Canadians head to the polls Monday, April 28
Federal candidates for Tobique-Mactaquac had the opportunity to outline their platforms and answer questions at the April 22 meeting of the District of Carleton North council.
All were invited, but only three of the five candidates participated: Conservative and incumbent Richard Bragdon, Liberal Julian Moulton, and People’s Party representative Vern Brundle.
Each candidate was given six minutes to outline their platform and how they plan to work towards improving the lives of local New Brunswickers. The floor was then opened up to council members who wished to ask questions.
Richard Bragdon said Canada is facing a national crisis, and it’s time for a change.
“We can either continue to go down the path that has made us particularly vulnerable to these types of threats, or we can change course and go in the direction that unleashes Canada’s potential – and we have incredible potential as a nation,” he told the council.
Bragdon discussed highlights from the Conservative platform, which he said would help strengthen the country, including removing interprovincial trade barriers, following best environmental practices to develop natural resources and releasing them “to a world that wants to do business with Canada.” He also touted the Conservative platform’s initiatives, such as developing the pipeline coast to coast and reducing the tax burden on Canadian individuals and businesses.
Mayor Andrew Harvey questioned Bragdon about the Conservative housing development policy, noting that housing is one of the biggest challenges for Carleton North.
Bragdon said that “incentivizing new builds” is a priority, which his party plans to accomplish by removing the GST from all new home builds and developing positive housing plans that build on the policies currently working and address those that aren’t.
Vern Brundle passionately expressed that Canada, particularly New Brunswick, is “twenty years behind Ontario,” and needs reform. When it came to the country’s challenges, he said our neighbours to the south aren’t part of those challenges.
“Trump is not the problem…Musk is not the enemy. Public enemy number one is our so-called government,” he told the council.
He said the People’s Party platform includes stopping all immigration, creating more jobs, attracting more doctors, balancing the budget, increasing senior pensions, and abolishing property taxes.
He also said Canada needs to “Drill, baby, drill,” quoting U.S. President Donald Trump. He also said Canada needs to create its own ‘DOGE’ program to investigate all government spending.
Councillor Scott Oakes asked Brundle to clarify how New Brunswick was lagging behind Ontario.
“Pretty much anything you can name,” said Brundle, specifically citing housing and the economy. “I haven’t seen anything that’s terrific compared to Ontario.”
When given the floor, Liberal Julian Moulton immediately stressed the importance of addressing housing issues.
“I see the potential and opportunity that building homes brings to a community. I see the positive impacts it has on the economy and the spending that comes from it. It boosts the lives not just of those building the homes but the people in the communities,” said Moulton.
Moulton said the Liberal platform includes expanding trades education, reinstating the apprenticeship grant for those entering the sector, and efforts to retain young people in the province.
“We want to build a strong New Brunswick for all of us, especially young people,” he said.
Acknowledging the ongoing uncertainty in the United States, Moulton emphasized that New Brunswick and Canada must strengthen their capacity to address significant issues.
“We need strength and leadership that will stand up to these threats and honour our sovereignty and protect our nation as a whole. Even though we’re not going to war, the circumstances are the same,” said Moulton.
Moulton also said that the Liberals would support initiatives that make life more affordable for families, including $10-a-day childcare, a national dental program, a universal prescription program, and affordable housing. He also emphasized that they would be examining ways to support rural municipalities, ensuring they have adequate policing to keep residents safe. Moulton finished by urging voters to “uphold Canadian values, not embrace this MAGA-style chaos.”
“If your party is elected, what do you expect to see change that will be different from the last ten years?” Councillor Oakes asked.
Moulton said one of the most important ways to improve New Brunswick is to increase manufacturing.
“It is impressive the amount of things we have right here in New Brunswick that the rest of the world could benefit from,” said Moulton.
He noted that removing interprovincial trade barriers would help open the doors to new opportunities. He also said that increasing investments, manufacturing, and skilled trade workers would bring those opportunities to fruition.
Mayor Andrew Harvey thanked the candidates for attending.
“Having debates in society is a good thing that we don’t have enough of now. It’s a chance to learn from each other. I applaud you for coming tonight.”
The federal election is on Monday, April 28, 2025.
