New Brunswick’s Green Party has released its list of priorities for the Spring Legislature session.
Leader David Coon says those include wait times for medical care and surgeries, housing security for renters, climate action by growing renewable energy supplies, food self-sufficiency, and livable incomes.
He plans to push for the creation of a guaranteed livable income and an increase in the minimum wage.
“Liberal and Conservative governments have always strived to keep the minimum wage at a minimum,” said Coon. “We need to get out of that mindset and ensure that all New Brunswickers earn a livable wage or have access to a livable income. It is impossible to meet your basic needs, no matter how frugal you might be on social assistance at the current rates.”
The Green party also wants to see more renewable sources of energy.
“People across Canada, and around the world, are losing their lives and livelihoods due to more deadly and more frequent heat waves, floods, wildfires and droughts triggered by the climate breakdown,” said Coon. “We must base our energy security on managing our demand and using renewable sources of energy. It is the only green way forward.”
The spring sitting of the Legislature begins on March 21.