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and we're providing services that we all use. And as they say, the province that are needed, then that's how we go forward to build
social services or health, road construction or activities that we our skillset up, but it's on things we need. It's on things that
all use. I'm asking the local unions, in this case, I'm saying, "I municipalities need or infrastructure or schools or hospitals or
need your help here to build a better New Brunswick." It's not just things that we actually have a need for that we can build these
about how can I get more benefits, it's about how can I create agreements into place that say, "Okay, this is something I've got
work that's lasting, how can I get investment here, how do we to do and I need to do and anything I can do to help build capability
become the province of choice? in this process, I do it."
Because the one thing I've learned about being in government is Peter:
government doesn't have all the answers, or they may not even The Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario will be expanding
have many. I'm trying to build an organization that's not dependent and is set to open an office in the province of New Brunswick.
on an election to see success. I want continuity that goes beyond What is your government's position on funding and supporting
any election cycle. It is a different model because I'm running into initiatives to attract underrepresented groups to the skilled trades?
some challenges in how do we change the attitude about us all
Premier Higgs:
being part of the solution.
I think, again, looking at our job requirements and looking at the
Peter: challenges we face in finding qualified people, we should not limit
Community benefit agreements have been used successfully on ourselves in any way to source. We need to tap into every resource
publicly funded projects across the country to build up local labour possible. I'm talking human resource here. And certainly the
contracts and supply capacity as well as to ensure that Aboriginal community has long believed that they're not
underrepresented groups have access to training and good jobs. represented well, we don't recognize and involve them the way we
What is your position on CBAs and may we expect them to be should. I think they're a key part of us moving forward in our
implemented in any upcoming projects? province and our country, but it's everybody doing their part. I've
met with the First Nations and I've talked about this. It's all part
Premier Higgs:
of the province they live in and they're a key part, but it's being
Well, yes. I think this is a good program on projects that we actually
engaged and being a contributor as well.
need. The challenges I have is that we have so often built a project
just for the sake of having funding available. I don't know all the Peter:
details around this community benefit program or these What are the biggest challenges ahead for the province of New
agreements, but I think that in terms of looking at where we have Brunswick, and further to that, what are some of the biggest
money available and where we can create employment that is our opportunities?

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