rising in the polls could help Susan, that’s not fantasy. The only fantastical assertion would be to say our election in NB could somehow impact their election in the US.

Both our election here in NB and their presidential election in the USA are going to be incredibly close.

Real shocker this sub forum leans PC lol

Please provide a study demonstrating a link between Harris and Holt; and the nexus between both jurisdictions.

You post as to suggest this link exists. Does it exist anywhere other than between your chair and keyboard?

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Please provide a study demonstrating a link between Harris and Holt; and the nexus between both jurisdictions.

You post as to suggest this link exists. Does it exist anywhere other than between your chair and keyboard?

I think you’re well aware of the nexus between Canadian and American political culture, and you’re more than well aware that both Harris and Holt are both poised to be the first women to win their presidency/premiership.

It’s far from a reach to think Holt might benefit from the Kamala bump. Harris is a far more popular and inspirational leader than Hillary Clinton was… her rise in the polls could very well end up helping Susan Holt’s Liberals.

Do you prefer Higgs to Holt? I can’t really tell

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Should be an interesting council meeting tonight at Saint John City Hall! Holt, Higgs, and Coon will all be presenting their vision for the future of Saint John.

Anyone planning on going? Definitely interested to hear what they have to say.

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Should be an interesting council meeting tonight at Saint John City Hall! Holt, Higgs, and Coon will all be presenting their vision for the future of Saint John.

Anyone planning on going? Definitely interested to hear what they have to say.

Will David Hickey and Joanna Killen sit out?

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

I think you’re well aware of the nexus between Canadian and American political culture, and you’re more than well aware that both Harris and Holt are both poised to be the first women to win their presidency/premiership.

It’s far from a reach to think Holt might benefit from the Kamala bump. Harris is a far more popular and inspirational leader than Hillary Clinton was… her rise in the polls could very well end up helping Susan Holt’s Liberals.

Do you prefer Higgs to Holt? I can’t really tell

Can you provide ONE ARTICLE suggesting this link. You haven't yet.

If your thesis is correct, many pundits would be gushing right now, writing opinion pieces, just for the internet points of being right.

Just.One.Article. Not what you feel.

Thanks for playing.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Will David Hickey and Joanna Killen sit out?

Is it expected to be an interactive presentation? I assume the three party leaders will just be making their presentations and not answering questions from council members, but good question.

Brent Harris might not be a candidate this time, but he’s still involved with the Saint John Greens in an official capacity.

Personally, I don’t think any of them should be expected to sit out. And if the council is permitted to ask questions, I think they should all be allowed.

I doubt Higgs will be answering any questions.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Can you provide ONE ARTICLE suggesting this link. You haven't yet.

If your thesis is correct, many pundits would be gushing right now, writing opinion pieces, just for the internet points of being right.

Just.One.Article. Not what you feel.

Thanks for playing.

Good luck finding one.

I think you’re well aware how little attention New Brunswick gets in terms of national or international media attention… and how limited journalism and scholarship is regarding New Brunswick politics

If I do happen to stumble upon something, though, I’ll be sure to post it here.

If my thesis is correct, we may have to wait until election night to see how it plays out. Pardon me for posting what I feel could be the case.

Care to enlighten us as to who you prefer to win the next election… Holt or Higgs?

While I understand you’re not big on Holt’s views regarding harm reduction, surely there’s more to base your vote on than that.

You seem to be a highly educated and informed individual… I’d be a little shocked to find out you’re supporting Higgs. Holt at least has a more positive vision for NB than Higgs, and that’s more than enough of a reason to vote for her, in my opinion.

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Good luck finding one.

Because there is none. Please don't confuse feels vs facts.

And I would suggest if you meet Holt that you consider not sharing your thesis. She may take exception that her work is diluted by externalities, and that she may only win due to an unspecified halo effect. It cheapens her work, and the bridges she has built, the organization she is assembling.

He destiny is her own, and she owns it.