New Brunswick Southwest Conservative MP John Williamson is firing back at Premier Brian Gallant for issuing a statement critical of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government.

Williamson said in an interview with Information Morning Fredericton said it's no coincidence that a statement released by Gallant came out two days after a big jump in the province's unemployment rate.

The statement issued Monday said the "provinces have been unduly burdened by the federal government's approach to balancing the books."

It also said, "New Brunswick is committed to the responsible development of our energy and other natural resources, which have been at the foundation of our economy for more than two centuries."

But Williamson said he disagrees with the premier's statement.

Gallant released a statement Monday saying, "provinces have been unduly burdened by the federal government's approach to balancing the books." (CBC) The federal government has made large infrastructure investments in New Brunswick and transfer payments have never been higher.

"The reason for New Brunswick's current high jobless rates and economic troubles is not because research dollars are below the national average," said Williamson.

"There are bigger pictures. We are over taxed we have said no to natural resource development and have policies in place that are encouraging young people to leave."

Gallant highlighted changes to health transfer payments that he says will lead to higher costs for the province.

He is also calling for the reversal of changes to the temporary foreign worker program and employment insurance, and an increase in funding for research to help the province move to a knowledge-based economy.

Energy Minister Donald Arseneault responded to Williamson on Thursday, saying, "This is not a blame game."

"Premier Gallant and our government take full responsibility for what we're responsible for," said Arseneault.

"All levels of government have a role to play" in dealing with the province's financial situation, he said.

"There's issues we feel that New Brunswick has been shortchanged [on] over the last few years."