New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is under fire for his recent announcement of a $75-million program aimed at easing the financial burden on workers through a one-time payment of $300. Despite Higgs’s insistence that the initiative is a “good news story,” criticism has been swift and pointed.

The program, intended to aid those with a net family income of $70,000 or less in 2022 or 2023, has drawn ire for its exclusion of seniors and other vulnerable groups. Green Leader David Coon highlighted the plight of retirees, individuals with disabilities, and those with family incomes surpassing the specified threshold, emphasizing that they would not benefit from the scheme.

Premier Higgs defended the program, citing measures such as tax reductions and increased low-income seniors benefits as efforts to alleviate inflation-related hardships. However, Liberal Leader Susan Holt questioned the feasibility of reaching the purported 250,000 recipients, suggesting that eligibility criteria significantly narrow the pool of potential beneficiaries.

A key point of contention is the application process, characterized as cumbersome and time-consuming. Applicants must provide extensive documentation, leading to concerns about accessibility and efficiency. Critics argue that the bureaucratic hurdles contradict the program’s intended purpose of providing timely relief to those in need.

J.P. Lewis, a political science professor, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of streamlining aid delivery processes, particularly during times of economic strain.

As applications open and the program rolls out, public scrutiny remains high, with many questioning its efficacy and impact on the broader community.