The New Brunswick Speech from the Throne
The first session of the 61st New Brunswick Legislative Assembly began Tuesday, with a throne speech outlining the direction of Premier Susan Holt’s newly-elected government. The Liberal Party formed a majority government on October 21st, ending the two-term government of former premier Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservatives.
Prior to the throne speech, Premier Holt had publicly released the mandate letters to each cabinet minister. A link to those mandate letters can be found here: Mandate Letters Link
The speech, entitled “Ready for change” focused on six priority areas:
Health Care
- 30 new community health clinics
- A health human resources plan
- Retention bonuses
- Overhauled compensation for doctors and primary healthcare providers
- Improved recruitment processes
- Expanding scope of practice for healthcare providers
- Improved supports for seniors, including increased staff in nursing homes, and higher rates of pay for personnel
- Free RSV medication for seniors and vulnerable persons
- A bilateral forum and ongoing process to achieve culturally safe and equitable health care for Indigenous people in the province
Affordability and Housing
- A rebate equivalent to the 10 per cent sales tax on electricity bills
- Removal of the carbon adjuster from fuel prices
- A three-percent rent cap
- Rebating the 10 per cent provincial portion of the HST for eligible newly purpose-built rental housing
- Creation and renovation of public housing units.
- Wrap-around supports for those experiencing homelessness
- Exploring basic income to individuals living with a disability
- Social assistance changes
Education
- Recruitment and retention of teachers, educational assistants and school bus drivers
- Additional financial support for those entering educational professions
- Support for inclusive education
- Improved wages and working conditions for early childhood educators
- Long-term support for post-secondary student housing
Economic Development
- Ensuring a balanced budget in each year of the mandate
- Grants to New Brunswick students who choose to study to work in high priority fields, such as health care, building trades, and education
- Phasing in pay equity, using a model similar to Ontario and Quebec
- An energy plan that provides affordable, reliable, clean energy for New Brunswickers and businesses.
- Investments in research and automation
- Closing gaps in cell phone coverage and high-speed internet
- Supports for arts and culture
Environment
- Updating the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
- Modern air filtration, heating and cooling systems for public facilities such as schools and hospitals
- Active transportation initiatives
- A coastal erosion plan
- Investigating alternatives to pesticides and herbicide use
Trusted Leadership
- Reforming Right to Information legislation and whistleblower protection
- Legislative Assembly changes including remote participation
- Comprehensive fiscal reform for municipalities
- A nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations
In closing
The Legislative Assembly will sit into December, and the Holt government has already introduced legislation to implement the three-percent rent cap and to repeal the “carbon cost adjuster” on fuel.