Kelly Lamrock
Encyclopedia
Kelly Lamrock is a Canadian lawyer
and politician
in the province of New Brunswick
, Canada
. He was a Liberal
member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
, and Minister of Social Development
in the New Brunswick cabinet
.
. While there he competed in the World High School Public Speaking Championship, where he placed second, and was the winner of several national debating competitions.
He attended St. Thomas University
, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
and the University of New Brunswick
, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws
. He was president of the student union
s at both institutions, the first and so far the only student to have occupied both posts. He was also involved in national student politics, he served as president of the Canadian Federation of Students
and then was a leader in the split within that organization that led to the creation of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
(CASA). He was the founding president of the New Brunswick Student Alliance
, a provincial wing of CASA, during which time he authored Open Doors, Open Minds and No More Smoke and Mirrors two reports which led to his appearing before committees of the Canadian House of Commons
and Canadian Senate
as well as to a tuition freeze
in New Brunswick.
Following graduation from university, Lamrock briefly ran his own law practice before becoming the Director of Policy and Communications for the New Brunswick Healthcare Association in 1998. In 1998 Kelly married Karen Lee, whom he met in university. The two were married at the Wilmot United Church in downtown Fredericton. In 2001, he become Director of Student Affairs at St. Thomas University.
and helped write that party's platform for the 1999 provincial election
, he soon became active in the New Brunswick Liberal Party. Lamrock chaired the party's policy renewal process in 2001 and was nominated as candidate for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
under the Liberal banner in 2002.
He was elected to the Legislature in the 2003 election
and joined the shadow cabinet
as co-critic for Education and critic for Post-Secondary Education. In November, following the resignation of veteran Liberal legislator Bernard Richard
, Lamrock was given the high profile role of Opposition House Leader.
Throughout the remainder of the legislative session, Lamrock became one of the most high profile members of the Liberal caucus and carried several high profile critic portfolios in addition to his House Leader duties. In 2006, he delivered the opposition reply to the budget due to the absence of the finance critic for a family emergency.
Lamrock was easily re-elected in a largely different district, though still named Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
, in the 2006 election
. Following the election he was named to cabinet as Minister of Education and was also given responsibilities for the Advisory Council on Youth and the Provincial Capital Commission.
In June 2009, Premier Graham shuffled his Cabinet moving Lamrock to the Social Development portfolio. In January 2010, Lamrock was named Attorney General of New Brunswick.
On September 27, 2010, Lamrock was defeated in the 2010 New Brunswick Provincial election, losing his seat to Progressive Conservative candidate Pam Lynch
.
The bypass issue first emerged decades ago as the federal government began removing railway corridors that connected Fredericton and southwestern New Brunswick with central and northern regions of the Province. In the absence of rail connections automobile traffic increased along New Brunswick Route 8
, much of hat increase was transport trucks. Speed limits along Route 8 decrease quickly as the highway runs through the community of Marysville serving as its Main Street. Many motorists and truckers do not adjust their speed limits and this has led to a number of serious accidents which compromised the safety of the residents of Marysville.
Over the years, members of the community had organized to place pressure on the provincial government to build a by-pass that would merge Route 8 with the old Trans-Canada highway alignment thereby redirecting traffic around the commuity and not through it. Despite community pressure on both Conservative and Liberal governments the Marysville bypass issue continued to be put on the backburner.
During the 2006 election campaign, Lamrock promised his constituents that the long sought after Marysville bypass would be constructed if he was elected to a Liberal Government under Shawn Graham. On July 23, 2008, the first bucketfull of soil was turned by an excavator marking the beginning of the construction project and the end of the community's long fight to have it constructed.
The Marysville bypass project is funded through a federal-provincial partnership and enjoyed the support of all MLA's (Liberal and Conservative) whose ridings share Route 8 to northern New Brunswick. The entire project, which is part of a much larger infrastructure improvement project in New Brunswick will be completed by 2015.
The project is now completed and includes an off-ramp onto Devonshire Drive that connects to Cliffe Street and Union Street. Major upgrades to the intersections at Cliffe Street and Union Street as well as to the intersection at Union Street and St. Mary's Street. St. Mary's Street has been made a provincially designated truck route, in an effort to minimize truck traffic in nearby residential neighbourhoods west of St. Mary's Street and along Main Street.
Government did not move forward on the projects.
The Willie O'Ree hockey rink has been open since 2008, and the Royals Field has been refurbished as well.
for repairs to the Princess Margaret Bridge
. The project began in 2009 after a 10 kilogram piece of concrete fell from the structure onto the roadway beneath. On January 12, 2010 the Department of Transportation announced that $30 million would be spent on upgrading and reparing the 52-year-old iconic structure in 2010-2011.
Behind these objectives there was an implicit logic that recognized the world continues to become smaller and while globalization was a fuzzy concept a decade ago, today, certain aspects of it are solidifying into a new global reality. Lamrock explains the logic behind this plan in his introductory message.
When Kids Come First recognized that the educational system in New Brunswick was one that was built on a pedogogical structure that was being challenged by the realities and demands of a globalized economy. Without question Lamrock's plan created some controversy as he began to implement his vision.
As Minister of Education Lamrock oversaw an increase in per student spending from $6,740 as of the 2005-2006 school year to $8,573 during the 2008-2009 school year. Increasing funding per student surpasses its desired results in 2009 when the Department of Education announced that 20% of Grade Two students could read at an exceptional level and 90% of students could read at an appropriate level for their age group. Overall between Anglophne and Francophone student literacy rates in New Brunswick had increased by 11% since taking office in 2006.
In September 2009, Minister of Education Roland Hache recognized the accomplishments made by Lamrock during his time as education minister stating "the education system has undergone some very significant, yet very necessary, changes in the past few years. The knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow are very different from previous generations. It was essential that the education system be adapted to ensure that today's students have the tools they need."
To date the Innovative Learning Fund has distributed six million dollars to 612 projects in the Anglophone sector and just under six million dollars on 584 projects in the Francopohone sector.\
program which started in Grade 1. Instead all students would have five months of "intensive" French in Grade 5, and there would be an optional Late French Immersion program starting in Grade 6. The logic behind the legislation was to allow Anglophone students to learn the basics of reading, spelling, and arithmatic in their mothertounge before introducing the French language into their studies. A number of studies argued that Early French Immersion hindered the ability of many Anglophone youth to grasp the elemental building blocks of their education as they had to learn a new language while simultaneously learning the basics of math and grammar. It also put non-bilingual parents at a disadvantage as they were often unable to assist their children with their homework. Introducing French Immersion in Grade 6 would allow Anglophone children the ability to grasp the necessary fundamentals of education while still providing enough time to become functionally bilingual by graduation. Despite the best of intentions public reaction was highly critical of the move, and groups called for Lamrock's resignation over the matter.
Minister Lamrock was taken to court by parents in the province in their attempt to save the very popular and beneficial early immersion program. Conclusions were that Minister Lamrock needed to provide more information to the public and consider more input from the public, he had a series of public discussions. Following an overwhelming voice from the public against his plans, Minister Lamrock, refusing to back down, watered down his original plan in an attempt to save face. A strong set of voices from New Brunswickers saw this as Minister Lamrock's attempt to satisfy the requirements of the courts while ignoring the public and pushing his own agenda, something Minister Lamrock is known for by most New Brunswickers.
On June 11, 2008, Justice Hugh McLellan of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick
overturned Lamrock's decision of March 14, calling the decision of the minister unfair and unreasonable because he did not allow enough time for debate before making his decision. In response, Minister Lamrock announced a new consultation with a deadline of July 25, 2008 and stated that he would make a final decision on August 5, 2008. Electronic submissions to this new consultation were posted on the Government of New Brunswick website.
Ironically, on June 18, 2008 it was the former leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Bernard Richard, who now held the position of provincial Ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate that spoke out against Minister Lamrock's plan. In his Report of the Ombudsman into the Minister of Education’s decision to modify the French Second Language Curriculum, Mr. Richard recommended that the Government defer the consultation announced by Minister Lamrock and delay implementation of the elimination of early French immersion until September 2009, citing: Unfairness stemming from a lack of consultation, Unfairness due to insufficient notice prior to implementation, Decision premised upon a mistake of fact arising from errors in statistical analysis and other factual errors, Failure to consider all the evidence before the Commissioners and before the Minister, Bias arising from an alleged pre-determination of the consultation outcomes, Determination of FSL policy on the basis of irrelevant grounds or considerations, or for an improper purpose, and Failure to consider commitments of citizen engagement in the government response to the Commission on Legislative Democracy
On August 5, 2008, Minister Lamrock and Premier Shawn Graham
announced a revised plan for French Second Language Education, subsequent to the public consultation. In this new plan early immersion has been cut and middle immersion will be offered in Grade 3 as of 2010, following an introduction to French language and culture for all students starting in kindergarten, to be implemented in 2009. Students who are not in the immersion program began intensive French in Grade 5 as of September 2008, and a greater variety of options are being planned for the higher grades.
In September 2009, Education Minister Roland Hache released surprising statistics which were claimed to validate the reforms undertaken by former education minister Kelly Lamrock and Premier Shawn Graham. "Last years reforms [2008] to French second-language programming have also had positive results, with 58% of Grade 5 Intensive French students now hitting the provincial target, as compared to only 2% under the previous Core French program." However, the education reforms had also resulted in a drop of 6 percentage points in grade 5 math scores as well as declines in French Immersion reading and writing scores.
The Government engaged the public through a number of public forums, held throughout the province, between October 2008 and March 2009. The forums were organized in such a way to bring together government officials, business leaders, non-profit organizations, and individuals living in poverty to discuss what poverty means, what causes poverty, and what can be done to reduce poverty.
The public forums painted a very clear picture of the state of poverty in New Brunswick. While a number of themes emerged the single most consistent opinion communicated was that the social assistance system, as it was constructed, further exacerbated poverty in the province. Rather than assisting people to regain their self-reliance, social assistance trapped people in poverty.
On October 7, 2009, in a speech to a group of Saint John business leaders, Minister Lamrock openly challenged his own government proposing to reform the social assistance program and raise rates that had been frozen in the Spring. Lamrock argued that:
Lamrock's comments signaled a significant shift in the way the Department of Social Development would be run under his watch. Lamrock criticized the social assistance system stating that its programs had functioned exclusively to
On November 12 and 13, 2009 the final forum of the task force was held in Saint John. The participants agreed to the first ever poverty reduction strategy in New Brunswick in its report "Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan". The poverty reduction strategy was a first in New Brunswick and also made the province a leader in the fight against poverty in Canada.
Among its recommendations the Poverty Reduction Plan suggested that three reforms needed to take place immediately:
The Poverty Reduction Plan has been well received by groups who advocate on behalf of New Brunswick's poor. Brian Duplessis, the Executive Director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters, was encouraged by the steps Minister Lamrock has taken, but argued that more needed to be done to address issues of deep poverty in New Brunswick.
Brian Duplessis, Brenda Murphy, coordinator for the Urban Core Support Network in Saint John, and Wendy McDermott, coordinator of Vibrant Communities Saint John, all agreed that while there is much work to be done the steps undertaken by Minister Lamrock have been reforms that anti-poverty advocates have been lobbying the Province to make for years.
Premier Shawn Graham has stated, "What has been agreed is exceptional, and it will put us on the right path to achieving our poverty-reduction goals and helping thousands of New Brunswickers be more self-sufficient."
Minister Lamrock explained why the program is being rolled out in this way in the Legislature on February 18, 2010.
The Opposition offered token criticism to Lamrock's actions on the economic unit policy which is part of a much larger Poverty Reduction Strategy that the Conservative Party leader David Alward signed and lent his Party's support to in Saint John in November 2009.
Lamrock expressed his support for the Civil Forfeiture Act on his website kellylamrock.com http://www.kellylamrock.com
Lamrock was quick to point out that this Legislation does not give police in New Brunswick the ability to violate civil liberties:
To date the Opposition Conservatives have not opposed this legislation and are not expected to.
This legislation puts New Brunswick ahead of the curve on this matter. Currently Alberta and Ontario prevent insurance companies from using individual financial history for automobile insurance, the proposed legislation before the New Brunswick Assembly would go further to prevent financial history from being used for home and life insurance as well.
Lamrock's justified his support for the Insurance Act stating:
The Opposition Conservatives had indicated they support Minister's Lamrock's legislation and the bill is expected to pass easily in the Legislature.
The creation of the Provincial Capital Commission also saw the creation of the Capital Region, a geographic space the includes nine electoral districts with its center being the Legislative Assembly in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Provincial Capital Commissin is responsible for protecting and celebrating the history and cultural diversity of New Brunswick.
. In 2008 the host community was Shediac, New Brunswick
in 2009 the host community was McAdam, New Brunswick
and in 2010 Rexton, once again, played host to the celebrations.
In immediate post-election speculation Lamrock was rumored to be a front-runner to become the next leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party. Lamrock has remained relatively quiet in the months following the election, although he has continued to use his Twitter account and has started a blog where he discusses provincial and national politics. To date, Lamrock has not made any indication as to whether he is planning on running for the leadership.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was a Liberal
New Brunswick Liberal Association
The New Brunswick Liberal Association , more popularly known as the New Brunswick Liberal Party or Liberal Party of New Brunswick, is one of the two major political parties in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada. It was first created in the 2006 redrawing of electoral districts and was first used in the general election later that year...
, and Minister of Social Development
Department of Education (New Brunswick)
The Department of Education is a part of the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with the administration of the New Brunswick public education system...
in the New Brunswick cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
.
Before politics
Kelly Lamrock was born in Saskatchewan on February 5, 1970. He moved with his family to British Columbia and lived there until his family relocated permanently to Fredericton, New Brunswick when he was eight years old. As a child Lamrock attended school at Garden Creek Elementary School, and Albert Street Middle School. As a teenager Lamrock attended Fredericton High SchoolFredericton High School
Fredericton High School is a high school in the city of Fredericton in New Brunswick, Canada. It is the oldest English high school in Canada, founded in 1800.-History:...
. While there he competed in the World High School Public Speaking Championship, where he placed second, and was the winner of several national debating competitions.
He attended St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
St. Thomas University is jointly a public and Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. It offers degrees exclusively at the undergraduate level for approximately 3,000 students in the liberal arts, humanities, journalism, education, and social work....
, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
. He was president of the student union
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
s at both institutions, the first and so far the only student to have occupied both posts. He was also involved in national student politics, he served as president of the Canadian Federation of Students
Canadian Federation of Students
The Canadian Federation of Students is the largest student organization in Canada. Founded in 1981, the stated goal of the CFS is to work at the federal level for high quality, accessible post-secondary education.-Structure:...
and then was a leader in the split within that organization that led to the creation of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations was formed in 1995 by several post-secondary institutions' student unions who had withdrawn from the Canadian Federation of Students and previously unaffiliated student unions...
(CASA). He was the founding president of the New Brunswick Student Alliance
New Brunswick Student Alliance
The New Brunswick Student Alliance/L'Alliance étudiante du Nouveau-Brunswick is a bilingual student lobby group which operates in New Brunswick, Canada. Representing over 16,500 students across the province on 6 university and one community college campuses, the NBSA aims to represent their...
, a provincial wing of CASA, during which time he authored Open Doors, Open Minds and No More Smoke and Mirrors two reports which led to his appearing before committees of the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
and Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
as well as to a tuition freeze
Tuition freeze
Tuition freeze is a government policy restricting the ability of administrators of post-secondary educational facilities to increase tuition fees for students. Although governments have various reasons for implementing such a policy, the main reason cited is improving accessibility for working-...
in New Brunswick.
Following graduation from university, Lamrock briefly ran his own law practice before becoming the Director of Policy and Communications for the New Brunswick Healthcare Association in 1998. In 1998 Kelly married Karen Lee, whom he met in university. The two were married at the Wilmot United Church in downtown Fredericton. In 2001, he become Director of Student Affairs at St. Thomas University.
Political career
Though he had been often associated with the New Brunswick New Democratic PartyNew Brunswick New Democratic Party
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial political party in New Brunswick, Canada linked with the federal New Democratic Party .-Origins and early history:...
and helped write that party's platform for the 1999 provincial election
New Brunswick general election, 1999
The 34th New Brunswick general election was held on June 7, 1999, to elect 55 members to the 54th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It marked the debut of both Camille Thériault and Bernard Lord as leaders of the Liberals and...
, he soon became active in the New Brunswick Liberal Party. Lamrock chaired the party's policy renewal process in 2001 and was nominated as candidate for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak (1995-2006)
Fredericton-Fort Naswaak was an electoral district returning members to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for three elections: 1995, 1999 and 2003....
under the Liberal banner in 2002.
He was elected to the Legislature in the 2003 election
New Brunswick general election, 2003
The 35th New Brunswick general election was held on June 9, 2003, to elect 55 members to the 55th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
and joined the shadow cabinet
Shadow Cabinet
The Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
as co-critic for Education and critic for Post-Secondary Education. In November, following the resignation of veteran Liberal legislator Bernard Richard
Bernard Richard
Bernard Richard is a Canadian social worker, lawyer, and politician in the Province of New Brunswick....
, Lamrock was given the high profile role of Opposition House Leader.
Throughout the remainder of the legislative session, Lamrock became one of the most high profile members of the Liberal caucus and carried several high profile critic portfolios in addition to his House Leader duties. In 2006, he delivered the opposition reply to the budget due to the absence of the finance critic for a family emergency.
Lamrock was easily re-elected in a largely different district, though still named Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada. It was first created in the 2006 redrawing of electoral districts and was first used in the general election later that year...
, in the 2006 election
New Brunswick general election, 2006
The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
. Following the election he was named to cabinet as Minister of Education and was also given responsibilities for the Advisory Council on Youth and the Provincial Capital Commission.
In June 2009, Premier Graham shuffled his Cabinet moving Lamrock to the Social Development portfolio. In January 2010, Lamrock was named Attorney General of New Brunswick.
On September 27, 2010, Lamrock was defeated in the 2010 New Brunswick Provincial election, losing his seat to Progressive Conservative candidate Pam Lynch
Pam Lynch
Pam Lynch is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2010 provincial election, defeating Liberal cabinet minister Kelly Lamrock. She represents the electoral district of Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak as a member of the Progressive...
.
MLA for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak
During the 2006 provincial election Kelly made a number of campaign promises to the constituents of Fredericton - Fort Nashwaak. Many of the promises related to issues that had been largely ignored by both Conservative and Liberal governments for years and, in some cases, decades.The Marysville Bypass
The construction of a bypass system that would direct traffic around the community of Marysville had been a major issue of contention for nearly 30 years.The bypass issue first emerged decades ago as the federal government began removing railway corridors that connected Fredericton and southwestern New Brunswick with central and northern regions of the Province. In the absence of rail connections automobile traffic increased along New Brunswick Route 8
New Brunswick Route 8
Route 8 is an important highway link between northern and southern New Brunswick, Canada. 255 kilometres long, it runs from Fredericton to Bathurst via Miramichi.-Route description:...
, much of hat increase was transport trucks. Speed limits along Route 8 decrease quickly as the highway runs through the community of Marysville serving as its Main Street. Many motorists and truckers do not adjust their speed limits and this has led to a number of serious accidents which compromised the safety of the residents of Marysville.
Over the years, members of the community had organized to place pressure on the provincial government to build a by-pass that would merge Route 8 with the old Trans-Canada highway alignment thereby redirecting traffic around the commuity and not through it. Despite community pressure on both Conservative and Liberal governments the Marysville bypass issue continued to be put on the backburner.
During the 2006 election campaign, Lamrock promised his constituents that the long sought after Marysville bypass would be constructed if he was elected to a Liberal Government under Shawn Graham. On July 23, 2008, the first bucketfull of soil was turned by an excavator marking the beginning of the construction project and the end of the community's long fight to have it constructed.
The Marysville bypass project is funded through a federal-provincial partnership and enjoyed the support of all MLA's (Liberal and Conservative) whose ridings share Route 8 to northern New Brunswick. The entire project, which is part of a much larger infrastructure improvement project in New Brunswick will be completed by 2015.
Fredericton Community College
During his time in Opposition Lamrock took up the fight for the construction of a new commuity college to be built in Fredericton. Once in power Lamrock continued to lobby his own government to construct a new Fredericton campus to support the city's local tradespeople. Ultimately Lamrock was successful in his campaign to see the project realized as Minister of Finance Greg Byrne announced in the 2009 budget released December 1 that construction would begin in January 2010 on a new community college campus in the city. "The $15-million facility, to be located on the University of New Brunswick campus, will cover 4,840 square metres (52,115 square feet) and accommodate programs in health, business administration, information technology, engineering technology and social services."Cliffe Street Ramp
When constructed in 1981m the Westmorland Street bridge was built without a ramp on to Devonshire Drive. The "missing ramp" as it became known locally remained a local irritant for citizens and the municipal government for years as it had been promised but continuously put off. In the 2006 campaignm Lamrock campaigned on a promise to get the Cliffe Street ramp constructed. In March 2007 the Graham government announced funding for the project.The project is now completed and includes an off-ramp onto Devonshire Drive that connects to Cliffe Street and Union Street. Major upgrades to the intersections at Cliffe Street and Union Street as well as to the intersection at Union Street and St. Mary's Street. St. Mary's Street has been made a provincially designated truck route, in an effort to minimize truck traffic in nearby residential neighbourhoods west of St. Mary's Street and along Main Street.
Investments in North Side Recreation Facilities
In 2007 Lamrock announced funding had been approved for the construction of playgrounds in Pepper Creek and Noonan. These communities have seen significant growth, particularly among young families. These two communities had originally asked the provincial government for playgrounds in 1999, but the Bernard LordBernard Lord
Bernard Lord, ONB, QC, is a Canadian politician and lobbyist. Lord served as the 30th Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006.-Early life:...
Government did not move forward on the projects.
The Willie O'Ree hockey rink has been open since 2008, and the Royals Field has been refurbished as well.
Princess Margaret Bridge Repairs
Lamrock successfully lobbied his government and Minister of Transportation Denis LandryDenis Landry
Denis Landry is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1995 and re-elected in 2003 and 2006 after being defeated in his first bid for re-election in 1999....
for repairs to the Princess Margaret Bridge
Princess Margaret Bridge
The Princess Margaret Bridge, sometimes called the Princess Margaret Rose Bridge or shortened to just PMB, is a 2-lane highway bridge crossing the St. John River at Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada...
. The project began in 2009 after a 10 kilogram piece of concrete fell from the structure onto the roadway beneath. On January 12, 2010 the Department of Transportation announced that $30 million would be spent on upgrading and reparing the 52-year-old iconic structure in 2010-2011.
Education
Lamrock was named Minister of Education by Premier Shawn Graham in October 2006 after winning the Provincial General Election on September 27, 2006. He served as Minister of Education until Premier Graham's first major Cabinet shuffle in June, 2009. Lamrock's time as Minister of Education was tumultuous as he instituted a number of policies aimed at re-orienting New Brunswick's educational system towards the realities of the globalized information economy.When Kids Come First
When Kids Come First was Minister Lamrock's five year plan to accomplish what he saw as the necessary challenges facing the New Brunswick education system. Lamrock's vision was adopted by the Graham Government as an integral part of the Liberal Governments self-sufficiency agenda. "When Kids Come First" laid out three primary objectives:1. Every child will arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.
2. Every child will leave Grade 5 having mastered the tools to learn - reading, writing and numeracy.
3. Every child will graduate from high school having had the opportunity to discover his or her personal strengths and to find something he or she loves doing.
Behind these objectives there was an implicit logic that recognized the world continues to become smaller and while globalization was a fuzzy concept a decade ago, today, certain aspects of it are solidifying into a new global reality. Lamrock explains the logic behind this plan in his introductory message.
In the future, companies will be bale to move quickly to where the best trained employees are. If our kids don't read, write or do math well enough to learn new skills in a world of constant change, the jobs will move somewhere else - somewhere that did a better job of teaching them.
One of the skills most in demand will be the ability to solve problems. Following instructions will be work done in low wage economies, or by machines. The people who control their economic future will be the kids who went through school solving problems and challenging themselves, not just following orders.
When Kids Come First recognized that the educational system in New Brunswick was one that was built on a pedogogical structure that was being challenged by the realities and demands of a globalized economy. Without question Lamrock's plan created some controversy as he began to implement his vision.
Literacy Rates
Lamrock inherited an educational system that faced some of the most daunting challenges in the nation. In 2000, out of the 10 Canadian provinces, New Brunswick had the lowest literacy rates with only marginal improvement between 2000 and 2006 when Lamrock became Minister of Education.As Minister of Education Lamrock oversaw an increase in per student spending from $6,740 as of the 2005-2006 school year to $8,573 during the 2008-2009 school year. Increasing funding per student surpasses its desired results in 2009 when the Department of Education announced that 20% of Grade Two students could read at an exceptional level and 90% of students could read at an appropriate level for their age group. Overall between Anglophne and Francophone student literacy rates in New Brunswick had increased by 11% since taking office in 2006.
In September 2009, Minister of Education Roland Hache recognized the accomplishments made by Lamrock during his time as education minister stating "the education system has undergone some very significant, yet very necessary, changes in the past few years. The knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow are very different from previous generations. It was essential that the education system be adapted to ensure that today's students have the tools they need."
Innovative Learning Fund
In addition to increased investment in students Lamrock's vision also called for an investment in teachers. The Innovative Learning Fund was established to "encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches that will increase student learning and academic performance, and enhance teaching practices." Under this program teachers, schools and school boards could apply for grants to fund projects aimed at creating innovative curriculum and teaching models.To date the Innovative Learning Fund has distributed six million dollars to 612 projects in the Anglophone sector and just under six million dollars on 584 projects in the Francopohone sector.\
French Immersion
On March 14, 2008, Minister Lamrock announced the elimination of all public school French Second Language training prior to Grade 5 in New Brunswick, including the popular Early French ImmersionFrench immersion
French immersion is a form of bilingual education in which a child who does not speak French as his or her first language receives instruction in school in French...
program which started in Grade 1. Instead all students would have five months of "intensive" French in Grade 5, and there would be an optional Late French Immersion program starting in Grade 6. The logic behind the legislation was to allow Anglophone students to learn the basics of reading, spelling, and arithmatic in their mothertounge before introducing the French language into their studies. A number of studies argued that Early French Immersion hindered the ability of many Anglophone youth to grasp the elemental building blocks of their education as they had to learn a new language while simultaneously learning the basics of math and grammar. It also put non-bilingual parents at a disadvantage as they were often unable to assist their children with their homework. Introducing French Immersion in Grade 6 would allow Anglophone children the ability to grasp the necessary fundamentals of education while still providing enough time to become functionally bilingual by graduation. Despite the best of intentions public reaction was highly critical of the move, and groups called for Lamrock's resignation over the matter.
Minister Lamrock was taken to court by parents in the province in their attempt to save the very popular and beneficial early immersion program. Conclusions were that Minister Lamrock needed to provide more information to the public and consider more input from the public, he had a series of public discussions. Following an overwhelming voice from the public against his plans, Minister Lamrock, refusing to back down, watered down his original plan in an attempt to save face. A strong set of voices from New Brunswickers saw this as Minister Lamrock's attempt to satisfy the requirements of the courts while ignoring the public and pushing his own agenda, something Minister Lamrock is known for by most New Brunswickers.
On June 11, 2008, Justice Hugh McLellan of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick
Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick
The Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick is the superior court of the Canadian province of New Brunswick.- Structure :...
overturned Lamrock's decision of March 14, calling the decision of the minister unfair and unreasonable because he did not allow enough time for debate before making his decision. In response, Minister Lamrock announced a new consultation with a deadline of July 25, 2008 and stated that he would make a final decision on August 5, 2008. Electronic submissions to this new consultation were posted on the Government of New Brunswick website.
Ironically, on June 18, 2008 it was the former leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Bernard Richard, who now held the position of provincial Ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate that spoke out against Minister Lamrock's plan. In his Report of the Ombudsman into the Minister of Education’s decision to modify the French Second Language Curriculum, Mr. Richard recommended that the Government defer the consultation announced by Minister Lamrock and delay implementation of the elimination of early French immersion until September 2009, citing: Unfairness stemming from a lack of consultation, Unfairness due to insufficient notice prior to implementation, Decision premised upon a mistake of fact arising from errors in statistical analysis and other factual errors, Failure to consider all the evidence before the Commissioners and before the Minister, Bias arising from an alleged pre-determination of the consultation outcomes, Determination of FSL policy on the basis of irrelevant grounds or considerations, or for an improper purpose, and Failure to consider commitments of citizen engagement in the government response to the Commission on Legislative Democracy
On August 5, 2008, Minister Lamrock and Premier Shawn Graham
Shawn Graham
Shawn Michael Graham, MLA is a New Brunswick politician, who served as the 31st Premier of New Brunswick. He received a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree in 1991 and a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1993, he worked for New Brunswick's civil service before being elected to the Legislative...
announced a revised plan for French Second Language Education, subsequent to the public consultation. In this new plan early immersion has been cut and middle immersion will be offered in Grade 3 as of 2010, following an introduction to French language and culture for all students starting in kindergarten, to be implemented in 2009. Students who are not in the immersion program began intensive French in Grade 5 as of September 2008, and a greater variety of options are being planned for the higher grades.
In September 2009, Education Minister Roland Hache released surprising statistics which were claimed to validate the reforms undertaken by former education minister Kelly Lamrock and Premier Shawn Graham. "Last years reforms [2008] to French second-language programming have also had positive results, with 58% of Grade 5 Intensive French students now hitting the provincial target, as compared to only 2% under the previous Core French program." However, the education reforms had also resulted in a drop of 6 percentage points in grade 5 math scores as well as declines in French Immersion reading and writing scores.
Social Development
In June 2009 Lamrock was moved to the Social Development portfolio in a Cabinet shuffle.Poverty Reduction
As Minister of Social Development, Lamrock inherited a public engagement initiative, launched by Premier Shawn Graham, tasked with the job of studying poverty in New Brunswick and recommending measures to combat it.The Government engaged the public through a number of public forums, held throughout the province, between October 2008 and March 2009. The forums were organized in such a way to bring together government officials, business leaders, non-profit organizations, and individuals living in poverty to discuss what poverty means, what causes poverty, and what can be done to reduce poverty.
The public forums painted a very clear picture of the state of poverty in New Brunswick. While a number of themes emerged the single most consistent opinion communicated was that the social assistance system, as it was constructed, further exacerbated poverty in the province. Rather than assisting people to regain their self-reliance, social assistance trapped people in poverty.
On October 7, 2009, in a speech to a group of Saint John business leaders, Minister Lamrock openly challenged his own government proposing to reform the social assistance program and raise rates that had been frozen in the Spring. Lamrock argued that:
We can't ask people to live on less than $300.00 a month and wonder why they don't focus on work. Its because they focus on surviving ... And I want to be really clear on this one, if we want people to be self-reliant, we can't have a myriad of complex rules that make people feel if they take one wrong step, they lose their cheques."
Lamrock's comments signaled a significant shift in the way the Department of Social Development would be run under his watch. Lamrock criticized the social assistance system stating that its programs had functioned exclusively to
"save money, not to help the poor. A new mandate comes down from Finance and we figure out which are the least vulnerable people who can be squeezed off the system ... that's what's driven social assistance reform for 20 years and it has to stop."
On November 12 and 13, 2009 the final forum of the task force was held in Saint John. The participants agreed to the first ever poverty reduction strategy in New Brunswick in its report "Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan". The poverty reduction strategy was a first in New Brunswick and also made the province a leader in the fight against poverty in Canada.
Among its recommendations the Poverty Reduction Plan suggested that three reforms needed to take place immediately:
1. The elimination of the interim social assistance rate program (single employable people)
2. Extend health card for persons exiting social assistance for up to 3 years until prescription drug program is introduced
3. The household income policy will only be applied to social assistance recipients who are in spousal relationships (making it permissible for people on social assistance to have a roommate)
The Poverty Reduction Plan has been well received by groups who advocate on behalf of New Brunswick's poor. Brian Duplessis, the Executive Director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters, was encouraged by the steps Minister Lamrock has taken, but argued that more needed to be done to address issues of deep poverty in New Brunswick.
Brian Duplessis, Brenda Murphy, coordinator for the Urban Core Support Network in Saint John, and Wendy McDermott, coordinator of Vibrant Communities Saint John, all agreed that while there is much work to be done the steps undertaken by Minister Lamrock have been reforms that anti-poverty advocates have been lobbying the Province to make for years.
Premier Shawn Graham has stated, "What has been agreed is exceptional, and it will put us on the right path to achieving our poverty-reduction goals and helping thousands of New Brunswickers be more self-sufficient."
Extending Health Card Benefits
On December 9, 2009 Minister Lamrock announced the extension of the health card benefits up to three years for those exiting social assistance and entering the workforce. The extension of health card benefits was proposed by the poverty reduction task force as an interim solution to provide health and dental benefits until the province completes its prescription drug plan set to begin in April 2012. Extending health cared benefits recognizes that many people on social assistance enter the workforce employed in minimum wage jobs that do not offer health and dental benefits.Disability Supplement Reforms
On January 13, 2010 Minister Lamrock rose in the New Brunswick Legislature to announce that reforms had been made to the provincial disability supplement program to ensure that those who exceeded the income threshold would not lose this vital supplement. Effective January 1, 2010 the disability supplement would eliminate income cut offs and replace them with a declining scale system so that if a person was $6.00 over threshold they would not lose the entire supplement of $1000.00 but rather the supplement would decrease by $6.00 and the person would receive $994.00.Increasing Social Assistance Rates
On January 18, 2010 Minister Lamrock rose in the New Brunswick Legislature to announce that reforms had also been made to the social assistance rates increasing them by 82%. The rates which were under $300.00 have been increased to $536.00.Eliminating the Economic Unit Policy
On February 18, 2010 Minister Lamrock rose in the New Brunswick Legislature to announce that the economic unit policy which prevented those receiving social assistance to have a roommate had been eliminated. All New Brunswicker's receiving social assistance prior to January 1, 2010 would immediately benefit from this program. By June 30, 2011 the program will be extended to all recipients of social assistance who began receiving benefits after the January 1st, 2010 cut off date.Minister Lamrock explained why the program is being rolled out in this way in the Legislature on February 18, 2010.
I want to inform the House of the three steps that will be taken to change this policy forever. In the covenant for poverty reduction, there was an agreement that the government would excuse all those on social assistance today from the economic unit policy, except for spouses, who have an obligation to look after each other. That means that all those who are social assistance clients as of January 1 can now—and in the future—take on roommates or move in with a brother. A parent can move in with their adult child who can help look after them in tough times. That can happen. When we looked at it, we also decided that was not enough. We want to make sure that we are cementing this
policy once and for all.
Second, I want to let the House know that the department has begun the delicate work of redrafting the policy altogether. Certainly, no one in this House wants to see an 18-year-old be able to graduate from high school and go on social assistance while living with their parents. No one wants to excuse spouses from their obligation to look after each other for richer or for poorer. While being consistent with the charter and not discriminating, we want to make absolutely sure that we draft a policy that makes sense. We have committed, and we have ordered the department today, that that work is to be done by June 30, 2011, so that not only are we excusing the clients whom we are excusing today, but we are also going to fix it for everybody.
Third, we also understand that while that important drafting work is being undertaken, there will be new applicants—those who may fall upon hard times and those who may be looking to share expenses or have a little bit of help. I am also pleased to inform the House that we have allowed the Minister of Social Development to make exemptions for new applicants. We will also set up a committee to advise the minister. It will be made up of the people living in poverty, the frontline poverty advocates, and the community leaders who were part of the poverty reduction strategy in the first place. This will allow the minister to help all those who come looking for help, and who do not have anyone who should be expected to look after them, to be exempt from the economic unit policy. I also want to make it clear that the ministerial discretion is there to protect people. I will soon be making public a mandate letter to the committee with the principles that we intend to use.
The Opposition offered token criticism to Lamrock's actions on the economic unit policy which is part of a much larger Poverty Reduction Strategy that the Conservative Party leader David Alward signed and lent his Party's support to in Saint John in November 2009.
Attorney General of New Brunswick
On January 4, 2010 Premier Shawn Graham appointed Lamrock Attorney General of New Brunswick after his predecessor, Michael B. Murphy, resigned his seat in the Legislature to spend time with his family.Civil Forfeiture Act
As Attorney General of New Brunswick Lamrock introduced the Civil Forfeiture Act to the New Brunswick Legislature in mid-February 2010. Although this particular legislation had been promised by his predecessor Lamrock followed through with its introduction.Lamrock expressed his support for the Civil Forfeiture Act on his website kellylamrock.com http://www.kellylamrock.com
“This legislation closes an important loophole. Many drug houses and child pornogrpahy operations happen in rental properties with no clear tenant, but where dozens of people have access. We have properties laden with violence at night and discarded needles by morning where there is no reasonable doubt there is a crime. We have computers full of horrible videos of kids being tortured where by the sheer number of people with access, none can be convicted. When an item can be proven to be aiding an ongoing activity, and it can be proven the removal of the item will stop the crime, I think that is acceptable.”
Kelly continued to explain his support for the legislation by stating “while I am a critic of the fed’s “lock ‘em up” approach, I see nothing progressive in leaving families in poor neighborhoods like Doone Street (a struggling neighborhood in Devon on Fredericton’s northside) to see crime and violence normalized for their kids when the crime is proven but the indviduals are not.”
Lamrock was quick to point out that this Legislation does not give police in New Brunswick the ability to violate civil liberties:
“Any legislation, including this one, is subject to Charter scrutiny and the Canadian Charter of Rights trumps the Bill. In other words, protected rights, such as the right against unreasonable search and seizure under Section 8, cannot be subverted.”
“More directly the bill does not change the need for warrants, due process, limits on searches or evidentiary admisibility. The Civil Forfeiture Act allows the Crown, if it can prove property was used in the commission of a crime, to seize it. But to seize the property, the Crown still has to prove that in court with a right to legal defence. In proving that the property was used in commission of a crime they still follow the same procedures used in proving an individual committed a crime — no search without a warrant, no unreasonable searches, etc.”
To date the Opposition Conservatives have not opposed this legislation and are not expected to.
Acting Minister of Justice and Consumer Affiars
Lamrock was named Acting Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs by Premier Shawn Graham on February 10, 2010 after the resignation of his predecessor Bernad LeBlanc.Judicature Act
On February 18, 2010 Lamrock introduced the Judicature Act to the New Brunswick Legislature. The purpose of this Act is to amend the Judicature Act which will provide sufficient authority to implement some of the recommendations made by the Family Justice Task Force. The Act also creates a Master to divide the labour of the Court in order to ensure the appropriate services are provided to those who need them and to help increase access to the Family Justice system.Insurance Act
On February 24, 2010 Lamrock introduced the Insurance Act to the New Brunswick Legislature for first reading. The Act would prevent insurance companies from using credit scores in determining the rates they charge New Brunswickers for home, car, and life insurance.This legislation puts New Brunswick ahead of the curve on this matter. Currently Alberta and Ontario prevent insurance companies from using individual financial history for automobile insurance, the proposed legislation before the New Brunswick Assembly would go further to prevent financial history from being used for home and life insurance as well.
Lamrock's justified his support for the Insurance Act stating:
"If powerful companies can take advantage of consumers then the little guy can get hurt," Lamrock told reporters outside the house. "Government has to maintain the ability to step in and make sure that companies aren't using information that has nothing to do with your risk as a driver or homeowner in order to determine the price of your insurance."
"This will provide us with the ability to stop the practice of jacking up insurance rates based on irrelevant questions," Lamrock, the MLA for Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak said, adding that 40 years ago insurance companies asked race-based questions to identify risk. People's insurance premiums should be determined solely by the risk they pose to the insurer for claims."
The Opposition Conservatives had indicated they support Minister's Lamrock's legislation and the bill is expected to pass easily in the Legislature.
Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission
Lamrock was made the Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission by Premier Shawn Graham in 2006. The idea for the agency existed only as an idea which originated from a 2003 report commissioned by the previous Conservative Government. On March 1, 2007 Lamrock and Premier Graham announced the creation of the non-partisan, arms length agency.The creation of the Provincial Capital Commission also saw the creation of the Capital Region, a geographic space the includes nine electoral districts with its center being the Legislative Assembly in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Provincial Capital Commissin is responsible for protecting and celebrating the history and cultural diversity of New Brunswick.
I Walked with My Premier and MLA
Since its creation in 2007 the Provincial Capital Commission has begun a number of successful initiatives including "I Walked with My Premier and MLA" in the early fall of 2008 that saw more than 2000 students from across the province travel to Fredericton for a walk around the city with the Premier and all the members of the Legislative Assembly.Capital Encounters
The Capital Encounters program has been a wildly successful initiative that subsidizes travel expenses for schools who travel to Fredericton. During the trip students tour the capital city, meet with their local MLA, and when the Legislature is in session they sit in the public gallery and are formally introduced in the Chamber to the Speaker and the other members of the Assembly.Host Communities for New Brunswick Day
In 2007 the Provincial Capital Commission instituted a host community for the traditional August 1 civil holiday New Brunswick Day. In 2007 the inaugural host community was in the Premier's hometown of Rexton, New BrunswickRexton, New Brunswick
Rexton is a Canadian village in Kent County, New Brunswick.Situated on the Richibucto River, the village was originally inhabited by Mi'kmaqs, many of whose descendants still reside in the nearby Elsipogtog First Nation, formerly referred to as the Big Cove Band...
. In 2008 the host community was Shediac, New Brunswick
Shediac, New Brunswick
Shediac is a Canadian town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.Situated on Shediac Bay, a sub-basin of the Northumberland Strait, the town calls itself the "Lobster Capital of the World" and hosts an annual festival every July which promotes its ties to lobster fishing; the largest lobster...
in 2009 the host community was McAdam, New Brunswick
McAdam, New Brunswick
McAdam is a village located in the southwestern corner of York County, New Brunswick, Canada. The village covers and has a population of 1,404 as of 2006.The area was first settled in the mid-to-late 19th century as a group of small lumber camps...
and in 2010 Rexton, once again, played host to the celebrations.
Minister Responsible for Housing
Lamrock became Minister Responsible for Housing in the Cabinet shuffle on June 22, 2009. In this capacity Lamrock is responsible for issues related to low income housing and senior's housing within the province.2010 General Election
Lamrock lost his seat to Conservative challenger Pam Lynch in the 2010 provincial election. Lynch benefited from what has been described as a "blue wave" that swept across the province reducing the Liberal caucus to 13 MLA's from 32 MLA's.In immediate post-election speculation Lamrock was rumored to be a front-runner to become the next leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party. Lamrock has remained relatively quiet in the months following the election, although he has continued to use his Twitter account and has started a blog where he discusses provincial and national politics. To date, Lamrock has not made any indication as to whether he is planning on running for the leadership.