Province	Législature	Session	Type de discours	Date du discours	Locuteur	Fonction du locuteur	Parti politique
Nouveau-Brunswick	47e 	4e 	Discours du trône	5 mars 1974	M. Hédard Joseph Robichaud	Lieutenant-Gouverneur	PC

Mr. Speaker and Hon. Members of the Legislative Assembly,

On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen it is my pleasure to address you today at the opening of this fourth session of the Forty-Seventh Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick.

In the first three sessions of this assembly, you have brought virtually every area of public policy under study, reform and development. Building on this basis, you will have the opportunity in this, your fourth session, to achieve further growth in employment and incomes, achieve better social justice and improve government services to our people.

My government continues to place the highest priority on the creation of new job opportunities for the people of New Brunswick. Even the record increase of 11,000 jobs last year was insufficient to meet the growth in the labour force of 13,000 persons. Furthermore, there is now a net migration into New Brunswick, as several thousand people each year are attracted to live in our province. My government's economic and employment policies are directed to

 1) Increase the output and productivity of the primary industries;
 2) Increase the value added in New Brunswick to provincial natural resources;
 3) Assist in the further diversification of the economy.

Few industries contribute more to the well-being of our province than the forest industry. Last year, I stated the broad principles which my government would apply in a dynamic new approach to ensure the most beneficial development of this rich resource. These principles are now in force. The report of the Forest Resources Study will be placed before you shortly, and my government intends to start implementing its most important recommendations without delay.

My government notes the rapid increase in the use of timber by our forest-based industries in the past several years. But this welcome growth has put increasing pressure on the supplies of our most heavily utilized species, spruce and fir.             
         
To maintain rapid expansion by our forest-based industries and increase the number of well-paying jobs, my government is therefore embarking on a massive program to increase forest growth. Major thinning and cleaning operations will be undertaken; our reforestation program will be accelerated; our tree planting program will be expanded; forest nursery facilities will be greatly enlarged, and special attention will be given to improving privately-owned wood lots.

To increase the annual harvest, my government intends that woodworkers shall have better equipment, better training and improved living and working conditions. My government is working to establish new wood harvesting procedures and to establish new training facilities to replace the Maritime Forest Ranger School.

New forest access roads will be built to carry timber to mills and processing plants faster and more economically. The government of Canada is considering with provincial officials the proposal of my government to take over certain railway branch lines.

The new initiatives of the forest resources program will be tested in the pilot project area, including establishment of a serviced industrial site which will make possible construction of a large modern sawmill in the Bathurst area during the year.

Enhancement of the forest as a protector of the environment and a place for recreation are essential objectives of our forest resources program. My government will begin immediately a comprehensive examination of fish and wildlife resource management and development policy, and there will be ample opportunity for interested citizens to participate in this policy review.

My government is determined to join with farmers in strong and effective programs to match food production in New Brunswick to the market possibilities at home and in the export field. These programs will be directed to assist in the achievement of specific and sizeable increases in production of the dairy, beef and sheep industries, fruit and vegetable crops and livestock feed crops. A crop insurance program will be introduced to provide protection against losses due to climatic and other hazards. Part-time farmers and operators of small farms will be assisted by a new credit policy.

The world demand for fish products is now very strong. There is every indication that export markets will continue to grow and to present development opportunities to New Brunswick fishermen and fish processing firms. New policies to meet these opportunities are being prepared, including a substantial increase in the financial assistance available for construction of a modern offshore fishing fleet, assistance to weir fishermen, and a new program to supply ice to inshore fishermen.

My government is determined to help every region of our province achieve its best economic potential. New regional industrial commissions will be given financial and technical assistance. More serviced land for industrial development is needed. Accordingly, programs for industrial infrastructure will be expanded throughout the entire province. These initiatives are part of a new approach to industrial development in all parts of New Brunswick, to be undertaken in cooperation with the federal Department of Regional Economic Expansion.

The negotiation of a general development agreement and a number of subsidiary agreements with the Regional Economic Expansion Department is going ahead.

To encourage New Brunswick businessmen to exploit creative and innovative ideas, a pilot plant will be constructed by the Research and Productivity Council to test the economic and technical viability of new products. Successful product lines will be transferred to the private sector for commercial operations.

Transportation remains the key to many of our historic problems and our immediate opportunities for growth. Construction of Rodney Terminal is going forward. My government is working for changes in the federal policies that will ensure achievement of the possibilities of Saint John Deep. My government continues to press for expansion of regional air services and airport facilities.

Another record program of highway construction is planned, including substantial new work on the Saint John throughway, Wheeler Boulevard in Moncton, and Highway 11. Design and other preparatory work will proceed for construction of a new highway bridge in the city of Fredericton.

The world energy situation and its particular implications for New Brunswick business and households command the constant attention and effort of my government. The supply and price of oil have serious implications for the competitive position of New Brunswick business and the budgets of New Brunswick families. At the federal-provincial conference on energy held in January, my ministers were instrumental in obtaining federal government protection against a price increase planned for February, and a federal commitment to a one-price policy for Canada. My government has also been successful in obtaining certain commitments from the federal government for construction, which begins this year, of a 1.2 million kilowatt nuclear generating station being undertaken in cooperation with our neighboring provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and is continuing negotiations with the federal government on other forms of federal participation.

Further, my government continues to press for development of refining capacity at Saint John Deep which is ready to serve as the Atlantic Coast terminus of a national pipeline.

Investigations are under way now to determine the feasibility of developing further the electrical power generation capacities of the St. John River system, with due regard to good planning and environmental concerns. In addition, tidal power sites are being studied intensively to determine their relative costs and development possibilities.

The province is also planning, and in some cases has already implemented, vigorous new programs of exploration and evaluation for fossil fuel supplies, and the examination of salt deposits for the storage of oil and gas.

Economic progress serves no end by itself, but is only the means to achieve our human and social goals. Consequently, it must not be pursued at the expense of the environment and the aspirations of our people. My government will announce shortly improved procedures for assessing the impact on the environment of major development projects initiated under government sponsorship, to ensure that these developments proceed in a way which is consistent with the life style our citizens prefer. During the past year, regulations were made under the Clean Environment Act concerning air quality, water well drillers and appeals. This year, regulations relating to water quality and water resources will be promulgated after once again allowing time for public review and comment. You will be asked to amend the Clean Environment Act to authorize the making of regulations governing noise and radiation levels.

The government will continue to make substantial grants to municipalities for construction of waste treatment facilities. New on-the-job training programs will be undertaken for staff employed in these plants, so that the operations of these plants can be upgraded and made more effective.

Further measures will be taken to remove and recycle derelict vehicles, so that they will not continue as blight to the visual beauty of our province.

New legislation will be proposed to protect endangered species of fauna and flora; fauna such as the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Eastern Panther and Lynx, and flora such as Pinedrops and Heart's Tongue which are no longer to be found in other parts of North America.

My government will proceed with a major reform of the social assistance program.

The program which will be outlined to you - to be implemented as of April 1 - will fix maximum rates of social assistance for adults as a percentage of    the minimum wage. The approach will assure a substantial increase in income for those adults who must rely on social assistance allowances, but at the same time will ensure that a person will always be financially better off to work. Adults on social assistance who have dependent children will continue to receive a special children's allowance for the support of their children in addition to the increased family allowances payable by the federal government.

The maximum amount for allowances payable to blind and disabled persons will also be increased.

My government will place continued emphasis on work activity projects and community self-help programs which are designed to improve the employability of persons who now lack job skills, so that they may obtain permanent employment.

The minimum wage for employed persons will be increased as projected earlier, and new legislation will be introduced to ensure that tips remain the sole property of the employee.

The province's system of family courts, which is already in effect in Saint John and Bathurst, will be extended this year to Moncton add Edmundston.

The Legislature will be asked to approve legislation allowing for the regulation and licensing of day-care centres for children.

The Department of Justice will report to the Legislature on its current Inquiry into laws relating to consumer protection and the various facets of consumer-creditor relationships. Policy proposals relating to consumer guarantees and warranties of the sale of goods will be presented for discussion.

New offices of the provincial Consumers Bureau will be opened in Moncton and Saint John to administer existing legislation relating to cost of credit disclosure collection agencies and direct sellers, as well as to assist consumers generally.
The Department of Justice has completed its assessment of current landlord-tenant legislation and will be submitting new legislation to deal with these matters. The main purpose of the new legislation will be to clarify the respective obligations of landlords and tenants and to streamline procedures for resolving disputes.

The report of the Minister's Committee on Educational Planning has been received. The Minister of Education will make a policy statement during this session on this report and related matters within his jurisdiction.

Further measures will be taken to develop the New Brunswick Community College, with branches located throughout the province, to offer a wide range of postsecondary education programs, particularly those related directly to improving job opportunities.      

Increased grants will be made available for postgraduate study by outstanding New Brunswick students.

Legislation will be introduced to enable the province of New Brunswick to cooperate with the other Atlantic Provinces to improve the educational facilities and services available to visually handicapped persons.

A start will be made on the development of a province-wide ambulance services program. Initially, emphasis will be placed on the upgrading of standards in vehicle construction and equipment, and on the training of ambulance personnel. Staff will be appointed to ensure that these objectives are attained as quickly as possible. In addition, the Health Services Advisory Council is being requested to report on the needs of various communities of the province for ambulance services.

A mobile dental health program will be initiated. This valuable service will be directed primarily toward the prevention of dental disease and the provision of dental health education and dental treatment among Grade I school children resident in eight school districts which at present have no dental health services.

In recognition of the need to improve planning and coordination of services for the mentally retarded the Department of Social Services, in cooperation with the Departments of Health and Education, will establish an office of mental retardation. One objective OF this office will be to improve cooperation between government and the voluntary organizations which are concerned with the problems of mental retardation.

My government is very concerned for the special needs of our senior citizens. During the past year, my government has established a Desk for the Aging in the Department of Social Services to coordinate the various government programs and activities which are designed to serve senior citizens. During the coming year, my government will make available interest-free loans for home improvements related to the special needs of elderly persons living in their own homes. Additional funds will be made available to assist nonprofit organizations to provide controlled rental accommodation for senior citizens. Funds will be provided to integrate new institutional accommodation with nursing care facilities, so that the needs for progressive health care and rehabilitation programs can be met more effectively. Improvements will be made in the health care services available to persons living in our larger senior citizens housing complexes.

Financial assistance for nursing home renovation and construction will be accelerated, so that adequate levels of care and rehabilitation can be provided to the increased numbers of older persons requiring such assistance. There will be expansion of the home care health program, which benefits especially our older citizens and provides for treatment and care in their own communities. Finally the government will initiate a program of preretirement education and counselling for the older worker, so that older workers will be better equipped to make the transition from the working world to the world of retirement.

Acts dealing with superannuation and pensions in the public service will be amended to ensure equal benefits for both males and females.

The year 1973 was another record year for housing construction. The number of starts surpassed 7 000 for the first time in history. The number of housing starts during 1974 will continue at a rapid rate, sustaining high levels of construction activity and employment.     

Given this high level of new construction, my government will continue to emphasize programs to assist persons of modest and low income to acquire adequate accommodation, and to improve the quality of housing stock in both urban and rural areas. Funds will be provided to ease the burden of home ownership for those of limited means by increasing the availability of serviced land for residential use, by continued participation in the federally-sponsored family assisted home ownership program, and by direct leading for home ownership. Financial help will be provided to nonprofit organizations which offer controlled rental accommodation for low income families. Continued efforts will be made to assist rural families of low income to improve their present housing, and encouragement will be given to municipalities to take advantage of the provisions of the new Neighborhood Improvement Program.

In recent years the numbers of mobile homes have increased dramatically, and my government recently reduced the sales tax for mobile homes to achieve greater equity for those who prefer this type of accommodation. Legislation will be presented at this session to require that all mobile homes sold in the province meet specific standards of quality and safety. It is intended that this program will involve inspection of units located on dealers' premises before these units are sold to the public.

Also, to protect all home buyers, the Department of Labour will institute a plumbing inspection program which will include an inspection of each new plumbing installation in the province in areas where municipal inspections are not now being carried out.

The financial measures to be placed before you during this session will reflect the steps which my government has taken to introduce a major program of property tax credits and tenant grants, to reduce the impact of rising housing prices on the levels of property taxation.

Additional staff will be provided to the Human Rights Commission, and the commission will be authorized to initiate investigations without having first to receive a complaint in writing.

Work will begin on construction of a new rehabilitation facility for the Workmen's Compensation Board in the Saint John area. This is in line with practices in other jurisdictions and will put New Brunswick in the forefront of rehabilitation facilities for injured workmen in Canada.

My government is committed to the construction of a domiciliary care unit for veterans now using the Saint John West Community Hospital. This facility will be under construction within the next few months.

Simultaneous interpretation services in our courts will be improved, to help ensure that neither English-speaking nor French-speaking citizens are at a disadvantage before the law.

A new translation office will be established to meet the needs of government agencies located in the Moncton area.

The full realization of effective bilingualism will only be achieved when future generations of our citizens leave school with a real ability to communicate in and understand both languages. My government is determined that this opportunity be available to all our children. Accordingly, a detailed examination is being made to determine what manpower and technical resources would be necessary to achieve this goal. Programs of teacher training are being developed, and these and other measures will be outlined to you during this session. Meanwhile, immersion classes in the French language are being expanded as a result of the successful experience to date in this experimental program.

The government will establish an office on cultural affairs, to act as a focal point for those interested in the arts, to survey existing activities, and to develop a balanced set of government policies in the area of cultural affairs.

My government will expand the programs of the Historical Resources Administration. The Kings Landing historical settlement will be extended and formally opened during the 1974 season, and restoration and development work will take place on the Acadian Village project near Caraquet. The premises of the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John will be expanded to provide additional display galleries.

Funds will be provided for the further development of leadership in sports and recreation through clinics for coaches and officials and development camps for athletes. The level of grants to support the activities of local recreation councils will be increased.

My government is determined to further strengthen the attack on drunken driving. There will also be further expansion of the province's alcohol prevention, treatment and rehabilitation program. This expansion will include provision for additional professional services, and establishment of a detoxification unit in Newcastle.

The Department of Justice will report on its review of compulsory and no-fault automobile insurance programs.

A study has been completed of the Public Service Labour Relations Act, and as a result certain amendments will be proposed to this legislation to improve the environment for collective bargaining between the Treasury Board and employees governed by this legislation.

You will be asked to consider further legislation relating to the government's massive new program of financial assistance for municipalities which has made possible the lowering of local tax rates in most municipalities throughout the province.

A proposal will be made to establish a select committee of the Legislature to consider the subject of a development strategy for the unincorporated areas of the province It is hoped that this select committee will focus a good part of its work on discussing with the public the issues and problems associated with unplanned developments in rural areas, and to help establish greater understanding of the need for proper planning controls throughout the province.

The Department of Justice will table a preliminary role of the revision and translation of the Revised Statutes of New Brunswick 1952, thereby fulfilling the legislative requirements of the Statutes Revision Act. Upon legislative approval of this preliminary role, the Revised Statutes of New Brunswick 1973 will be published in bilingual format and proclaimed into law during 1974. Several other bills will be introduced to improve and modernize the administration of justice.

Members of the Legislative Assembly, the activities of government now so permeate our society and affect so intimately the daily lives of our people that it is imperative constantly to develop new methods to ensure the vitality and integrity of our democratic system. The adoption by this assembly of single member ridings was a historic step to improving the responsibility of members to their constituents. Your adoption of the Crown Construction Contracts Act was a landmark in strengthening the accountability of government to the public Other improvements, including those in the office of the Auditor General, have reinforced the responsibility of government to the Legislature.

To continue your progress in this same direction, my government will place before you a bill to establish a comprehensive system of public tendering for the purchase of goods and services by government departments and agencies, as you have already done in the field of construction contracts.

Further, my government is convinced of the need to build new safeguards for the healthy conduct of our political system, including control of financing of election campaigns, disclosure of contributions, limitation of expenses, and the recognition of parties as legal entities. In this connection the public hearings of the Select Committee on the Elections Act have been closely followed by the government. The report of this select committee will be placed before you during this session. You will have an opportunity to discuss its recommendations, and the action proposed by the government will be outlined to you.

My government is also examining the policies and legislation brought forward in other jurisdictions in recent months concerning conflicts of interest for cabinet ministers, civil servants and members of legislatures. My government is convinced that formal requirements of this kind should be introduced into the public affairs of New Brunswick also.

In these and other ways, my government is determined to eliminate areas of possible abuse that have grown up over the decades and is determined to take every possible measure to ensure that public affairs in our province are conducted to a high standard of integrity and responsibility.

The public accounts for the period ending March 31, 1973, a statement of estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, and the estimates for the coming fiscal year will be placed before you. There will be opportunity to consider and debate fully all special warrants approved during the past year.

Members of the Legislative Assembly: As I leave you now, I am confident your determination will be to seize the many opportunities that are before you to enhance the well-being of our people, and that in the new session your deliberations will set a high example of responsibility and mutual respect, in keeping with the best traditions of parliamentary democracy.

In this high resolve, may Divine Providence assist you.