FREDERICTON – New Brunswick's New Democrats condemned the appointment of resigning Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney as the President and CEO of Efficiency New Brunswick as another example of old-time patronage that is holding our province down.
New Democrat Leader Dominic Cardy said, "Why short-circuit the hiring process? Maybe, just maybe, Minister Blaney is the single best person for this job. If she is, why not open the job up for competition? Efficiency New Brunswick is an international award-winning organization and it deserves the best possible leadership.”
Since the Conservatives were elected Premier David Alward has appointed his campaign co-chairs to head InvestNB and NB Liquor. Well-connected Conservatives have been appointed to jobs with several departments, all without open competition. In late 2011 Southwest Miramichi MLA Jake Stewart was caught complaining about staff at the Department of Transport and offering his personal picks.
Cardy said, “New Brunswick can be a rich and successful province. But that change can only happen when our political system rejects the Liberal and Conservative tradition that the only way to get a good job is to be well connected. A New Democratic government will open all non-political civil service positions to open competition.”
Cardy said, “New Democrats wish Ms. Blaney well in her work after elected politics, I just wish her new job was not a patronage gift being paid for by New Brunswick’s taxpayers.”
