The following appeared in the TJ and T&T on Saturday, August 8th.
I'm just a little confused.
I am not sure I follow the logic expressed in John Steeves' column that appeared on August 6. He says he voted for the Liberals in 2006 "thinking that the Lord government was on a treadmill, going nowhere, and that probably it was time for a change." Then he criticizes the Liberals for implementing change.
He says "something in the water in Kent County" might explain why Louis Robichaud and Shawn Graham both can be said to be "so determined to change New Brunswick."
He describes Robichaud's changes as "transforming the province from a semi-feudal state into an approximation of modernity" and then blasts Graham for reforming education and considering transformative taxation changes. Then he says he doesn't remember voting for those things.
Let's put aside the fact that Graham was elected on a platform that was labelled the "Charter for Change."
As a former journalist, I'm sure Mr. Steeves did his homework and actually found out what the "Charter For Change" said.
It outlined a plan to help New Brunswick become self sufficient by 2026. It talked about improving our economy, our education system and our healthcare system as well as making the province a leader in energy efficiency.
The government is moving forward with its promise. It's making difficult decisions with a goal of improving this province for all of us.
Mr. Steeves mentions the elimination of early French immersion as troubling. Again, I assume he has done his homework and researched the issues the government is trying to solve. Having early French immersion that creates a two-tier education system is not what's best for this province and especially our children. Finding a balance that helps all students create the most options for their future is.
Was Louis Robichaud elected to centralize power in Fredericton and force municipalities to let go of their control of their tax base? Probably not, but it certainly created equal opportunity for all, something we still cherish today.
While I don't always understand the electorate's fear of change I understand the fear exists. I can't fathom having to be any government who is responsible to find that right balance of change but not too much change.
What I hear over and over is the sentiment of "Improve but stay the same" and "Make it better but don't scrap what we have."
I believe in my heart that this is a government that cares. I believe their haste to make change is to start this province on a new course and new direction and create that sense of urgency required in each of us to be successful.
Will they always get it right for everyone? Probably not. What we need to do is tell them when they do and when they don't and then ask that they take steps to listen and react - much like they have just done with early French immersion.
It's unfair for Mr. Steeves to take pot shots at this or any government without presenting all the facts.
As a former journalist I know getting the facts was the first step in a good story.
