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FREDERICTON — New Brunswick’s Green leader says a Green government would create a new department to promote rural economic development.

David Coon says provincial governments have for too long promoted economic development by degrading natural resources and giving hand-outs to large corporations.

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He says a Green government would expand sustainable agriculture and implement a local food strategy to lessen dependence on imported foods.

Coon says they would also increase in-province tourism by maintaining and restoring covered bridges and river ferries.

And Coon says a Green government would immediately cancel the 25-year forestry contracts signed by the former Tory government in 2014 and again make private woodlots the primary source of softwood for mills.

The provincial election is Sept. 24.