New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 13 December 2024
On Friday, December 13, 2024, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly held its final sitting before the holiday adjournment, featuring members' statements offering condolences, congratulations, and holiday poems and songs, along with recognition of community achievements and policy matters such as the HST rental rebate, nursing retention bonuses, school infrastructure, and road repairs. Ministerial statements commemorated the Acadian Day of Remembrance, thanked health care and social service workers, and honoured outgoing Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy and her partner Linda Boyle, and the Speaker ruled on a point of order regarding the phrase 'false narrative.' Routine proceedings included a petition on the Taymouth Bridge, a government motion adjourning the House until March 18, 2025 with debate on establishing a permanent legislative calendar, and notices of two opposition motions on drug recovery and youth suicide prevention. The sitting concluded with Royal Assent to three bills, farewell remarks from Her Honour, and end-of-session remarks from the Government House Leader, Premier Holt, and the Speaker before the House adjourned until March.
Members' Statements
Condolence for Jamie Durling
Mr. Hogan
Mr. Hogan paid tribute to Jamie Durling, who passed away November 11 at age 53, noting his 18 years with the Woodstock Fire Department and public works service, and expressed sympathy to his family.
Condolence for Elwyn Hayes
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan honoured Elwyn Hayes, who died suddenly on December 3, recalling his farming roots, 33-plus years as a heavy-duty mechanic and longshoreman, and his devotion to family.
Cultural celebrations in Greater Saint John
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott highlighted the over 45 ethnocultural groups in the Greater Saint John area and wished everyone a wonderful season across the many winter celebrations.
Minto and Chipman food bank telethon
Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin congratulated the Minto and Chipman food banks for raising $23,701 and $26,825 respectively through a Rogers TV Christmas telethon supporting rural Grand Lake families.
STU Tommies men's soccer championship
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon congratulated the St. Thomas University Tommies men's soccer team on their undefeated 2024 season and fourth consecutive ACAA title, and recognized retiring coach John-Ryan Morrison.
Patricia Clarke's 80th birthday
Mr. Johnston
Mr. Johnston extended congratulations to Patricia Clarke on her upcoming 80th birthday, recounting her wartime birth, Canadian Armed Forces navy service, and her Ojibwe heritage.
Local businesses at Christmas
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Ms. Scott-Wallace praised local businesses in her Sussex-Three Rivers riding and encouraged shopping local, noting 66 cents of each dollar stays in the community.
Mayors' shared 68th birthday
Mr. Bourque
Mr. Bourque noted that Mayor Aldéo Saulnier of Grand-Bouctouche and Mayor Roméo Bourque of Beausoleil were both born on December 13, 1956, and wished his two favourite mayors a happy 68th birthday.
Community food supports and volunteers
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton recognized volunteers and staff at the Sackville food bank, Christmas Cheer, PEDVAC, and Station8 Community Food Hub, while noting the need for systemic change so food banks are no longer necessary.
Mike and Eleanor Brooks toy and food drive
Hon. Ms. Townsend
Hon. Ms. Townsend congratulated Mike and Eleanor Brooks of Rothesay for their 25th annual toy and food drive with the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department, and wished holiday greetings to Rothesay and Quispamsis.
Killarney Lake parade
Mr. Cullins
Mr. Cullins celebrated the fifth annual Killarney Lake parade, noting residents raised nearly $9,000 plus food donations for the local food bank.
NB Power CEO travel and ARC Nuclear
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon criticized the NB Power CEO's business-class trip to South Korea to promote ARC Nuclear technology, arguing ratepayers should not fund marketing costs and that nuclear power drives up debt and rates.
HST rental rebate on multi-unit housing
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Mr. J. LeBlanc spoke on the government's commitment to rebate the provincial HST portion on multi-unit rental housing, mirroring the enhanced federal GST rebate to encourage housing development.
Nursing retention bonus exclusions
Ms. Conroy
Ms. Conroy read feedback from a licensed practical nurse excluded from the retention bonus program, arguing all nurses, including those in rural home care, should be eligible.
DTI holiday wish list for road and bridge repairs
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton presented a holiday wish list to DTI, requesting repairs to the Wheaton covered bridge, Route 955, the Chignecto Isthmus, and brushcutting, striping, culverts, and potholes across her riding.
School infrastructure in Dieppe-Memramcook
Ms. Vautour
Ms. Vautour welcomed government announcements on school infrastructure, noting the École Abbey-Landry expansion, a new Anglophone K-12 school in Dieppe, and the continued listing of École Mathieu-Martin and École Amirault.
Season's greetings to Kings Centre
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver wished his Kings Centre constituents, the Speaker, Legislature staff, and all members a merry Christmas and happy new year.
Mental health during the holidays
Mr. Mallet
Mr. Mallet raised awareness of mental health challenges during the holiday season, emphasizing legislators' obligation to ensure accessible mental health services and public awareness of distress signs.
Mental health during the holidays
Unknown
A member spoke about the government's commitment to mental health services during a stressful season and invited the public to check in with one another to make the holidays a time of hope and healing.
Electricity bill rebate program
Ms. Wilcott
Ms. Wilcott highlighted a new program starting January 2025 providing eligible residential electricity customers a 10% rebate (equivalent to the provincial HST portion), saving the average household about $216 annually.
Christmas poems and songs (Green caucus)
Multiple
Mr. Coon and Ms. Mitton sang a festive parody song commenting on the new political landscape, government promises, and legislative matters, as part of the traditional last day before holiday break.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas parody (opposition)
Multiple
Mr. Lee and Ms. M. Johnson recited a parody of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' critiquing the Holt government's early performance on social assistance, energy, health care, education, and holding the government to account.
'Twas the Weeks Before Christmas poem (government)
Mr. Bourque
Mr. Bourque recited a Christmas poem reviewing the year's political changes, the election of New Brunswick's first female Premier and many women, and the assignment of cabinet portfolios among government members.
Tribute to the Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy and Linda Boyle
Multiple
The Premier, M. Savoie, Mr. Coon and others paid tribute to departing Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy and her partner Linda Boyle, praising their service, extensive travel, and efforts to keep Government House welcoming and open to all New Brunswickers.
Recognition of social service and long-term care workers
Hon. Ms. Miles
The Minister of Social Development thanked professionals in social services and long-term care for their resilience and compassion during the holidays; Ms. M. Johnson and Ms. Mitton echoed the thanks and urged government to also recognize nurses and provide fair contracts and retention bonuses.
Mental health and addiction supports during the holidays
Hon. Mr. McKee
The Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health noted the holidays can be difficult for those with mental health and addiction struggles and shared helpline resources; Mr. Weir and Mr. Coon added further crisis resources and recognized outreach and shelter workers.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of Guests
Multiple
By unanimous consent, the House reverted to introduce guests; Hon. Ms. Holt welcomed Donna McLaughlin, a 30-year education veteran and French immersion advocate, and Hon. Mr. Randall recognized Fredericton resident Nora Valentino.
Point of order on 'false narrative'
The Speaker
A member raised a point of order asking whether the Minister of Finance's use of 'false narrative' amounted to unparliamentary language; the Speaker ruled it was not unparliamentary as it disputes facts rather than attacking honesty.
Acadian Day of Remembrance
Hon. Mr. Gauvin
Minister Gauvin delivered a statement marking the Acadian Day of Remembrance, recalling the December 1758 shipwrecks (Violet, Duke William, Ruby) and the deportation of about 10,000 Acadians between 1755 and 1763, with responses from Mr. Savoie and Ms. Mitton commending the statement.
Thanking health care professionals over the holidays
Hon. Mr. Dornan
Minister Dornan thanked health care professionals working over the holidays and outlined non-urgent care options (family doctor, after-hours clinics, pharmacists, Tele-Care 811, eVisitNB), with supportive responses from Mr. Hogan and Mr. Coon.
Tribute to Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy
Hon. Ms. Holt
Premier Holt extended a heartfelt thank-you to outgoing Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy and her partner Linda Boyle for her five years of compassionate service, with Mr. Savoie echoing the tribute.
Petition on Taymouth Bridge #5 (Route 148)
Mr. Cullins
Mr. Cullins presented a petition with 300 signatures from Taymouth residents opposing removal of the Taymouth Bridge unless a temporary or usable bridge is provided during construction.
Government motion to adjourn the House until March 18, 2025
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc, seconded by Hon. Ms. Holt, moved that the House stand adjourned until March 18, 2025, with provision for the Speaker to recall it earlier in the public interest; the motion was carried.
Debate on adjournment motion — permanent legislative calendar
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton spoke to the motion urging the House to establish a permanent calendar to allow members to plan constituency meetings, citing a PPLOC committee recommendation and hoping to have it written into the rules in 2025.
Notice of Opposition Members' Business and Motions 14 and 15
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson gave notice of Motion 14 (urging a recovery-based addiction treatment model and re-evaluation of harm reduction) and Motion 15 (urging comprehensive suicide awareness and prevention programs in schools), both for March 20, 2025.
Introduction of Guests
Hon. C. Chiasson
Hon. C. Chiasson introduced his sisters Nanette and Andrea in the gallery, thanking them for their support and welcoming them to the House.
Royal Assent
Her Honour
Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor granted Royal Assent to Bill 2 (Executive Council Act), Bill 3 (Residential Tenancies Act), and Bill 5 (Supplementary Appropriations Act 2024-2025 (1)).
Farewell remarks by the Lieutenant-Governor
Her Honour
Concluding her term, Her Honour thanked members for their support and kindness, reflected on her motto that every voice counts, and said she would follow the Assembly's work with interest from private life.
Holiday statements
Multiple
Mr. Coon and Mr. Savoie delivered closing statements wishing members, staff, essential workers and the Jewish community happy holidays and Hanukkah, thanking those working over the holidays, and offering best wishes to the departing Lieutenant-Governor.
End-of-session remarks and holiday wishes (Government House Leader)
Mr. Savoie
The Government House Leader thanked his team members, government members, the Speaker, legislative Clerks, pages, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and all families, reflecting on the meaning of the work and offering (with a joking attempt at song) merry Christmas wishes to all.
End-of-session remarks and holiday wishes (Premier)
Hon. Ms. Holt
Premier Holt gave a land acknowledgement, thanked the public service, legislative staff, her constituents of Fredericton South-Silverwood, and all New Brunswickers, and summarized the session's accomplishments including amending Regulation 84-20 on abortion access, passing rent cap legislation, plans to remove tax on purpose-built housing, a 10% power bill discount, and nurse retention payments. She wished everyone happy holidays and encouraged public feedback.
Speaker's closing remarks and adjournment
Madam Speaker
The Speaker shared reflections on the honour of serving, praised the Assembly's collaborative spirit over the past four weeks, thanked the Clerk's Office staff, security team, HR and finance staff, translation and Hansard teams, pages, her family, and constituents. She wished members safe travels and happy holidays before declaring the House adjourned at 11:28 a.m. until March.
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.