This week PCNB (Progressive Conservative of New Brunswick) leadership hopeful, Mel Norton, will come to the UNB Saint John campus to hang out, have a beer, and talk politics.
I may be stating the obvious but whoever becomes leader of the PCNB party has a good chance to become Premier of New Brunswick in the next election, and you should probably care.
New Brunswick is in trying times: the economy, despite the Liberals incessant ranting as to how much they’re going to improve it, remains for the most part stagnant. Their inaction with regards to pipelines and industry are startling, to say the least.
Their redundant so-called “free tuition” scheme is nothing more than half measures aimed to secure some favourable spotlight on an otherwise stagnant government.
It may very well be that one of the PCNB leadership hopefuls has the abilities and tact it takes to rescue this province from inactivity.
It may very well be that pipelines are indeed part of the answer to economic growth.
It may very well be that it takes a charismatic and convicted individual at the helm of the PCNB party to rouse the people of New Brunswick from their lethargy and inaction.
Students need to take an interest in who becomes the PCNB leader because the Gallant government is a throwback to the 70’s with its reckless spending and spindrift proclivity of half-hearted half measures.
The PCNB leadership race is the nearest opportunity students have to exert a large influence in favour of the challenges they will face in the future.
That being said, I should point out that one of our city’s better mayors is a hopeful for the leadership race.
Mel Norton, in case you didn’t know or forgot, was Saint John’s mayor from 2012 till 2016. Do you remember the time in 2012 when he ran his campaign with signs that simply said, in bold lettering, “Tell Mel”? Do you remember when he gained over 70% of the vote?
No? Just me? I can’t be the only one that cares about politics!
Well then, you may have also not know that Mr. Norton is a graduate of both UNB Saint John and UNB Fredericton.
If a student was looking to find a politician who understands not only local issues in Saint John, but also the issues affecting UNB students, then they would have to look no further than Norton.
Obviously this is a leadership race, and there are more people running who deserve a mention and your attention.
Monica L. Barley is a prominent and well known lawyer, Mike Allen is a well known financier and director, and Brian Macdonald, Blaine H. Higgs, and Jake Stewart are MLA’s and all of them are vying to give New Brunswick the steady and convicted leadership it desperately needs.
Students are a great part of the future; and if we can choose the leader who not only represents the whole of society but us as well, the future will be much brighter.
