Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long (Image: Danielle McCreadie)
The MP for Saint John-Rothesay says he’s excited to get back to work.
Wayne Long says he’s proud of getting elected for a second term and is the first Liberal MP in the riding to do so back to back.
“We held this riding red amongst a sea of blue,” he said in a year-end interview.
“I knew the Conservatives would mount a formidable campaign against me. I mean, historically it’s a Conservative riding, so I knew I had a lot of work to do, I knew I had to outwork everyone else. I knew I had to run on me, my brand, my style of politics. We set out to prove the skeptics wrong and we did.”
He says Saint John-Rothesay is going to benefit from having an advocate in Ottawa.
“You can have two approaches as an MP. You can play it safe, or you can go up with projects, working with proponents, that you want to get done, knocking on and if necessary, kicking in doors to get in front of the right people to deliver things for your riding,” he said.
“I can get in front of the appropriate people, I can get in front of the correct departments and cabinet ministers, I can speak openly and freely in caucus about what is needed in Saint John-Rothesay.”
Fantastic first week back in Ottawa.
Many early but very productive meetings and progress on many files important to the riding!
I’m here to get things done / deliver for Saint John – Rothesay! And I will 🙋♂️
I’ll stand for the southern part of this province in goverment. #golong pic.twitter.com/qLf69nWRjo— Wayne Long (@WayneLongSJ) December 6, 2019
Long says Saint John-Rothesay is finally getting the attention from the federal government it deserves, thanks in part to his strong voice.
From a $20-million airport expansion, a new trade school and a new Field House in Saint John, to investing in UNB, the Imperial Theatre, the city’s museum and Port Saint John, Long’s riding saw a significant amount of funding for projects during his last term.
“Now some of (my colleagues) are complaining that Saint John-Rothesay is getting more than their fair share now, so it’s kind of nice to be on the opposite side,” he said.
Long admits there were times over the past few years where he’s had “uncomfortable conversations” with party leadership over his outspokenness.
He was one of the only Liberal MPs who stood up for Jody Wilson-Raybould in the SNC-Lavalin controversy. He also stood up for union workers and voted against his party’s back-to-work legislation, and he supported an NDP motion for more democracy in Parliament.
He says despite all that, he has managed to get a lot done for his riding and plans to do the same in 2020.
In The “Long” Run
Long says there’s still work to do and projects he wants to see accomplished, including a new health research centre at UNB Saint John, and more investments in local heritage assets like Fort Howe and Partridge Island.
Long also hopes to continue to be a social advocate for his riding, and wants to get more funding for non-profits.
“Non-profits in this riding, across Canada, aren’t funded nearly enough. They spend over half of their time trying to privately fundraise to have enough money to exist, and that not right,” he said.
“We need to stand up and do a lot more for those who are vulnerable in our community.”
Long is also urging the provincial government to step up and take better care of its second-largest city.
“This city has not had enough attention, enough funds from the federal but in particular the provincial government. The MLA’s that are around me need to stand up and speak up for this city. Saint John is the economic engine of this province,” he said.
Lastly, Long says he wants to focus on green energy in 2020.
He says expanding the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station could transform the province.
He wants to explore the potential for more nuclear energy in New Brunswick, including the creation of small modular reactors (SMRs).
“I know there are those who lament the loss of Energy East. Well, when Energy East was built it was going to create 30 jobs. SMRs could be long-lasting, thousand of jobs, so I want to champion those projects,” he said.
Long says two companies are already interested in manufacturing SMRs in the region and plan to ship them worldwide, meaning New Brunswick could be a leader in nuclear energy.
