Election Day 23: Bringing youth home and lowering landlords' taxes

The leaders of both the Liberals and Conservatives make platform announcements Friday, just before the advance polls in New Brunswick's provincial election open this weekend.

Speaking on the north side of Fredericton, Liberal Leader Brian Gallant promisedto retain youth in New Brunswick.

The Gallant Liberals promised to create a reverse headhunting service to lure back New Brunswickers who left the province and entice those interested in moving here.

"The initiative will support New Brunswickers living outside the province, and others, by helping them arrange interviews, look for housing, identify child care options, and find a job for their partner," the party said in a press release.

The Liberals criticized the Progressive Conservative party for the population decline during the Alwardgovernment's tenure. They also claimed the province currently has the highest population in its history.

"A re-elected Liberal government will aim to welcome an additional 500 refugees displaced by the conflict in Syria on average per year in New Brunswick," the party said.

Conservatives'promise

Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgspromised to gradually eliminatethe double tax on properties that are not occupied by their owners.

In a press release, the Conservatives claimed the tax is unfair to landlords and tenants and discourages investment.

"New Brunswick is alone among the provinces on several issues and one of them is the controversial double tax that Brian Gallant refuses to let go of," Higgs said in the release. "This tax is responsible for raising the rent for almost 80,000 New Brunswickers, and stiflesproperty development province-wide."

Higgs said if elected, he would reduce the double tax rate by 50 per cent over five years;conduct an analysis that compares the tax systems in other provinces; and work with landlords to ensure tenants share the benefit of those reductions.

"New Brunswickers need to know that the double tax is holding us back," he said in the release.

Other parties, debate

Kris Austin, People's Alliance party leader,spent his daydoing media interviews with Joy FM andCBCat 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

He was also expected to make an announcement about a proposed ban on herbicide spraying on Crown lands.

Jennifer McKenzie, the leader of the New Democratic Party, was hosting a mock election at the Salvation Army in Saint John.

She also visited Recovery Day in Saint John. The event brings together people recovering from addiction.

Green Party Leader David Coon visited residents at 151 Queen St.in Fredericton, according to his itinerary.

A leaders' debate put together by Brunswick News Inc. and Rogers TV is planned for Friday evening.

It will include Gallant,Higgs, McKenzie, Austin and KISSNB Leader Gerald Bourque.