Greens, Liberals promise better internet, cell service across N.B.

The Liberal and Green parties both tackled improving cell service Tuesday, but for different reasons. Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservatives threatened to sue the federal government over the carbon tax.

Green Party tackles effects of climate change

Speaking in Fredericton, Green Leader David Coon promisedto make the province betterableto face climate change.

He pointed to Hurricane Arthur, the ice storm in 2017, and hurricanesDorian and Fiona as examples of storms that New Brunswick has faced.

"These damaging and life-threatening consequences of the climate crisis are not the new normal because they're only going to get worse," Coon said.

Coon also said he would guarantee cell and internet coverage across the province to ensure communications during emergencies.

WATCH | The 4 ways David Coon wants to protect New Brunswickers from climate change:

Green Party explains how it would protect New Brunswickers from climate change

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Duration 2:19

Green Party Leader David Coon released the climate protection plan he'd adopt if the party is elected later this month. The plan includes infrastructure spending and a government office dedicated to protecting New Brunswick coasts.

"Traveling the province as I regularly doas a Green Party leader, it's extraordinary how many areas of this province do not have cellphone coverage," Coon said.

"And I'm not just talking about the most remote areas. I'm talking about towns and villages where you would think there would be good cell phone coverage and there is not."

He said he would also establish a climate risk-reduction fund, for municipalities and First Nations, to implement adaptation measures and support infrastructure projects.

Coon said the cost would be determined by looking to see what funding is available from the federal government's infrastructure fund for financial assistance.

Cost would be "minimal," Coon said, as it would involvereorganizing existing teams within the province.

Additionally, he promised tocreate a new government office, the coastal protection agency, as well as a youth climate corps to offer work and experience in climate action, modelled after an existing program in British Columbia.

Liberals also target cell and internet coverage

At an announcement in Edmundstonon Tuesday,Liberal Leader Susan Holt promised to improve cell coverage and access to high-speed internet.

"We need to close the gaps to make sure that no matter where you live in New Brunswick, you have access to reliable broadband,and thatas you travel throughout our province," Holt said, "you have a cellular connection that you can count on for matters of health and public safety."

The improvements would especially help New Brunswickers access virtual health-care services or students stuck at home on a snow day trying to study at home, she said.

WATCH | How long Holt says it would take to get first 5,000 rural homes internet access:

Liberals promise internet access for 10,000 rural homes by 2030, if elected

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Liberal Leader Susan Holt says her plans would broaden internet access and also ensure all major roads in New Brunswick have reliable cell service.

Holt said New Brunswick has been "left behind" by not receiving as much federal support for broadband upgrades as Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

"Here in New Brunswick, Blaine Higgs was more focused on fighting with Ottawa than he was on accessing the funds that could deliver every New Brunswicker equitable access to high-speed internet."

Holt said she will ensure 10,000 rural homes currently without internet access can get it by 2030and willmake sure there is cell service onall major roads.

Higgssays he will sue fedsover carbon tax

At a campaign stop outside Fredericton, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs said he willlaunch "a renewed legal challenge" against the federal carbon taxif his government is re-elected.

Several provinces first sued the government in 2021 over the taxbut the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately sided with the federal government.

Howeversince that ruling, the federal government created an exemption for home heating oil.

Higgs said the exemption is unfair, calling it a "regional" exemption since Atlantic Canada statistically has higher uses of home heating oil. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said last fall that there would be no further exemptions.

"By picking and choosing which provinces get a break and which don't, the Trudeau government has turned the so-called national program into several number of many exemptions," Higgs said, which he saidopens the door to a new legal challenge.

WATCH | Why Higgs wants to sue over the carbon tax before next federal election:

Higgs vows to sue federal government over carbon tax if re-elected

4 days ago

Duration 2:54

Blaine Higgs says a re-elected Progressive Conservative government would take legal action against the federal government over the carbon tax because it's costing the province millions of dollars.

Last October, federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who represents a Nova Scotia riding,defendedthe exemption, sayingit targets a polluting source of fuel and not specific provinces.

Higgs said the provincial government is forced to pay the carbon tax whenever fuelling up emergency vehicles or heating hospitals. He said he believes the province should not implement its own carbon tax, regardless of what happens at the federal level.

"This is why we're taking a stand because every dollar that goes to the federal carbon tax is a dollar that doesn't go to improving health care, supporting education or building better infrastructure," Higgs said.

He then called on Holt and Coon to clarifytheir positions on the carbon tax.

PascalePaulin, aspokesperson forthe Liberal campaign, did not say if Susan Holt would implement a provincial carbon tax to replace the federal oneas is currently done by other provinces, includingQuebec and British Columbia.

Paulin pointed out that Higgs has always had the power to create a provincial carbon tax instead of the federal "backstop" version, which is only applied if provinces don't create their own versions.

Paulin also reiterated Holt's call on Ottawa to pause the increaseinthe federal carbon tax last March.

"We stand by that call today."

Green Party Leader David Coon said he would implement a cap-and-trade policy instead of the carbon tax, similar to what Quebec has in place.

The plan sees emissions capped by the provincial government and any companies that produce more than the limit have to pay.

"It's a much fairer system, it puts the greatest responsibility where it belongsand that's with the industrial polluters," Coon said.

"They would have more of the carbon price on their emissionsand less would trickle down to the consumer."

Deadline passes to nominate candidates

The Elections N.B. deadline to nominate candidates was Tuesday.

According to a final list from Elections N.B.,the PCs and Liberals have nominated candidates in all 49 ridings.

The Greens have candidates in all but three ridings, all in francophone regions of the province: Hautes-Terres-Nepisiguit, Caraquet and Edmundston-Valle-des-Rivires.

The NDP has candidates in 23 ridings, the Libertarian Party in 18, the People's Alliance in13, the Consensus N.B. Party inthree and Social Justice Partyin two. Independent candidates are running in four ridings.

Chief electoral officer Kim Poffenroth told CBC's Radio Shift that parties must nominate candidates in at least 10 ridings to maintain their political party status after the election passes.

Returning offices are open for voting Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to7 p.m., andSaturday from 10 a.m. to5 p.m. All offices are closed on Thanksgiving Monday, she said.

Voter information cards should be in voters' mailboxes by next Monday, she said. Returning officers will be reaching out to nursing homes to arrange voting for residents and are alsoat 14 college and university campuses across the province.Voting by mail is also an option.

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

Where the leaders are today

Green Leader David Coonis in Saint John for an announcement about the environment.

Liberal Leader Susan Holtis in Neguac for an announcement about seniors.

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgsis in Moncton.

For complete coverage:Links to ll New Brunswick Votes 2024 stories