Tories will adopt NDP anti-patronage bills

The Alward government willadopt two bills proposed by the NDP to curb patronage in government appointments, Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud announced on Wednesday.

NDP Leader Dominic Cardy had suggested MLAs should have to wait one year before they could beappointed to agovernment position.

He alsocalled for thepresident and chief executive officerof NB Liquor to be appointed by the Crownagency, not by the government.

"It shouldn't matter what side of the aisle youre on, it should matter what youre doing for the people of New Brunswick," said Cardy.

"So Im very happy to be here withMonsieur Robichaud, again noting the fact that it was reflected in their 2010 platformthe making sure thatthe president ofNB Liquor was appointed based on meritbut recognizing that this is a significant shift and I hope its the first of many," he said.

The NDP does not have a seat in the legislature, so Cardy could notintroduce the proposed legislation on his own.

He had called on the premier or Liberal Leader Brian Gallant to choose an MLA to bring the anti-patronage bills forward.

Robichaud says the government will introduce the legislation this year and could even tweak the bills to strengthen them.

"Maybe we'll go even further than what Mr. Cardy is suggesting," he said. "Why only NB Liquor? Why not all the Crown corporations?"

Last week, Liberal House Leader Bill Fraser said his party might be willing to work with Cardy on the issue.

Last May, then-energy ministerMargaret-Ann Blaney resignedand was appointed the president of Efficiency New Brunswick, with an estimated salary and benefits of $200,000.

The high-paying position was never posted.

Premier David Alward appointed his electioncampaign co-chair Daniel Allainpresident and CEO of NB Liquor in October 2010.