Wolastoqeychiefs accuse PCs of fear-mongering

A group that represents six Wolastoqeychiefsin New Brunswick is taking the Progressive Conservatives to task over the party's election platform, saying it has"villainized First Nations."

On Saturday, the party released a two-page platform that included a section titled "Defend Landownership."

The section referred to titleclaims filed against the province by Wolastoqey and Mi'kmaq First Nations.

In the platform, the PC Partysaid it's "committed to reconciliation and working with First Nations, but treaties have already settled this matter."

"We will defend landowners in court."

But the Wolastoqey Nationin New Brunswick saysthe party is singling out Indigenous people with "falsehoods" and "fear-mongering."

"We have said dozens of times, we are not seeking to displace individual New Brunswickers from their lands, residences, or farms," the chiefs said in a statement Thursday.

They also objected to the PCs'claim thattreaties have already settled the issue.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," the chiefs said.

"In fact, the Supreme Court of Canada has twice held that the Peace and Friendship Treaties do not cedeand surrender land. New Brunswick's own Court of Appeal has concluded the same."

Holt promises more money for public housing

Liberal Leader Susan Holt held twocampaign announcements in southern New Brunswick on Thursday.

In Charlotte County, Holtannounced plansfor another community care clinic, this one in Blacks Harbour, if the Liberals form the government.

Later at a campaign event in Saint John, Holt promised a housing retention and expansion fund the would provide $48 millionin the fiscal year 2025-26. She said the pilot project would help non-profits build more affordable housing.

Holt said themoney is needed because the number of people waiting for public housing has doubled since 2019.

WATCH | Timelines and dollars for Holt's housing measures:

Susan Holts housing promises, old and new

5 days ago

Duration 3:48

Liberal Leader Susan Holt stopped in Saint John on Thursday to talk about the housing measures her party would implement if elected, from development to public housing.

"This number has grown rapidly because of inaction from Blaine Higgs and his team," said Holt.

"Non-profits and community groups are facing barriers to advance projects, specifically affordable projects, and they need support and a partner in the provincial government."

Greens promise property-tax reform

At an event in Fredericton, Green Leader David Coon saidhis party would overhaul the province's property tax assessment system.

Coon saidthe party would make public the formula for assessing property tax, would ensure industrial property owners pay their fair share, and end preferred rates.

WATCH | Coon calls Liberal timeline on property assessment overhaul 'impossible':

David Coon says property assessment overhaul would differ from Liberal plan

4 days ago

Duration 2:39

Green Party Leader David Coon says the current formula for determining property tax assessments is secretive' and unfair, promising to make the system more transparent if elected.

The proposed overhaul is part of the party's plan to make housing more affordable, which would includeimplementing a rentcap.

"Nobody should be taxed out of their house, nobody should be taxed out of their apartmentand nobody should be forced out of their apartments because of unfair rent hikes," said Coon.

Higgs sticks to runningon record

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs campaigned in Woodstock on Thursday and, true to form for this election, he didn't make any policy announcements.

Instead, he asked New Brunswickers to consider his record over the the past six years.

Higgs said he was hoping that people "just take a moment and think, 'OK, where have we been Where are we now? And what have we done in the last, in the last six years in relation to how our province has grown, how we've balanced budgets, how we haven't raised any taxes.'"

WATCH | Consider emissions targets on global scale, not just in N.B., Higgs says:

Higgs says New Brunswick is ahead of the game on 2030 emissions targets

4 days ago

Duration 1:41

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs said its important to consider the big picture when looking to reduce emissions, pointing to coal plants in China.

Higgs said health care"is a work in progress" and admitted "there's lots of challenges," but healso pointed to the growth in population, with"90,000 more people in our province."

Getting out the Saint John vote

Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Saint John Human Development Council, said the council has been holding candidate meetings and trying to get the word out about voting.

"We also post on social media, you know, infographics that distinguish the three levels of government and try to fill that gap of a basic understanding of politics and electoral politics," said Hatfield.

WATCH | Saint John residents on the issues swaying their vote this election:

CBC Asks: What matters to you?

5 days ago

Duration 2:27

Throughout this election season, CBC New Brunswick is visiting communities to ask people whats top of mind as we get closer to Oct. 21. Rachel Cave, host of Information Morning Saint John, spoke with voters in Saint John.

In addition Hatfield said other outreach groups, like Fresh Start, have been helping unhoused people register to vote.

"[They're] out there ensuring that the obligation to providea residence or an address is met by either using shelters if a person is shelteredor if they're unsheltered then attesting to their their presence in the community to allow them to vote," he said.

Information Morning - Saint John6:47Low voter turnout in Saint John

Saint John had the lowest voter turnout rates in New Brunswick, in the last provincial election. Randy Hatfield of the Saint John Human Development Council speaks with host Rachel Cave about the reasons behind it and what can be done to boost turnout.

Standings at dissolution: PCs 25, Liberals 16, Greens 3, Independent 1, vacant 4

Where the leaders are today

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs will hold a media availability at the Palette Rooftop Bar in Moncton.

Green Leader David Coon is making a health-care announcement in Hampton.

Liberal Leader Susan Holt is making a health-care announcement in Moncton.

For complete campaign coverage, visit New Brunswick Votes 2024.