Opinion and Politics: Premier Gallant spoke in Miramichi last night, and delivered a message of optimism for NBs future, dismissing pessimistic views from outside the province, and hanging his hopes on a federal savior.
Over the next three weeks, Premier Brian Gallant will be speaking at Chamber of Commerce events all over the province. The Miramichi event took place last night at the Riverside Entertainment Centre with about 100 people in attendance.
Chamber President Jason Harris spoke first and welcomed the Premier and other politicians. He also alluded to upcoming funding announcements that will benefit the airport (a new terminal), and Station Wharf Marina (upgrades). Harris said the river is an asset to be built on, and remarked that Chamber enrollment is higher than it has been in years.
There is a formula to events like these which makes much of what is said quite predictable. The Premier is always flanked by local MLAs, and when visiting Miramichi that means Lisa Harris, Bill Fraser and Bertrand LeBlanc. (Pat Finnigan was also in attendance, Miramichi's member of parliament.) An MLA takes the floor first and compliments the premier and the other MLAs in attendance, then the Premier takes the mic and compliments the MLAs and assures everyone how hard they work for the region. Also standard in the curriculum at these events is a list of recent expenditures in the region, and the audience was reminded of how many millions is being spent on roads, bridges, schools and nursing homes. Then they get down to business.
Fraser introduced Gallant last night and extolled him for his work ethic and optimism. As it turned out, Gallants remarks to the audience was primarily about optimism, but not before a 5 minute stand-up comedy routine.
MO))) has been following Gallant since he first announced he was going to run for the Liberal leadership. He's likable, positive, and rarely seems defensive. His skills as an orator have improved, and he now works confidently without a net, speaking off the cuff in an assured and organized manner. The first 5 minutes of his address was entertaining with several laughs at the expense of of some of the people in attendance - John Foran, Bill Fraser, the Neguac Posse, and Miramichiers in general. Gallant joked that coming to Miramichi on St. Patricks day would not have been a good idea and that's why the event was scheduled for the 16th.
AUDIO - 5 minutes of laughs
After his informal address to break the ice, Gallant settled into a speech about the prospects for the province. The message was optimism, and his presentation was positive yet practiced. It's easy to see he believes in what he is saying, yet repeating it every day, several times a day to different audiences and media, must drain the message of some of its vigor. It was nourishing like a stale cracker.
Gallant acknowledged the province has challenges, and pledged to foster innovation and creativity in the economy while making strategic infrastructure investments. He also announced a reduction in the small business tax, from 4.5% to 3.5%. Welcome news members of the Chamber, many of them small business owners.
Gallant also seemed to pin hope of short-term stimulus for New Brunswick on the upcoming federal budget. He mentioned Trudeau's visit to St. Andrews recently, suggesting the visit was an indication that the Prime Minister would not forget smaller regions of the country when the time comes to write infrastructure cheques. MP Pat Finnigan said in his remarks that he plans on working with Miramichiers and for Miramichiers to make sure they get their fair share out of the upcoming budget, to be announced on February 22nd.
But the budget may not be as lucrative as hoped if a ballooning deficit shrinks the Liberal agenda. During the federal campaign in the fall, Trudeau said he planned to run a $10 billion deficit this year by investing in infrastructure. It turns out the predicted deficit is going to be double to triple that, and the finance minister is hinting much of the spending is going toward fulfilling election promises like expanded universal child care benefit system and infrastructure.
Gallant is still optimistic the federal budget will help NB, and plans dollar matching initiatives to take advantage of any federal infrastructure programs. Gallant said his optimism comes from New Brunswickers themselves. He said he has the best job in the world because he gets to meet so many talented and motivated people, and that's where he get's his optimistic outlook for the province. He's not discouraged is everyone doesn't see it that way.
AUDIO of speech
In a media scrum following the speech, MO))) asked Gallant if he had seen the recent McLean's article that painted a pessimistic portrait of New Brunswick with colors of declining population, aging demographic, and bitter language divisions.
"That's one person's view," said Gallant of the author of the article. "I can tell you I have travelled all over North America and some of Europe trying to drum up business and investment for New Brunswick, and when I tell them what we have to offer,a nd what type of skills, institutions and education we have here, and what type of support they will get from Government and the great quality of life we have here, people are very supportive of New Brunswick."
"There will be some people who are pessimistic, but there are way more people that I have met that are interested in the entrepreneurial spirit of the province. When I tell them the assets we have here, they can't believe we have all this one province. I am optimistic and think we have to keep working hard, and working together. I also believe the upcoming federal budget will focus on growth, which we support, and I believe it will be mirroring what will be happening in New Brunswick and I think it will be a real opportunity for us."
The McLean's article also suggested Gallant was dodging questions about his plans (and results) for a recovery, mentioning that Gallant had reduced the number of question periods in the Legislature, and was more difficult for media to corner these days. Gallant was available for less than 5 minutes after the speech for questions because his media handler said he another engagement that he was already late for.