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If we're talking about pipelines, then that's the answer. But if we're education. Because we know now in New Brunswick we're going
talking about electrical transmission, that's the answer as well for to have in the next 10 years about 120,000 people retire and
Quebec and Manitoba for hydropower. If we're talking about gas, we're going to have that kind of job shortage, a work force
it's the answer in that as well. But it binds the country in a way shortage of about a third, and it is across the board in different
that we have consideration one province to another. That's why skills.
I've spent a lot of time out West and dealing with my colleagues
Our programs within our departments are laying out a program to
across Canada because we've lost concept of being a nation and
identify where these skill shortages are. We're working on an
we've become individualized. That's also the reason I tie their
immigration program which we feel is key to a lot of this, but in
transfer payments with our interest in helping provinces succeed
New Brunswick we're assessing who's here, who's training, who's
because today's political environment is that people will seem to
going to stay here, if somebody left, why did you leave? What are
promise anything to get elected. I didn't do any of that when I was
the barriers we have for success here for other companies to
running and people say, "Well, you'll never get elected." I said,
invest in our province? With Opportunities New Brunswick, a
"Well if that's the case, I don't want to be elected." Here I am. It
government agency, we're revamping it so that they are tied very
wasn't pretty, but we're here in minority government and we're
closely with small businesses, large businesses, in order to
doing what we believe is right and that's what we will continue to
assess the needs and then work with departments or universities
do as long as we're here.
or community colleges to then develop the programs needed. It’s
Peter: not a quick fix, it's a long-term vision, and that's been the other
The UA and Irving Oil created a partnership to train apprentices challenge is that governments typically only have a four-year vision
called the reward program. This program enables these young and it's kind of how do you survive. For me it's not a matter of
people to build an apprenticeship and skilled trades career while survival, it's how do you get something done?
remaining at home. How important is skills development
Peter:
apprenticeships to Canada and what is your government doing to
There is concern with the wave of conservative governments
attract, train, and retain people in the skilled trades in New
elected at the provincial level that some are talking about right-to-
Brunswick?
work style legislation. What is your government's position on this
Premier Higgs: and how important are stable labour relations to the New
Firstly, it's absolutely critical because it builds a pathway for career Brunswick economy?
development and a knowledge base that you can hit the ground
Premier Higgs:
running when you graduate. We're analyzing right now every aspect
It's critical, but there also has to be an ownership. I meet with
of our community college programs. We're looking and connecting
different folks at different unions and different labour
with industry in terms of their needs. We've defined basically a
organizations. This is so different than where I worked all of the
10-15-year program that is saying, "Where are our gaps in terms
years because in government we're distributing taxpayer money
of capabilities?" Whether it be in the trades or in health or in
6 8 ~ E L E C T I O N 2 0 1 9 C A N A D I A N B U I L D I N G T R A D E S M A G A Z I N E