Many civil society organisations in the province have decided to join voices to clearly and loudly express that austerity policies are not the solution to the current economic situation, and will not lead the province towards prosperity. They have created the coalition, “NB Prosperity, Not Austerity.”
According to Patrick Colford, President of the NB Federation of Labour: “We must focus on economic recovery and job creation by diversifying our economy, creating added value through greater transformation of our natural resources. We must start working towards developing a green economy. ‘’
“It is important to invest in our public programs and services in order to meet the increased demand during periods of economic difficulties, and reduce the wealth gaps in society. Moreover, it would be an economic investment which will increase economic equality between women and men because many women work in the sectors of public healthcare and services, or quasi-public,” adds Johanne Perron from the NB Coalition for Pay Equity.
Pauline Richard, co-president of the Common Front for Social Justice, rebels against the fact that: “For many years, the gap between rich and poor has been widening in Canada and our province. Food banks continuously feed more and more children, women and men, while 1% of the richest people get fatter and fatter. In harsh economic times, women are often the first to be laid-off, and often the ones who end up in worst circumstances.”
According to Geoff Martin, professional officer of the Mount Alison Faculty Association: “Part of the solution involves increasing the government’s progressive sources of revenue, namely personal and corporate income taxes, as well as royalties on our natural resources.”