Local Liberals push back on N.B. government’s Tantramar tolls

Premier Susan Holt is getting some rare blowback from members of her own Liberal Party over proposed highway tolls. In this Facebook post the Provincial Liberal Riding Association in Tantramar says it opposes the government's plan for toll booths in Olak. The Post includes a series of arguments about why the revenue from the tolls won't amount to much and may deter cross-border traffic. This Liberal minister says that argument from the government's own supporters is just one among many. We're hearing from many groups in Tantramar. We're hearing from people who are not happy with the tolls. We're hearing from other people who are okay with the tolls. I think it underlines that our community doesn't support having these tolls put in. The toll booths would be near the Nova Scotia border to collect an estimated 10 million dollars from out of province drivers starting in 2028. Mr. Speaker. One of the Liberals who helped create the post is Kathy Rogers a former Liberal finance minister. I'm not sure where they get their numbers from. Our estimates put it a little higher than most people would think. Rogers wouldn't do an interview neither would the president of the Tantramar Liberals but they said in a statement the premier's empathy and logical decision-making make them optimistic she will change her mind. Based on the minister's comments that optimism may be misplaced. I'm getting some communications from all over the province that of people that are saying you know it's time that we charge people to use our roads other provinces are doing it as a matter of fact we are the only maritime province that doesn't have tolls. The estimated 10 million dollars in annual toll revenue is barely enough to put a dent in big budget deficits but apparently it's worth a little Liberal grief.