Self-sufficiency panel gets 250 submissions

The head of the New Brunswick government's self-sufficiency task force says the public seems ready for sweeping changes.

Francis McGuire said he has interest groups lining up to talk about how to grow the province's economy and population. The task force has received more than 250 written presentations, and he saida consensus is emerging — people want action.

"People understand that if we don't get more taxpayers that are earning good salaries, good money, that we're not going to be able to support our social system," he said. "When the people start retiring, people understand that we need more younger people to fill the slots, and that means a growing population."

Real Robichaud ofthe Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick said the government needs to concentrate on maintaining the tourism industry.

"Certainly ... we need new investment, new infrastructure, a fresh coat of paint essentially so that we can continue on growing," Robichaud said Thursday.

Growth is also the focus ofMarc Arsenault of the New Brunswick Forest Products Association.

"We've got a resource that we can manage and we can grow," Arsenault said. "We know how to do it and we have the ability to do it. So that's what we put our focus on. We talked about the desire for industry to invest, but they can't do that until there's a secure wood supply."

Marie-Paul Martin of the Business Professional Women of Canada said the task force should look to the female workforce to spur the economy.

She called for "programs for kindergartens and children's day cares in the workplace or in the educational institution where [women] can get their upgrading."

The task force expects to release its final report in about five weeks.