Letter from Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau to Premier Gallant

September 7, 2015

The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today sent the following letter to the Hon. Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick:

Dear Premier,

Thank you for your letter, dated June 26, 2015, outlining New Brunswick’s priorities for federal-provincial partnership. I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with some of the Liberal Party of Canada’s main concerns and commitments.

I have spent the last three years traveling across our country and speaking with Canadians, including across New Brunswick, and time and time again, I hear the same thing: people are working longer and harder than ever, but this economy is not working for them. Middle class Canadians are having a hard time finding work and their debt is piling up. People often face the painful choice between paying for their kids’ education, or saving for their own retirement.

These very real challenges require a coordinated response from federal and provincial governments, one that can only be achieved by sitting down together and engaging in an open and continuous dialogue. That is why I have committed a Liberal government to holding an annual First Ministers’ meeting, and frequently and actively engaging with each Premier. If my party forms the next government, I look forward to working closely with you in order to ensure that the federal and provincial governments are working together in the interest of New Brunswickers.

New Brunswick, with a rich history that dates back to Confederation, has a unique culture that is at the centre of our Canadian identity. I have been fortunate enough to visit New Brunswick many times throughout my life. A few weeks ago, I had the honour of joining long-time Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, Dominic LeBlanc, to participate in the Festival acadien de Caraquet. I look forward to many more visits in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Equitable treatment on federal investments in energy and natural resources

A Liberal government will work to open up markets abroad for Canadian resources, and get those resources to market in a responsible way. The Energy East Pipeline could be an important part of that solution, but only if it is done in a responsible manner that addresses environmental, First Nations’, and local concerns. Unfortunately, the Conservatives have ignored these concerns and have torqued the review process. This same failed strategy is why they have not been able to get a single pipeline project approved during a decade in office.

Investing in infrastructure renewal

This election is a clear choice between smart investments that create jobs and growth, or cuts that will slow our economy further. Our historic plan to invest in public infrastructure, among other things, includes: nearly doubling federal infrastructure investment to almost $125 billion – from the current $65 billion – over the next decade; doubling current federal infrastructure investment in each of the next two fiscal years; providing new, dedicated funding to other orders of government for public transit, social, and green infrastructure; and providing clearer project criteria and faster approval processes for applications to theNew Building Canada Fund, which will now prioritize investments in roads, bridges, transportation corridors, ports, and border gateways.

A Liberal government will also develop bilateral agreements with the provinces and territories, which will be similar to those created for the successful gas tax transfer to cities and communities. We will not only significantly increase the scale of federal infrastructure investment; our plan will provide provinces, territories, and municipalities with an unprecedented level of long-term predictability in funding as well. Here I will reiterate that this will be done in full respect of provincial jurisdiction.

Fostering success for our key industries

First and foremost, a Liberal government will put an end to the abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). By letting the program run unchecked for years, the current government’s handling has brought disrepute to the program and has failed both Canadian workers and employers, including those in New Brunswick.

The Harper Conservatives have done nothing more than react to the very problems that they created. Consequently, regions across the country have experienced severe labour shortages, and many Canadian jobs have been put at risk.

As such, a Liberal government will act proactively to add transparency and integrity to the TFWP. This will mean more disclosure on the part of the government and employers, and a tracking system for complaints. A Liberal government will also implement our five point plan to fix the TFWP and ensure it is returned to its original purpose: to fill jobs when qualified Canadians cannot be found. Finally, I will work with my provincial counterparts to ensure that the program does not cause undue hardship, including in your province.

Growing New Brunswick’s population

Immigration remains an important component of economic growth in Canada, and a challenge that New Brunswick is not facing alone. We need to make sure we are investing in settlement so that all regions of Canada can realize the benefits. The Liberal Party of Canada believes that the Provincial Nominee Program has been a great success in fostering immigration to many parts of Canada. As Prime Minister, I am committed to working with you – and all of my provincial counterparts – to discuss how we can improve and expand these programs to meet the evolving needs of each province.

Equitable treatment in federal research and development investments

The Liberal Party recognizes the importance of investing in research and innovation. Canadians in every province and region deserve a federal government that will help their communities and businesses innovate and invest for 21^st century prosperity.

A Liberal government will invest $200 million more annually to create sector-specific strategies that support innovation and clean technologies in the forestry, fisheries, mining, energy, and agricultural sectors. These strategies will be developed in collaboration with the private sector, government, and research institutions, with the objective of producing real innovations that can be deployed in our natural resources sectors, commercialized, brought to scale, and exported.

We will also work with provinces, territories, universities, and colleges to put in place a full range of support for emerging clean tech companies. This includes research, commercialization of new products, and training to ensure Canadians are properly skilled for the industries of the future, with the goal of accelerating Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship. We will also create Canada Research Chairs in sustainable technology.

More federal government jobs in New Brunswick

I believe New Brunswick has great potential for participation in the federal workforce. The Public Service Pension Centre in Shediac currently employs over 700 people and is an example of a highly successful federal public service presence in a smaller community – the Public Service Pay Centre in Miramichi is yet another positive example.

Regional fairness must be considered in federal government decision-making. The Conservatives may believe that pitting regions against one another makes for good politics, but it is a fundamentally irresponsible way to govern. I plan to work with all regions of our country to ensure equality of opportunity.

Reversing changes to Employment Insurance

A Liberal government will reverse the Conservatives’ unfair changes to Employment Insurance. I have heard repeatedly, such as when I attended an event in Paquetville a few years ago, that the reckless changes to Employment Insurance punished workers and unjustly targeted those who work in seasonal industries.

These changes were unfair to workers, and to employers who required an available workforce during peak times. Not only will a Liberal government reverse these changes, but I plan to strengthen Employment Insurance. I look forward to releasing additional detailed commitments in the days ahead.

Revisiting changes to federal health transfer payments

Though during the past decade there has been a notable absence of federal leadership on health care, the federal government has a vital role to play. The absence of a federal-provincial partnership, and lack of engagement on the expired federal-provincial Health Accord, was a missed opportunity.

A Liberal government will call a federal-provincial meeting to reach a long-term agreement on health care funding. In addition to re-engaging in areas where there is direct federal responsibility – including health promotion, support to caregivers, and First Nations’ health – we have committed to meeting with the Premiers to strengthen our health care. Together, we can make measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians – like wait times, the affordability of prescription drugs, the availability of homecare and community-based services, and coping with an aging population.

Equitable treatment in disaster assistance

Extreme weather events have had a severe impact on many Canadian provinces. A Liberal government will work with the provinces and territories to develop a coordinated action plan that allows us to better prepare for – and respond to – weather-related emergencies.

We must also act to prevent potential damage caused by the changing climate. This is why I recently announced the Liberal plan for green infrastructure, which includes the funding of climate resilient infrastructure. Over the next four years, this represents a $6 billion investment, totaling almost $20 billion over the next decade. This investment will permit us to protect communities from potential dangers such as overland or coastal flooding, and will help provinces and municipalities adapt to the realities of climate change.

We will also provide training and the necessary resources to establish the Canadian Armed Forces as world-class leaders in responding to weather-related emergencies.

Greater representation of New Brunswick on federally-appointed boards and commissions

The federal government should be representative of our regions, cultures, and diversity. We are a strong country not in spite of our differences, but precisely because of them. Regional differences and realities need to be represented at the federal level, and I am committed to ensuring boards and commissions are both competent and reflect the full diversity of our country.

Helping New Brunswick seniors live independently at home

A Liberal government will introduce a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit so that Canadians can provide the needed care to seriously ill family members. We will build more flexibility into the program, by allowing benefits to be claimed in blocks of time and by allowing family members to share the six month benefits. We will also help seniors who do not require year-long care, but are concerned of the risk of becoming seriously ill. By helping families care for each other, we can help seniors feel comfortable with living in their own homes longer and keep our communities strong.

Given our aging population, and New Brunswick’s specific demographic challenges, improving homecare will need to be a key issue that is discussed as the federal and provincial governments negotiate a long-term agreement on health care funding.

We also recently announced significant measures to invest in affordable housing, which remains a concern for many seniors. I look forward to discussing how our plan can assist seniors in New Brunswick.

Renewing the CMHC-New Brunswick Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing

A Liberal government will provide a new, dedicated funding envelope for social infrastructure. We will prioritize investment in affordable housing and seniors facilities, early learning and child care, and cultural or recreational infrastructure. Our plan will renew federal leadership in affordable housing, help build more housing units, refurbish existing ones, renew the existing co-operative agreements, and provide operational funding support for municipalities. We will also boost investment in social infrastructure by nearly $6 billion over the next four years, and almost $20 billion over ten years. We will have more to say on this in the days to come.

Restoring the Petitcodiac River

As mentioned, a Liberal government is committed to nearly doubling federal infrastructure investment over the next decade. From our freshwater to our oceans, from our mountains to our Prairies – our economy benefits from our abundant resources, but also from our ecosystems that filter our air or absorb flood waters. If this beauty and long-term economic benefits are to last, we must be vigilant in protecting what we have today. It is each generation’s responsibility to leave a cleaner, healthier environment to subsequent generations. Stephen Harper is failing in that obligation.

Liberals recognize the unique diversity and ecosystem of the Petitcodiac River. Central to our Liberal plan for green investment is supporting the infrastructure priorities as identified by provinces and communities, as well as investment in sustainable infrastructure projects. This includes the priorities of the metro Moncton area and the province of New Brunswick, including issues such as the restoration of the Petitcodiac River ecosystem.

Previous federal Liberal governments were committed to partnering with New Brunswick on this important restoration infrastructure project. If my party forms government, we would look forward to discussing with you how we can continue partnering on this project.

Appropriate access to services for New Brunswick’s First Nations peoples

A Liberal government will ensure a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and Indigenous Peoples; recognize First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities as full partners in the federation; and work with Indigenous Peoples to create fairness and equality of opportunity.

This begins with taking real action to close the persistent and unacceptable gaps in education and economic outcomes for First Nations. That is why I have announced that a Liberal government will make an immediate investment in First Nations education, which includes an additional $515 million per year in core annual funding for First Nations K-12 education, rising to over $750 million per year by the end of our first mandate; $500 million over the next three years for First Nations education infrastructure; and $50 million in additional annual support to the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP).

In addition, a Liberal government will: develop a Reconciliation Framework; hold annual meetings between the Prime Minister and First Nations Chiefs; ensure a return to the principles and objectives of the Kelowna Accord; and work with the provinces and territories to implement the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Furthermore, we will create a new fiscal relationship, starting with lifting the two percent cap on funding for First Nations programs; call an immediate national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; and work with Premiers to address issues relating to Indigenous education, health care, housing, and clean drinking water, among others.

Renewing the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on Sharing the Proceeds of Crime

New Brunswick led the way when it was the first province to sign an Agreement on Sharing Proceeds of Crime with the federal government in 1995. This is the type of productive cooperation Canadians expect from their governments. Sadly, this relationship has been woefully lacking from the current Conservative government that has shown complete disinterest in establishing strong federal-provincial relationships.

As Prime Minister, I will work with my provincial counterparts to ensure bilateral agreements continue to be effective and, where appropriate, cooperate to determine ways in which they can be improved. Unlike Harper, we will work with – and not against – the provinces and we will respect their expertise.

Canadians expect their federal government to work in partnership with the provinces and territories to build a country that gives everyone a real and fair chance to succeed. That is what made Canada successful in the past, and it is what will make Canada successful again.

Liberals know that better is always possible, and we look forward to working together – with New Brunswickers – in every sector, and in every region, to build a better Canada.

Yours sincerely,

Justin P.J. Trudeau
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada