Your dreams might cost you your job, seriously

Good morning from the Fundy shore — the tide's turning, and so is New Brunswick. Let's get into it.

I'll tell you what, sometimes this province throws you a curveball that just makes you scratch your head. You hear about Dieppe Councillor Corinne Gaudet, a federal public servant, wanting to run for mayor, right? Makes sense, she's already doing the work. But then her employer steps in and tells her, flat out, if she gets elected, she has to quit her federal job. *Quit her job.* So now she’s had to pull out of the race. It’s wild, because it makes you wonder about who can *actually* afford to run for office around here. Not everyone has that kind of financial flexibility, especially when you're looking at a smaller city's mayoral salary compared to a federal gig.

### The Real Deal in New Brunswick Politics

This isn't just a Dieppe thing, mind you. This kind of situation can ripple right down to us here in Saint John. Imagine someone from, say, the federal building up on King Street East, or even someone working down at the Coast Guard base by the harbour, wanting to step up and run for council, or even mayor. If they're facing that same ultimatum, it really shrinks the pool of folks who can even consider it. Are we missing out on good leaders because of these rules? It's a question worth asking, especially when we want people who truly reflect the diverse experiences of our city – from the historic streets of the South End to the neighbourhoods further out past Rockwood Park.

Here’s why this matters for us:

* **Limited Representation:** It means fewer people from certain professions or with specific financial situations can run.

* **Talent Drain:** We could be losing out on smart, dedicated people who might make excellent public servants, but can’t risk their primary income.

* **Who Can Afford It?** It raises questions about accessibility to public office and if it’s becoming a luxury for some, rather than an option for all.

This isn't some abstract problem; it's about who gets to shape the future of our communities, whether it's Dieppe, Fredericton, or right here in Saint John. If someone has to choose between serving their community and keeping their family fed, well, that's not much of a choice, is it? It's the kind of thing that makes you think about how our systems are set up, and if they're truly serving the people they're meant to.

I'll tell you what, this really gets you thinking about who’s making the decisions that affect our daily lives, from the price of gas down by the Irving refinery to the new shops opening up uptown.

Catch Keith and the crew break this down and more on the Morning Wire — tune in live at mornings.live.