Campaign strategy: Higgs committed to election promises with real costs

After making manyuncostedelection promises during the first 11 days of the campaign, Progressive Conservative Leader BlaineHiggsput a dollar figure on the one he made Monday.

Higgshas run a campaign based on attacks onLiberal Leader Brian Gallantfor what he calls "reckless spending" despite the province's growing deficit.

But at his announcement in front ofMonctonCity HospitalHiggspromised to spend $24 million to reform the province's health care system.

It is the PC leader's biggest election promise to date.

"If money alone could fix the issue, it would have been fixed long ago," he told reporters.

Wait times cut in half

Higgssaid a PC government would cut wait times for hip replacements, knee replacementsand gynecological surgeries by 50 per cent.

The PC leader also said his party wouldrecruit more doctors by getting rid of what he described as an antiquated billing system.

"The first thing we'll do is get rid of the outdated bureaucratic billing number system," saidHiggs. "Doctors have been urging for this change for years."

He said more nurses would be trained and retained in the province by making sure there is a fair exam for all nursing students.

Higgs' estimated cost of fixing the system would include the hiring of 10 specialists, eight family doctors and six physician assistants.

The costing will be broken down over four years:

Year 1: $3.6 Million
Year 2:$5.3 Million
Year 3: $7 Million
Year 4: $8 Million

During the announcement,Higgsdefended his campaign strategy.

"There's a nuance to my campaign that many people are struggling with because I have said no new taxes and living within the means of our current spending."

Dollar availability key

Higgssaid some of the campaign promises have timelines attached to them that may not be included in this mandate because of the dollar availability.

"I believe that we are taxed enough in this province. I don't believe we can keep taxing people, so my commitment is we're going to see results and as we see results we will be able to do more and more with the money that's currently being wasted."

Higgssaidhe is committed to having a campaign that is clearly costed with real numbers.

Butpolitical scientist RogerOuellettesays the PCs are walking a fine line between appealing to NewBrunswickersfed up with overspending and keeping their cards close to theirchest.

"It's not transparent at all. Mr.Higgsin the past said it was really important for the population to know the numbers,"Oulettesaid.

To date, theLiberals have made more than $230 million in election promises, whileHiggshas been more reserved.

The health care announcement was only thePCs second campaign promise that came with an actual dollar value. The other wasincreasing funding for the office of the auditor general at a cost of $2.5 million.