Featured letter: Two sides of Premier Blaine Higgs

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I agree with many other New Brunswick citizens who believe our premier has done an admirable job at managing our provincial treasury.

He cut several expensive projects and has reduced our annual deficit and debt. He reminds us we cannot and should not rely on financial transfers from other provinces. Self-sustainability is a sensible goal for our province.

The other side of our premier does not come up quite so rosy in my view. I now refer to his management and decision-making record.

1. The sudden and total opening of our province following the pandemic lockdown. Who made this decision? Were health officials supportive?

2. The snap call to terminate Horizon Health Network CEO John Dornan and the entire board of management which came on the heels of a sudden death in one of our hospital waiting rooms. Who made this decision? Was it fair to Dr. Dornan?

3. The major fallout between the premier and several prominent Cabinet members clearly brought to the fore that only one person was making the major decisions in Fredericton. Micro-managing key employees in any organization will result in discord and eventual resignations.

4. The redesign of Policy 713 involving our LBGTQ+ minority has not been popular. Did hidden motives prompt this undertaking?

5. The recent endorsement of Christian Conservative Faytene Grasseschi as candidate for the riding of Hampton has again raised eyebrows. The combination of political policy and religious leanings is a troublesome prospect. Populist style politics will not fare well in our politically moderate province.

6. Recent talk of “renewed fracking projects” is alarming. It was not all that long ago the majority of New Brunswickers rejected this industry. Climate change implications as well as ground-water contamination risks remain.

7. Apparent support of Minister Kris Austin’s unprofessional and public berating of the mayor and council of Saint Andrews over homelessness issues was disturbing. A public apology was in order.

I have supported this premier in the past two elections. However, these issues have now given me reason to seriously reflect on my past thinking.

Peter LeBlanc

Darlings Island