Latest news with #InformationMorningFredericton
CBC
28-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Social development minister downplays youth advocate's worries about budget cuts
Minister Cindy Miles stresses opportunity to do things differently with this budget Image | Cindy Miles - Minister of Social Development Caption: Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles said the budget for child welfare services increased by $26 million this year. (Radio-Canada) Open Image in New Tab New Brunswick's Social Development minister does not share the same fears about the province's child welfare budget as the province's child and youth advocate. Advocate Kelly Lamrock released a report on Thursday that took issue with what he calls the largest cut to the child welfare budget in decades. His report said Social Development's $208.3-million budget for this year falls short of the $231.9 million spent on those same child welfare services last year. But Minister Cindy Miles doesn't agree that the budget has been cut. "Last year was budgeted $181 million, and this year was budgeted $208 million, so up $26 million," Miles said Monday during an interview with Information Morning Fredericton. While that is the case, Lamrock said last week that because the actual cost came in higher than the estimate last year, the department is effectively being asked to reduce its spending on services to children in care by $23 million. He also said since the budget speech also pledged $23.6 million for new wage increases and services, he said, existing services will be in a $46.6-million shortfall. When asked about that, Miles didn't directly address the accusation. "What I'm saying is that we haven't had a chance to sit down with the advocate to really go through what are the opportunities that are existing now with this budget and with the Child and Youth Well-Being Act," she said when asked if she thought Lamrock's calculations were incorrect "I believe Mr. Lamrock said that he had gone back to [the] finance board to talk to them, but they wouldn't have those breakdowns of what moving forward looks like," she said. "So I look forward to the opportunity coming up in the next few months to really sit down with the advocate's office." Miles said the budget was reflective of "wanting to do things differently and putting youth at the centre of everything that we do." In Lamrock's report, he recommended that the departments of Finance and Social Development reconsider the funding cuts. Miles said right now, that's not on the table. "We'll go back with the social development team and look at all the recommendations that the advocate has made," she said. "But this budget, we can really do things differently, and we need to do things differently."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UNB scientist checks in from first all-Canadian Antarctic mission
A group of 15 researchers have been gathering data for the last two weeks as part of the first all-Canadian Antarctic mission. Kevin Wilcox, a research scientist with the University of New Brunswick's Ocean Mapping Group, is one of them. "It's been a really amazing experience," Wilcox told CBC Radio's Information Morning Fredericton. "It's something that you can't really anticipate until you're here." It's all part of Operation Projection, a Canadian naval mission. The Canadian Navy's HMCS Margaret Brooke, an Arctic and offshore patrol vessel, is leading the mission through the icy landscapes of the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands, where researchers have been exploring coves and bays to perform scientific research. After going through the Drake Passage, Wilcox arrived at Admiralty Bay and witnessed "breathtaking" tall sheets of ice. He also saw about 50 penguins swimming and jumping around the vessel. "Everyone loves the penguins, and they have put on a fantastic show," he said. UNB's Ocean Mapping group has a small vessel that Wilcox used during the all-Canadian mission to scan the ocean floor. This information helps researchers understand what the ground below the water looks like and what it's made of. (Submitted by Kevin Wilcox) Wilcox said he got to take part in the mission thanks to a combination of "hard work and luck." He is a part of the Ocean Mapping Group at the University of New Brunswick, which has a small unmanned surface vessel for shallow-water coastal mapping. That's a capability the mission's ship doesn't have. "That was really what helped secure the option for our group to bring that capability on board," said Wilcox. He said that the unmanned vessel is about two metres in length and can see about 80 metres below the surface, making it capable of building a map of the ocean floor in great detail. That map is then used for charting or to help geologists understand what the sea floor is made of and what it looks like. Wilcox said only about 25 per cent of the world's ocean floor is mapped. Wilcox said the views from the Canadian Navy's HMCS Margaret Brooke, an Arctic and offshore patrol vessel, have been breathtaking. Pictured is Admiralty Bay, King George Island. (Submitted by Kevin Wilcox) "It's less than people think," he said. "There's been a lot of focus to try and increase that number in the last decade." Wilcox said researchers on the mission are starting to wrap up their explorations after two weeks of going nonstop — "everything from me out on my small boat, to various coring and water sampling on the ship, and others going to shore." Listen | Unique mission to the bottom of the world: The ship is now headed to the Antarctic Circle and the Rothera Research Station, "so things are starting to wind down on that science front, so now we're looking at the data we have, digesting that and starting that report-writing process." Antarctica has long been a hotspot for exploration and critical for understanding the impacts of climate change. "The rate of change at the poles is accelerating and is greater than other areas on the planet, so it's important to monitor these things, because we won't get the chance again," said Wilcox, "So there's a timeliness aspect as well." Wilcox said the small vessel he operates is able create a map of the ocean floor. Pictured is a mini volcano like structure surveyed inside Port Forster at Deception Island. (Google Earth) Wilcox said each researcher on the mission is leading their own research with different approaches and focal points. But the variety of skills and outlooks have presented a unique opportunity for these researchers to collaborate. "By having all of these different pieces, they combine to a larger story that any one of us would have a hard time to build on our own," he said. While the mission at large has been a positive experience, researchers on board have shared concerns about what the future will hold for Antarctica in these unprecedented times, he said. The "White Continent" is unique in that it's not owned by anyone, but rather has been governed by a treaty of 12 nations for 65 years. Concern for the future of that treaty, which forbids military activity outside of assisting operations at research stations or scientific exploration, is rising with the current political climate in the United States. "There's concern about more and more militarization, about the exportation of resources," he said, "Those are things where there are clear limitations in place by the treaty, but will those be respected going forward."
CBC
14-03-2025
- Science
- CBC
UNB scientist checks in from first all-Canadian Antarctic mission
A group of 15 researchers have been gathering data for the last two weeks as part of the first all-Canadian Antarctic mission. Kevin Wilcox, a research scientist with the University of New Brunswick's Ocean Mapping Group, is one of them. "It's been a really amazing experience," Wilcox told CBC Radio's Information Morning Fredericton, "It's something that you can't really anticipate until you're here." It's all part of Operation Projection, a Canadian naval mission. The Canadian Navy's HMCS Margaret Brooke, an Arctic and offshore patrol vessel, leads the mission through the icy landscapes of the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands, where researchers such as Wilcox have been exploring coves and bays to perform scientific research. Wilcox described going through the Drake Passage and how "breathtaking" the tall sheets of ice were to witness in real life. He also saw about 50 penguins swimming and jumping around the vessel. "Everyone loves the penguins, and they have put on a fantastic show," he said. Wilcox said he got to take part in the mission thanks to a combination of "hard work and luck." He is a part of the Ocean Mapping Group at the University of New Brunswick, which has a small unmanned surface vessel for shallow-water coastal mapping. That's a capability the mission's ship doesn't have. "That was really what helped secure the option for our group to bring that capability on board," said Wilcox. He said that the unmanned vessel is about two metres in length and can go about 80 metres below the surface, making it capable of building a map of the ocean floor in great detail. That map is then used for charting or to help geologists understand what the sea floor is made of and what it looks like. Wilcox said only about 25 per cent of the world's ocean floor is mapped. "It's less than people think," he said. "There's been a lot of focus to try and increase that number in the last decade." Wilcox said researchers on the mission are starting to wrap up their explorations after two weeks of going nonstop — "everything from me out on my small boat to various coring and water sampling on the ship, and others going to shore." The ship is now headed to the Antarctic Circle and the Rothera Research Station, "so things are starting to wind down on that science front, so now we're looking at the data we have, digesting that and starting that report-writing process." Antarctica has long been a hotspot for exploration and critical for understanding the impacts of climate change. "The rate of change at the poles is accelerating and is greater than other areas on the planet, so it's important to monitor these things, because we won't get the chance again," said Wilcox, "So there's a timeliness aspect as well." Wilcox said each researcher on the mission is leading their own research with different approaches and focal points. But the variety of skills and outlooks have presented a unique opportunity for these researchers to collaborate. "By having all of these different pieces, they combine to a larger story that any one of us would have a hard time to build on our own," he said. Wilcox said while the mission at large has been a positive experience, researchers on board have shared concerns about what the future will hold for Antarctica in these unprecedented times. The "White Continent" is unique in that it's not owned by anyone, but rather has been governed by a treaty of 12 nations for 65 years. Concern for the future of that treaty, which forbids military activity outside of assisting operations at research stations or scientific exploration, is rising with the current political climate in the United States.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Holt unveils N.B. tariff relief plan, but holds fire on aggressive measures
Social Sharing New Brunswick's Liberal government has unveiled a $162 million "action plan" aimed at blunting the impact of U.S. tariffs on the province's exporters. "When push comes to shove, we will do whatever it takes to defend New Brunswickers and our province," Premier Susan Holt declared Tuesday, hours after the tariffs went into effect. "Our government is using every tool in our toolbox to protect New Brunswick workers and our economy." That includes tens of millions of dollars in the provincial budget to help companies absorb the impact of the tariffs and to support any laid-off workers retrain for other jobs. But Holt is holding her fire for now on two possible ways to pressure the U.S.: cutting off electricity exports to New England, and requiring government pension funds not be invested in U.S. companies. "We will look at other steps," she told reporters. "They are on the table now. They may be implemented in the future." WATCH | Here's how New Brunswick is responding to U.S. tariffs: New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt reveals tariffs action plan 2 hours ago Duration 6:38 From internal trade to the seafood sector, here's how the provincial government is responding to the 25 per cent tariffs imposed Tuesday by U.S. President Donald Trump. Holt's comments followed calls by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to put maximum pressure on the U.S. to get the tariffs quickly. "It's time to fight — fight as in economically. We're not about to be a pushover," Ron Marcolin, the group's vice-president for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, told CBC's Information Morning Fredericton. "Yes, collectively we can make President Trump back down, and we will." The Trump administration imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports to the U.S. at midnight. The rate applies to everything but energy, which is subject to a 10 per cent tariff. The tariffs are passed on to consumers and serve to make Canadian products more expensive and thus less competitive in the American market. New Brunswick is the province that relies the most on the U.S. market, with 92 per cent of all exports going there. Marcolin said it won't take long to see the impact of the tariffs. He expects cross-border traffic to slow down by the end of the week and for some companies to start shedding jobs soon as they lose U.S. customers. "It is hard to predict," he said. "It is certainly a case-by-case basis, and certainly a lot of variables are involved, but I would say within weeks." The province estimates that 35,000 jobs in the province are linked to exports to the U.S. and expects 4,000 to 6,000 of them could be lost as a result of the tariffs. Holt called Trump's move illegal and unjustified, and her choice of verb tenses signalled the sense of betrayal Canadians are feeling toward the U.S. "They're our neighbours, they were our best friends and now they're attacking Canada." Among the measures Holt announced Tuesday: A $40 million competitive growth program to help large New Brunswick exporters become more competitive and protect existing jobs, and fund projects to make them more productive and help them diversity markets. Another $30 million to support other businesses, along with $4 million specifically for the fisheries sector. $33 million to support laid off workers with income support and retraining. $5 million redirected from existing Opportunities New Brunswick programs to provide working capital loans to companies affected by the tariffs. $ 5 million for communities affected by the tariffs, particularly border towns. New Brunswick's largest forest products exporter, J.D. Irving Ltd., would not comment Tuesday on how the tariffs would affect its operations, including the pulp it ships from New Brunswick to an Irving Tissue plant in Macon, Ga. "All we can really say at this stage is that we are currently working out the details of what it will mean across our operations," spokesperson Brendan Langille said. "We will continue to work with all levels of government and industry partners as we face these challenges together." The Trump administration released preliminary new rates this week as part of the annual resetting of existing anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood — a separate measure from the new tariffs. They would raise the combined softwood duties on most New Brunswick exporters to 26.8 per cent from 14.4 per cent, and on J.D. Irving to 23.9 per cent from 11.7 per cent IMAGE] The U.S. administration has also launched an investigation into imposing additional duties on national security grounds, which could place an even greater cost burden on provincial mills. Holt said her government will also remove some of its interprovincial trade barriers to make it easier for Canadian provinces to do business with each other. That includes unilaterally removing nine of the exemptions it has claimed to the internal Canada Free Trade Agreement, the narrowing of one other exemption and the possible elimination of six others — most of them related to procurement. The province has already stopped signing contracts with U.S. suppliers and halted the selling of American alcohol in N.B. Liquor stores. "New Brunswick is ready to take a leadership role to reduce interprovincial trade barriers in Canada," said Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Claude D'Amours. He also said the province was "looking at" automatically recognizing job-training credentials from other provinces for up to 120 days. Holt said her government will assess the impact of its measures over the next three weeks before deciding whether to do more. She said she wanted to avoid punishing Maine residents who rely on New Brunswick for electricity. "Our neighbours in Maine are our friends, and we want to put serious consideration into the decisions that might hurt some of the people that have already spoken up against the tariffs." Marcolin said many manufacturers and exporters in the region have already scaled back on spending on hiring, expansion and maintenance since Trump first threatened tariffs late last year. "We do feel that we're ready — ready as much as you can be, with such a large tariffs," he said. But, he added, "even though today is day one … it hits hard. It certainly is a wake-up call. Today is really the day that we know it's here."
CBC
03-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Some MLAs want to debate N.B.'s tariff response now. The Speaker says they'll have to wait
New Brunswick MLAs eager to question the premier about her planned response to U.S. tariffs will have to wait at least another two weeks to do so. Progressive Conservative and Green party MLAs were hoping Susan Holt's government would recall the legislature earlier than planned so that members could debate the issue of tariffs, which could come into effect as early as Tuesday. However, a formal request by Saint John East MLA Glen Savoie was rejected, meaning he and other members will have to wait to question the Liberals about what they plan to do in the face of economy-crippling tariffs being promised by U.S. President Donald Trump. "I would argue that there's a lot that we do not know about what the Holt government has done to prepare us for the tariffs," said Savoie, speaking on Information Morning Fredericton. "Certainly we know there is a support program coming, but how is that going to be paid for?" The New Brunswick Legislature rose for its holiday recess in December and won't sit again until March 18, when Holt's finance minister is expected to table the government's budget. Since December, Trump has been inaugurated as president of the United States and has continually ramped up threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods and services, along with musing about annexing Canada. Sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on most goods and services, and 10 per cent tariffs on energy imports from Canada, were originally expected to come into effect on Feb. 4, but Trump made an 11th-hour decision to delay them by a month. Savoie, who's the interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, said he thinks the gravity of the threat merits the legislature being recalled early. "A lot of damage has already been done [by the threat of tariffs]. We've seen frozen investment here from the stakeholder meetings that we've had here in the province," Savoie said. "So this uncertainty means that we really have to double down on the things that we can control and ... how do we hold the government to account when the legislature is not sitting and we can't ask those questions?" In her letter to Savoie, Speaker Francine Landry said she understood why he made the request, given the uncertainty created by the threat of tariffs. She also acknowledged that the Speaker could recall the legislature earlier if the government agreed that doing so was in the public interest. "To date, I have not been advised by the government that the public interest requires that the House should meet before March 18," Landry wrote in her letter, which was dated Feb. 27. Efforts better spent outside legislature, says House leader Holt was not made available for an interview Monday, but House leader Marco LeBlanc said in an interview his government's efforts are better spent outside the legislature. "At the end of the day, [Holt] has been working, she's been making sure that she meets with people, she meets with business leaders, she meets with community to make sure that we see the least effects possible to this," said LeBlanc. "We did not feel like this was a case to urgently call back the legislative assembly because the work is being done." Holt has said a tariff relief package will be included in her upcoming budget. LeBlanc declined giving any hints what that relief will look like or how much it will cost, but said some support could come earlier than March 18 depending on what happens after Tuesday. "The premier, once again, has been working tirelessly on the threat of tariffs, and we will be working toward a plan to support New Brunswickers and New Brunswick workers and businesses should the tariffs be imposed," he said. Wider issue around number of sitting days Tantramar Green MLA Megan Mitton said she's already heard of workers in her electoral district being laid off just over the uncertainty the threat of tariffs has created. She said with jobs already being affected, she also thinks the legislature's recess should be ended early so members can debate the province's tariff response. "This is a really serious threat to our economy, and I think that having conversations and debates and being able to ask questions in a public forum … is really vital," she said. Mitton said the request to recall the legislature speaks to what she sees as a wider issue around how few days MLAs sit in a single session. Where a session of the legislature typically included about 60 sitting days a decade ago, she said, that number has steadily declined, with the legislature only expected to sit for 36 days in this session.
