{"id":49897,"date":"2024-08-07T12:29:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T15:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=49897"},"modified":"2024-08-12T11:08:51","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:08:51","slug":"mitton-defends-her-record-on-public-works-role-of-greens-in-future-governments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/mitton-defends-her-record-on-public-works-role-of-greens-in-future-governments\/","title":{"rendered":"Mitton defends her record on public works, role of Greens in future governments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton in the Sackville Commons. Photo: Erica Butler.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The newly redrawn riding of Tantramar has two officially nominated candidates so far in the provincial election expected to be called for October 21, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton has been officially in the running since last fall, shortly after Premier Blaine Higgs hinted at an early election call. \u201cWe thought there was going to be a snap election,\u201d says Mitton, \u201cand so we got organized then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitton spoke to reporters last week after a Sierra Club of Canada event in Sackville, and responded to claims by Liberal candidate John Higham that an MLA in a government seat would have better luck with infrastructure projects than an opposition MLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it should depend who your MLA is and what party they\u2019re in,\u201d said Mitton, \u201cthat your community gets what it needs. I think that\u2019s basically advocating for corruption in government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Mitton defended her record for drawing attention to local projects, noting the reopening of Route 106 in July, and the repair for the Main Street overpass which she says is slated for this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest item of concern is the closure of the historic Wheaton Covered Bridge on High Marsh Road, and Mitton says a government seat in the legislature wouldn\u2019t secure its future. \u201cThere are covered bridges in [Progressive] Conservative ridings right now that are not getting the work done,\u201d said Mitton, \u201cso that’s not a guarantee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitton refused to join Liberals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to both candidates, Higham had asked Mitton to change parties and run as a Liberal in Tantramar for the upcoming election. Mitton says she refused because, \u201cmy values don’t align with with their party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitton is also critical of Higham\u2019s call for a majority government to oust Higgs. \u201cI would challenge his argument that there needs to be a Liberal majority to get rid of Higgs. That’s not true. Me being there is also a vote against Higgs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Green says she is confident Higgs career as premier will be over in the fall. \u201cI think we will have minority government. Greens will hold the balance of power. And we’ve said we will not work with Higgs, and I stand by that,\u201d says Mitton. \u201cAnd so we’re going to have a new premier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitton says Green campaign activities will go \u201cfull throttle\u201d in the Tantramar riding after Labour Day. \u201cI\u2019m already knocking on doors and just getting out there, connecting with people and looking for support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Green platform will be released before advanced polling begins, she says, as early as possible after the writ drops and officially starts the month-long campaign period. But Mitton says it will be consistent with Green positions so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople shouldn’t be surprised by what they hear from me, that health care is a priority that I’ve been working on with the community, advocating to government. And also that we need action on climate change. I think people are feeling the heat this summer, seeing the wildfires and knowing that we need to take action. And then affordability, and the affordability of housing. We need a rent cap. We need property assessment reform. We need a lot of things to change,\u201d says Mitton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hear the full conversation with reporters on August 1, 2024:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n