I just read Premier Lord’s State of the Province address and I just get more cynical after reading this crap than ever before. Here’s the goals:
Lord then set out the five ambitious goals to be achieved in the next five years.
“New Brunswick, the smart province. Within five years I want New Brunswick to have the highest increase in workers with post-secondary education in Canada.
“New Brunswick, the investment province. Within five years I want New Brunswick to have the lowest tax burden east of Alberta, and the biggest decrease in the unemployment rate in Canada.
“New Brunswick, the wellness province. Within five years I want New Brunswick to have the biggest increase in physical fitness participation of any province in Canada.
“New Brunswick, the clean province. Within five years I want New Brunswick to have the greatest reduction in air and water pollution in Canada.
“New Brunswick, the inclusive province. Within five years I want New Brunswick to have the biggest reduction of poverty rate in Canada.”
The Premier knows New Brunswick has the second lowest educated workforce in Canada and in relation to the national average it is getting worse under his friggin’ reign. How about a more modest goal like becoming 8th in Canada? Or 7th? This is just silly. Even if he did invest hundreds of millions more in post secondary education – he is just training Ontario’s workforce.
New Brunswick, the ‘investment’ province? What is this? Geez, time for a change here guys/gals.
New Brunwick the ‘wellness’ province? The Minister has a budget of $100,000 for wellness (out of a $2B budget). New Brunswick is the least active province in Canada -even worse than Newfoundland. Cripes.
Clean province? Inclusive province?
Beyond belief. I’m sorry. I am usually much more neutral and objective but this is beyond belief. He hasn’t even come close to any of the goals set out in the Prosperity Plan, the Quality Learning Agenda, etc. and now he issues a new slate of absolutely unbelievable objectives?
When they asked the former Minister Norm Betts why we weren’t progressing on Prosperity Plan goals a couple of years ago, he said come ask me in 10 years.
I find these pompous goals, with no real funding or plan, just to make journalists giddy (see the TJ article) feeds the ongoing cynicism about government (at least mine).
I know Lord can make a rousing speech. I have heard a few. But after six friggin’ years he should know by now it takes more than friggin’ words.
Cripes, man. Do something. Anything. Even if you flame out at least your legacy will be something more than eight years of mediocrity.
What a waste.