The day between the leaders' debates edition

Good evening,

Fresh off the debate, the various party leaders spread out across the province Thursday to each make announcementson issues from banning single-use plastic bags, to language requirements for ambulances.

The issue of language and ambulance service arose at the debate last night. If you missed it,we've posted videos of each question and answers from the leaders here.

We've also cut together some of the highlights:

New Brunswick Leaders' debate in 90 seconds

6 years ago

Duration 1:36

The CBC leaders' debate summarized in a 90-second recap video.

On this week's episode of the Pollcastpodcast, theCBC'sJacques Poitrasbreaks down the leaders' debate.

Thursdaysaw the Liberals and PCs spending more time talking about what happened four years ago, and whether or not BlaineHiggswas offered a top-post with the new Liberal government.

Programming note: The nextdebate with the party leaders is Friday. Five party leaders will take part in theRogers/Brunswick News debate in Fredericton at 5:30 p.m.

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Now on to today's news...

Top headlines

• Gallant says he never offered PC leader a job with the Liberal Party
  • The Liberal leaderdoubled down Thursday morning on his insistence that he never offered Progressive Conservative Leader BlaineHiggsa position in the Liberal government in 2014 as the PCs released more details about what happened four years ago.
• ANALYSIS |Will BlaineHiggs'saffidavit gambit change the direction of the election campaign?
  • CBC'sJacquesPoitrasexamines what happened at the debateand what it could mean for the election.
• Public won't see child protection review until after election
  • CBC'sKarissaDonkinhas been investigating the province's child protection system. A review has been completed, but the public won't get to see it before the vote.
• Election Day 22: A round-up of the day's election announcements
  • Liberals propose to ban single-use plastic shopping bags, Green Party releases student loan plan, Tories talk ambulance staffing, People's Alliance outline motor vehicle system changes, andNDPmake childcare commitment.

The talking point

There's new data fromCBC/Radio-Canada'sVote Compassthat looks at how respondents viewenvironmental issues. Earlier data from Vote Compass shows participants ranked environment as the third-most important issue behind the economy and health.

• Environment not a top-of-mind issue in provincial election, say environmentalists

Participants who are CBC.ca users answer a series of questions to help voters determine what political parties their views align with.

Of note, 62 per cent of respondents say they agree environmental regulation should be stricter, even if it leads to consumers paying higher prices.

Twenty-fourper cent of respondents disagree with that statement, while 14 per cent say they are neutral.

It's likely not a surprise that the strongest agreement with stricter regulations came from those who say they plan to support the Green Party.

So why does this question matter? Well, one of the hot topics in the campaign so far has been a carbon tax. It's a measure aimed at curbing pollution by placing a price on emissions.

Here's some of our earlier coverage of that issue:

• Carbon tax debate puts Brian Gallant on defensive

• PC leader promises refund of carbon tax revenue to New Brunswickers

We'll have a few more stories based on responses to other Vote Compass questions, including views on pipelines andhydraulic fracturing. If you haven't already used Vote Compass, click here to take part.

Riding profile: Albert

Today we're featuring Albert, arural, and reliably Tory, riding that covers a swath of the province fromSalisbury to Riverviewand south to Alma.

Vanessa Blanch spoke to several of the candidates who told her voters are seeking improved basic services in their area.

Her story can be found by clicking here.

The Progressive Conservatives have won the riding in each election since 1999 by fairly wide margins. This time, one-term Tory incumbent Brian Keirsteadlost the party's nomination to Mike Holland.

Holland says he's heard over and over that citizens don't feel their voices are heard in Fredericton.

"I hear constantly, 'Yup you want my vote and I'm not going to see you again for four years,'" Holland said.

Catherine Black is running for the Liberals,Morandavan Geest for the Green Party,Betty Weir for the NDP, SharonBuchanan for the People's Alliance of New Brunswick and James Wilson, who is running asan independent.

Where the leaders were

Kris Austin:Fredericton, then campaigning inOromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton

David Coon:Announcement in Fredericton, campaigning and a debate.

Brian Gallant:Announcements inNapanandLamque, followed by stops inBathurstand Fredericton.

BlaineHiggs:An announcement inMinto.

Jennifer McKenzie:Announcements in Saint John.

More Coverage

For complete coverage|Links to all New Brunswick Votes 2018 stories

New Brunswick Poll Tracker |Get the latest projections here

Vote Compass |See how your views compare with the parties' platforms

HelpCBCtrack political ads on Facebook |Learn how here