Office of the Premier

Thank you, Jamie.  Thank  you, ladies and gentlemen for being here tonight. To those of you watching from home, thank you for joining us.  And a big thank you to the Fredericton Chamber and to all of this evening’s sponsors.

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Early in December, I received a Christmas card from David Wilkins, the US Ambassador to Canada.  Like many people do, Ambassador Wilkins and his wife Susan had included a letter recapping their year.  One of the highlights for the Ambassador had been fishing on the Restigouche River with his son.  That sunny July day on the sparkling Restigouche; that day spent casting his line with his son; that day ranked up with flying an F-18 and participating in a 9/11 ceremony before a Blue Jays-Yankees game.

I had the privilege of sharing that fishing trip with Ambassador Wilkins and Robert.  And as I sat in my office on a cold December evening reading his card, I was warmed by the memory of that visit.  And I thought:  if such a brief visit to New Brunswick could leave such an impact, what imprint must it leave on those of us lucky enough to call New Brunswick home? 

You know, ladies and gentlemen, there is something special about being in this place.

We know it in the good times and we certainly know it in difficult times.  Earlier this month the province rallied round the city of Bathurst in the wake of an unthinkable tragedy that took the lives of eight New Brunswickers.  Tonight I want to remember those victims.  And I also want to pay tribute to Mayor Stephen Brunet, to Superintendent John McLaughlin and to Principal Coleen Ramsay.  As a community leader, you hope never to have to navigate through tragedies of this magnitude.  However, when called upon to lead their community through dark times, these individuals and many others rose to the challenge.  And for all their courage, I know all New Brunswickers are truly grateful.

There is something truly special about being in this place.  And tonight I want to talk briefly about last year, talk about the year ahead and talk about the journey we are sharing toward self-sufficiency.

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Heading into 2008, we’re building on the strong foundation of the year that’s passed.

In 2007 New Brunswick saw our lowest unemployment levels in 30 years.  We led Atlantic Canada in job growth and experienced the largest drop in the unemployment rate in the country.  Ladies and gentlemen, at the end of the year, over 12,500 more New Brunswickers were working than at the end of 2006.

Exciting projects are rolling in the energy sector.  We’re implementing a bold new plan for education – When Kids Come First – that will transform our education system into the best in Canada.

We increased funding for tourism and will make further investments to this important sector.

We made some tough decisions to balance the budget and position ourselves to make the investments necessary to be self-sufficient in New Brunswick.

Over 40 per cent of our Charter for Change commitments are now complete and we expect to bring that number to 65 per cent by our second anniversary.

And last November’s Speech from the Throne contained the necessary legislative changes to support our journey to make New Brunswick self-sufficient by 2026.

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We have now laid a solid foundation for transformational change in New Brunswick.  And, this is the year, as my dad used to say, that the rubber really hits the road.  When I stand before you next year, I expect we will look back at 2008 as a turning point in our province.  Many of our institutions will look different, the way government runs will look different.  Because in order to change our province’s destiny, we simply have to dramatically change how we do things.

I want to take a few minutes now to tell you about some of the exciting initiatives we will launch in 2008.  We will begin to transform our economy; our workforce; our relationships; and our government.

First is transformation of the economy.

In 2008, we will begin to clearly see signs of New Brunswick becoming a more competitive environment for business development.  Industry will be encouraged to make investments to ensure our province will be more productive and more competitive.  We will continue to work with our small and medium-size businesses – they are the backbone of our economy.  We will attract new employers to our province, encourage the expansion of national and multinational firms now established in New Brunswick, capitalize on opportunities in the energy sector and establish technology clusters in order to further diversify our economy.

The time is right to make important investments in strategic infrastructure to stimulate economic development.  The coming year will see the largest capital budget in New Brunswick’s history being invested in our roads, schools and hospitals.  And we have introduced a new Asset Management System to identify the right time and the right way to improve our roads at the lowest cost to taxpayers.

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Fellow New Brunswickers, while there are many exciting opportunities on the horizon the reality is there are also serious challenges. Forestry has long been the engine that drives New Brunswick’s economy and the recent downturn has been difficult for our province.

For example, today is a difficult day for our friends in Dalhousie.  Today is the day the Bowater mill officially closes after 78 years in operation.  I’ve visited the town, spoken with community leaders and I can tell you categorically there’s still considerable resilience and great hope in that community.  And our government is committed to do everything we can to see Dalhousie recover and prosper and be a big participant in a self-sufficient New Brunswick.

Addressing these challenges means new ways of doing things.  The days of short-term fixes, band-aid solutions and false hopes… ladies and gentlemen, they must end.  As a government we must make wise investments to help workers and communities prepare for the new realities in the forestry sector. 

That is why I am pleased to announce this evening that we have engaged a team of national and local forest products experts led by Don Roberts of CIBC World Markets.  Mr. Roberts leads the CIBC’s Paper & Forest Products Research Team and is consistently ranked as one of the top equity research analysts covering the forest products industry.  He will be joined by Peter Woodbridge of Woodbridge Associates, an international forest industry consulting firm based in Vancouver as well as Dan Campbell and Mike Carr of Stantec (formerly Neil and Gunter) who bring extensive local expertise.

Our government has asked this team to work with industry to:

Government will use the results of this analysis to gain a better understanding of New Brunswick’s future fiber needs and industry potential before making future commitments of the Crown fiber resource.   We know the clock is ticking and the industry is rapidly changing so I have asked for this work to be completed by June. 

We must act quickly and decisively to address the challenges in this industry and regain our competitive position in the global marketplace.  And we will.

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Ladies and gentlemen, as we strive to further innovate and diversify our economy, we must be true to ourselves.  We must be leaders in our own way.  And in New Brunswick we have many world leaders.

I think of ADI, Ltd. This engineering firm started 60 years ago right here in Fredericton.  Today they have a presence from Antigua to Alberta to Austin, Texas.  But their home base continues to be right here, in New Brunswick.  They’re developing cutting-edge ideas here that are being marketed world-wide.  The home-grown success of ADI proves that New Brunswick can be a world leader.

Last year, we inked a $1.7 billion deal with the world’s largest potash producer Potash Corp of Saskatchewan. They’ve chosen to invest in New Brunswick as it provides quick sailing times to Central and Latin American customers. Again, another example of how New Brunswick can be a world leader.

And, consider the story of Accreon, a newly formed company, resulting from the merger of three highly respected New Brunswick IT companies.  Accreon is now a company of over 50 professionals with a business plan aimed at being a major global player, with over 300 professionals within the next few years.  They’re also setting out to prove that New Brunswick can be a world leader.

And I think about the Miramichi.  There are some tough things happening there, no question.  But there are some great things happening too.  Atcon Group’s Centre of Excellence in Steel Fabrication will create up to 150 new jobs for the region.  The centre will provide steel beams for the first bridge across the MacKenzie River in the Northwest Territories.  There are major refurbishment needs on bridges and structures across North America and the company that can lead in this area has a great chance to grow.  New Brunswick can be a leader here as well.

We can be a world leader in New Brunswick, but we have to believe in ourselves.  We need strong leadership:  in government, in business and in our communities.  We need to embrace new ways of doing things.  I invite you to join me in making “the status quo” and “business as usual” sayings of previous generations.  I am absolutely convinced that we can make New Brunswick better.  Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, you have my word for it:  we absolutely will make New Brunswick better.

Tonight, I am pleased to inform you that next month, Business New Brunswick will embark on a three-year plan to aggressively attract new investments to the province and to spread the word that if you want to be successful in business, New Brunswick is the place to be.

I’m also pleased to announce that in a couple of weeks, Minister Greg Byrne and I are going to kick it off with our most aggressive blitz of Bay Street since taking office.

We’ll start by meeting with investors at the Toronto Stock Exchange.  Along with a number of private meetings, I’ll be taking our message of self-sufficiency and transformational change to Bay Street leaders when I address the Economic Club of Toronto.  We will also be meeting with Atlantic Canadian ex-patriates through East Coast Connected.  And we’ll be meeting face-to-face with a number of our New Brunswick ambassadors.

And speaking of our New Brunswick Ambassadors…

You know ladies and gentlemen, when we first launched this program in October, we set the goal of 100 ambassadors in 100 days.  Well, we had 100 in one week and within a month crossed the 200-member threshold.  This speaks to the passion we all have for New Brunswick and to our belief that New Brunswick is indeed the place to do business in Canada.  This kind of determination will fuel our efforts and it will help us attract the investments we need to build a self-sufficient New Brunswick.

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In addition to more business investment in our province in 2008, New Brunswick will continue to emerge as the Energy Hub for the Eastern Seaboard.    This is possible through our strategic location next to an energy hungry market, our market knowledge and the resources that we own.

One of the most promising projects on the horizon is the potential for a second nuclear generating station at Point Lepreau.  Last August a feasibility study was launched by Team Candu.  That study will be finished soon but, ladies and gentlemen, I can tell you this evening results have exceeded expectations.  And this is great news because this project has the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs during construction and 500 permanent, high-paying jobs to operate the facility. It also presents an opportunity for New Brunswick to develop a nuclear cluster around research, training, manufacturing and design.

We are moving ahead on renewable energy as well – harnessing the power of our tides and our winds.  And we have much to be proud of.

The Minister of Energy,  Jack Keir and I recently had the pleasure of announcing a wind farm in Lamèque.  This $100 million project is a novel cooperative venture with shareholders from the community and Acciona North American Energy. And again this week, a further investment of $125 million was announced in Sackville.  Ladies and gentlemen, these two announcements are only scratching the surface. All told, private sector investments in wind energy will total $1 billion.

Progress is being made on assessing the feasibility of bringing natural gas to Northern New Brunswick.  Once again the private sector is stepping forward to undertake this assessment and we will be monitoring their efforts closely.

All of New Brunswick has a role to play in our energy hub and while I can’t provide details tonight, stay tuned for more positive energy news in the future, up North and throughout the province of New Brunswick.  It’s a bold venture and with our private sector partners, we are well on our way.

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In order to transform our economy and fully capitalize on these numerous opportunities, I believe we simply must transform our workforce.  And it starts by giving every child the chance to reach his or her own full potential.

The first five years of a person’s life are key to their longer term development.  This is why we created a Special Cabinet Committee on Early Childhood Development and Care to work with community groups and stakeholders throughout the province.

Ladies and gentlemen in order to further reinforce our commitment in this area, I am very pleased to announce tonight that former Lt.-Gov. Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain will provide assistance and direction to our Cabinet Committee.  Mrs. McCain has co-authored two ground-breaking reports on early childhood and her expertise will be invaluable to us as we make important progress in this key area of early childhood development.

I’ve witnessed firsthand some of the initiatives that grew out of Mrs. McCain’s similar work in Ontario.  I am extremely grateful that such a distinguished New Brunswicker and distinguished Canadian will be returning to her roots here in our province to help us transform early childhood development and care.

By giving our kids the best start we can, they can walk into kindergarten ready to learn.  And when they walk through those doors, they will enter one of the best education systems in the country.  That’s the goal of our education plan, When Kids Come First.

When Kids Come First challenges all of us to transform our education system.  We will focus on helping kids find what they love to do and what they are good at.  We will reward our best, most innovative schools and teachers.  And we will prepare a new generation with the skills and abilities to participate in and benefit from a self-sufficient New Brunswick.

We need a competitive, well-trained workforce to make New Brunswick self-sufficient and that’s why our government embarked on the most ambitious review and reform of our post-secondary system in 40 years.  And tonight, I want to take a few minutes to talk about some of the important progress being made on this front.

Over the coming weeks, the Working Group on Post-Secondary Education will complete its review of the report of the Commission on Post-Secondary Education and deliver its final recommendations.  Bringing together the university presidents and community college principals through this Working Group has deepened the respect and understanding between our universities and community colleges and inspired a strong and sincere desire for future cooperation.

Greater access to quality education underlined their efforts.  This means access to education and training close to home at a price our students can afford.  It also means encouraging those who are currently under-represented – like young Aboriginal New Brunswickers – to see a place for themselves in our post-secondary institutions.

Each of New Brunswick’s four universities has an important role to play; each brings particular strengths.  First, the Working Group will propose that each university have its role, mandate and critical mission articulated in legislation.

And, ladies and gentlemen, tonight I am very pleased to announce that the University of New Brunswick in Saint John will remain the University of New Brunswick in Saint John.  UNBSJ will retain programs like liberal arts while expanding with new program offerings to meet emerging economic opportunities in the Port City and beyond. 

The University of New Brunswick will soon be creating a commission to review the relationship between the Fredericton and Saint John campuses and to make recommendations for improvement.  Our government supports this important initiative.

The Université de Moncton has a unique role as our province’s francophone university and will continue to fulfill its important mandate in the northeast and northwest of the province.  They will also provide new applied learning at the university level to meet the needs of emerging economic opportunities.

In order to grow the knowledge sector and attract top grad students, we need centres for advanced research.  The Working Group will recommend a strong collaborative approach led by both UNB and UdeM to draw on the talents of all universities and in areas of applied research with the community colleges.  Once again, this is a welcome development.

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for our community colleges to take the next step:  the Working Group supports our community colleges becoming an organization independent from government and more closely aligned with their communities. 

The Working Group also envisions much greater co-operation between universities and community colleges.  Where appropriate, first- and/or second-year university courses will become more available across the province.  Strengthening this relationship will also help build the necessary critical mass to make our universities more competitive and sustainable.

To build a more integrated post-secondary education system we will explore opportunities at a number of levels, including shared facilities, administrative and educational integration.

These initiatives are part of a strong commitment to achieve a better balance between theoretical and applied learning.  New partnerships will be formed to expand applied learning opportunities between community colleges and universities, including applied degrees, diplomas and certificates.

The Working Group will also be recommending a new approach to apprenticeship training to ensure these programs have the flexibility to respond to rapidly changing job markets.

To meet the needs of our changing economy, the business community must step forward to form deep and meaningful partnerships with our post-secondary institutions.  I have every confidence that all of you and the rest of the New Brunswick business community will welcome this opportunity.

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, the Working Group is united in its belief that New Brunswick students are carrying too high a debt load.  I am extremely pleased to say their final report will include very strong recommendations to deal with this.  And, I’m also pleased to tell you that within the terms of responsible fiscal management, our government will respond accordingly to such recommendations.  Student debt levels must be lowered and they will.

Tonight I want to give full credit to our Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour Minister, Dr. Ed Doherty.  Ed, because of your steadfast leadership and resolve, New Brunswick will be home to a stronger, higher quality post-secondary education system.

What Minister Doherty and our government have been saying is that post-secondary education reform really comes down to two things:  we need to lower student debt loads and we need to ensure that our graduates are getting the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, right here in New Brunswick.

We need our young people to put down roots in this province and that means becoming part of our workforce, buying that first home, settling into a neighbourhood, into a community.  If you’re carrying $40,000 worth of debt at the age 22, that first home seems like an impossible dream.  If the jobs that are available here don’t match your skill set, you’re going to look elsewhere.  It’s why we’re losing young people and, ladies and gentlemen, it very simply has to stop.

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It’s one thing to leave New Brunswick because you want to go.  It’s quite another to leave New Brunswick because you have to.

Next week, our government will be unveiling New Brunswick’s Population Growth Strategy.  Minister Byrne will have the privilege of unveiling the plan in detail but tonight I’m pleased to tell you of some key components of that strategy.

First, we will put additional human resources into supporting our population growth efforts.

We will strengthen links for employers so they have better access to skilled workers.

Relationships with communities will be enhanced, including expanding the community sponsorship pilot project.

New investments will be made in language training, immigrant-serving agencies and multicultural associations.

We’ll create a culture of apprenticeship to ease the transition to work and we will strengthen the links between young people, communities and employers in order to keep them right here in New Brunswick.

We will reach out to our network of expatriate New Brunswickers.  We will use every tool at our disposal – technology, outreach trips and partnerships - to spread the word that New Brunswick is indeed the place to be.

We will form strategic partnerships across Atlantic Canada.  As well, we will work with the federal government in various areas, including francophone immigration and on the creation of sustainable communities.

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Ladies and gentlemen, these new partnerships are examples of what it means to transform relationships.  We need to build newer, stronger links with other governments, with business and labour, with non-profit groups and with Aboriginal communities.   

Since coming to office, we have worked with our First Nations to build a new government-to-government relationship based on goodwill and mutual respect.  Our progress was evident last June when I joined with the leaders of all 15 First Nations communities in signing an historic bilateral agreement.

Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of developing The Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, New Brunswick, Canada Umbrella Agreement.  This agreement will renew and strengthen our First Nations - provincial - federal- relationship. 

Our First Nations make an important contribution to the cultural diversity we value as New Brunswickers.  I am pleased that our government will be sponsoring the 2008 ECMA Aboriginal Partnered Showcase to be held on February 8 at Fredericton’s Musicplex.  I hope many of you will be able to take in some of the great talent on stage that night.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we transform relationships, we need to reach out to our neighbours in Atlantic Canada and across the border in New England.

Economically, New England has always been an important market for us.  With new opportunities in the energy sector that is more the case than ever before.  I’ve promoted New Brunswick to Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Governor Deval Patrick.  And I’m particularly pleased with the friendship and the cooperation that is forming with Governor John Baldacci and the State of Maine.

Last year, Governor Baldacci and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy generation as well as an agreement for greater cooperation between our community colleges.  Governor Baldacci also visited New Brunswick and addressed our Legislature. On February 12, I will reciprocate when I address the Maine State Legislature and speak with community leaders in Bangor.

Later this year, the Governor and I will be climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine and our highest peak, Mount Carleton.  You know, the last time I climbed Mount Carleton it was minus 30 and I was wearing snowshoes, so I’m hoping for more forgiving conditions this summer.

Incidentally, I wonder,  how many of you have climbed that mountain?  When you stand at the top of that peak and look out over New Brunswick, you can really believe that our possibilities are indeed as limitless as the spectacular view.

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Ladies and gentlemen, these goals, these initiatives, this journey to self-sufficiency… it isn’t about making things better for government; it’s about making things better for New Brunswickers.  In order to do that, we need to transform government.  We need to make it more open, more accessible.  We must put the needs of all New Brunswickers first.

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For example, a modern, world class healthcare system plays a vital role in ensuring the growth of a thriving, productive, healthy population.  We will not only treat people once they become sick but encourage New Brunswickers to stay healthy in the first place.

We have been well-served by our health care system over the years.  When someone absolutely needs care, the system is there.  However the present system is not sustainable.  It simply will not meet our future needs and expectations.

In recent days, Minister Murphy has been touring the province broadly outlining the direction of our health care plans and he will soon be releasing a comprehensive long-term vision for a sustainable, first-class health care system.

Tonight, I will share with you two components that I am particularly excited about.

First, access to health care providers remains one of our most significant challenges.  We need to begin aggressively recruiting right now.  Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I am pleased to announce our new Health Care Plan will include funding for a minimum of 100 new physicians, across New Brunswick, over the next four years.

Part of building a better, more responsive health care system involves getting people the appropriate care at the appropriate time and in the appropriate place.  Not every health issue requires a trip to the ER or even a hospital.  That’s the strength of our Community Health Centres.  They offer a wide variety of services provided by a team of health care professionals. 

Our new health plan will add six community health centres to complement the services of our existing hospitals.  Tonight I’m pleased to announce that this includes a new partnership with the UNB Faculty of Nursing to support their downtown Community Health Clinic right here in Fredericton.  As well, our existing Community Health Centre in Fredericton will support a second satellite centre located at the Centre Communautaire Sainte-Anne.

In New Brunswick, we greatly respect the contribution made by our seniors in building our province.  We are committed to treating them with the dignity they deserve. 

Tonight, I am pleased to inform you that later this year, we will establish a Senior and Healthy Aging Secretariat. The new secretariat will focus on strategies to help seniors remain healthy, active, independent and socially engaged for as long as possible, and increase supports for informal care givers.  The long term care system will continue to provide support for seniors in safe and respectful environments with knowledgeable and trained staff.

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One of the things that makes New Brunswick so special is our connection to our natural environment.  Last year, our government introduced a Climate Change Action plan to ensure we remain good environmental stewards on our journey to self-sufficiency.

To that end, I’m proud to say that New Brunswick is becoming a true leader in energy efficiency.  Efficiency NB has received international recognition for its efforts to develop and implement leading energy efficiency programs.

Tonight, I am pleased to announce that later this year Efficiency NB will create the Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Energy Efficiency.  These awards will highlight and celebrate innovative efforts and outstanding accomplishment in energy efficiency.

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Ladies and gentlemen, as we transform government and our province, we must make critical financial and budget decisions along the way. 

On April 1st, we will be entering a new fiscal year with a strong economic outlook.  Our growth will be driven by three key initiatives mentioned here tonight: the largest capital budget in our province’s history, the new $1.7 billion potash mine in Sussex and the refurbishment of the existing nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau.

By themselves, these three initiatives will generate almost 7,000 direct jobs in New Brunswick.

These projects, along with the activity happening in businesses throughout our province, means our momentum is building.

As we look ahead at the next budget, we stand at a crossroads.  Government can step back and see how far this momentum carries us.  However if we want to achieve self-sufficiency by 2026, standing back is not an option.  We must forge ahead.  We must make choices and take action.  And we must ask ourselves important questions.

1. Are we ready to strike a different balance between investing in people and skills and investing in resources

2. Are we ready to invest more in economic growth and transformation and less on maintaining the economic status quo?

3. Are we ready to be part of the solution to environmental challenges rather than just ignoring the problem?

4. Are we ready to invest in what moves us toward self-sufficiency and let go of what holds us back?

Ultimately, ladies and gentlemen, it comes down to this:  are we ready to transform this province once and for all?  I tell you tonight, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am convinced we are.

In March, we will be tabling a truly transformational budget.  There will be debate.  There will be disagreement.  But transforming our province, reshaping our destiny requires more than half-measures.  It demands courage.  It demands change.  It demands action.  It demands readiness.  And right now, this year, we are ready.

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Tonight I’ve outlined just a sampling of the initiatives we will undertake to continue on our journey for self-sufficiency by 2026.

But what will 2026 look like?

Well, in 2026, in New Brunswick, we will be in control of our own destiny. We will create more of our own wealth and break the cycle of dependency on Ottawa.  We will be a place where people can build a self-reliant future.

New Brunswick in 2026 will be nationally competitive.  Our incomes will be on par with the national average. This will keep more young people in our province and attract new New Brunswickers.  We will be a province of even richer cultural diversity.  Our Aboriginal communities will have an increased role in the province’s economy.

We will be more productive by tearing down barriers to opportunity with increased literacy levels and greater recognition of credentials.

We will be a family-friendly province with better access to child care, parental leave and flexible hours.  Access to state of the art health care and strong public schools will make New Brunswick the place to be for young families.

New Brunswick will be a place of life-long learning.  Higher numbers of New Brunswickers will be pursuing higher education than ever before.  We’ll be home to the most innovative and progressive public schools in the country.

We will be leaders in environmental stewardship, in progressive technology to reduce greenhouse gas and in energy conservation and renewable energy technology.

Fewer children will live in poverty.  Fewer people will live with chronic disease.  And more New Brunswickers willbe making healthier choices to promote their individual wellness.

In 2026, in New Brunswick we will be a place of opportunity.  We will be the envy of our country.  New Brunswick will be the place to be in Canada.

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When we talk about New Brunswick in 2026, we’re looking at a point on the horizon 18 years away.  And it’s going to take that amount of time to achieve a lot of the changes we are talking about.

We’re setting out to change the way a whole generation of kids learn.

We’ve got a huge mountain to climb in terms of our adult literacy rates.

We have a big challenge in reversing society’s trend toward inactivity and obesity to the point that we can start to see less stress on our health care system.

Breaking the cycle of dependency on equalization is a huge hurdle.

Ladies and gentlemen, what I’m saying is something you probably all realize: Building a self-sufficient New Brunswick will take time.

But I know that each of you here tonight and each of you at home is probably thinking: “how do we measure the success of this government?  How will we know you’re on the right track?”  These are fair questions.  Fellow New Brunswickers, tonight I’m pleased to announce benchmarks in four key areas that will help keep us on track to be self-sufficient by 2026.

An increasing population

First of all, population decline is probably the biggest challenge, in our communities, in our economy, in our families across New Brunswick… and, as a government, we need to address it and we are.

Ladies and gentlemen, we need to turn the tide on population decline and we are.  In 2007, the census showed our province increasing in population, putting an end to the longest period of population decline since the Great Depression.  And the momentum is building.  With every young person who returns to New Brunswick, with every prospective new Canadian who chooses to make a fresh start here in our province, we are moving forward.

So here’s what I am committing to you tonight:  through 2009 we will increase our population by at least 6,000 people through coordinated efforts quarterbacked by the Population Growth Secretariat.  By 2015, we aim to grow New Brunswick’s population by 25,000 people – putting us on track to hit 100,000 more New Brunswickers by 2026.

Significant new job growth

Secondly, ladies and gentlemen, we know that the best way to keep our young people here, the best way to bring them home and the best way to attract new Canadians is by creating economic opportunities. 

Tonight, I commit that from our last election to the next one, we will have created 25- 30,000 new jobs here in New Brunswick. 

Active Approach to Social Development

Thirdly, when we build a self-sufficient New Brunswick, we want to be sure everyone can play a role.  That’s why we expanded the mandate and changed the name of the department of Family and Community Services to the Department of Social Development.  We’re shifting our focus to a more active approach.

I am very pleased that our new Deputy Minister for Social Development, James Hughes, will soon be joining us.  James, could you stand for a moment.  Ladies and gentlemen, James comes to us with a very strong background in helping the most vulnerable get back on their feet.  We’re counting on his experience and the leadership of Minister Mary Schryer in this department.  And tonight I am pleased to announce that we plan on dropping the social assistance caseload by 2500 over the course of our mandate.

Ceiling on power rates

Finally, as we make New Brunswick the place to be, we want to ensure New Brunswick consumers are able to keep more money in their pockets.  We will soon be getting a decision by the Energy and Utilities Board for the 2007 rate increase requested by NB Power.  We recognize how important electricity costs are to you as individuals and as business owners.  So tonight, I am very pleased to announce that our government is committing that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the maximum average power rate increase for each of the next three years through 2010 will not surpass three percent

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Fellow New Brunswickers, I began tonight by saying there was something special about this place.   I’ve spoken about where we’ve been and where we’re heading.  And I want end by speaking about who we are.

Earlier today, we launched the first re-branding of the Province in over 15 years.  While the brands of most other jurisdictions focus on what the jurisdiction has to offer, ours focuses on what you can Be… in New Brunswick.

Our brand is first and foremost about people.  It evokes a sense of our spirit and our energy…of our values and our deep sense of pride in being in New Brunswick.

This brand was developed entirely by New Brunswickers and it reflects the unique way of life, cultural diversity, opportunities for success and potential for happiness enjoyed by people in this place called New Brunswick.

The statement that underlines our updated brand is:

“In New Brunswick you can be yourself, you can belong and you can be better.”

You can be yourself.  In New Brunswick, people discover who they truly are and live their lives in a fundamentally authentic way.

You can belong.  In New Brunswick, there is a real sense of community, a natural opportunity to become part of something bigger than you.  This opportunity flows from understanding who you are and how you fit within your community.

You can be better.  In New Brunswick you can be better because your life is authentic and you are part of something you value.  There is a spirit to this place that drives us to find better ways to live, learn and work.

I would now like to bring your attention to one of the large screens in the room…we’re now going to show you a short video in English and then in French, which I believe truly captures what is so special about being in New Brunswick.

Please have a look…

Ladies and gentlemen, we are truly blessed.  New Brunswick is so very unique, and so very special to all of us.  For me, it’s what drives and motivates me each and every day of the week.

As many of you know, because I’ve said it so many times, I absolutely love this job.  I love that I get to wake up every morning and think about what makes this province so wonderful.  I love having the opportunity to build on the solid foundation we have in New Brunswick and love working at trying to make things better for New Brunswickers.

There’s simply no place I’d rather be than right here…Because ladies and gentlemen, we are standing at an historic moment.  There is a wave of opportunity, momentum and optimism sweeping across the province.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I tell you our province is strong.  We are strong and we are ready for this journey.  We are ready to take those first bold and critical steps on our journey to self sufficiency.

And, working together with you, the business community, the cultural community, the non-profit community and all New Brunswickers standing shoulder to shoulder, I am convinced beyond any doubt that we have the drive, the determination, the resourcefulness and the ingenuity to accomplish our ultimate goal:  to be self sufficient in New Brunswick by 2026.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s show the world New Brunswick is the place to be.

Thank you.  Good night.

Premier
Shawn Graham