New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Friday 9 May 2025
On the morning of Friday, May 9, 2025, the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly opened by introducing the summer's Legislative Assembly tour guides, followed by statements of condolence (for Guy LeBouthillier and Acadian literary figure Marguerite Maillet) and congratulation, and members' statements marked by Opposition criticism of the Holt government's cuts to school library workers and lowered assessment standards, with government responses on local governance funding, seniors' aging-in-place programs, and Francophone international relations. In routine proceedings, Mr. Coon gave notice of Motion 31 on 24-hour mental health crisis services, Bills 6 and 11 passed third reading, and Bill 17 respecting outlaw motorcycle gangs passed second reading. Much of the sitting was devoted to second reading debate on Bill 22, which would impose a one-year freeze on property tax assessments, with opposition members such as MLA Monahan criticizing the government's lack of consultation with municipalities and warning of fiscal harm and forced mill-rate increases. After concluding debate on Bill 22 and welcoming guests from The York School in Toronto, the House adjourned at noon.
Members' Statements
Criticism of government cuts to literacy
S. Wilson
The member criticized the Holt government's apparent animosity toward literacy, citing past cuts to the bookmobile and literacy on wheels and the cutting of school library workers, urging the government to reverse the cuts.
Call for climate action
M. Mitton
The member called for renewable energy, better public transportation, and support for farmers, arguing the technology and solutions exist but the government lacks climate leadership.
Local governance funding reform legislation
M. LeBlanc
The member praised the government's newly introduced legislation to improve local government funding and community support, contrasting it with the previous government's failure to complete fiscal and governance reform.
Criticism of government on literacy and standards
R. Cullins
The member cited the Liberal platform's own figure that New Brunswick students are 1.5 years behind the Canadian average and argued cutting library staff and lowering standards moves the province in the wrong direction.
Government support for aging in place
K. Wilcott
The member highlighted the nursing home without walls program and low-income seniors' benefit as examples of government support helping seniors age in place with dignity.
Criticism of Liberal governments on literacy
M. Johnson
The member argued that history books would judge two Liberal governments harshly for cutting the bookmobile, cutting school library workers, and lowering assessment targets.
New Brunswick–Francophone Africa relations
B. Bourque
The member highlighted the government's newly announced strategy to build sustainable relationships with Francophone African countries such as Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Tunisia, Benin, and Cameroon.
Criticism of literacy cuts and lowered standards
D. Monahan
The member called cuts to literacy support and lowered assessment standards giant steps in the wrong direction, questioning whether the Premier would demonstrate good leadership by recognizing and correcting these mistakes.
Convention of the Association francophone des aînés
A. Doucet
The member recognized the convention of the Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick, held at the Université de Moncton with over 250 attendees, focused on aging in French.
Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick convention
Unknown
A member recognized the commitment of association president Norma Dubé and CEO Marcel Larocque and invited colleagues to wish the association a good convention for the Francophonie and seniors.
Literacy and cuts to school library workers
Mr. Oliver
Mr. Oliver expressed concern about the state of literacy in New Brunswick, criticizing the previous Liberal cut of the bookmobile and the current government's cut to school library workers, saying rural New Brunswickers are hit hardest.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of summer tour guides
The Speaker
The Speaker introduced the Legislative Assembly's three summer tour guides — Tait Leroux, Samuel Choinière, and Zachary Poitras — and invited members to welcome them.
Condolences for Guy LeBouthillier
S. Johnston
The member announced the passing of Guy LeBouthillier of Neguac at age 73 and offered condolences on behalf of his riding and the government.
Tribute to Marguerite Maillet
A. Doucet
The member paid tribute to Acadian literature scholar and publisher Marguerite Maillet, who died at 101, recounting her many honours including the Order of Canada and France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and extended condolences to her family.
Congratulations to figure skating coach Mario Richard
L. Robichaud
The member congratulated Mario Richard of Saint-Isidore for representing Canada as head coach of figure skating at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin.
Congratulations to Carleton North High School fundraisers
M. Johnson
The member congratulated Jennifer Andrews and student volunteers who raised $720 for Sexual Violence New Brunswick through a sundae bar fundraiser.
Congratulations for the 2025 New Brunswick Drama Festival
D. Coon
The member congratulated elementary, middle, and high school students taking part in the 2025 New Brunswick Drama Festival hosted by UNB and St. Thomas University.
Retirement of Wendell and Sandra Waye and birthday greeting
S. Johnston
The member congratulated Wendell and Sandra Waye on their retirement after 55 years running Crocker's Mens & Boys Wear in Newcastle, and wished a happy 90th birthday to Big Mike Coster.
Congratulations to the Grand Lake Wild U18 champions
K. Austin
The member congratulated the Grand Lake Wild, U18 C provincial champions, and coach Tanner Wheaton on their tournament victory in Moncton.
Support for The Martin Boys on Canada's Got Talent
B. Hogan
The member urged colleagues and the public to vote for Woodstock's Macauley and Micah Martin (The Martin Boys) in the Canada's Got Talent finale on May 13.
Congratulations to Loran Scholar Lana Harrell
K. Bockus
The member congratulated St. Stephen High School student Lana Harrell on being named one of 36 Loran Scholars in Canada, highlighting her community and school leadership.
Notice of Motion 31 on mental health crisis services
M. Coon
Mr. Coon gave notice of Motion 31 (for May 15, seconded by Ms. Mitton) urging government to fund community mental health centres for 24-hour walk-in emergency services and to reinstate direct public access to Mobile Crisis Mental Health Response Teams with round-the-clock service, citing high suicide rates and outsourced triage.
Government Motion for the Ordering of Business
M. LeBlanc
The Government House Leader announced the bill tabled today would be called for second reading May 13, and outlined the House business: third reading of Bills 6 and 11 followed by second reading of numerous bills, with the House adjourning by 12 p.m. for the economic policy committee to consider Bills 14, 8, and 13.
Introduction of Guests - The York School
Mr. Johnston
With unanimous consent to revert, Mr. Johnston welcomed 22 students and chaperones from The York School in Toronto, noting the 239-year-old Legislature; Ms. M. Johnson also welcomed the students to the province.
Orders of the Day
Third reading of Bills 6 and 11
The Speaker
Bill 6 (An Act to Amend the Liquor Control Act) and Bill 11 (An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act) were read a third time and passed.
Second reading debate on Bill 17, An Act Respecting Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Mr. Austin
Mr. Austin continued debate stressing the need to balance enforcement without over-burdening police, praised law enforcement, and criticized the helmet inspection provision as excessive and requiring costly training, suggesting details be examined in committee.
Second reading debate on Bill 17, An Act Respecting Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Mr. Coon
Mr. Coon welcomed a bill addressing organized crime, noted the broad definition of 'gang', argued for more comprehensive legislation and witnesses at committee, discussed collaborative RCMP/police units and needed resources, and clarified the bill does not deal with motorcycle helmets.
Second reading of Bill 17
The Speaker
Bill 17, An Act Respecting Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, was read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Policy.
Second reading of Bill 22, An Act Respecting Property Tax Affordability Measures
Hon. M. Legacy
Minister Legacy moved second reading of Bill 22, proposing amendments to the Assessment Act and Real Property Tax Act to freeze assessment amounts for one year (2026, with exceptions), correct a 2023 valuation change, and expand equalized payment plan eligibility to more property owners, pending a broader overhaul of the property tax system.
Bill 22 – Freeze on Property Tax Assessments
Mr. Monahan
Monahan thanked the government for bringing forward Bill 22 and said he did not oppose the policy of freezing property assessments, but argued the process was a failure of democracy, criticizing the lack of consultation with the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB), who learned of the decision via press release. He warned that freezing assessments removes the updated figures municipalities need to budget and fund essential services, that municipalities cannot run deficits and will be forced to raise mill rates, passing the burden onto taxpayers already struggling with affordability. He recommended the government convene stakeholders for genuine dialogue, provide bridge funding in the same year as the freeze, and lay out a transparent reform plan, drawing an analogy to the province's own complaints about the federal HST holiday being imposed without consultation or compensation.
Debate on Second Reading of Bill 22 (property assessment freeze) - concluding remarks
Unknown
A member concluded remarks opposing the assessment freeze, arguing it forces municipalities entering an election year to choose between cutting services or raising taxes, and criticizing the unilateral, unaccountable method of delivery while acknowledging the need for relief.
Debate on Second Reading of Bill 22 - Ms. Mitton
Ms. Mitton
Mitton expressed concern that the assessment freeze was imposed without municipal involvement, warning it may create shortfalls that push municipalities to raise rates, and called for urgent, transparent reform, exclusion of heavy industry from breaks, and support for nonmarket and co-operative housing.
Debate on Second Reading of Bill 22 - Ms. M. Wilson
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson called the freeze 'smoke and mirrors,' explaining the mass appraisal system and the split between Service New Brunswick assessments and Finance/Local Government taxes, noting the last freeze in 2018 led local governments to raise rates and that owner-occupied homes pay no provincial property tax, while local governments face genuine budget pressures the government must address.
Other business
Adjournment
Mr. J. LeBlanc
At 12 noon the Speaker recognized the member for Shediac-Cap-Acadie, who moved that the House adjourn; the House adjourned at 12 p.m.
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.