B13

By Roger Duguay
Leader, New Brunswick NDP
Commentary

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Speak Up

Unfortunately, many horses have left the barn, but at least now with the French Immersion debacle the door was jammed mostly shut and the New Brunswick Liberal government has had to show its strategy.

Their process of operation appears to be like this:

1. Offer the public a preposterous proposition - as fully disguised as possible - without any public consultation. Then find consultants to endorse the unseemly position.

2. If the proposition blows up in the face of government (and both changes in the health system and the untendered P3 seniors' housing do not), first act arrogantly and then obsequiously. Obsequious is good, because there is a host of intelligent and motivated people breathing down the Liberal collar. And a judge, thank goodness, who recognizes the true nature of consultation and how little it is understood by the Liberals.

3. Next, receive all sorts of excellent advice from people who should have been consulted in the first place. As residents of NB, they are familiar with the educational system and dedicated to its improved function. Get this advice for free because the budget was blown on manipulated information.

4. Claim a win-win situation at the end of the affair with a "compromise" a compromise where none was required if the right questions had been asked and advice sought at the beginning. Here, the "compromise" only compromises the education of the children in the province; the Liberals get the spin that they consult and co-operate when they patently do not unless ordered to do so.

In the French Immersion effort, truth and honesty were also compromised; belief in the integrity of the political process has dropped yet again under Shawn Graham's watch.

At least now citizens know enough to begin the consultative process with a trip to the courts first.