New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Wednesday 7 May 2025
During Members' Statements in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly on May 7, 2025, members marked achievements, celebrated volunteers and the Moncton Wildcats' playoff run, and revived the ice bucket challenge for mental health awareness, while opposition members criticized the Holt government's budget cuts to education, libraries, child welfare and health care, and pressed for action on the neurological disease of unknown origin.
Members' Statements
Ice bucket challenge for mental health awareness
Mr. Weir
Mr. Weir announced the return of the ice bucket challenge, this time to raise awareness for mental health, saying he would take part at noon with students from Riverview Middle School and nominate a colleague, inviting members to join.
Neurological disease of unknown origin
Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton said patients with the neurological disease of unknown origin have been ignored, with at least 50 deaths, and criticized the Holt government for not asking the Public Health Agency of Canada to lead a scientific investigation, calling for urgent action and transparency.
Moncton Wildcats playoff success
Mr. Doucet
Mr. Doucet wished the Moncton Wildcats success as they advance to the QMJHL final against the Rimouski Océanic and to the Memorial Cup, invoking star player Caleb Desnoyers.
Education cuts and student excellence
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver criticized the Holt government's $43-million download of education cuts to school districts, referencing the Reach for the Top competition and Kennebecasis Valley High School's provincial record while warning the cuts discourage student excellence.
Immigration and newcomers
Mr. Arseneault
Mr. Arseneault highlighted the importance of immigration through the provincial nominee program to grow the province, enrich Francophone communities and build a strong, united Canada.
Holt government budget cuts
Mr. Monahan
Mr. Monahan enumerated cuts in the Holt government budget, including to roads, mental health emergency care, pharmacy clinics, tourism, child welfare ($47M), education ($43M) and food banks ($1M), asking what will be cut next.
Interprovincial trade and labour mobility agreements
Mr. M. LeBlanc
Mr. M. LeBlanc highlighted memoranda of understanding signed with Newfoundland and Labrador (April 17) and Ontario to break down trade barriers and improve worker mobility, praising the government's proactive economic approach.
Loss of school librarian positions
Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. M. Wilson said the riding of Oromocto-Sunbury lost eight librarian jobs affecting 10 schools and hundreds of students, blaming the Holt government's $43-million download of cuts onto school districts.
National Volunteer Week
Mr. Robichaud
Mr. Robichaud recognized National Volunteer Week (April 27–May 3), described a recognition evening in Bathurst, and thanked volunteers across the province for their essential contributions.
School library closures and education budget
Ms. M. Johnson
Ms. M. Johnson said closing school libraries due to budget cuts is devastating for library workers and students, arguing both teachers and libraries are needed and blaming the Holt government's budget choices amid a large deficit.
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.