Thompson says it's people first

CANDIDATE PROFILE

ST STEPHEN – On Oct. 14, Greg Thompson will see his name on the ballot for the seventh time in twenty years. And although technology has changed a lot over the years, Thompson is still running a very human campaign.
“It’s still about the people” he said.
Thompson credits his election team, led this time by Rick Hunter, a former vice-principal from Upper Kingsclear, for keeping this campaign on track. Each day Hunter makes the trip from his home to campaign headquarters in St. Stephen to ensure all will run smoothly on election day.
During his 20-year political life, Thompson has seen many changes, including the area that he served. First elected to the riding of Carleton-Charlotte in 1988, he inherited the “Fish and Chip” riding from the late Fred McCain. McCain served the riding for just over 16 years, and a few months ago Thompson surpassed that.
In 1996 the riding became New Brunswick Southwest, and while the riding’s geography changed, Thompson’s commitment to the area did not.
Having served for that length of time has allowed Thompson to start, and see through to completion, many long-range plans. Having Co-Chaired the Canada U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, he gained contacts and forged relationships with his American counterparts. From this he was able to better negotiate with the six levels of government (municipal, provincial/state and federal in two countries) to see agreement on the twinning of Route 1 to the border, and the construction of the new international bridge across the St. Croix River. The St. Stephen-Calais border is among the busiest between the two countries and this new crossing will greatly speed not only the average car travel, but increase trade opportunities as well, Thompson said.
The Biological Station in St. Andrews is another success story. The new facility will cost over $50 million to build, and will allow St. Andrews to move forward in marine research. The first contracts for this facility are already awarded, and the project is moving ahead.
On the economy, Thompson looks to build on what is there already, and to make it even stronger. While the American economy has suffered major blows, Canada has been able to manage its economy, he said. By lowering personal and corporate taxes, companies have been encouraged to modernize.
“We always have to work a little harder in New Brunswick,” acknowledges Thompson.
But it is a task he feels confident in. Thompson is a strong supporter of the province’s economic sufficiency plan, and is working closely with politicians of all parties to make that happen.
“NBers work shoulder to shoulder to get the job done.”
And while Thompson has worked hard and co-operated with his American contacts, he has also taken a tough stance on American liquefied natural gas developments in the region. Thompson said neither he, nor his government, is backing down on their commitment to oppose LNG developments in Passamaquoddy Bay. They have consistently said no to this project, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper telling President George W. Bush in August of 2007, that Canada would use every means possible to block this project.
On the environment, the Conservative government has had an affordable, achievable plan to reduce green house gases, Thompson said.
“Dion’s carbon tax is the biggest issue,” he said. “It’s going to hit New Brunswickers hard.”
In the last parliament, Thompson moved from the backbenches to become the Minister of Veterans Affairs. Of this experience, Thompson said it is “very humbling to be in the presence of these men.”
He is also seeing a change in the average veteran. Canada now has one First World War veteran left, and with Second World War veterans now into their 80s, the country is seeing a rapid decline in the numbers of older veterans. The new veteran is from the Gulf War and the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The veterans of today have different needs and opportunities than those who have preceded them. Thompson sees the implementation of the New Veteran’s Charter as one of the successes of his office. This charter addresses the needs of the young veteran and gives a comprehensive plan on how services are addressed.
The last election was aimed at getting the job done, he said, and with successes such as these, Thompson is confident that he and the Conservatives have carried through.