Higgs outlines views on language, abortion and HST
No change to abortion laws, non-committal on HST
The newly elected leader of the province's Progressive Conservative party laid out some of his views on policy in a Facebook Live interview Wednesday afternoon.
Blaine Higgs, won the leadership last Saturday defeating former Saint John Mayor Mel Norton on the third ballot.
Before becoming leader Higgs was finance minister in the government of David Alward.
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No commitment on HST
As part of this year's provincial budget the Gallant government hiked the HST on Canada Day. Higgs would not commit to repealing the two per cent increase.
"I can say I didn't need it before and we would not have put it on. But I don't know the state of the province right now in terms of the books," said Higgs.
French an 'asset', but not a necessity
Higgs's inability to speak French has been mentioned as a potential hindrance to his electability, even from delegates on the floor of the PC convention last Saturday. He was also once associated with the defunct Confederation of Regions party.
Higgs said that he will protect the rights of all New Brunswickers and he's aiming to learn French.
"Will I ever be bilingual in the standards that you'll test me coming out of a course? I don't know. But I would like to be able to communicate, walk into a Tim Hortons or walk in here and have a discussion [in French,]" said Higgs.
Higgs did say premiers should not have to be fluent in both official languages.
"I think it's an asset, but it's not a requirement to fix the province," said Higgs.
No change to abortion rules
Shortly after the 2014 provincial election, the Liberal government scrapped a requirement that forced women who wanted a publicly funded abortion to get two doctors to certify that it's medically necessary.
They did not start funding abortions performed in private clinics. Higgs said if elected he has no plans to disrupt the status quo.
"That's been settled has it not...I don't have any intentions of making changes to the current rules," said Higgs.