New Brunswick NDP releases campaign pledge for economic development

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – New Brunswick’s NDP leader has released an innovation and economic growth plan that boosts the minimum wage and creates a so-called public investment bank.

Jennifer McKenzie says her plan fights social inequalities by introducing a $15 minimum wage so that workers don’t have to take on multiple jobs just to get by.

Campaigning in Saint John, McKenzie said the plan would also create “green collar” jobs by making large public investments in the renewable energy economy and the retrofitting of homes to improve energy efficiency.

She said an NDP government would also spend on research and development, training and infrastructure to promote growth in high-tech and innovation-based companies.

McKenzie said the program would be funded by eliminating Opportunities NB and existing regional development programs, to the tune of $130 million.