Prime minister criticizes Higgs's tax cut, appointment of Austin to languages committee

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized recent decisions byPremier Blaine Higgs to give a tax break to high-income earners in New Brunswick and to appoint Kris Austin to a committee of MLAs considering possiblechanges to legislation protecting language rights.

"One of the things unfortunatelywe continue to see,is conservative politicians who think that the best way to grow the economy is failed trickle-down theories," Trudeau said Tuesday, speaking to reporters in Oromocto.

Trudeau'sfirstcommentcame in response to a question about Higgs's requestthe federal government increase the amount of money it gives to New Brunswick to help fund health care a request made at the same time that the premier is exploring cutting income taxes.

His second remark followed a question about Higgs's appointment of former People's Alliance leader Kris Austin, now a Progressive Conservative minister,to an internal working group of MLAs tasked with deciding how or whether to update the Official Languages Act.

"Youdon't put someone who's spent his entire career attacking official bilingualism and questioning the need to protect French in New Brunswick or elsewhere, on a panel designed to protect bilingualism in New Brunswick," Trudeau said.

"It doesn't make any sense and it's certainly something I'm going to be bringing up with Premier Higgs when Isee him in about an hour."

Trudeau was at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown iinOromocto for a wreath-laying ceremony to mark Remembrance Day, which is Friday.

He also used the visit to announce that his government would spend an additional $475 million on its Universal Broadband Fund, which aims to bring high-speed internet to 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026.

The announcement included an additional $17.6 million specifically for New Brunswick, following an earlier announcement the province would see $55 million spent to provide high-speed internet to more than 27,000 homes.

The last item on Trudeau's itinerary for the day included a private meeting with Higgs.

Province putting all necessary money into health, Higgs says

Last week, the Progressive Conservative government announced it would draw $70 million less in revenue thanks to income tax cuts for New Brunswickers earning more than $45,000 annually, although the highest cuts wouldbe for those earning $142,534 to $162,383 per year.

Meanwhile, Higgs and other Canadian premiers have criticized Ottawa for not spending enough on Canada Health Transfer payments to help pay for the cost of health care in their provinces.

WATCH | Trudeau says tax breaks favoured by Higgs don't help people on lower incomes

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau questions Premier Blaine Higgs's plan to lower taxes for high-income earners

2 years ago

Duration 1:31

Trudeau answers question about Higgs going after more federal money for health care while planning to cut taxes for the wealthy.

"Yes, the federal government will be there with more money," Trudeau said Tuesday."But we also know the provinces have a lot of money they can be investing in health careas well."

In a late afternoon Zoom news conference, Higgssaid the Canada health transfer issue wasn't discussed when he met with Trudeau earlier in the day.

Responding to Trudeau'scriticism of the tax break, Higgs said just spending moremoney onhealth care wouldn't solve every problem, but he maintained that he wants to see Ottawa and New Brunswick split the cost of it equally.

"We are putting whatever money is necessary in health care, and all I have stated is forany service that can deliver better results for the citizens of this province, we will invest in it," Higgs said.

"But if you just say 'Give me more money', but nothing's going to change, what does that accomplish? And that's what's been happening in health care for a long, long time."

Higgs added that the last provincial budget included a $300 million increase in health-care spending, and that the ask is for Ottawa to increase the share it pays in health care, which is currently about 22 per cent.

"It was supposed to be 50-50. All we're saying is it should go up to at least 35 per cent. So that's just a caseof an equity share between the feds and theprovince, which was always part of the original formula."

Defending Austin's appointment

Higgs confirmed Trudeaubrought up Austin's appointment to the committee during their meeting,adding he was "surprised" the prime minister did so considering "all of the issues we have going on in our country," including inflation and high fuel prices.

"I'm kind of surprised that the allocation of a member of cabinet onto an ad hoc caucus committee would be, would be of national concern," Higgs said.

Higgs has previously defended Austin's appointment to the committee reviewing changes to the Official Languages Act, and did so again on Tuesday.

Higgs saidthere's "no debate" that the Official Languages Act is important and that his government is obligated to uphold it.

"That is all well-established and we're all fully 100 per centsupportive, and that includes KrisAustin, so there isn't any debateon any of that.

"That is something we all cherish as residents of this province, and any discussion we have is how do we enhance that capability? How do we ensure that the service deliveries continue to get better? How do we ensure that more people actually speak both official languages?"

Higgs said other topics hediscussed with Trudeau included the potential for New Brunswick to export liquid natural gas, cutting the usage of coal-powered electricity plants, and carbon emission reduction strategies.