25 FEBRUARY 2013

Full press statement

 Green Party Leader David Coon announced at a news conference today that he is launching a tour of the province to visit business, cooperative and social enterprises which are building a new economy in New Brunswick.

 "A new economy is growing the shell of the old unsustainable one," said David Coon, Green Party Leader. All across this province there are entrepreneurs, cooperatives, primary producers, artists and social innovators who are reshaping our economy into one that is more local, greener, less dependent on fossil fuels, and accessible to all. And it doesn't involve fracking or pipelines from the Alberta tar sands, he said."

The Green Party Leader's New Economy Tour is intended build public awareness about the enterprises which are reshaping New Brunswick's economy into one that is sustainable and community-based. He wants to see Premier David Alward support these efforts with an import replacement strategy and a commitment to help New Brunswick's cities, towns and rural communities become more self-reliant for food, energy, finance and transportation.

 "As a Welsh poet once wrote, I want to make hope more concrete and despair less convincing," said Coon.

 "It is time to stop looking for our economic salvation beyond our borders. The old economy is not coming back. We will build a new economy based on our own strengths, drawing on the ingenuity and determination of our people. We are small province which makes us different from the rest. We need to build on that," said Coon.

 Coon is beginning his New Economy Tour in Carleton and Victoria Counties on February 28th. He is schedule to be in the Greater Moncton Region from March 14-16.