David Coon, MLA/Député

“New Brunswick almost spends $10 billion a year in its budget. So the question is, where does the money go and what choices are made?- David Coon

Article by: JOHN CHILIBECK

Amy Anderson will be the Green Party candidate for the riding of Carleton in the 2018 provincial election, earning the nomination Monday night at the Woodstock Golf and Curling Club.

Speaking with the Bugle-Observer on Tuesday, Anderson said she was unopposed for the nomination, but still needed the support of local riding members. Anderson said weather conditions limited the turnout for the nomination and kept provincial Green Party leader and Fredericton South MLA David Coon from attending.

As far as issues are concerned, Anderson said the most noticeable thing for her was the dissatisfaction of area residents with the Liberal and Conservatives, describing it as the feeling, “that every time the government changes there is no substantial differences between the two major parties.”

She said the Green Party offers change in areas such as local decision making, improving health and education systems, and boosting economic development for entrepreneurship and small business. A the sitting deputy mayor of Woodstock, Anderson said she carefully checked the rules before seeking the nomination for the Green Party.

“I do not legally have to give up my seat on council to run in the election,” said Anderson. “I’m still going to be fulfilling all of my duties as deputy mayor over the summer. When the official election campaign period starts I will be taking a leave from council during the month of September, so I won’t be attending those meetings.”

Depending on the outcome of the general election on Sept. 24, she said, she will either be heading to the Legislature in Fredericton or back in her role as deputy mayor.“I have a long list of things I would like to see happen in either place,” she said. “It’s just a question of which list I am going to be working off of.”

Anderson said the decision to run for provincial politics is an outgrowth of her experience as a municipal councillor. She said serving on Woodstock council opened her eyes to the limitations of what municipal council can accomplish on certain issues which fall under the responsibility of the province.

“In a way, it’s kind of a logical next step in being able to advocate not only for the town of Woodstock, but for Carleton County as a whole,” said Anderson. “Certainly growing up in an unincorporated area as I did, I have a pretty good sense of the differences between being in a local service district or in my case an unincorporated area, and being in town.”
Anderson said the time has come for real change in the province, and she sees the Green Party as the vehicle for that change.

She also stressed her respect for the provincial leader David Coon, who she says, “has been a really strong voice in the Legislature on issues like forestry, on things like mental health, and really proposing some practical changes.”

Anderson said taking the step into provincial politics is “a little nerve-wracking.”After growing up the area, Anderson said she got to know the riding well after moving back 14 years ago and teaching in Hartland, working with her church and working with others to create the Dooryard Arts Festival.

“It does give me a pretty good perspective on what people’s issues and concerns are,” said Anderson. “I’m just going slowly, building my team, planning to knock a lot of doors this summer, and hopefully have a good conversation about how can we build a positive future for Carleton County.”