Worst Government Ever? – Part Two

The Economy

This is part two of three parts, outlining how the Graham government is in the running (the lead?) to become the worst government in New Brunswick history. A big feat, but definitely attainable if the current direction does not change.

How about supporting New Brunswick businesses and industries like forestry - maybe they are having more success in that department? Try this on for size: within six months of being elected they raised business taxes by 500% and chopped spending on silviculture. Probably it's not a coincidence that within six months after that first budget four major international forestry companies closed their operations in New Brunswick pretty much devastating small communities like Bathurst and Miramichi. And after years of operation our textile mills have recently closed up shop throwing hundreds more out of work.

However, not all is gloomy on the business front. Shortly after the election a prominent Liberal was given a grant to start up a houseboat business. And if you just happened to be the Liberal campaign manager, then your marketing and communications business has received lots of new government contracts. Suppose you're a former Liberal cabinet minister who's into lobbying: you probably spent two years raking in the cash and now you have a top government job in charge of "strategic priorities". Likewise if you own a failed golf course in Moncton with a board of directors stacked with card-carrying Liberals then don't worry, the government will bail you out. And, let's say you own a bar business in partnership with your son the Liberal MLA, and you take the government to court for charging you too much taxes and you win - that could be worth a cool million dollars too.

Of course, the economy is driven by energy and this may well be the saving grace for the Graham Liberals, as a number of private sector companies (who thankfully don't need this government's help) are poised to deliver on some mega-projects such as a new LNG plant and an oil refinery. On the other hand, the energy projects that the Premier and his ministers do have some say over, those being managed through NB Power, have not been as successful. So far the refurbishment at Point Lepreau nuclear is months late and only $100 million over budget. And as for "Lepreau II", well AECL doesn't even have the reactor design approved yet - so don't hold your breath on that one. Did we mention the one New Brunswick company that had a contract to work on the Lepreau refurbishment recently filed for bankruptcy? So much for local benefits.

Worst government ever? - You be the judge.