Where is the love?
Have you ever had a friend you thought might have taken your friendship for granted?
If so, you can appreciate how Premier Shawn Graham must feel.
When Mr. Graham was elected to lead the province, he made a great effort to emphasize that it doesn't matter to New Brunswick's legislators who is ruling in Ottawa. The Premier has lived up to his commitment to be non-partisan. But the federal action New Brunswickers had hoped for so far hasn't materialized - and, like a friend who may feel taken for granted, Mr. Graham has started to speak up about the nature of the relationship. The statements he has made circle around questions that are on the minds of many New Brunswickers.
If we're such great friends, why does the Prime Minister only seem to come here for photo ops? Is his government going to address the province's priority issues? Are Fredericton and Ottawa moving in the same direction?
Premier Graham's priority list is not very long; in fact, it seems tailored to fit in with the federal government's priorities. He has asked that the federal government pay half the cost of improving Route 1 to serve the Atlantic Gateway; $5.8 million a year for three years to help recruit francophone immigrants to Canada's only official bilingual province; and $5 million a year over three years to develop a centre of excellence in advanced training technology for the military and law enforcement at CFB Gagetown.
It's worth noting what Premier Graham has not said, lest his recent comments be misconstrued. He has not said the federal government is neglecting New Brunswick. Indeed, he has repeatedly emphasized the value of federal policy changes which will bring new revenue into this province.
Given the Prime Minister's commitment to investing in the Atlantic Gateway, federal calls for more targeted immigration, and the Conservative government's outstanding record on building up Canada's law enforcement capacity and military expertise, Premier Graham's proposals look like reasonable extensions of existing federal policy.
We hope the federal government will recognize them as such, and make a commitment on these files before the next federal election.
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You should write an editorial on how Mr Graham has turned against the people that voted for him by refusing to listen to their cncerns regarding so many issues, EFI, hospital restructuring, uraninium mining, sylviculture and the list goes on. If you do not listen to others, how can you expect others to listen to you.