Grits, PCs pushing N.B. over debt cliff: NDP

Last Updated: Thursday, September 9, 2010 | 9:56 AM ET

CBC News

The NDP launched a political ad on Thursday that accused the Liberals and Conservatives of making promises that would push the province over the debt cliff. (N.B. NDP)The NDP is unveiling its television ads that are accusing the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives of pushing New Brunswick over the debt cliff.

NDP Leader Roger Duguay released the ads at a news conference Thursday in Fredericton. The NDP has accused their two main rivals of making reckless spending promises throughout the election campaign.

"[Progressive Conservative Leader David] Alward and [Liberal Leader Shawn] Graham are putting winning the election ahead of telling the people of New Brunswick the truth about the financial situation," Duguay said in a statement.

"They are in a desperate bidding war to buy votes. If they actually keep their promises, they risk bankrupting the government."

The 97-second television ad that was rolled out on Thursday has actors playing Liberals and Progressive Conservatives talking on a cellphone, discussing the need to increase spending with unsustainable promises.

"I just want to win the election," both representatives of the province's traditional parties are overhead repeating.

The end of the advertisement has their car driving over a cliff and then features a voice warning voters about believing the promises by the two main parties.

"The Conservatives and Liberals want to buy your vote by promising spending and tax cuts that New Brunswick cannot afford," the NDP voice said.

"When the bill for these promises comes in, it will mean huge cuts to health and education. The NDP offers a safe and sensible alternative to balance the books and save health and education before reckless Conservatives and Liberals drive our province off the debt cliff."

Controversial ad

The NDP launched an ad campaign in August criticizing the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives for increasing their pensions. The ad attacks PC Leader David Alward. (N.B. NDP)This is the latest NDP that has sharply criticized its rivals.

In August, Duguay launched his party's "Supersize My Pension" campaign that included a poster showing Alward's mouth stuffed with fries, in a parody of the 2004 documentary Supersize Me, which was about a man who gorged himself on McDonald's meals.

The posters, which come in English and French versions, say, "He's lovin' it" and "Supersize my pension: you're paying for it."

The advertisement campaign was to promote the party's "20/50" bill.

Duguay said a NDP government would reduce MLA salaries by 20 per cent and restrict a number of their pension benefits.

It would eliminate supplementary pension allowances, eliminate bonus pensions paid to cabinet ministers and party leaders, and drastically reduce severance pay when MLAs quit or are not re-elected.

At the time, Duguay said those cuts would add up to a more than 50 per cent reduction from the current levels.