Petitcodiac River clean up will continue: Graham

Liberal Leader Shawn Graham used the backdrop of Moncton's Petitcodiac River to vow on Fridaythe mud-choked river would be restored.

Graham highlighted his party's platform on eco-tourism and the environment on Friday, which includes the restoration of the Petitcodiac River and a plan to complete the Fundy Trail if he is re-elected on Sept. 27.

Graham also took aim at the Progressive Conservatives over the issue of the Petitcodiac River.

The Liberals pushed forward with the funding to open up the causeway gates on the river in April.

AMEC Earth and Environmental, a firm overseeing the riverrestoration, is monitoring the impact of opening the causeway gates. The firm has already said thePetitcodiac is changing faster than expected as the Petitcodiac's famous tidal bore is growing and the river banks are widening.

The river restoration project has been controversial as some people, especially in the communities of Riverview and Alma, have opposed the initiative.

"The Conservatives played politics with the river. We did the right thing," Graham said in a statement.

"We will continue with the plan to restore the Petitcodiac, including committing to a bridge to replace the causeway once the assessment of the opening of the gates is complete."

Eco-tourism focus

The Liberal leader also said he would continue to try to convince the federal government to designate Mount Carleton Provincial Park as a national park, an idea that Ottawa hasspurned in the past.

The province's trail network would also receive a boost in government support. The Liberals are committing to completing the New Brunswick trail system by 2017.

By putting an emphasis on the environment, Graham said the province can reap future economic gains.

"We will also aggressively use modern technology to promote New Brunswick's eco-tourism treasures by putting more resources and efforts into social media activities in order to promote our natural wonders," Graham said in a statement.

"By marrying eco-tourism, our natural wonders and technology, we can reach more people around the world than ever before."