2023 Spring Newsletter Hon. Tammy Scott-Wallace MLA, Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins |
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Tammy pictured with the Budget 2023-2024 document titled Growth and Opportunity, Delivering for New Brunswickers. |
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Spring is always a time of year associated with growth and new opportunities. Not only is that reflected in our government's new budget, but also with what is going on right here at home in Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins. With population growth comes new challenges that we absolutely need to address. Perhaps the most pressing of these issues are healthcare and housing availability. While budget commitments toward these issues are certainly important, we also see our community stepping up in so many ways, from new housing developments to new collaborate healthcare practices. I continue to be so grateful to represent this riding. Before we know it, we will be gathered to watch our graduates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. My own daughter, Jaime, will be graduating from SRHS. Troy and I will be facing an empty nest come the fall, while she and her fellow graduates have a lifetime of opportunity to look forward to. They will be the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and community leaders, and I cannot wait to see where life takes them. -Tammy |
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Touring Construction Progress at ARK Health Collective This is going to be amazing for our community! Back in March I was able to tour the construction of the new Ark Health Collective at 10 Park Street in Sussex with Jill Stockton Wheaton, Dr. Stephanie Ward and her precious newborn daughter. Dr. Kendra Gilmore was unable to join us but the vision of these women to bring together key health services including family medicine, physiotherapy and athletic therapy, a pharmacy and important health support services under one roof is wonderful. The Ark Health Collective opened their doors on May 1st. The old Uncle G’s/Dooleys sure looks a whole lot different inside. |
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Canada Community Building Fund - Project Announcements Together with the federal government, we have announced $17.92 million for infrastructure projects, fire departments and municipalities with increased populations due to local governance reform that took effect Jan. 1. The Canada Community Building Fund has supported so many important projects in our communities, including $323,000 in facility upgrades for the Central Kings Recreation Centre in Upham (pictured). In the riding of Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins, the following projects will be funded: -Resurfacing of Bloomfield Ridge Road South -Resurfacing of Parleeville Road -Construction of a new fire station for the Penobsquis Fire Department ($864,000) Of the $6.75 million being distributed to local governments, the following will be distributed to our municipalities: -Sussex: $4,586 -Fundy-St. Martins: $182,261 -Butternut Valley: $200,904 -Valley Waters: $110,657 | | |
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Budget 2023-2024 In March, our government tabled a budget that invests in opportunities for growth and services that will support a population that is increasing significantly. New Brunswick now has a population of 830,000! Some highlights of this year's budget include: -Personal income tax rate reductions for the 2023 taxation year -$2.8 million in funding to support repairs and preserve existing social housing stock, and to provide additional rental assistance to low-income households -$32.6 million to be invested in more frontline police officers and specialized crime units, to ease pressures in the court system and combat rising crime rates -$3.6 billion in health care spending, including toward improved access to primary care providers, recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and much more For the full breakdown of Budget 2023-2024, click the button below. | | |
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Services for Sexual Violence Survivors Expanding, Including in Sussex It is critical that we deliver important services to more people, including survivors of sexual violence. We must address this issue in our communities; the impact is too great, in the short- and long-term, on the mental and physical health of individuals and on the safety of communities. Community-based sexual violence services will now be available to more people than ever before, with $800,000 allocated to expand specialized crisis support and trauma counselling to Bathurst, Campbellton, Kent County, Miramichi, St. Stephen, Shediac, Sussex and Woodstock. |
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New Brunswick's Minimum Wage Now Highest in Atlantic Canada On April 1, the third $1 per-hour increase to the minimum wage over the past 12 months pushed New Brunswick’s minimum wage to $14.75 per hour, now the highest in Atlantic Canada. This increase is important in a time where the impacts of inflation are being felt, as well as to keep up competitive with our neighbouring provinces. This latest increase is tied to the province's consumer price index, which grew by 7.3% last year. |
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The Invitation Festival Fund The Invitation Festival Fund aims to boost the economy, elevate the arts and celebrate the province’s culture. It will provide thousands of dollars to both existing and new festivals. New offerings must be ticketed events, while existing festivals must show that at least 25% of their tickets were purchased by people living at least 75 kilometres outside the community. As Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture I am proud that our department can help support so many exciting events to New Brunswick, including right here in Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins | | |
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Expansion of the New Brunswick Insulin Pump Program New Brunswick's Insulin Pump Program assists individuals living with diabetes who are medically eligible for insulin pump therapy by assisting them in accessing insulin pump devices and the basic operating supplies in a fair and affordable way. In Budget 2023-2024, our government has allocated more than $2 million in funding to further expand the program to include those over the age of 25. |
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Canada Winter Games Recap Team New Brunswick returned home with 16 medals following two weeks of competition at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, P.E.I. These talented athletes certainly made New Brunswick proud. It was especially exciting to be able to cheer on two athletes from right here in the riding. Logan Hughes competed in Karate and Owen McLean competed in Alpine Skiing at Crabbe Mountain. |
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Road Work Road conditions continue to be a challenge in our rural riding, and I continue to advocate constantly for funding to improve navigation of our beautiful region for citizens and visitors alike. I am so pleased to see many road work projects coming up in the riding this year and next as part of the Road Ahead Plan. In addition to the rural road projects announced through the Canada Community Building Fund, other upcoming projects include Drury's Cove Road, Route 111, Picadilly Road, Colonial Drive, Plumweseep Road, Little Salmon River & Shepody Road, and more. To see upcoming projects scheduled in your area, check out the interactive map below. | | |
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