Question 1: I believe we need better quality roads from Moncton to Hillsborough to Alma. The roads are very dangerous. What will you do about this?
Click on Read More to find the responses from the Fundy Royal candidates.
Image of Route 114 in the past (by Janet Wallace)
Click on Read More to find the responses from the Fundy Royal candidates.
Image of Route 114 in the past (by Janet Wallace)
Rob Moore, Conservative Party of Canada: Good roads are important for our quality of life and for our local economy. When I was first elected one of the top issues I heard in Albert County was the deplorable condition of the road through Fundy Park. That is why I made securing federal funding for an improved Rt. 114 a priority. I was pleased to deliver over $20 Million in federal funding to completely rebuild the road through Fundy Park. Today, we enjoy the benefits of this improved road and tourists are able to travel through the park in confidence. If elected, I will continue to support federal funding for Albert County roads.
Alaina Lockhart, Liberal Party of Canada: It is clear to me that upgrades to Route 114 is crucial for economic development in Albert County in order to sustain small businesses, provide safe passage for residents, and grow our tourism industry. Over the last four years, more than $69 million federal infrastructure dollars was invested throughout Fundy Royal compared to only $15 million in the ten years prior. Roads are a provincial responsibility and there is federal funding available at their request. Albert County has a world of potential and I have been vocal about my support for a provincial/federal partnership to make the required upgrades. I am hopeful that may happen as it has on Route 114 towards Sussex.
Tim Thompson, Green Party of Canada: I visited Alma and saw for myself the poor state of the roads. Many small communities in New Brunswick rely on tourism which is being driven elsewhere because of our outdated infrastructure. I will work with all levels of government to ensure we upgrade our roads throughout Fundy Royal.
John Evans, National Citizens Alliance: We would hire a local company with qualified tradesman full time, year-round employees to maintain the roads, through a transparent, fair bidding process and working with the Provincial Government. We would ensure sufficient federal funding is set a side for the road maintenance and as well make sure the Provincial Government has sufficient monies set aside as well. These monies would not be used for anything but road maintenance.
Background: In our August 2019 issue, we asked readers "What matters to you in the upcoming federal election?" We received a few questions in response and chose two that, we felt, best reflected the interests of the majority of Albert County residents. We didn't have space to print all three questions and answers in this issue. In the interest of full disclosure, the question we did not include was why Canadian Heritage Department recently cancelled a program in which free portraits of the Queen were sent to any Canadian upon request. We sent the questions to all of the candidates running at that time (August 7) and have printed their responses, unedited, in the order we received them. We did not receive a response from Rudolf Neumayer of the People's Party of Canada.
We will continue the political forum in our October issue. Please send us your questions to info@ connectingalbertcounty.org. Try to be as clear and concise as possible and keep the focus on issues related to rural Albert County. Also, keep in mind that the question will be posed to all the candidates. We will include it if we have space; note questions may be edited for the sake of clarity and conciseness.
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