New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 12 December 2024
On December 12, 2024, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly (Day 11, First Session, 61st Legislature) heard a series of Members' Statements, primarily focused on the holiday season, local food banks and community charitable efforts, health care access, and government initiatives. Members raised concerns including RSV vaccine access, primary care wait lists, and infrastructure needs, while the House also reverted by unanimous consent to Introduction of Guests to welcome visiting students.
Members' Statements
Pennfield Lions Club Christmas telethon
M. Lee
Lee congratulated the Pennfield Lions Club for its 30th annual Christmas telethon, which provides gifts, toys, clothing and 40 Christmas hampers to children and families in need, along with a recent craft and bake sale.
Holiday greetings to Riverview
Mr. Weir
Weir extended holiday greetings to the people of Riverview, his family, fellow legislators, and all New Brunswickers, wishing everyone joy, peace, and a prosperous new year.
Primary health care access and wait lists
Mr. Coon
Coon criticized the government's plan for 10 collaborative care clinics, noting the health care wait list surpassed 100,000 with Fredericton having the most unattached patients, and called for community-specific targets to cut wait lists rather than merely prevent them from expanding.
Commendation of Minister of Health
Mr. Arseneault
Arseneault praised the Minister of Health for his dedication and looked forward to community care clinics, reduced wait times, nurse retention bonuses, and a visit to the St. Joseph Community Health Centre in his riding.
Oromocto and area food bank
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson highlighted the Oromocto and surrounding area food bank preparing Christmas hampers for 450 families and 800-plus angel gift requests, and urged the government to proceed with building a new warehouse to replace the five rented sea cans costing $1,500 per month.
Free RSV vaccine for seniors and infants
Ms. Mitton
Mitton urged the government to swiftly fulfill its promise of free RSV vaccines for seniors and vulnerable people, noting seniors pay $300 and families nearly $1,000 per shot, and called for free universal access for infants as offered in Ontario, Quebec and the territories.
10% electricity bill rebate
M. Robichaud
Robichaud highlighted the government's 10% rebate on electricity bills effective January 1, 2025, backed by about $32 million this fiscal year and a permanent $92.6 million investment from 2025-26, as a concrete affordability measure.
St. Stephen food bank
Ms. Bockus
Bockus emphasized the importance of local food banks, noting the St. Stephen food bank's monthly hamper distribution rose from 330 last year to 489 this year, that a school food drive raised 2,000 lb, and that 400 Christmas hampers are being prepared, urging donations.
Miramichi out of the cold shelter
Mr. Johnston
Johnston noted the December 6 opening of the out of the cold shelter in Miramichi, emphasizing long-term solutions such as affordable housing and mental health and addictions support, and commitments to oversight and accountability.
Constituency infrastructure and nurse compensation
Ms. S. Wilson
In a holiday-themed statement, Wilson called on the government to repair the Germantown Lake Covered Bridge, pay nurses at Forest Dale Home and Jordan Lifecare Centre as promised, and improve cost assessments, questioning promises of balanced budgets.
Standing Committee on Official Languages
M. M. LeBlanc
LeBlanc noted the creation of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, describing it as a driving force to transform ideas into concrete policies and reaffirming the government's commitment to promoting and protecting both official languages.
Routine Proceedings
Reverting to Introduction of Guests
Madam Speaker
The House granted unanimous consent to revert to the order of Introduction of Guests.
Welcome of visiting students and guests
Multiple
Premier Holt welcomed students from École Sainte-Anne; Mr. Hogan welcomed students and teachers from Bathurst High School and École Sainte-Anne; and Mr. Coon welcomed teacher Joanne Reynolds and her École Sainte-Anne students, as well as his visiting brother Bill Coon from Vancouver.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search New Brunswick Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.