Atlantic Canadian Politics Thread

[NB_ExistsToo]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

How would a walking bridge 500m away make a difference?

Because, as of right now, if you're on the Northside on Cliff Street (or anywhere in the Devon region), it takes around an additional 35min to walk to downtown.

if you LEGALLY want to bike to the Southside, you are required to use the walking bridge.

The current walking bridge is on the outskirts and is frequently used. There would be a considerable increase downtown workers that would choose walking if their walk decreased by 30-40min (1-1.5hr per day) and could save money by no longer needing to pay for daily parking.

Also, if you want to be critical, you could at least have a relatively accurate distance, which is 1.1km away.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

The train idea is only a means to motivate the party faithful to show up to vote. It isn’t about gaining extra votes, unless they are picking off ndp
Voters.

It was probably sent out by email to the party faithful asking for a donation.

Pure marketing, not unlike the bazillion petitions the Green Party tables every legislative session. A means to generate leads and donations.

The fact the party faithful considers this a good idea doesn’t reflect well on the party’s abilities and rationality.

I think you vastly underestimate just how many voters don’t make up there mind before election day. Here we are nearing a population of 1 million for the first time in our history as a province, and you don’t think there’s any prospective voters who are torn between the Green Party and Liberals, or even the Green Party and the PCs…

This is a very close election, a lot of people are conflicted on how to vote. I think above all, most people don’t want to see Blaine Higgs elected premier again. This train idea might be just the thing to convince some people on the fence to vote Green in Fredericton North. The Liberals are the third choice in Fredericton North at the moment... because of that, it makes the Green Party the strategic vote to defeat the PCs in Fredericton North.

Don't discount that some people both young and old would like to see passenger trains return to NB. This won't be a factor in most ridings, but it absolutely could be in Fredericton North.

In a minority situation the Greens could still pursue this train idea... they likely wouldn't get it, but they maybe they could settle for better bus services instead.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NB_ExistsToo

Because, as of right now, if you're on the Northside on Cliff Street (or anywhere in the Devon region), it takes around an additional 35min to walk to downtown.

if you LEGALLY want to bike to the Southside, you are required to use the walking bridge.

The current walking bridge is on the outskirts and is frequently used. There would be a considerable increase downtown workers that would choose walking if their walk decreased by 30-40min (1-1.5hr per day) and could save money by no longer needing to pay for daily parking.

Also, if you want to be critical, you could at least have a relatively accurate distance, which is 1.1km away.

I think a second walking bridge would also encourage casual strollers to "do the loop" rather than walk over the current bridge and walk right back the same way.

It could therefore encourage more pedestrian traffic on the north side, which might be good for some businesses like coffee shops, small cafes or snack shops.

I think it a good idea myself. The piers are already there, and, if you place a bridge deck on top, they would at least have a purpose and be less incongruous.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by NB_ExistsToo

If you really wanted Fredericton North votes, the easiest, most cost effective way to win over their hearts would be to push for a secondary walking bridge. The piles are already there and it would promote a green initiative of cycling/walking instead of driving. Plus I vaguely remember a report saying it would be a couple million (opposed to the ridiculous costs of a third bridge)

Sounds entirely reasonable. We have similar situation where the West Set is cut off from Uptown. At its closest points, there's 500 meters separating the West Side Peninsula from the Central Uptown Peninsula. Yet if you want to walk between these two points, it could take up to 2 hours each way, as pedestrians and cyclists are both banned from using the harbour bridge. Yet the resident "realists" on this forum says it's too cost prohibitive to add a cycling or pedestrian lane to the Harbour Bridge, and any mention of bringing back the cross harbour ferry laughed off as entirely unrealistic, even though a cross harbour ferry operated for more than a century between Uptown and the West Side.

Meanwhile, the Province supports 5 commuter ferries that are almost exclusively used by car commuters within the Greater Saint John area, which are free of charge to use. The Tax payers of NB are paying for people to live way out in places like Long Reach or the Kingston Peninsula and take cable ferries free of charge to work and play in Saint John, but when it's suggested the province pay for a pedestrian/bicycle ferry for residents and visitors of Canada's oldest city with second largest port, it's a a wasteful expense.

Originally Posted by NB_ExistsToo

Because, as of right now, if you're on the Northside on Cliff Street (or anywhere in the Devon region), it takes around an additional 35min to walk to downtown.

if you LEGALLY want to bike to the Southside, you are required to use the walking bridge.

The current walking bridge is on the outskirts and is frequently used. There would be a considerable increase downtown workers that would choose walking if their walk decreased by 30-40min (1-1.5hr per day) and could save money by no longer needing to pay for daily parking.

Also, if you want to be critical, you could at least have a relatively accurate distance, which is 1.1km away.

Sounds like a very reasonable, worthwhile solution. I've often wondered what the point of those piers on the river in Fredericton were for, turning them into something more useful like a pedestrian/cycling bridge would be brilliant. I'm sure our resident PC propagandists will ignore most of what you've stated here and go on about how unrealistic investing in active transportation infrastructure and better public transportation is, etc, etc.

It's strange how on a sub forum pretty well dedicated to development within our cities and people claiming to want to see our cities be better, more livable places to live, there's such opposition to ideas and investments that would actually make out cities more livable, better places to live.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Sounds like a very reasonable, worthwhile solution. I've often wondered what the point of those piers on the river in Fredericton were for, turning them into something more useful like a pedestrian/cycling bridge would be brilliant. I'm sure our resident PC propagandists will ignore most of what you've stated here and go on about how unrealistic investing in active transportation infrastructure and better public transportation is, etc, etc.

Hey, I'm a Conservative supporter and I just posted about being in favour of this idea. Don't use such a large brush to impugn the character of those you perceive to be your political opponents.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Hey, I'm a Conservative supporter and I just posted about being in favour of this idea. Don't use such a large brush to impugn the character of those you perceive to be your political opponents.

I’m definitely not referring to you.

I think you’re positively optimistic compared to the people I was referring to with that comment, btw.

Though, I do wonder how a physician might still be leaning more towards voting PC at this point, when it seems Higgs has been negligent in properly funding and staffing our healthcare system during his 6 years in office… I do remember you saying you could still vote either way, so hope you think long and hard before you make that tough decision

I certainly don’t consider you a Conservative Propagandist, just a Moncton Propagandist, but that’s more of a compliment than a criticism, imo.

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Sounds like a very reasonable, worthwhile solution. I've often wondered what the point of those piers on the river in Fredericton were for, turning them into something more useful like a pedestrian/cycling bridge would be brilliant. I'm sure our resident PC propagandists will ignore most of what you've stated here and go on about how unrealistic investing in active transportation infrastructure and better public transportation is, etc, etc.

It's strange how on a sub forum pretty well dedicated to development within our cities and people claiming to want to see our cities be better, more livable places to live, there's such opposition to ideas and investments that would actually make out cities more livable, better places to live.

Westmoreland Street Bridge was only built in the 80's. Before that, the only way to cross the river was a 1.5-2 lane Carleton Street Bridge which used those piers. IIRC I've heard stories how it would be a 1 way bridge during the morning/evening rush hours.

When Westmoreland was done, they tore off the deck, but left the piers (probably for cost reasons and to serve as a bit of an ice breaker to protect the PMB) .

People have long proposed to use those piers for a walking bridge, and it seems to be a no-brainer decision. But I think in recent years they've said the piers have deteriorated too much to support even a walking bridge.

The memorial to the Brookside shootings years ago is planned for one of the piers. They'll be installing a purple lighting system on one of the piers in the river. It will turn on at dusk, brighten through the night and fade away at dawn.

[sailor734]

It's interesting that many Atlantic caucus MP's appear to be involved it this revolt against Trudeau that has come to light in the past 24 hours.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

It's interesting that many Atlantic caucus MP's appear to be involved it this revolt against Trudeau that has come to light in the past 24 hours.

The smoke is getting thicker, and flames are licking at the foundation, yet Nero continues to play on.

Yhis is not going to end well for Nero

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Anyone know where else will be showing The Apprentice (The controversial film about Donald Trump and Roy Cohn) in New Brunswick?

I’m only seeing Moncton at the moment. Surely it will come to SJ and other cities too?

If this film gets really popular, could this film hurt Higgs chances?

I’ve heard it is a somewhat nuanced view of the Donald, but sure Higgs and Trump share a lot of the same fans (and same detractors)

What would you call a film about Blaine Higgs?

Personally, I’d call it, “The Turd Collector.”

[TitleRequired]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The smoke is getting thicker, and flames are licking at the foundation, yet Nero continues to play on.

Yhis is not going to end well for Nero

Too early for the “walk in the snow” ala Papa? Any snow forecast for the Ottawa area?

I’m not sure if Wayne Long realizes that going public against your boss isn’t a good look.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Wayne Long realizes that going public against Trudeau is a great look to the lowest common denominator.

Fixed that for you.


Wayne didn't just come out against Trudeau for fun, he's clearly got some future plans for himself in New Brunswick Politics.

I think he could be a decent enough Liberal MLA, but I hope he isn't delusional enough to think he'd make an effective Mayor of Saint John or Premier of New Brunswick. Someone can correct me if they think I'm wrong, but I think he just doesn't have the right personality or temperament to run successfully run the executive branch of government. I could see him being a sort of Liberal version of Higgs if he somehow lucked his way to the top office in Fredericton. Susan Holt, on the other hand, seems to be a good manager of people and someone who is open to good ideas from her team, while Wayne Long seems to prefer his own ideas to those of others, and definitely loves to toot his own horn more than Holt or even Higgs does.

I could possibly see him being an adequate CEO of Envision Saint John, but I could see a Premier Holt getting rid of Envision Saint John altogether... as I think it's pretty clear to most Saint Johners that they aren't getting their money's worth out of Envision.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by TitleRequired

Too early for the “walk in the snow” ala Papa? Any snow forecast for the Ottawa area?

I'm thinking more of a walk on the sands of Tofino.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm thinking more of a walk on the sands of Tofino.

I think he'd rather a walk to head of a UN agency or something like the OECD.

At this point I don't care as long as he walks away somewhere else.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Fixed that for you.


Wayne didn't just come out against Trudeau for fun, he's clearly got some future plans for himself in New Brunswick Politics.

I think he could be a decent enough Liberal MLA, but I hope he isn't delusional enough to think he'd make an effective Mayor of Saint John or Premier of New Brunswick. Someone can correct me if they think I'm wrong, but I think he just doesn't have the right personality or temperament to run successfully run the executive branch of government. I could see him being a sort of Liberal version of Higgs if he somehow lucked his way to the top office in Fredericton. Susan Holt, on the other hand, seems to be a good manager of people and someone who is open to good ideas from her team, while Wayne Long seems to prefer his own ideas to those of others, and definitely loves to toot his own horn more than Holt or even Higgs does.

I could possibly see him being an adequate CEO of Envision Saint John, but I could see a Premier Holt getting rid of Envision Saint John altogether... as I think it's pretty clear to most Saint Johners that they aren't getting their money's worth out of Envision.

That would be tough given that they get their money from a combination of the hospitality levy and an ongoing service agreement through the RSC for economic development and tourism. Getting rid of Envision would require getting rid of those areas as mandates to all the provincial RSCs.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

That would be tough given that they get their money from a combination of the hospitality levy and an ongoing service agreement through the RSC for economic development and tourism. Getting rid of Envision would require getting rid of those areas as mandates to all the provincial RSCs.

Tough maybe, but certainly not impossible. As it stands, do you think Saint John is getting its money’s worth out of Envision?

[sailor734]

Liberals announce new National Campaign Director. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-new-national-campaign-directors-1.7351483

"Bevan previously worked as chief of staff for former federal Liberal leader Stéphane Dion, the release said. He also served as chief of staff to former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne."

So he's highly experienced in getting creamed in elections?

Considering what's coming, a guy with that CV is a perfect choice for the job!

[Davidnb]

Well the Election is shaping up to be ever so close. Latest numbers from Canada338 poing to PC winning 24, Liberals 23 and the green 2. Some of the races are very close.. This one will come down to the wire.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Davidnb

Well the Election is shaping up to be ever so close. Latest numbers from Canada338 poing to PC winning 24, Liberals 23 and the green 2. Some of the races are very close.. This one will come down to the wire.

If those were the results, does anyone think Higgs won’t try and proclaim victory and try to paint a Liberal + Green power sharing government as some sort of undemocratic coup?

It would be something to see for the spectacle of it all… but for the sake of NB, I hope we avoid that situation.

[sailor734]

He might....and some might believe him. Just like the Liberals or Greens would cry foul if Higgs managed to convince a Lib or Green MLA to take the money and become speaker if it was that tight.

That's why we need a better Social Studies/Civics/History/whatever you want to call it curriculum in Middle School. Back in the stone age (when I was in "Jr High" ) we learned (along with geography and economic activity) about municipal , provincial and federal government in Canada, it's history and how the Westminster system works. We even had to memorize the counties of New Brunswick and the shiretowns as county government wasn't all that far in the past.

Half the people today think they are casting a vote directly for premier or PM rather than electing a MLA or MP.