Election Day 9: NDP rolls out carbon levy, Greens promise guaranteed income trial

NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie rolled out a carbon plan Friday that would rely on a $30-a-tonne tax on gas and electricity.

Speaking in Saint John,McKenzie said that under her "bold" carbon reduction plan, a$30-per-tonne carbon emissions tax would rise to $50 a tonne by the fourth year.

"A price on pollution is going to happen regardless of the Liberals or Conservatives pretending that it's not, but the NDP is ready for a plan," McKenzie said, as all parties kept up their promise-making pace in the Sept. 24 election campaign.

McKenzie said revenue from the carbontax would be used for green energy projects.

The levy would include carbon emissions created by companies as well as individuals, so people wouldlikely see increases at the gas pumps and on their power bills.

That's why athird of the moneywould be returned to low- and middle-income residents in the form of an HST-like rebate, McKenzie said.

Another third of the revenues would be invested in green energy such as wind, solar and tidal, she said, and the remainingthird would be used for green infrastructure, such as electric public transit.

McKenzie said the plan would lead to lower electricity prices in the long run.

"As New Brunswickers transition to greener sources of energy that have lower fuel costs because wind doesn't cost anything the price of electricity should remain the same or be lowered, creating a healthier economic environment," she said.

By comparison, the Liberals this year shifted part of the existing gas tax into a climate fund and called that a carbon tax, and the Progressive Conservatives say they will oppose the federal government's requirement for a carbon tax.

Green Party hasanti-poverty plan

Green Party Leader David Coon said Friday that he would test a guaranteed basic income in parts of the province.

Speaking at the Fredericton Anti-Poverty Organization, Coon promised he would"face poverty issues head-on, by replacing inadequate social assistance rates with a basic income guarantee."

The party's anti-poverty plan includes raising the minimum wage by $1per year, to $15.25 per hour, immediately increasing social assistance rates for individuals by 13 per cent for single people and five per centfor other recipients, and piloting a basic income guarantee, or BIG, program in three regions for three years.

"New Brunswick will thrive if everyone has the means to fully participate in the economic, social and political life of their communities," Coon said.

"Today, difficult living conditions and inadequate incomes are compromising people's futures."

On Friday afternoon, Cooncanvassed in Fredericton South,where he is running for re-election.

Liberals and PCs

In Moncton, Liberal Leader Brian Gallant announced what he called an "aggressive strategy" to recruit more health-care professionals for New Brunswick.

If re-elected, the party would partner with the New Brunswick Medical Society to recruit new doctors and develop better recruitment incentives, a party statement said.

Earlier this year, there were about20,000 New Brunswickers on the family doctor waiting list. In February, Anthony Knight, chief executive officer of the New Brunswick Medical Society, said there arebetween 25 and 30 vacancies for family physicians in New Brunswick, and about as many for specialists.

• Liberal candidate noticeably absent from all-candidates debate
• PCs promise new taxation powers for municipalities

The Liberals said their plan to add more health-care professionals includes: increasing the number of seats at medical training programs in Moncton and Saint John, developing a nurse recruitment and retention strategy, training and recruiting more paramedics, and providing more generous parental leave to medical professionals.

The party said it would also usethe Atlantic immigration pilot program to recruitprofessionals from outside the country.

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs was in Hanwell promising that a Torygovernment would give municipalities new taxation freedom and a greater role in the economy.

People's Alliance Leader Kris Austinwas campaigning in theriding ofFredericton-Grand Lake. On Friday hereaffirmed his commitment to end herbicide spraying on Crown lands.