Office of the Premier—May 30, 2005
SAINT JOHN (CNB)—Premier Bernard Lord promoted the
province's position on federal child-care funding and
the gas tax return to New Brunswick during his speech
to the Kennebecasis Valley Chamber of Commerce
tonight.
Lord said the principle of fairness is at the centre
of the province's position on both issues. He stated
the federal government's gas tax revenue program is
founded on a per capita basis. Since New Brunswickers
in rural and urban areas pay federal gas tax,
residents of both areas should receive their fair
share of gas tax revenue.
"Our position is clear—all New Brunswickers,
regardless of where they live, should get their fair
share of gas tax revenue," Lord said. "We believe that
the 37 per cent of New Brunswickers who live in rural
New Brunswick pay their fair share of gas tax and they
should receive 37 per cent of the revenue. It is a
matter of fairness."
The premier said the principle of fairness should also
determine how New Brunswick uses any funding that it
receives from the federal government for child care.
New Brunswick is now negotiating a $100-million,
five-year program for day-care and early learning
programs.
The provincial government wants Ottawa to allow not
only day care centres to access the funding but also
families who provide child care at home.
"Any federal initiative must provide more flexibility
and choice for parents," Lord said. "I value the early
learning environment that parents provide for their
children and I respect their choice to stay at home to
do so. That's what I want and why we are insisting on
an early learning child-care initiative that takes
these care providers into account."
Lord said the province's initiative would give parents
the option to stay at home with their children or to
hire a care provider to come into their home.
"We will use our share of federal money for child care
fairly to ensure that no child in New Brunswick is
denied the opportunity to benefit from it," the
premier said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Chisholm Pothier, Office of the Premier, 506-444-2286.
