Jim Boudreau was elected to the
Legislative Assembly in 2009. He was raised in rural Nova Scotia and
has worked in Guysborough County for his entire career, having taught
school in Canso, Mulgrave and Sherbrooke where he has been for the last
seventeen years.
Jim has served as chair of many Municipal Council
Committees. He has a wealth of community development experience;
including everything from fisheries to the reincorporation and
reestablishment of a Co-op store in his home community. Jim is actively
involved in his Union and has held elected offices at the Local,
Regional, and Provincial level. He has also served on the Provincial
Executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union as Secretary Treasurer and
has been elected as a delegate to the Canadian Teachers Federation. In
2008, he was granted a Local Service Award for his years of service to
teachers both locally and provincially.
Jim is married to Patti and they have three grown childen Liza, Lee and Josh.
News from Jim Boudreau
NDP Committed To Vitality, Growth Of Sherbrooke Village - Boudreau Wednesday, June 03, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says the NDP will honour commitments made by the current government to communities - in this case, Sherbrooke Village.... Read More...
Sherbrooke - NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour,
Jim Boudreau, says the NDP will honour commitments made by the current government
to communities - in this case, Sherbrooke
Village.
“Sherbrooke
Village is the centerpiece for tourism
in Guysborough-Sheet
Harbour,” says Boudreau.
“The NDP remains committed to ensuring the facility and its staff have the
adequate funding they require to ensure they are able to continue to deliver
the best tourism service they can. Sherbrooke
Village is a world-class
organization, and the NDP would ensure they are treated as such.”
Bourdreau says investment to tourist
attractions like Sherbrooke Village is key to rebuilding Nova Scotia tourism.
“If we’re going to talk about
bringing tourists into the region, into Guysborough-Sheet Harbour in
particular, we’ve got to talk about modernization and making it friendly to
tourists and making this a region on the leading edge,” says Boudreau. “This
has to start with addressing the area’s dilapidated tourism infrastructure.
Many of the roads that access our tourist attractions, including Sherbrooke Village, are in terrible shape and
getting progressively worse.”
The NDP is committed
to increasing the road resurfacing budget by 50 per cent. As well, Darrell
Dexter’s Better Deal 2009 includes a five-year paving plan.
“Tourism has
huge potential, especially in rural communities, but people have to be able to
get to their destination safely,” says Boudreau. “Better roads will increase competitiveness and promote tourism and
business growth in rural Nova Scotia.Under
Darrell Dexter’s genuine leadership, the NDP will fix rural roads and ensure
our communities remain strong. “
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says Rodney MacDonald has failed to stand up for Nova Scotia lobster fishermen, and Finance Minister Jamie Muir has missed the boat on easing access to Employment Insurance.... Read More...
Sherbrooke - NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says Rodney MacDonald has failed to stand up for Nova Scotia lobster fishermen, and Finance Minister Jamie Muir has missed the boat on easing access to Employment Insurance.
“Our fishermen are experiencing one of their worst season ever,” says Boudreau. “They have been looking to the Conservatives for assistance in getting through these rough times and what Rodney MacDonald is promising falls short of the help that is needed.”
The Conservatives have announced a marketing assistance plan that will do nothing to help the financial situation of
Nova Scotia’s fishing families.
“Once again, it’s too little, too late from Rodney MacDonald,” says Boudreau. “Instead of bringing forward the needed assistance for our fishermen, Rodney MacDonald blindsided the industry with new permit regulations to sell their lobster on roadsides and made a feeble attempt to have the federal government address needed changes to Employment Insurance.
“There are some simple, specific changes that can be made to ensure EI benefits more families,” adds Boudreau. “Instead of standing up for today’s families, Rodney MacDonald is standing down to federal officials. That’s a sad reputation and legacy that Rodney MacDonald will have to live with.”
In November 2008, the NDP raised this very issue with the Minister of Fisheries, Ron Chisholm, in the House of Assembly and requested he take an all-party committee to
Ottawa to address the issues facing the lobster industry in
Nova Scotia.
“This is the typical leadership, or lack there of, Nova Scotians have unfortunately come to expect from Rodney MacDonald,” says Boudreau. “It’s time for a change.
Nova Scotia lobster fishermen and their families need Darrell Dexter’s genuine leadership.”
Post-Secondary Tax incentive, 250 New NSCC Seats Tangible Reasons For Youth To Put Down Roots Monday, May 25, 2009
NDP candidates for Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, and Eastern Shore, Sid Prest, say the NDP's Graduate Retention Rebate for university and community college graduates will ensure more young people stay and build a life here in Nova Scotia.... Read More...
Guysborough - NDP candidates for Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, and Eastern Shore, Sid Prest, say the NDP's Graduate Retention Rebate for university and community college graduates will ensure more young people stay and build a life here in Nova Scotia.
“Nova Scotia’s universities and community colleges are already the envy of the country,” says Boudreau in reference to the retention incentive worth a maximum of $15,000 for university graduates and $7,500 for community college grads. “Young, smart, well-trained people are the future of our province. The NDP, under Darrell Dexter’s genuine leadership, have a plan that will offer recent graduates a real, tangible reason to stay, work, raise families and build a life in Nova Scotia communities.”
Prest says the addition of 250 new seats distributed to NSCC locations across the province will also help communities retain youth.
“These seats will go a long way in reducing the long waiting lists at Nova Scotia Community Colleges across the province,” says Prest. “The new NSCC seats will also close the gap in skills shortages. It will increase access to training in trades and professions that are in the highest demand. As a result, these new skills will directly translate into new, secure jobs. Essentially, in communities like Seaforth and Sheerbrooke, students can train at home for the trades they want to practice in their own communities.”
The demand for more NSCC seats is felt strongest by Nova Scotia homebuilders and the construction industry, which will need at least 7,000 skilled new workers over the next several years.
“The NDP will kick-start new home construction and keep jobs in Nova Scotia communities by introducing a 50 per cent rebate on the HST on newly-built homes,” says Boudreau. “For families, this will mean up to $7,000 off the price of a new home, and for young trades-people, this will provide a boost to jobs.”
Conservative Red Tape Promise Contradicts Actions - Boudreau Friday, May 15, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, is questioning the Premier's statement today on Red tape reduction.... Read More...
NDP candidate in
Guysborough-SheetHarbour, Jim Boudreau, is questioning the Premier's statement today on Red tape reduction.
“We all support removing red tape for our small businesses and the hassles it creates for Nova Scotians,” says Jim Boudreau.
“But actions speak louder than words and what the Conservatives did to lobster fishermen just two weeks ago is completely contrary to the campaign promise he claims to be making today.”
“If Rodney MacDonald was truly concerned about red tape and its impact on small businesses, like our fishermen, he would have at the very least consulted with the fishing industry before blind siding them with these new permit requirements to sell their catches on the roadside,” adds Boudreau.
Rodney MacDonald Conservatives Abandoning Nova Scotia Communities - Boudreau Sunday, May 10, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says the Rodney MacDonald government has abandoned communities throughout rural Nova Scotia.... Read More...
Guysborough County - NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour,
Jim Boudreau, says the Rodney MacDonald government has abandoned communities
throughout rural Nova Scotia.
“When it comes to
today’s families and most Nova Scotia
communities, Rodney MacDonald is out of touch and out of ideas,” says Boudreau.
“Communities like Canso, Mushaboom, Guysborough, and Sherbrooke continue to see depopulation, growing
unemployment, nagging health care concerns, a lack of adequate child care,
deplorable road conditions and the list goes on and on. Families in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour deserve better. It’s time for a
change.”
Boudreau says the
Rodney MacDonald government seems satisfied with rural Nova Scotia struggling to survive. He says
NDP Leader Darrell Dexter has a plan that will allow rural Nova Scotia to thrive.
“Darrell Dexter and
the NDP are committed to a better deal for today’s families in Guysbourough-Sheet Harbour,” says Boudreau. “He is
committed to keeping emergency rooms open in communities Rodney MacDonald has
neglected for years. He is committed to paving more rural roads with an open
and transparent program that addresses the work that needs to be done.
“Darrell Dexter is
committed to creating and maintaining jobs, and the NDP’s manufacturing and
processing tax credit, which will directly and immediately help small and large
businesses throughout rural Nova
Scotia, is targeted at job creation and job
stability,” adds Boudreau. “Darrell Dexter realizes that these local jobs and
the Guysborough-Sheet
Harbour economy is an
important part of the foundation that makes up a strong provincial economy.”
Funding Formula Putting Mulgrave Residents In Precarious Position - Boudreau Saturday, May 09, 2009
Guysborough County - NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says the
current funding formula for municipal infrastructure projects is having a
negative impact on the ratepayers of the Town of Mulgrave.
“The citizens of Mulgrave have been placed in a precarious position and
the Rodney MacDonald government has failed to intercede on their behalf,” says
Boudreau. “The residents of this town have been forced to attempt to absorb
huge increases in water rates because the Rodney MacDonald government had
little regard for the potential impact these regulations would have on smaller
municipal units.”
In order to meet Department of Environment standards for water
treatment, the Town of Mulgrave
had to undertake approximately $3 million in water system upgrades.
“Mulgrave is a small community with a tax base of approximately 368
households,” says Boudreau. “Making up $1 million is next to impossible for the
residents of Mulgrave, many of which are seniors on fixed incomes. In order to
deal with the dramatic water rate increase, many residents will soon have tough
decisions to make.”
Proposed Ice Plant, Cold Storage Facility Needed In Canso - Boudreau Friday, May 08, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says the province should move forward with a local proposal to build an ice plant and cold storage facility in Canso.... Read More...
GuysboroughCounty - NDP candidate in
Guysborough-SheetHarbour, Jim Boudreau, says the province should move forward with a local proposal to build an ice plant and cold storage facility in Canso.
“It is imperative for the long term health of the fishing industry in Canso that this proposal is acted upon as quickly as possible,” says Boudreau. “G&C Fish Handlers is a local company, employs 15-20 people and could offer more long-term employment to the area.”
Boudreau says the proposal put forward by G&C would provide a steady and reliable supply of ice and would establish a preferred unloading facility for many of the boats fishing in and around the Canso area.
“This will create employment directly and indirectly in the town, and surrounding communities,” says Boudreau. “G&C Fish Handlers have a great reputation in the fishing industry for their good work and quality service. It is a company built on dedication and a strong work ethic.
“This is a local company with strong community ties. Any investment in this company will pay immediate dividends in direct and indirect employment, while providing a necessary boost to the local economy,” adds Boudreau.
Conservative Government Holding Up New Canso Library/Resource Centre - Boudreau Monday, February 16, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, has written to Premier Rodney MacDonald asking why his Conservative government is holding up the construction of a new Library/Resource Centre to serve Canso and surrounding communities.... Read More...
Guysborough County – NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, has written to Premier Rodney MacDonald asking why his Conservative government is holding up the construction of a new Library/Resource Centre to serve Canso and surrounding communities.
“It’s hard to fathom why this project is being held up considering the many assurances that the Premier and MLA Ron Chisholm have made to Town Council and area residents dating back to and proceeding the 2006 provincial election,” says Boudreau. “I would remind the Premier that this project has received approval, necessary funding and support from the Federal government, Municipal government and the Eastern Counties Regional Libraries Board.”
Canso’s commitment was reaffirmed at a council meeting on February 9th, 2009. A site has also been selected and approved by all the stakeholders.
“This community, like most in rural Nova Scotia, is struggling and needs the Premier to honour his promises and commitments,” says Boudreau. “This Library/Resource Centre has always been a vital piece of infrastructure for the Eastern end of Guysborough and construction would provide a much needed economic stimulus.
“It is clear that all the stakeholders, with the exception of the Rodney MacDonald government, has recognized these realities and have since delivered on their commitment to help our community,” adds Boudreau. “This project is stalled and necessary federal money is waiting and could be lost due to the Premier’s inaction.”
Senior Facilities Need Safety And Security Of Emergency Generators - Boudreau Thursday, February 05, 2009
NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says it is not right that two of three senior’s multi-unit residences in Guysborough County do not have use of a generator in the event of an extended power outages.... Read More...
Guysborough County
– NDP candidate in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, Jim Boudreau, says it is not
right that two of three senior’s multi-unit residences in Guysborough County do
not have use of a generator in the event of an extended power outages.
“At present,
there is one generator that circulates between three seniors’ facilities in
Mulgrave, Guysborough and Little Dover,” says Boudreau. “It would seem
reasonable in light of the continuous and frequent power outages that each of
these facilities be supplied with an emergency generator.”
Boudreau has
written to Guyborough-Sheet Harbour MLA Ron Chisholm and Minister of Seniors,
Len Goucher, requesting that these seniors’ facilities be given the immediate
attention they deserve.
“Over
Christmas the tenants of the Little Dover complex were forced to live in a
residence which was heated by propane space heaters,” says Boudreau. “This
caused a number of health issues for some seniors and it posed a serious health
and safety concern for other residents who have mobility and balance issues.”
Boudreau says
each of the three facilities are wired for the use of a generator and it would
only require the purchase of two units to ensure that seniors living in
Mulgrave, Guysborough and Little Dover have peace of mind and a sense of
comfort during power outages.
“The
expenditure of less than $5,000 is a small price to pay for the safety and
security of our seniors,” says Boudreau. “The comfort and safety of our seniors
has to be a paramount concern of the Conservative government.”
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