As the political parties in New Brunswick continue on the campaign trail, the Liberal party focused on mental health services, while the PC party said it wants to see more youth gaining financial literacy, while the Greens want a cap on rental prices.
“We are missing the school psychologist that could help address the problem before it finds itself in the emergency room.”
Other aspects of the Liberal Party plan include creating a grant program to fund community outreach workers at a cost of $1.7 million, doubling the number of residences for clinical psychologists at a cost of $300,000, and creating a mental health advocate position for $300,000.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick said it would make financial literacy part of the school curriculum.
PC leader Blaine Higgs said he wants students to enter adulthood with a better understanding of how money works.
“We count on our education system to set our children up for success in life, giving them the skills they need to succeed … and understanding the basics of money is so important,” Higgs said while campaigning in Fredericton.
Higgs, who is seeking a third term as premier of New Brunswick, said it is unacceptable that many young people don’t know how to open a bank account or create a household budget.
The proposed curriculum would teach students about a range of topics such as credit, interest rates, inflation, mortgages, leases, loans, and RRSPs.
“Regardless of which career a person chooses, what their pay is, or where they live, knowing how to effectively handle one’s finances is an essential part of life,” he said.
New Brunswick’s Green Party said it would introduce a permanent rent cap of 2.5 percent if it forms the next government.
The party is also promising to invest in housing programs that combine affordable housing with support services for those with complex needs, and offer lower property taxes to developers who build low-rent apartments.
Leader David Coon said the housing plan would also mandate that New Brunswick Housing Corporation is the first funder to provide access to capital for non-market housing developed by non-profits and cooperatives.
