New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Tuesday 13 May 2025
Members' statements dominated the non-QP business, with opposition members repeatedly criticizing the Holt government over alleged cuts to health, education, and social development—particularly the loss of librarian and library support positions, a $47-million reduction to child welfare, nurse-related uncertainty, and a $1-million cut to Food DEPOT Alimentaire affecting local farmers. Government members countered with statements defending strategic transformation of systems, a new $63-million municipal fiscal reform funding model, a residential property tax assessment freeze for 2026, and a 25% rebate on provincial park fees.
Members' Statements
Alleged Holt government cuts to Health, Education, and Social Development
Ms. Scott-Wallace
Criticized the government for making cuts to the three most important departments while calling them something else, citing librarian job cuts and a $47-million reduction in child welfare that forced the Child and Youth Advocate to require quarterly reporting.
Cut to Food DEPOT Alimentaire and impact on farmers
Ms. Mitton
Highlighted a $1-million cut to Food DEPOT Alimentaire that funded 67 food banks and community kitchens, noting farmers have received letters suspending contracts due to uncertain financing after the growing season began.
Municipal fiscal reform funding model
Mr. J. LeBlanc
Announced a new fiscal reform funding model giving municipalities a $63-million increase over the previous year to help address financial challenges without overburdening taxpayers.
Reckless approach to health and education
Ms. Conroy
Argued the government's approach has cost librarians their jobs and caused confusion and fear among nurses during Nurses' Week, urging a different and better approach.
Defending government's vision for change
Ms. Vautour
Defended the budget and government's vision, arguing that transforming systems in crisis requires strategic investment and bold decisions, keeping teachers in classrooms and doctors and nurses with patients rather than bogged down in administration.
'Cut' versus 'ask' regarding library and nursing jobs
Mr. Cullins
Argued the Premier and ministers struggle with words 'cut' and 'ask,' noting library workers lose their jobs when cut and questioning whether nurses are truly being asked or told to work with government.
Provincial park fee rebate
Mr. Robichaud
Highlighted a 25% rebate on daily entrance fees and seasonal passes for seven provincial parks, plus free access to six others, led by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture to make outdoor recreation more affordable.
Cuts to literacy support and lowering educational standards
Mr. Lee
Criticized the government for cutting literacy support jobs while lowering educational standards, quoting the minister's defence of losing librarians as 'a mini cut inside an investment.'
Property tax assessment freeze for 2026
Mr. Arseneault
Announced legislation freezing residential property tax assessments for the 2026 taxation year as an interim measure while planning a broader overhaul of the property tax system.
Criticism of Premier's Cabinet selection
Mr. Hogan
Questioned the Premier's leadership, suggesting she mismatched skills with portfolios and failed to recognize and correct her Cabinet mistakes, arguing the clock is ticking.
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.