New Brunswick opposition leader tours Tantramar

Leader of New Brunswick's official opposition David Alward spent some time on Saturday in the Tantramar area as part of what could be pre-election visits to areas around the province.
"The premier committed to an election on September 2010. Unfortunately the people of New Brunswick should realize that he's broken many promises along the way . . . as the leader of a party, it's my responsibility to ensure that we're ready if there is an election in September, 2010 or earlier. Since February we've had an election readiness team in place," said the Progressive Conservative leader during a brief interview in Dorchester.
Alward and his wife Rhonda, accompanied by Tantramar MLA Mike Olscamp and his wife Karen, visited the Farmer's Market in Sackville before heading off to Dorchester where he took part in the official taste-testing of the sandpiper chowder as part of the village's annual Sandpiper Festival. He also later visited the Bluegrass and Country Music Festival in Cape Tormentine.
Alward noted that the Conservative party is currently researching provincial policies in preparation for its policy convention set for this fall in Moncton.
"We've literally consulted with thousands of New Brunswickers . . . there's a large amount of frustration and anger that's out there over decisions that just don't make sense; the education cuts for example; the ambulance (fees) increases; and the list goes on and on," he said.
"I would be very surprised if they went to the electorate this year but that's the premier's call and we'll be ready whenever,"?he added.
Alward praised Olscamp's work in his former role as opposition critic responsible for tourism and fisheries, but added he felt the Tantramar MLA was the best man to handle his newly-assigned agriculture and aquaculture portfolio.
"Mike has a good rapport with people so I was thrilled that he's taken on that responsibility," he noted.
Alward, who was Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture from 2003-2006 under then-Premier Bernard Lord, stressed that there are a number of challenges facing both the agricultural and the fishing industries today.
"Fisheries involves two jurisdictions. It's the federal government that's responsible for the fishing and the province for the processing and until you see everybody at the same table making decisions together - and that includes industry as well - you're not going to see success. That's one of the biggest challenges . . . too often decisions are made in isolation of the bigger picture. That's something I'm going to continue to promote significantly," he said.