The newly redrawn riding of Tantramar has two officially nominated candidates so far in the provincial election expected to be called for October 21, 2024.
Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton has been officially in the running since last fall, shortly after Premier Blaine Higgs hinted at an early election call. “We thought there was going to be a snap election,” says Mitton, “and so we got organized then.”
Mitton spoke to reporters last week after a Sierra Club of Canada event in Sackville, and responded to claims by Liberal candidate John Higham that an MLA in a government seat would have better luck with infrastructure projects than an opposition MLA.
“I don’t think it should depend who your MLA is and what party they’re in,” said Mitton, “that your community gets what it needs. I think that’s basically advocating for corruption in government.”
At the same time, Mitton defended her record for drawing attention to local projects, noting the reopening of Route 106 in July, and the repair for the Main Street overpass which she says is slated for this year.
The latest item of concern is the closure of the historic Wheaton Covered Bridge on High Marsh Road, and Mitton says a government seat in the legislature wouldn’t secure its future. “There are covered bridges in [Progressive] Conservative ridings right now that are not getting the work done,” said Mitton, “so that’s not a guarantee.”
Mitton refused to join Liberals
According to both candidates, Higham had asked Mitton to change parties and run as a Liberal in Tantramar for the upcoming election. Mitton says she refused because, “my values don’t align with with their party.”
Mitton is also critical of Higham’s call for a majority government to oust Higgs. “I would challenge his argument that there needs to be a Liberal majority to get rid of Higgs. That’s not true. Me being there is also a vote against Higgs.”
The Green says she is confident Higgs career as premier will be over in the fall. “I think we will have minority government. Greens will hold the balance of power. And we’ve said we will not work with Higgs, and I stand by that,” says Mitton. “And so we’re going to have a new premier.”
Mitton says Green campaign activities will go “full throttle” in the Tantramar riding after Labour Day. “I’m already knocking on doors and just getting out there, connecting with people and looking for support.”
The Green platform will be released before advanced polling begins, she says, as early as possible after the writ drops and officially starts the month-long campaign period. But Mitton says it will be consistent with Green positions so far.
“People shouldn’t be surprised by what they hear from me, that health care is a priority that I’ve been working on with the community, advocating to government. And also that we need action on climate change. I think people are feeling the heat this summer, seeing the wildfires and knowing that we need to take action. And then affordability, and the affordability of housing. We need a rent cap. We need property assessment reform. We need a lot of things to change,” says Mitton.
Hear the full conversation with reporters on August 1, 2024:
